USA > Massachusetts > Middlesex County > Shirley > History of the town of Shirley, Massachusetts, from its early settlement to A.D. 1882 > Part 13
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"We wish you, gentlemen, to lay the same before the town, and should it be their pleasure to accept the be- quests, we will be in readiness at any time to pay over the money to such persons as the town may designate for such purpose. We are, gentlemen, most respectfully,
"Your obedient servants,
" THOMAS WHITNEY, - Executors of the will "GEORGE A. WHITNEY, S of said deceased.
"Shirley, March 25, 1847."
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The town voted to accept the legacy of Mr. Whitney, and authorized the selectmen to receive the same of the executors, in the name of the town ; also voted that a com- mittee of five be appointed to take into consideration the whole subject relating to the building of a town-house, and make an estimate of the expense necessary for the same. Stillman D. Benjamin, Jeremiah C. Hartwell, Jonas Holden, Lewis Blood and Leonard M. Parker were chosen for said committee.
At a town-meeting holden on the 28th of the follow- ing May, the above committee submitted a report of their doings, in which was embodied the following communica- tion from Messrs. Thomas and George A. Whitney,- brothers of the late James P. Whitney, and executors of his will :
"TO THE COMMITTEE OF THE TOWN OF SHIRLEY ON THE SUBJECT OF BUILDING A TOWN HOUSE :
" Gentlemen :- We propose to give to the town of Shirley the sum of five hundred dollars in aid of building a town-house, and a lot of land on which to set the same, adjoining the north side of the Training Field,-the lot being staked out by you for the purpose, as we have agreed. And we make this proposal on the following ex- press conditions, viz :- that the town-house shall be placed on the said lot of land, and built in one year and a half ; that it shall be a two-story building, conforming substan- tially to the plan of Mr. Farrar, now in your possession ;* that the Training Field shall always be kept as a public common, and never be encumbered by buildings or in any other manner; and, in case the town shall hereafter de- cide to enclose it by a suitable fence, that an avenue of twenty-five feet in width, on the north and east sides of the same, adjoining our land, shall always be kept open for the benefit of individuals and the public. We wish
*The architect was employed by Mr. J. P. Whitney to draw a plan of a town-house, which plan had been given to the building committee.
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you to lay this proposal before the town, and if they shall agree to accept the money and the land upon the con- ditions already specified, then we will give a deed of the land, and pay over the money to whomsoever the town may authorize to receive it ;- the deed to provide that the land shall revert to us or to our heirs whenever the town shall cease to occupy it for a town-house.
"THOMAS WHITNEY. "GEORGE A. WHITNEY. "Shirley, April 28th, 1847."
The committee reported, in addition, that they had estimated the expense of a building, like the one proposed, to be two thousand dollars.
Whereupon, "it was voted to accept the money and land offered to the town by Thomas Whitney and George A. Whitney, and [to] agree to the conditions by them stated. Also, to build a town-house of the description specified by them and recommended by the committee, and that the sum of ten hundred dollars be raised to carry the same into effect ; and that five hundred of said sum be assessed the present year, and the remaining sum of five hundred dollars the next year.
"Voted, to choose a committee of five to build the town-house and to take all necessary measures to carry the foregoing vote into effect.
"Chose Hon. Leonard M. Parker, Stillman D. Benja- min, Capt. Jonas Holden, Stephen M. Longley and Charles Butler for said committee. Voted to add Col. Thomas Whitney and Jeremiah C. Hartwell to the above committee."
The proceedings of this committee were carefully recorded by the chairman, from whose papers we learn that it was early decided by them that the plan of Mr. Farrar was not upon a scale sufficiently large to secure all the purposes for which the proposed building had been designed. Whereupon the committee voted "to add two feet to the height, ten feet to the length, and one and a half
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feet to the piazza or front part; it being understood that two hundred dollars would be contributed for the purpose, which sum the committee estimated would be sufficient to pay the full expense of the proposed enlargement."*
The furnishing and laying the foundation was con- tracted for and executed by Mr. E. G. Adams of Lunenburg. The timber for the frame of the building was prepared and set up by Mr. Asher Jewett of Groton ; and the building was enclosed and finished by Mr. Jere- miah C. Hartwell of Shirley.
The filling of the trenches for the foundation and the grading about the building was accomplished by the vol- untary labor of several citizens of the town.t
On the 17th of June the committee broke ground, each one throwing out a few shovelfuls of earth, (com- mencing with the chairman,) and on the 5th of July the corner-stone was laid with the following imposing cere- monies :
A procession was formed under the direction of Col. Thomas Whitney, marshal of the day, and proceeded to the site of the proposed building. Here the deposits were placed under the southwest corner, and the founda- tion stone adjusted thereon by the building committee. The procession then moved to the meeting-house of the First Parish, where services were performed after the fol- lowing order :
I. Anthem, "My country 'tis of thee."
2. Scripture selections, by Rev. J. A. Coolidge.
3. Hymn, 555 Greenwood's Collection.
4. Prayer, by Rev. Seth Chandler.
5. Music, by the Band.
6. Declaration of Independence, read by Dr. J. O. Parker.
7. "Hail Columbia," by the Band.
8. Address, by Hon. Leonard M. Parker.
9. Anthem, "Let every heart rejoice and sing."
IO. Benediction, by Mr. Chandler.
*This additional cost was contributed by the following named individuals : Geo. A. Whitney, $100, Tho. Whitney, $50, L. M. Parker, $50.
t See Appendix P. #See Appendix Q.
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At the close of the services in the church the pro- cession reformed, under the direction of the marshal, and proceeded to the Parker Grove, where a bountiful entertainment had been made ready by Mr. Samuel Farnsworth. After the cloth was removed, regular and volunteer sentiments were introduced, together with speeches, music and songs that were appropriate to the festivities of the occasion.
Dr. Ebenezer P. Hills presided, assisted by Thomas Whitney, Jonas Holden, and Elisha F. Thayer, as vice- presidents. Mr. Charles Butler officiated as toast-master. The occasion called forth much social and patriotic feel- ing, and was truly a season of convivial and rational enjoyment.
It was the desire of the esteemed author of the ad- dress, if the premeditated history of Shirley should ever see the light, to have it introduced into the pages of that history. This seems to be the most appropriate place for such introduction.
ADDRESS OF HON. LEONARD M. PARKER.
"FELLOW-CITIZENS :- We have assembled to lay the corner-stone of our town-house. It is a building designed for the two-fold purpose of a town-house and a high- school. The occasion is a joyous and at the same time a solemn one. It is joyous because the work in which we are engaged furnishes conclusive evidence that we are free citizens, and duly realize it ; and as such fully under- stand and justly appreciate our rights and privileges. It also shows that we are wise for ourselves and wise for posterity ; that we not only understand our rights and privileges, but have resolved to enjoy them; and to this end it is essential, in our opinion, to be provided with a good building, having suitable rooms for books and records, and for the transaction of town business; and a commodious hall in which to assemble for deliberation, discussion and action, touching all the affairs of the town, the state and the nation.
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"The occasion is also solemn; for it reminds us of by-gone times,-of the early settlement of the town,-of the perils, privations and hardships which our fathers had to encounter in here establishing their homes, and in obtaining their civil and religious rights,-and the incon- veniences to which they were subjected in the exercise of them.
"It is solemn, too, in its admonitions and warnings in regard to the interests of knowledge. The ample accom- modations which are here to be made for a high-school, show the estimation in which education is held by us of the present age ; and how essential it is considered for the preservation of the rights and liberties of those who are to live after us. The school has ever been considered the palladium of the liberty of a state.
"The day chosen by us for this work is Monday the fifth, instead of Sunday the fourth of July, in this year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and forty-seven,- this day being taken because the laws and usages of the age discountenance all assemblages of the people on the Sabbath for secular or holiday purposes. This day, then, the fourth of fuly, is a memorable day in the annals of our country, and in the annals of the world. The Declaration of American Independence, that immortal document, contains the great fundamental truth-that government is instituted for the safety and happiness of the people, deriving its just powers from their consent ; that it is their right to choose their own law-makers, and to alter or abolish their form of government whenever it shall cease to answer the end for which it was created. Having thus clearly defined, and fearlessly laid the true foundation principle of all just government, the document proceeds to its solemn conclusion,-that the United States, then colonies of Great Britain, were, and of right ought to be, free and independent States. And to the support of this declaration, they pledged all the means and power which are valuable to man. And they were true to the pledge. The people, too, were true to themselves and
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true to the declaration. They sustained it. In a war of more than seven years duration, they evinced their pa- triotism and devotion. Toils, perils, scars, privations, sacrifices, death,-all these were counted as nothing in comparison with the objects at which they aimed. The true patriot never falters, never tires. Their hearts were fixed on the great principle of the declaration. They had resolved on liberty,-and they resolved not in vain. They obtained liberty.
"The achievement of independence was followed by the adoption of the Constitution of the United States, which establishes a government truly republican in form and character. It embodies the principles set forth in the Declaration of Independence. It recognizes the people as social, moral and political beings ; as men capa- ble of moral and political wisdom; as the rightful fram- ers of their own government and makers of their own laws; and it appeals to their understanding, their virtue and their patriotism for support. It acknowledges man, as he was designed by Deity, and as he ever should be, his own master,-and not the creature of monarchs, come they in the form of emperors or kings, or even in the robes of queens.
"But we forbear, for it is not our design to make this paper a common fourth of July oration ; nor even to attempt an extended portrayal of the happy effects of our political institutions. It is our purpose merely to peram- bulate the lines of our political domain, and renew the marks on the monuments erected by our fathers ; and in doing this we would especially avoid all allusions to the numerous parties which for various purposes now rally under different names. Still, we will take occasion to say, there is a moral sentiment and power in the name and character of liberty, acting in the form of a well regu- lated republic, which can sometimes humble the pride of the mighty, and disarm majesty of its terrors.
"This is well illustrated by the interesting sketch given by an American of his visit to San Marino, a small
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republic in Italy, between the Appenines, the Po, and the Adriatic. We are told the territory of this state is only about forty miles in circumference, and its population about seven thousand. The republic was founded more than fourteen hundred years ago, on moral principles, in- dustry and equality ; and has preserved its liberty and independence amidst all the wars and discords which have raged around it. Bonaparte respected it and sent an embassy to express his sentiments of friendship and fra- ternity. It is governed by a captain regent, chosen every six months by the representatives of the people, sixty-six in number, who are also chosen every six months by the people. The taxes are light, the farm-houses are neat, the fields well cultivated, and on all sides are seen com- fort and peace-the happy effects of morality, simplicity, liberty and justice. The visitor was received by some of the intelligent citizens, in the most hospitable and affec- tionate manner ; they were delighted with him because he was an American. They professed a profound attachment for our country, and look to it as the preserver of their own pure principles; they were intimately acquainted with our institutions and affairs, and had a library well furnished with books and pamphlets relating to America.
"Such is the beautiful description of that ancient little republic. Who can contemplate it without emotions of the deepest interest? Bonaparte, it seems, in the days of his triumph and glory,-overturning monarchies and de- throning kings,-paid homage to it. Of his motives in so doing we refrain to speak,-but leave this, with all his actions, to be passed upon by posterity. Would that any motives could have recently induced the chief Northern Powers of Europe to spare the small republic of Cracow, the last semblance of liberty in poor liberty-loving Poland. But no ; even this dim star could not be suffered longer to shine within its own little orbit, but must be made to deck the diadem of imperial Austria. We here also refrain from comment, and will leave this deed and these actors, as we have done with Napoleon, to the judgment of those
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who are to come after us. And, to return for a moment to that little green spot, hemmed in by the mountains and rivers of Italy,-happy as that community of San Marino is represented to be, it is but a miniature picture of our vast republic. Would that all Europe could now be placed in a like happy condition with that small republic. And the day will come when monarchs shall be made to lay down their crowns-when all men shall be allowed to acquire an interest in the earth created for their use, and make choice of their own rulers. Until that time shall come we see nothing which promises essentially to change the existing state of things,-sovereigns and nobility riot- ing in all the excesses of wealth and luxury, and subjects dying of starvation !
"There is a peculiar fitness in the selection of this day to do this first work in the erection of our edifice. It is designed as the place in which the citizens of the town shall assemble from year to year, and from time to time, to exercise the rights and to enjoy the privileges which have been secured to them at an immense sacrifice of blood and treasure. It is also designed as the place where the youth of the town may receive that instruction which is necessary to enable them rightly to perform the high duties of citizens of a great republic. Such is the character of our building. On this stone, then, let it rise -let it ever be maintained-let it be the temple of our town, dedicated to knowledge and to freedom. We trust in God it may endure; that after ages may witness in it the principles proclaimed by their forefathers, and cher- ished by us of the present day. May it forever stand, the living emblem of true glory ;- based as it is on the rock of eternal truth and justice-the rights of man.
"The pilgrim of liberty, should fortune chance to cast him upon the borders of this humble village, may come into it. Perchance it may kindle up new fires in his sink- ing soul, and thus shed a gleam of light and hope on far-off ages and far-distant lands. Youth, manhood, old age-all will feel its influence and rejoice in its existence.
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Youth will come up here in pursuit of instruction, and his young heart will beat at the thought that the day is not distant, when, in the adjoining hall, he must act the part of a free citizen. Manhood will hither come, to give efficacy to the principles and enjoy the blessings won by the valor of his forefathers. Old age, too, will come tottering hither; and thus evince, even to the last, his devotion to the right of self-government.
"We have made allusion to the early days of our town. It was mainly taken from the original territory of Groton, and incorporated as a district by the name of Shirley, A. D. 1752. In the year 1765 an addition was made to the district by the annexation of territory more than half a mile in width, adjoining Lancaster, which had pre- . viously belonged to the township of Stow, from which circumstance it has been called "Stow Leg." In the year 1786, the district was fully enfranchised and made a town by a general law, which applied to all districts incor- porated before the year 1777. And it would seem that it must have been made a town at an earlier day, for throughout the whole Revolutionary war, it exercised the rights, in all respects, of a town.
It is difficult to trace the precise time when the first settlements were made. Various untoward causes oper- ated to interrupt all settlements, and slow progress must have been made within our limits, down to the period of incorporation. Since that time population and improve- ment have rapidly advanced. We speak, not particularly of this place, but of our whole country. Then our entire population was about two millions; now about twenty-two millions ; and this increase has chiefly been made since the close of the war of the Revolution-within about sixty years.
"We live in an age and in a land of improvements- improvements, not only in the arts and sciences, but in all the practical uses and purposes of life. Witness the steam ship, and steam railroad,-striding sea and land in every direction, threatening soon to cross the continent, 22
ยท
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and extend westward to India,-moving almost with the rapidity of the winds of heaven. How surprising ! yes, how wonderful !- we have been wont to hear falling from the lips of everybody. But the days of wonder soon pass away, and so it is with this; a journey of a day, which formerly occupied weeks, and a freight train of fifty or a hundred cars, are now common every-day affairs, and looked upon with cool composure, bordering almost on indifference. And the next we shall know, the table of wonderment will be turned, and everybody will begin to wonder why the cars and steamers move so slowly-why they need be two hours in going forty miles,-say from here to Boston,-and ten or twelve hours from Boston to New York,-and twelve days in crossing the Atlantic.
"Such is the character of the human mind-always on the stretch for more. And, happily, it is so ordered, that to the power of genius and the advances of intellect, there is no end. And so, age after age will roll on-improve- ment upon improvement will follow; and in their train will come increase of numbers, increase of wealth, in- crease of necessities-new tastes, new fashions, new inventions, love of change-and we know not what ;- and revolutions in the affairs of society and of govern- ments may come; and fires and floods, and whirlwinds and earthquakes may take place, and disturb the face of art and of nature. And by some of those passions or changes-these heavings of earth or heaven-by some of these causes, the structure we are about to erect, with its numberless renewals, may come to an end, and this corner-stone be laid bare. Then will be brought to light the deposits we this day make therein. Here opens to us a new source of wonder, and a new field for the imagina- tion. What will be the character and what the condition of that age,-who can tell? Perhaps the language of this paper will be to them an unknown tongue-even more rude and barbarous than that of the savage tribes of this age is considered by us. But we trust some lover of things curious and rare-some one deep in black-letter and anti- quarian research-may be found who will be able to pick
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it all out, and translate it into their own polished idiom. They will see what we now say of the wonderful improve- ments of this age-of the railroad and steamship, the mag- netic telegraph, etc. And do you marvel at what we now tell you ?- that they will probably laugh it all to scorn, that such will then be the improvements in all the facilities of business and modes of communication and transport by land and water that the steamship and rail- road and telegraph will all be thrown aside as by-gone affairs, and considered in the same light as the vessels of Columbus, as the old stage-coach and post-rider, and the saddle and the pillion are considered by us at the present day? And moreover the San-Marino republics,-those perfect little paradises on earth-may then cover the whole globe.
"But again, instead of this state and condition of things, it may be that, then, letters and the arts will here be lost and unknown-that civilization, with all its refine- ments and blessings, will be banished from the land ; and the red man again left to roam and rule throughout the western hemisphere.
"But we will leave what may be and return to what is. And here we are sure of one truth, solemn and important to us. We are free citizens of a happy republic. It is truly a goodly heritage. It stands forth the beacon-light of liberty to all men and nations of the earth. It is in the political world what the advent of the Messiah was in the moral world,-'As the shadow of a great rock in a weary land.' This republic, fellow-citizens, is in our hands. It imposes on us high duty. Let us resolve, in the face of Heaven and of men, we will perform it.
[Signed] "L. M. PARKER, "S. D. BENJAMIN, "JONAS HOLDEN, "S. M. LONGLEY, "CHAS. BUTLER, "THOS. WHITNEY, "J. C. HARTWELL,
Building Committee.
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"At a meeting of the Building Committee, holden at the house of the chairman, on the evening of the fourth of July, it was voted, that the foregoing address, prepared by the chairman, be approved and signed by the committee ; -that it be delivered by him on the morrow, and then deposited in the corner-stone. Also that he be requested to furnish acopy thereof to be deposited, for preservation, with the Town Clerk.
"CHARLES BUTLER, Secretary of the Committee."
Under the care and oversight of the building com- mittee-one of whom was a principal contractor of the work-the new hall was so far completed as to be opened for a meeting of the town on the 19th of September, 1848. Hon. Leonard M. Parker was called to preside, who, upon taking the chair, made a short and appropriate address, which was heard with marked attention. He congratulated the town on the accommodations which the building presented in which they were then assembled for the first time, and which they dedicated to the principles of republican equality; and the just rights of our fellow- citizens of the present age and of generations to come.
To give a just completion to the history of the build- ing of this structure, a full report of the building committee is here inserted.
REPORT OF BUILDING COMMITTEE.
"The committee appointed to build the town-house have attended to that duty, and submit the following report :
"That, impressed with the importance of the work com- mitted to their charge, they commenced by a careful examination of the plan of the building, drawn by Mr. Farrar, which was referred to in the votes and proceedings of the town. This plan was proposed by the late Hon. James P. Whitney, with the intention of erecting a build- ing for his own purposes, and such as might be used for town purposes if wanted, on terms to be mutually agreed
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on. Of course he meant to have it of such dimensions as would enable him to convert it entirely to other uses if not wanted by the town. As may well be supposed, the plan was found not to be perfect in all its parts, to secure the objects intended by the town in the erection of a town- house. It wanted more height and about ten feet more in length. As this would increase the expense the com- mittee hesitated; but these doubts were removed by the proposal of certain individuals to give the sum of two hundred dollars, which the committee considered ample for the purpose. And now the work is finished, does any one who considers the quantity of town business, which forever must be transacted, still hesitate in regard to it? Is there any citizen, who has witnessed the convenience and comfort with which business is now done at the select- men's room, who is not fully satisfied of the wisdom of the enlargement? Who will say that room is too large? Will any one say that rooms nine feet in width would have been sufficient? What could have been done with the laws of the state and nation, the law reports, the town records and papers, which have long been and forever will be accu- mulating? Where would that large and valuable case, containing the weights and measures, recently furnished by the State, have been placed? The additional length made to the building has fortunately furnished a safe and convenient place for it ;- otherwise there would not have been any suitable provision for its accommodation.
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