Town of Lynnfield, Essex County, Commonwealth of Massachusetts, annual report 1961-1970, Part 87

Author: Lynnfield (Mass.)
Publication date: 1961-1970
Publisher: The Town
Number of Pages: 1002

USA > Massachusetts > Essex County > Lynnfield > Town of Lynnfield, Essex County, Commonwealth of Massachusetts, annual report 1961-1970 > Part 87

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The Fall, Winter and Spring program was con- ducted by the newly appointed co-ordinator, Mr. Ro- bert Macleod, Senior High School teacher, and bas-

ketball coach. The program included Womens' physical fitness, Mens' physical fitness, high school gymnastics, Yoga, Karate, junior high gymnastics, and basketball for men, and junior high boys. A new addition this year is indoor golf lessons for beginners; while our Yoga course continues to grow in poularity as evidenced by the increase in attendance from 13 to 35. All successful programs will be carried forward to next year.

Tentative programs being discussed for the coming year include fencing in the fall, a special film program for teenagers during the summer; and similar film pro- grams for young adults during the fall and winter.

Mr. Robert Kautz, former chairman, Mr. Maxwell French, former member, and Mrs. Marguerite Brennan former clerk, of the Recreation Commission have re- signed in order to pursue other interests, and career op- portunities. We are indebted to their devotion and in- terest towards our community.

Our new members are Mr. Donald Hunt and Mr. Macey Rosenthal, and our new clerk is Mrs. Dorothy Millen.

Where do we go from here? The recreation com- mission will continue to utilize existing personnel, ma- terials, land, and facilities, in order to bring Lynnfield the finest programs possible.

Continued support from the community will in- sure the growth of our recreational programs and play- grounds.

Warren Morton, Chairman Helen Eckert George Levey Donald Hunt Macey Rosenthal

BY LAW COMMITTEE

The Committee's work during 1969 resulted in the presentation to the Town Meeting of a Consolidated Personnel By-Law which, among other things, estab- lished a Personnel Board. The By-Law will have to be amended from time to time as the result of experience and of contracts negotiated with municipal employees; yet it appears to be working well so far and we hope it continues to improve.

The Committee also reviewed a new Street Open- ing By-Law passed by the Town, together with a By- Law requiring periodic reports from Town Committees

and sponsored a By-Law regulating the connecting of private drain to Town drains.

Work planned for 1970 includes a By-Law impos- ing reasonable safety requirements upon swimming pools to protect the public, a review of Town Commit- tees to determine whether or not consolidation is de- sirable and an investigation of the Town's need for a Charter. As always, the Committee will be pleased to entertain suggestions for By-Laws or revisions thereof.

S. Peter Gorshel, Chairman

LYNNFIELD, 1872

Ninety - eight years ago a carefully drawn map of Lynnfield was made, marking down the names of the owners of the houses then standing. Because of this map a most interesting story of the town and its people could be written, a story of Lynn End as it became a Precinct and then an incorporated town. In 1872 there were within a radius of a half mile from the Meeting House on the Common, twenty dwel- lings and almost as many barns.

The School Administration building on Main Street, next to the "Plains" where the Junior High School is, was owned by David Wilkins. He bought it in 1856 from a man by the name of Louis Daigneau. The house was much smaller than it is today, for like all early houses it has grown and grown. David Wilkins and his wife had two daughters and one son - - all of whom during their lifetimes took active parts in the civic and religious life of the community. Miss S. Elsie Wilkins was one of the early graduates of Salem Nor- mal School. She became a teacher and then the Princi- pal of the Greenwood Grammar School, in Wakefield. As a Memorial to this sister, Miss Lillian Wilkins gave the carillon bells to the Centre Congregational Church. Miss Lillian was an inspectress in the Customs Department at Boston, ranking as one of the best in any Port, not only for her knowledge of many languages, but also because of her ability - - a real sixth sense - - in detecting lady smugglers. The son, Frederick, was Town Clerk for many years.

The next house was owned by Charles McCarthy - - this small house has been enlarged several times. In it grew up two daughters and three sons. Miss Theresa became a teacher in the Lynnfield Grammar School, later marrying, and Miss Margaret was a business women of great integrity and was much loved. Charles, who began his business career as a clerk in the Grocery Store, became a partner in the business Roundy & Mc- Carthy, where he remained until he opened a business. in Wakefield. He was one of the Fire Chiefs in the Volunteer Fire Department. Dan McCarthy held sev- eral town positions and was the first Cemetery Commis- sioner. John, the youngest of the family, began study- ing for the priesthood, but died before he had finished the course at the Seminary.

The West Cemetery

The West Cemetery plot was chosen by a Town Committee appointed in 1813. The fine wall at the front is made of Lynnfield granite. Interesting stories are always found on tombstones - stories that tell of

the involvements of the deceased during their life time, their home ties, family relationships, and local and national activities.

One monument reads:

"Sacred to the memory of John Orne Cox who died Aug. 16, 1839 AEt 21 yrs This stone is erected by the Boston Light Infantry as a token of respect for a brother member".

Another stone is that of one of the three Lynnfield men who started across the country during the Gold Rush of the '49, hoping to reach California.

In Memory of William Cox Who died in Mexico April 21st 1849 and whose remains were deposited here July 2, 1850 Say shall the bosom of affection mourn Or shall the tear of love bedue his urn? Yes jesus wept."

Captain Henry Bancroft, who owned the house just beyond the cemetery, that house being the one in which his wife, Eliza Mottey, daughter of the minister who built the house, was born, died at the age of eighty-sx on August, 1872. Both Capt. and Mrs. Ban- croft are buried here, also their two sons. One, George Mottey Bancroft, was drowned near San Francisco, California, Feb. 3, 1851 when he was 26 years old. Unusual is a double stone which marks a double grave.

it reads:

In memory of Mr. Herbert Richardson, Jr. of Lynnfield, son of Mr. Herbert Richardson & Mrs. Mary Richardson Aged 24 and Miss Charlotte Palmer Daug'ht of Mr. & Mrs. Sarah Palmer of Londerry Aged 20 who were both drowned in the Shawshen River in Andover March 3, 1818

Five Revolutionary soldiers are buried in this » graveyard. Interesting stories about each are recorded in Sanderson's LYNN IN THE REVOLUTION: they are Captain Ebenezer Hart, Ebenezer Parson, Daniel Needham, Joseph L. Hart and George W. The inscrip- tion for this last named soldier does not give the family name, it has engraved this information: "George W. only son of Wm. W & Rebecca B. A volunteer soldier in the Lafayette Art'y Lyndsboro, N.H. AEt 20 yrs. 1 mo. 'Absent but not forgotten"".

Mottey-Haskell House

The large house beyond the cemetery is the one known today as the "Haskell House". The building has grown from the first structure erected by Rev. Joseph Mottey, fourth minister in the town, to its present size. Much has been recorded of the changes of the simple structure built by the minister whose salary was eighty pounds a year. One room was large enough to seat the members of the congregation when the Meeting House was too cold for a service- it was a hundred years before there was any means of heating the church building. In the kitchen below the large room there are still two brick ovens on each side of the fireplace.

All the families who have lived in this house have made outstanding contributions to the town. Meet the ladies who have lived within this house. Each dressed in the period in which she lived will impress you not only with her charm, but also by the great assistance she gives to her husband and children.

From York, Maine came the bride of Rev. Joseph Mottey. Their daughter, Eliza, married Cap- tain Henry Bancroft, who after successful ventures at sea, returned to live in his native town. He became a "leading citizen", and for many years was the largest tax payer. Their daughter, Eliza Ann, married Cyrus Wakefield for whom in 1868 the Town of Wakefield tooks its name. Judge Stephen Gordon Nash and wife Mary were the next owners of the house and land. He was elected to the House of Representatives, was a Jus- tice of Suffolk Superior Court. Mrs. Nash was the au- thor of many poems and historical articles. Judge Nash owned one of the largest private libraries in the Com- monwealth, having more than 14,000 volumes. He willed a Trust Fund to the Lynnfield Public Library, and established a library in his native town of North Hampton, N.H. in memory of his mother - it is known as the Gordon-Nash Library.

The next owner was Mr. Lyman B. Taylor, an able business man, who did much in modernizing the interior of the house, keeping the fine Colonial lines of

the exterior. Mr. Henry A. Haskell, a business man from Lynn bought the estate after the death of Mr. Taylor.

Old Burying Ground

The history of any town would be most incomplete without the stories that can be found in its cemeteries. The largest stone in the burying ground opposite the Old Meeting House records a little of the story of Dan- iel Townsend, one of the four Lynn End men killed at the Battle of Lexington. A Junior Chapter of the D.A.R. was named the Daniel Townsend Chapter and the members erected the tablet. It reads:

"Sacred to the memory of Mr. Daniel Townsend, who was slain at the Battle of Lexington, April 19, 1775 -- aged 36

Lie, valiant Townsend, in peaceful shades we trust Immortal honors mingle with thy dust- What though the body struggled in its gore So did thy Saviour's long before And as he raised his own by power divine So that same power shall quicken thine And in eternal glory may'st thou shine".

More than twenty-five other Revolutionary soldiers were buried in this graveyard. The stones of the Rev. Nathaniel Sparhawk family are on the slight rise of the low hill. Rev. Nathaniel Sparhawk was the first minister at the Meeting House. A young man, recently graduated from Harvard College, he was ordained here in August, 1720 - 250 years ago. He married Elizabeth Perkins, a Lynn End young woman, who outlived him by thirty-six years.

Another stone is that of Rev. Benjamin Adams, the third minister. He is said to have died in the pulpit, but one account states that his death did not occur during a service, but when he had gone to the Meeting House for meditation and prayer. He was thought to have been a Loyalist, and was much concerned about his son Benjamin, an active patriot, who when 16 years of age beat the drum to call the Minute Men of the settlement to assemble and march to the Battle of Lex- ington - and he marched with them. This young Ben- jamin became a physician and lived after his marriage in the house on Main Street, now owned by Barbara and Manton Spear.

Back of the granite wall near the gate a stone marks the burial spot of Rev. Joseph Mottey, the minister. Its record is: "Sacred to the memory of Rev. Joseph Mottey, pastor of the Church of Christ in Lynn- field, who died July 9th 1821 in the 66th year of his age and the 38th of his ministry. He was distinguished by a powerful mind and was a learned faithful and ex- emplary minister". The next marker tells a sad story: "This humble stone is to perpetuate the memory of an amiable woman who in giving life, sacrificed her own. Mrs. Elizabeth Mottey, consort of the Rev. Joseph Mot- tey". In the same group is another tragic story: "Sacred to the memory of Mr. Charles E. Mottery, son of Rev. Joseph Mottey, who died at Salem, July 19, 1814 on the morning after his arrival from a voyage to India after an absence of 12 months, employed as clerk to the Captain of the ship "Henry" AEt 18".

Although eighty years had passed since the first families settled in Lynn End and the opening of the Burying Ground about 1720, the names found on the stones are those of the earliest settlers - direct descen- dants: Aborn, Bancroft, Brown, Danforth, Eaton, Gow- ing, Hawkes, Needham, Orne, Poole, Perkins, Pearson,

Smith, Townsend, and Upton.

Before the wall of granite was erected or a road built along the south side of the Common, there was a goose pond next to the graveyard.

Not marked on the map was a building just beyond the brook which between 1816 and 1858 had been the Meeting House of the Methodist Society but in the 1872 period was being used as a paint shop.

Across the street is a finely constructed house of the type called "Federal". The overhanging eaves, the placement of the windows on each side of the front door, and inside the small entry with the stairs turning at three different angles before reaching the second floor are all typical of this type of architecture built near the beginning of the 1800's. Here in 1872, lived Rev. Jacob Hood whose wife Sophia was the daughter of Daniel Needham of Lynnfield. At the age of seventy he and his wife returned to the town of her birth, and became active in the church, civic and social life of the town. He served as a member of the School Committee, aided the pastors of the church and died when 95 years of age.

S. HARDING

LYNNFIELD CENTRE

MRS. E. ROBERTS

J. MEADE

1872

S. H. RUSSELL LT. F. WELLMAN 7 2

S.W. PHILLIPS

G.E. RUSSELL I. MITCHELL

E. RUSSELL

O. RUSSELL

T.E. COLBY

R.E. COATS

J. FLANNIGAN

J. WILEY

CHURCH

CEMETERY

MEETING HOUSE

SCHOOL

4 5. HARDING

J. BRYANTO

I HOOD

MRS. LNEWHAR

E. PARSONS

GARDNER 8 PERKINS

A. HART

S. A. CLOUGH

B. PERKINSB J.F. SAWTELLE

DANVERS R.R.

STATION

D. WILKINS

C. MCCARTY

CEMETERY

NEWHALL

J. NICHOLS B

C.H. HAGGETTE

MRS. L. WILSON !!

M. A. WHITTREDGET SHOE MANUFYO PARSONAGE,

W. R. ROUNDY

L.H. RUSSELL

S.B., MERRY

J. BRYANT

BLACKSMITH SHOP

B. BRYANT

Map of 1872

CAPT. H. BANCROFT

A.B. DAVIS

Mrs. W

Beyond this house and across the brook was the wheelwright shop of Samuel Harding, who was beloved by every school boy. Over the door of his shop, painted large, were the letters "W.H.S." - a challenge to all the scholars in the school building just a few rods away to continue their studies at the Wakefield High School.

The building erected in 1856 for the Centre School was used for that purpose until 1905 when a new school building was constructed on Main Street. Since that time, it has been the Public Library building.

In 1832 when differences between the more liberal thinkers on religion and the orthodox minded members of the Second Church of Lynn, now the First Congre- gational Church of Lynnfield since the incorporation of the town in 1814, made agreement impossible, the orthodox group bought land directly across the street and erected a church building. Pleasing in its simple style of the church architecture of the period, it has overlooked the Common and the Burying Ground for almost 140 years. As the town's population increased, additions were made to the building. By 1958 it became apparent that a larger edifice was needed, and when land became available the "new" sanctuary was built and dedicated in 1960.

Across the Main Street at a slight angle and slightly back from the road is a Bryant house. The story is told that when this "new" house was being discussed, Mrs. Benjamin Bryant said most emphati- cally that she would never live in it unless there was a brick oven - she didn't believe that those new-fangled stoves would ever bake well. So in the basement of the house there is a fine fireplace with a brick oven.

Turning south along Main Street is the house in which John and Alice Hewes lived - one of the eight houses in town built by families by the name of Hewes. John Hewes was a man whose fine influence in the town was much appreciated. He represented the district in the Legislature, was a member of the School Com- mittee, and before his retirement was an official in the Custom's Department in Boston.

Beyond the Hewes house was the Blacksmith Shop, a very important part of an agricultural community where there were many horses. Beyond was a house owned in 1872 by S.B. Merry, later sold to William (Will) Roundy. It was moved to Essex Street to make room for the building that houses the Wakefield Co- operative Branch.

Next the STORE - for many years the only mer- cantile business in the Centre. There were three build- ings - a barn, where the grain and feed for animals was stored, the central part for groceries - sometimes the boxes of the Post Office, and where in 1895 the first

long-distance telephone was installed. Beyond, but a part of the complex was a dwelling house where the owner and his family lived.

Beyond was the residence of William E .Roundy, and back where the Shopping Center is located were a number of barns and sheds. Mr. Roundy came from Lampster, N.H. when he was twenty-one years of age, married Mary Ann Richardson, daughter of Herbert Richardson - one of the early families of Lynn End. In 1873 he represented the town in the Legislature, He held many offices in the town government.

Mr. and Mrs. George Roundy lived in the house for many years. George with his brother Will carried on a Coal and Wood business in the town, and George be- came the owner of the Grocery Store, buying it from Frank Russell, who owned it in 1872.

Just south of the Roundy residence was the Par- sonage, built in 1839. A ministerial company was form- ed, bought land from Mr. John Bryant and built the house occupied first by Rev. Henry S. Green. The com- pany sold shares at twenty-five dollars apiece (fifty- seven in all). A few years later the parsonage and land were deeded to the Orthodox Society.

Beyond the parsonage was a "Shoe Manufactory".

The large house across the street from the West Cemetery was bought about 1835 by two brothers, William A. and George F. Whittredge. Thomas B. Wellman in the HISTORY OF LYNNFIELD wrote: "We remember the door with the bell on it (bells are almost as scarce as cow bells now). Above the door was the sign "W.A. and G.F. Whittredge, W I Goods & Groceries" while a sign above in the form of an arch informed you that it was alslo a 'Shoe Manufactory' and at the lower part of the arch was 'Post Office"". The Post Office at Lynnfield Centre was established August 5, 1848, and George F. Whittredge was the first postmaster.

No description has been given in this article of the Old Meeting House on the Common. It was the center of the religious and civic life of the settlement. Built in 1714, we view it with great pride as it is the third oldest meeting house in the Commonwealth. Near it were built schools, a library, stores and dwellings.

At the southern point of the Common, where a watering trough was located for more than a century, the first school house was built, "nigh the meeting house". It was a small structure about twelve by eigh- teen feet.

"Without a past, there can be no future," Lynn- field has an interesting past with the promise of a pro- gressive future.

Katherine Wellman Ross

THE PUBLIC SCHOOL DEPARTMENT

SCHOOL COMMITTEE

This year, as in others, the school system reflected the growth of an up and coming community as enroll- ment increased almost 41/2%. The updating and addi- tions to the Huckleberry Hill and Summer Street ele- mentary schools relieved the situation in the lower grades, and allowed the Junior High School to get back to its normal 3 classes. It was heartening to hear com- ments from parents who visited the "Media Centers" of the two additions. Many had been told by their chil- dren to be sure and visit these Media Centers which al- low the student to develop his own learning skills and at an individual pace. The enthusiasm of the children for this concept of study is the best endorsement given.

While we are comfortable at the present time the future always presents challenges that Lynnfield has met in the past. The exact day the town voted the money for additions in 1967 the State Board of Educa- tion mandated kindergartens by 1973. Several hundred residents of Lynnfield had already petitioned the School Committee in favor of kindergartens. Three fourths of our children already attend private kindergartens, leav- ing one fourth of our children at a disadvantage, need- ing to catch up.

During the past year one major policy decision was to change the grade structure to 1-5, 6-8, and make the high school a 9-12. This would create a 6-8 middle school, and means also that the first priority for build- ing would be at the high school. The school and build- ing committees showed foresight when they included core facilities in the present 800 pupil capacity high school that would allow it to expand by 50%.

On 1 December 1969 the School Site Selection Com- mittee reported to the town in favor of a site for an elementary school. The townspeople showed foresight in voting to support the Site Selection Committee. Land that is suitable for a school site is getting rare in Lynn- high schools and 35 elementary schools have already field.

Another situation that bears close watching is the status of parochial schools. As of November 1969, 18 closed in New England and, unless the legislature can provide funds, while at the same time adhering to the limitations in our state constitution, we must not over- look the possibility of taking in those students who could, overnight, become educational orphanns.

During the year the School Committee has had numerous meetings with other town agencies, including the Board of Selectmen, Finance Committee, Building Committee, Recreation Committee, Plant Needs Com- inittee and the Fire Chief. These all point to greater

cooperation between town officials in order to better serve the people of Lynnfield. The School Committee welcomes comments and questions and is happy to be of service. Meetings are held regularly on the 1st and 3rd Mondays of the month, and you are always wel- come to attend.

Thomas E. Devaney ,D.D.S., Chairman Louis D. Savage, M.D. William J. Schultz Mrs Barbara B. Tufts Carl F. VanBennekom

SUPERINTENDENT'S REPORT

There are two major facets of the role of Super- intendent of Schools, one being the operational head of the school system responsible for the integration of a host of individual efforts, and the making of basic de- cisions relating to the on-going progress of the school system. The other major aspect of the Superintendent's role relates to initiating and guiding those activities concerned with the long range improvement and neces- sary expansion of school services in order that the qual- ity and extent of our program will keep pace with the changing educational needs of our young people and the community. This section of the school's report will try to highlight the significant aspects of these dual roles as they relate to the past calendar year, placing these developments in the broader perspective of the general progress of your Lynnfield schools. Your atten- tion is directed to the individual reports which follow this section for more specific details on these programs as they relate to individual schools.

Instructional Program: The basic business of the schools is to provide instruction to children, and a con- cern for continued improvement in our teaching efforts must always be first and foremost in our minds and ac- tions. Commencing in the summer of 1966, the Lynn- leld schools embarked on an ambitious program of cur- riculum revision and improvement through special sum- mer educational workshops and in in-service training activities during the school year. These efforts were fur- ther enhanced with the appointment of a full-time Director of Curriculum in September 1968 who is pre- sently responsible for directing the on-going improve- ment of instruction in our schools. Seven workshops of varying lengths were held during the past summer, these covering such subjects as health education( with special emphasis on drug abuse), a team teaching project in biology, world cultures, French, English, library media skills, and improvement of the program for the non-

college bound student. Additionally, special in-service training opportunities were extended in the areas of mathematics, audio-visual education, and the planning of school media center activities. When one considers that these activities collectively involved 143 partici- pants from our teaching and administrative staff one begins to realize that this represents a staff effort at curriculum development of very considerable dimen- sion, one which is aimed directly at the improvement of instruction for the students within our schools.

School Organization and Facilities Planning. As is generally known in the community, the 21/2 year effort of the Elementary Schools Building Committee, with the assistance of the school administration, culminated in the opening of new additions at the Huckleberry Hill and Summer Street Schools during this past year. These additions include a total of twelve classrooms, two media centers, two gymnasiums, and additional small rooms for the use of our elementary specialists. These facilities did much to relieve the greatly overcrowded conditions at the Junior High School resulting from our having to house 7 elementary classrooms within that building. The reader is referred to the Principal's Re- port of both of these elementary schools for a detailed description of how these facilities are being utilized and, of major importance, of the significant effect they have had upon the expansion of learning opportunities with- in these two buildings. The community and its schools can indeed be proud of its accomplishments in adding these fine facilities.

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Town of Lynnfield, Essex County, Commonwealth of Massachusetts, annual report 1961-1970, Part 87

Author: Lynnfield (Mass.) Publication date: 1961-1970 Publisher: The Town Number of Pages: 1002

Author: Lynnfield (Mass.)
Publication date: 1961-1970
Publisher: The Town
Number of Pages: 1002