USA > Massachusetts > Middlesex County > Maynard > The annals of Sudbury, Wayland and Maynard, Middlesex County, Massachusetts > Part 13
USA > Massachusetts > Middlesex County > Sudbury > The annals of Sudbury, Wayland and Maynard, Middlesex County, Massachusetts > Part 13
USA > Massachusetts > Middlesex County > Wayland > The annals of Sudbury, Wayland and Maynard, Middlesex County, Massachusetts > Part 13
USA > Massachusetts > Middlesex County > Sudbury > The annals of Sudbury, Wayland, and Maynard, Middlesex County, Massachusetts > Part 13
USA > Massachusetts > Middlesex County > Wayland > The annals of Sudbury, Wayland, and Maynard, Middlesex County, Massachusetts > Part 13
USA > Massachusetts > Middlesex County > Maynard > The annals of Sudbury, Wayland, and Maynard, Middlesex County, Massachusetts > Part 13
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THE OLD RED STORE,
WAYLAND.
See page 209.
49
WAYLAND.
West Precinct. While at the east side he resided at the house which the town had provided for Rev. Jamcs Sherman. Concerning the division, the church records kept by Mr. Loring state as follows :
" Feb. 11. 1723.
"The Church met at my house, where, after the brethren on the East Side had manifested their desire that the church might be divided into two churches, it was so voted by majority."
When the effort to secure the services of Mr. Loring proved futile, a call was extended to Rev. William Cock, a native of Hadley, Mass., and a graduate of Harvard College. The call being accepted, Mr. Cook was ordained March 20, 1723, and continued their pastor until his death, Nov. 12, 1760.
The town granted £80 to support preaching on both sides of the river for half a year.
After the setting off of the West Parish, it was con- sidered advisable to move the East Side meeting- house nearer the centre of the East Precinct. Jan- uary 29, 1721-22, "the town by a vote showed its willingness and agreed to be at the charge to pull down ye old meeting-house and remove it south and set it up again." At the same meeting they chose a committee to petition the General Court for permis- sion. In a paper dated December 28, 1724, and signed by Mr. Jennison, Zechariah Heard and Phineas Brintnal, it is stated that they were "the committee who pulled down and removed the old meeting-house in the East Precinct of Sudbury." About 1725 was recorded the following receipt : " Re- ceived from Mr. John Clap, late treasurer of the town of Sudbury, the sum of four hundred pounds in full, granted by said town to carry on the building of a meeting-house in the East Precinct in said town. We say received by us, Joshua Haynes, Ephraim Curtis, John Noyes, Samuel Graves, Jonathan Rice, Committee." This building was located at what is now Wayland Centre, on the corner lot just south of the old Town House. The town instructed the com- mittee "to make it as near as they can like the new house in the West Precinct, except that the steps " are to be hansomer ; " it was also to have the same number of pews.
Thus at last both precincts were provided with new meeting-houses, and a matter was settled that had oc- casioned much interest and more or less activity for nearly a quarter of a century. Doubtless participants in the affair at the beginning and during its progress had passed away, and, before its settlement, worshiped in a temple not made with hands, whose Builder and Maker is God. The intercourse between the two precincts was pleasant, and for a while the ministers exchanged once a month. For years the salaries of the two pastors were equal, and again and again is there a receipt on the town-book for eighty pounds for each.
FRENCH AND INDIAN WARS .- In the inter-colonial conflicts known as the French and Indian Wars the East Precinct bore its proportionate part. On the
muster-rolls of the town East Side names repeatedly appear. Shoulder to shoulder men marched to the front, and as townsmen and kindred endured in com- mon thic rigors of those arduous campaigns. At the disastrous occurrenee at Halfway Brook, near Fort Edward, July 20, 1758, where the lamented Captain Samuel Dakin fell, the East Precinct lost Lieutenant Samuel Curtis, who, with eighteen men, had joined Captain Dakin's force but a short time previous. Among the reported losses on the same occasion were William Grout, Jonathan Patterson, Nathaniel Moul- ton and Samuel Abbot. Most of the men in the East Precinct in both the alarm and active list of militia turned out for service at the alarm about Fort Wil- liam Henry.
In 1760, Rev. William Cook died. That year the town voted "sixty-five pounds to each of the Revd ministers for the year ensuing, including their salary and fire wood ; in case they or either of them should decease before the expiration of the year, then they or either of them to receive their salary in propor- tion during the time they shall live and no longer."
This may indicate that their death was anticipated. Another record indicates that Mr. Cook had been sick some time when this vote was passed, as the town- book goes on to state: "The same meeting granted thirty-three pounds, six shillings, six pence to pay persons who had supplied the pulpit in Mr. Cook's confinement, and also granted thirty pounds more to supply the pulpit during his sickness, and ehose a committee to provide preaching iu the meantime." May 11, 1761, the town appropriated seventeen pounds, six shillings, eight pence "out of the money granted for the Rev. Mr. Cook's salary in the year 1760, to defray his funeral expenses."
Mr. Cook had one son who taught the grammar- school for years in Sudbury, and died of a fever in 1758. After the decease of Mr. Cook, another min- ister was soon sought for on the east side. A little disturbance, and perhaps delay, was occasioned by a petition sent to the General Court relating to the set- tlement of another minister on the east side the river. But the matter was amicably adjusted by a vote of the town, whereby it decided "not to send an agent to the General Court to show cause or reason why the petition of Deacon Adam Stone and others relating to the settlement of a Gospel minister on the East side the river should not be granted." The town furthermore voted, that the "prayers of the petition now in Court should be granted, Provided the Court would Grant and confirm the like Privilege to the West Church and Congregation when there shall be reason. John Noyes Moderator."
The way cleared of obstructions, a new pastor was soon found. Choice was made of Rev. Josiah Bridge. October 14, 1761, Captain Moses Maynard was al- lowed twelve shillings "for his travel to Lunenburg to wait on Mr. Bridge;" and, at the same meeting, it was "voted to grant to Mr. Bridge his settlement and
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WAYLAND.
salary as he had contracted with the East Precinct for, and ordered the assessors to assess the inhabitants of the town for the same." Mr. Bridge was a native of Lexington, and graduate of Harvard College in 1758. He was ordained November 4, 1761.
REVOLUTIONARY WAR. - In the Revolutionary War the east side shared in common with the west side the deprivations and hardships incident to that protracted and distressing period. In the matter of men, the east side was represented on April 19, 1775, by two distinct companies, besides having its share of soldiers in two companies that were made up of men from both sides of the river. The two distinct com- panies were a minute-company of forty men, com- manded by Captain Nathaniel Cudworth, and a militia company of seventy-five men, commanded by Captain Joseph Smith. The companies representing both the east and west sides were a company of mili- tia of ninety-two men, under command of Captain Moses Stone; and a troop of horse of twenty-two men under command of Captain Isaac Loker. The com- pany of Captain Smith, it is supposed, attacked the British on the retreat from Concord at Merriam's Corner; and the company of Captain Cudworth at Hardy's Hill, a short distance beyond. Both of these engagements were of a spirited nature ; in the former two British soldiers were killed and several of the officers wounded. After the 19th of April the east side soldiers were still iu readiness for service. Cap- tain Cudworth became major in Colonel Jonathan Brewer's regiment, and Lieutenant Thaddcus Russell, of Captain Cudworth's former company, secured the re-enlistment of most of the company and was made captain of it. His company cousisted of forty-nine men when he reported for duty April 24th. His lieu- tenant was Nathaniel Maynard and his ensign Na- thaniel Reeves.
These soldiers did valiant services at the Battle of Bunker Hill. They were in the regiment of Colonel Brewer, on the left of the Americau line to the north- erly of the summit. Their position was very much exposcd ; a part of the line had not the slightest pro- tection. The only attempt that was made to construct a breastwork was by the gathering of some newly- mown hay that was scattered about the place ; but they were prevented from the completion of even such a slight breastwork as this. The foe advanced aud they were compelled to desist. But no exposure to the fire of well-disciplined, veteran troops, and no lack of breastwork protection ied those brave Middle- sex colonels and companies to turn from or abandon this important position. Says Drake, "Brewer and Nixon immediately directed their march for the un- defended opening so often referred to between the rail-fence and the earthwork. They also began the construction of a hay breastwork, but when they had extended it to within thirty rods of Prescott's line the enemy advanced to the assanlt. The greater part of these two battalions stood and fought here without
cover throughout the action, both officers and men dis- playing the utmost coolness and intrepidity under fire." The same author also says of Gardiner, Nixon and Brewer, "Braver officers did not nosheathe a sword on this day; their battalions were weak in numbers, but, under the eye and example of such leaders, invincible."
As the war progressed the east side soldiers still gallantly served. Captains Nathanial Maynard and Isaac Cutting each commanded a company in 1778, and in the muster-rolls presented to the town of Sud- bury, of that year, we have given by these captains 132 names.
INCORPORATION OF EAST SUDBURY .- In 1780 the town of Sudbury was divided, and the east side became East Sudbury. The proposition came before the town by petition of John Tilton and others, June 25, 1778, in the east meeting-house. "The question was put whether it was the minds of the town, that the town of Sudbury should be divided into two towns, and it was passed in the affirmative. And appointed the fol- lowing gentlemen to agree on a division line and re- port at the adjournment of this meeting, viz. : Colonel Ezekiel How, Capt. Richard Heard, Mr. Nathan Lor- ing, Mr. Phinehas Glezen, Mr. John Maynard and Mr. John Meriam." The committee reported that they were not agreed as to the line of division.
At a meeting held Jan. 1, 1779, the town appointed Major Joseph Curtis, Thomas Plympton, Esq., Mr. John Balcom, Capt. Richard Heard and Capt. Jona- thau Rice to agree on a line of divisiou. At the same meeting measures were taken to petition the General Court. Strong opposition at once manifested itself, and the town was warned to meet at the West meeting- house December 6th, -
" 1st. To choose a moderator.
" 2d. To see if the town will choose a Committee to act in behalf of this Town at the Great and General Court of this State to Oppose a Di- vision of sd Town, and give the Comtee So cliosen Such Instruction Re- latiug to said affair as the Towu may think proper, and grant a Sum of Money to Euahle said Comtee to Carry ou Said Business."
The meeting resulted as follows :
"1st. Chose Asahiel Wheeler moderator.
" 24. Colouel Ezekiel IIowe, Mr. Wm. Rice, Juur, and Thomas Plymp- ton, Esq., a committee for the Purpose contained in this article, and granted the sum of three hundred Pounds to Enable their Conitee to Carry on said affair; theu adjourned this meeting to tomorrow, at three oclock, at the same place.
"Tuesday, Decemr 7th. The Town inet according to adjournment, proceeded and gave their Comtee Chosen to oppose a division of this Town, &c., the following Instructions, viz. :
" To Colo. Ezekiel Howe, Thus, Plympton, Esq. and Mr. Rice, Jur., you being chosen a Comtee hy the Town of Sudhury to oppose a division of sd Town, as Lately Reported by a Comtee of the Honle General Court of this State.
"You are hereby authorized and Instructed to preferr a Petitiou or memorial to the General Court in hebalf of Said Town. Praying that the Bill for Dividing Sd Town May be set a fire or altred setting forth the Great Disadvantages the Westerly part of the Town will Labour under hy a Division of said Town, as reported by sd Conitee, viz. : as said report deprives theu of all the gravel, and obliges them to maintain the one half of the Great Causeways ou the Easterly part of said Town uot- withstanding the necessary repairs of the Highways on the westerly part of said Town are nearly double to that ou the East.
" Said Report also deprives them of the Ponud, it also deprives them
Ter
Fourth Church in the Town, 1726. Town Hall, Store and Residence, Remodeled, 1815. Residence of Willard A. Bullard, Remodeled, 1888.
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WAYLAND.
of a Training-field though Given by the Proprietors of Said Town to the Westerly side for a Training-field for Ever.
" And further, as there is no provision made in said report for the Sup- port of the Poor in Said Town which will be a verry heavy burthen to the West side of the Town as the report now stands. Also, at said ad- journment, the Town Granted the sum of three Hundred pounds, in ad- dition to the other Grant of three Hundred Pounds to Enable their Comtee to carry on said Petition.
"Then the town by their vote dissolved this meeting."
But, notwithstanding the vigorous protest made by prominent citizens, their arguments did not prevail with the Court, and an article was passed April 10, 1780, which authorized a division of the town. A committee was appointed by the town to consider a plan for the division of property and an equitable adjust- ment of the obligations of the east and west parts of the town. At an adjourned meeting, held March 14th, the committee rendered the following report, which · was accepted and agreed upon :
" We, the Subscribers, being appointed a committee to Join a Comtee from East Sudbury to make a Division of the Money and Estate belong- ing to the Town of Sudbury and East Sudbury, agreeable to an Act of the General Court Passed the 10th of April, 1780, for Dividing the Town of Sudbury, proceded and agreed as followetb, viz. : that all the Money Due on the Bonds and Notes. being the Donation of Mary Doan to the East Side of the River, be Disposed of to East Sudbury according to the will of the Donor. And the money Due on Bonds and Notes, given by Mr. Peter Noyes and Capt. Joshua Haynes, for the Benefit of the Poor aud Schooliug, be Equally Divided between Each of the Sd Towus, which Sunt is 423 : 3 : 4. That all the Money Due on Bonds and Notes for the New Grant Lands, or Money Now in the Treasury, or in Constables' hands, be Equally Divided between Each of Said Towns, which Sums are as follows, viz. :
" Due on New Grant Bonds and Notes, 133 : 14 : 7 Due from Constable, 3110 : 10 : 7 348 : 6 : 5
Due from the Town Treasurer,
" And that all Land that belonged to the Town of Sudbury, or for the benefit of the Poor, shall be Divided agreeable to the Act of the General Court for Dividing Said Town. And that the Pound and Old Bell, and the Town Standard of Weights aad Measures wbich belonged to the Town of Sudbury, be sold at publick vandue and the proceeds to be Equally divided between the towns of Sudbury and East Sudbury.
" Also, that the Town Stock of Arms and Amunition be Divided as set forth in the Act of the General Court for Dividing the Town of Sudbury. And if any thing shall be made to appear to be Estate or property that Should belong to the town of Sudbury before the Division of the above articles, it Shall be Equally Divided between the Town of Sudbury and tlie Towu of East Sudbury. And that the Town of East Sudbury shall Support and Maintain as their Poor During their Life, the Widow Vick- ry and Abigail Isgate, And all Such Persons as have Gained a Residence in the Town of Sudbury before the division of Sd Town, and sball here- after be brought to the Town of Sudbury or the Town of East Sudbury, as their Poor Shall be Supported by that Town in which they Gained their Inhabitance. Also, that the Debts Due from Said Town of Sud- bury Sball be paid, the one half by the Town of Sudbury, and the other half by the Town of East Sudbury, which Sum is 2977 : 7 : 1.
" ASHER CUTLER ASAHEL WHEELER
"THOS WALKER
ISAAC MAYNARD Committee." " JAMES THOMSON
Other committees concerning the matter of divi- sion were appointed the same year. The assessors were to make a division with East Sudbury of the men re- quired of Sudbury and East Sudbury for three years ; also to make division of clothing, beef, etc., required of said town. A committee, April 23, 1781, made the following finantial exhibit :
" Due to Sudbury in the Constable's and Treasurer's hands
That the town had to pay the sum of
£1487. 9.10 1661. 19. 5
Sudbury's part of the Powder 142 lb8.
Their part of the Lead 394 lbs.
their part of the Guns on hand 4
The old Bell, Pound and Town Standard of Weights and Measures sold for £1183.10. 0
Sudbury's part of the above sum is 391.15. 0
Received of - money 27.0.0
The charge of sale 20.8 . 0
The remainder to be paid by the treasurer of E. Sudbury. Money dne to the town in Mr. Cutler's hands taken out of
the State Treasury for what wasadvanced by the Town
of Sudbury for the Support of Soldiers' families who are in the Continental Army. 1206. 2. 0."
In the division Sherman's Bridge was left partly in each town, and the river formed about half the town's eastern boundary.
June 19, 1801, Rev. Josiah Bridge passed away at the age of sixty-two. The following persons have served as his successors in the pastorate: Revs. Joel Foster, John B. Wight, Richard T. Austin, Edmund H. Sears, George A. Williams, Samuel D. Robins, James H. Collins, William M. Salter, Edward J. Young, N. P. Gilman, Herbert Mott.
SOLDIERS OF 1812 .- The following meu were vol- unteers in the War of 1812: Abel Heard, James Draper, Rufus Goodnow. The following men were drafted : Reuben Sherman, Daniel Hoven, John Palmer. The first served, the last two procured the following substitutes: Cephas Moore, Jonas Abbot.
June 1, 1814, the frame of a new meeting-house was raised. The structure was completed Jaunary 19th and dedicated January 24, 1815, ou which day Rev. John B. Wight was ordained. This building is the one now in use by the First Parish or Unitarian Church. Before the erection of this meeting-house there was a prolonged discussion as to where it should be placed. It is stated that a seven years' contest preceded the decision, and that on thirty-four occa- sious the question was discussed as to which side of the brook the building should stand on. About the time of the completion of the new meeting house the old one was conveyed to J. F. Heard and Luther Gleason, who were to remove it and provide a hall in the second story for the free use of the towu for thirty years. It was known for many years as the old Green store. It is the first building easterly of the Unitarian Church, and now the summer residence of Mr. Wil- lard Bullard. The land on which the old meeting- house stood was sold to Mr. James Draper, who about 1840, erected a new building on a part of the same, which contained a Town Hall, school-room and ante- rooms for the use of the town. The building cost $1700, and was first used for town-meetings November 8, 1841, and served the town for that purpose till the erection of the new building in 1878.
In 1835 the town took the name of Wayland, after President Francis Wayland, of Brown University, and the generous donor to the Public Library. In 1851 an invitation was extended to Dr. Wayland to visit the place, which was accepted August 26th of that year. The occasion was observed in a marked
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WAYLAND.
manner by the people who assembled together to wel- come him.
FORMATION OF THE EVANGELICAL TRINITARIAN CHURCH .- May 21, 1828, a new church was organized called the Evangelical Trinitarian Church. The fol- lowing are the names of the original members: Wil- liam Jolmson, Edward Rice, Ira Draper, Esther Johnson, Nancy Rice, Ruth Willis, Susan Roby, Susan Grout, Ennice Rutter, Sophia Moore, Betsey Allen, Elizabeth Shurtliff, Martha Jones, Eliza New- ell, Martha Carter, Fanny Rutter, Sophia Cutting, Abigail Russell.
The February previous to the act of church organi- zation, a hall, belonging to Luther Gleason, was made usc of for religions purposes. The first preaching service was held by Rev. Lyman Beecher. Subse- quently the tavern hall was engaged for religious meetings, in which there was preaching by various persons. Very soon efforts were put forth for the erection of a chapel, which was completed by May 21, 1828, at which time it was dedicated. In 1834 and 1835 funds were collected for building a inceting- house ; $3000 was secured and the house was soon erected. S. Sheldon, of Fitchburg, was the builder. Some of the material grew in Ashburnham, and was hauled in wagons a distance of forty miles. The building spot was given by Samuel Russell. The house was dedicated July 22, 1835, and four days afterwards no bill relating to the work remained un- paid. The bell, which weighed 1100 pounds and cost $400, was procured in 1845. It was subsequently broken, and iu 1874 was re-cast. The following is the succession of pastors, with the dale at which their service begau : Revs. Levi Smith, June, 1828; La- vius Hyde, July 22, 1835; John Wheelock Ailen, December 29, 1841; Henry Allen, September 30, 1852; Adin H. Fletcher, --; Henry Bullard, October 1, 1863; Ellis R. Drake, November 10, 1868; Truman A. Merrill, April 27, 1873 ; Robert F. Gordon, settled November, 1888. The parish connected with the new church was organized April 5, 1828, at the house of William Johuson, and was called the Evan- gelical Society of East Sudbury.
THE CIVIL WAR .- In the great Civil War the town of Wayland took an active part. Repeatedly, her qnota was made up wholly or in part of her sub- stantial citizens. The total number of men furnished for these quotas was 129, of which seventy were from Wayland. Of this latter number, twelve were killed in battle or died in the service. The patriotie senti- ment of the town was of a fervid nature, and found expression from time to time in a way to enkindle enthusiasm and encourage enlistment. Men lefc the farm and the work-shop. The young men turned from the quiet of the ancestral homestead to the tu- mult of the camp and the stirring scenes of the frout. Some of these soldiers suffered the privations of the shameful and pestilential " prisou pens " of the South ; some came home wounded to die; and some fouud a
soldier's resting-place on the soil they sought to save. Not only did the wien well perform their part during the war, but the women also wrought nobly. They were organized as a "Soldiers' Aid Society " and "Soldiers' Relief Society," and furnished such sup- plies for camp and hospital as their willing hearts and hands could contrive and furnish. Clothing, medi- cine and miscellaneous articles were generously con- tributed, and the soldiers of Wayland had substantial reasons for believing that their friends at home were not forgetful of them. The total amount raised by the town's people for recruiting purposes was $18,000. The following is a list of Wayland men who were cither killed in battle or died of wounds or sickness :
Benjamin Corliss, sickness ; Sumner Aaron Davis, killed in battle ; George Taylor Dickey, sickness ; William Dexter Draper, wounds and sickness; Elias Whitfield Farmer, sickness ; William Thomas Harlow, sickness ; Edward Thomas Loker, Andersonville Prison ; John Mellen, killed in battle ; James Alvin Rice, killed in battle ; Hiram Leonard Thurston, sickness ; Alpheus Bigelow Wellington, killed in battle ; James Dexter Loker, sickness.
The town has honored her soldiers by the publica- tion of a volume, giving a biographical sketch of each, with an outline of his military service. The book is entitled "Wayland in the Civil War," and is dedi- cated as follows: "To the Heroic men whose deeds are here recorded, whether returning in the glory of victory from battle-fields or leaving their bodies in honored graves."
RAILROADS .- In 1869 the Massachusetts Central Railroad was chartered, and Oct. 1, 1881, regular trains ran over the road. May 16, 1883, the cars ceased run- ning, and commenced again Sept. 28, 1885, under the management of the Boston and Lowell Railroad. Re- cently the road had come under the control of the Boston and Maine Company, and excellent accom- modations are afforded. There is a tastily built depot at Wayland Centre, kept in an exceptionally orderly manner by the station agent, Mr. Frank Pousland, who has thus officiated for the company since the opening of the road.
The town subscribed for three hundred and twenty - five shares of the stock. Mr. James Sumner Draper was one of the original directors and an early and earnest promoter of the road. Subsequently, litiga- tion occurred between the town and the Railroad Com- pany concerning the former's liability to pay the full amount subscribed for the stock, the objection of the town being that, because of the circumstances of the road, a fair equivalent had not been received for the inouey demanded.
PUBLIC LIBRARIES .- Wayland has the honor of establishing the first Free Public Library in the State. It was founded in 1848, and opened for the delivery of books Ang. 7, 1850. The first funds were given by Francis Wayland, D.D., late Professor of Brown University, who offered $500 in case the town would raise a similar sum. It was voted to accept of the proposition of Dr. Wayland, and $500 was raised by subscription and given to the town to meet the stip-
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