USA > Massachusetts > Middlesex County > Maynard > The annals of Sudbury, Wayland and Maynard, Middlesex County, Massachusetts > Part 14
USA > Massachusetts > Middlesex County > Sudbury > The annals of Sudbury, Wayland and Maynard, Middlesex County, Massachusetts > Part 14
USA > Massachusetts > Middlesex County > Wayland > The annals of Sudbury, Wayland and Maynard, Middlesex County, Massachusetts > Part 14
USA > Massachusetts > Middlesex County > Sudbury > The annals of Sudbury, Wayland, and Maynard, Middlesex County, Massachusetts > Part 14
USA > Massachusetts > Middlesex County > Wayland > The annals of Sudbury, Wayland, and Maynard, Middlesex County, Massachusetts > Part 14
USA > Massachusetts > Middlesex County > Maynard > The annals of Sudbury, Wayland, and Maynard, Middlesex County, Massachusetts > Part 14
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Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 | Part 6 | Part 7 | Part 8 | Part 9 | Part 10 | Part 11 | Part 12 | Part 13 | Part 14 | Part 15 | Part 16 | Part 17 | Part 18 | Part 19 | Part 20 | Part 21 | Part 22 | Part 23 | Part 24 | Part 25 | Part 26 | Part 27 | Part 28 | Part 29 | Part 30 | Part 31 | Part 32 | Part 33 | Part 34 | Part 35 | Part 36 | Part 37 | Part 38 | Part 39
EVANGELICAL TRINITARIAN CHURCH,
.
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WAYLAND.
ulated condition. The library was kept in the old Town Hall till the completion of the new one, wlien it was removed to the commodious apartment pre- pared for it in that building. It is stated that the difficulties incident to the cstablishement of this library were, through the agency of Rev. J. B. Wight, the cause of such legislative action as enables any city or town to establish and maintain a library for the free use of the inhabitants at public expense.
In 1863, James Draper, deacon of the first Church in Wayland, gave $500 as a permanent fund, the iu- terest of which was to be expended annually in the purchase of books for the library.
Prior to the establishment of this library the peo- ple of East Sudbury believed in the benefits of a free use of good books by the community. As early as April 6, 1796, what was called the "East Sudbury Social Library Association " was formed. It had thirty-two original members, who paid a member- ship fee of $4, with annual assessment of twenty-five cents. In 1832 the library contained 227 volumes, and was kept at the private houses of the successive librarians. When Rev. J. B. Wight came to Way- land he made a collection of moral and religious books for the free use of the citizens, which increased to 300 volumes. The books were kept first at Mr. Wight's house, and afterwards at the Unitarian meeting-house; 71 of the books are now in the Town Library. In 1845 the town procured a small library for each of the six school districts, for the use of schol- ars and others. These libraries contained about 60 volumes each. In 1851, by vote of the town, they were placed in the Town Library.
NEW TOWN HALL .- In 1878 a new Town Hall was erected. The plan was made by George F. Fuller, of Boston, and William R. Stinson, of Malden, was the contractor. The building cost $9700. It was com- menced in May, completed October 26th, and dedi- cated Dec. 24, 1878. The address was given by Mr. Elbridge Smith, a native of Wayland, and principal of the Dorchester High School.
BURYING-GROUNDS .- The first burial-place is on the north side of the road leading to Sudbury Centre, and about a half-mile from the railroad station. It has the general appearance of an old-time graveyard. The wild grass covers the toughened and irregular sod, and the uneven surface of the ground indicates that it was long, long ago broken by the sexton's spade. These indications of the existence of old graves are correct. It was the burying-ground of the settlers, and here-
" Where heaves the turf in many a mouldering heap, Each iu his narrow cell forever laid, The rude forefathers of the hamlet sleep."
The older part of this cemetery lies near or beside the county highway, and may be the half-acre bought of John Loker for a burial-place. Tradition says that prior to the selection of this spot a few interments were made just over the hill to the north, where tra-
dition also states that there was an Indian graveyard. These traditions have perhaps some confirmation in the fact that on the northern hillside remains of human skeletons have been exhumed. An old citi- zen, Mr. Sumner Draper, states that in his boyhood, when men were at work in the gravel pit in what was known as the " old Indian graveyard," he saw boncs which they dug up, that he thought belonged to several human skeletons, and that he had himself in later years dug up a human skull. He also stated that there were two or three flat stones on some graves, which he believed were without any inscrip- tion, and that he thought some such stones were re- moved from the spot long ago.
The town owned thereabouts two or three acres of land, which was generally known as the "old Indian graveyard." But if this land was reserved by the settlers for a burial-place, it was not long made use of; for the southerly slope was soon set apart for this purpose, and has continued to be used for more than two centuries and a half. Additions have repeatedly been made to this latter portion, as the generations have passed away, and new graves have been opened to reccive them ; and thus has the slow, solemn march of that silent company been moving over that midway space, until the two portions are almost joined. Be- sides the age of the yard, there are other things that make it an interesting spot to the inhabitants of Wayland. Within its enclosure stood the first meet- ing-house. Here lie buried the bodies of those who bore the name of Goodnow, Curtis, Grout, Rutter, Parmenter, Rice, Bent, and others of the early grantees, besides still others of Sudbury's most promi- nent citizens before the division of the town. Be- eause of the interest that thus attaches to the place, we will give the inscriptions on some of the older gravestones which lie along the common highway.
MEMENTO MORI.
" Here lyethe remains of Ephraim Curtis ESQr who departed this lyfe Novr the 17th A D 1759 in the 80th Year of his age. He was a Loving Husband and a Tender Parent a faithful Frieud, as a Justice of the Peace he Hon'd his Commission by adhering steadily to the Rules of Justice. he was Major of a Regiment, in which Office he conducted in such a manner as gave General Satisfaction. He was many years Rep- resentative in the General Court, a lover of True Piety, belov'd by all that kuew him and Equally Lameuted at his death."
" Here learn the end of man Know that thy life is bnt a span."
On this gravestone is a skull and crossbones.
" Iu memory of Capt. Joseph Smith Who died March 9th 1803, aged 87 years.
" Farewell my dear and loving wife Farewell my children and my friends Until the resurrection day."
Probably the captain of the east side militia.
"IIere lyest ye Body of Mrs Abagail Paris wife to M' Samuel Paris, who departed this life Feb's ye 15th 1759 in ye 55th Year of her age."
Probably the wife of the son of Samuel Paris of witchcraft fame.
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WAYLAND.
" Here Lyes ye Body of Mrs. Patience Browne wife to Majt Thomas Browne Aged 59 years. Died Angst ye 15, 1706."
Major Thomas Browne was a very prominent Sud bury citizen.
"In memory of Mr. Joseph Rutter, who died Dec. 19th 1781 in ye 78th year of his age.
"Down to the dead, all must descend, The saints of God minst die. While Angels guard their souls to rest, In dust their Bodies lie.
"Erected in memory of Mary Rutter wife of Mr. Joseph Rutter who died Sept 2ond A. E $2."
Joseph Rutter was a descendant and probably grandson of John Rutter, builder of the first meeting- house, which stood just beside where the remains of Joseph Rutter now lie.
" MEMENTO MORI.
In memory of
Mr. Thomas Bent who died Wed- nesday morning July the 26th 1775.
Mrs. Mary Bent wife of Mr. Thomas Bent who died Wednes- day morning July ye 26th 1775 Etatis 57.
Yet then our boasted strength de-
Our term of time is seventy years An age that few survive cays,
But it with more than common strength
To eighty we arrive
To sorrow turns and pain
So soon the slender thread is cut And we no more remain "
Two notable stones are those that mark the graves of Capt. Edmund Goodnow and wife. They are in a horizontal position, and just east of the old meeting- house site. The inscription is rudely cut, and in the language of other years. It is as follows :
YE- DUST- " HEARE-LYETH- PRETIOUS- NT- OF-
OF-THAT-EMENANT-SARVA
GOD-CAP-EDMUND-GOODENOW- YEARE- WHO-DIED-YE-77- OF-HIS- AYGE-APRIL-YE-6-1688."
"HERE-LYETH-YE-BODY-OF-ANNE-YE WIFE-OF-CAP-EDMOND-GOODENOW- WHO-DYED-YE : 9: OF: MARCH 1876 : AGED- 67-YEARS."
"HIERE-LYETH-YE-BODY-OF-JOSEPII- GOODENOW-WIIO-DYED-YE-30-OF-MAY : 1676 : AGED-31-YEARS. FEBRY-18-1691."
" Here lies Buried The Body of ye worthy Joshua Ilaynes Esq De- ceased March ye 29, 1757 in the 88 year of His Age. IIe was a Ilearty Promoter of the Public weal and Whose . . Humanity, Integrity and Landable Minnificence Embalm Ilis name. He was charitable to the Poor and at his Death gave many Gifts to Particular . . Besides 2 Thou- sand Pounds Old Tenor to a Publick School and ye Poor of ye Town of Sudbury."
Joshua Haynes was the donor of the fund called, in the list of bequests to Sudbury, the "Ancient Donation Fund."
" HERE-LYES-YE-BODY-OF-MIR-JONATHAN- SIMPSON-LATE-OF-BOSTON-WHO-DE- PARTED-THIS-LIFE-NOVR-Ist-1773-IN-THE
54th YEAR-OF-HIS-AGE.
" Charlestown doth claim his birth, Boston his habitation ; Sudbury hath his grave, Where was his expiration."
In 1800 this old burial-place was enlarged by land purchased of Abel and Luther Gleason, and a strip
of land was bought of the William Noyes heirs, to connect the yard with the old Indian burying-ground. In 1835 land was set apart for a new cemetery. It was purchased of Joseph Bullard, and is situated a little northerly of Pine Brook, about a quarter of a mile south of the Centre. In 1871 a cemetery was laid out at Cochituate.
The picty of our ancestors left little room for cus- toms that were senseless or uninstructive. If they were severely solemn, they were devoutly so; and, if they employed some curious devices, it was for the promotion of good. The position of their grave- stones shows that the dead were laid with the feet toward the east, or, as it was termed, "facing the east." Whence and why this custom, we know not. It might have had reference to the star of the east that announced the birthplace of Christ; but whatever the cause, it doubtless was suggested by some religious idea. To us it is a strong reminder of the words of John Bunyan : "The pilgrim they laid in a large upper chamber whose wiudow opened towards the sun rising ; the name of the chamber was Peace, where he slept till break of day, and then he awoke and sang."
The character of the grave-stones was another peculiarity of those primitive times. It would seem the object was to impart to these mementos of the departed the most sombre aspect imaginable. As no flowers but those that were strewn by God's pitying hand were ever suffered to intrude their gay, sweet presence within the solemn enclosure, so the nearest approach to anything like sympathetic embellishment on those dark slabs was the weeping willow, which drooped its long branches over a funeral urn. But the more common ornament was the " skull and cross- bones," under which were uncouth markings and strange inscriptions. Sometimes the stones were placed in groups, sometimes in irregular rows. Some were placed upright and others horizontal on the ground; but, as the latter are few and of very early date, we infer that this mode was exceptional or that it soon passed out of use. Perhaps it was a wise pre- caution in those far-off times to protect the grave from the wild beasts which were prowling about through the adjacent forests in search of prey. Another peculiarity is the fewness of the stones in our old graveyards. A casual glance might lead one to think they were full of slate-stone slabs, but actual count gives only a few hundred for all who died in the first century and a half. Indeed, in the older portion of East Sudbury grave yard there are only two or three scores of stones, yet the yard contains the remains of a large portion of the town's early inhabitants, and a new grave can hardly be dug with- out intruding upon an old one. This seems to show that the practice of marking graves in old times was the exception and not the rule. Still another charac- teristic feature of these ancient grounds was their barren and neglected aspect. The graves were gradu-
.Etatis 69.
JOSEPH BULLARD,
At the age of 81.
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WAYLAND.
ally leveled by the touch of time, the ground became uneven and rough and covered over with briars and wild grass. Yet we may believe these spots were not in reality neglected nor forsaken, for, though the floral and decorative offering was a thing unknown, many an irregular, beaten path testified that the place of their dead was an oft-frequented spot.
In early times the dead were carried to the place of burial by the hands of friends. No hearse was used till about 1800, when one was purchased at a cost of fifty dollars. In process of time a bier was used, and, as late as the beginning of this century, the body was carried on the shoulders of the bearers. In 1715 the town granted "three pounds for providing a burying cloth for ye town's use." In 1792 it voted to provide two burying cloths; these were to throw over the re mains in their transit to the grave. This is indicated by the following record :
" Lieut. Thomas Rutter is chosen to dig graves, to carry the bier and the cloth to the place where the deceased person hath need of the use thereof, and shall be paid two shillings and six pence in money for every individual person."
In early times, gloves were provided for funeral occasions. We are informed of this repeatedly by the records of the town. About 1773, "To James Brown for 6 pairs of gloves for Isaac Allen's child's funeral- 11-''
"To Col. Noyes for 7 pairs gloves for Isaac Allen's burial-13-"
" To Cornelius Wood for 3 pairs gloves for John Goodenow's funeral." This was about 1673.
Almost down to the present time the good old cus- tom prevailed of ringing the bell on the occasion of a death. How it used to break into the monotony of our daily toil to have the silence suddenly broken by the slow tolling bell, that said plainer than words that another soul had dropped into eternity. Now a pause -listen ! three times three-a man, or, three times two-a woman. Another pause, and then strokes corresponding in number to the years of the deceased. On the morning of the funeral the bell tolled again, and also when the procession moved to the grave.
As late as 1860 it was common to have a note read- " put up," the phrase was-in church on the Sabbath following a death, in which the nearest relatives asked " the prayers of the church that the death be sancti- fied to them for their spiritual good."
The grounds early used for burial were owned by the town and set apart for its common use. No priv- ate parties possessed "God's acre " then. Proprietary lots were unknown one hundred years ago. Every citizen had a right to a spot for burial wherever in the town's burying-ground the friends might choose to take it. The rich and poor were alike borne to this common spot ; caste was laid aside, and nothing save the slab at the grave's head might indicate the former position of the silent occupant of the old-time burial- place. The graves of households were often in
groups, reminding one of our present family lots, but this was by common consent, and not by any titled right to the spot.
The public-house was from an early date considered in Sudbury an importaut place. In 1653 or 1654 we find it on record that "John Parmenter, senior, shall keep a house of common entertainment, and that the court shall be moved on his behalf to grant a license to him."
The business of these places was to provide travelers with lodging and food, or to furnish "eutertainment for man and beast." They were to an extent under the control of the town, as is indicated in a record of Oc- tober 4, 1684, when it was ordered that upon the "un- comfortable representations and reports concerning the miscarriage of things at the Ordinary . . . three or four of the selectmeu, in the name of the rest, do particularly inquire into all matters relating thereto." In all of these taverns stroug strong drink was proba- bly sold. Licenses were granted by the Provincial or Colonial Court, and the landlords were usually men of some prominence. Taverns were considered useful places in the early times, and laws existed relating to the rights of both landlord and guest. In the period of the Revolutionary War, when a price-list was de- termined at Sudbury for various common commodi- ties, the following was established for taverns :
"1779-Mugg West India Phlip 15 New England Do 12 Toddy in proportion A Good Dinner 20 Common Do 12 Best Supper & Breakfast 15 Each. Common Do 12, Lodging 4.
The " Parmenter Tavern " was the first one kept in town, and was on the late Dana Parmenter estate, a little westerly of the present Parmenter house. The build- ing was standing about eighty years since, and was looking old then. It was a large square house, and in the bar-room was a high bar. There the council was entertained which the Court appointed to settle the famous " cow common controversy." Subsequently, taverns at East Sudbury were kept as follows : one a little easterly of William Baldwin's, one at the Centre called the "Pequod House," one at the Reeves' place, one at the Corner, and one at the end of the old causeway, near the gravel pit. The tavern at the East Sudbury Centre was kept nearly a hundred years ago by John Stone, father of William, who afterwards kept one at Sudbury.
About 1814 the tavern at the centre was kept by Heard & Reeves. The building had a two-story front and over the kitchen in the rear was a low sloping roof. The barn stood sideways to the road, with large doors at each end. In the bar-room was a spa- cious fire-place where crackled the huge wood-fire on the stout andirons. Near by were a half-dozen log- gerheads ready for use whenever the villager, team- ster or trausient traveler came in for his mug of hot flip. Here more or less of the townspeople gathered
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WAYLAND.
at intermission between the long sermons on Sunday, while their good wives were spending the " nooning" at neighbor Russell's, just over the brook. The boys bought a small piece of ginger-bread for their lunel, aud while they devoured with avidity the rare morsel of " boughten " sweet cake, their fathers sat by the fireside and talked of the war, of the erops and the eattle. Before departing they showed, in a substan- tial way, their respect for the landlord and their ap- preciation of the warmth and cheer of the place by the purchase of a mug of flip.
The Reeves tavern was situated on the road from Weston to Framingham, on the "Old Connecticut Path." This was a favorite resting-place for team- sters and travelers. The last landlord was Squire Jacob Reeves, a popular citizen of East Sudbury and an excellent man for his business. He was courteous, cheerful and kind to his patrons. The confidence reposed in him by the community as a business man was evinced by the positions of public trust in which he was placed. He was town clerk eighteen years, was justiee of the peace and was several times sent as representative to the General Court. He was also deacon of the First Parish Church, and it is said that his character was in harmony with the functions of Iris office.
OLD ROADS .- There are several old roads in town, some of which have been discontinued, yet of which brief mentiou should be made.
Bridle Point Road .- This was early constructed. It began at a point near the Harry Reeves place, and coming out near the Dr. Ames place, passed between the present Braman and John Heard places, and ex- tending along and over the ridge, erossed the site of the present Sudbury and Wayland highway, a little east of the Samuel Russell place, and Mill Brook a little east of its junetiou with the river. By this way Rev. Edmund Brown's house was reached at Timber Neck, and the Rices who lived by the "Spring " after it was extended to the latter locality, iu 1643. It doubtless also served as a hay-road and a short way from the centre of the settlement to the "Old Con- nectieut Path." Until within less than a century this road was for a time the regular way to the " Isl- and." Before the building of Farm Bridge tradition says that a fording-place near the new causeway bridge (Bridle Point Bridge) was made use of for reaching that place; and that the road over the "Island " passed south of its present course until near the Abel Heard farm; and beyond the house it went north of the present road to Lanham.
The road from the centre to the "Bridge Parson- age " (present Wettingtor place) was laid out about 1770.
In 1773 town action was taken relative to the "dis- continuance of the road from Dr. Roby's to Zecheriah Briant's " (Braman place).
In 1653 "it was voted to accept of a highway laid out from Pelatiah Dean's north east corner unto ye
town way leading from the Training field by Ephraim Curtis, Esq., by Lt. Rice's to Weston."
The same date a road was laid out from "Mr. Jon- athan Griffin's Corner running southwesterly into the way by Mr. Eliab Moore's uorth corner, formerly Mr. John Adams'."
In early times there was a road from Pine Plain to the Cakebread Mill, which entered the mill road at a point just east of the mill.
Traces of this road are still visible by the bank. It is stated that about 1735-36 there was a change of highway from Whale's Bridge over Pine Plain.
In 1736 a new highway is spoken of over Piue Brook at John Grout's. Formeily a read passed northerly from the Pine Plain Road, starting at a point a little east of Clay-pit Bridge Hill, and passing "the ponds" went to the northi part of the town. The road from the eentre to the south part was early opened and called "Cotehituatt Road."
The Castle- hill Road is in the town's northwesterly part, and probably so called from the peculiar-shaped hill or knoll along which it passes.
"Northwest Row " was a road still open as a pas- ture-path or hay-road, from the neighborhood of the Gleasons to the river meadow margin.
The new "great road " from Wayland to South Sudbury was made in the early part of the present century.
In 1743 an offer was made of land by Edward Sher- man and John Woodward for a "good and conven- ient way, two rods wide," in case the town would erect a bridge over the river. The same year a sub- scription was made for a bridge between the land of John Haynes on the west side of the river and John Woodward on the east side of the river.
A lane to the Cakebread Mill formerly extended from the Wayland Weston "Great road," beginning at a point just west of Deacon Noyes Morse's house.
PLACES OF INTEREST .- Whale's Bridge .- This is a small bridge or culvert at the head of the mill-pond, and early referred to in the town records. It took its name from Philemon Whale, one of the early settlers, whose home may have been near by.
Clay-pit Hill .- This is on the east branch of Mill Brook, about an eighth of a mile above the mill-pond. There is a bridge near by, called Clay-pit Bridge or Clay-pit Hill Bridge. Both of these places took their names from the clay-pits near by, where brieks were early made. Other elay-pits were at Timber Neck, near the junetion of Mill Brook and Pine Brook, a short distance southwesterly of the High School building.
Pine Plain .- This consists of the plain lands east- erly of Wayland Centre, in the vicinity of the Sum- mer Draper place. The locality is early mentioned in the records, and probably took its name from the growth of pine forest found there.
Pine Brook .- This is a small stream that skirts a part of Pine Plain on the easterly. It is erossed by
111
"THE OLD DR. ROBY HOUSE,' Built 1725.
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WAYLAND.
a small bridge near the Joseph Bullard place, and just below forms a junction with Mill Brook.
The Training-Field .- This was situated just south of the Abel Gleason placc, and consisted of about nine acres of land. It was set apart in 1640, and in 1804 was sold to Nathan Gleason.
The Street .- This is that part of the old road of the settlement which extended from the Parmenter tav- ern to the town bridge. It was a term used by the old inhabitants, and is still familiar in the town.
The Pock Pasture .- This is northerly of Pine Plain, and now largely abounds with berry bushes or brush- wood. A small-pox hospital was formerly there, from which it derives its name. There was also a small-pox hospital on the " Island." Tradition states that the treatment in the two hospitals was different, and that in one most of the patients died, and in the other most of them recovered. There is the grave of a small- pox patient just east of Bridle Point Bridge.
Ox Pasture .- This was a reservation set apart in 1640 as a common pasture for working oxen. It was situated between the North and South Streets towards Mill Brook.
The Ponds .- These are small bodies of water near the road, now discontinued, that extended from near Clay-pit Hill to the north part of the town.
Bridle Point .- This is often referred to in the early records, and is a well-known and ancient landmark. We have no knowledge of the origin of the name. It is the extremity of the ridge of land by the new causeway bridge. In a deed of 1666 it was spelled Bridell Poynt.
The New Causeway .- This, as the name implies, is the causeway last made, and is on the South Sudbury and Wayland great road. At the eastern end is the New Causeway or Bridle Point Bridge.
Farm Bridge .- This is the one that crosses the river on the road to the " Farm " or "Island." Recently a new bridge was constructed, and the causeway about it was considerably raised to take it above high water. In 1889 a bridge was built to the easterly of this, to allow the water to pass off from the meadows more readily in flood-time. There are also other bridges for this purpose on the other causeways that are eall- ed " dry bridges," under which little or no water pass- es in a dry time.
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