USA > Massachusetts > Norfolk County > Medfield > Town annual reports of Medfield 1890-1898 > Part 3
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To Mr. Jeremiah B. Hale, who has always felt a deep interest in the work from its inception to completion, we are indebted for the gift of one hundred ($100) dollars to be applied to the expense of the new bridge, which amount was deposited in the treasury.
To Mr. William P. Hewins, Chairman of the Committee, we desire to express our thanks for the untiring zeal with which he has labored. His time, his labor, his judgment, and his advice
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have been freely given ; and to him is due in a very great degree, whatever tends to the usefulness, the beauty, and the appropri- ateness of these grounds.
A. B. PARKER. ALBERT A. LOVELL. J. H. RICHARDSON. JOSEPH A. ALLEN.
REPORT OF TRUSTEES OF THE PUBLIC LIBRARY.
The past year has been a successful one. Upwards of ten thousand books have been circulated ; and, although the demand has been and is for light reading, we feel that we must meet such demand. Statistics show that, in all country libraries, from seventy to eighty-five per cent. of the books read are works of fiction. The majority of such books are not harmful; but they simply serve to amuse or interest for the moment, and that, it seems, is all that our busy community requires. While it is our intention to supply the books asked for by our readers, a policy generally adopted and popular, works by new authors are not placed in cir- culation until read by a competent person.
The plan of allowing transient residents to take out books upon making a deposit of two dollars has proved a success.
We wish to draw the attention of the citizens to the fact that more room will soon be absolutely necessary. When the books are all called in, there is not shelf-room for them.
The demand is for new books. Many of the old books are seldom taken out. Nevertheless, they are catalogued, and may be wanted. The question comes, "What is our next move ?" We find it difficult of answer, and are ready for suggestions.
We wish to tender to Colonel E. V. Mitchell our appreciation of his liberality in supplying the reading-room with periodicals throughout the year. The only expense to the town has been for heat and light, the Secretary having furnished the janitor service. The standard magazines have been bound, and are in great de- mand. Books from the shelves are furnished to patrons of the reading-room, to be used in the room.
To A. K. Tisdale, of Dover, we are indebted for regularfly ur- nishing the Boston Herald, and to J. D. Emmons, of Walpole, for copies of Medfield Messenger.
Our collection of articles of historic interest has been increased the past year by donations from Ephraim O. Grover and J. H. Baker.
For the coming year, we ask the usual appropriation.
Respectfully submitted,
J. H. RICHARDSON, W. S. TILDEN, E. V. MITCHELL, S. J. SPEAR, J. HERBERT BAKER, J
Trustees.
WARRANT FOR THE ANNUAL TOWN-MEETING.
COMMONWEALTH OF MASSACHUSETTS.
NORFOLK, SS.
To GEORGE A. MORSE, one of the constables of the town of Medfield, in the county of Norfolk, Greeting :
In the name of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, you are directed to notify and warn the inhabitants of the town of Medfield, qualified to vote in elections and in town affairs, to meet in the Town Hall in said Medfield, on Monday, the third day of March next, at half-past twelve afternoon, then and there to act upon the following articles : -
ARTICLE I. To choose a Moderator to preside in said meeting.
ART. 2. To choose all necessary town officers for the ensuing year.
ART. 3. To hear and act upon the reports of the several town officers for the past year.
ART. 4. To see if the town will authorize its Treasurer to borrow any necessary sums of money with the approval of the Selectmen, in anticipation of taxes.
ART. 5. To grant and make appropriation of such sums of money as may be necessary to defray the expenses of the town for the ensuing year.
ART. 6. To determine in what manner the taxes shall be collected for the ensuing year. And also to determine what percentage shall be allowed the Col- lector for his services for the ensuing year.
ART. 7. To see if the town will authorize the Collector to use all such means in the collection of the taxes as the Treasurer might, if chosen to the same office.
ART. 8. To see if the town will accept the list of Jurors as prepared by the Selectmen.
ART. 9. To see what compensation the town will allow the members of the Fire Department for the ensuing year.
ART. 10. To see how much per hour the town will allow for work on the highways for the ensuing year.
ART. II. To see if the town will or will not grant license for the sale of intoxicating liquors in the town for the ensuing year, the votes to be yes or no.
ART. 12. To see if the town will accept the provisions of chapter one hundred and fifty-eight of the Acts of the year eighteen hundred and seventy- one or of sections seventy-four, seventy-five, seventy-six, and seventy-seven of chapter twenty-seven of the Public Statutes, in regard to the election of three road Commissioners.
ART. 13. To see if the town will elect three road Commissioners, one for three years, one for two years, and one for one year.
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ART. 14. To see if the town will grant and appropriate the sum of three hundred dollars for the purpose of caring for the cemetery or do or act any- thing relating thereto.
ART. 15. To see if the town will grant and appropriate any sum of money for Memorial Day, or do or act anything relating thereto.
ART. 16. To see if the town will grant and appropriate any sum of money for the support of the Public Library for the ensuing year.
ART. 17. To see if the town will accept Miller Street, as now laid out by J. M. Johnson, and do all necessary grading, and raise and appropriate money for the same, or do or act anything relating thereto.
ART. 18. To see if the town will purchase a stone-crusher, or do or act anything relating thereto.
And you are directed to serve this warrant, by posting up an attested copy thereof in the usual place for posting warrants in said Medfield, ten days, at least, before the time of said meeting.
Hereof fail not, and make due return of this warrant, with your doings thereon, unto the Town Clerk, at the time and place of meeting aforesaid.
Given under our hands this fifteenth day of February, A.D. eighteen hundred and ninety.
GEORGE W. KINGSBURY, ) Selectmen GEORGE W. BRUCE, of HENRY M. PARKER, Medfield.
EXERCISES IN CHENERY HALL, MED- FIELD, AT THE DEDICATION OF THE ADDITION TO VINE LAKE CEMETERY, FEBRUARY 22, 1890.
PREFACE.
THE Committee of the Town of Medfield on the Enlargement and Improvement of the Cemetery in the town, considering it most appro- priate that the new grounds should be formally dedicated and set apart for sacred use, designated Saturday, the twenty-second day of February, 1890, as the day to be observed for that purpose. The day was bright and clear, and in the morning cold, but the middle of the day was tem- pered by the warm rays of the sun. The dedication services were held in Chenery Hall, which was well filled by a most attentive audience.
The musical portion of the exercises was under the direction of Mr. William R. Smith, the selections being most appropriate, and admirably rendered by the Euterpe Quartette, consisting of Nettie F. Hamant, violin ; Will. B. Smith, violin ; Daniel Hamant, 'cello; Gertrude C. Hamant, pianist. The addresses and recitation were listened to with marked attention to the close. After the services, the guests, the Presi- dent of the day, and the Committee were hospitably entertained at the residence of Colonel Edwin V. Mitchell.
ORDER OF EXERCISES.
CHENERY HALL, MEDFIELD, FEB. 22, 1890.
PRESIDENT OF THE DAY, JAMES HEWINS, ESQ.
MUSIC, Adagio and Allegretto (J. Schmidt Bode), EUTERPE QUARTETTE
INVOCATION, Rev. LOUIS S. BOWERMAN
OPENING ADDRESS BY THE PRESIDENT OF THE DAY.
HYMN. Tune, " St. Martin's." Our God, our help in ages past, Our hope for years to come, Our shelter from the stormy blast, And our eternal home,
A thousand ages, in thy sight, Are like an evening gone ; Short as the watch that ends the night, Before the rising sun.
Our God, our help in ages past, Our hope for years to come, Be thou our guard while troubles last, And our eternal home.
DEDICATORY PRAYER, Rev. W. W. HAYWARD REPORT AND REMARKS, on behalf of the Committee, ALBERT A. LOVELL HISTORICAL SKETCH, WILLIAM S. TILDEN MUSIC, Andante, Minuetto, and Variations (Pleyel), QUARTETTE ADDRESS, Hon. ROBERT R. BISHOP
RECITATION, " Thanatopsis," Miss ROSA S. ALLEN
ADDRESSES,
Messrs. GEORGE M. FISKE N. T. ALLEN GEORGE R. CHASE
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DOXOLOGY. Tune, " Old Hundred."
From all that dwell below the skies Let the Creator's praise arise ; Let the Redeemer's name be sung Through every land, by every tongue.
Eternal are thy mercies, Lord ; Eternal truth attends thy word : Thy praise shall sound from shore to shore, Till suns shall rise and set no more.
BENEDICTION,
Rev. G. W. LAWRENCE
Cemetery Committee.
WILLIAM P. HEWINS.
ALBERT A. LOVELL.
JOHN H. RICHARDSON.
EDWIN V. MITCHELL.
ALONZO B. PARKER.
JOHN W. SHUMWAY.
JOSEPH P. CLARK.
JOSEPH A. ALLEN.
DEDICATORY SERVICES.
After a musical selection rendered by the Euterpe Quartette, and invocation by Rev. Louis S. Bowerman, the President of the day delivered the opening address.
OPENING ADDRESS OF JAMES HEWINS, ESQ., PRESIDENT OF THE DAY.
Fellow-townsmen, Ladies, and Gentlemen :
For the third time in the history of our town it has become nec- essary to enlarge the bounds of the "burying-place," as it is called in the ancient records ; and, now that a tract of land much larger than the burying-place proper has been added to it, it has been deemed appropriate that we should come together, and join in these dedicatory exercises.
Standing here in this closing decade of the nineteenth century, let us look back for a moment down the long vista of our history. 1651, two hundred and thirty-nine years ago, only thirty-one years after the landing of the Pilgrims, eighty-one years before the birth of Washington, one hundred and twenty-five years before the Revolution,- that was the year when yonder old burying-ground was laid out. And how well our fathers chose its location you all know; for there is no more beautiful spot in all this fair town than that sunny enclosure, with Vine Brook murmuring by and the river sparkling in the distance. Two hundred and thirty-nine years ago! Then only two years had elapsed since the head of him for whom that river was named, King Charles I., had been held up to the populace in London. The Commonwealth of Eng- land had just begun. The founders of the town, with their families, had just established themselves here in this outpost of civilization, for the purposes - to use their own recorded words - of " the further promulgation of the Gospell, the subdueing of this pt of the earth amongst the rest given to the sonnes of Adam & the enlargemt of the bounds of the habitations formerly designed by God to som of his people in this wilderness."
MEDFIELD PUBLIC LIBRARY
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The Rev. John Wilson, son of the first minister of Boston, and a graduate of the first class of Harvard College, was here; and so were James Allen, the Medfield head of the Allen family, and Abraham Harding, the ancestor of Judge Bishop and Mr. Fiske ; and Mr. Ralph Wheelock was here, and John Ellis, Thomas Mason, John Wight, Daniel Morse, Isaac Chenery, Francis Ha- mant, John Turner, Joseph Clark, Henry Adams, Alexander Lov- ell, and other familiar names.
And the old burying-ground has seen that little band of noble men and women and their descendants for many generations gath- ered into its sacred soil. It has seen the dwellers of this frontier hamlet the faithful but restless subjects of five kings and one queen of England, and it saw them in their revolt for freedom. It has seen them in all the "vicissitudes of changeful time," now culti- vating the arts of peace, now defending their homes from the sav- ages, and now battling for their country ; and the ashes of heroes of all our wars are mingled there.
Up to the present time, the burying-place has been without a name. Although on a few occasions spoken of in print as "Mount Hope Cemetery," that name seems to be wholly inappropriate, having no historical significance whatever, and being a name already borne by other cemeteries, notably the great cemetery in Dorchester.
It appears from the ancient records of the town that one of the first acts of the settlers here was to give a name to the little stream which, rising in Rocky Woods, and flowing through the centre of the village, hurries down "to join the brimming river "; and the name they gave it was "Vine Brook." Vine Brook, as you know, flows through a portion of the addition to the cemetery, and into and through the pond which the town has purchased, and which lies between the old part and the new. What more appro- priate action, then, could the committee have taken than to name that pond Vine Lake and the cemetery Vine Lake Cemetery, as they have done ?
By giving to the burying-ground where our fathers sleep this beautiful name,- dear to them and often on their lips,- we form a new and imperishable tie to bind us to the past ; for, as Vine Brook sang two hundred years ago, so will .it sing two hundred years to come, when we shall have all been long gathered to our fathers,-
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" Men may come and men may go, But I go on forever."
The hymn,
"Our God, our help in ages past, Our hope for years to come,"
to the tune of "St. Martin's," was then rendered by the quartette, the audience joining in the singing.
The dedicatory prayer was offered by Rev. W. W. Hayward, after which the, following report and address on behalf of the committee was delivered by Mr. Albert A. Lovell : -
REPORT AND ADDRESS OF MR. ALBERT A. LOVELL.
It has long been evident that, in the natural course of events, the cemetery in Medfield, which has been the only place of burial in the town from its earliest settlement to the present time, with one or two minor enlargements, would soon need enlargement of an extended nature, or new grounds provided in some other local- ity. The town considered it advisable that any movement in this direction should be made on a general plan, which should meet the demands nature imposes, and reflect credit upon its citizens. Consequently, two years since, a committee was appointed which should consider the matter, and report at some future time. The committee appointed considered the subject in its different bear- ings, and reported, advising the purchase of land situated on the opposite side of the highway from the present cemetery. Several objections to this locality presenting themselves, and there being a feeling that, in a matter so closely allied to the tenderest feelings of the heart, the sentiment of the people should find its fullest expression, votes were taken at the annual meeting in March, 1889, both on the question of enlargement and as to the direction in which such proposed enlargement should be made. These votes were practically unanimous that the cemetery should be enlarged, and that land lying on the opposite side of the pond from the cemetery now in use was the direction in which the addi- tion should be made ; and a committee was appointed upon which was conferred full power to purchase land for that purpose, and it was also voted that they be not restricted as to the amount of land to be purchased or the price paid therefor. The committee, real- izing and appreciating the confidence reposed in them, constantly bore in mind the prospective needs of the town in this direction ; and, while deeming it best that the plans adopted should be such
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as should reflect credit upon the town, they were careful not to exceed the bounds of a prudent economy. Land was purchased,- about thirteen acres in extent, including the lake bordering upon the old ground. At a subsequent meeting, the doings of the com- mittee were ratified, and the money granted and appropriated for the payment for the land ; and an additional amount was placed at the committee's disposal for improving the same and connecting it with the grounds hitherto in use. This committee has endeav- ored to be faithful in the discharge of its duties, and has labored with a harmony which had its origin in the similarity of views, judgment, and taste on the part of its several members. The committee having this work in charge was composed, with one exception, of those who have long been identified with Medfield and its interests, and who have always been ready to forward whatever tends to its religious, moral, educational, and material welfare ; and I ask your indulgence for a word in reference to that exception. Some fifteen years since, and some years before I took up my residence among you, while engaged in genealogical research relating to my own family history, in order to ascertain certain facts and dates, I made a special journey to this Medfield ceme- tery, and was rewarded by finding my previous conclusions verified in every particular. Here in these grounds were deposited the re- mains of my own direct ancestors for several generations, beginning with one of the original settlers of the town and one of the signers of the Medfield compact of 1649, and whose home was destroyed by King Philip on that eventful February morning, 1676; and the oldest stone in these grounds having a legible inscription bears my own family name and the date 1661. From these circum- stances connected with the past, if for no others, I have felt an interest in the care, preservation, and beauty of these grounds.
It occurs to the committee that perhaps we do not thoroughly appreciate the value of the inscriptions in this cemetery to the historian and genealogist. From the notes appended to an ad- dress by our distinguished guest of to-day on a former occasion, we find that Medfield stands the twenty-eighth in the list of towns sending deputies to the General Court of Elections of the Massa- chusetts Colony, in 1652, and at the time of its settlement was on the extreme frontier line. The children of Medfield are scattered ; and children's children, to seventh and eighth genera- tions, are to-day sowing seed and reaping harvests which had
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their origin in the convictions and principles of their Puritan fathers here. How many there are, throughout the length and breadth of our land, who can "look back through Time's long vista," and claim descent from the early settlers here !
Some ten or more years ago, one of the most active historical societies in our Commonwealth, which has put in printed form within the last few years many thousand pages of historical and genealogical matter, and which contemplates erecting the coming season, on a very valuable site already secured, a costly building devoted to its use, seriously considered a proposition to send a committee to Medfield for the purpose of copying all inscriptions in the cemetery here bearing date previous to the year 1800. The matter was deferred, and it has not yet been done. This society has accomplished this work in some of the older towns in our State and in one of our largest cities, and much of the work is printed and deposited in the leading historical libraries of the United States, thus absolutely insuring them against being lost. Few grounds are of more importance to the genealogist, and few town records are of greater value than those of Medfield. It is to be hoped that this work will yet be done here, and that all in- scriptions bearing these early dates will yet be found recorded in the archives of that organization.
The name "Vine Lake" has been given to this cemetery as being most appropriate, in point of historical name and fact, and also as being appropriate in the harmony of its sound and sug- gestions with the quiet and peace of the place. No name has heretofore been officially given or recognized, it having been known as the burial-ground or cemetery. Vine Brook has its rise in the rocky hills near the Dover boundaries, and flows through the middle of the town and empties into the Charles River near the place commonly called "The Willows." This name, which it has borne for at least two centuries, was probably given .it from the abundance of vines which grew along its banks ; and the earliest grants of land make mention of this stream by that name. What more natural than that the lake, now near the centre of the grounds and formed by its waters, should bear the same name, and what more natural than that the new bridge should bear the name of Vine Brook Bridge?
Most of the avenues and prominent points have been given names commemorative of some who have been prominently iden-
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tified with the history of the town, or names suggested by the character of the place. The main avenue extending from the main street along the borders of the lake, across the bridge and through the new grounds to Frairy Street, has been designated Wilson Avenue, in remembrance of Rev. John Wilson, the first minister of the town and son of the first minister of Boston, whose ministrations here covered a period of fifty-one years. Baxter Avenue is named in honor of Rev. Joseph Baxter, the second minister, who served the people here for forty-eight years. Pren- tiss Avenue is so called in commemoration of Rev. Thomas Prentiss, the fourth minister, whose term of ministry here con- tinued for forty-four years ; and Sanders Avenue in honor of Rev. Daniel C. Sanders, whose term covered a period of fourteen years. Mason Heights are so called in honor of Dr. Lowell Mason, the eminent musician, instructor, and composer, a native of the town ; and to the park on the summit of these heights is given the name of Prospect Park. The elevation of land next to the Sewall estate is designated Sewall Heights, in remembrance of Rev. Charles C. Sewall; and the park on this elevation is called Sun- set Park, while to the smaller elevation on the borders of the lake is given the name of Peters Hill, in honor of Captain William Peters, a former leading citizen of the town, (1772-1843). To the ledge of rocks is given the name of Monument Ledge, and the level tract of land lying between Monument Ledge and Mason Heights is called Mitchell Park; and I would here state that there is one member of the committee to whom this is the first intimation that this name has been given to any spot in these grounds. Many minor points of the committee's work might be appropriately referred to here ; but it would seem superfluous, as they are covered by the official report made to the town, which will soon be before you in printed form. A thorough survey has been made, and the grounds plotted out with other avenues and paths, and a plan prepared, which will be very soon completed and open to inspection.
The committee acknowledge with great pleasure the assistance they have received from unexpected sources. From the firm whose interests and those of Medfield are identical, from the resident member of that firm and one of our most esteemed citizens, and from another still of our prominent citizens, we have received such substantial gifts as have enabled us to do many things in the way
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of utility and beauty which could not have been done without their aid. Our citizens will ever appreciate these helps, and feel thank- ful to the donors. That community is favored which has at the head of its largest business interest* men who voluntarily and without solicitation assist in its public enterprises. Favored, in- deed, is that community which numbers among its citizens one t who, in the prime and vigor of the best years of his manhood, has deservedly received Fortune's smiles, who is ever found with a ready and willing hand, a moving spirit in every public interest, and who stamps his personality both for the present and for the future upon the town which is his home ; which numbers another among its citizens # who, having passed his threescore years and ten, freely gives us the benefit of his ripened judgment, his advice and counsel, and who labors for the public good with all the enthusiasm of his earlier years ; which numbers another still ยง who has shown his love for the town by his labors in behalf of the preservation of its public records, the utility and beauty of its chief public building, and the utility and beauty of its public ground. A town blessed with such benefactors can take no steps backward.
And now to-day we finish our labors, and present to you the work which the committee was appointed to perform, with the hope that it will meet your approbation, and that these grounds which we to-day set apart to the most sacred use will be maintained and beautified and adorned as is befitting the last resting-place of the generations of men and as is befitting most hallowed ground.
The labors of the committee being ended, we are assembled here to-day to formally dedicate and consecrate these grounds.
The dedication and consecration of a place of burial for the dead is always a solemn occasion; and it is seldom that an occasion so connects the dead past, the living present, and the unknown future as does this. It is well, amid the care, the anxi- eties, and the perplexities of life on the one hand, and the festivities and gayeties of life on the other, to pause and take our bearings, and reflect on the end to which all things tend ; and an occasion like this cannot be otherwise than profitable to the reflecting mind. It is impossible for us at this time to disconnect
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