USA > Massachusetts > Middlesex County > Sherborn > Sherborn past and present, 1674-1924 > Part 3
Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).
Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 | Part 6 | Part 7
Page 24
Jonathan Holbrook and Joseph Ware were marching at the Battle of White Plains and a cannon ball passing between them cut off the right arm of one and the left arm of the other. Mr. Holbrook died, while Mr. Ware returned to Sherborn and became an able surveyor, serving the Town as Selectman, Town Clerk and Treasurer. He resided where James Colford now lives. Mr. Holbrook resided where Mr. Eben M. Holbrook formerly lived.
Jedediah Phipps, another soldier, held various town offices and was a member of the Convention at Concord in 1779. At the beginning of the struggle when the army was almost without ammunition, Mr. Phipps produced to the General Court several pounds of saltpeter of his own manufacture, giving full evidence of his knowledge in discovering earth impregnated there- with as well as his ability to manufacture this commodity. He was taken into the service of the Colony to communicate and improve his useful discoveries, and was paid out of the public treasury the sum of 6s a day, and 20s a week to defray his expenses. He was also directed to repair to Newburyport. His home was on the road to Framingham west of Peter's Hill, fairly near the former residence of William B. Thompson.
Where all the saltpeter that was needed for the manufacture of powder during the war was secured, is uncertain. Some writers have said that it was obtained from the Mammoth Cave. At any rate Sherborn town officials appre- ciated the efforts of its citizens in that direction by presenting a certificate to Lieut. Moses Perry reading:
"This certifies that Samuel Sanger, Moses Perry, Edward West Perry and Edward Learned have manufactured a quantity of salt- peter in Sherborn.
Sherborn, April 22, 1776.
John Grout, Daniel Whitney, Selectmen of Sherborn."
Joseph Dowse, my grandfather, saw service in Rhode Island, Albany, N. Y., and in the northern departments. His residence was on the same site as now occupied by my house.
Patrick Shay is said to have been the father of Daniel Shay, who became noted for his leadership of Shay's Rebellion in 1786. Tradition has it that Patrick, for some offense not now known, was publicly whipped at a tree near the present residence of Mr. H. C. Gilmore. Sherborn furnished its portion of officers and privates to join General Lincoln's troops to stamp out the Shay insurrection. Mr. John Ware acted as adjutant in this expedition, being sent with orders to a distance from Lincoln's army. He stopped at a tavern in Brookfield where there happened to be a small party of insurgents who took him prisoner and confined him in an upper room of the house, with a guard below. During the day Ware saw a company of cavalry approaching which
Page 25
he recognized as being on the side of the Government. He hailed them and they immediately surrounded the house, the Shayites surrendering.
The Sherborn men who took part in the Revolution were not men of wealth. In 1798, or about one hundred years previous to the commencement of the work of locating graves (1896), Sherborn had 110 houses of a value of $100 or more, the total valuation of which, including the lots on which they were erected (not exceeding two acres in any case), was $40,111-so it can be seen that their average value was but little over $360 apiece. These were the houses that the Sherborn soldiers resided in before and after the war.
NOTE-Since this paper was read before the Society in 1912 the follow- ing names have been found and should be added to the list of soldiers: Jonathan Hunt, David Barker, Esek Sanders, David Jonah and Thomas Jonah.
Page 26
SHERBORN IN THE CIVIL WAR
[The editors feel that they cannot do better than reprint here the words of Dr. Albert H. Blanchard as prepared for Hurd's "History of Middlesex County." The list of those in service prepared by the editors contains one hundred five names.]
HE year 1861 is an era long to be remembered. The feeling of dissatisfaction in the Southern States, which had long been exist- ing, came to a climax, and precipitated upon the nation the tremendous burden of a civil war. The crisis must be met, and it devolved upon the Northern and Western states to preserve the integrity of the Union. The President issued his proclamation for troops, and each state and town must furnish its quota of men. Sherborn had always performed her duty in great emergencies; she did it now. And we can turn with just pride to the honorable records of those days.
As early as May 1, 1861, at a town meeting called for the purpose, a committee was appointed to prepare resolutions, which were adopted as fol- lows:
"Whereas, the stability of the Government of the United States is placed in great danger by an armed rebellion in several of the Southern states, threat- ening the destruction of our national capital and national prosperity, and a resort to armed resistance has become necessary for the preservation of our lives and liberty; and whereas, by proclamation from the President of the United States, the Commonwealth of Massachusetts is called upon for her share in the common defence, therefore,
"Resolved, that the people of this town place the most perfect reliance and trust in the present form of our government, that we believe it to have been founded in wisdom and patriotism, and that we will throw aside all party feeling, and, with a firm reliance on the blessing of God, pledge our lives, our fortunes, and our sacred honor to uphold and perpetuate the institutions of the United States.
"Resolved, that the town of Sherborn appropriate two thousand dollars to fit out and furnish all necessary clothing for all those persons who have or may hereafter volunteer as soldiers in said town, or who may be drafted into service from said town, and to provide for their families in their absence."
At the same time a vote was passed entrusting the expenditure of this sum to a committee consisting of the selectmen and seven other citizens. It was also voted to guarantee to all volunteers and drafted men such a payment as with the Government pay should amount to $17 a month.
A military school was formed for drill under the direction of an instructor, and aid in meeting the expense was granted by the town. In November, 1861, five hundred dollars was granted toward the support of families of volunteers. In 1862 a bounty of $175 was offered to each volunteer from the town. Frequent meetings were held in the same year, at which addresses were given
Page 27
by public speakers on the subject of the war. In 1863 three thousand dollars was granted as aid to volunteers, and in 1864 two thousand dollars for the same purpose. Private subscriptions and contributions also were forthcoming, and they supplemented the appropriations of the town.
All these records show that Sherborn was animated with patriotic feelings, and was ready to assume her full share of the burden which the war laid upon thousands of loyal towns in the Union states. Eighty-two of her citizens were enrolled in the army, and of this number nineteen laid down their lives in the battlefield, the hospital, and the prison. Of those who lived to return to their homes, many came with shattered health, and there are but very few who do not bear the marks of wounds or the effects of disease contracted by the hardships and exposures of a soldier's life.
The memory of those trying times can never be obliterated from the minds of those who took part in the great conflict; but the establishment and yearly observance of Memorial Day have served to keep fresh in the hearts of all people the hallowed events of those days. That anniversary has always been sacredly kept by the veterans of Sherborn, and since 1885 has, by vote of the town, been observed as a public commemoration; the old soldiers, assisted by a Post of the Grand Army of the Republic from one of the neighboring towns, taking the leading part in the exercises of the day, and in decorating the graves of those who have passed away from the field of life.
Babcock, Lowell
Duly, Eastman L.
Howe, Henry
Babcock, Chas. F.
De Haven, Geo.
Howe, Henry Waldo
Bemis, John D.
Daniels, Lewis R.
Hoty, James
Blanchard, Albert H.
Dorr, John
Hill, Wm. F.
Bailey, Rasson
Duggin, Thomas
Ingraham, E. D.
Bigelow, Edmund D.
Fales, Chas. S.
Jones, Henry
Boyce, Guy Barrie, John
Fuller, Moses F.
Kelly, Thomas
Bickford, Elbridge M.
Gilmore, Willard
Knowlton, James H.
Bullard, Sylvanus
Gerstner, John
Leland, Edward Leland, Chas. H.
Barrows, Edward
Green, James W.
Bradshaw, John
Green, Amos B. Hooker, Emerson A.
Leland, Gilbert H. Lynch, Terence W.
Carson, James
Holbrook, Joshua
Lowey, Robert
Connell, Peter
Holbrook, Edward
Leonard, John W.
Chandler, Wm.
Holbrook, Chas.
Coolidge, Geo. M.
Hill, Jos. W.
Mann, Geo. H. Mann, Owen
Cleale, Artemus
Hildreth, Samuel A.
Mann, Noyes, Jr.
Chandler, John
Howard, Chas. H.
Mann, James M.
Cozzens, John R.
Hodgely, Chas. H.
Mann, Richard
Champion, Jos. D.
Harrington, Cornelius
Marron, Owen
Page 28
Cleale, Jos. A.
Fletcher, Giles E.
Johnson, James
Mitchell, Wm. L. Marcy, Henry Morey, Henry Moulton, Edward C.
Raynor, Henry
Vosmus, Harrison A.
Rundlet, Edgar C.
White, Samuel
Rooney, Patrick
Wilson, William
Stratton, Edward B.
Wood, Asa W.
Moore, Geo.
Spinney, James W.
Whitney, Constant F.
Norton, Chas. A.
Sylvester, Avery
Whitney, Edmund T.
O'Connor, Geo. O'Riley, Wm. E.
Sylvester, Reuben
Whitney, Aaron
Pettis, Wm. H.
Stout, Palmer B.
Whitney, Chas. E.
Pettis, James
Smith, Abraham Smith, Abiel E.
Young, Victor J.
Pratt, Theodore
Smith, Alexander
Coolidge, Nelson, teamster
Pierson, Alexander
Taber, Thomas
Fales, John
Phelan, Thomas
Toomey, James
Young, Geo. N.
Pratt, Lorenzo
Shields, William
Dowse, Lewis R.
Dowse, Rev. Edmund, Chaplain of the Christian Commission.
Page 29
SHERBORN MEN IN THE WORLD WAR
O story of the part played by Sherborn men in the World War ha yet been written, but the following list contains the names c those in service. Included in the list will be found the names some who, though not residents of Sherborn at the time of enlist ment, have at some time lived in the town.
Haviland C. Ames
Sears Fuller
Edward L. Newman
Joseph Adams
John P. Gavin
Francis A. Newman
Harry A. Ballou
Louis Grandoni
Theodore A. E. Newman
Herbert Bartlett
Nathan Grout
James C. Norton
Francis Berry
John Halpin
Swen Nyberg
James J. Berry
Fred Heffron
Philip L. Peckham
Frederick D. Blanchard
Harold M. Heffron
Carroll E. Phillips
Charles Bosse
Paul J. Heffron
Clifton H. Phillips
William A. Bosworth
J. Allen Hodder Weston P. Hodge
Percy P. Plouffe
Joseph Bray
Herbert R. Holbrook
Channing W. Porter Ivor Rawding James P. Riley
Matthew Bulber
Harold L. Jackson
Michael J. Riley
Fred C. Carter
John C. Jackson Joseph E. Jackson
Charles Ryan Edwin Sargeant
William A. Carter
Roy C. Jaques
George H. Clark
Clyde D. Kimball
Reade M. Sias
Herbert G. Crossman
William Kriger
Nathan Snyder
Martin Cullen
Edward F. Lane
Maurice Solomon
Lloyd Cummings
Maurice E. Levine
Guilford Statnell
Edward L. Cuneen
Charles L. Lewis
Charles H. Stearns
Wesley C. Curtis
Ralph J. Lewis
Henry E. Sullivan
Edwin Damon
James E. Long
Will T. Taber
Waldo L. Daniels
Daniel J. Lyons
John V. Thomas
Edmund C. Dowse
Francis A. Machialori
Philip Twombly
M. Floyd Dowse
G. Elwyn Mann
Walter Twombly
Denis J. Driscoll
John A. MacLean
Lloyd E. West Preston White
John R. Elder
William McRobb
Joseph H. Fiske
Ralph C. Moore
Richard J. White
Edward L. Flynn
Ludgar Moran
Pearl J. Wilder
James Fraser
Frank Morton
Frederick F. Willis
James D. French
Narg Nelson
Leo W. Young
B. Apthorp G. Fuller
Sture Nelson
Ovilla P. Plouffe
Henry S. Bothfeld
Walter S. Bullard
Russell E. Holbrook
Harold E. Burke
Walter E. Holden
Francis E. Rollins
George P. Carter
Page 30
DOWSE MEMORIAL LIBRARY
THE TOWN LIBRARY
N 1860, when the town voted to maintain a public library, the following books created that library: 573 volumes from the Proprietors' and Agricultural Library; 52 volumes from School District No. 2; ten volumes (Appleton's Encyclopedia) from C. P. Sanger; four volumes from Henry Wilson; 77 public docu- ments, and 167 purchased by the town,-a total of 883.
Of the early libraries mentioned in the foregoing, it is well to determine the individuality.
1st. There existed what was called the Farmers' Library (known offi- cially as the Agricultural Library). These volumes were kept at the residence of, and in charge of, Bowen Adams.
2nd. The Social Library. This library belonged to the Social Circle, of which Amos Bullard, Vorestus Ware, and Nathaniel Clark were among the members. The library was kept at George Clark's store and he had charge of the distribution. Members were not limited as to the number of volumes they could take out, nor was there any definite rule as to returning them; in con- sequence, from time to time volumes marked "Social Library" have come to light in old attics in the town. This organization, beside maintaining a library, was a social organization, open to members and wives and invited guests. Meetings were held from time to time, and questions of interest dis- cussed. Many of these meetings were held at the home of Rev. Amos Clark.
Page 31
3rd. The Plain school district had a small library. This was kept at the house of Mr. Bispham, who resided in the old house that stood on the site of the present residence of Mr. Houghton. There were probably other school libraries.
During the pastorate of Mr. Dorr, the minister of the First Parish Church, he realized that the best interests of all the people could be better cared for by a combination of the various small libraries into one, with a view to a future Town Library. This met with serious opposition from some; but after several years of patient endeavor this result was accomplished, and the amalgamation that led to the town's maintaining a library was perfected. In March, 1860, the town voted to establish a town library. Every article of the plan of organization was taken up at town meeting and accepted.
There were originally seven trustees; in 1878 a change was made to a board of nine members, three chosen each year for a term of three years. There were to be two trustees-at-large and one from each school district. In recent years the last requisite has not been lived up to, but the residences of the trustees have been in most cases in other parts of the town than the Centre.
The first room used for the library was the west middle room in the Town Hall. Originally, as many of you will remember, there were two stair- ways in the Town House. In 1875 a fire occurred, and as a result the lower floor was remodeled. In consequence it was planned to acquire the new room on the northwest corner for a library room, as the middle room had become cramped quarters. The town finally voted to make the change, and necessary accommodations were installed at a cost of $406.76. This northwest room was rather cosy. It had an ingrain carpet on the clear floor space, and was warmed by an air-tight stove that could heat, but did smoke.
The next move was some sixteen years later, and again was made because of the need of more room. Shelving was moved where possible, and new shelving made in the southwest room, and the trustees did the moving. Franklin Grout, Mrs. C. A. Clark, Miss Lizzie Coolidge and N. B. Douglas I remember among the trustees who helped.
Again feeling the necessity of more room, and the growing need of a reading-room, in 1906 the northwest room was again asked for and granted, new shelving erected, a large table built, and comfortable chairs bought. It was at this time that the trustees began to purchase books suitable for the smaller children, and to encourage children to use the library. At this time also the open shelf system was introduced.
In 1889 the library received its first gift aside from municipal aid, in the bequest of Aaron Greenwood. This fund of some $1,200 has brought in four per cent. per annum, and this has been yearly expended for the purchase of books of permanent value.
The first librarian was Henry W. Bullard, afterward the station agent.
Page 32
Town Hall Sterborn
TOWN HALL, SHERBORN
He was often assisted by his daughter, Miss Ellen Bullard. His pay for salary and incidentals the first year was $44. In 1864 Geo. B. Hooker was librarian; he was succeeded by his son, Frank E. Hooker. The next librarian was Miss Emma Babcock. In 1885 Miss Martha C. Clark was chosen at a salary of $75; she served until 1893, when Miss M. Nellie Clark was chosen. Miss Clark continued in office until the change to the new building.
May 18, 1914, the Selectmen received a communication from Mr. Wm. B. H. Dowse stating that he had erected a library on the Main Street which he wished to present to the town.
On May 26, 1914, a special town meeting was held and the vote was unanimous in favor of acceptance. The conveyance of building and land was on the express condition that the Library be used and maintained by the town as a free public library to be known and called the Dowse Memorial Library. This building is a memorial to Mr. Dowse's parents, Rev. Edmund Dowse and Elizabeth Bowditch Dowse.
The building was dedicated June 10th, 1914. Appropriate exercises were held in the Town Hall, and the building was open for public inspection. It is a one-story brick structure. On the main floor are delivery room, two reading
Page 33
rooms and stack-room. In the basement is a large hall for community use, also the boiler room.
Miss Elizabeth Coolidge, a niece of the donor, was elected librarian and has held the position since that time. The services of a janitor have been found necessary.
At the time of the transfer to this building Sherborn had upon the shelves of its library more than seven thousand volumes.
1
Page 34
THE LELAND HOMESTEAD
OLD HOUSES OF SHERBORN
THE LELAND HOMESTEAD
In 1652 Richard Parker of Boston deeded 535 acres of Sherborn land to Nicholas Wood, Andrew Pitcher, and Thomas Holbrook. In 1666 Thomas Holbrook deeded 80 acres of his share to his brother-in-law Henry Leland, "who had already occupied it twelve years." Thus from the year 1654 to the present, the farm in which the Leland Homestead stands has been owned by Henry Leland and his descendants. The first dwelling-house on the estate is believed to have been northeast of the present house, nearly opposite the home of Mr. George Hartherz; there was formerly an apple tree near this site which was said to have grown from a seed brought from England by Margaret, the wife of Henry Leland. The age of the Homestead is not precisely known, but the land on which it stands was left by Hopestill Leland (Henry's son), to his son Joshua in 1729, and it is probable that the house was built soon after. Until it was remodeled a few years ago, it had the long sloping roof, the great square chimney, and the oak wain- scotting common in houses of that period. The garret showns massive beams hewn on one side, but otherwise left in their natural shape. The nails are hand-wrought, and there are curious antique hinges. The attic stairs are solid triangular blocks, laid upon oak planks for supports.
THE COLONEL SANGER HOUSE
The land upon which the Sanger house stands is a portion of that tract set apart by the proprietors in 1684 "for the Ministry." In an earlier house upon nearly the same site, built by the Parish in 1711, lived the second, third and fourth ministers of the Church. Here then came Judge Samuel Sewall in 1715, when he "lodged at Cousin Baker's," or on other occasions, "supped with Cousin Baker."
Page 35
COLONEL SANGER HOUSE
The present house was built in 1818 by the Hon. Calvin Sanger, for many years a leading citizen of the town. Morse says of him that "in 1806, almost by acclamation, they placed him at the head of her (Sherborn) public affairs." He was Colonel of the first company of cavalry raised in the vicinity, representative to the General Court for thirty years, Senator, and for more than forty years held various town offices, meanwhile conducting a local store, and other business interests which took him over a considerable part of New England.
Early in 1800 he acquired by purchase a township in Maine, where he built a saw and grist mill sending young men, Walter Leland, and the Knowltons, to take charge of it. When later it was incorporated, the town was named for him, Sangerville. Many of its early settlers were from this town, and Sherborn names are still familiar there.
Mr. Sanger, also, with Hopestill Leland, started the first cotton manufactory in Framingham.
After his death, his son Calvin Phipps Sanger, a very successful merchant of New York City, became the owner of the estate, using it for a summer home. Mr. C. P. Sanger was a notably gracious and philanthropic man, the founder of the The Sherborn Widows' and Orphans' Benevolent Society.
Since his death it has been owned by Mr. A. R. Leland, Mr. Francis Bardwell, Mr. C. B. Prince, Mrs. Selma K. Hynson, Mr. R. H. Leland, and Miss Gladys M. Smith.
THE PAUL HOMESTEAD
About 1679 Jonathan Whitney, from Watertown, had a home lot assigned him of thirty acres, now included in the Paul Farm. The place remained in the Whitney family for several successive generations.
The traditions of that period are chiefly connected with the Hon. Daniel Whitney,
Page 36
bulut
HUNTING LANE FARM
SHERBORN, MASS.
HUNTING LANE FARM, SHERBORN, MASS.
who was born in 1733 and died in 1810. He was a much respected and honored citizen, member of the Provincial Congress in 1775, of the convention to form the State Constitu- tion, and of that which adopted the Federal Constitution, representative to the General Court for fourteen years and served the town in many offices.
In 1825 the property came into the possession of Capt, Paul who greatly enlarged the house by adding ells, and maintained a store and tavern there for many years. It is still in the possession of his descendants and one of the finest of our ancient landmarks.
€
THE FLAGG HOUSE
The Flagg Homestead has been in the possession of that family since Oct., 181. They inherited it from the Rev. Elijah Brown, fifth minister of the Sherborn Churc whose pastorate extended from 1770 to 1816. Tradition says that when he purchased the house in 1772 he altered and enlarged it, but it has stood unchanged since then. Mr. Brown bought of Samuel Stowe, a Revolutionary soldier, and before that it was owned by Zaccheus Haws, Caleb Greenwood and Wm. Hill.
The land upon which it stands was a part of a triangular lot, bounded by Maple and Washington Streets, and an old road, which ran from So. Sherborn to Chestnut Brook, on the S. W. side. This was originally granted to "certain inhabitants of that part of the town called Dirty Meadow," and the grant was confirmed to them by the town meeting of Mar. 3d and 4th, 1700-1. These people, or their estates, eight in number, held it until 1739, when apparently only three of the original men were living.
"The purchase consideration [to Hill] was five £ to each original 8 in the same, and so proportionable to the heirs and descendants of those deceased."
Page 37
OLD CLARK HOUSE
"THE BUTTONBALLS"
No record of the building of this house has yet been found. In April, 1778, Samuel Clarke, Jr., married Elizabeth Learned of Sherborn and brought his bride here to live through the rest of their lives. He was born on the old Clark place near Farm Pond in 1749, a descendant of the early settlers of the town, and served in the war of the Revolution.
The title to the farm was conveyed to him by Whitney Hill, also a Revolutionary soldier, on Mar. 6, 1778, and the deed does not mention the house. There is a tradition that the house was moved from Medfield, but built as it is with large central chimney, that would hardly seem probable. There are the fireplaces, brick ovens, smoke closet, hand hewn oak timbers and hand wrought nails customarily used in a house of that period.
The ell was raised in 1822, but the main house remains as it was in 1788.
Rev. Amos Clarke, only son of Samuel, was born here in 1779. He was graduated m Harvard in 1804, and became the seventh minister of the First Parish in Sherborn. recalled the planting by his father of the large buttonball trees in front of the house, placed the date about 1789.
Four generations of the family have been born under the roof. Six generations have lived here.
THE WARE HOUSE
The first known owner of the land upon which stands the present Colford house was Capt. John Hull, and the phrase "Capt. Hull's farm" had become established before 1669.
Hull was a wealthy Boston merchant, mint-master, Treasurer of Boston and Treas- urer of the Colony of Massachusetts. He married Judith Quincy, and his only child Page 38
Hannah became the wife of Samuel Sewall, later Chief Justice of the Colony. In his college days at Harvard, Sewall knew and was a friend of Daniel Gookin, who became the first minister of the Sherborn Church; and their wives were cousins. Our only record of Gookin's ordination is an extract from Sewall's famous diary.
Sewall inspected his property here at intervals aided by men in the neighborhood, of whom he mentions Goodman Holbrook, Whitney, Jos. Morse and others. In 1687 he brought his wife out for a visit of several days, and records among other things, "shewed her the meeting house" (built 1684-5).
Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.