USA > Massachusetts > Norfolk County > Brookline > Proceedings of the Brookline Historical Society at the annual meeting > Part 16
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at 8 P. M. on Nov. 12th. This alarm was caused by the ring- ing of the bell on the Unitarian meeting-house in honor of Lincoln's election, but the Engine Company turned out and ran as far as Boylston street before learning the true cause of the alarm.
By a vote passed August 5, 1862, the sum of two dollars was added to the amount due those members that had gone to the war, and in the September following W. Y. Gross was given an honorable discharge and presented with a revolver.
In 1864 the Selectmen's appreciation of the Engine Com- pany's services was published in their annual report as follows : -
" By their activity and promptness they prevented a serious conflagration of Mr. Cusick's house on Washington street, and in this as in every instance did all they could in accordance with their motto, 'Our aim the public good.'"
The "Good Intent Hose Co." was organized in 1865, to take charge of the extra hose and of the hook and ladder. For the accommodation of this company and other additions to the department anticipated to be needed soon, the brick building now facing Village Square was built, on the so-called "Whyte lot," and was occupied in 1870.
With this step, so far in advance of anything preceding it, came the change in policy in regard to Fire Department management recommended by the Selectmen in their next year's annual report :-
" We therefore recommend the town to omit the choice of Fire- wards at the annual March meeting, and that the Selectmen appoint a Board of Engineers so that 'as with the growth of the town this department must naturally increase, its affairs can be economically administered and its efficiency promoted by being placed under its proper head.' "
The town adopted the recommendation and the first Board of Fire Engineers consisted of Alfred Kenrick, Jr., chairman, Reuben A. Chace, Henry Collins, Nicholas Watson, and J. Thomas Waterman clerk.
With the passing of the Firewards ends the story of the old volunteer organizations. The story of the department since 1871 should be told in an entirely different style, and certainly at some other time.
REPORT OF THE TREASURER.
EDWARD W. BAKER, Treasurer, In account with BROOKLINE HISTORICAL SOCIETY.
Balance on hand January 1, 1903 : -
Permanent fund
$425 00
Current fund
223 75
Receipts to December 31, 1903 :-
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$648 75
Permanent fund
$30 64
Current fund
221 00
251 64
Total balances and receipts
$900 39
EXPENDITURES.
January 1, 1903, to December 31, 1903 : --
From Current Fund.
Printing Annual Report and Publications $299 21
Printing Notices, etc. 32 40
Messenger service
7 15
Postage
6 00
Addressing Postals, etc.
5 00
Envelopes
I 60
Total expenditures $351 36
Balance January 1, 1904 :
Permanent fund .
$455 64
Current fund
93 39
Total balance
$549 °3
EDWARD W. BAKER, Treasurer.
I have audited the accounts of the Treasurer of the Brookline Historical Society and find the same correct. The receipted vouchers and bank books have been examined and the balance on hand December 31, 1903, was $549.03 as shown by the Treasurer's Report.
CHARLES H. STEARNS, Auditor.
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BROOKLINE HISTORICAL SOCIETY.
BY-LAWS.
ARTICLE I.
NAME.
The name of this corporation shall be Brookline Historical Society.
ARTICLE II. OBJECTS.
The objects of this Society shall be the study of the history of the town of Brookline, Massachusetts, its societies, organizations, families, individuals, events; the collection and preservation of its antiquities, the establishment and maintenance of an historical library, and the publication from time to time of such information relating to the same as shall be deemed expedient.
ARTICLE III. MEMBERSHIP.
Any person of moral character who shall be nominated and approved by the Board of Trustees may be elected to membership by ballot of two-thirds of the members present and voting thereon at any regular meeting of the Society. Each person so elected shall pay an admission fee of three dollars, and an annual assess- ment of two dollars; and any member who shall fail for two con- secutive years to pay the annual assessment shall cease to be a member of this Society; provided, however, that any member who shall pay twenty-five dollars in any one year may thereby become a Life member; and any member who shall pay fifty dollars in any one year may thereby become a Benefactor of the Society, and thereafter shall be free from all dues and assessments. The money received from Life members and Benefactors shall constitute a fund, of which not more than twenty per cent, together with the annual income therefrom, shall be spent in any one year.
The Society may elect Honorary and Corresponding members in the manner in which annual members are elected, but they shall have no voice in the management of the Society, and shall not be subject to fee or assessment.
ARTICLE IV. CERTIFICATES.
Certificates signed by the President and the Clerk may be issued to all persons who become Life members, and to Benefactors.
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ARTICLE V.
OFFICERS.
The officers of this Society shall be seven Trustees, a President, a Vice-President, a Secretary (who shall be Clerk of the Society and may also be elected to fill the office of Treasurer), and a Treasurer, who, together, shall constitute the Board of Trustees. The Trustees, Clerk, and Treasurer shall be chosen by ballot at the annual meeting in January, and shall hold office for one year, and until others are chosen and qualified in their stead. The President and Vice-President shall be chosen by the Board of Trustees from their number at their first meeting after their election, or at an adjournment thereof.
ARTICLE VI. MEETINGS.
The annual meeting of this Society shall be held on the fourth Wednesday of January. Regular stated meetings shall be held on the fourth Wednesday of February, March, April, May, October, November, and December.
Special meetings may be called by order of the Board of Trus- tee's. The Clerk shall notify each member by a written or printed notice sent through the mail postpaid at least three days before the time of meeting, or by publishing such notice in one or more newspapers published in Brookline.
At all meetings of the Society ten (10) members shall constitute a quorum for the transaction of business.
The meetings of the Board of Trustees shall be called by the Clerk at the request of the President, by giving each member personal or written notice, or by sending such notice by mail, post- paid, at least twenty-four hours before the time of such meeting ; but meetings where all the Trustees are present may be held with- out such notice. The President shall call meetings of the Board of Trustees at the request of any three members thereof. A majority of its members shall constitute a quorum for the transac- tion of business.
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ARTICLE VII. VACANCIES.
Vacancies in the offices of Trustees, Clerk, or Treasurer may be filled for the remainder of the term at any regular meeting of the Society by the vote of two-thirds of the members present and voting. In the absence of the Clerk at a meeting of the Society, a . Clerk pro tempore shall be chosen.
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ARTICLE VIII. NOMINATING COMMITTEE.
At the monthly meeting in December, a Nominating Committee of three members shall be appointed by the presiding officer, who shall report at the annual meeting a list of candidates for the places to be filled.
ARTICLE IX. PRESIDING OFFICER.
The President, or in his absence the Vice-President, shall pre- side at all meetings of the Society. In the absence of those officers a President pro tempore shall be chosen.
ARTICLE X. DUTIES OF THE CLERK.
The Clerk shall be sworn to the faithful discharge of his duties. He shall notify members of all meetings of the Society, and shall keep an exact record of all the proceedings of the Society at its meetings.
He shall conduct the general correspondence of the Society and place on file all letters received.
He shall enter the names of members in order in books or cards kept for that purpose, and issue certificates to Life members and to Benefactors.
He shall have charge of such property in possession of the Society as may from time to time be delegated to him by the Board of Trustees.
He shall acknowledge all loans or gifts made to the Society.
ARTICLE XI. DUTIES OF THE TREASURER.
The Treasurer shall collect all moneys due the Society, and pay all bills against the Society when approved by the Board of Trustees. He shall keep a full account of receipts and expendi- tures in a book belonging to the Society, which shall always be open to the inspection of the Trustees ; and at the annual meeting in January he shall make a written report of all his doings for the year preceding. The Treasurer shall give bonds in such sum, with surety, as the Trustees may fix, for the faithful discharge of his duties.
ARTICLE XII.
DUTIES AND POWERS OF TRUSTEES.
The Board of Trustees shall superintend the prudential and executive business of the Society, authorize all expenditures of
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money, fix all salaries, provide a common seal, receive and act upon all resignations and forfeitures of membership, and see that the by-laws are duly complied with. The Board of Trustees shall have full powers to hire, lease, or arrange for a suitable home for the Society, and to make all necessary rules and regulations required in the premises.
They shall make a report of their doings at the annual meeting of the Society.
They may from time to time appoint such sub-committees from their own number as they deem expedient.
In case of a vacancy in the office of Clerk or Treasurer they shall have power to choose the same pro tempore till the next meeting of the Society.
ARTICLE XIII. STANDING COMMITTEES.
The President shall annually, in the month of January, appoint four standing committees, as follows :--
Committee on Rooms.
A committee of three members, to be styled the "Committee on Rooms," to which shall be added the President and Clerk of the Society ex-officio, who shall have charge of all arrangements of the rooms (except books, manuscripts, and other objects appro- priate to the library offered as gifts or loans), the hanging of pictures, and the general arrangements of the Society's collection in their department.
Committee on Papers.
A committee of three members, to be styled the "Committee on Papers," who shall have charge of the subjects of papers to be read, or other exercises of a profitable nature, at the monthly meetings of the Society.
Committee on Membership.
A committee of three or more members, to be styled the "Com- mittee on Membership," whose duty it shall be to give information in regard to the purposes of the Society, and increase its mem- bership.
Committee on Library.
A committee of three or more members, to be styled the " Com- mittee on Library," who shall have charge of the arrangements of the library, including acceptance and rejection of books, manu- scripts, and other objects tendered to the library, and the general arrangement of the Society's collections in that department.
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These four committees shall perform their duties as above set forth under the general direction and supervision of the Board of Trustees.
Vacancies that occur in any of these committees during their term of service shall be filled by the President.
ARTICLE XIV. FINANCE COMMITTEE.
The President shall annually, in the month of January, appoint two members, who, with the President, shall constitute the Com- mittee on Finance, to examine from time to time the books and accounts of the Treasurer, to audit his accounts at the close of the year, and to report upon the expediency of proposed expenditures of money.
ARTICLE XV. AMENDMENTS.
These by-laws may be altered or amended at any regular meeting by a two-thirds vote of the members present, notice of the subject- matter of the proposed alterations or amendments having been given at a previous meeting.
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PROCEEDINGS
OF THE
BROOKLINE HISTORICAL SOCIETY
AT THE
ANNUAL MEETING, JANUARY 24, 1906
08:002
PROCEEDINGS
OF THE
BROOKLINE HISTORICAL SOCIETY
AT THE
ANNUAL MEETING, JANUARY 24, 1906
LINE
ORIC
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INCORPORATED
FOUNDED . 1650
INCORPORATED .AA . TOWN
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BROOKLINE, MASS .: PUBLISHED BY THE SOCIETY M CM VI
AL SOCIET
CONTENTS.
I. PRESIDENT'S ADDRESS 5
II. OLD BURYING GROUND 19
III. REPORT OF TREASURER 37
IV. REPORT OF NOMINATING COMMITTEE 39
V. CHARTER OF CORPORATION . 41
VI. OFFICERS AND COMMITTEES FOR 1906 . 43
VII. LIST OF MEMBERS . 45
VIII. BY-LAWS .
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BROOKLINE HISTORICAL SOCIETY.
FIFTH ANNUAL MEETING.
The fifth annual meeting of the Brookline His- torical Society was held in the G. A. R. Room, Town Hall, Brookline, Mass., on Wednesday, January 24, 1906, at 8 P. M., in accordance with a notice mailed to every member. President Rufus G. F. Candage was in the chair.
The records of the last monthly meetings were read by the clerk and approved.
The President then read his annual address.
PRESIDENT'S ANNUAL ADDRESS.
Members of the Brookline Historical Society :-
Ladies and Gentlemen,- Another year of life of this Society and of this town has closed and we are here assembled, on this our fifth annual meeting, a fitting place and time to record some of the events which have transpired during the year 1905, having con- nection with this Society and the community in which we reside, now passed into history.
Eight papers, including the President's Annual Address, have been read at the meetings of the Society in the past year, as follows :
In February, a paper on "Two Old Brookline Homesteads," prepared by Mrs. Thomas Doliber and read by Miss H. Alma Cummings, both members of this Society; in March, a paper was read by Mr. Walter Kendall Watkins of Malden, entitled "The
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Paper Money of Our Fathers"; in April, Mr. Charles H. Stearns, Vice-President of this Society, read a paper on "Some Recollec- tions of the Old Town Meeting House of Brookine, 1806 to 1848": and in May, a paper prepared by Miss Ellen Chase of this Society was read, entitled " A Summer's Driving Trip in New Hampshire in 1802," by a Brookline lady; in October, at the first meeting after the summer vacation, Mr. Walter Kendall Watkins of Mal- den read a paper before the Society, on " Boston Neck to Muddy River"; in November, Mr. Charles G. Chick, President of the Hyde Park Historical Society, read his paper on "The Sidelights of the Stamp Act and the Boston Tea Party," and in December, Mr. George S. Mann, a member of this Society, read an interest- ing paper on "Shay's Rebellion."
The Society had printed in 1905, with the Proceedings, the Presi- dent's Annual Address, a paper entitled "Two Old Brookline Homesteads," and in the Publication No. 3, of the Society, " John White of Muddy River," two papers read before the Society in 1903 and in 1904, by Mr. Charles F. White, a descendant and a member of this Society, and also "The Centennial of Blue Hill, Me., Academy," a paper read by your President before the Society in November, 1903.
THE MEMBERSHIP
of the Society was increased in 1905 by two admissions, decreased by one death and two withdrawals, which leaves the number the same as at the beginning of the year, of one hundred and fifty-three. That is small for a town of 25,000 inhabitants, and I trust that active measures will be taken during the year 1906 to increase that number, which there is no doubt can be done by personal endeavor and by such other means as may be deemed advisable.
MR. EDWARD ATKINSON
was the only one included in the roll of deceased members for the year 1905. He died suddenly in Boston on December 11, 1905, aged 78 years 10 months and I day. He was born on Cypress street in Brookline, February 10, 1827, and all his life had been a resident of the town, in the progress and welfare of which he was always interested, and for which he had given time, thought, and service in the town meetings and on many important town com- mittees. No other citizen was more widely known within or with- out the town.
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He was an able speaker and writer, and used his voice and pen fearlessly for what he believed was for the good of his fellowmen. He was interested in the formation of this Society and was one of its early members. Advancing age and many pressing duties pre- vented him from taking an active part in its councils, but it held a warm place in his thought. Those who knew him personally and intimately bear witness to his nobility of character, and to his worth as a friend and neighbor. His sunny smile and cheerful contact with acquaintances and friends endeared him to the many who sorrow that they shall meet him no more in the walks of this life.
THE DEATHS IN BROOKLINE
for the year 1905 numbered 345, an increase of 38 over the pre- vious year. Seventy-one of them had passed the bound of three score and ten; namely, 29 males and 42 females. Of that seventy- one, 6 males and 9 females were between 70 and 75 years of age ; 13 males and 13 females were between 75 and 80, and 3 males and I female had exceeded go years.
The oldest males were : Mr. John S. Richards, 94 years 1 month and 24 days ; Mr. Henry V. Poor, 92 years ; and Mr. Timothy Lyons, 90 years. The oldest female was 93 years and 9 months. Besides these those best known in town and vicinity were: Mr. John C. Leighton, 86 years ; Mr. Francis Cabot, 79 years 9 months and 25 days; Mr. Charles E. Guild, 77 years 3 months and 12 days ; Mr. Xanthus Goodnough, 77 years 10 months and 3 days; Mr. Oba- diah D. Witherell, 79 years 9 months ; Mr. William Fuller Tufts, 78 years 1 month and 22 days ; Mr. Terrance Gallagher, 75 years ; Mr. John D. Young, 72 years 2 months and 8 days ; Mr. William A. Wood, 74 years 2 months and 20 days; Mrs. Caroline Griggs Coolidge, 85 years 7 months and 22 days; Mrs. Sarah W. Sea- mans, 77 years 8 months and 9 days; and Mrs. Sarah F. Read, 85 years 3 months and 21 days.
The combined ages of the 71 persons were 5629-9-11, or an average of 79 years and 11 days each, which speaks well for the health conditions of Brookline, and including other advantages it makes a desirable place of residence.
THE 200TH ANNIVERSARY
of the town's incorporation was celebrated in an appropriate man- ner on November 10-13, 1905, with an oration in the Town Hall by Hon. Henry Cabot Lodge; dedication of a memorial tablet to the
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signers of the petition for the incorporation and in honor of the Brookline soldiers who marched to the battles of Lexington and Bunker Hill, upon the green near the First Parish Meeting House ; by exercises for the school children in their respective school build- ings, and in the Town Hall; by memorial Sunday services in all the churches of the town; with a display of day and night fire- works upon the Cypress Street Playground; and with a banquet in the Town Hall, at which, including invited guests, more than five hundred persons were present. There were responses to toasts as follows: Lieutenant-Governor Curtis Guild, Jr., for the Com- monwealth ; Acting Mayor Hon. Daniel A. Whelton, for the City of Boston; Rev. James De Normandie, D. D., for the First Reli- gious Society of Roxbury; Mr. James M. Codman, Jr., Chairman of the Board of Selectmen, for the Town of Brookline; Hon. Samuel J. Elder of Winchester, for the Ladies ; and Hon. James R. Dunbar for the Bench and Bar. The President of the United States was toasted and a response was made by the orchestra play- ing " Hail to the Chief." The Chaplain of the occasion was Rev. William H. Lyon, D. D., of the First Parish Church of Brookline.
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Places of historical interest and public buildings, and also places of business and private dwellings in the village and central part of the town, were elaborately and becomingly decorated with flags and bunting, giving to them a gay holiday appearance. The weather was beautifully fine for the season of the year, and the plan of the Committee having the celebration in their charge, by appointment of the town at the annual meeting, was successfully carried out, which made it a dignified and appropriate celebration, which no doubt will be handed down to future generations as such. It is to be hoped that a memorial volume of the occasion will be published at some time in the near future.
THE PIERCE PRIMARY SCHOOL HOUSE
was completed in 1905, upon and near the site of the old one, at a cost of $80,000. It is a fine building containing all modern improve- ments, built of brick with stone trimmings, and is a pleasing contrast when compared with the old building of which it takes the place.
The year 1905 was not noted for activity in the erection of new buildings, and yet sixty-four dwellings and apartment houses were added to the number of the previous year in the town, showing that the growth is still onward. Some of the apartments, in accom-
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modations for families, were equal to a dozen or more single houses of a few years ago, and equally so in the cost of construction.
THE OLD BUILDING
which stood at the junction of Harvard and Washington streets facing Harvard Square, built in 1828 and occupied by the Baptist Church and Society from that time until 1859, when it was changed over for business purposes, and which, since the widening of Har- vard street two or three years ago, has stood in a dilapidated con- dition and has been an eyesore to the people of the town, was demolished a few months ago. Usually the destruction of an historic structure is cause for regret, but in this instance it was cause for rejoicing that the old building no longer cumbers the ground nor remains a disgrace to the square in the heart of the town.
Upon this site there has been erected a modern brick edifice for business purposes, of sightly appearance, which was occupied at the beginning of 1906. As one now approaches the square from the railway station, or the bridge over the railway, with a stranger, he is no longer obliged to apologize and explain for its appearance but feels his bosom swell with pride at the change that meets his eye.
AT VILLAGE SQUARE
noticeable changes have also taken place in the Morlock Block, which is now named the " Sagamore." That building has had a new front and its interior changed over into stores, offices and flats; into one part of which the Brookline Press has moved from across the street. Russell's Block, adjoining, is also being improved and renovated, showing that the march of improvement has reached that locality. The new building on the corner of Pearl and Washington streets, the real estate and express offices near the corner of Washington street and Morss avenue, and Chase's Express office and stable further down, have improved that sec- tion of the town very materially. But the advertising signs so conspicuously placed on Guild's and Whyte's Blocks are blemishes which should not be allowed, and are an eyesore.
When and how Village Square is to be improved to meet the wants of the trolley lines that pass through it, and accommodate the passengers that ride on them and there change cars, seems as far distant as at any time in the past.
THE PUNCH BOWL VILLAGE
once so called, after the famous Old Punch Bowl Tavern there built and kept by one John Ellis prior to 1740, and demolished in
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1833, included what is now Village Square and the territory from it along Washington street to Muddy River. That portion lying between Pearl street where it intersects Washington street back to what was formerly the brook on the north, now covered, and thence to Muddy River, and from the junction of Village lane and Washington street to Muddy River on the south, was originally a part of Roxbury, which was annexed to Brookline in 1844.
The section which includes Parker Hill and Heath street, and the Punch Bowl Village from the lines above described, was known as " Roxbury Precinct," and in it lived and were the homesteads of Crafts, Heaths, Griggs, Wymans, Downers, Brewers, and others, some of whom owned lands in both Brookline and Roxbury. The land on the south side of Washington street, which included the Ward Farm, for many years the property of John, Samuel and Henry Ward, and nearly all land along Pond avenue to Chestnut Street, and at one time nearly all land from that part of Washing- ton street to Jamaica Pond, was a part of Governor Leverett's allotment at Muddy River, made to him in 1637.
The Mill-dam, or Western avenue, now Brookline avenue, was the first road after that over the Neck to be built, which connected the peninsula of Boston with the mainland ; and the greatest under" taking Boston had entered into, one and a half miles in length, was built by the Roxbury Mill Corporation, chartered June 14, 1814: Uriah Cotting, its principal projector, did not live to see it com- pleted, nor did he see that it was the first step towards converting the Back Bay into terra firma. This work, for which for the first time Irish laborers were expressly imported into the country, says Drake, in his "Sketches of Roxbury," was begun in 1818, and the stone used was principally taken from the Parker Hill quarry. It was opened July 2, 1821, with a public parade, the opening of another avenue to Boston being considered a great event. A cav- alcade of citizens, Gen. William H. Sumner acting as chief-mar- shal, crossed from the Roxbury shore, and were received by the inhabitants of Boston.
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