USA > Massachusetts > Middlesex County > Weston > History of the town of Weston, Massachusetts, 1630-1890 > Part 16
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Men's School. Female School. Total Pupils.
South-west District
27
19
46
South-east
37
19
56
North-east
36
24
60
East Centre 66
22
17
39
West Centre
·
27
33
60
North-west
16
16
32
Average in winter school attendance, 30; summer school, 10. 155 scholars in men's school, 128 in female; total, 283 scholars. The books directed to be used by the School Act of the legislature were: American First Class Book, Walker's Dictionary, Wilkins's Astronomy, Almy's Geography, Smith's Grammar, Emerson's Arithmetic, Goodrich's History of United States, Perry's Spelling Book, Parley's Geography. The money grant from town for schools was $1,000, with $200 for women's schools in addition; and this sum continues down to the year 1840.
In 1846 $1,050 was voted for schools, including fuel, and $300 for summer schools, increased in 1849 to $1,100 and $350. In 1851 three new school-houses were built at a cost of $4,111.92. In 1852 the West Centre School-house was built, one-quarter of
172
HISTORY OF WESTON
an acre being purchased of Miss Martha Jones for $50, but twelve rods more were taken, amounting to $72, upon which sum inter- est was to be paid, as there were too many heirs to obtain a deed. It was again found necessary to form rules and regulations concerning the use made of the school-houses by the scholars.
In 1853 new school-houses were built in Districts 5 and 6 at a cost of $3,198.68. In 1854 a grant was made of $150 for a high school, and $5 to each school district, to be applied to the care of the school-houses and in making the fires. Mr. Ebenezer Gay was the first high-school teacher (one year, 1854-55). Mr. Train followed in 1855-56. He died in October, 1858. He taught the grammar school in Watertown in 1856 and 1858.
In 1857 $500 was appropriated for summer schools out of the total sum of $1,400 appropriated. In 1860 the sum set aside for schools was $1,629.28; in 1870 it was $2,934; in 1880, $4,149.61; in 1889, $6,900.
In Chapter X. (pp. 149, 150) details have been given of the construction of the high school. At a later date an additional plot of ground was purchased by the town from Henry J. White for a playground to be attached to this school. The sum of $400 was paid therefor.
XIII.
EVANGELICAL CHURCHES IN WESTON.
The history of the original Puritan church of Weston (which, like so many others of New England, gradually and almost im- perceptibly merged into Unitarianism, and is now represented by its direct descendant, the First Parish Unitarian Church of the town) is almost identical with the history of the town itself in the first century of its existence. The town was a theocracy, and the records of the early settlement and of the later town proper are, as we have seen in previous chapters, thickly sprinkled with the records of the church. The old Puritan church was the church of the place, the established church; and for over a century or a century and a half no other denomination had any following, or at any rate any objective existence in the shape of buildings and organized corporations .*
Of other sects the Methodist Episcopal Church (or society, as it was first called) was organized about 1794, the first preacher being Rev. John Hill. A chapel was erected in the rear of the present church on the Lexington road. It was a very modest building, without paint or plastering, having neither pulpit nor pews. This chapel was in the old Needham circuit, which con- sisted of Needham, Marlboro, Framingham, and Hopkinton; the whole under the charge of one preacher, afterwards increased to three. The original society consisted of twelve members, and the first trustees were Abraham Bemis, Habakkuk Stearns, Jonas Bemis, John Viles, and Daniel Stratton. The membership of the church consisted of Ephraim Stearns, Susannah Adams, Jonas Bemis, Tabitha Bemis, Abraham Bemis, Abigail Bemis, Daniel Stratton, Elizabeth Bemis, Mary Bemis, Elizabeth Adams, Martha Stratton. The present church building was erected in 1828. In 1833 this church became a station with a regularly appointed preacher, which included Waltham and Lincoln. In 1839 Wal-
* Readers of this volume who are interested in the old church should read the interesting and scholarly volume of addresses published on the occasion of the celebration of the two hundredth anniversary of its existence in 1898.
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HISTORY OF WESTON
tham was detached, thereby reducing the membership of the Weston society from 141 to 83, and it has not materially in- creased since that date. From 1794 to the present time this parish has had 107 preachers. In March, 1888, George Weston, of Lincoln, died, aged eighty-eight. He had been a member of this society for seventy years.
In October, 1864, the following petition was addressed to Edwin Hobbs, Esq., justice of the peace for Middlesex County :-
Whereas the Methodist Episcopal Church Society in Weston, having for several years neglected to choose trustees of the Society, and there being no clerk legally qualified to call a meeting, we, the undersigned members thereof, respectfully request you to issue a warrant, calling a meeting of the qualified voters of the Society agreeable to the provisions of the Revised Statutes.
The petition is signed by Franklin Childs, Amos Carter, Jr., Daniel Stearns, Abijah Gregory, and Abijah G. Jones. A war- rant was duly issued accordingly, returnable November 7, 1864. E. F. Childs was made clerk, and seven trustees were chosen.
The following interesting printed account of the Methodist society in Weston, clipped from some magazine apparently, and not signed, was found with the manuscript of this book after its author's decease. It is styled "A Brief History of the Methodist Episcopal Church, Weston (Kendal Green), Mass."
The first house for public worship was erected in the year 1797, and stood in the pasture now owned by Mr. Fiske, to the right of the road leading toward the "poor farm." The structure was not imposing, but it was often filled with devout worshippers, and as a very aged member of the church told the writer of this article, though there were no stoves to warm them in winter, and they had but slabs on which to sit and hear the word of God, still the services were very helpful, very spiritual, and seasons of refreshing from the presence of the Lord.
Difficulties which we need not mention and opposition of which we need not speak were successfully met and overcome, and the society steadily grew until the place of meeting became "too strait" for them, and they began to agitate the building of another church. The old record refers to various meetings held in which the building of the "New Church" formed the main subject of discussion for the meeting.
It was not, however, until the year 1828 that the arrangement was finally made and the church put under contract. On February 20 of that year an agreement (the old records say) was entered into between Francis
THE RIPLEY HOUSE, WHEATON LANE.
Built prior to 1740 by Dr. Wheaton. Here the Tory doctor secreted the British spy in 1775. The place was confiscated, and later came into the possession of Dr. Bancroft. It is now owned and occupied by Mr. Francis B. Ripley.
THE WILLIAM H. HILL HOUSE, WELLESLEY STREET.
In his oration of July 4, 1876, Mr. Charles H. Fiske said that the house was then supposed to be from one hundred and fifty to two hundred years old. There is much in its appearance to justify the greater age. It is supposed to be the oldest house still standing in the town to-day.
175
EVANGELICAL CHURCHES IN WESTON
A. Pickering, Emery Bemis, George Weston, Thomas Jenkins (all of the town of Lincoln), and Marshall Jones, of Weston, on the one part, and Whitman Peterson, of Duxbury, on the other; said Peterson to fur- nish materials and build a "meeting house" for the Methodist Society in Weston, on a lot of "land not far from the old meeting house." And the said Peterson to receive for his work the sum of one thousand seven hundred dollars ($1,700). Mr. Peterson entered at once upon his work, and the church was completed the following November, the church being dedicated January 8, 1829.
The dedication was a great event, the Methodist people coming from near and far to join in the celebration. The singers seem to have been held in special favor, for at a meeting of the trustees it was voted that those assisting in the singing "on the day of dedication" shall have some- thing to eat and something to drink at "Milton Dagett's Tavern"; and that the expense shall be paid by the building committee. And there is a bill placed in the old record in which so much is charged for brandy, wine, and loaf sugar. It really looks as if our fathers were not quite as sound on the temperance lines as we are to-day.
It would appear from an old subscription paper of the date July, 1828, that it was in the thought of the builders of the church proper to erect also a chapel for prayer and social meetings, and the names are given of quite a large number who pledged money for the purpose, but for some reason not given the chapel was not built.
As the years went by, the necessity of a "Preacher's house," as the par- sonage used to be called, was more and more apparent, and various meet- ings of the trustees and stewards are recorded in which the matter was agitated; but it was not until the year 1850 that it was deemed "specially necessary" that a parsonage be built on "this station," and at a meeting held at the house of Brother Marshall Smith, May 14, it was finally voted to build a house for the preacher. Rev. H. C. Dunham presided at the meeting. Prayer was offered by Brother J. Whitman. Brother Hagar was appointed to secure a suitable "building lot." At an ad- journed meeting the report of Brother Hagar was received, and it was voted to accept the offer of Captain S. Fisk, and take 48 rods of land on Marshall Smith's line, 4 on the road, and 12 in the rear, and pay the sum of $100. It was further voted to build an "upright" house, 28 by 22, with an ell 24 by 14.
Brothers H. C. Dunham, Joseph Whitman, Ephraim Brown, Rufus Babcock, and Franklin Childs were the building committee. The com- mittee proceeded at once with their work. The cellar was dug and stoned without charge. Mr. Samuel A. Willis, of Sudbury, contracted to build the house for $800. He commenced the work in July, and finished about the 1st of October. It has been occupied as a parsonage ever since.
Repairs have been made on the church from time to time as it has needed, some $600 the last year of the pastorate of Rev. Mr. Noon and quite ex-
176
HISTORY OF WESTON
tensive during the pastorate of Rev. C. C. Whidden. It was at this time that the vestry over the vestibule was built, which is very convenient for the weekly meetings and the various social gatherings of the church.
The church has been remembered recently by will in the gift of some $600 by the late Mr. Joseph Whitman, a former member of the society, and gift of an organ from Mr. Hastings's factory has just been presented to the church by Mrs. George F. Harrington. This latter gift is given in memory of Mrs. Harrington's mother, who for many years was a most faithful and devoted member of the church and deeply interested in its prosperity.
The society has been favored with a succession of most worthy and faithful ministers, who have found their chief joy in declaring the glad gospel and doing what they might be able for the people in the ways of righteousness.
The list following dates back to the year 1794 :-
1794, John Hill.
1795, John Vanneman.
1796, Joshua Hall, George Pickering.
1797, Daniel Ostrander, Elias Hull.
1798, David Brumley, Epaphras Kibby.
1799, Stephen Hull, Elijah R. Sabin.
1800, Nathan Emory, John Finnegan.
1801, Joseph Snelling.
1802, Joshua Soule, Dan Perry.
1803, Reuben Hubbard, Thomas Ravlin.
1804, Nehemiah Coy, Joel Wicker.
1805, Clement Parker, Erastus Otis.
1806, John Gove, Thomas Asbury.
1807, Benjamin Hill, Isaac Scarrett.
1808, John Tinkham, Isaac Locke.
1809, Benjamin R. Hoyt, Nathan Hill.
1810, Isaac Bonney, Robert Arnold.
1811, Isaac Bonney, Elias Marble.
1812, Elisha Streeter, John Vickory.
1813, Orlando Hinds, Vanransalear R. Osborn.
1814, Orlando Hinds, Zenas Adams.
1815, Vanransalear R. Osborn, Bartholomew Otheman.
1816, Orlando Hinds.
1817, V. R. Osborn, B. Otheman.
1818, John Linsey, Isaac Bonney.
1819, David Kilburn, Isaac Stoddard.
1820, V. R. Osborn, Nathan Paine, J. W. McKee.
1821, Benjamin Hazeltine, J. W. Case.
1822-23, Erastus Otis, George Fairbank.
177
EVANGELICAL CHURCHES IN WESTON
1824, Benjamin Hazeltine, Ira Bidwell, John E. Risley. 1825, John Lindsey, Hezekiah S. Ramsdell, and Jared Perkins. 1826, Joel Steel, Leonard B. Griffin, and Jared Perkins. 1827, Ephraim K. Avery, Giles Campbell.
1828, Ephraim K. Avery, Louis Jansen.
1829-30, Daniel Fillmore, Isaac Jennison, and A. B. Kinsman. 1831, Jacob Sanborn, Sanford Benton, and Samuel Palmer.
1832, Abraham D. Merrill, Samuel Coggshall.
1833-34, Ames Binney.
1835, Benjamin F. Lambord.
1836-37, Epaphras Kibby.
1838-39, Nathan B. Spaulding.
1840-41, George Pickering.
1842-43, William R. Stone.
1844-45, Henry E. Hempstead.
1846-47, Kinsman Atkinson.
1848-49, Thomas Hicks Mudge.
1850-51, Howard C. Dunham.
1852-53, John Cadwell. 1854-55, John S. Day.
1856, Abraham M. Osgood.
1857-58, Moses P. Webster.
1859-60, John M. Merrill.
1861-62, Oliver S. Howe.
1863, Nathan A. Soule.
1864, William A. Braman. 1865, Jabez W. P. Jordan.
1866-67, Porter M. Vinton. 1868-69, George Sutherland.
1870-71, William F. Lacount. 1872-74, William H. Meredith. 1875, S. O. Dyer. 1876-77, George E. Sanderson.
1878, William Merrill. 1879, William P. Blackmer.
1880, William H. Adams. 1881-84, Samuel H. Noon. 1884-85, J. W. Adams. 1886-87, Charles Nicklin. 1888-91, E. H. Thrasher. 1891-92, A. A. Loomis. 1892-94, C. C. Whidden. 1894, Samuel H. Noon.
178
HISTORY OF WESTON
The first Baptists in Weston began to gather together about 1776, meeting at each other's houses, under the lead of Deacon Oliver Hastings, who was baptized in Framingham in 1772. March 29, 1784, four young men-Justin Harrington, Samuel Train, Jr., James Hastings, and Joseph Seaverns-contracted to build a meeting-house thirty-one feet square. This building was first occupied in 1784, and finished in 1788. It was erected on land belonging to the Nicholas Boylston estate. As we see by the deed of Moses Gill, he releases "all right, title, and interest in and to the Baptist meeting-house in Weston, or any money due from said meeting-house or society, to Reuben Carver." Moses Gill was an heir to this property through his marriage with Rebecca, daughter of Thomas Boylston.
In 1789 a church of sixteen members was recognized by the ecclesiastical council. When the Baptists and Methodists began to erect places of public worship in the town, they signified their intention to "sign off" (so termed in those days) from the estab- lished church, as it may very properly be called. But, before they could be released from paying their taxes to this town church, they were required to produce, to the satisfaction of the Select- men of the town, a certificate from the Baptist or Methodist church, testifying that they paid the tax for the support of the gospel ministry in their respective churches. This was done in the following manner :-
This may certify that Mr. Samuel Bingham and Jacob Leadbetter have attended public worship with the Baptist Society in Weston, since March, 1788, and pray to be excused from paying tax to the other religious so- ciety, as they bear their part in supporting the gospel with the Baptist Society.
In 1788 a protest was presented in town meeting concerning this matter of town taxation for the support of the minister and repairs of the town church, as being against the "bill of rights" and illegal. The town does not seem to have paid any attention to this pro- test, as there is no action recorded on the town records, and the protest cannot be found among the town papers.
The Baptist society had no settled minister till 1811, at which time they ordained Charles Train as pastor of this church, and
179
EVANGELICAL CHURCHES IN WESTON
a branch was formed at Framingham that year. The Weston church from 1811 to 1826 was known as the Weston and Fram- ingham church; but in 1826 the Framingham branch became a distinct church, retaining Mr. Train * as their pastor until 1839. The Weston church numbered about forty members.
The present church, near the centre of the town, was erected in 1828, Mrs. Bryant giving $1,000 to the parish for that purpose, and Mr. Hews giving the land. The material of the old church was used in erecting the parsonage in 1833. In 1830 Rev. Timothy P. Ropes, a graduate of Waterville College, was ordained as pastor of this church, remaining three years. At the twenty- fifth anniversary of the Boston Baptist Association, held at New- ton in 1832, mention was made of the growing church in Weston, and of the fact that a sister had given a thousand dollars to the society and a brother had given the land. At the twenty-sixth anniversary of the association the delegates from the Weston church were Joseph Hodges, Jr., Deacon Uriah Gregory, Isaac Jones, and John Dunn.
In 1835 candidates who were preparing for the Baptist minis- try, and belonged to the Weston church, were Andrew Dunn, Elbridge Smith, and Benjamin W. Roberts.
In 1822 a second protest was made in town meeting as follows:
The undersigned members of the Baptist and Methodist Societies in Weston, having been compelled in years past, by illegal assessments, to defray a proportional part of the expenses annually recurring in the Con- gregational Society of said town, such as the making and collecting the ministerial tax, ringing the bell, providing wood, abatement of parish taxes, repairing the meeting-house, &c., do earnestly petition that some
* Charles Train, the third child of "Deacon" Samuel and Deborah (Savage) Train, was born January 7, 1783. Receiving his elementary education in the Weston district school, he completed his preparation for college with Rev. Samuel Kendal. He graduated from Harvard with distinction in 1805. At first he intended to become a lawyer, having aptitudes which enabled him to perform distinguished service in civic affairs. But in 1806 he decided for the Baptist ministry. At this time, through particular interest in his native town, he united with the Baptist church, and thereafter he continued to preach to this church until 1826, dividing his time between Weston and Framingham. This was due to his attachment to his native town and church. Although living and working mostly in Framingham, he continued his double service, and caused the society at Framingham to be a branch of the Weston church. He served several terms after 1822 in the House and Senate of the State legislature, being prominent in the formation of the State library and in revising the laws relating to common schools. Not least was his championship of religious liberty and social improvement. For a considerable period, while serving as the first pastor of the Baptist church, this son of Weston enjoyed a high reputation and wielded a large influence in civic and religious concerns.
180
HISTORY OF WESTON
measure may be taken by the town effectually to prevent the like im- position in future; that the aforesaid Baptist and Methodist Societies may be entirely exempt from all unjust charges and unlawful taxation.
This petition was signed by twenty-two members of these societies. But the evil they complain of does not seem to have been effectually done away until the year 1840. Those who suc- ceeded Mr. Ropes in the ministry of this church are as follows: Rev. Joseph Hodges, Jr., settled in 1835, resigned in 1839; Rev. Origen Crane, settled in 1840, resigned in 1854; Rev. Calvin H. Topliff, settled in 1854, resigned in 1866; Rev. Luther G. Barrett, settled in 1867, resigned in 1870; Rev. Alonzo F. Benson, settled in 1870, died in 1874; Rev. Amos Harris, settled in 1875, resigned in 1890; Rev. Charles S. Hutchinson, settled in 1891, resigned in 1892; Rev. J. Mervin Hull, settled in 1893, resigned in 1899; Rev. Frederic E. Heath, settled in 1900, resigned in 1904; Rev. Harry E. Hinkley, settled in 1905, resigned in 1911; Rev. James M. Leub, settled since August, 1912, the present pastor.
(For more details as to the protests of the Baptists against paying money to support the all-prepotent Puritan, or First Parish, church in the town, see Chapter VII.)
The first meeting of the Congregational Society as a constituent part of the Congregational denomination, or sect, was held in Weston Town Hall, January 4, 1891. In September following, by a cordial invitation of the First Parish, the meetings were trans- ferred to the chapel of that society. On October 29, 1891, the society was duly organized by the ecclesiastical council of the Congregational churches through the admission of Francis and Mary Hastings, Lucy Sherman, George A. and E. J. Hirtle, F. T. and Ella J. Fuller, Mary and Voluny Poor, H. F. and N. F. Davis, A. S. Burrage from Park Street Church, Boston, of Mrs. Burrage from Lancaster, of Mrs. Nathan Upham, John Schwartz from Bangor, Me., of Mrs. Harriet Warren from Weston Metho- dist Church, of Mrs. John McDonald, and Mrs. A. M. Upham from Boston.
The reception sermon was preached by Rev. Dr. Sturgis, of Natick. At a meeting the same day a call was extended to Rev.
181
EVANGELICAL CHURCHES IN WESTON
R. F. Gordon, and accepted by him. At a meeting held De- cember 8, 1892, steps were taken for the incorporation of the church. Land was purchased from Mr. A. H. Hews on Central Avenue, containing 21,150 square feet, and thereon a chapel was erected. The first service in the new chapel was held December 18, 1892. The following is the list of the church officers: clerk of the parish, Mrs. F. C. Burrage; treasurer, A. S. Burrage; standing committee, H. F. Davis, E. J. Hirtle, A. S. Burrage, senior deacons, H. F. Davis, Francis Hastings; junior deacon; G. A. Hirtle.
XIV.
THE MEDICAL PROFESSION.
Robert Jennison would appear to have been the first doctor in Weston (in 1750), so far as any record can be discovered. It is probable that the physicians who visited Weston at an earlier period were from other towns. Dr. Jennison's charge for pulling a tooth was sixpence, or ninepence for two teeth! Peter, the doctor's brother, was tailor in Weston in 1750.
In 1754 Dr. Josiah Converse receipts for attendance and medi- cines for the Jones family £12 13s. He was probably not of Weston. Perhaps it would be safe to say that Dr. John Binney was the first physician who settled in Weston (about 1750). His widow married Daniel Adams, of Lincoln, in 1765.
Dr. Josiah Starr, born at Dedham in 1740, settled in Weston in 1762, and in that year married Abigail Upham, daughter of William Upham. He owned the Brookside Farm, now in the possession of heirs of Mr. Frederick T. Bush. His son Ebenezer, born in 1768, was a physician in Newton. Dr. Starr was prac- tising medicine in Weston in 1781. The date of his death is not stated.
Ephraim Woolson, born in 1740, was graduated from Harvard in 1760; practised medicine in Weston, and died in 1802.
Dr. William Ward, of Athol, born December 8, 1750, settled in Weston about 1780, and in 1785 married Lucy Jones, daughter of Isaac Jones. He was physician of the town until 1791. He died in 1793.
Dr. John Clark was born in Halifax, N.S., May 14, 1778. His father was living at Halifax, having charge of the Ameri- can prisoners. He married Jennett, daughter of Mrs. Ruth Mackey, of Weston, and would seem to have been in practice as a physician in Weston between 1802 and 1805, the latter being the year of his death at the age of twenty-seven.
Dr. Isaac Hurd, of Concord, practised largely in the north part of Weston. Dr. Bancroft studied medicine with him. He re-
183
THE MEDICAL PROFESSION
ceipts to Deacon Isaac Hobbs for a Continental (Congress) cer- tificate for $574 bequeathed him by Mrs. Abigail Jones, daughter of Isaac Hobbs.
Joseph Taft was probably of Lincoln, but practised in Weston. He makes out a bill to Isaac Hobbs, from "the beginning of the world to date," March, 1795, twelve shillings.
Dr. Amos Bancroft was widely known throughout Middlesex County. He was born in Pepperell in 1767, and was graduated at Harvard College in 1791. He studied medicine with Dr. Hurd of Concord, came to Weston about 1795, and remained until 1811, when he removed to Groton. He filled several offices of the town, and took a leading part in town affairs. He married Sally Bass, of Boston, in 1796. She died in Weston in 1799. Dr. Bancroft had an extensive practice, and at various times a considerable number of students under his charge. Among these was Dr. George C. Shattuck, who in 1811 married Eliza Cheever Davis, of Weston. During the winter, when the roads were blocked up with snow, he travelled on snow-shoes, and often he would be absent from home several days at a time. On one occasion he stopped at night at a tavern in order to see a patient. Passing through the bar-room, he noticed two evil-looking men, who eyed him in a suspicious manner. When he came out, the men had gone. The road from the tavern was lonely, and the place was three miles from the village. As the doctor had con- siderable money with him, he felt anxious, and not without cause, for, when he reached a secluded spot, these very men stepped out and tried to stop his horse. One of them snatched at the bridle, but missed it. The doctor, whipping the animal, left the men behind, but not before a bullet passed through the back of his sulky. While in Weston, Dr. Bancroft owned and occupied the Parson Woodward house, now Mrs. Dickson's. In 1848 he was one day crossing State Street in Boston, when he was knocked down and injured so severely that he died a few hours later. He was attended in his last moments by his old student, Dr. George C. Shattuck. He was seventy-seven years old at the time of his death.
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