USA > Massachusetts > Middlesex County > Framingham > Memorial of the bi-centennial celebration of the incorporation of the town of Framingham, Massachusetts, June, 1900 > Part 17
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One of the most interesting features of the exhibit was the manufacture of cloth from wool as it was done by our grand- mothers a hundred and more years ago. A loom more than one hundred years old was obtained in Vermont and a lady, (Mrs. Maria C. Davis) who had many years since passed her teens, came from the same state to operate it. Fortunately she was able not only to weave but to card and spin the wool and to spin flax on the little flax wheel, and for six days she interested the crowds in this old-time industry, at intervals
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Views of the Historical Exhibit at Y. M. C. A. Hall
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carding the wool into rolls, spinning these into yarn, and then weaving the same into cloth. The warp for the web was kindly furnished by the Saxonville Mills, through the courtesy of Superintendent Robert Dawson. The spinning wheel was furnished by Mr. C. A. Belknap, the flax wheel by Miss Elizabeth Warren, and the quill wheel by the Historical Society.
Another article that attracted much attention was a flight of stairs taken from a house built in Sherborn in 1664. The steps were made of logs hewn in triangular shape and spiked upon inclined timbers with hand-wrought spikes. During all these more than two hundred years these stairs had been used as the "attic stairs " and seemed to be good for as many years more.
That the exhibit was appreciated was manifest by the constant large attendance, the many words of praise given the committee and the earnest request that the rooms be kept open after the celebration was over that others might enjoy the educational advantages the exhibit afforded. These requests were complied with as far as the committee felt that their tired bodies would permit, and after eight days the exhibit was closed, much to the regret of hundreds.
The following list, while by no means complete, shows something of the scope of the exhibit. We have refrained from giving the date of most of the articles for the very good reason that it was not known. However, but few, except some relics of the civil war, were less than one hundred years old, and many of them date back to the seventeenth century.
FRAMINGHAM HISTORICAL AND NATURAL HISTORY SOCIETY.
Carbine shell and other relics from Battlefield of Chickamauga. Carbine found on Battlefield in South Carolina. Curd Grinder for Making Cheese. Hatchel. Musket carried at the Battle of Bunker Hill. Revolutionary Cartridge Box and Bayonet. Hay Hook. Hand Reel. Snow-shoes made and worn by Noah Eaton 1708-1791. Saddle-bags used by Thomas Damon. Fire Shovel. South African Spear used by the Zulus. Spit and Skewers. Tin Lanterns. Beef- steak Tongs. War Implements used by the South African Negroes.
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Cradle in which five generations have been rocked. Cake Dish. Hat Band. Picture, Birthplace of Abraham Lincoln. Old Gun-lock. Mexican Spurs. Piece of First Cloth woven by water-power, 1808. Seal of Framingham Academy. Indian Jars from Arkansas. Fossil Shark's Tooth. Revolutionary Button. Lead Pencil. Silk produced in Framingham. Revolutionary Buttons and Belt Plates. Indian Money. Pickle Dish. Tobacco Box of Thomas Hastings, 1780-1864. Tricolor of Louis Philippe. Mourning Badges of Zachary Taylor and Andrew Jackson. Pewter Porringer. Wooden Plate. Portrait, Sylvanus Phipps, 1785-1870. Chips from Waltham Oak. Pocket- book. Continental Money. Confederate Money. State Bank Notes. Script of 1862. Fiat Money. Picture, Washington's Entry into New York. Two Swingeling Knives. Sausage Filler. Bayonet. Assegai Cutlass and Two Bayonets. Britannia Plate. Fluid Lamp. Con- federate Bridle Bits. Cartridge Box. Knife, Fork and Spoon. Keyhole Saw. Two Busks. Knife and Fork, 1817. Hand made Spikes. Britannia Pitcher. Slung Shot. Britannia Sugar Bowl. Boot-jack used by Noah Eaton. Cider Pitcher of Thomas Hastings. Foot Stove. Fry Skillet. Britannia Pitcher, 1756. Gourd Shell. Candle Globe used on pulpit of Baptist Church at Parks Corner. Powder Horn, 1750. Powder Horn, 1707. Mastodon's Tooth. Razor and Razor Case used by Jonathan Maynard in Revolutionary War. Spectacle Case. Pulps made from U. S. Money. Axe. Brick taken from house built in 1690. Two Lances. Pair of Andirons. Lock. Griddle Pan. Sixty-four Indian Relics. Indian Water Jar.
PETER PARKER.
Washington's Account Book. Historical Gleanings. Piece of Washington's Coffin. Cup and Saucer. Cameo. Pieces of Line and Cable. "Practice of Piety." Picture, Parker Homestead. Key and Handmade Nails. Three Coins. "Remarks on the Earth- quake." New England Primer. Candle Sticks. Pig Sticker. Sampler. Two Pictures, Peter Parker. Spectacles. Purse. Fac- simile of Carver Chair. Hammer Head. Toy Spinning Wheel. Snuffers. Two Bayonets. Two Platters. Silver Cream Pitcher, Sugar Bowl and Two Spoons. Miscellaneous Documents. Napkin and Towel. Picture, Sally Brewer and George Nourse. Harpoon. Bullets, Balls, etc. Drinking Cup.
F. X. BARDWELL.
Cut Glass Decanter and three Glasses. Pewter Porringer. Docu- ment. Three Cups and Saucers. Pewter Plate, Tankard and Mug. Two Stamps, British Stamp Act, 1765. Mustard Pot. Two Glasses. Canary Glass. Five Photographs. Pewter Writing Case. Colonial Mustard Cup. Shoe Buckles. Candle-sticks, Snuffers and Tray. Half-hour Glass. Old Blue Colonial Bowl and Cup. Creamer.
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Sugar Bowl, Creamer, Cup and Saucer. Two Canton Dishes, 1830. China Mug, 1834. Opera Cape made of Feathers, in China. China Custard Cup. Vase.
H. W. GARDNER.
Three China Plates, three Saucers, two Cups, two Butter Plates. Teapot. Milk and Water Pitchers. Pickle Dish. Tea Caddy. Candlestick. Glass Tankard. Quart Glass. Sugar Bowl and Creamer. Fluid Lamp. Pewter Tankard and Dish. Two Brass Candlesticks. Two pieces Linen. Picture. Flax raised in Sherborn. Pitcher. Iron Bread Pan.
MRS. REGINALD FOSTER.
Picture, Pike-Haven Homestead. Steak Broiler. Knee Buckles. Franklin Medal. Old English Handkerchief. Painted Hand Bag. Two Pictures of Old Homestead. Foster Coat of Arms. Family Christening Blanket. Pair of Slippers. Wedding Dress, 1824. Silk Dress. Table-cloth woven in 1745. Crash woven on Haven Farm. Portrait, Aunt Chloe Haven, 1793-1882. Commission of Sidney Haven.
C. A. BELKNAP.
Graduating Dress of Rebecca Hosmer, 1823. Wedding Dress of Rebecca Hosmer. Wedding Articles of Nathan Hosmer. Lace Em- broidery by Rebecca Hosmer. Silk and Silk Worms raised by Rebecca Hosmer. Military Equipments of Lieut. Nathan Hosmer. Account Book. Pillow Case. Cane owned by Capt. John Look. Spoon owned by Ruth Sheffield Weaver. Wayside Inn Plate, 1800. Netting Needles.
FRANCIS HOSMER.
Rock. Powder Horn and Bullet Mould. Gill Cup and Toddy Stick. Bit Stock and Bit. Pod-Auger. Bellows. Revolutionary Hat. Birch Broom. Hay Fork. Straw Machine.
ARTHUR HILL.
Water Barrel. Pair Duelling Pistols. Pair Pug Nose Pistols. Indian Moccasins. Knife. Dagger. Pitcher. Spanish Flag. Indian Arrow and Pipe.
MARCELLUS NIXON.
Two Ladles. Chair, 1780. Writing Book. Pocket Inkstand. Powder Horn. Knee Buckles. Picture, Nixon Homestead. Fife played at Concord Fight by Capt. Thomas Nixon, then 18 years old.
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C. C. STEVENS.
Wine Glass. Two Pictures. Door Knocker. Chinese-carved Card Case. Candle Moulds. Whalebone Busk. Clothes Pins.
H. C. BOWERS.
Two Fire-Buckets. Door Latch. Wedding Waist. Hand Bag. Bowl. Teapot. Candlestick.
C. J. FROST.
Umbrella. Lantern. Small Iron Kettle. Rolls, Yarn and Flax. China Plate. Two Pewter Plates and Pewter Dish. Wooden Plate.
MRS. L. M. PALMER.
Thirteen Coins. Brewer Plate. Linen. Six Pieces of Tea Set. Cup and Saucer. Teapot.
CHANNING GROUT.
Picture, "We are One." Portrait, Elias Grout. Portrait, Mrs. Elias Grout. Portrait, Betsey Lamprey Lowell. Bunker Hill Sword.
MISS NASH.
Continental Money and Pocket Book. Spanish Silver Dollar. Japanese Calendar. Snuffers and Tray. Indian Toy Duck.
C. W. COOLIDGE.
Two Arrow Heads. Washington Button. Sampler. Three Old Books and three Anti-Slavery Documents. Table. Chair. Portrait, Francis Coolidge, 1794-1864. Portrait, Mrs. Francis Coolidge, 1806- 1889.
SAMUEL WILSON.
Pewter Pitcher. Shell. Small China Pitcher. Glass Salt Cellar. Pewter Teapot.
MRS. FRANCIS H. BRIGGS.
Slippers. Portrait, James C. Odiorne, 1802-1879. Portrait, Mrs. James C. Odiorne. Portrait, Rev. James Creighton.
C. P. HASKELL.
Four Copper Coins. Powder Horn and Bullet Mould. Knee Breeches. Washington Souvenir.
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MR. AND MRS. JOHN H. TEMPLE.
Indian deed of land near the Falls at Saxonville, given to John Stone, dated May 15, 1656 and signed by William Boman, Capt. Josiah, Roger, James and Keaquisan. Flint Lock Pistol carried by Capt. John Temple. Two Pewter Platters, one of which belonged in the family of Colonial Governor Wentworth of New Hamshire. Blanket imported from Scotland before the beginning of American blanket manufacture.
EDGAR HEMENWAY.
Portrait, Warren Nixon, 1793-1872. Portrait. Mrs. Warren Nixon, 1787-1872, Picture, Col. Hemenway Residence.
MRS. JAMES W. PARKER.
Mt. Vernon Teapot. Teapot and Sugar Bowl. Calash, 1815.
GEORGE ODIORNE.
Wax Head. Portraits of Mr. and Mrs. Odiorne. Slippers, 1800.
MISS JENNIE EAMES.
Tinder Box. Two Flint Lock Pistols. Dress, Calash, Gloves, Shawl and Bag.
MRS. A. M. FAY.
Cup and Saucer. Teapot. Two Silver Spoons.
MISS K. I. SLACK.
Portrait, Mrs. Park, 1769-1849. Portrait, Jason Hall, 1785-1868. Picture, Deacon Henry H. Hyde and wife, 1796-1878.
JASON LELAND.
Cranberry Rake. Stairs taken from house built in 1664. Cheese Basket.
ALANSON B. STEARNS. Cheese Press. Dash Churn. Hay Knife.
MRS. F. C. BROWN. Pair Horse Pistols. Gold Plated Gorget. Sword.
MRS. FRANK COLUMBIA. Chopping Bowl. Mug. Sugar Bowl. GEORGE C. CLARK. Teapot. Two Sugar Bowls.
F. I. ORDWAY. Deed of land of Nourse Place. Two Old Knives.
MRS. EVELYN O. NICHOLS. China Bowl. Cup and two Saucers. MISS S. J. RUSSELL. Mahogany Tray. Mahogany Chair. MRS. HEMENWAY. Epaulets. Chair.
FRANKLIN GROUT. Canopy. Bag.
MR. AND MRS. A. F. BULLARD. Corn Popper. Sword.
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GEORGE H. EAMES. Lantern. Door Latch.
MISS ELIZABETH WARREN. Warming Pan. Flax Wheel.
GEORGE GAUDIG. Plumb-bob and Stone. Sixteen Coins and Five Pieces Paper Money.
MISS ELIZABETH EAMES. Portrait, Lovell Eames, 1785-1865. Por- trait, Mrs. Lovell Eames.
MRS. E. L. MAYNARD. Picture, three English Lords. Sampler.
GEORGE F. AND FREDERICK BILLINGS. Note signed by Peter Salem. Wm. Coolidge's Diploma.
MRS. ELLEN A. HAYNES. Bread Toaster.
CHARLES TROWBRIDGE. Handmade Goose.
MRS. EDGAR POTTER. Pewter Creamer.
MRS. CHAS. A. POTTER. Linen woven from Flax raised on Abel Eames estate.
MRS. MARSHALL MANSON. Cup and Saucer.
MRS. JENNIE A. SHERMAN. Sampler.
MRS. C. A. PARKHURST. Pewter Plate.
MRS. FLEDA STACY. Chopping Tray.
ANDREW COOLIDGE. Cane.
MRS. GEORGE TWITE. Teapot, 1648.
HOMER R. MILLER. Peat Knife.
MRS. LEVI LELAND. Camlet Cloak.
WM. A. RICE. Two Aprons.
MRS. FRANCIS C. STEARNS. Specimens from Saxonville Mills.
MRS. F. W. GRAV. Pewter Porringer.
J. J. VAN VALKENBURG. Portrait, Albert Pike. MISS MARIETTA HEMENWAY. Chair.
MISS JOSEPHINE CLARK. Collection of Old China.
HENRY S. HILTON. Collection of Old China.
ROBERT DAWSON. Portriat, Michael H. Simpson, 1809-1884.
RECEPTION AND HISTORICAL EXHIBIT OF THE FRAMINGHAM D. A. R.
In response to the invitation of the Town's "Committee of Thirty-three," the Framingham Chapter of the Daughters of the American Revolution ably assumed their share in mak- ing the celebration of the Bi-Centennial a success. To Mrs. George A. Reed of Saxonville belongs the credit of the
Views of the D. A. R. Exhibit at Old Academy Building
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suggestion that some historic building be secured, and head- quarters established, where the Chapter could receive visiting friends. The Regent, Mrs. Willard Howe being too busily engaged in entertaining at South Framingham, the Vice Regent, Mrs. L. R. Eastman, was requested to take charge of the arrangements. A committee consisting of Mrs. E. M. White, Misses Marcella and Clara Davis, Mrs. J. C. Cloyes, Mrs. Angie Gage, Mrs. John Fiske and Mrs. David F. Fiske were appointed to assist the Vice Regent in carrying out the plans. The historic Old Stone Academy building was secured, it being one of the older buildings of the Town, having been erected in 1837 for the use of the Framingham Academy, which had previously occupied a brick building standing on the same spot since the incorporation of the Academy in 1799. The Academy building had many pleasant associations for the older inhabitants and visitors. By the efforts of Mrs. White and the Misses Davis it was transformed into a veritable Colonial Home of "ye olden time." The main hall was fitted with furnishings of ancient days and was used as a Reception Room. Here the Officers of the Chapter received His Excellency, Governor W. Murray Crane, with the members of his official staff, Hon. George W. Weymouth, Member of Congress, Hon. John R. Fairbairn, Sheriff of Middlesex County, besides other State and County officials. Over one thousand people called to extend their congratulations to the "Daughters" and to enjoy their hospitality, a long list of over a thousand autographs being recorded in the register in charge of Miss Fairbank. In the rear of the reception room were the parlor and guest chamber, each appropriately furnished with very rare and ancient articles, from the treasures of some historic families. On the right as one entered, the eye rested on an old New England kitchen, which proved of great interest to all, with its huge old fashioned fire-place and many other articles unfamiliar to the present generation. That the D. A. R. might feel safe from all attacks from without, two Revolu- tionary soldiers, represented by David F. Fiske of Wayland and E. Scott Trask of Framingham, did guard duty, patrol- ing the lawn in front of the building, dressed in old colonial
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uniform and carrying flint lock muskets which had seen service in the War of the Revolution. The exterior of the building was beautifully decorated with the State and National flags. A fine bronze tablet had been placed upon the front of the building in time for the celebration, by a Committee of the Framingham Academy and High School Alumni Association, with the following inscription :
ON THIS SPOT STOOD THE BUILDING ERECTED IN 1792 BY THE PROPRIETORS OF THE BRICK SCHOOL HOUSE IN FRAMINGHAM OCCUPIED LATER BY THE FRAMINGHAM ACADEMY INCORPORATED IN 1799. IN 1837 THE ACADEMY BUILT THIS SCHOOLHOUSE ITS HOME UNTIL 1851, WHEN THE FRAMINGHAM ACADEMY AND HIGH SCHOOL WAS ORGANIZED AND REMAINED HERE UNTIL 1857.
BI-CENTENNIAL MUSIC.
On October 24, 1898, in response to an invitation extended by Dr. Lewis M. Palmer - who had been the last President of the Framingham Choral Union, a musical organization which had a flourishing existence in Town from 1883 to 1888 -a company of eighteen people of musical taste and ability met at his home to consider the advisability of again forming a Musical Society. Dr. Palmer in explaining the purpose of the meeting gave three special reasons for renew- ing such a musical organization. First, the cultivation of the musical taste of its members ; second, the assistance that could be given to the Assembly Chorus at Mount Wayte ; third, and chiefly, that there might be a strong well trained chorus ready for service at the Bi-Centennial celebration of the Town in 1900. These suggestions met with such favorable response that after some furthur preliminary meetings the Framingham Musical Association was organized with a charter membership of 243. Dr. L. M. Palmer was chosen President, Mrs. F. H. Hotaling Vice President, Whittle Poor
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Rustic Bridge
Chapel
Gateway Views in Edgell Grove Cemetery
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Secretary and Bernard F. Merriam Treasurer. Dr. Jules Jordan of Providence R. I. a talented composer of music and conductor of the Arion Club of that city for many years, was secured as Instructor, and weekly rehearsals commenced December 2, 1898. These rehearsals have been continued and two successful Concerts have been given by the Association Chorus, assisted by talented soloists and conducted by Dr. Jules Jordan, during each Winter season since its organization.
By its grand work during the Bi-Centennial celebration, the Association nobly fulfilled the expectations of its founder, Dr. Palmer, who had been made Chairman of the Committee on Music. At the Union Services at Grace Church on Sunday evening, June 10, 1900, the chorus filled the choir seats and large platform and splendidly rendered Dudley Buck's Festival Hymn and Kipling's Recessional as set to music by Dr. Jordan, assisted by Fred L. Martin of Boston as Soloist.
At the Literary Exercises held at Mount Wayte, on Wed- nesday, June 13, the Association Chorus of 200 voices again did excellent work in the rendering of our "National Hymn," Costa's "Damascus Triumphal March " and the Bi-Centennial Hymn written by Rev. Frederick L. Hosmer, with music by Dr. Jordan. Instrumental music for this occasion was rendered by Battery B. Band of Worcester. For the parade of Wednesday forenoon the above named band, together with the American Watch Company Band of Waltham, Dennison Manufacturing Company Band of South Framingham and the Marlboro Brass Band of Marlboro were engaged and gave excellent satisfaction. Good music both instrumental and vocal is universally recognized as being a most acceptable feature of any celebration of this kind and ours was certainly no exception to this rule.
Though Framingham . does not claim any special fame in the science of music still there are past incidents which are worthy of record.
When Rev. H. G. Spaulding on Sunday afternoon in the Plymouth Church exercises gave his "Recollections of some prominent men " and named James'O. Freeman as having
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" won distinction in the musical profession" there was among his listeners the writer of this paragraph whose far earlier recollections carried him and with great pleasure to a well remembered day at our Academy, more than sixty years ago, when it was noised about among the scholars that our young mate, James Freeman, had bought a violin, or, more literally, that "Jimmie Freeman has got a fiddle," and that his father didn't like it because he was afraid that a good farmer-boy would be spoiled by a poor fiddler. But he was mistaken. The boy stuck to the farm, and to his parents, and after they had passed away, he remained upon the place for years. And he also stuck to his violin, and soon fell in love with the piano, and became, in his early manhood, a proficient both as player and teacher of both instruments. In different years, also, he presided at the three earliest church organs in the centre village. He devoted himself during his life to instrumental music and his acquaintance and association with lovers of that art were extensive, and productive of mutual pleasure.
At an early period in his professional career he became intimate with German musicians in Boston, then few in number, from whom was formed the noted Mendelssohn Quintette Club, afterwards well known throughout a large part of our country.
The farm home of Mr. Freeman on the road to Marlborough was an attractive place not only for his nearby neighbors but was particularly so for his musical friends in this Town and its vicinity. For them it was a magnetic point, but not for them alone. The Mendelssohn Club and his other German friends many a time found his Yankee farm a pleasant vacation resort with their instruments, which doubtless some- what reminded them of the Fatherland and which they, with their melodies, made a musical oasis.
Rev. Josiah H. Temple who was a neighbor farmer-boy of Mr. Freeman, in his "History of Framingham " designates him as "a distinguished Musician."
Mr. Temple was a scholar in the old brick Academy building, and Mr. Freeman in the new stone one, and the writer of this page was a schoolmate of each of them.
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It is a singular and unforeseen but an agreeable happening of events that it falls to his lot as the survivor of those three Academy boys to record, in this public form, that Mr. Temple was not only the writer of a very valuable history of this, his native town, but was the author and compiler of the annals of various other towns in the central part of the State and the Connecticut River Valley and was recognized as a distinguished town historian and also that he was warranted in describing his friend Mr. Freeman as " a dis- tinguished musician." This is but one of numerous pleasant memories that cluster around the old Academy, which for the nearly sixty years of its distinctive existence was the gem and pride of Framingham.
It was most appropriately said by Rev. H. G. Spaulding, that for Mr. Freeman's friends " the melodies of his deeds of kindness and his acts of thoughtful love, were sweeter than any which he drew from the instruments he played so well."
Instrumental classical music and vocal music of a high order were especially introduced here about forty years ago under the inspiration of the Mendelssohn Club and through the efforts of such lovers of music as Charles R. Train, James O. Freeman, Theodore C. Hurd and W. Frank Hurd, the last named being alluded to in Mr. Spaulding's paper.
CENTENNIAL MUSIC.
Conceding to our Musical Association and its predecessor the Choral Union, the agreeable fact of their superiority over any previous similar organization wholly of this town, as to membership numbers and the elaborateness and skill of their performances, it would be unfair to our plain ancestry of a hundred years ago to ignore its musical taste and efforts, and the existence, a few years later of what was a distinguished association embracing a cluster of towns with Framingham as its centre. We can appropriately introduce here a page from Mr. Temple's History.
"SINGING .- This part of religious worship had an impor- tant place in the Sabbath services, in our fathers' time. In Mr. Swift's day, few, except the pastor and deacons, had psalm-books; and it was customary for the minister to read
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the psalm in full, when the senior deacon would rise, face the audience, and repeat the first line, which would be sung by the congregation ; and so on to the end of the six or eight stanzas. Before Mr. Bridge's day, an edition of the Psalms and Hymns was printed, containing a collection of thirty- seven tunes inserted at the end. Mr. Bridge was a good singer, and was accustomed to meet such of his people as chose to come for instruction and practice in music. July, 1754, a vote was passed by the church, 'desiring seven brethren, viz., John Cloyes, Benjamin Pepper, John Farrar, Bezaleel and David Rice, Samuel Dedman and Daniel Adams, together with Mr. Ebenezer Marshall to take im- mediate care to qualify themselves to set the psalm in public; and as soon as they are properly qualified, to lead the assembly in that part of Divine Worship.'
"The first attempt to form a choir was made in 1768, when a number of singers petitioned the Town 'to appropriate the front seat in the upper gallery for their use, that they might sit together.'
" Soon after the formation of the choir, stringed instru- ments were introduced, to set the tune, and lead the voices. But it gave great offense to older people. On one occasion, when the violin was disabled, an old man, in terms more forcible than polite, gave thanks aloud that the Lord's fiddle was broken ! Some years later, when Billings' Collection was introduced, and the choir for the first time sang the tune of 'David the King,' an aged man cried out, ' hold, hold ! ' and seizing his hat left the meeting-house.'
"The custom of 'lining the psalm' continued for a long time after the organization of the choir; but it was very annoying to them. It ceased about 1785, and on this wise : Old Deacon Brown, who as senior deacon had the right to perform the service, was rather slow in his movements, and had the habit of adjusting his glasses and clearing his throat before beginning to read. At the date in question, Col. David Brewer was chosen chorister. Taking advantage of the Deacon's well known habit, on the first Sabbath of his leadership, the Colonel (acting no doubt on a previous understanding with his choir) struck in singing so quick
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after Mr. Kellogg had finished reading, that the Deacon had no chance to begin his work. He looked up in amazement - and so did a great many others in the congregation. After that there was no more attempt to 'deacon the hymn.'
"In 1798, the Town granted $30 to hire a singing master. For several years, the annual proceeds of the alewive fishery in Cochituate brook were given to the singers, and hence received the name of the singers fish privilege. The Town was accustomed to choose annually a committee ' to regulate the singing.' In 1805, the Town 'voted, that the singers shall regulate themselves, so long as they shall continue to fill the seats assigned them, and behave with decency and order.' "
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