USA > Massachusetts > Middlesex County > Framingham > Memorial of the bi-centennial celebration of the incorporation of the town of Framingham, Massachusetts, June, 1900 > Part 18
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It is evident that "Young America " was active in pro- ducing this revolution which changed a very ancient custom and resulted in a musical evolution of magnitude. It is not improbable that a leader was Daniel Belknap, a native farmer- boy, and as Mr. Temple says, "a noted singing master and composer." Of the, at least, three books published by him we present the title and preface of the first, in full : -
THE
armoniit's Companion.
CONTAINING A Number of AIRS fuitable for DIVINE WORSHIP : TOGETHER WITH An ANTHEM for EASTER, and a MASONIC ODE. NEVER BEFORE PUBLISHED.
COMPOSED BY DANIEL BELKNAP. TEACHER OF MUSIC, IN FRAMINGHAM.
Praife ye the Lord. Sing unto the Lord a new fong, and his praife in the congregation of faims .- PSAL. cxlix. I.
publithed according to att of Congrefs.
PRINTED, Typographically, a: BOSTON, BY ISAIAH THOMAS AND EBENEZER T. ANDREWS. FAUST'S STATUE, No. 45, Newbury-Street .- OCT. 1797.
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TWO HUNDREDTH ANNIVERSARY
PREFACE.
T HE defign of the following Publication, is to furnifh Schools and Mufical Societie: number of_ original AIRs fuited to Divine Worfhip; two pieces only, except thofe which are efpecially ada that moportant purpofe, are therefore inferted.
A VIEW of the TEMPLE, a Mafonic Ode, which appears in this Work, was fet to mufick by particular and performed by the Author with feveral Brethren of the Fraternity, at the Inftallation of MIDDLESEX L. Free and Accepted Mafons, in Framingham, in 1795.
Books of this kind are commonly prefented to the Public with a very concife Introduction ; which may gize for the omiffion here. Should the prefent Publication meet the approbation of a generous community, fo ther attempts of the kind, both to pleafe and improve, may be expected from
their moft obedient and very humble Servant, THE AUTH
FRAMINGHAND; Sept. 11; 1797-
That publication evidently did "meet the approbation of a generous community " and the "author " made a further attempt, and in 1800 published "the Evangelical Harmony " which was followed by "the Village Compilation of Sacred Musick " the second edition of which was issued in 1806. It was printed by Joseph T. Buckingham, who in after years was an able and influential editor of newspapers and at one time a member of our State Senate.
It contained " upwards of one hundred and forty pieces of music." More than fifty were of Mr. Belknap's composition. He taught singing schools for probably twenty years in the towns of Middlesex and adjoining counties, and more remote places, and gave their names to many of his pieces. One he called Carlisle where he married a young lady, who perhaps was in his school, and to this tune he set these appropriate lines :
"Now shall my inward joys arise And burst into a song Almighty love inspires my heart And pleasure tunes my tongue."
In 1813 an association was formed here named the "St. David Musical Society," comprising in its limits fifteen towns,
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MUSIC
of which Framingham was the central and largest. They were " Bolton, Stow, Sudbury, East Sudbury, Weston, Marl- borough, Southborough, Framingham, Hopkinton, Holliston, Sherburne, Dover, Natick, Needham and Newton."
Time has effaced all recollection of the Society and even of tradition there has not a shred come to us. The only know- ledge of its former existence is derived from a printed leaflet of eight small pages, giving the constitution and having written upon it simply "Mary Rice, 1814." Its title page was " Constitution of the St. David Musical Society, organized September 6, 1813. Cambridge : printed by Hilliard and Met- calf, 1813."
From this Constitution and the articles of Association we can learn the high aims and purposes of the associates, and their personal refinement, good taste, both literary and musical, and devoted love of "genuine, classical Church Musick."
We give brief selections from the Constitution : -
"Strongly impressed with a sense of the importance of sacred Musick as an interesting part of religious worship; deeply lamenting the want of musical taste and knowledge in most parts of our country ; and anxious to contribute our best efforts towards a reformation so desirable both to the lovers of harmony and the friends of religion, we, whose names are subjoined, are induced to associate, under the name of the St. David Musical Society, for the cultivation and promotion of genuine, classical Church Musick; such as is calculated to move the heart, to exalt the affections and to answer the purposes of devotion. And in order to carry this design into effect, we adopt and hold ourselves subject to the following
" ARTICLES OF ASSOCIATION. 1. The special and im- mediate object of this society is, to revive a taste for ancient psalmody, or musick of a correct, scientific, solemn and im- pressive style ; of which the Middlesex and Lock Hospital Collections shall be the standards. No work which does not, in its general character, correspond with these, shall ever be introduced into the use of the society.
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TWO HUNDREDTH ANNIVERSARY
"2. No person shall become a member of the society, unless he possesses a just musical taste, and be able, at least, correctly to perform the simple airs in ordinary use in churches; except Clergymen, who shall be eligible, though they may be unacquainted with the art of singing. Nor shall any person be admitted, who does not sustain a good moral reputation."
The officers were a President, two Vice Presidents, Secretary, Treasurer and a Standing Committee of five. The President was to "lead the singing," and the Standing Committee to " select suitable pieces of musick to be sung at the Anniver- sary of the Society : a list of which they shall cause to be transmitted to the members sixty days at least previous to that meeting." The Anniversary meeting was to be held in each town by rotation, upon thirty days notice in two Boston newspapers, and at such meeting the prescribed public exercises were "prayers, musical performances, and an oration, sermon or dissertation on musick." "There shall be three other stated meetings for ordinary exercise or practice in Musick," "at Framingham, on the first Mondays in December, February and June, at two o'clock in the after- noon." Special meetings may be called at Framingham, and no meeting shall be protracted to a later hour than six o'clock."
" Females shall not become regular members of the Society, but those who have the moral and musical qualifications specified in the second article may be invited to attend the meetings and take part in the musical performances : and all so invited shall, for distinctions sake, be denominated Assistant Members, and shall be liable to be dismissed for the same misdemeanors that require the expulsion of male or regular members."
The Constitution was signed by thirty-three members on the date of its adoption, and on December 6, next, " nineteen gentlemen were proposed for membership."
For the history of the Society after the adoption of its Constitution, we must rely upon imagination. Mr. Daniel Belknap was, doubtless, its originator and first President.
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MUSIC
He had capable co-operators among his fellow citizens in Town, of a population of about 1,800. Among them were Rev. David Kellogg and Rev. Charles Train, the only ministers here, Dr. John B. Kittredge and Eli Bullard and Josiah Adams, Esquires, all college graduates in active pro- fessional life, representing Dartmouth, Harvard and Vale. Mr. Train and Mr. Adams were both fond of sacred music even to their last years. Mr. Train was pastor of the Baptist churches in Framingham and Weston, and would naturally desire that Weston should be in the Musical Society. He was the chorister in his little meeting-house at Park's corner, and was Mr. Belknap's co-efficient and might properly have succeeded him when he passed away in 1815. Possibly, and in fact, probably, Mr. Train who had been the preceptor of the Academy and who was an accomplished writer drew the main portions of the Constitution and was selected to deliver the "oration, sermon, or dissertation on musick" at the Anniversary of September, 1814. We wish that a picture of the gathering of that day had been preserved. In those years there were no public holidays except Independence and Thanksgiving. Fast day was a holy sombre holiday. Good natured 'Lection day and occasional military musters drew people from their homes now and then. Therefore the forma- tion of this Society was a stirring and gratifying event for our rural village. The gathering must have been in the then new
meeting-house. The old Town House was too small. The Com- mon had not then been laid out, but the forest trees upon that spot furnished pleasant shade for the strangers' horses fastened to them on that day. Probably most in attendance came on foot, others in chaises-four wheel carriages being very rare- some on horse back with saddle and its pillion. They of New- ton and Needham were especially favored because they could take the public stage coaches over the new turnpike between the towns of Boston and Worcester, with Framingham as the half-way place, with its Hotel and Tavern of good cheer and gentlemanly landlords, whose dinner and supper tables on that day were filled with the musical stranger guests.
· We may believe that promptly at two o'clock, upon the ringing of the meeting-house bell, the services began with
16
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TWO HUNDREDTH ANNIVERSARY
the opening prayer by Rev. Mr. Kellogg and that they promptly closed at six with a benediction by some minister of a nearby town. Between those hours the meeting-house -the memory of which even now is dear to all, though far scattered, who in their younger years worshipped within its walls-was crowded by the singers and listeners in its old fashioned and quaint pews, and in all the galleries on its sides and resounded with a volume of psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, and anthems of praise never before nor since heard therein.
That was the last Anniversary here. The Society did not survive Mr. Belknap many years. We can easily con- jecture which of our old families were represented by the singers, though the names of the individuals are unknown. But the names of the players upon instruments are beyond our surmise. Perhaps somebody has, somewhere, records regarding this assembly. If so, it is hoped that they may be disclosed.
That day and its evening must have been given to hospi- tality to the visiting strangers. -
If any readers of these last pages have derived any pleasure from them let it be ascribed to the carefulness of the young woman who alone preserved the leaflet and so rescued from oblivion the fact of the existence and the name of the Association. Though permitted for "distinction's " sake to be an "Assistant," it could not have been foreseen by her that in remote years something like distinction might come to her name because of such carefulness; nor that nearly ninety years later, the writing of these lines should fall to one most closely related to her, and impressed with filial regard for her memory.
FIREWORKS AT SAXONVILLE.
One of the features of the general program of the cele- bration which was earliest decided upon by the General Committee was to have as fine a display of Fireworks as could be afforded. At a meeting of the Committee held in March, 1900, Chairman James R. Entwistle of the Sub-
1
243
FIREWORKS
committee on Fireworks asked for a decision of the question where and when the display should take place, and incidentally called attention to the added beauty of such display when given on the banks of a sheet of water like the Saxonville Mill Pond. A motion was made at this meeting, and after being laid on the table for further consideration was unani- mously adopted two weeks later, that the display of fireworks should be held at Saxonville Mill Pond on the evening of Friday, June fifteenth. It was felt that not only was the particular spot selected a most attractive and suitable location, but that in this way the merits of Saxonville as the earliest settled portion of Framingham and one which has always contributed its full share of thrifty and intelligent men and women to maintain the Town's honorable position, would receive recognition by having the last and crowning event of the celebration within its borders. The choice of Friday evening was made partly to avoid competition with the events already scheduled for other evenings of the week, but principally because a full moon occurring on Tuesday, the earlier evenings of the week would be rendered too light for an advantageous display of fireworks. The event fully justified the wisdom of the Committee in their selection of time and place. The same delightful weather prevailed which had favored the previous events of the celebration and as the brilliant color of a lovely summer sunset gradually faded into softer twilight thousands of spectators gathered from all directions, carriages filled with people occupied all available spaces along the highways and some twenty extra electric cars were utilized to bring those who came on the Framingham Union Street Railway from South Fram- ingham and other villages. It is estimated that at eight o'clock at least 10,000 people had gathered near the shores of the Mill Pond, but all found a place from which to get a satisfactory view. Through the kindness of Mr. Frank E. Simpson, the portion of his spacious grounds which sloped toward the Pond was freely opened, and other nearby res- idents made generous provision for a cordial welcome to friends and strangers. The whole village was in holiday attire. All the public buildings and many private ones were
.
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TWO HUNDREDTH ANNIVERSARY
artistically decorated with bunting, flags and Chinese lan- terns, while on the pond were numerous canoes, some of which had been brought from neighboring towns, which added to the brilliancy of the scene by their luminous dec- orations. Music was furnished at intervals throughout the evening by the Marlboro Brass Band of twenty-four pieces. The display of fireworks which was obtained by the Committee from H. H. Tilton & Co. of Boston was enthusi- astically received. Stands were erected near the westerly shore of the pond from which the various features were set off and the fine scenic effect was greatly heightened by the graceful shade trees outlined in the background, as well as by the water in the foreground of the picturesque scene. There were two principal set pieces, one, representing the " Olympia," Admiral Dewey's flagship at the battle of Manila Bay, being a very realistic representation of a modern warship "under fire." The other as the closing feature was designed for the occasion to represent Framingham's Bi- Centennial Celebration, and bore in the centre the monogram, "Framingham 1700- 1900," while on one side was a like- ness of Col. Moses Edgell, to whom the whole town is indebted for his generous gifts of the Edgell Grove Cemetery and the Edgell Library Funds, and on the other a picture of Michael H. Simpson, to whom in a large degree Saxonville owes its industrial prosperity.
It is worthy of mention as showing the orderliness and careful handling of the crowds, that although most of the scores of vehicles and thousands of spectators in dispersing at the close of the entertainment converged at the corner of Central and Water streets, yet all went safely and quietly away and the closing event of our Bi-Centennial, like nearly all those which had preceded it, was wholly free from accident and an occasion long to be held in grateful re- membrance by all who participated in it.
HOSPITALITY.
Allusion has already been made in the Chapter on the events of Wednesday to the entertainment provided for the Town's Invited Guests at Mr. Merriam's house, during the
The Rice House on Rice Hill
The Manufacture of Straw Bonnets, in the United States, was begun here Oct. 2, 1800, and continued for nearly 50 years, by Mrs. Mary Rice
LT
The " Old Red House," Union Avenue
245
TOWN SEAL
interval between the Parade and the Literary Exercises. The arrangements for this, as well as other provisions for the comfort and convenience of the Town's guests, were in the hands of the Committee on Hospitality, of which Alfred M. Eames was the efficient chairman.
The Framingham Board of Trade kept open a room in the Manson Building, where arrangements were made for telephone communication, correspondence and a bureau of information.
The Framingham Woman's Club also kept open house on Wednesday at rooms furnished for the occasion in Smith Block, the Framingham Young Men's Christian Association at its rooms on Howard street and other organizations did likewise at their respective headquarters.
Mention should also be made of the fact that the Presi- dent of the Woman's Club, Mrs. C. U. Fuller, with one or two other kindred spirits, obtained the use of a house and grounds at Saxonville from which a good view of the display of Fireworks could be obtained and entertained very pleasantly the members of the Club, the Trustees of the Framingham Hospital and many other friends on Friday evening.
NEW TOWN SEAL.
For many years the seal used by the Town Officials of Framingham was of the simplest possible design, having the name and date of incorporation of the Town enclosed within two concentric circles. As the Bi-Centennial Anniversary drew near, the wish was frequently heard expressed that the Town might have a new seal, with an appropriate symbolic design, to be used in connection with the various printed forms of invitations, tickets, etc. which would be required. The . matter having been duly brought to the attention of the Town at a special Town Meeting held September 22, 1899, a committee was appointed consisting of Peter N. Everett, Secretary of the Bi-Centennial Committee, John H. Temple and Patrick Hayes, to look into the matter of adopting a new emblematic device for the official seal of the Town. Soon after their appointment this committee published in the local
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TWO HUNDREDTH ANNIVERSARY
papers a request for designs for a new seal. In response to this a few designs were offered, but these were not satisfactory, and other designs prepared by local artists at the suggestion of the Committee, when reduced to proper size were not clear cut and striking. The chief difficulty in selecting an emblem- atic device lay in the fact that there is no one particular event in our history as a Town, and no distinctive industrial feature or bit of natural scenery, which seems to stand out pre-eminently, or to distinguish ours from other towns in the Commonwealth. From a careful study of the seals of different towns, as shown by a collection of impressions loaned to the committee by the Commissioner of Public Records, it appeared that sea coast towns or cities usually have selected a device representing commerce or the ocean; those which were the scene of an Indian or Revolutionary fight have commemorated that, while other interior towns have utilized some prominent natural or industrial feature, or the birthplace of a more or less famous man. While Framingham is not lacking in the latter respects, yet, in the mind of the committee, it could claim special prominence chiefly in its educational opportunities and facilities of transportation.
Very few, probably, even of those citizens who have given thought to the matter, realize how much has been added to the good name or fame of our town, during the nearly fifty years of its location here, by the Framingham State Normal School, the first of the kind in America. Not only is this true of its past history as its pupils have come from and gone forth to all parts of the world, but in its work of today, this school stands for the best and noblest ideals of a free public school, and combines under one roof the education of children and their future teachers. It seemed eminently fitting that the noble building in which this grand work is carried on should be selected to represent on our Town Seal the educa- tional life here made prominent. Across the face of a shield in the centre of the device are the words and date, "Danforth's Farms 1662," which refer to the time when Governor Dan- forth, justly referred to by our Bi-Centennial historian as the founder of the Town, became the proprietor of the most of its broad acres. Just below this date is an emblem of the town's
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TOWN SEAL
position as a central point for both steam and electric rail- roads, in the form of a wheel whose spokes are tracks radiating in six different directions. Surrounding the central device are the words "Town of Framingham, incorporated 1700," and enclosing the whole is a border of straw braid, which calls attention to the fact that the manufacture of straw braid into hats and bonnets, as a business, begun in Framingham in 1800, earlier than anywhere else in the United States, was for more than a half century its prominent industry, and is still retained. In their final efforts to secure the draughting and engraving of the emblematic device which was adopted by the Committee, which had been given full powers in the matter by the Town at its annual meeting in March, 1900, they were ably assisted by George L. Clapp, in whose hands much of the printing and engraving for the Anniversary had been placed.
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TWO HUNDREDTH ANNIVERSARY
TREASURER'S STATEMENT.
RECEIPTS.
John B. Lombard, Treasurer, town appropriation South Middlesex Street Railway Co., subscription 125.00
$6,000.00
Framingham Union Street Railway Co., sub- scription 125.00
Framingham Box Co., proceeds sale of "1700" float 75.79
Committee on Athletic Sports, entrance fees, etc.
32.50
Committee on Ball, sale of tickets, etc. 601.00
Committee on Banquet, sale of tickets, souvenir plates, etc.
1,802.08
$8,761.37
EXPENDITURES.
COMMITTEE ON INVITATIONS.
John A. Lowell Co., printing invitations
$25.00
Lakeview Press, printing
10.75
Postage, etc. .
. 3.93
$39.68
COMMITTEE ON CHILDREN'S ENTERTAINMENT.
J. W. Gorman Amusement Co.
$100.00
Warner Music Co. .
5.00
Transportation, printing and postage . 6.80
$111.80
COMMITTEE ON MILITARY, CIVIC AND TRADES PROCESSION.
Kyte Building Co., reviewing stand
$ 75.00
Framingham Box Co., building "1700" and
"1900 " floats .
675.79
Boston Regalia Co., badges
61.50
Chas. O. Eaton, flags
50.00
Fire Department, parade outfit 25.00
Transportation expenses of militia companies 38.49
Carriage for aged men
5.00
Horses and equipment for police and others
98.75
H. C. Bowers, meals for militia
91.00
W. H. Trowbridge, rent of room
8.00
Sundry expense account
36.79
$1,165.32
TREASURER'S STATEMENT
249
COMMITTEE ON MUSIC.
Elmwood Band, South Framingham
$ 50.00
American Watch Co. Band, Waltham .
135.40
Battery B Band, Worcester
223.60
Marlboro Band, Marlboro .
172.05
Prof. Jules Jordan, services
50.00
Clarence A. Jones, services
6.00
Music for Bi-Centennial Chorus
36.17
H. C. Bowers, meals for band
75.60
Band stand
14.00
R. R. fares
24.94
Badges for Chorus .
20.00
Printing, postage and sundry expenses
16.20
$823.96
COMMITTEE ON ATHLETIC GAMES AND SPORTS.
Balloon Ascension
$ 50.00
Prizes
· 263.99
Sundry expenses
. 28.59 .
$342.58
COMMITTEE ON CHILDREN'S PROCESSION.
Badges for children .
$104.49
Banners, flags, etc. . .
.
84.58
$189.07
COMMITTEE ON LITERARY EXERCISES.
Programmes
. ·
. $165.00
Express on same .
.
.
. 1.60
$166.60
COMMITTEE ON BALL.
A. Fales & Sons, labor and material at Armory $ 91.77
James Daisley
107.85
C. A. Hemenway
23.95
F. W. Meserve
14.40
W. H. Trowbridge 66
5.00
G. E. Fowler, rent of store, etc. . 7.50
. C. Folger & Co., decorating Armory . 48.39
E. H. Grant and John A. Lowell & Co., tickets 43.55
Boston Festival Orchestra, music
200.00
T. D. Cook & Co., collation .
225.00
Car fares and meals for Orchestra
48.35
Printing and advertising
34.00
Sundry expense account
42.58
.
·
.
.
.
$892.34
.
250
TWO HUNDREDTH ANNIVERSARY
COMMITTEE ON BANQUET.
Jones, McDuffee & Stratton, souvenir plates ·
$484.28 Jones, McDuffee & Stratton, five dozen engraved vases . · 27.60
T. D. Cook & Co., caterers for Banquet
696.00
T. D. Cook & Co., additional expense account 43.28
Powers' Orchestra, music 56.00
J. T. Butterworth, flowers 90.00
C. Folger & Co., decorating Armory 37.50
L. S. Ipsen, designing menu . 40.00
Suffolk Engraving Co., engraving menu 12.80
Tribune Publishing Co., printing .
53.50
A. Fales & Sons Co., fitting up Armory James Daisley, fitting up Armory .
71.44
C. A. Hemenway, fitting up Armory
13.55
W. H. Trowbridge, fitting up Armory
5.00
G. E. Fowler, rent of store
7.50
Printing and advertising
27.90
Transportation and teaming
73.01
Typewriting
5.00
Envelopes for souvenir plates
15.18
Sundry expense account
43.48
$1,900.77 -
COMMITTEE ON DECORATION.
Geo. A. Murray, decorating public buildings .
$430.00
C. Folger & Co., decorating at Mount Wayte, etc. 39.50
Sundry expense account
29.76
$499.26
COMMITTEE ON FIREWORKS.
C. W. Glidden & Co., fireworks
$325.00
Jacobs, Whitcomb & Co., fireworks
13.79
Sundry expense account
6.49
$345.28
COMMITTEE ON SALUTES.
Battery B, M.V.M., salutes
$260.00
Ringing church bells . . 21.00
$281.00
COMMITTEE ON HISTORIC PLACES.
Sundry expenses
·
$5.83
83.35
F. W. Meserve, fitting up Armory
14.40
TREASURER'S STATEMENT
251
COMMITTEE ON TRANSPORTATION.
Framingham Union Street Railway Co.
$ 51.25
D. J. Cooney, carriages .
156.00
J. Smith & Son, carriages
.
128.00
Sundry expenses
8.75
$344.00
COMMITTEE ON HOSPITALITY.
T. D. Cook & Co., collation for guests
·
$90.00
Sundry expenses ·
. 13.55
$103.55
COMMITTEE ON HISTORICAL EXHIBIT.
Rent of V. M. C. A. Hall
$50.00
Decorating
12.00
Sundry expense account
· 182.09
$244.09
COMMITTEE ON GROUNDS AND TENTS.
W. H. Abbott, tent .
$125.00
A. Fales & Sons, reviewing stand
220.00
Sundry expense account
31.27
$376.27
COMMITTEE ON PRINTING.
Badges for Committees .
$49.00
George L. Clapp
5.50
Middlesex Newspaper Co.
52.00
$106.50
COMMITTEE ON PRESS.
Hotel Kendall
.
.
·
$50.00
SECRETARY'S EXPENSE ACCOUNT.
Derby Desk Co., desk
$66.00
Supplies, postage, etc. .
·
82.24
Peter N. Everett, services
200.00
$348.24
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TWO HUNDREDTH ANNIVERSARY
COMMITTEE ON MEMORIAL VOLUME.
J. E. McGrath, stenographic report of Banquet speeches .
$25.00
J. J. VanValkenburgh, photographs of Trades' procession .
4.50
Geo. L. Clapp, printing (on account)
385.00
F. M. Esty & Co., insurance .
5.46
$419.96
Balance in bank
5.27
$8,761.37
The estimated additional expense connected with the pub- lication of the Memorial Volume is $500.00, and it is the Committee's purpose to thus expend on the book, in advance, the full amount to be realized from its sale, but not to bring the Town into any further expense in the matter.
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