USA > Massachusetts > Norfolk County > Dover > Narrative history : a history of Dover, Massachusetts, as a precinct, parish, district, and town > Part 16
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The scattered settlers received their mail for many years from Dedham, from which office it was brought over several times a week. A post-office was not es- tablished in town until 1838. The mail service was excellent for the time, as Dedham lay on the principal highway of the country, and the great American mail passed through Dedham from the inception of the ser- vice in 1693 until 1835.
At first there was a semi-weekly mail, on Wednesday and Saturday. John Williams was the first postmaster. He continued in the office until his death, in February, 1840.
Mr. Williams was succeeded by the Rev. Ralph Sanger, who held the office for twenty years, resign- ing in January, 1860. The office was not moved dur- ing Mr. Sanger's administration. With the opening of the Boston & Worcester Railroad, the mail was trans- ferred to Wellesley and brought to Dover by way of South Natick. Later it was changed to Needham on
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the completion of the Charles River branch railroad to that place. It was during Mr. Sanger's term of office that daily mails were established. Isaac Howe was the third postmaster, and held the office for thirteen years. Upon his resignation in 1875, his son, George L. Howe, became his successor. Mr. Howe soon moved the office to the railroad station, which was more acces- sible than the private residence where it had been kept for nearly forty years. When the office was established, it was placed in connection with the tavern and store ; but both had long since been closed. The mail facil- ities have increased from two mails a week in 1838 to nine mails a day, with registered letters and money- order facilities.
A post-office was established at Charles River Vil- lage through the efforts of Josiah Newell, who was. appointed the first postmaster. The office was estab- lished with the understanding that the mail, taken at a convenient point, should be carried by those interested without expense to the government. Previous to the opening of this office the residents got their mail at Dover. William M. Richards succeeded Mr. Newell as. postmaster about 1855. With the completion of the railroad the office was moved to the depot.
It is worthy of note that, with the exception of the Rev. Dr. Sanger, the postmasters of Dover have all been of one family, who have cared for the office in all the fifty-nine years of its existence.
Although Dr. Ames, of Dedham, and other prominent physicians practised in the Springfield Parish, doctors. were not within ready call; and the people learned to depend upon themselves in ordinary illness and to use
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the simple herbs at hand for remedies. Even at a later period physicians who had taken degrees at Harvard College, and studied medicine with prominent practi- tioners, knew nothing of children's diseases, and, when called to a sick child, would, after a hasty examination, turn the little sufferer over to some woman who had had experience in rearing a family and consequently knew more than the physician about children: *.
Accounts might be given of surgical operations in amputations and other cases before the discovery of anæsthetics that were most touching and heart-rending, as the subject, strapped upon a table, had to endure in full consciousness the pain of a surgeon's knife. George Caryl, M.D., is the only resident physician the place has ever had. He was a native of Dover, and graduated at Harvard University in 1788. Dr. Caryl studied medicine with Dr. Samuel Willard, a noted physician of Uxbridge, Mass. He afterwards studied for a time in Boston. Dr. Caryl commenced to prac- tise medicine in 1790, and was active in his profession until the time of his death, in 1822. He was a skilful physician, and had an extensive practice in this and adjoining towns.
Dr. Caryl dispensed his own drugs, which consisted largely of pills, potions, salves, and blisters. Some of his medicines still remain just as he left them in his saddle-bag more than a half century ago. Calomel and laudanum were the popular remedies of the day. Like all physicians of his time, Dr. Caryl pulled teeth with a "turnkey," having first cut round the gum with a lancet.
The custom of reckoning by shillings, six to a dollar,
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was long kept up after the decimal system of money had been established by law.
Much Mexican silver was used, and a sixteenth of a dollar (six and one-fourth cents) was called a "four- pence ha' penny "; an eighth of a dollar (twelve and a half cents) was called "ninepence "; thirty-seven and a half cents was called "two and threepence " ; sixty-six and two-thirds cents, "four shillings"; eighty-three and a third cents, "five shillings."
In trade, dealers usually took the fractional part. One instance is known where a Dover storekeeper cut a cent in halves rather than lose the half cent which was due him in trade. Half cents were at one time in circulation.
CHAPTER XVIII.
CIVIL HISTORY .- Continued.
HARTFORD TURNPIKE -SMALL - POX - FIRE - ENGINE - TAV- ERN - KEEPERS - PROPRIETORS' LIBRARY - HOW £ THE POOR WERE CARED FOR -TOWN HALL -TOWN LIBRARY -. AGRICULTURAL LIBRARY - REPRESENTATIVES TO THE GENERAL COURT - SELECTMEN - TOWN-CLERKS TREASURERS - SUPERINTENDENTS OF SCHOOLS.
" The old turnpike is a pike no longer : Wide open stands the gate."
Before the advent of railroads, turnpikes were built for stage-routes and the accommodation of persons trav- elling across the country. Then turnpikes were usually built in a straight line over hill and through dale with- out any deviation. Although laid out by surveyors, the fact was not recognized that it is generally no farther around a hill than over it, and that a road built on the latter plan would be easier to construct and maintain, would admit of more rapid travel and the support of greater burdens, with less wear and tear on horse and vehicle than one built in a straight line.
When the Hartford turnpike was contemplated, it was the purpose of the company to pass near Dover Center ; but this proposition met with such strenuous opposition on the part of Samuel Fisher, the principal landowner, that it was carried much farther south, and but touched the town. This turnpike came into exist- ence by an act of the General Court, March 9, 1804.
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Toll-gates were established. The tolls in this town were collected for nearly twenty years near the house of the late William Tisdale. A line of stage-coaches was run over this turnpike from Boston to Hartford, where connections were made for New Haven and New York. The first exchange of horses was made at Med- field, and the approach of the stage-coach was always announced by the bugle.
Before the discoveries of vaccination small-pox was considered one of the worst diseases to which flesh is heir. The only known remedy for this fatal and pesti- lential disease was inoculation with the virus of small- pox. In 1792 the district voted to make the house of Hezekiah Battle a hospital for the inoculation and treatment of small-pox. As the disease was so in- fectious it was necessary to have a house somewhat isolated and to maintain the strictest quarantine. The following committee, made up of some of the most prominent citizens, was chosen to establish the bounds : Dea. Joseph Haven, Nathaniel Chickering, Aaron Whiting, Ebenezer Battle, Capt. Samuel Fisher, Capt. Hezekiah Allen, and Joseph Fisher.
A fine of sixty dollars was voted against any one who should cross the bounds. Twenty-four days was allowed in which the inhabitants could present them- selves for treatment. A large number of young men and young women were inoculated for the small-pox, together with the virus of the itch. The small-pox so completely worked in the system that it eradicated the itch, and it is said the subject would never again contract the disease. The diet of the patients while in the hospital excluded all fatty foods, and consisted
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largely of brown bread and molasses. It is presumed that Dr. George Caryl had charge of the hospital. At another time a small hospital was established on Pegan Hill. May 14, 1896, marked the centenary of the operation of vaccination on the first child in England. Through this discovery and the practice of vaccination small-pox has been almost entirely wiped out, and what was once a deadly scourge is now a comparatively mild disease.
In 1811 the selectmen received a petition from resi- dents, largely in the westerly part of the town, asking the district to consider some means of extinguishing fires. The following committee, Benjamin Guy, Jr., John Plimpton, Seth Mason, Noah Fiske, Jonathan Battle, Jr., Obed Hartshorn, Benjamin Guy, James Mann, and Draper Smith, were chosen "to draft some plan of such an engine or machine to extinguish fire as will be suitable for the district, and to calculate the probable cost of the same." The committee was not able to devise anything which was acceptable to the district ; and, although the matter was frequently dis- cussed, no provision was made for extinguishing fires. In 1858 the town was asked to " provide a set of fire hooks, ladders, axes, and carriage for the same"; but no favorable action was taken by the town on the sub- ject until 1896, when a committee was chosen and an appropriation of five hundred dollars made for the purchase of a wagon, ladders, and chemical fire- extinguishers.
The colonial tavern was next in importance to the meeting-house, and the one usually stood in close prox- imity to the other. The warmth of the tavern fire was
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always welcome in winter to the men who congregated on all public occasions at the meeting-house. Before the advent of newspapers all news emanated from the tavern.
A public inn was opened at the center of the parish long before the breaking out of the Revolution. Eben- ezer Newell, who settled here previous to 1750, was an inn-holder. He moved from Needham, and was a cooper by trade ; but there is no evidence that he fol- lowed this occupation here. He probably opened a public house near the spot which for so many years was occupied by a tavern. Mr. Newell doubtless kept a store in connection with his inn. Later John Reed, who lived on the Sanger place, opened a tavern in com- petition with his neighbor ; but it was not long contin- ued as a public house.
Parish-meetings were sometimes adjourned to the inns of both Newell and Reed. The Williams Tavern, which occupies such a conspicuous place in the center of the town, was
" Built in the old colonial day, When men lived in a grander way, With ampler hospitality."
The great room was the important part of all taverns, with its oak floor, large fireplace, chests, forms, and chairs. The "buffet," built into the corner, furnished in the early time an important adjunct to the Williams Tavern.
The flip iron, which was in constant use, was near at hand, and is still in existence. John Williams added to the building the wing which extends northward,
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and thus provided a store and dance hall, where many social gatherings were held for young and old. In one of the old chests can be seen to-day the balls which were used in playing ninepins.
In this old tavern the people congregated, exchanged news, gossiped, and held many a political caucus. The Williams Tavern has a pathetic interest. In the " great " room the "Sons of Liberty" congregated ; and here were discussed, by the most prominent citi- zens, the affairs of the colony in the trying time of the Revolution.
This was a favorite resort for horse-jockeys, as the ample grounds around the tavern furnished an excellent place in which to show the qualities of their steeds. They often met here by appointment to swap horses, which was the usual method of trade in those days.
On training-days the common in front of the tavern was used for training purposes, and presented a very animated scene. The tavern was a lively place at morning and evening, as the farmers engaged in team- ing never failed to call at the door. Early in 1800 John Williams purchased the tavern property, and for many years carried on the business in connection with a livery-stable. The Woonsocket line of coaches daily stopped at the door. At one time the tavern was run by Mr. Williams's son-in-law, Isaac Howe, who was connected for many years with that ancient hostelry, the Lamb Tavern, which occupied the site of the present Adams House in Boston.
The business practically died with Mr. Williams. The sign-board of the Williams Tavern was a conspicu- ous feature, and was hung from an elm-tree across the
EAST SCHOOLHOUSE.
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CIVIL HISTORY
road. The old board can still be seen, and bears on one side the picture of a lion and on the other a tiger, with the name of the proprietor, John Williams, beneath. The Dover tavern, from the start, was not much used by guests who tarried, but rather as a stopping-place for those who journeyed and as a place of resort for the people of this and surrounding towns. On Thanks- giving eve the farmers engaged in turkey-shooting, the fowls being arranged on the area back of the tavern. Many a farmer paid a dear price for his Thanksgiving turkey, but the sport of turkey-shooting fully compen- sated for any excess of cost.
The tavern-keeper in the early time was a personage of vast importance and often the most important man in town. Ebenezer Newell was for many years a mem- ber of the Dedham board of selectmen. He was one of a committee of three appointed by the town in 1774 to see that none of the inhabitants of the parish drank any India tea. Mr. Newell was a lieutenant in Captain Guild's company of minute-men at the Lexington alarm, and later served in the Continental Army.
Daniel Whiting, who succeeded Ebenezer Newell as proprietor of the village tavern, held the most promi- nent position among Dedham citizens in the Revolution- ary War. He took part in the battle of Bunker Hill, and held the successive offices of lieutenant, captain, major, and lieutenant-colonel in the Revolutionary Army. John Reed was a prominent citizen, and one of the petitioners for the organization of the town of Dover in 1782.
John Williams was a man of large influence, and a deputy sheriff in Norfolk County. He was one of the
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proprietors of the Boston and Woonsocket line of coaches. He extended the business of the place many- fold, and kept a first-class inn. We can easily see how important the tavern was in the carly time to civiliza- tion. Before the day of newspapers the farmers gath- ered at the tavern, and over a mug of flip or black- strap discussed the news of the day.
,In the changes brought by time much of the old- fashioned fellowship and hospitality has departed. Writers are prone to dwell on the stern facts in the lives of our ancestors rather than upon the soft touches of social and domestic life. With all their trials and sacrifices they had much social pleasure and enjoyment. Farmers would take more trouble and spend more time in perpetrating a joke on a neighbor around the tavern fire than most men would spend to-day in establishing an industry.
Public balls were frequently held at the Williams Tavern, and always called forth a large company from this and surrounding towns. Card-playing was an im- portant factor in the entertainment of the time, and whole days and evenings were often given up to the game.
We think of the women of that period as spending their days in spinning, weaving, or knitting ; but they had much recreation in public balls, quilting-parties, and singing-schools, which were the beginning of many a courtship in the early time. Union singing-schools, which were very enjoyable, were often held at the tavern, the singing-master inviting the members of his several schools in other towns to unite for the evening. The main part of the Williams Tavern was built before
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the Revolutionary War; and for nearly a century it stood to
" Welcome the coming, Speed the parting guest."
The Massachusetts legislature legalized the estab- lishment of proprietors' libraries in 1799. Whether a library had been organized in this parish previous to that time is unknown. When the Rev. Mr. Sanger married, and established his home in Dover, in 1817, he took the " Proprietors' Library " into the parsonage, and continued as its librarian for more than forty years. It was a library of more than two hundred volumes when Mr. Sanger received it; and it must then have been in existence for some years, as books were added but slowly in those days. Its organization, therefore, may antedate the beginning of the present century. Mr. Sanger fostered the library ; and at the close of his active ministry, in 1858, it contained more than seven hundred volumes.
The books were carefully selected, and represented the standard literature of the day in books of travel, biography, history, together with the few books of standard fiction of that time.
The library was largely patronized, and had a great influence in moulding the character and forming a liter- erary taste among the rising generation. The Rev. Calvin E. Stowe, in presenting the library with'a copy of his translation of the "Hebrew Commonwealth," makes the following acknowledgment on the fly-leaf of the volume : -
To the Dover Library, from the Translator, in grateful re- membrance of the benefit which he derived from that library in his early youth.
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HISTORY OF DOVER
The circulation of the books was not confined to the town. Residents of Natick and Needham were allowed access to the library on equal terms with the residents. The library was maintained for many years with great pride, and Dover was often congratulated on the pos- session of so fine a library. It was for many years, to all intents and purposes, a town library. Mr. Sanger was the minister of the whole people, and his was the only church in town. After the organization of the Baptist and Second Congregational Churches, it became, however, more of a parish library; and the circulation of books was largely among the people of the First Parish Church.
The library was open for the delivery of books on Saturday afternoons, twice in each month. The books were placed in substantial book-cases, and the library was kept in excellent condition. The dignity of the librarian called for the strictest propriety ; and the decorous conduct of the young people is recalled to this day. After the destruction of Mr. Sanger's house, in 1857, the books were removed to the residence of Isaac Howe, but were not circulated.
Mr. Sanger recognized the limitations of an associate library, and suggested the organization of a town library in the following words : -
Such a library would be the property of the town, and would be open to every family in the town. Its privileges would be shared alike by all, whether rich or poor. Like the sun and air, it would shed its enlightening and healthful influence upon all. Our schools teach all who attend them to read; but many who have learned to read cannot, after they have left school, procure many valuable books which it would be pleasant and useful for them to peruse.
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A town library could furnish them such books, and would be advantageous to yourselves, to your children, and to unborn generations.
At the time of the incorporation of the district of Dover the citizens were nearly all poor, in the general acceptance of that term; but there were few paupers. The Revolution had entailed a fearful expense in in- creased taxation, great loss had been sustained in the depreciation of currency, in some instances what formed the accumulated savings of years had been swept away. Some of the young men left, with their families, and settled at Westminster, Lunenburg, and others went as far as Vermont.
A township in Massachusetts is only under obliga- tions to support paupers born within its limits or who have " acquired a settlement " therein. Early precau- tions were taken that undesirable persons should not become a public charge. The first warrant of the selectmen, issued August 21, 1784, was to Theodore Newell, constable, directing him to warn Joseph Senaah, a negro or mulatto, received as a, boarder by James Draper, to depart from the district. The select- men issued frequent warrants to the constable that " you are hereby required forthwith to warn and cau- tion the persons hereafter named to depart out of the district of Dover within fourteen days."
Such entries as the following were often made in the records : " March 7, 1792. I was informed by Seth Wight that he had taken in a girl from the town of Sherborn, into his family. Name is Polly Rice. Came to his house August 16, 1791."
The poor at first were boarded in families, but later an almshouse was established.
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The selectmen purchased the William Bacon place on Pine Street in 1817, which was used for some years as an almshouse. The district sold the farm at public auction, April 18, 1825, to Jonathan Whiting for four hundred and fifty-five dollars. It contained fifteen acres with house and barn.
March 5, 1821, it was voted "that the paupers be put out at auction to those who will take them on the best terms, excepting those as in the opinion of the overseers could not be put up at auction for the advan- tage of the district." The public auction took place at the tavern March 19, and was a most pathetic scene. Later the board of overseers of the poor provided for paupers in private families or by giving them a stated monthly allowance. Dea. Joseph Larrabee in 1865 be- queathed to the town all his property in the following will : -
In the name of God, I, Joseph Larrabee, of Dover, in the county of Norfolk and Commonwealth of Massachusetts, being in feeble health, but of sound and disposing mind and memory, do make this my last will and testament. I commit my soul to God, the author of it, and my body to the earth, to be decently buried at the discretion of my executor hereinafter mentioned. As to my worldly estate, I hereby dispose of the same in the fol- lowing manner : First, I order that my funeral expenses and all my just debts be paid out of my personal and real estate; second, I give, bequeath, and devise to the inhabitants of the aforesaid town of Dover all my real and personal estate, wherever found and not otherwise disposed of, to be forever held by said inhabi- tants and their successors.
The income, profits, rents, and receipts thereof shall be used for the relief, comfort, and benefit of the poor persons who have a legal settlement in said Dover, the same to be under the direc- tions and at the discretion of three trustees, who shall be chosen
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by the legal voters of said town of Dover at a meeting legally called for that purpose, and said trustees shall hold their office for the term of five years and until others are legally chosen.
I recommend that said trustees use at their discretion a portion of said income for the relief and comfort of worthy aged and feeble persons who are not able wholly to maintain themselves.
I hereby nominate and appoint Calvin Richards, Esq., of said Dover, to be sole executor of this my last will, directing my said executor to pay all my debts and funeral expenses.
In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and seal, and publish and declare this to be my last will and testament in the presence of the witnesses named below, this fifteenth day of May, in the year of our Lord, 1865.
So long as the parish and town were one, the people naturally assembled in the meeting-house for all public gatherings. A few years previous to the separation of the town and parish an effort was made to build a town hall in connection with a new schoolhouse in the Center District ; but the proposition did not have a hearty support, and failed. After the burning of the meeting-house in 1839 the town chose a committee, con- sisting of Capt. Walter Stowe, Capt. Lowell Perry, Jeremiah Marden, Capt. John Shumway, and Joseph A. Smith, to confer with the First Parish, and see if arrangements could be made by which the town could build a vestry under the new church, to be owned and controlled by the town. Mutually favorable terms were arranged with the parish committee; and the town voted to build a vestry forty feet long, twenty-seven and three-fourths feet wide, and eight feet high, at a cost of three hundred dollars.
This vestry, or " town hall," as it was called, was first occupied December 2, 1839. It was immediately im-
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proved by building a porch over the door. This arrangement served the town cheaply for many years ; but, as it was dark, damp, and poorly ventilated, carly efforts were made to furnish a more suitable place. In 1859 Aaron Bacon and thirty-eight others petitioned for the building of a town hall. The question was con- sidered by the town, but finally failed. The war and a burden of debt prevented the farther consideration of the subject for many years. The town appropriated in 1879 three thousand dollars, and voted to build a town hall on the common, with Eben Higgins, Warren Sawin, and William A. Howe as a committee to pro- cure plans for a building adapted to the wants of the town. The committee reported in favor of erecting a two-story building. The plan did not meet with uni- versal acceptance, but the committee was instructed to proceed with the work. A commanding site on the common facing Springdale Avenue was selected. The work progressed rapidly; and the building was boarded and slated, when on the afternoon of July 16, 1879, it was struck by a cyclone, and completely de- molished.
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