USA > Massachusetts > Plymouth County > Duxbury > Town annual report for the town of Duxbury for the year ending 1936-1940 > Part 19
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As we have seen, one of their practical objectives, on which their ideal of a purified church depended, was to get on in this world, secure their economic freedom, prosper, and increase. Add to this, their custom of al- lotting distant farm lands. Add to this, their growing confidence, and the necessity of living in person on those distant farm lands. Add to this, their sentimental land-hunger. Add to this, their chance of prosperity in supplying the Boston market, and the more they could supply it the more they would prosper, and in that sum-total of considerations we have the combination of reasons that brought the town of Duxbury into exis- tence. By the year 1632 these causes were all at work.
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In the year 1637 the settlement at the northerly end of the Bay was set apart definitely as the town of Dux- bury; the date was June 7, in the Old Style. This was not done in haste, or without great argument and searching of heart on both sides. And there were pow- erful reasons on both sides. The Plymouth men greatly feared the division of their little town and church, for of course such a division would leave them reduced in numbers and weakened in spirit. The Duxbury men argued the difficulty of properly working their farms at arms' length, and of transporting their wives and children to church on Sundays all that distance. For several years prior to 1637 the plan had been tried of dividing their residence between Plymouth and Dux- bury, the summers to be spent in Duxbury and the win- ters in Plymouth. But this plan, though faithfully car- ried out, was only a postponement, and sooner or later the decision had to be made. At last, with heartfelt misgivings on the one hand, with high hopes on the other, the decision was made. The Plymouth men gave their reluctant consent fearing that the matter might grow to a serious quarrel, and Duxbury became a sep- arate town.
When we consider the families who were lost to Plymouth by this division we can understand this re- luctance in the Plymouth men. Brewster, Standish, Alden, Howland, Eaton, Soule, Delano, Collier-these and others of equal worth, were among the best names in the Colony, and represented the very life-blood of the enterprise. No wonder that Plymouth was fright- ened and saddened at the loss of such an element. But a spirit of sweet reasonableness seems to have pre- vailed; feelings were controlled; friction was averted; friendships were unbroken. And in the event, as we may note with relief, the disastrous effect of the division was only temporary. For a few years Plymouth was
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weakened, well-nigh desolate, as Bradford says. But the loss was made good by increasing numbers, and in the end the Colony was strengthened rather than weak- ened by thus dividing itself up, at first into two, later on into several, and ultimately into eight separate towns.
Meanwhile Duxbury proceeded to give proof that this division had not affected, and would not affect her spirit of co-operation, nor her loyalty to the great ideal of the Colony ;- Freedom to worship God according to the dictates of their conscience remained as precious to the Duxbury men as it had been while as yet they were Plymouth men. And although circumstances had obliged them to concentrate upon a lesser and more practical objective, the greater objective was not for- gotten. They were still Puritans, and true to their Puritan ideal of a true church. They were still the Lord's Free People, just as much in Duxbury as in Plymouth. It is invigorating to see the promptness with which the new town assumed a town-consciousness, perfected their town organization, and set about the dis- charge of their town duties and responsibilities. And let it be said right here, that this healthy town conscious- ness, and this readiness to recognize their obligations as a town, has characterized Duxbury for the entire three hundred years of its life.
Five years before, about the year 1632, a church had been gathered of the Duxbury settlers. This church served them during their summer residence in Dux- bury; and though they had no settled pastor, the min- istrations of one of their number, Elder Brewster, were highly acceptable. In March, 1638, they procured for their first minister, Rev. Ralph Partridge, just arrived from England, who served them as their beloved and re- spected leader until his death twenty years later. Some of the earlier town enactments bear a quaint testimony
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to the primitive nature of their life. As early as 1637 the town is given six weeks in which to set up a whipping post and stocks. Our forefathers were firm believers in law and order. A pound must also be provided for stray cattle. For the next hundred years provisions were made for defence against wild animals; bounties for every wolf and wild-cat killed; bounties for every crow and black-bird; in fact, at one time a fine of six pence on every householder who did not kill at least one crow and six black-birds in the course of the year. We find them alive to the necessity of game and fish preservation, proper boundaries, convenient paths and highways, proper control of water rights in the build- ing of dams and mills.
The problem of education for their children speedily emerged. In the early years the minister was the school master, the scholars in some cases living with his family. Their third minister, Rev. Ichabod Wiswall, managed such a school with conspicuous success from 1676 until his death in 1700. The first school house was erected in 1715, the first school master engaged in 1723. In 1735 the town was divided into four school districts. About a hundred years later the first public high school was established.
To gain a fair and coherent idea of these past three hundred years of Duxbury history, it is necessary to look at the forest and not the trees-that is to say, avoid details so far as possible and take a bird's eye view of the various dangers, excitements, events, and occasions that engaged the town's attention. From the very be- ginning Duxbury had to turn its mind to measures of defence. The military history of the town is extensive and honorable. The Pequot War, danger of trouble with the Narragansetts, King Philip's War, and later on the menace of the French and Indian Wars involv- ing the savages from Canada-all these occasions found
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this town ready with its company of soldiers thoroughly equipped and trained, and its quota of men and money promptly turned over to the Colony. The same is true of the Revolutionary and the Civil Wars: Duxbury did her full share, cheerfully and with credit.
The Quakers caused a little flurry of excitement in 1657, for Duxbury people were just as Puritanical as their Boston Neighbors, and just as bitterly opposed to all undisciplined manifestations of the Holy Spirit. Ac- cording to their theology, the Holy Spirit took posses- sion of a man at the time of his baptism, and thence- forth prompted and controlled all his behaviour. But they insisted that this behaviour would be what they called "sanctified" behaviour, kindly, upright, decent, and just. On the other hand, the Quakers, Anabaptists, Seekers, Ranters, Familists, Wanton Gospellers of the time claimed to be equally in possession of the Holy Spirit, and argued that therefore everything they did, no matter how extravagant and unruly it might be, must be regarded as right behaviour because it was prompted by the Holy Spirit. The Puritans would not allow this claim, but maintained that any spirit that prompted a man to disorderly conduct such as shout- ing out in meeting, interfering with Public Worship, criticising those in authority, disregarding law and or- der, and bringing the Colony into disrepute with peo- ple in England, could not be the Holy Spirit; it must be some other spirit. This was the great grievance against the Quakers, and the reason they were pun- ished and banished. Yet it is worthy of note that the Quakers and all other victims of religious excess were never punished here with the cruelty they received in other places.
In 1682 the danger of losing their charter greatly ex- ercised this town. Their minister, Rev. Ichabod Wis- wall, was one of the three commissioners sent over to
PT
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England to plead their rights. We all know how it ended-the charters of both Plymouth and Massachu- setts Bay were revoked; the colony-status with its right of self-government was forfeited, and in 1691 the two colonies were combined to form the Province of Massa- chusetts Bay, under a royal governor. As things have turned out, we cannot be too thankful that in this com- bination the nucleus was formed for the future Com- monwealth of Massachusetts.
The greatest community excitement however came in the year 1808. At that time the principal Duxbury oc- cupations were the fisheries and the West India trade. In fact, this community was almost entirely dependent for livelihood upon the sea. But England, in her des- perate struggle with Napoleon, had aroused so much anger by her seizure of American ships, and her im- pressment of American sailors, that there was great danger of war between this country and England. President Jefferson, hating war, thereupon got Con- gress to pass the Embargo act of 1807, designed to keep American ships off the high seas altogether, and so put a stop to the grievances which were inflaming the Amer- icans to a war spirit. This embargo was a deadly blow to Duxbury, as in fact to many another seaport town in New England. A petition was adressed to the Presi- dent, stating their desperate plight; to which the Presi- dent replied that the embargo was necessary for the good of the country, and could not be raised. Owing to rumors that a number of Duxbury vessels were plan- ning to take their cargoes of fish to the West Indies in spite of the embargo, a war vessel was stationed here in the Bay to prevent any such disobedience. Those were exciting days, for one reckless captain, taking ad- vantage of fog and darkness, actually did slip out of the harbor and made his way to the West Indies, where both ship and cargo were safely sold.
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These events must be viewed against the background of a quiet, self-possessed, steady-going domestic life. Whatever happened in the outer world, day by day and year by year life must go on in homes and farms and schools and shipyards. No enterprising Duxbury settler need ever starve, for in those days Nature was prodigal of her resources. The woods were full of deer and turkey, the rivers were swarming with beaver, the herring ran up the creeks every spring, the bay was alive with sea-fowl, clams, lobsters, and flounders, and the outer ocean was so full of cod that haddock were not considered fit to eat. For the first fifty years farm- ing and grazing were the principal occupations, with some experimental fishing. By the year 1700, Duxbury turned her attention to the sea, and her chief and in fact only industry became fishing, curing the fish, trans- porting them to the West Indies, the Azores, even to the Mediterranean ports, and there trading the cargoes for sugar, coffee, fancy woods, molasses, spices, vanilla beans, and other much needed commodities. This of course created a demand for vessels. The first ship- yard was opened in 1719, followed in rapid succession by five or six others. Lumber was plentiful. Even wild cherry was used, and proved its worth. Duxbury ves- sels were famous for honest construction, thorough finish, and beauty of design.
These key industries, fishing, ship building, trading, held the center of interest right up to the Civil War. At one time forty-three ship captains were residents of Duxbury. These occupations breed a hardy, self- reliant, strong-minded race; and since Duxbury has never turned to manufacture, and has never been seri- ously affected by the great waves of immigration that have swarmed into other parts of New England, this original stock has remained relatively pure. Of the last seventy-five years there is little need to speak. The
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i.
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art of living peacefully and comfortably, and of main- taining the intimate sanctities of home has always been conspicuously practised in this town. Beginning shortly after the Civil War, and yielding to an irresistible demand, Duxbury has entered upon that most hospit- able, humane, and kindly of all occupations-supply- ing a summer home for tired city dwellers. In this we may see a poetic justice, for we remember that Dux- bury began her existence three hundred years ago as a summer home for those ambitious spirits who wanted to branch out beyond the limits of their original home in Plymouth. This town is, and always has been, a para- dise for the lover of Nature, for yatchsmen, for chil- dren, for those who want to recollect their emotions in tranquility, as Wordsworth says, and who crave the chance to withdraw themselves
"Far from the madding crowd's ignoble strife," and for a few blessed weeks
"Hold the even tenor of their way."
This privilege Duxbury has generously extended to thousands of grateful temporary residents.
In addition to this Duxbury ranks as one of our best beloved historic shrines. Every natural feature has its word to add to a story whose beauty and nobility never fail to quicken the loyal New England heart: the Gur- nett, the magnificent unspoiled beach, Powder Point, the ancient houses, the flaming marshes, Captain's Hill, the little tidal rivers, the sparkling Bay, Clark's Island, the blue outline of Manomet-he that hath ears to hear, let him hear, for these will speak of a wonderfully ten- der and inspiring past, of strong and gentle men, of valiant and devoted women, of a fidelity that nothing could daunt, of a sacred idealism that overcame every obstacle and brought victory such as they had never dreamed, and the credit for which they would never
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think of claiming. Could they look upon us now and see the results, flung far and wide over the whole country, to which their small beginnings have led, we should hear them whispering under their breath that ascrip- tion of praise so characteristic of their Puritan temper: "To Him who is able to do exceeding abundantly be- yond all we can ask or think, the only wise God, be the honor and the glory, world without end." We can do no better than to emulate their spirit, and breathe a wish in the very words they would have used: "May the Lord God Almighty, Who keepeth covenant and mercy with His children, make us one and all faithful to our heritage, for His name's sake: Amen."
At the conclusion of Dr. Park's stirring address Dr. Garfield introduced Rev. Carl B. Bihldorff, of the First Parish, Duxbury, who pronounced the Benediction.
TRAIN FIELD
On the afternoon of July 5th a public clam-bake served a large number of visitors and townspeople in the High School grove. Later they were entertained by a good baseball game in which the Duxbury T. T. de- feated the Rockland T. T., 4-2. At 7:00 P.M. the Nor- wood Legion Band, official band during the anniversary ceremonies, gave a concert lasting until preparations for the fireworks display were in order.
At other points also special events had drawn their share of contestants and spectators during the day, such as the morning yacht race of the Duxbury Yacht Club and the All-day Tercentenary Golf Tournament.
At 10:00 P.M. came the concluding feature of the last day of Duxbury's Tercentenary celebration. It was fit- ting it should be spectacular, not only in itself, but also in the size of the throng that covered the big field on foot and in the packed ranks of motor cars. The roads
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where parking was allowed were lined with cars as well.
In order not to have a conflicting counter-attraction the Town of Plymouth had generously set off its fire- works at an hour that allowed those who wished to see the display at Train Field time to do so.
IN APPRECIATION
Since the space allotted to the Report is limited only a few letters are printed.
BATTERY E 101st FIELD ARTILLERY MASSACHUSETTS NATIONAL GUARD
State Armory, Brockton, Mass. July 9, 1937
To Town of Duxbury Committee.
1. It is the desire of the Battery Commander to extend to your committee the sincere thanks of himself, his officers and men for the splendid reception and en- tertainment accorded them during their stay in Dux- bury on Sunday and Monday last.
2. Without exception it was the finest of celebration affairs that we have ever attended and our experience is encompassed within the area from Holyoke on the west to the Cape on the south.
3. Personal thanks are due so many that I hope we will not be accused of slighting anyone if we should mention our debt to Mr. Patten and your capable and energetic Chief of Police, Mr. O'Neil.
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4. It is probably needless to say that we stand ready to assist in any manner we may be able to on any occasion you may desire our presence.
ARTEMAS L. LATHAM, Capt., 101st FA Mass. NG.
TOWN OF WEST BRIDGEWATER Office of Selectmen, Board of Public Welfare, and Town Accoontant
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July 6, 1937
Mr. Harry Swift, Chairman Tercentenary Committee Duxbury, Massachusetts
My dear Sir:
It is with cordial appreciation that we pen these lines to your Committee for the splendid celebration held on July 5, 1937.
We recognize the ability of each of those who worked to make the 300th Anniversary a complete success. This was no small task, and its splendid accomplishment re- flects the ability to do, and the quality of your civic pride. Your hospitality to your guests, the beautiful, comfortable arrangements you provided for the audi- ence who had the good fortune to listen to the speak- ers (all of them), including your able Toast Master, added to the credit due your committee.
Permit us to compliment you.
Sincerely yours, JAMES A. HEMENWAY HENRY O. DAVENPORT Selectmen JOSEPH B. PORTER H. E. BRYANT, Clerk
HEB :PS
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July 6, 1937
Mr. Harry F. Swift Chairman, Duxbury Tercentenary Committee Duxbury, Massachusetts
Dear Sir:
The Commissioners wish to congratulate your Com- mittee upon the plans which were perfected for the observance of the Tercentenary of the Town of Dux- bury, and feel that the event was an outstanding one and worthy of the Town.
Kindly accept our thanks for the invitations which were extended to the Commissioners to be in atten- dance.
With kind regards, we are
Yours very truly,
PLYMOUTH COUNTY COMMISSIONERS
By Frederic T. Bailey, Chairman
FTB:T
The Tercentenary Committee could not consider its duties closed without expressing the sincerest appre- ciation for the loyal support given by the town and the many individuals who co-operated so zealously from the beginning. The work was complex, often difficult and covered a period of many months. Those who shared in it had to give generously of their time and energy. They have the satisfaction now of knowing that their assistance made the celebration of the 300th anni- versary possible.
The Committee wishes also to thank publicly the towns whose floats contributed to the interest and beau-
61
ty of the occasion, and all the organizations of march- ing units, local and from outside points, that helped make the parade a success. And to thank Chief James T. O'Neil and his police staff together with as- sisting State and neighboring town police units for their most efficient handling of all traffic and other problems consequent upon the three days' activities and the influx of thousands of sightseers into the town.
At its last session a vote of thanks was unanimously given the Chairman, Mr. Harry F. Swift, for the good judgment and ability with which he conducted the many meetings.
It was further voted to incorporate the records of all the Committee's proceedings relating to the Tercen- tenary celebration in the Town Report for Mar. 1938, and that Mr. Fisher Ames be asked to compile the re- port for the Committee.
SOME ANNIVERSARY FIGURES
A fully itemized account of the cost of the celebra- tion appears in its proper place in the Town Treasurer's report. It was believed however that a brief summary of expenses, such as has been added here, would be of interest to readers.
Money paid by Tercentenary Committee
Cost of Book
$2,262.80
Markers
698.00
Publicity
324.52
Float
163.63
Powder for Salute to Governor
45.60
Sports
224.78
Lunch and Reception
1,096.89
Invitations and Badges
103.94
Parade Music 700.00
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Prizes
250.00
Lunches
105.00
Parade Expenses
129.12
Medals
240.00
Stamps
95.00
Extra Police
200.00
Fireworks
500.00
Public Address System
150.00
Signs
54.50
General Expenses
334.18
$7,677.96
Writing report
50.00
$7,727.96
A few comparatively small bills are still outstand- ing, and the summary does not show the receipts taken in from the sale of the books, medals, etc. When fi- nally balanced the account should show an expendi- ture of about $7,000. The several hundred commem- orative volumes still on hand should in time find pur- chasers and thus gradually further cut down the total cost.
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INDEX
Accountant's Report
9
Aid to Dependent Children
140
Assessors' Report
137
Balance Sheet, 1937
67
Births
111 155
Board of Health
School Dentist
157 138
Cemetery Trust Funds
69
Cemetery Trustees
167
Chief of Police
141 165
Clerk of W. P. A.
Deaths
113
Duxbury Free Library, Librarian
158
Duxbury Free Library, Treasurer
160
Duxbury Town Historian
169
Fire Chief
143
Forest Fire Warden
145
Inspector of Slaughter of Animals Report
186
Licenses Issued
118
List of Jurors
6
Marriages
107
Memorial Day Committee Report
150
Moth Superintendent's Report
146
Planning Board
152
Public Welfare
139
Railroad Committee
171
School Department
187
Selectmen's Report
7
Shellfish Warden
163
State Audit, February 18, 1937
81
Street Department 149
107
Train Field Playground Committee 162
Treasurer's Report 136
147
Welfare Physician
148
Duxbury Tercentenary Committee
Appendix
Town Clerk's Report
Tree Warden's Report
Bureau of Old Age Assistance
ANNUAL REPORT
OF THE Town Officers and Committees OF THE
TOWN of DUXBURY
FOR THE YEAR ENDING DECEMBER 31 1938
·
ANNUAL REPORT
OF THE
Town Officers and Committees OF THE
TOWN of DUXBURY
MASS
YLES
SSTAND
ED
J
FOR THE YEAR ENDING DECEMBER 31 1938
·
THE ROGERS PRINT-Plymouth, Massachusetts
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Town Officers, 1938
SELECTMEN
Harry F. Swift
Term expires 1939
Sidney C. Soule
Term expires 1940
Charles R. Crocker
Term expires 1941
ASSESSORS
Sidney C. Soule
Term expires 1939
Charles R. Crocker
Term expires 1940
Harry F. Swift
Term expires 1941
BOARD OF HEALTH
Harry F. Swift
Term expires 1939
Sidney C. Soule
Term expires 1940
Charles R. Crocker
Term expires 1941
CEMETERY TRUSTEES
John Simmons Term expires 1939
Theodore W. Glover
Term expires 1940
Dr. William O. Dyer
Term expires 1941
Arthur W. Wright
Term expires 1942
Ernest H. Bailey
Term expires 1943
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TOWN CLERK AND TREASURER
Joseph T. C. Jones Term expires 1941
COLLECTOR OF TAXES
Edwin M. Noyes Term expires 1941
SCHOOL COMMITTEE
Joseph W. Lund
Term expires 1939
J. Newton Shirley
Term expires 1939
Walter G. Prince
Term expires 1940
George M. Mayers Term expires 1941
Ethel S. Wyman
Term expires 1941
PLANNING BOARD
J. Woodward Manning Term expires 1939
Ray O. Delano
Term expires 1940
Franklin Brett
Term expires 1941
Benjamin F. Goodrich
Term expires 1942
Josephine H. Shaw
Term expires 1943
DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC WELFARE (ELECTED ANNUALLY)
Charles R. Crocker Term expires 1939
Annie L. Williams
Term expires 1939
Gordon L. King
Term expires 1939
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CONSTABLES
James T. O'Neil, Andrew J. Delano, William J. Murphy
TREE WARDEN John D. Morrison
OFFICIALS APPOINTED BY THE SELECTMEN
Registrars of Voters-Louis M. Bailey, Clara M. Red- mond, Alpheus H. Walker, 2nd.
Fire Engineers-Hortence E. Merry, LeRoy M. Peter- son, Carl J. Santheson, Arthur C. Greene, Edward S. O'Neil.
Superintendent of Streets-Edward S. O'Neil.
Inspector of Animals-Phillip W. Delano.
Inspector of Slaughtered Animals-Hortence E. Merry. Sealer of Weights and measures-Charles C. McNaught.
Surveyors of Wood and Lumber-Ray M. Parks, Arthur E. Johnson.
Weighers of Coal, Coke and Hay-Martin Baker, Eden S. Peterson, Walter J. Hanson. William J. Murphy, Ben- jamin F. Goodrich, Iza M. Goodrich, Benjamin F. Good- rich, Jr.
Field Drivers-David H. Thomas, Edward S. O'Neil, Ray M. Parks, Edwin S. Hill.
Fence Viewers-Edward S. O'Neil, Eben N. Briggs, Ray M. Parks.
939 39 939
39 40 41 42 43
9 0 1 .1
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Chief of Police-James T. O'Neil.
Forest Warden-Hortence E. Merry.
Moth Superintendent-John D. Morrison. Shell Fish Warden-Harry C. Foye. Town Historian-Dr. Reuben Peterson.
Town Counsel-A. Perry Richards.
Town Physicians-Dr. Connie H. King, Dr. W. Vernon Mayo.
Dog Officers-Earl W. Chandler, Lawrence C. Doyle.
Harbor Master-Arthur E. Holmes, Svere Strom, assistant.
Keeper of Infirmary and Pound-Charles E. Hayden. Burial Agent-John Simmons.
Town Accountant-Mary E. Greene.
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Jury List
List of persons qualified to serve as Jurors in the Town of Duxbury from July 1, 1938 to July 1, 1939.
Alden, Arthur W.
Clerk
Alden Street
Baker, Russell K.
Mechanic
Depot Street
Barker, Oliver L.
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