USA > New Hampshire > Hillsborough County > Brookline > History of Brookline, formerly Raby, Hillsborough County, New Hampshire : with tables of family records and genealogies > Part 36
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Old Home Day Exercises, August 24.
9:30 A. M. Concert by the Laurel Band of Milford. 11:00 A. M. At the Congregational Church:
Selection, Invocation, Address of Welcome, Response, Song, Oration. Song, Selection,
Band. Rev. George A. Bennett. Mrs. Clara E. Russell. James A. Horton. Quartette. Dr. Charles H. Holcombe. Quartette. . Band.
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HISTORY OF THE TOWN OF BROOKLINE
12:30 P. M. Dinner in Tarbell's Hall.
3:00 P. M. Ball Game, Pepperell vs. Milford.
5:00 P. M. Band Concert.
8:00 P. M. Reunion and Ball, Tarbell's Hall.
1907.
President, Frank H. Jenness; vice-presidents, Rev. George A. Bennett, George H. Nye; secretary, Mrs. Ella W. Tucker; treasurer, Samuel Swett; executive committee, Walter E. Corey, Albert T. Pierce, Francis H. Lawrence.
Old Home Day Exercises, August 23.
9:30 A. M. Concert by the Ashby Band of Ashiby, Mass.
11:00 A. M. At the Congregational Church :
Selection,
Invocation,
Greeting,
Address of Welcome,
Response,
Vocal Solo,
Oration,
Vocal Solo,
Band. Rev. George A. Bennett. Frank H. Jenness. D. Wallace Jenness. Mrs. Mabel Tucker Badger. Mrs. Phoebe Jenness Randall. Rev. Frank D. Sargent. R. Cassius Nye.
Selection, Band.
12:30 P. M. Dinner at Tarbell's Hall, followed by toasts and re- marks by former residents.
3:00 P. M. Base Ball Game, Townsend vs. Pepperell.
5:00 P. M. Band Concert.
8:00 P. M. Reunion and Ball, Tarbell's Hall.
1908.
President, Frank H. Jenness; vice-presidents, George H. Nye, Frank P. Kennedy; secretary, Mrs. Ella W. Tucker; treasurer, Samuel Swett; executive committee, Edward C. Tucker, Fred E. Rockwood, H. Arthur Brown.
Old Home Day Exercises, August 21.
9:30 A. M. Concert by the Ashby Band, Ashby, Mass. 11:00 A. M. At the Congregational Church.
393
HISTORY OF THE TOWN OF BROOKLINE
Selection,
Invocation,
Band. Rev. George A. Bennett.
Selection,
Welcome,
Response,
Selection.
Oration,
Selection, Selection,
Appleton Quartet, Boston, Mass. Frank H. Jenness. Alfred J. Cox. Appleton Quartet. Rev. Charles W. Dockrill. Appleton Quartet. Band.
12:30 P. M. Dinner at Tarbell's Hall, followed by brief toasts and remarks.
2:00 P. M. Athletic Sports.
3:00 P. M. Base Ball Game, Brookline 1898 vs. Brookline 1908.
5:00 P. M. Band Concert.
8:00 P. M. Reunion and Ball at Tarbell's Hall.
Sunday, August 16, Union Services in the Methodist Church; sermon by Rev. Arthur M. Shattuck, East Rochester.
Sunday, August 23, Union Service in the Congregational Church; sermon by the Rev. George L. Perin, D. D., of Brookline, Mass.
1909.
President, George H. Nye; vice-presidents, Fred A. Hall, William J. Bailey; secretary, Blanche W. Hall; treasurer, Harry Marshall; executive committee, Mrs. Jennie Boutelle, Frank E. Gilman.
Old Home Day Exercises, August 27.
9:30 A. M. Concert by the Lunenburg Military Band of Lunenburg Mass.
10:30 A. M. Ball Game, Local Teams.
11:00 A. M. At the Congregational Church :
Selection, Invocation, Selection, Welcome, Response, Selection, Oration, Selection,
Band. Rev. Warren L. Noyes. Mrs. Phoebe Jenness Randall. George H. Nye. Miss Ellen C. Sawtelle.
Mrs. Mabel Brackett and Mrs. W. S. Bickford. Rev. Herbert J. Foote. Band.
394
HISTORY OF THE TOWN OF BROOKLINE
12:30 P. M. Dinner, Tarbell's Hall.
2:00 P. M. Base Ball Game.
4:30 P. M. Band Concert.
7:30 P. M. Fire works.
8:00 P. M. Reunion at Tarbell's Hall.
Sunday, Aug. 22, Union Service at Congregational Church; sermon by Rev. Warren L. Noyes.
Sunday, Aug. 29, Union Service at Methodist Church; sermon by Rev. Elwin Hitchcock of Keene.
1913.
President, George H. Nye; vice-president, Homer A. Brown; treasurer, Walter E. Corey; secretary, Alfred S. Barnaby; executive committee, Ed- win H. Taylor, Delbert W. Porter, Edward O'Hern.
Old Home Day Exercises, August 29.
Forenoon.
9:00 Concert by the Townsend Brass Band of Townsend Mass.
9:30 Ball Game by Local Teams.
At Daniels Academy Building :
Selection,
Invocation,
Song,
Band. Rev. Warren L. Noyes. Roswell C. Nye.
Greeting,
President George H. Nye. Precival Betterly.
Response,
Music, Welcome Song,
Oration,
Address,
Selection,
Reading,
Dedication Speech,
Selection,
Quartette. Fred Fessenden, Newton, Mass. Rev. George H. Hardy. Band. Mrs. Mabel Perkins. Hon. Herbert F. Parker of Worcester, Mass. Band.
Afternoon.
12:15 Dinner in Banquet Hall.
2:00 Ball Game, Milford Camera Club vs. Townsend A. A.
4:00 Sports.
395
HISTORY OF THE TOWN OF BROOKLINE
4:45 Automobile Parade.
5:00 Concert by the Band.
Evening. Concert and Ball.
Sunday, August 24, Union Service at Methodist church; sermon by Rev. C. W. Dockrill.
Sunday, August 31, Union Service at Congregational church; sermon by Rev. F. D. Sargent.
1900. The Orville D. Fessenden Steam Sawmill.
This mill is owned by Orville D. Fessenden, by whom it was erected in 1900. It is located in South Brookline on the west side of the highway leading from Brookline, to Townsend, Mass., a few rods south of the bridge in said highway over the Nissitisset river, and is operated by Mr. Fessenden in connection with his business as a wholesale manufacturer and dealer in lumber and barrels. As its name indicates, the mill is, and from the beginning has been, operated by steam power.
In the fall of 1913 its old engine was replaced by a new Rollins engine of one hundred and twenty-five horse power, and at the same time a new engine house was constructed and the mill building reconstructed and re- modelled. In addition to the mill proper, the establishment has connected with it a blacksmith and repair shop, a large and commodious office build- ing, a water plant, which furnishes it with an abundant supply of running water, and an electric ligliting plant. To the water and electric plants con- nected with this mill the village in Brookline is indebted for the systems by which, through the characteristic enterprise of Mr. Fessenden, its streets, public buildings and many of its dwelling houses are supplied with running water and electric lights; the water system having been established by Mr. Fessenden as a private enterprise on his part in 1913; and the electric light- ing having been introduced under a contract between him and the town authorities in 1914.
In connection with Mr. Fessenden's plant in Brookline he also owns and operates a plant for the manufacture of barrels in North Acton, Mass. and in Harvard, Mass.
At the present time, (1914), Mr. Fessenden's business in each of its branches is in a prosperous condition, and its operations, which cover a large territory, are constantly being enlarged and extended.
1900. March 17, the town accepted a legacy of three hundred dollars from the estate of James Carlton Parker; the income to be used for the perpetual care of his family lot in the south cemetery.
396
HISTORY OF THE TOWN OF BROOKLINE
The Great Freshet in the Spring of 1900.
In the spring of this year, the Nissitisset river experienced one of the heaviest freshets known in its history within the memory of living men. It waters, swollen by heavy rains and melting snows, overflowed its banks and inundated the adjacent fields and meadows, inflicting considerable damage. The iron bridge over the river at Bond street and its abutments. were damaged to the extent that it required the expenditure of several hundred dollars to restore them to their condition before the flood.
November 6, the town voted to accept a legacy of one hundred dollars from the estate of Mrs. Harriet Gilson; the income to be used for the per- petual care of the family lot in the south cemetery.
1901. June 25, the dwelling house of Thomas O. Heren, (formerly known as the Rev. Daniel Goodwin house), located on the east side of the main highway to Milford, about one mile north of the village, was totally destroyed by fire.
At the March town meeting the town voted to purchase the Albert T. Pierce lot on the east side of Main street west of and adjacent to the Post Office, for the sum of five hundred dollars. The purchase was effected in the summer following.
1903. February 18, the dwelling house of Mrs. Emma S. Dunbar, located one mile west of the village on the west side of the highway to Mason was burned down.
1905. March 14, the town voted to accept a legacy of one hundred dollars from the estate of Imla M. Williams; the income from the same to be used for the perpetual care of the family lot in the south cemetery.
State Roads.
This year, at its March town meeting, the town made its first appro- priation under the law providing for the building of State roads; which was passed at the January session of the legislature of the same year. The amount appropriated was four hundred and twenty-four and 50-100 dollars. To this amount the State added two hundred and fifty-four and 40-100 dollars, as provided for under the provisions of the law; making the whole amount in the town's hands for use in building the contemplated highway six hundred and seventy-four and 90-100 dollars ($674.90). For some reason to the writer unknown, no portion of this sum was expended that year.
397
HISTORY OF THE TOWN OF BROOKLINE
The following year, 1906, the town made an additional appropriation in the sum of four hundred and thirty-six and 50-100 dollars; to which amount the State added the sum of two hundred and sixty-one and 60-100 dollars; making the entire amount raised for the State road in that year six hundred and ninety-eight and 10-100 dollars.
This sum added to the amount of the appropriation of the previous year, placed the town in possession of thirteen hundred and seventy-seven dollars ($1377.00) for use in building the contemplated road; to which amount should be added ten and 40-100 dollars, making the entire amount of the State road fund thirteen hundred and eighty- seven and 40-100 dollars ($1387.40).
With this amount available for use, the town, in the summer of 1906, constructed its first section of State road. The road commenced at a point in the Milford highway nearly opposite the Congregational church, and, following the highway in a northerly direction, ended a short distance north of the dwelling house of Dr. Charles H. Holcombe. Its length from end to end was 3000 feet. The total cost of its construction was fourteen hundred and twenty-three and 39-100 dollars ($1423.39). An average cost of four and 74-100 dollars per lineal foot. For each of the three years immediately succeeding 1906, the town made appropriations for and con- structed sections of State road as follows:
1907. Road from the brow of the hill in the Townsend highway west of the south cemetery down to and across the bridge over the river near the dwelling house of David S. Fessenden in South Brookline. The con- struction of this section of road included the raising of said bridge several feet above its former level.
1908. Road in the highway to Pepperell, Mass., beginning on the brow of the hill in the same a few rods west of the point where it is crossed by the Rocky Pond brook, and extending to the brow of the hill in the same a few rods east of said bridge.
1909. Road in the highway to Mason beginning on the brow of Meeting-house hill on its south side, and, passing southerly, ending at its base, at its intersection by Bond street. The combined length of these four sections was 7000 running feet; the total cost of their construction three thousand nine hundred dollars and eighty-nine cents. ($3900.89).
1906. March 13, the town voted to print a history of the town, pro- viding the printing of the same should not cost over five hundred dollars; and subsequently the selectmen appointed Clarence R. Russell, Samuel Swett, Eddie S. Whitcomb, Edward C. Tucker, John B. Hardy and David S. Fessenden as a committee to superintend the work of its publication.
398
HISTORY OF THE TOWN OF BROOKLINE
September 2, the dwelling houses of J. Alonzo Hall and Joseph Hall, located respectively on the west and east sides of the highway to Mason about one mile west of the Congregational church, were destroyed by fire.
1907. March 12, at the annual March town meeting, the following votes were passed:
"To accept a legacy of one hundred dollars from the estate of Mrs. Eliza D. Dodge, late of Worcester, Mass.,; the income of the same to be used for the perpetual care of the grave of her father, John Daniels, in the Pond Cemetery."
"To accept a legacy of one hundred dollars from James A. Horton of Greenfield, Mass .; the income of the same to be used for the perpetual care of his family lot in the South Cemetery."
"To raise twenty-five dollars for the destruction of Brown Tail Moths."
"To buy a new hearse and raise six hundred dollars to pay for the same, and that the selectmen be a committee of three to purchase it."
"To take a new valuation of the personal and real estate, and that the selectmen with Willie A. Hobart and Elmer W. Wallace take the same."
Brown Tail Moths.
These pests appeared for the first time in Brookline in the summer of 1905. The foregoing recorded vote of March 13, 1906, was the first action on the part of the town relative to their extermination. In the following year, 1907, the State passed an act to provide for the suppression of the Gipsy and Brown Tail Moths. From the time of the passage of the act, this town, acting under its provisions, continued to make annual appro- priations for the moth's extermination; but expended them in conjunction with the sums of money appropriated by the State for the same purpose in paying the State's agents for doing the work. At the present time (1914) the work of extermination is still going on; but with apparently little de- crease in the amount of damage done by the pests.
1908. During this year the town purchased the hearse in use at the present time (1914) at a cost of five hundred and fifty-five dollars and fifty-six cents. ($555,56).
During this year also, the committee elected for the purpose at the annual March meeting of the previous year proceeded to take a valuation of the town's real and personal estate; which was found to be three hun- dred and forty-four thousand five hundred and fifty-two dollars ($344,552).
March 10, at its annual town meeting, the town passed the following votes :
S. 744º F. 330 fr.
Southeasterly 500 ft.
BROOKLINE
PUBLIC PARK
-
Milford.
Rev. F. D. Sargent
-
A GIFT TO THE TOWN
1
433 fr
Rev. F. D. Sargent,
Clarence R.Russell Samuel Swett. Orville D. Fessenden WalterE. Corey march 8. 1910
5 48 H.
6
1
Scale lin = 160 ft.
Frank 4. Willoby.
N.
Deed Recorded Vol. 676 Page 61.
Milford St.
1
1
Survey and Plan Made by Clarence R. Russell.
N. 744º ₩ 5 40 H.
BROOKLINE PUBLIC PARK
N. 74'20 W . 330 th
7/2 ACRES
Fram
1
399
HISTORY OF THE TOWN OF BROOKLINE
"To accept a legacy of three hundred dollars from the estate of Emily M. Peterson; the income to be used for the perpetual care of the family lot in the South Cemetery."
"To accept a legacy of one hundred dollars from Miss Eliza Jane Parker; the income of the same to be expended for the perpetual care of the family lot of Joseph A. Putnam in the South Cemetery."
"To accept a legacy of one hundred dollars from Miss Martha E. Perkins; the income of the same to be used for the perpetual care of her family lot in the South Cemetery."
The Brookline Public Park.
1909. This tract of land was conveyed to the town by Clarence R. Russell, Orville D. Fessenden, Samuel Swett and Walter E. Corey, by their deed of gift dated March 4th of this year. It was accepted by the town by a vote of its citizens at its annual town meeting in March of the same year; at which meeting, also, the said donors were elected as the first board of Park Trustees, their term of office to be five years from the date of their election.
The idea of establishing the Park originated with Clarence R. Russell, and it was largely due to his efforts that the idea was carried into effect.
The Park consists of a tract of about eight acres of land located on the east side of the highway to Milford about one eighth of a mile north of the Congregational church. By the terms of the deed of gift the control and management of the Park is wholly in the hands of the legal voters of the town.
1910. March 8, the town voted to accept a legacy of one hundred dollars from Bertha Hutchinson; the income of the same to be expended for the perpetual care of her family lot in the South Cemetery.
The Burning of the "Beehive."
On the morning of January 29, the dwelling house known as the "Bee- hive," located on the west side of the highway to Mason about midway of the east side of Meeting-house Hill was partially destroyed by fire. While the fire was in progress it was ascertained that Edward O. Brien and John Powers, both of Milford, employees of the Fresh Pond Ice Company and roomers in the house, were within the house. Upon the discovery of this fact Oscar Elliott and Edward O. Heren, members of the local fire engine company, voluntarily entered the burning building and at the risk of their
400
HISTORY OF THE TOWN OF BROOKLINE
lives rescued the imperilled men; an act of heroism unparalleled in the history of this town. The rescued men, however, were so badly injured by the smoke and flames that they survived their injuries but a short time, each dying within a few weeks after their rescue.
This year Orville D. Fessenden installed the plant by which the village was for the first time in the town's liistory supplied with running water. At the present time (1914) the plant continues to be owned and managed by Mr. Fessenden.
The Charles A. Blodgett Legacies.
At the annual March meeting the town voted to accept a legacy of $100.00, from the estate of Charles A. Blodgett, the income to be used for the perpetual care of the family lot in the South Cemetery.
1911. The town came into possession of $587.10 from the estate of Charles A. Blodgett; the same to be used towards building a town house.
1912. Brookline was represented in the State Constitutional Con- vention of this year by Orville D. Fessenden.
Electric Lights.
1913. During this year Orville D. Fessenden installed in his mill in South Brookline an electric plant. Soon after the plant was completed Mr. Fessenden entered into a contract with the town authorities under the terms of which he agreed for a stipulated price to supply the Daniels Academy Building and such of the streets and highways as should be designated by the town with electric lights for a term of years. At the present time (1914) said contract is still in existence, and under its provisions, in addition to the Daniels Academy Building, the village streets and many of the highways of the town are nightly illuminated by electricity.
Federation of the Congregational and Methodist Churches.
1914. In the month of April the Congregational and Methodist churches entereed into a federation under the terms of which the two churches agreed for the future to unite in holding services for public wor- ship; the meetings to be holden alternately in the respective houses of wor- ship of each church. The first meeting was liolden in the Congregational meeting-house, Sunday, April 12, and was under the charge of the Rev.
401
HISTORY OF THE TOWN OF BROOKLINE
Charles W. Dockrell, who was unanimously elected pastor of the confeder -- ated churches.
April 15, David Fessenden died.
402
HISTORY OF THE TOWN OF BROOKLINE
· CHAPTER XXII.
The Daniels Academy Building.
In 1908, Thomas H. Dodge of Worcester, Mass., by the terms of his will, which was admitted to probate in the fall of that year, made provisions for the establishment in Brookline of an academy for boys and girls; the same to be known as Daniels Academy, in honor of his wife, Eliza Daniels Dodge, who was a native of this town.
The terms of the will under which the fund for establishing said Academy was provided were as follows:
Extracts from the Will of Thomas H. Dodge
"64th-I give and bequeath to the Worcester Trust Co. the sum of $15,000, in strict trust and confidence, however, as follows-
"The said Trust company shall hold said sum of $15,000 and invest and reinvest the principal and income thereof for the term of 75 years from the date of my decease.
"At the expiration of 75 years from the date of my decease, said trust company shall procure the formation of a corporation in the State of New Hampshire, for the purpose of establishing and maintaining an academy for both boys and girls, said academy to be located in the town of Brook- line, N. H., the birthplace of my beloved wife, Eliza D. Dodge, now de- ceased, which academy shall be known as Daniels Academy, with suitable provisions as to officers, their powers and duties for control, direction, conduct and administration of the corporation, and the care and manage- ment of the funds in its charge; and upon the legal formation and organi- zation of said corporation, my said trustee shall transfer to it all the property and estate then in its hands under this provision of trust, the same to be thereafter used and employed for the establishing and main- taining of such academy.
"In the formation of said corporation, I hereby direct and request that provision shall be made for the selection of eight trustees as follows:
"One by the selectmen of said Brookline, one by the Congregational church of said Brookline, one by the Methodist church of said Brookline, one by the selectmen of the town of Pepperell, one by the Congregational church of said Pepperell, one by the Congregational church of the town of
-
DANIELS ACADEMY BUILDING
403
HISTORY OF THE TOWN OF BROOKLINE
Hollis, N. H., one by the selectmen of said town of Hollis, and one by the selectmen of Townsend, and that the mayor of the city of Nashua, N. H the city solicitor of said Nashua, the district attorney for Hillsboro county, New Hampshire, and the chairman of the selectmen of said Brookline, shall be ex-officio trustees of said academy, making twelve trustees in all.
"I desire and direct that, if practicable, each of these trustees appoint- ed as above provided shall serve for a period of five years, and that the same officials having authority to appoint such trustees shall also have authority to fill any vacancies, meaning and intending that eight of the trustees of this corporation shall hold their positions by appointment, from time to time, by the officials above mentioned, and that such mayor, city solicitor, district attorney and chairman of selectmen shall act as trustees for the time being as they shall hold the respective offices.
"In case I should not, by codicil to this my last will and testament, give some directions about the location of said academy building, I direct that said trustees shall select such location in the town of Brookline, as they shall deem best and proper for such academy."
"67th-All the rest, residue and remainder of all my property and estate, real and personal, whatever the same may be, and wherever the same may be situated, I give devise and bequeath, as follows:
"The same shall be divided into two equal parts, one of which parts is to be added to the $30,000 fund mentioned in the second clause of this will, and the other part thereof to be added to the $15,000 fund mentioned in the 64th clause of this will.
"68th-I hereby constitute and appoint Rufus B. Dodge of said Worcester, to be the executor of this, my last will and testament."
The citizens of Brookline were profoundly grateful to the founder of the academy for the honor conferred upon the town by its proposed lo- cation in their midst; an honor which they highly appreciated.
But mingled with their feelings of gratitude, tliere was also a feeling of disappointment; arising from the fact that by the terms of the will it was stipulated that the fund devoted to the establishment of the Academy should be invested for a term of seventy-five years before it became avail- able for that purpose.
To be sure, at the end of that period, the fund with its accumulated interest would have amounted to one and one-half million dollars, more or less. But, in the meantime, they, and the majority of their descend- ants in the second generation, would have gone to a land in which, so far as they knew, academies were unknown institutions, without having en- joyed in any degree the benefits which would have accrued to them and
404
HISTORY OF THE TOWN OF BROOKLINE
theirs by the immediate carrying out of the said provision of the will. And realizing the truth of the adage that-"A bird in the hand is worth two in the bush," they were disposed, if possible, to unite with others of the bene- ficiaries under the will who were reported as being dissatisfied with its pro- visions relating to their several interests in effecting a compromise in its terms which should be mutually satisfactory; an arrangement to which it was generally understood that all the interested parties were agreeable.
Under these circumstances, the executor finally filed in the probate court of Worcester county, Mass., a petition in which the matters in question between the devisees and legatees under the will were submitted to its decision.
After a period of two years, more or less, had elapsed, during which the interested parties were trying to arrive at an agreement, a compromise was finally effected; and soon after its accomplishment, the same was filed in court. The court accepted and approved of its provisions and, soon after its approval, handed down a decree, the substance of which, so far as it related to the Daniels Academy fund, was as follows:
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