USA > Massachusetts > Norfolk County > Brookline > Proceedings of the Brookline Historical Society at the annual meeting > Part 25
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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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PROCEEDIVA
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PROCEEDINGS
OF THE
BROOKLINE HISTORICAL SOCIETY
AT THE ›
ANNUAL MEETING, JANUARY 22, 1908
PROCEEDINGS
---
OF THE
BROOKLINE HISTORICAL SOCIETY
AT THE
ANNUAL MEETING, JANUARY 22, 1908
BRO
OKLINE
DED . 1030
SINCORPORATED
£1001
INCORPO
TED . A . TOWN
DEVOTION
HOUSE
ABOUT 1080
1
BROOKLINE, MASS. PUBLISHED BY THE SOCIETY M CM VIII
STORICAL
SOCIETY
YN 0 1.08.1032 TAUXX
CONTENTS.
I. PRESIDENT'S ADDRESS . 5
II. REPORT OF THE TREASURER
11
III. REPORT OF THE NOMINATING COMMITTEE . 12
IV. THE DEVOTION SCHOOL FUND 13
V. THE WOODWARD-GOLDSMITH HOUSE, CLYDE
STREET, BROOKLINE . 27
VI. CHARTER OF CORPORATION 39
VII. OFFICERS AND COMMITTEES FOR 1908 41
VIII. LIST OF MEMBERS 43 .
IX. BY-LAWS . ·
. 49
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BROOKLINE HISTORICAL SOCIETY.
SEVENTH ANNUAL MEETING.
The seventh annual meeting of the Brookline His- torical Society was held in the G. A. R. Room, Town Hall, Brookline, Mass., on Wednesday, January 22, 1908, at 8 p. m., in accordance with a notice mailed to every member.
In the absence of Captain Candage, the president, Charles H. Stearns, Esq., the vice-president, was in the chair.
The records of the last annual and monthly meet- ings were read by the clerk and approved.
The President's Annual Address was read by Mr. Charles F. Read.
PRESIDENT'S ANNUAL ADDRESS.
Members of the Brookline Historical Society :-
Ladies and Gentlemen,-We are met at this seventh annual meeting of our Society to take into account some of the occurrences of the past year, hear reports of the officers and committees, and elect officers for the year 1908. The Society in the year past has held regular stated meetings, at which the following papers were read :-
January 23, The President's Annual Address.
February 27, The Woodward House, Clyde St .; a study of its con- struction, with drawings and some account of its occupants from 1715 to 1900, by Miss Ellen Chase and Charles F. White. Read by Charles F. White.
March 27, "Early Predecessors of the Heath School," by Michael Driscoll.
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April 24, "Rebecca Nourse," by Miss Louise Howe. Read by Miss H. Alma Cummings.
May 22, "The Settlement of Massachusetts Bay Colony under Roger Conant, 1623-1628," by Mrs. Sarah S. Bartlett.
October 30, "The American Revolution: Its Causes and Com- mencement: The Royalist's View," by James H. Stark.
November 27, "Charles James Fox: The Colonies' Friend in Parlia- ment," by George S. Mann.
December 18, "The French Neutrals," by Miss Louise Flagg.
THE MEMBERSHIP
of the Society has increased materially during the past year, largely by means of a circular letter addressed to citizens of Brookline by the Committee on Membership. There are at present 177 members in the Society, of which four are benefactors and twenty-three are life members.
This result proves that the people of our town are disposed to assist the Society in its work of studying the history of Brookline and preserving its antiquities.
THE MEMBERS DECEASED
during the past year were four, as follows :-
ROBERT THAXTER SWAN
Record Commissioner of Massachusetts, who died at his home, Beacon St., Brookline, July 26, 1907, aged 64 years. He was born in Dorchester, Mass., and there became clerk of the Municipal Court; later, in 1882-83, was elected to the General Court, and still later was appointed Record Com- missioner, a position he held at the time of his death. He was well and favorably known to the community at large.
MRS. MARY LOUISE STEVENS
died at her home on Columbia street, Brookline, Sept. 17, 1907, aged 67 years. She was the widow of our former member, Frederick Thayer Stevens, and joined the Society with him in 1903. They were much interested and regular attendants on the meetings of the Society until his death and her illness prevented.
MRS. MARY CAROLINE ATKINSON
widow of Edward Atkinson, a native of Brookline, in which she had always resided, died at her home Dec. 12, 1907, aged 77 years. She and her late husband joined the Society
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shortly after its organization, and, although not able to attend its meetings, took a deep interest in its affairs.
ALBERT ALONZO FOLSOM
who had been actively interested in the welfare of the Society and had served acceptably on its committees, died at his home in Brookline, Dec. 24, 1907, aged 73 years. Capt. Folsom was born in Exeter, N. H., in 1834, and came to Bos- ton early in life and became a newspaper reporter on the Atlas and the Bee, and later on the Journal.
In 1854 he entered the service of the Boston and Provi- dence R. R. Co., and became its general ticket agent. In 1860 he became the head of transportation, with his office at Providence, in 1864 he was made assistant superintendent and in 1867 superintendent of the road, in which position he remained until the road was merged in the New York, New Haven & Hartford R. R. Co. Capt. Folsom was a prominent member of the Ancient and Honorable Artillery Co .; he was a Mason of high respect, having served as Master of Colum- bian Lodge, was a Knight Templar, and had been Deputy Grand Master of the Massachusetts Grand Lodge. He was deeply interested in historical matters, and a member of various historical organizations. He possessed a retentive memory for historic dates, was a good conversationalist, an agreeable acquaintance, and a warm and devoted friend.
THE TOTAL DEATHS OF RESIDENTS OF BROOKLINE in 1907 were 380, of whom 109 had reached, and in most cases, exceeded the bound of three score and ten, and 73 had exceeded 75 years; 30 were between 75 and 80; 26 were be- tween 80 and 85; 10 were between 85 and 90, and 5 had ex- ceeded the limit of 90 years. The 5 above 90 were Samuel Hall, 92; Joseph K. Hayes, 95; Nancy P. Gibbs, 90; Samuel G. Leavitt, 91, and Thomas E. Quimby, 90. Those between 85 and 90 were Charlotte E. Varney, 88; Mary Mitchell, 87; Mary A. M. Faxon, 89; Mary Lyons, 88; Edward Russell, 86; Elizabeth Postawka, 86; Anne Loring, 86; Elizabeth F. Porter, 86; Edwin O. Marston, 87, and George Brooks, 87. Those between 80 and 85 were Annie E. Bowman, 82; Isaac L. Cox, 80; Rebecca W. Prescott, 80; Anaretta F. Leighton, 81; Elizabeth S. Wilbor, 80; Catherine E. Rametti, 80;
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Nancy C. Farwell, 83; Thomas H. Talbot, 83; Hannah S. Nettleton, 80; Mary A. Proctor, 84; Mary E. Hall, 83; Marcia A. Patten, 84; Fanny Cohen, 80; Nathaniel H. Furness, 81; Andrew J. Huey, 84; James G. Wiswell, 80; Susan Lucas, 84; Eneas Smythe, 81; Caroline Stern, 80; Rachel Bowes, 84; Angelina P. Tufts, 80; Elizabeth S. Folsom, 80; Sterne Morse, 83; Anne Boland, 80; Mary L. Talbot, 81, and Matilda C. Dexter, 83.
THE YEAR 1907
proved to be one of many historical celebrations in our state, and not only in the state but in our country, beginning with the Jamestown Exhibition in honor of the settlement of Vir- ginia. In August there was a celebration at Falmouth, Mass., in memory of Bartholomew Gosnold's visit to the shores of that town in 1602. On August 15th there was unveiled at, Gloucester, Mass., a bronze tablet in memory of the men who, at the instigation of Rev. John White, came from Dor- chester, England, in 1623, and made Gloucester the first settlement in the Massachusetts Bay Colony.
On August 20th occurred the great celebration, with an address by President Roosevelt, in connection with laying the corner stone of the Pilgrim Memorial Monument at Provincetown, Mass., in honor of the first harbor made in America by the Mayflower and the first landing of her pas- sengers on American soil.
Historical leaflets of great value relating to those several periods commemorated by these observances were published in the Old South Leaflets series. First is the account of Gosnold's settlement at Cuttyhunk, written by Gabriel Archer, who accompanied Gosnold on his expedition in 1602. The third centennial of that event was held in 1902, when the corner stone of a Gosnold Monument was laid at Cuttyhunk, which was completed and dedicated in 1903. The Falmouth people were behindhand in their celebration; Gosnold sailed from Falmouth, Eng., March 25, 1602, and sighted the coast of New England on May 14th, then skirted the shores of Cape Cod and came to Martha's Vineyard and the Elizabeth group of islands, to both of which he gave their names. His settle- ment at Cuttyhunk was the first in New England, and Ar-
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cher's account of it is actually believed by some to have sup- plied Shakespeare with local color for his "Tempest." .
In Bradford's "History of Plymouth Plantation" we find the account of the voyage of the Mayflower, and the signing of the famous compact in Provincetown harbor at the end of the voyage. Bradford's historic manuscript is preserved and exhibited in the State Library and lies open at the place where the compact is worded.
Near the time that the Pilgrims were signing the compact in the cabin of the Mayflower at Provincetown harbor, Rev. John White of Dorchester, England, was planning for a settlement farther north on the New England coast as a headquarters and refuge for fishermen resorting to these waters, out of which sprang the settlement at Cape Ann in 1623.
"White's Plantation Plea," published in London a few years later, played an important part in the history of the settlement of Massachusetts. It is an interesting portion of this which is printed in the Old South Leaflets. The people of Dorchester, Mass., have placed a tablet to White's memory in the church at Dorchester, England. The celebration at Gloucester fittingly calls attention anew to Rev. John White, who has been called "the father of the Massachusetts Bay colony."
Another New England celebration in 1907 worthy of men- tion here was the one held at Bath, Me., in honor of the building of the first vessel in New England by the Popham colony of Maine in 1607.
The centennial observances of John G. Whittier's birth and others during the year past have served to make 1907 a year of historic anniversaries worthy of record.
BROOKLINE ONCE A SHIPBUILDING TOWN.
Many citizens of Brookline have been merchants, ship- owners, shipmasters and engaged in mercantile affairs in Boston, but it is not generally known that shipbuilding was once carried on within the limits of the town.
Joshua Magoun, a shipwright from Pembroke, Mass., and Francis Turner, from Scituate, under the firm name of Ma- goun & Turner, established a yard for building vessels on the Charles River in Brookline in 1832, at or near the site of the
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Cousens Coal Wharf, on what is now Commonwealth avenue. In 1832 they there built and launched the barque "Brighton," of 337 tons, owned by Rice & Thaxter of Boston, and the schooner "Concert," of 68 tons. In 1833 they built the barque "Burlington," of 406 tons, for Rice & Thaxter of Boston, which vessel was struck by lightning and burned in the North Atlantic while on her way from New Orleans to Havre with a cargo of cotton, in March, 1840.
In 1833 Magoun & Turner also built the ship "Marathon," of 382 tons, for William Eager of Boston. In 1834 they built the schooner "Silver Spring," of 67 tons, for Stepenh Sawyer and others of Charlestown, the schooner "Abigail," of 89 tons, for John Manson of Scituate, and brig "Carib- bean," of 173 tons, for Andrew Cunningham of Boston. The "Caribbean" was wrecked and a total loss at Carlescrona, in November, 1836, while bound to Boston with a cargo of wheat, rye, feathers, etc.
In 1835 they built the schooner "Gustavus," of 93 tons, for Charles Cole and Nehemiah Manson of Boston, and the schooner "Blue Rock," of 69 tons, for Stephen Sawyer and others of Charlestown, and also the brig "Oak," of 177 tons, for Rice & Thaxter of Boston. The brig "Oak" was lost Nov., 1853, on Maccaros Shoal on the voyage to New Orleans from Rio de Janeiro.
Joshua Magoun was elected a measurer of wood in Brook- line in 1832, and again in 1835.
About the year 1836 Messrs. Magoun & Turner removed their shipyard from Brookline to Charlestown Neck, where in the next twenty years they built some fifty vessels. . Francis Turner was a representative to the General Court from Charlestown in 1842. He died in 1851, and his partner, Joshua Magoun, in 1856.
Thus it is seen that at least ten vessels were built in Brook- line between the years 1832 and 1835, inclusive, by Magoun & Turner.
The late Benjamin F. Delano of Chelsea informed the writer some years ago that he as a young man came from Duxbury, his native place and worked as a carpenter for Magoun & Turner, upon the first vessels which they built in Brookline.
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REPORT OF THE TREASURER.
EDWARD W. BAKER, Treasurer,
In account with BROOKLINE HISTORICAL SOCIETY.
Balance on hand January 1, 1907 :- . Permanent fund $722 01
Current fund 35 89
$757 90
Receipts to December 31, 1907 :--
Permanent fund
$150 92
Current fund 249 00
$399 92
Total balances and receipts
$1,157 82
EXPENDITURES.
January 1, 1907, to December 31, 1907 :- From Current Fund.
Printing Annual Report $110 00
Printing Notices, etc. 43 25
Postage and Addressing Special Cir- cular
35 00
Postage
15 00
Envelopes
3 80
Bay State League
8 00
Carriage hire
5 00
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Total expenditures
$220 05
Balance January 1, 1908 :-
Permanent fund
$872 93
Current fund
64 84
Total balances
$937 77
EDWARD W. BAKER, Treasurer.
Brookline, January 15, 1908.
I have examined the accounts of Edward W. Baker, Treas- urer of the Brookline Historical Society, and find the same correct, with proper vouchers for all payments. The bank books have been exhibited and verified. The balance in the Permanent Fund is $872.93 and in the Current Fund $64.84 as of January 1, 1908.
CHARLES H. STEARNS, Auditor.
REPORT OF THE NOMINATING COMMITTEE.
Brookline, Mass., Dec., 1907. . To the Brookline Historical Society :-
Your committee appointed to nominate candidates for officers of the Society for the ensuing year have attended to their duties and beg leave to submit the following names :-
For Trustees. RUFUS G. F. CANDAGE,
MISS JULIA GODDARD, MISS SUSAN V. GRIGGS,
MRS. MARTHA C. KITTREDGE,
CHARLES H. STEARNS,
CHARLES F. WHITE,
EDWARD W. BAKER.
For Clerk and Treasurer. EDWARD W. BAKER.
For the Committee,
GEORGE S. MANN, Chairman,
JAMES ADAMS,
JOSEPH McKEY. .
The report was accepted and it was voted to pro- ceed to ballot. The ballot was taken and the candidates nominated were unanimously elected.
Voted, To print the president's annual address, treasurer's report, by-laws, list of officers and mem- bers, and such papers as the Committee on Publica- tions may select.
EDWARD W. BAKER, Clerk.
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THE DEVOTION SCHOOL FUND.
Read before the Society by Edward W. Baker, February 26, 1908
From time to time, in newspaper and magazine articles, the town of Brookline is advertised at home and abroad as "the richest town in the country." What is more to its credit, since the population has increased to the proportions of a city, the town is constantly referred to as an example of municipal administration marked by honesty, intelligence and progressiveness.
All classes of the community participate actively in public affairs, and the town benefits by the cooperation of all. It has been the very good fortune of the town that such coopera- tion has been influenced and guided by the well-educated and clear-headed citizens who have given freely of their time and contributed to the common good from their experience and knowledge of business, the professions, the arts and the sciences. Further, the citizens of moderate means, the well- to-do, and those of great wealth have willingly borne their share of the taxes which have been necessary for the benefit of all.
Although the town has been the home or residence of many families of abundant fortune it has profited in com- paratively few instances from the gifts or bequests of its native or adopted sons or daughters. During the more than two hundred years of the town's history, the writer learns of only three bequests for the public benefit of which there is any record or remembrance today.
In 1762 the town received the Edward Devotion School Fund. A century later, in 1867, under the will of James Sullivan Warren, a fund was established for the purpose of planting trees along the town highways, and in 1876 the Public Library benefited by the bequest of Martin L. Hall for "the purchase of books of standard value."
The generosity of John L. Gardner, whose interest prompted his gift to the Public Library, should not be
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overlooked, and full credit should be given to those individuals who have made gifts to particular schools or for certain specified purposes; but the present consideration applies only to bequests for a general public benefit.
In the year 1634 the General Court ordered a "sufficient cart-bridge built over Muddy River," and at a later date (1640) the cost of this bridge was apportioned between the towns of Boston, Roxbury, Dorchester, Cambridge and Watertown.
The town of Cambridge in 1635 made provision for a cause- way and a broad ladder down to low water for the convenience of the ferry across Charles river to the road from Roxbury and Boston.
Between the Muddy River cart-bridge and the ferry to Cambridge was the established line of travel from Boston to the colleges, but it was not until the year 1662 that the river was spanned by a bridge. In 1662, however, a bridge was built near or at the place where the bridge now crosses the river close by Soldiers' Field. . At the time it was built even until the present, that bridge was and is legally desig- nated as the "Great Bridge."
The completion of the "Great Bridge" brought about the formal laying out of "the common highway betwixt Boston and Cambridge."
There was considerable controversy over the matter, but, after the committee had "viewed several ways," and had "debated the matter with committees for the towns of Bos- ton and Cambridge," who did not agree, the report. was finally presented and accepted, that "the said way shall goe without the common field by Goodman Devotion's and Goodman Steven's houses and so to Cambridge bounds as the old way now runneth."
So the highway from Boston to Cambridge was laid out, and was the only way to Cambridge, except by ferry, until 1793.
This was the road traveled by the dignitaries of the church and officers of state traveling by horseback or coach between Boston and the colleges. Along this road were set the old milestones, under the direction of Paul Dudley, of which seven were necessary to mark off the road to Cambridge.
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One of those old milestones stands today in the lawn of Harvard Church, nearly opposite where it originally stood, when erected in 1729.
Over this road, on April 19, 1775, marched Lord Percy with three regiments of infantry, two divisions of marines and two pieces of field artillery, on the way from Boston to reinforce the eight hundred grenadiers who, in the early morning, had crossed in boats from near the present Park Square, Boston, to Phips Farm in East Cambridge, and thence to Concord and Lexington.
In the months following Lexington and Bunker Hill, this particular road was a throbbing artery of military life and energy. With the ten thousand British in Boston besieged by the sixteen or seventeen thousand American troops extending from Roxbury to Cambridge and Charlestown, the old road was marched over and back by the troops from Rhode Island, New Hampshire, Connecticut and all parts of Massachusetts. Towards Boston traveled those whose sympathies made it necessary to seek protection within the lines of His Majesty's forces; and in the other direction stretched the line of those fleeing from the sufferings and privations of the beleaguered town, to seek shelter and assistance from friends and fellow- patriots in the country outside.
Truly the road has its history, and an old house which has stood where it now stands facing that road for two hundred and twenty-eight years is entitled to some respect from the schoolboys and girls of today, as well as from their elders, even if the old house does not quite harmonize with its surroundings.
Edward Devotion (1st) joined the First Church in Boston, and became a freeman in 1645. He was a planter, and lived at Muddy River. He was the father of eleven children, and his possessions in land were on both sides of the road from Boston to Cambridge, where the house, now standing, was built in 1680. Among his children were sons John (born 1659) and Edward (born 1668). Both signed the petition for the separation of Brookline in 1704. Father and sons are frequently mentioned in the earliest town records,-the son Edward the more frequently, probably because of greater activity in current happenings.
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In addition to the real estate in Brookline which he in- . herited at the death of his father, the younger Edward owned lands in Roxbury, Dorchester and Needham, but he sold nearly all of it previous to his death in 1744. He was sur- vived only by his widow, Mary, whom he married previous to 1719, and who, in the year following her widowhood. married Philip Gatcomb of Boston.
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