USA > Massachusetts > Norfolk County > Dover > Narrative history : a history of Dover, Massachusetts, as a precinct, parish, district, and town > Part 20
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Pathogenesis .- Very pathogenic for rabbits, pigeons, chickens, and turkeys. Non-pathogenic for guinea-pigs, cats, and dogs. Immunity has been produced by the use of an attenuated germ.
While pursuing this investigation, researches were also made upon mixtures of pure chemicals with a view to substitution for the ordinary broth culture medium. While not meeting with complete success in this line, it was ascertained that some forms of bacterial life grow as vigorously and others much more vigorously than on the ordinary broth medium.
In authorship, residents of Dover have written the following works: "Colcord's Green Forage System," Samuel M. Colcord ; "Thurid, and Other Poems," George E. Otis ; "A Willing Transgressor," " A Bud of Promise," " Rags and Velvet Gowns," " Dear Daugh- ter Dorothy," "Dorothy and Anton," "Betty,- a Butterfly," "Little Sister of Winifred," "Robin's Re- cruit," "Penelope Prig," "The Black Dog," A. G. Plympton ; " A Guide Book to Norumbega and Vine- land," Elizabeth G. Shepard; "God and Home and Native Land," Rev. P. C. Headley.
298
HISTORY OF DOVER
After denuding the forests, ordinary farming was taken up and carried on with a large acreage of cereals and vegetables. Oxen were kept in large numbers, as horses were not then used here for farm work. Sheep were raised in abundance, but have now entirely dis- appeared. Geese and turkeys were common, and the former were often yoked together to keep them within bounds. The number of hens, and the product of the poultry-yard, have greatly increased in latter years. While a growing number are engaged in market gar- dening, the chief element in farming to-day is the production of milk, which goes to the Boston market.
Dover farmers took a deep interest in the Norfolk Agricultural Society, and eighty-seven residents became members of the society during the years of its active existence.
The following statistical table shows the changes that have occurred in farming and in the industries of the town during the last half century : -
MANUFACTURING AND INDUSTRIES
299
STATISTICS.
1845.
1855.
1865.
1875.
1885.
1895.
Number iron mills
Value of product
Number employed
3 $165,500 40
Brush factory
I
I $2,000
Boots and shoes (pairs)
7,410
Value .
Number employed
$5,725 19
7,788 $14,000 19
-
$600
Value of whips .
$1,000
$450
Number employed
3
3
Cords of firewood .
864 $2,160
1,379 $4,705
1,397 $5,580
791 $3,820
1,063 $4,189
1,148 $4,849
Number of horses
99
94 $7,525
126 $7,900
95 $9,800
150 $15,336
219 $14,940
Bushels of corn
2,402
4,680 $4,753.75
3,030 $4,545
1,697 $1,628
2,982 $2,047
2,055 $1,040
Bushels of rye
278
320 $416
133 $199
280 $346
357 $271
$5
Bushels of barley
272
198 $180.25
632 $790
147 $173
98 $83
Bushels of oats
766
480 $331.70
169 $127
78 $50
Bushels of beans
Value
Bushels of potatoes Value
8,005 $2,001
5,194 $4,554.90
5,636 $4,227
5,306 $4,076
6,784 $4,397
10,351 $4,916
Tons of hay . Value
761 $7,610
989 $15,212
864 $21,525
971 $19,052
1,199 $21,823
$34,391
Bushels of fruit
4,850
$2,454
$6,556
10,475 $5,439
5,047 $2,756
Pounds of butter
8, 100
11,299 $2,706
5,150 $1,716
7,43I $2,903
10,09I $3,071
970 $231
Pounds of cheese Value
3,500
1,340
$210
$133
Gallons of milk Value .
15,000
20,787 $2,286
14,225 $2,565
66,697 $9,532
217,928 $32,308
371,420 $51,357
Number of swine Value
216
76 $687
$5,548
- $2,238
272 $1,596
1, 190 $7,521
Value of tobacco and cigars Number employed
$3,000 4
$4,700 5
$2,850
8
Value .
$222
Value .
$163
Value .
$306
I20 $300
82 $200
244 $188
13 $13
1,888
Value .
$970
Value
$1,330
40 $3.00
Value .
$1,802
Value .
$5,000
Value .
$3,000
Value of brushes
$1,500
$1,512
.
300
HISTORY OF DOVER
STATISTICS .- Continued.
1845.
1855.
1865.
1875.
1885.
1895.
Value of wooden ware Number employed
$1,000
Number of oxen
58 $3,472
46 $2,978
26 $2,350
IO $505
2 $80
Number of cows
250
296 $9,765
325 $14,378
541 $20,183
611 $18,740
Value of honey
$23.33
-
$16
$4
Cranberries
34ła. $767
6ła. $42
251 bush. $575
134 bush. $550
Value of casks .
$5,000
Number employed
7
Paper mills
Value of product
Number employed
I21
89
Number employed
240
163
Value of farms .
$270,376
$525,843
Dressed beef (pounds)
42,700
17,350
Value .
$4,270
$1,488
Veal (pounds)
14,982
10,94º $1,412
673 $66
Value of poultry
$875
$486
$1,415
Value of eggs
$1,137
$2,524
$5,208
$11,400
Gallons of cider
21,876
6,740 $967
135 $17
Gallons of vinegar
1 1
$225
5,068 $579
Hoops m.
2,700 $1,100
29,000 $1,007
Hens and chickens
3,029 $2,006
5,382 $3,108
5,951 $2,960
Bushel of charcoal
12,000
Value
$2,374
4,650 $810
$900
Green-house products
$6,900
Poultry products
-
-
$17,469
Value of meat
-
-
-
-
-
$2, 163
Value of vegetables
-
-
-
-
-
$11,488
Animal products
$9,549
Value hay, straw, & fodder
-
-
-
-
$41,357
-
-
-
-
-
Value
$3,989
1,200
Value .
Value .
Value .
-
Value .
$2.097
I $21,600 7
I $62,400
Number of farms
Value .
Value .
$7,726
Value .
2
-
-
7,000
-
CHAPTER XXII.
THE CIVIL WAR.
TIDINGS OF WAR - LIBERTY-POLES - BATTLES IN WHICH
DOVER SOLDIERS SERVED - NAMES OF DOVER SOL- DIERS KILLED OR DIED IN SERVICE - HOME GUARDS - ACTION OF THE TOWN - RECRUITING COMMITTEE AMOUNT OF MONEY RAISED - DRAFT - PATRIOTIC WOMEN -WAR ENVELOPES - RECORD OF THE SOLDIERS IN THE ARMY AND NAVY.
How sleep the brave who sink to rest, By all their country's wishes blest!
By fairy hands their knell is rung; By forms unseen their dirge is sung ;
There Honor comes, a pilgrim gray,
To bless the turf that wraps their clay ;
And Freedom shall awhile repair, To dwell a weeping hermit there.
- COLLINS.
Immediately after the inauguration of President Lin- coln, in 1861, came ominous tidings of war. While many thought the war-clouds would soon pass by, others anxiously looked upon the faces of their husbands, sons, or brothers, dreading the sacrifice that must be made for their country. The daily newspapers bore such head- lines as these : " The Secession of Virginia Considered Certain "; " Recruits Raised in Washington and Balti- more for the Southern Army"; " Preparations for the Attack on Fort Sumter"; "The War Commenced "; "The War."
302
HISTORY OF DOVER
In the firing on Fort Sumter in April, 1861, and in President Lincoln's call for seventy-five thousand troops for three months, the patriotism of the town was stirred as it had not been stirred since the 19th of April, 1775, when sixty-six minute-men gathered in an incredibly short time from the remotest parts of the town on the village green, and hastily marched under the command of. Captain Battle towards Lexington.
While no public meetings were held at the time of the breaking out of the Rebellion, yet the residents numerously attended those held in other towns, to awaken the people to the duties of the hour. Flags were floated from many a private flag-staff, while the residents of one neighborhood erected a " Liberty-pole " and had public exercises in connection with the flag- raising.
In response to the call of President Lincoln and Gov- ernor Andrew for troops, Andrew W. Bartlett, who was in Lowell at the time, enlisted for a three month's ser- vice in the Massachusetts Sixth, which was attacked by the mob in Baltimore on the anniversary of the battle of Lexington, April 19, 1861. Young Bartlett escaped without injury, but, like the Dover farmers at the battle of Lexington, witnessed the spilling of the first blood in the great conflict which followed. Seth Record was also a minute-man, and was mustered into the Fourth Regiment of Massachusetts Volunteer Militia April 22, 1861. As the name implies, they were those who responded at a minute's notice to pro- tect the national capital. The minute-men went mainly in citizens' attire, armed with various weapons of defence. A historical writer says : " A delay of half an hour in
3º3
THE CIVIL WAR
the arrival of the minute-men in Washington would have found our capital and the archives of our government in the hands of the rebels, who would at once have been recognized by England and France. Under these con- ditions, how could our government have established it- self among the nations of the world ?" John A. Strang was enlisted in the- Massachusetts Fourth, which was one of the first regiments to set foot on secession soil. C. Dwight Hanscom enlisted into the Fourth Regiment of Infantry May 15, 1861. All of the above regiments were a part of the organization of the Massachusetts minute-men of 1861.
Out of a population of less than seven hundred souls at the breaking out of the Rebellion, seventy-seven men were enlisted to the credit of the town in the army and navy before the close of the war in 1865.
Dover soldiers served in a large number of different companies in the artillery, cavalry, battery, and infantry, besides the United States Navy.
They were consequently exposed to many hardships and much danger. The following are the most impor- tant battles in which they took part : Big Bethel, Second Bull Run, Manassas, South Mountain, Antietam, Fred- ericksburg, Chancellorsville, Gettysburg, the battle of the Wilderness, Spottsylvania Court House, Petersburg, " On to Richmond " with Grant, and in other engage- ments at Olustee, Fla., Rappahannock Station, Drury's Bluff, and Thoroughfare Gap.
Two were commissioned officers,- Henry A. Fuller and Henry H. Ayer, both being first lieutenants. Thirty-three enlisted for three years, seven for one year, nine for nine months, two for three months, and four for
304
HISTORY OF DOVER
one hundred days. Nine were killed or died in the service as follows : John M. Brown, died September 2, 1862, at Yorktown, Va .; John Stevens, died November 21, 1864, New Orleans, La .; Andrew W. Bartlett, died of wounds received at Olustee, Fla., February 28, 1864 ; George R. Markham, killed at Second Bull Run ; Henry C. Jennings, died August 6, 1864 ; James Cary, died October 25, 1862, Sharpsburg, Md. ; Perez F. Fearing, died July 30, 1864, of wounds received in the mine-explosion at the battle before Petersburg, Va. ; Lieut. Henry H. Ayer, wounded severely August 26, 1863, killed May 16, 1864, Drury's Bluff, Va. ; Albert A. Woods, died March 21, 1863, New Orleans, La.
" The muffled drum's sad roll has beat The soldiers' last tattoo ; No more on life's parade shall meet That brave and fallen few ; On fame's eternal camping-ground Their silent tents are spread, And Glory guards with solemn round The bivouac of the dead."
Soon after the close of the war, remembering what our soldiers had done to preserve a nation based on manhood alone, where every individual has the " inalien- able right of life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness," the people devised various plans to perpetuate their memory, such as the building of a memorial hall or the erection of a soldiers' monument; but all of these projects failed.
In 1876 the town set apart lot numbered one hun- dred and forty-one in the cemetery for annual decora- tion "in memory of the soldiers who belonged to this
305
THE CIVIL WAR
town, but are buried elsewhere, or for the erection of a fitting emblem of their services."
At the breaking out of the Rebellion there had been no military organization in Dover for many years ; but a company known as the " Home Guards " was soon or- ganized with Amos W. Shumway as captain, Calvin Richards, lieutenant, Benjamin Newell, ensign. Meet- ings for drill were held Saturday afternoons on the vil- lage green, and marches were often made to the resi- dences of officers, where the company was entertained. Some fifty persons were enrolled in its membership, with a band of fifteen musicians. The organization took its name from the fact that the company voted not to go out of town. In 1861 the selectmen were Amos W. Shumway, Benjamin N. Sawin, and Henry Horton. The first question relating to the war was considered at the November meeting, 1861, when it was voted "to pay the families of the soldiers in the service from Dover the aid allowed by the State law." This aid was restricted to twelve dollars per month. The amount paid was reimbursed to the town by the treasurer of the Commonwealth, and for this reason was called "State aid." At the March meeting in 1862 the voters felt the seriousness of the times, and resolved to elect a board of selectmen of the older and most experienced men, and this feeling prevailed during the years which followed. The wisdom of this course is illustrated by the fact that during the entire period of the war no illegal action was taken, and no perplexing ques- tion had to be settled at law, and no money was lost or squandered.
It is remembered of Calvin Richards, chairman of
. 306
HISTORY OF DOVER
the selectmen in 1862, that he said, " It is very impor- tant that in this business of enlisting men as soldiers, in providing for their families, in paying bounties, that we go exactly in conformity with the law; for later, if we make a mistake, there may be lawsuits and other matters which may cost the town much loss."
July 28, 1862, the town voted to pay the sum of two hundred dollars to each volunteer who shall enlist within thirty days from the date of the meeting. Nine were required to fill the quota of the town. It was also voted to pay such volunteers as shall enlist as soon as they are mustered into the service. State aid was also voted to all having families. At this meeting a recruit- ing committee consisting of five members was chosen to assist the selectmen in procuring recruits to fill the quota of the town. This committee, which consisted of Ephraim Wilson, John Q. A. Nichols, Asa Talbot, Clement Bartlett, and Benjamin N. Sawin, did efficient work, and were continued with the different boards of selectmen to the close of the war. Linus Bliss, treas- urer of the committee, made a report in print to the town February 22, 1865, giving an account of their work. Feeling the importance of this work and as a means of encouraging others in these trying times, the town voted to have the proceedings of their meeting published in the Dedham Gazette and Boston Journal. September 1, 1862, the town voted "that the sum of two hundred dollars be paid to any resident of the town of Dover who volunteered to fill the quota required of this town for the term of nine months, whether it be more or less, and that said bounty be paid after they have been sworn into the service, and that a list of the
307
THE CIVIL WAR
names of the persons be kept in the order in which they volunteer ; and, if more than the required number enlist, the excess shall be stricken from the roll, begin- ning at the bottom and stopping at the required number."
It was soon found necessary, however, to retain any excess of men ; and November 4, 1862, it was voted " that the number in excess of the required quota be retained, and that the selectmen pay the bounty."
Soldiers' families were protected by " State aid " from year to year ; and, when a draft became necessary, the town voted " to give State aid to the families of drafted men the same as volunteers."
April 4, 1864, it was voted that the town grant one hundred and twenty-five dollars for each man required of this town under the several calls of the President of the United States, dated October 17, 1863, February 1, 1864, and under any order or call of the said Presi- dent issued after the first day of March, 1864. Liberal contributions were made from time to time by citizens to strengthen the hands of the recruiting committee. Although the money was afterwards paid back by the town, the act was in no case less generous or patriotic. In 1864 two thousand six hundred dollars was con- tributed by citizens. May 2, 1865, the town voted "to raise by taxation two thousand six hundred dollars to pay every person the amount by them paid to furnish men on the quota of Dover in the year 1864, except two dollars which is to be retained from every male person of the town who paid such subscription." Contributions were not confined to citizens who were liable to draft : others were cheerful givers.
308
HISTORY OF DOVER
Linus Bliss and George D. Everett in 1864 furnished substitutes, who were enlisted for two years and placed to the quota of Dover. The two substitutes cost four hundred dollars ; and, by vote of the town, in 1865 this amount was refunded. The town raised and expended during the war, exclusive of State aid, seven thousand six hundred and nineteen dollars and seventy-five cents.
The amount of money raised and expended by the town in State aid was one thousand five hundred and seventy-six dollars and twenty-three cents. The quota of the town was so well maintained that, in response to President Lincoln's numerous calls for troops, only thirty-three men were demanded of the town.
Thirty-seven men were furnished,- a surplus of four over all demands. Of this number twenty-two were enlisted for a three years' service, eight for nine months, and seven entered the army.
In the draft which occurred on the 13th of July, 1863, eight men were drafted. Ansel K. Tisdale and Sumner S. Allen were discharged, the former having served in the Massachusetts Thirteenth and had an honorable discharge. Thomas McGowan failed to re- port. George L. Howe, Charles K. Kirby, John Q. A. Nichols, Owen Kennedy, and J. Stanley Shaw paid commutation. In this record of the service of Dover soldiers we would not forget a large number of patriotic citizens who through family or peculiar duties remained at home, but who contributed in most efficient ways for the preservation of the Union. The town records show with what perfect unanimity all patriotic measures were passed, and reveal the fact that, while there were many changes in the board of selectmen during the war
309
THE CIVIL WAR
period, both political parties were always represented on the board.
What shall be said of the patriotic women of Dover ? The full measure of their patriotism can never be given, for " they also serve who only stand and wait." Scarcely had the smoke cleared from the first battle at Bull Run when the women of this town met to prepare lint and bandages for the wounded, whose cry of distress had touched every true woman's heart. Balzac says : " Woman has this in common with angels : suffering beings belong especially to her." At this time the churches forgot their sectarianism ; and as a united body the women met, without waiting for the organization of a " Soldiers' Aid Society," in hall, in chapel, in school- house, and provided necessary articles to strengthen the hands of the sympathetic and self-sacrificing nurses who were caring for the wounded and the sick, on the field and in the hospital.
In the beginning of the war, when the cry went forth for every one to show his colors, the women, under the inspiring efforts of Miss Sarah Plummer, made a flag with their own hands. As bunting was scarce and high in price consequent to a small supply, the ladies purchased Turkey red and bleached cotton, out of which they made the flag, which was floated during the entire period of the war. The flag bore on the blue not only the required number of stars, but in addition a large eagle. The flag-staff was erected by the men opposite the residence of George D. Everett. The young ladies, with the enthusiasm of early womanhood, assisted by the young men, provided entertainments to raise money for the purchase of necessary articles, which willing
.
310
HISTORY OF DOVER
hands made into stockings, mittens, comforters, and blankets, distributed through the New England Sani- tary Commission or the Soldiers' Aid Society, the latter being composed entirely of patriotic women. The teachers in the public schools taught the chil- dren to sing patriotic songs; and their united voices were an inspiration as in the morning hours they sang,-
"We'll rally round the flag, boys, We'll rally once again, Shouting the battle-cry of freedom."
As a reward for perfect lessons the children were allowed to pick lint, and the girls made pin-cushions, which were forwarded to the soldiers.
In summer the women made jams for the sick in hospitals, from raspberries and blackberries, which had been gathered by the boys and girls in field and high- way. The skilled cooks of a neighborhood frequently united in preparing savory viands, substantial meats, and dainty bits of cooking, which they united in sending to the soldier-boys in the field as they had opportunity. The intellectual wants of the soldiers were not forgotten by the people of their town. Books and papers were sent in abundance, the reading of which helped the soldiers to beguile many a weary hour.
The cost of commodities steadily increased during the war period. The following prices, taken from the books of George D. Everett for the fall of 1864 and the spring of 1865, show the cost of articles at this time : pork, twenty-two cents a pound ; lard, twenty-five cents a pound ; sugar, twenty-eight cents a pound ; butter, fifty-eight cents a pound; tea, one dollar and forty
3II
THE CIVIL WAR
cents a pound ; potatoes, two dollars and thirty cents a bushel; flour, nineteen dollars a barrel; molasses, one dollar and ten cents a gallon ; kerosene, one dollar and ten cents a gallon ; hay, forty dollars a ton ; oats, one dollar ; corn, four dollars and forty-five cents a bag ; meal, four dollars and twenty cents a bag ; nails, eleven cents a pound.
In the early years of the Rebellion " war envelopes " were used in correspondence as an expression of the patriotism of the people. As time went on they were made to illustrate the history of the war, although as originally issued they but illustrated the sentiment of the people. Crude in design, nevertheless they inspired many a soldier in the camp and on the field. Beautiful sentiments were sometimes expressed, and now and then a verse appeared on an envelope, designed to commemo- rate an heroic deed. The following verse was thus used to commemorate the romantic death of Colonel Ellsworth in 1861 : -
" Don't shed a tear for him ! Better to go, Eager with victory, Facing the foe. For one life like this life A thousand shall pay, And the fury it kindles Shall carry the day."
The record of the services of Dover soldiers is given in full :-
William H. Allen, private, Company M, Third Rhode Island Heavy Artillery ; enrolled at Providence, Jan. 12, 1862 ; mustered in Feb. 12, 1862 ; discharged on sur-
312
HISTORY OF DOVER
geon's certificate, July 2, 1862. This record may not be correct ; but this is the only one appearing on the record of the State of Rhode Island answering to the individual of the above name, who should have been placed to the credit of Dover. The selectmen, under date of Aug. 26, 1862, make oath that William Allen belonged to the quota of Dover, and was enlisted in a Rhode Island battery.
Henry H. Ayer, first lieutenant, Company B, Third Infantry, New Hampshire Volunteers ; appointed Aug. 22, 1861 ; mustered in Aug. 22, 1861, three years' service ; appointed captain, Company H, Aug. 1, 1862 ; wounded severely Aug. 26, 1863 ; killed May 16, 1864, Drury's Bluff, Va.
Calvin Ayres, private, age twenty-five, Seventh Bat- tery, Light Artillery, Massachusetts Volunteers ; mus- tered in May 27, 1862, three years' service ; discharged Aug. 26, 1862, disability.
Samuel H. Bachelder, private, age twenty - nine, Company I, Thirty-fifth Regiment, Massachusetts Vol- unteers ; mustered in Aug. 16, 1862, three years' ser- vice ; mustered out Jan. 9, 1863. Expiration of service, wrongly credited to Cambridge, Mass.
Andrew W. Bartlett, private, age twenty-four, Com- pany C, Sixth Massachusetts Volunteers ; enrolled at Lowell ; mustered in April 22, 1861, three months' ser- vice ; discharged at expiration of service, Aug. 2, 1861 ; enlisted Company I, Fourth Cavalry, Massachusetts Volunteers ; mustered in Sept. 25, 1861, three years' service ; transferred to Company , I, Fourth Cavalry, and promoted to corporal ; re-enlisted Jan. 1, 1864, for three years. He was mortally wounded at Olustee,
313
THE CIVIL WAR
Fla., Feb. 20, 1864, and died at Beaufort, S.C., Feb. 28, 1864.
George Bemis, erroneously credited to Needham, pri- vate, age eighteen years, Company K, Forty-second Volunteer Militia ; mustered in July 18, 1864, one hun- dred days' service ; discharged Nov. 11, 1864.
Chester A. Bigelow, musician, age eighteen, Com- pany H, Thirteenth Infantry, Massachusetts Volun- teers ; mustered in Feb. 24, 1862, three years' service ; transferred July 14, . 1864, to Company I, Thirty- ninth Regiment ; taken prisoner at second Bull Run, exchanged the following January ; again taken prisoner at Gettysburg, July 1, 1863 ; did not serve in Thirty- ninth Regiment, as he was appointed ward master in hospital. Discharged Feb. 23, 1865, expiration of service.
Heman Blackwell,' not traced in adjutant-general's office.
James E. Brown, private, age twenty-one, Eleventh Battery, Light Artillery, Massachusetts Volunteers ; mustered in Dec. 30, 1864, three years' service ; dis- charged Jan. 16, 1865, expiration of service.
John M. Brown, private, age thirty-three years, Seventh Battery, Light Artillery, Massachusetts Volun- teer Militia, three years' service ; mustered in May 14, 1862 ; died at Yorktown, Va., Sept. 2, 1862.
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