Norfolk County, Massachusetts - Randolph, 1884

Randolph

To attempt a just treatment, within circumscribed limits, of a town so rich in historical material as Randolph, is almost an impertinence in itself. It not only necessitates the vigorous application of the literary pruning-knife in the lopping off of many details which, to the reader, are none the less interesting because in some respects trivial, but it also compels the omission of those quaint old letters, documents, and memoranda of various kinds, which serve original settlers, their means of instruction or amusement, and their humble every-day avocations. But Some day, and by some gifted hand, the history of this ancient town will be

For present purposes, however, what follows may, perhaps, in some degree serve to present a few facts, which may do their greatest good in supplying suggestions for that other writer who is to come after, while, at the same time, they are not altogether without present interest.

General History. - Randolph is the daughter of Braintree and the mother of Holbrook. It came very near being the twin-sister of Quincy, which had has built up, in connection therewith, a fruit-canning He has been thrice married, first, Dec. 4, 1862, to Elmira L. Mabusiness of considerable importance,

_ contained two thousand four hundred and thirty-three son, daughter of Orion and Tama Walker Mason, of | Medway ; she died May 18,1874; second, April 22, | inhabitants, and in 1790 the number had increased to two thousand seven hundred and seventy-one. The town was divided into three precincts, - North, Middle, and South. The North Precinct included substantially the present town of Quincy ; the Middle, the present town of Braintree ; the South, the present - towns of Randolph and Holbrook. -At a meeting of the South Precinct, held March 15, 1792, it was | voted "that Samuel Niles, Esq., Lieut. Nathaniel Niles, Dr. Ephraim Wales, Joseph White, Samuel Bass, and Col. Seth Turner be a committee, with dis- | cretionary power, to endeavor to effect a separation between this parish and Mr. Weed's parish, by | sustaining the claims of the South Parish for a division before the General Court, or doing anything they may think proper for the purpose aforesaid." At a precinct meeting specially warned and held June 15, 1792, it was voted that, '' Whereas, a petition | has been presented to the General Court for a division | of the town of Braintree, by a large number of signers, Hon. Samuel Niles, Dr. Ephraim Wales, Samuel Bass, Col. Seth Turner, Seth Mann, Joseph White, | and Lieut. Nathaniel Niles be chosen a committee, with discretionary powers, to sustain the aforesaid petition until the passage of it shall be granted." Judge Samuel Niles, the chairman of the committee, | was a resident in the south part of the present town of Braintree. It was intended and expected by the petitioners that Cranberry Brook, leading from Cochato River to Cranberry Pond, would be the dividing line between the two towns; but that line being | objected to, it was finally decided that the division | line should run so as to include the farm of Judge Niles in Braintree, and not in Randolph. The petition was warmly opposed, yet the prayer of it was ultimately granted, and the South Precinct was in- | corporated as a town March 9, 1793, by the name of | Randolph. |

At the State-House in Boston are preserved many - interesting old documents relating to Randolph, most | of them being petitions, ete., of the period just pre- | vious to the incorporation of the town. As specimens, | a copy of one of the leading petitions in favor of the | setting off of the town is below given, followed by a_ sample ''remonstrance," and, further on, by a copy of | the act of incorporation and annexed document :

"The Petition of the Inhabitants of the South Precinct of | Braintree most respectfully shews - That your Petitioners from | long Experience have found the inconvenience of being Con- | nected with the other parts of the town of Braintree - As the town is very long & narrow; the Centre of said South Precinct is more than five miles distant from the middle precinct meeting house: which is the usual and most convenient place of holding town meetings, while the town remains in its present form: which makes it necessary that nearly one half of your Petitioners should travel five miles and upwards to attend every town meeting : or otherwise which is frequently the Case ; they are oblig'd to submit to the Centre of the town's transacting the whole of the Business: which they do, as your Petitioners think, with a very Partial Eye to their own Interests.

"And as travelling is often very bad at March and April meetings, it is difficult, & many times impossible for Elderly & infirm people to improve the Priviliges they might otherwise do; & which every free man wishes to enjoy. Many other disadvantages peculiar to your Petitioners' extreem situation in the town - will be made more fully to appear should your Honors grant them a hearing.

several other farms, that lay within the bounds of the proposed South Precinet; but the Rev? M* Niles being willing his own farm should lye within the limits of his own parish - opposed the South parish's going off unless he might be thus gratified: and as he was then a man of much Influence, your Petitioners were obliged to relinquish said farms, or continue, very much to their disadvantage, a part of his parish - the former of the two But circumstances relative to said

Niles's farm is now owned by Residents in the South Precinet - and the Proprietors of the other farms aforesaid, are desirous of improving the advantages they ought long since to have enjoyed, by joining the South Precinct - as they are much nearer to that meeting than their own. Your Petitioners wish, therefore, to be set off from the other parts of the town of Braintree, in connection with the proprietors of the aforesaid farms, asa seperate town: and your Petitioners as in Duty bound

"In the House of Representatives, Jany 17t®, 1792. "Read & committed to the standing Committee on Incorporations, to consider report. "Sent up for concurrence. "D. COBB, Spkr.

"Wethe Subscribers Inhabitants of the Now North Preeinct in Braintree being Deeply imprest With the Disagreeable Situation of this once Respectable Town of Braintree a Town Which has of the first Characters

Town by the Name of Quincy and our Breathren of the South Precinct are Now Petitioning the General Court to be set off and incorporated into a Town by Some other name should the Prayer of their Petition be granted there will be but a small

South Precinct are aiming to git off from us is that they Sup- | pose the Number of Inhabitants in this Now north Precinct | the same is now bounded, with the inhabitants dwelling there-

Will be greater than in the South Precinct and by that means they Will be Exposed to have Voted from them those Privileges Which they have a Just Right to. minds of our Brethren in that Respect We the Subscribers do hereby upon our Words and Honour Which in the Nature of under Engage that We Will at All times as far as We are able prevent their having Just Cause of Complaint in that Respect and We do hereby Declare that if they Will Withdraw their of the People at Large if We Continue together Without Seperation Which they Shall have any Just Reason to Expect and at the same time that We may Experience the same benevolence from them and that We may Continue together in Brotherly Love and Unity is the Sincear and hearty Wish of

" Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives in General Court assembled, and by the authority of the same, That the lands comprised within the South Precinct in Braintree, as name of Randolph; and the said town of Randolph is hereby invested with all the powers, privileges, and immunities to which towns within this Commonwealth are, or may be, en-

"And be it further enacted, by the authority aforesaid, That the inhabitants of the said town of Randolph shall pay all the arrears of taxes which have been assessed upon them by the town of Braintree, and shall support any poor person or persons who have heretofore been, or now are, inhabitants of that part of Braintree which is hereby incorporated, and are or may become chargeable, and who shall not have obtained a settlement elsewhere, when they may become chargeable; and such poor person or persons may be returned to the town of Randolph, in the same way and manner that paupers may, by law, be returned to the town or district to which they belong. And the inhabitants of the said town of Randolph shall pay their proportion of all debts now due from the town of Braintree, and moneys now due to the said town of Braintree; and also their proportionable part of all other property of the said town of Braintree, of what kind or description soever. Provided always, That the lands belonging to the said town of Braintree, for the purpose of maintaining schools, shall be divided between the said town of Braintree and the said town of Randolph, in the same proportion as they were respectively assessed for the payment of the last State tax.

"PROVIDED NEVERTHELESS, and be it further enacted, That any of the inhabitants now dwelling within the bounds of said town of Randolph, who have remonstrated against the division of the town of Braintree, and who may be desirous of belonging to said town of Braintree, shall, at any time within six months from the passing of this act, by returning their names to the Secretary's Office, and signifying their desire of belonging to said Braintree, have that privilege, and shall, with their polls and estates, belong to and be a part of said Braintree, by paying their proportion of all taxes which shall have been laid on said town of Randolph, previously to their thus returning their names, as they would by law have been holden to pay had they continued to be a part of the town of Randolph.

"And be it further enacted by the authority aforesaid, That Samuel Niles, Esq., be and he is hereby authorized to issue his warrant, directed to some principal inhabitant of the said town habitants of the said town, to assemble and meet, at some suitable time and place, in the said town of Randolph, as soon as conveniently may be, to choose all such Officers as towns are required to choose, at their annual town-meeting in the month of March or April, annually.

"WuereAS, By an act of the Great and General Court passed in the year of our Lord 1793, incorporating a part of the town of Braintree intoa town by the name of Randolph, & whereas a number of persons, whose names are hereafter subscribed, living that we might still belong to said town of Braintree, and the General Court did in the incorporating act grant us the prayer of our petition, that we should still belong to said town of Braintree, by leaving our names with the Secretary of this Commonwealth, we whose names are hereafter subscribed request that our names may be entered in said office, that we wish all our estates and privileges may still belong to said town of Braintree, agreeable to said incorporating act. "SAMUEL CHEESMAN, "Levi THAYER, ""NoAH CHEESMAN,

" SECRETARY'S OFFICE, June 13th, 1793. "Received and annexed to the act above mentioned. "Joun Avery, Jun., Secry. " August 19th, 1793. I join inthe above request to belong as heretofore to the town of Braintree, South Precinct. "TrmotHy THAYER."

Peyton Randolph, for whom the town was named, was born in Virginia in 1723. He was the second son of Sir John Randolph, and was graduated at William and Mary College. He studied law at the Temple in London, was appointed in 1748 royal attorneygeneral for Virginia, and, having been elected to the House of Burgesses, became chairman of a committee In 1752 he visited England as a commissioner to seek redress for grievances, and in 1764 framed the remonstrance of the House of Burgesses to the king against the passage of the stamp act ; but after its passage he discountenanced | Patrick Henry's celebrated " five resolutions" of 1765. He resigned the office of attorney-general in 1766, and was Speaker of the House of Burgesses for several years thereafter.

He was chairman of the "committee of vigilance," chosen March 10, 1773, and was an efficient worker in promoting, through correspondence, a concert of action with the other colonies. | He presided over the Virginia convention at Williamsburg in August, 1774; was chosen a delegate to the Continental Congress; was first President of that body upon its meeting at Carpenters' Hall, | Philadelphia, on Sept. 5, 1774, though from ill health he soon resigned that post; presided over the second Virginia convention at Richmond, on March 20, 1775; was again chosen Speaker of the Continental Congress when it reassembled at Philadelphia on May 10, 1775, but resigned May 24th, returning to Virginia to preside over the House of Burgesses. A few months later he resumed his seat in Congress. He died of apoplexy at Philadelphia on Oct. 22, 1775, ' and was buried in the chapel of William and Mary College. of his countrymen, therefore, when, less than eighteen who were the pioneers of the present town of Ran- | dolph to fix upon a name for their young munici- | pality. wise, a worthy, and a dignified selection ?

Turner, and Lieut. Nathaniel Niles were appointed a The whole number of ballots cast for Governor was eighty, of which John Hancock, Esq., had seventy-five ; Elbridge Gerry, Esq., four ; Samuel Adams, Esq., one. The number of ballots cast for Lieutenant-Governor

" Voted, That the surveyors of highways be directed to open all town roads, especially that near Ziba Hayden's; and that Thomas Wales' district be allowed to fence a new road near to Edward Faxon's, if they please.

At a town-meeting held Oct. 6, 1794, it was voted to pay every soldier who may enlist, or be enrolled, into the Continental service, fifteen dollars a month for actual be drafted, in this town for the Continental army, there shall be one, and one only, entitled to receive the same pay from the town as a foot-soldier, 1795, Samuel Bass was re-elected town clerk and

Micah White were chosen selectmen. Adams had sixty-three votes for Governor, and Moses Gill, Esq., fifty-two votes for Liewtenant-Governor. On May 6th of that year the town voted in favor of a revision of the constitution, - twenty-four yeas against

Court. At the annual town-meeting in 1796, held April 4th, Dr. Ebenezer Alden was chosen moderator, and the clerk, treasurer, and selectmen of the preceding year were re-elected. Seventy-three votes were cast for Governor, - sixty-eight for Samuel Adams, and five for Increase Sumner, Esq. ; and for Lieutenant-Governor, twenty for Moses Gill, and forty for Benjamin Austin. At a town-meeting held Nov. 7, 1796, for the election of a member of Congress in the second southern district, Rev. John Reed, of Bridgewater, received nineteen votes, and Rev. Samuel Niles, of Abington, eighteen. At the same meeting the votes for an elector of President and Vice- President of the United States in the same district Hon. Edward H. Robbins, seven ; William Seaver, twelve; Ebenezer Thayer, twenty- In 1797 the town clerk, treasurer, and selectmen of the previous year were reelected. The votes for Governor were: Increase Sumner, seventeen ; Moses Gill, fifteen; James Sullivan, fifty-seven ; for Lieutenant-Governor, Moses Gill, thirty-three. On May 15th, Samuel Bass was elected representative, but declined serving, and the meeting dissolved. town officers, and at the annual meeting a committee was chosen, consisting of Maj. Barnabas Clark, Lieut. Nathaniel Niles, Joseph White, Samuel Temple, and Samuel Bass, to petition Congress not to allow our Of sixtysix votes cast for Governor, Increase Sumner had eleven ; William Heath, fifty-two; James Sullivan, two. For Lieutenant-Governor, Moses Gill had thirty-four, and William Heath, one. On May 3d it was voted unanimously not to send a representative to the General Court that year. The annual meeting for the year 1799 was held on April 1st, when Deacon Zaccheus Thayer was chosen town clerk and treasstood as follows: killed in the town between May Ist and June 1st, " the heads to be exhibited to the town clerk within one week after they are killed." William Heath received one hundred and twenty votes for Governor, Increase Sumner, eleven, and Moses Gill, two. For Lieutenant- Governor, Moses Gill had one hundred and fourteen

For Lieutenant-Governor, Moses Gill had one hundred and sixteen votes, and William Heath, six. On May 15th Joseph White was elected representative to the General Court by forty-two out of seventy-one votes cast. At an election held November 3d, Josiah Smith received seventythree votes, Nahum Mitchell eighteen, and Benjamin Whitman four, as representative to Congress from the second southern district.

The following table exhibits at one view the amounts raised for town and school expenses, respectively, in each of the years from 1793 to 1800, inclusive, as given by Dr. Alden:

Year. Town Expenses. Support of Schools. WED mecacecoeisecet sida seis £300 £50 Tie aesoco cosecocesece 300 50 TALE RiceSosnanacnnecaaedc 50 50 LY Ssscseacnaceo coce coerce cere $250 MiDilicecaccsstcccarcisoss ss $500 Baa WD Siccsceeesdesieeessices 400 200 1799.. 400 250 US O0R scsuseccisvstscincsce. 500 305

The school money was annually distributed among the districts according to the number of families contained in each. During this period, and for many years subsequently, the highway tax was assessed separately, committed to the surveyors in the several districts, and was made payable in labor on the road at a fixed price per day, varying in different years from three shillings to one dollar, the latter being the most common allowance. 'Ihe number of poor was not great, and they were boarded and cared for in some of the families of the town, being usually let out to the lowest bidder. The whole number thus supported in 1800 was seven, and the price paid per week varied from 1s. 5d. to 5s., the average being rather more than half a dollar. Persons so supported were commonly able to perform some light labor, which was for the benefit of the families in which they resided, and diminished the expense of their support. Clothing and other extraordinary charges were paid for by the town.

"Seventy years ago," wrote Dr. Alden in 1857, " Randolph was a quiet, agricultural parish, containing probably one hundred and thirty to one hundred and forty families, and not far from seven hundred inhabitants. With the exception of a few persons (perhaps one hundred connected with the society of Rev. Mr. Briggs, then recently organized), all met together in one congregation for public worship on the Sabbath. Such was their confidence in each other that probably uot twenty families thought of bolting the doors of their dwellings at night. A painted house was an unusual sight. A carpet on a floor was rarely seen; not a dozen were to be found in the town when it was incorporated. ''T'allow candles of domestic manufacture were used for lights. There were no lamps then in use but the primitive one of an iron cup with a wick projecting from one side over the

_ wheeled carriages for the conveyance of persons. Between this town and Abington and South Weymouth there was no communication except through the woods by bridle-paths. Market-men conveyed their articles to Boston in paniards [panniers?]. The principal road to Boston was through Braintree and Quincy to Milton Mills, thence through Dorchester and Roxbury.

circuitous and nearly impassable. What would our fathers of that period have thought of being wheeled through the air to the metropolis in thirty minutes after leaving their homes, and that independently of horse- or ox-power? If such a thing had been predicted as possible, would they not have exclaimed, 'Behold! if the Lord would make windows in heaven might this thing be?'" And the present writer hopes it is not irreverent to inquire what Dr. Alden himself would have " exclaimed" had any one told him, even in his later day, that the time would come, for instance, whena Randolph citizen might converse with a friend miles away over a slender wire? move, and the end is not yet.

The original town of Randolph was bounded on the north by Milton, Quincy, and Braintree; easterly, by Weymouth; southerly, by Abington and North Bridgewater (the latter being the present thriving young city of Brockton) ; westerly, by Stoughton and Canton. Its length from north to south was about seven miles; its breadth, from one and one-half to four miles; its bearing from the State-House in Boston south, four degrees east ; distance from the State- House, thirteen miles. Its average distance from the sea was about six miles; average elevation above tide- water, about one hundred and fifty feet; area, about eighteen square miles, or eleven thousand four hundred and thirty-five acres, of which Ponkapog Pond occupies one hundred and six acres, Great Pond (formerly called More's Pond) thirty-eight acres, and other ponds about ten acres. The summit level between Massachusetts and Narragansett Bays lay in the thirty-four feet above high-water mark at Weymouth Landing. A narrow valley passed through the town from north to south. Through this valley flowed the Cochato River, which had its rise in Howard's meadow and the Middle swamp in the southerly part of the town, forming a dividing line between the East and West villages, and receiving, as it progressed, accessions from streams rising in the Three, Bear, and The soil was denominated

"strong," and was in many parts rocky; the surface was undulating, without great elevations or deep depressions. The two principal villages were situated on roads about one mile distant, east and west, from the Cochato River, running parallel with it, and were respectively known as " West Randolph" and " Kast Randolph."

River, passed midway between the two villages. The station (the same which is now known as Holbrook) was called Randolph. Some years later, however, when the railroad line from South Braintree to Fall River, via Taunton, was constructed, it was laid out directly through the village of West Randolph, and

Ecclesiastical History. - The year 1727 found so many inhabitants at the south end of the South Precinct of Braintree (the territory now covered by the towns of Randolph and Holbrook), and they were so distant from their old meeting-house, that they determined to have a precinct, meeting-house, and minister of their own. Their petition to this effect to the General Court (still preserved) is dated Dec. 28, W727. They "above forty families."' They had already erected a " convenient house,"

'a suitable minister to preach with us this winter." | This petition, signed by twenty-eight leading citizens, | near it stood the original school-house, illustrating the was promptly granted. Regular Sabbath services were begun as early as the autumn of 1728, perhaps earlier, but it was not till the spring of 1731 that the people found a minister to please them. was Elisha Eaton, of Taunton. He graduated from Harvard College in 1729. It was voted to give him

1731 (O.8.), when ten persons entered into solemn covenant with God and one another. Their names were Hlisha Eaton, pastor ; John Niles, Moses Curtis, John Niles, William Copeland, Thomas Wales, David Kames, Samuel Bass, Joseph White, David Slone." Their church was styled "The Third Church in Braintree." The minister was immediately ordained, June 2,1731 (O.8.). Of this event The Boston News Letter for June 10th gives the following notice :

The Rev. Mr. Paine, of Weymouth, began with prayer. The Rey. Mr. Lewis, of Pembroke, preached from 1 Cor. ix. 27,' Lest that by any means when I have preached unto others I myself should be a castaway." The Rey. Mr. Niles, of Braintree, gave the charge, and the Rev. Mr. Gay, of Hingham, the fellowship of the churches."

The same year in which the pastor was ordained Thomas Wales was elected deacon, and in 1733 Samuel Bass was also appointed to that office. The membership of the little church rose during the first two years to thirty, and in the subsequent years of Mr. Eaton's ministry to one hundred and _ thirty.

intimated already) in 1727. It was rudely built, in keeping with the wilderness in which it stood. Of paint, fire, steeple, or bell it never boasted. An acre of land for precinct use was obtained of Joseph Crosby for forty shillings. It has been taken rod by rod by the demands of highways, and now forms the public square in the centre of the village, on the border of which the present church stands. The first house was on the northeastern corner of the lot, and five pounds a year for two years, and then eighty pounds a year for his salary," and also to give him "an hundred and fifty pounds for settlement." Katon accepted the call, but the church was not yet organized.

preceding year. The ordination sermon (by Rev. John Shaw, of Bridgewater), with the other exercises of the occasion, was printed, together with the confession of faith presented by the candidate to the council, and which was declared " worthy of imitation in these perilous times in like cases, as one proper expedient to prevent the further spread of error in the | land and dejection in the churches." Mr. Taft's pastorate was the longest in the history of the church, covering thirty-nine years and three months. He died in office Nov. 11, 1791, after an honorable but not eventful ministry. The most important action of the parish during this period was the erection of its in 1764. During the last and feeble vears of Mr. Taft an associate pastor was sought for him, and found in the person of Rev. Jonathan Strong, who was ordained as junior pastor, Jan. 28, 1789. Mr.

and studied divinity with Rev. Ephraim Judson, of Taunton, by whom the ordination preached. The sermon was printed. The ministry thus begun was long and replete with interest.

Dr. Strong was quite a giant in his day, physically, mentally, and in things spiritual. He exercised great influence in his pulpit and out of it. In the ecclesiastical affairs of the State he took an important part with the leading ministers of the denomination. Several powerful revivals of religion were -enjoyed during Dr. Strong's ministry, and the church had great prosperity under his preaching and pastoral care.

some sadly broken up by the theological controversies and religious defections so rife at the time, this church stood united in unshaken loyalty to the doctrines of evangelical religion.

It may be interesting to remark that it was in 1813, toward the close of Dr. Strong's pastorate, that the custom of reading the Scriptures as one of the exercises of public worship on the Sabbath was first adopted. In the matter of singing in the house of the Lord important changes had been made earlier. While the people worshiped in the first meeting-house the deacons "set the tune." After the occupation of the second house the precinct regularly appointed "tuners." by vote of the precinct, and singing "in parts'? was introduced, and soon after a regular choir. But each step of progress in securing both excellence and variety in this important service seems to have been contested. The ancient German and English custom of in this church till 1781. It was then voted, as a concession to the progressive element, that "the singers shall sing half the time by reading one line, tom was probably entirely surrendered about the time that Dr. Strong commenced his ministry, when Watts's Psalms and Hymns superseded the revised edition of the Bay Psalm-Book, or New England Psalm- Book, which had long been in use.

It will be recognized at once that the pastorate of Dr. Strong was not only important in itself, but also covered a period full of interesting changes and much The honored and beloved pastor was stricken down by sudden illness in the prime of his useful life, and died at the age of fifty years, Nov. 9, 1814.

Rev. Thaddeus Pomeroy succeeded, with a brief pastorate. He was born in Southampton, graduated from Williams College in 1810, and was ordained pastor of this church Nov. 22, 1815. On the 15th of December, 1818, forty members of the church, including its two deacons, were dismissed to form the

Holbrook). At this period Sabbath-schools were coming into favor among the good people of New England, and this church welcomed the new method of instruction. A school was established on the first Sabbath in May, 1819, Dr. Ebenezer Alden being the first superintendent, and continuing in office for thirty-nine years. Rev, Mr. Pomeroy was dismissed April 26, 1820, and on the 28th of February, 1821, Rey. Calvin Hitchcock was installed the fifth pastor of the church.

and soon after Dr. Hitchcock's ministry opened the most powerful revival in the history of the church was experienced, as the fruit of which seventy-eight Other seasons of large increase were granted to the earnest and united labors of pastor and people. At the age of sixty-four the honored pastor voluntarily withdrew from the pastorate (June 9, 1851), and resided in Wrentham till his decease, Dec. 3, 1867. He was succeeded by Rey. Christopher Cordley, who was installed March 3, 1852. He gave six years of vigorous service to the cause of Christ in this place, and was then dismissed, Oct. 14, 1858. He was afterwards settled in Lawrence, Mass., where he died June 26, 1866. Rev. Henry K. Dwight was ordained Dec. 29, 1859,

Of the young men who have been trained up in this church and congregation, forty-one have received a college education, twenty-one have consecrated entered the profession of medicine, and others have made their mark in the legal profession and other prominent positions in active life. The church and parish have received important donations and legacies at various times, and the history of its funds is:

Dr. Ebenezer Alden was clerk of the church for more than half a century, and gathered a great many facts relating to its early affairs. He prepared a and prosperity. The one hundred and fiftieth anni- | versary of the organization of this church was suitably observed June 8, 1881, and the proceedings were | | Lowell Parker; and, about that time, Zenas P. Wild. | All of these, except Isaac Smith, are now dead. | Marked religious ingatherings were enjoyed under

The First Baptist Church of Randolph was organized under the following circumstances: In the year 1819 a number of members of the Baptist Church in South Randolph (now East Stoughton), who were residing in the northern part of the town, were desirous of better church facilities.

not less than five thousand dollars, a house forty-five by fifty feet in dimensions, to be located on grounds donated by Zeba Spear - the present site of the church. 'The work began at once, and was finished by October. new church organization, which was consummated by a council convened November 3d of the same

The church thus organized consisted of fortyseven members, all but two of whom came from the parent church at Stoughton. As that church, now over a hundred years old, was then in Randolph, the new organization was styled the North Baptist Church in Randolph, which name it continued to bear till 1875, when by legal enactment it was changed to that which it now bears, viz., the First Baptist Church of Randolph.

Of these, Mr. Peabody died, while pastor of the church, in 1842. The church also licensed to preach, in 1830, John Holbrook and Isaac Smith; in 1842, the pastorates of Pastors Putnam, J. M. Driver, Converse, Peabody, Clark, T. Driver, Wheeler, and Foster. The present membership is two hundred and nine.

Of the church's material improvements it may be noted that in 1824 the present parsonage was purchased of Deacon Daniel Alden. A vestry was built near the church in 1837. This was largely due to the suggestion of Thomas W. Tolman and his dying legacy of two hundred dollars. This structure was In 1842 the house of worship was lengthened by thirty-two feet. This, with other improvements, cost nearly five thousand dollars. The parsonage was also remodeled. Again, in 1873 and 1874, the house of worship was so completely rebuilt and refurnished as virtually to be a new edifice, The total cost, including that of the new bell and

A Sabbath-school was organized at the founding of the church, which has flourished till the present time. The present superintendent is Dr. C. C. Farnham, the honored name of Deacon John May, nearly a quarter of a century faithfully laboring, and still, as previously noted, busily doing the Master's work.

living, and space be lacking to record their selfsacrificing work ; but there will always be time to think of their example, and room in the hearts of those who remain for their cherished memory.

St. Mary's Catholic Church has the largest membership in the town. in this region - forty years ago or thereabouts - the parish in which Randolph was located inciuded in addi- therein." The chapel was built and dedicated in 1872. The first pastor was the Rev. Bradford P. Raymond, and he was succeeded by the Rev. Messrs. Storey, Colburn, Rotch, Duckwall, and Jones. The present pastor, the Rev. W. Lenoir Hood, was appointed Sept. 18, 1881.

Military History. - No better sketch could be given of the honorable part which Randolph took in the war of the Rebellion than is found in the following extracts from an address delivered on the tion the towns of Randolph, Stoughton, Canton, Hingham, Weymouth, Abington, and Quincy. The latter town was the head of the parish, and from it were sent

At these times services were held in Randolph in a hall in the hotel. Later, however, the town hall was used for the purpose. Among the early priests were Fathers Fitzsimmons, Stran, Callaher, and O'Beirne. The latter caused to be purchased the land on which the present church stands, and put in the foundations of the original edifice. Father Fitzsimmons again, and he, in turn, was first church in 1849. The dedication occurred in August, 1850. Father Rodden was the first resident priest, settling in the town about 1851. sisted in his labors by Father O'Sullivan, curate. After Father Rodden came, in succession, Fathers Roche, Welsh, McGlew, Denvir, O'Brien, and Thomas O'Brien, the latter being in

Burns, James charge at the present time, assisted by Father Kelly. The church edifice was enlarged by Father Burns about a dozen years ago, and the present parochial residence was built by Father Thomas O'Brien. The church is free from debt, and is in all respects flourishing and prosperous. The curates have been Fathers O'Sullivan, Brennan, Bannon, Denehy, and Kelly.

At Tower Hill, in the westerly portion of the town, is located a Methodist Episcopal chapel. It has no separate membership, being connected, as an organization, with the Methodist Episcopal society of North Stoughton. A society gathered itself together at Tower Hill several years ago somewhat informally, without definite organization, hiring a minister by subscription and holding meetings in Niles's Hall. Very largely through the generosity of the Hon. James A. Tower, the present chapel property was donated to Bradford evening of May 30, 1876 (the "centennial year" of the nation), in Stetson Hall, before the members of Capt. Horace Niles Post, No. 110, G. A. R., by the Hon. J. White Belcher :

'"¢ Among the first regiments called into the field was the Fourth Massachusetts, composed of companies belonging to various towns along the Old Colony Shore. The order for its appearance on Boston Common at noon of Tuesday, April 16th, reached the hands of Col. Packard at Quincy late on the afternoon of the 15th. He immediately issued his orders and dispatched them by a special messenger to the Within twelve hours every company had reported at Faneuil Hall instead of the Common, on account of the severe Company D of this storm which then prevailed. regiment was composed principally of citizens of Randolph, and was first organized in 1855 as the Randolph Light Infantry. Its first captain was Hiram C. Alden, who held the office until July, 1860. April 15, 1861, at nine o'clock in the evening, orders were received by the clerk of this company to report in Boston at nine o'clock the next morning. The officers, Sergt. Hiram F. Wales labored all that night to notify the company so as to have them respond promptly to their country's call. In the general indifference in regard to military organizations which existed throughout the State for some time previous to this sudden call, the town of Randolph was not an exception. But when the sound went forth that the flag of the Union had been fired upon, this company, with the others, received a new impulse, and was ready the next morning to move onward. They did not stop to ask or inquire about the difficulties which might lie in the way, but with all the manliness of heroes they entered at once upon the duties before them.

themselves for three months' service. Who will ever forget the first drum-beat to arms in this village which saluted us on the morning of the 16th of April, 1861? Many of our citizens and neighbors, untrained except for peace, took their places in the ranks and departed for the defense of the national capital, expecting soon to return to their homes bearing with them the proclamation of peace. But we were only on the very threshold of the Rebellion. The darkest hours had not yet come. The soil of America had not yet been baptized with the blood of those whose names we honor to-day. Ata quarter before nine o'clock on the morning of April 16th this company was escorted to the station by a band of music and a large concourse of citizens. They arrived in Boston at forty minutes past nine o'clock, when they immediately marched to Faneuil Hall.

This was one of the first companies which arcome. There are many present who remember that cold and stormy morning. There were many scenes which touched the stoutest hearts. Many a tear was shed when bidding the final farewell, they knew not but forever. Many a silent prayer ascended on that morning that a kind Providence would watch over Upon the arrival of the company sulted in the choice of Horace Niles for captain (a name which has been honored by your Post), Otis 8. Wilbur first lieutenant, and Hiram F. Wales second On Wednesday, the 17th day of April,

April 20th, at which time it was unknown to them whether they were to meet friends or enemies, until they saw the stars and stripes floating from the old fortress. A short time after the regiment left, the selectmen received a telegram from the adjutant-general of Massachusetts that Company D was deficient in numbers, and that twenty-two additional men were fall out and there would be a chance for them to go to At the State-House these twenty-two men were sworn into their country's service and placed under the command of Sergt. Edmund

"History has already recorded that the three months' men were the first to respond to the call of the President ; the first to march through Baltimore to the defense of the capital; the first to shed their blood for the maintenance of the government ; the first to land on the soil of Virginia and hold possession of the most important fortress in the Union, The Sixth Regiment undoubtedly saved Washington ; the Fourth saved Fortress Monroe. They each upheld the good name of the commonwealth during their entire term of service, and by their courage and devotion to duty in the hour of peril they became the right arm of the national government. Their record will always be prized by Massachusetts as one of her richest historic treasures. The full company having performed important duties at Fortress Monroe, Newport News, and Hampton Village, returned in July, 1861, and were received by the Fire-King, Relief, and Independence Engine Companies and escorted to this hall, where a public dinner was given them. They served the time for which they enlisted, but the war had not yet closed. On the 4th of August, 1862, an additional call was made by the President for three hundred thousand men to enlist for the term of nine months, and this, too, while in the midst of filling the quota for three years under another call for the same number of men. The Fourth Regiment again volunteered with the same promptness as in 1861, and was ordered at once to Camp Joe Hooker, in the town of Middleboro'. Hiram C. Alden was re-elected captain of Company D, Myron W. Hollis elected first lieutenant, Edmund Cottle second lieutenant. Ninety members of this company enlisted from Randolph. On the 17th of December, 1862, the regiment having recruited to its maximum under command of Col. Walker, of Quincy, was ordered to join the forces of Maj.-Gen. Banks in the Department of the Gulf. December 2 ment left camp for New York, where transports were

7th the regiin readiness to convey them to New Orleans, where they arrived Feb. 7, 1863, when they at once proceeded to Carrollton and landed February 13th, having been on shipboard forty-seven days.

and Aug. 28, 1863, having served eleven months, arrived home and were mustered out of service. One hundred and twenty-five of this regiment, who left Massachusetts Dee. 27, 1862, never returned. Some fell in battle and some by lingering disease in that unhealthful climate. Ten of the number were our own

"On the 4th of July, 1862, the President of the | United States called for three hundred thousand men | | these two battles the loss was severe.

to serve for three years, unless the war sooner closed. The proportion for Massachusetts to furnish, either by volunteers or draft, was fifteen thousand men. Recruiting at once commenced in earnest. Thirty-fifth Massachusetts, having recruited to its full number at Camp Stanton, Lynfield, was organized and | mustered into service Aug. 21, 1862, and left the State | on the following day, very imperfectly fitted out, owing | to the urgency of the demand for fresh troops at Wash- | ington. mand of Col. Edward A. Wild, whom those of that regiment who are present to-day only remember to The soldiers were at first armed with Enfield rifles of very poor quality, and quite

"T need not remind you on this occasion that in I need not tell you of the intense feeling of anxiety manifested in this community on receiving news of this battle. Many of your hearts were wrung with sorrow as each Two-thirds of the officers and one-third of the men were killed or wounded. 'The authorities of this town sent at once two of our citizens, George N. Johnson and Dr. E. A. Allen, to aid and render relief to the wounded and suffering, and to tenderly care for the dead. Their whom had seen service and re-enlisted. election of officers, Horace Niles was chosen captain, Jonathan W. Ingell first lieutenant, William Palmer as well as brave, and who had a full appreciation of the magnitude of the war. In a letter written by Col. Wild, after leaving Massachusetts, he says, 'The regiment arrived at Washington August 234, at lington Heights. On the 6th of September the regiment was transferred to the command of Maj.- Gen. Burnside, from which time to September 14th we made 'continued short marches and bivouacs until the battle of South Mountain. We entered the fight at half-past four in the afternoon, and it lasted until after dark. weeks after leaving Massachusetts (the first ordeal of ordered. Three days afterwards came the battle of Antietam. Here again the Thirty-fifth bore a conspicuous part. Their behavior was excellent throughout. I cannot picture to you the scenes of that day. The position this regiment held for some time, though

We remember to-day the names of those whose lifeless forms were forwarded by them from the field of battle to their sorrowful homes, and the sad and solemn ceremonies observed by this whole community in yonder church before conveying them to Capt. Horace Niles, whose name stands at the head of this list, died of wounds received in this battle Sept. 27, 1862, just five weeks after he left this State for the seat of war. But he was not the only one who fell. I have not the time to call each by name, or to speak of them individually. Seventeen others, whose names are found on these tablets, laid down their lives upon the altar of their country, who belonged to Company K, of the Thirtyfifth. This regiment afterwards performed important duty in Maryland, Virginia, Kentucky, Tennessee, and Mississippi. It has an honorable record of taking part in the battles of South Mountain, Antietam, Fredericksburg, Jackson, Campbell Station, siege of Knoxville, Spottsylvania, North Anna, Cold Harbor, Weldon Railroad, Vicksburg, Fort Sedgwick,

"While I have spoken particularly of the Fourth and Thirty-fifth Regiments, there are many other names recorded on these tablets, and whose graves equally as meritorious services in different organizations, each and all of whom fell while fighting for the preservation of the Union. From the commencement to the close of the war the town of Randolph, then including Holbrook, furnished nine hundred and nineteen men as its proportion required under the different calls of the President, leaving a surplus of thirty-one over all demands; eighty-one of these fell in battle, or died of disease contracted while belonging to thé Union army. While the last living neighbors, our friends, our relatives went forth from us to become soldiers and martyrs, but some of them returned. Let us not, therefore, forget those who - assemble on these memorial days, having faithfully performed their duty to their country, who fortunately - escaped the perils of the camp and the dangers of the conflict, and returned to their peaceful homes, putting

The tablets alluded to by the orator in the foregoing quotations are large and handsomely designed slabs of marble, placed on either side of the platform in Stetson Hall. Each bears this inscription :

"ASD. LS i Erected by the town of Randolph to perpetuate the memory of its patriotic citizens who voluntarily entered and fell in their country's service during the war of the GREAT REBELLION."

Post No. 110, Dept. of Massachusetts, G@. A. R., was formed Oct. 29, 1869, the first meeting being held on that date in Good Templar Hall (the old meeting-house) on North Street. The charter members were fifteen in number, viz.: Edmund Cottle, Hiram C. Alden, Charles H. Greeley, James W. White,

| Richmond T. Pratt, Samuel R. Hodge, Joshua Horton, James I'. Dargan, Francis A. Belcher, 8. Melvin Clarke, Joseph W. Thayer, Nelson Mann, George C. Spear, Samuel White, and Warren Thayer, Jr. At.

remainder of the year: Commander, Kdmund Cottle ; S. V.C., Richmond T. Pratt; J. V. C4 Jamesiehe Dargan ; Adjutant, Hiram C. Alden ; Quartermaster, Charles H. Greeley; O. D., James W. White; O. G., Samuel R. Hodge ; Surgeon, Samuel White; Chaplain, Warren Thayer, Jr. Another election of officers was held Dec. 31, 1869, but the roster was unchanged. Ata meeting held Feb. 4, 1870, the name '"'Capt. Horace Niles" was adopted.

From this time the growth of the Post was vigorous, and new members were admitted at nearly every meeting. May 30, 1870, was the first Decoration Day observed, the Post parading with a band and an escort of firemen and some of the societies of the town. June 17, 1870, Hiram CU. Alden was elected Commander. He appointed Warren Thayer, Jr., as his Adjutant, and at the meeting of July 1, 1870, ap- Aug. 19, 1870, a code of by-laws, drawn by George C. Spear, Charles better governing of the Post, and in February, 1871, the first fair for the benefit of the Charity Fund was held in Stetson Hall, and additional by-laws to govern on Main Street, the two societies hiring it together. To this date (January, 1884) the Post has borne on its roll one hundred and forty-seven names. Of this to other Posts, and the usual per cent. dropped. The membership is now fifty. Since the formation of the Post there has been expended for relief, by the direction of the various relief committees, a little over four thousand dollars. Of this sum three thousand one hundred and twenty-three dollars and twenty-two cents was drawn from what is known as the relief fund, being money given the Post as donations, or

This is kept as a The Post fund is ample for all present wants. The officers for the year 1884 are: Commander, William A. Croak ; S. V. C., Horace A. Drake; J. V. C., William R. Roberts; Adjutant, Lorenzo E. Wilbur; O. D., Myron W. Hollis; O. G., Marcus M. Poole ; Quartermaster, Galen Hollis; Surgeon, Lewis A. Hunt; Chaplain, Francis A. Stanley.

the centre of the town. ten thousand dollars. of the late Hon. Amasa Stetson, who presented it to the town, and was dedicated in 1842. Within it is school, which is partly supported by the income of a fund of ten thousand dollars, left for the purpose by Hon. Amasa Stetson, and partly by taxation. Stetson was born in Randolph, March 26, 1769, being the son of John and Rachel (Paine) Stetson. He married Rebecca Kettell, of Boston, Aug. 21, 1798.

Beginning life as a poor boy, he learned the trade of : | Board of Selectmen at any time be composed of more than a shoemaker, and, upon going to Boston, where he - shoe business, succeeded, by strict economy and close application, in laying the foundation of his large fortune. In the war of 1812 he was appointed by President Madison to the office of commissary for the district of Massachusetts, and was also elected by the Democrats to the State Senate. manifested his liberality by his donations to his native town, and also to the town of Dorchester, his adopted home, where he presented the Rev. Mr. Hall's church with a handsome clock costing seven hundred dollars.

In the town of Stetson, Me., which was named for him, he had a church built for the use of all denom- His death occurred Aug. 2, 1844. He was aged seventy-five years, four months, and six days, leaving a fortune of over five hundred thousand dollars. In addition to his previously mentioned donations to Randolph, he gave the town one hundred dollars to build a face wall around the old North Cemetery, where his parents lie buried.

The building, independent of the land, cost forty thousand dollars, and the lower rooms on the ground floor are occupied by the national and savings banks and by a grocery store. The library was the gift to the town of Seth, Royal W., Mary B., and Abby W. Turner, and Anne M. Sweetser. Following are the essential portions of the deed of gift:

" Know all men by these presents, that we, Seth Turner, Royal W. Turner, and Abby W. Turner, of Randolph, in the County of Norfolk, and Anne M. Sweetser, of Boston, in the County of Suffolk, widow, all in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, heirs-at-law of Royal Turner and Maria, his wife, late of said Randolph, deceased, in consideration of one dollar to us paid by the Inhabitants of the Town of Randolph aforesaid, the receipt whereof is hereby acknowledged, do hereby remise, release, and forever quitclaim unto the said Inhabitants of Randolph, a certain lot of land, with the new stone building thereon, containing ten thousand four hundred and ninety-seyen and one-half feet, and bounded and described as follows, viz. : [Description given at length. ]

"Said grantors hereby also give to said grantees the sum of ten thousand dollars ($10,000), which shall constitute a fund for the purpose hereinafter set forth.

"First. - Said land and building, together with the fund aforesaid, shall be under the control of a Board of Trustees consisting of fifteen (15) members, of which Board the Selectmen of said town for the time being - not exceeding three (3) in number - shall be ex officio members; and should said three members the town shall, at a meeting called for that purpose, designate which of them (not exceeding three, as afore- said) shall act as said Trustees. The Board of Trustees so constituted shall manage and improve said real estate and fund for the uses and purposes of a Free Public Library for said Town of Randolph forever, subject to such reasonable rules and regulations as said Trustees shall from time to time adopt.

[The second condition designates the manner in which the trustees (exclusive of the selectmen) shall be chosen, and va- | cancies filled, ete. in their discretion apply the whole or any part of said fund in | furnishing the library, reading, and trustees' rooms in said building, and the purchase of books therefor" ; and the fourth section permits the leasing of a portion of the building, the proceeds to go to the library. ] with the books, furniture, and fixtures belonging to said library, at all times properly insured against loss by fire, for an amount to be determined by the | trustees, and shall also keep said building in thorough repair.

"SeventuH. - lIf at any time hereafter said land and building should, from any cause, cease to be used for the purposes herein designated, the same shall revert to the grantors, or their heirs."

The Hon. Seth Turner, upon his death, left by a_ provision in his will the additional sum of ten thou- | sand dollars, the income of which is to be applied to the uses of the library, and to be known as the Turner Fund. This sum has been paid by the executors of the will to the trustees of the library, who are as follows: J. White Belcher, acting president ; Royal W. Turner, treasurer; Gilbert A. Tolman, | secretary; Rev. John C. Labaree, Rev. Joseph C._ Foster, D.D., Royal T. Mann, John B. Thayer, | Rufus A. Thayer (the three latter being selectmen | of Randolph, and trustees ex officio), Benjamin Dickerman, Daniel Howard, John V. Beal, Nathaniel " Howard, John B. Thayer, J. Winsor Pratt, Edwin Dr. Charles C. Farnham is librarian, and Miss Margaret W. Boyd assistant librarian. The number of volumes Jan. 1, 1884, was eight | thousand three hundred and forty-five.

The Hon. Seth Turner died at his home on Main Street at about 1 o'clock a.m., April 8, 1883, after gradually failing in health for several months. On the evening previous to his death, while bathing, he fainted and fell, coming in contact with the bath-tub. He was found in an unconscious state, and so remained until he died. July 29,1821. He received his education at the | Randolph Academy, then a flourishing institution, | time Mr. Turner was elected president of the bank. A few years later he was elected president of the Shoe and Leather Bank, of Boston, a position which he retained until about two years prior to his death, when, on account of the manifold duties devolving

_upon him, his health became impaired and he tendered his resignation, which was accepted. In politics he was a stanch Republican, and was twice elected to the Legislature, also to the Governor's council in 1873, 1874, and 1875. He was one of the trustees of the Thayer Academy at South Braintree, treasurer of the Randolph Savings Bank, secretary of the Stetson School Fund, and at different times held many other important positions of trust in various financial institutions. He was not only locally popular and respected, but his name was widely and favorably known in the principal financial circles by the Rev. J. C. Labaree, was very largely attended, and resolutions of tribute to his memory were passed by several of the institutions with which he had been identified.

Banks. - The Randolph Bank was incorporated in 1836 with a capital stock of $150,000. Subsequently it was reorganized under the National Bank Act with a capital stock of $200,000, and at the present time has a surplus exceeding its capital. Its present officers are: President, Royal W. Turner; Cashier, Charles G. Hathaway; Directors, David Burrell, J.

The Randolph Savings Bank was incorporated in April, 1851. The amount of deposits Jan. 1, 1884, was $800,952. The officers are J. White Belcher, president; Royal W. Turner, first vice-president ; Thomas White, second vice-president ; Hiram C. Alden, treasurer; Trustees, J. White Belcher, Royal W. Turner, Thomas White, Alfred W. Whitcomb, Richard Stevens, Sidney French, Charles Harris, Nathaniel Howard, J. Winsor Pratt, Daniel Howard, Charles H. Howard, John T. Flood, George B. Bryant, Benjamin Jonathan Wales, Wales B. Thayer.

Newspapers. - On Saturday, March 14, 1857, appeared a "specimen number" of the Randolph It was a small four-page sheet, five columns to a page, and

Transcript and Norfolk County Advertiser. was sold for "one dollar per year . . . in advance in all cases." Samuel P. Brown, the editor, in an editorial headed " Our Terms and Intentions," said that the "specimen number" was issued as a sample of "the paper which it is proposed to publish weekly plying a want which we are told exists here." There was little or no local news in the "' specimen number," its reading-columns being mostly filled with miscellaneous selections. Among other paragraphs was one relative to the inauguration of President Buchanan, and another giving a list of the members of his eabinet. As usual with old newspapers, the advertisements of the 7ranscript are more interesting to one | than is the reading matter. The local 'ads." are those of B. G. Veazie, who apparently not only dealt in newspapers, stationery, etc., but also in "some of the best three- and one-cent cigars ;'' James Maguire

2d, insurance agent; EK. A. Allen, M.D.; George Fowkes, harness-maker; Daniel Howard, boot manufacturer ; J. Litchfield, Jr., "dealer in groceries and ready-made clothing ;" J. Clark, market; S. White, dealer in papers, periodicals, and '" confectionary ;" Darius Payne, auctioneer; A. Townsend, dealer in dry-goods; James K. Nash, jeweller; William Cole, Jr., expressman ; J. L. Brown, painter. An advertisement headed " Randolph Liquor Agency'' announced that the selectmen had "appointed Dr. E.

spirituous and intoxicating liquors for medicinal, chemical, and mechanical purposes only."' Two petitions to the selectmen for the laying out of new streets were also published.

Apparently Mr. Brown met with encouragement in his new venture, for "Vol. I., No. 1," of the Transcript appeared promptly on the following Saturday, - March 28, 1857. This was the first newspaper venture, so far as known, ever made in Randolph.

On April 2, 1859, Mr. Brown changed the name of his paper to the Randolph Transcript and New England Advertiser, and also increased the yearly but not numbered in the volumes, which again began regularly on Aug. 2, 1862, with No. 12, Vol. VI.; but on August 23d of that year Mr. Brown announced its discontinuance. On August 31st of the same year it was revived, under the name of the Randolph Advertiser, and printed on a small sheet at fifty cents ayear. It was enlarged April 4, 1863, and on October 10th of the same year it was discontinued. Its

"Six years and six months we have published this paper, though never a source of profit. patrons, we will say that as much has been done by some of them for the encouragement of a local paper as is done in any place. erous.

They have been more than just, - they have been gen- By words and deeds they have cheered and helped us, As to the community generally with whom we have come in contact, we have had from it our share of commendation and condemnation; probably of the former as much as we deserved - the latter we will forget, or try to, as much as cannot be made beneficial for us all to remember."

Mr. Brown, on Jan. 7, 1865, issued a new series of the Transcript and Advertiser, and on July 8th enlarged it. The price per year at that time was one dollar and fifty cents. On October 1st the paper changed hands, Mr. Joseph Jones becoming editor and proprietor. Norfolk Register, and fixed the price at two dollars per annum. July 5, 1867, Elmer W. Holmes succeeded Mr. Jones; March 19, 1869, Stillman B. Pratt and David S. Hasty became editors and proprietors, under the firm-name of Pratt & Hasty ; April 22, 1871, E. Marchant assumed control; Aug. 19, 1871, it passed to Ichabod N. Fernald; Jan. 20, 1872, E. Marchant again took charge; Oct. 5, 1872, Charles M. Vincent became editor and proprietor, and remained as such until March 15, 1873, when he was succeeded by Mr. Daniel H. Huxford, who changed the name to the Norfolk County Register

Societies. - Freemasonry in Randolph dates back Rural Lodge, the pioneer Masonic organization of the town, was organized June 8, 1801, and of Masonry 5801, A. L. From the original charter (signed by John Boyle, Senior Grand Warden; John Soley, Junior Grand Warden; and John Proctor, Grand Secretary ) the following extract is made:

| reposing special trust and confidence in the prudence and fidelity of our beloved brethren above named, have constituted and appointed, and by these presents do constitute and appoint them, the said William P. Whiting, Thomas Bb. Wales, Jonathan Wales, Jr., Thomas French, Jr., Joshua Niles, Elihu

Turner, Theophilus Wentworth, Isachar Snell, and William French, a regular lodge of Free and Accepted Masons, under the title and designation of the Rural Lodge, hereby giving and granting unto them and their successors full power and authority to convene as Masons within the town of Randolph, in the

County of Norfolk and Commonwealth aforesaid, to receive and enter Apprentices, pass Fellow Crafts and raise Master Masons, upon the payment of such moderate compensation for the same as may be determined by the said lodge. Also, to make choice of a Master, Wardens and other office-bearers, annually or

The lodge was temporarily organized on the evening of the day when the members received their charter, as follows: W. M., William P. Whiting; S. W., Jonathan Wales, Jr.; J. W., Thomas French, Jr.; S. D., Joshua Niles. mittee was chosen to purchase jewels and other necessary articles for the lodge.

This action decreased the lodge to some seven During 1803 some four new members joined ; but just as the lodge seemed to have new life imparted to it it again became embarrassed by the un-Masonic action of the Master, and Jan. 31, 1803, he was expelled. Ata meeting held April 4, 1803, a new code of by-laws was accepted, and the members who had previously withdrawn rejoined the lodge, '' having become satisfied that the lodge would now act in harmony." made, as follows: W., Thomas French, Jr.; J. W., William French ; Treas., Jacob Niles; See., Simeon Alden.

making some arrangements for the formation of a lodge in their own town. At this meeting Brother- Simeon Alden was chosen moderator, and Brother Royal Turner scribe. A committee was chosen to present a petition to the Most Worshipful Grand On June 9, 1819, a charter was granted by the Grand Lodge to the following charter members: Royal Turner, Ephraim Wales, Luther Thayer, Jr., Robert Shankland, Samuel French, Isaac Spear, Leonard Alden, Timothy Dorman, Samuel Thayer, Jr., Horatio B. Alden, William French, and Joshua Niles, with full powers and authority to convene as Masons in Randolph under the name of Norfolk Union Lodge. 22, 1819, at the hall of Brother Silas Alden, in the building now occupied by the post-office, printing-office, and periodical store, and chose the following officers: W. M., Royal Turner; S. W., Ephraim Wales; J. W., Luther Thayer.

1824, afterwards meeting in the hall of Brother Seth T. Thayer, hall of Brother David Jacobs (now Howard House), Shankland's hall, Hiram Alden's hall, hall on North Street (old meeting-house), and the present hall (Jones's block).

" To all the Fraternity to whom these presents shall come: "Know ye, that on a petition preferred to the Grand December, 5803 (1803), by the officers and members of Rural Lodge, for permission to hold that lodge in future in the town of Quincy, in the County of Norfolk, which by the within charter was established to be held at Randolph, in said county ; "Tt was unanimously voted to grant the prayer of the petitioners, and that Rural Lodge should hereafter hold their meetings in the town of Quincy only. "By order of the Most Worshipful Grand Master. "* Attest.

Of those who served as Masters previous to 1837 all but one, Bradford LL. Wales, are now deceased. From 1833 to 1837, owing to the continued persecution of Masonry caused by the so-called Morgan excitement, but a few regular communications were held,

Lodge, in common with those of many other Masonic lodges, was surrendered to the Most Worshipful Grand Lodge. the members passed away, but in 1855 the true spirit of Masonry, which had lain dormant in the hearts of the few remaining members, kindled with a new life, and seven members petitioned the Grand Lodge for the return of the charter; and at the December meeting of the Grand Lodge in that year the charter was |

Norfolk Union Lodge. At the communication held in January, 1855, Bradford L. Wales was chosen Worshipful Master; Isaac Spear, Senior Warden ;

Belcher and J. B. Thayer, many names were added to the roll of membership; but many others, who were called to serve their country in the late Rebellion, left to return no more.

From 1866 to the present time the lodge has prospered, having on its rollof membership two hundred and eighty-four names since the organization of the lodge, with a present membership of seventy-five. Masters who have served since 1855, the lives of all but one (Cyrus Morton) have been spared, and they are to-day active members and workers in the lodge.

ized May 24, 1845, on which date the first meeting was held in the office of John King, Esq., a lawyer. This meeting was a preliminary one, and was called to organize the lodge, choose officers, and adopt a constitution and by-laws. The second meeting was held on June 3, 1845, at which time Rising Star Lodge was instituted, and the following officers installed by officers from the Grand Lodge of Massachusetts: N. G., Hiram Alden; V. G., John King ; Sec., R. W. Turner; Samuel Clark; C., William D. Daggett; O. G., Joseph 8S. Rollins; I. G., Samuel M. Soule; R.S.

Randolph Lodge, No. 524, Knights of Honor, was instituted March 22, 1877. The present officers are: P. D., Ira E. Beals; D., Weston P. Alden; V. D., George B. Bryant; A. D., Nelson E. Knights; C., Gustavus Thayer; G., Cyrus N. Thayer; R., Daniel B. White; F. R., Minot W. Baker; T., Charles H. Belcher; G., William W. White; S., George B.

Webster Council, No. 451, Royal Arcanum, was instituted March 17, 1880. The Regents have been as follows: 1880, Charles EK. Higgins; 1881, Daniel H. Huxford; 1882, George H. Wilkins; 1883, William A. Croak. Present officers: R., Henry L.

In addition to these, there are several other temperance and social organizations in the town, all of which are flourishing and doing a good work.

the choral society has enjoyed upwards of thirty years of useful life. generally some of the best music by the best masters, - such, for instance, as Haydn's " Creation,' Mendelssohn's "St. Paul," Mozart's '' Twelfth Mass," and Haydn's "Seasons." The society visited both the great '' Jubilees" held in Boston in 1869 and 1872, with one hundred members. Dr. Ebenezer Alden was president and Mr. John B.

through the region, and has caused to be erected in their stead the great factory buildings of the present day. Formerly, the work went to the workman; now, the workman goes to his work. In the old days a man who had learned the trade of shoemaker knew all about the details of manufacture, and could turn out, with his own hands, a complete article of footwear. To-day the workman of the shops knows only his particular branch, and is practically ignorant of all others. He is a small cogwheel in a great machine, instead of being, as formerly, the thorough Years ago it was customary for shoemakers to travel miles to Randolph after ' stock." of twenty years. Dr. Alden was succeeded in the presidency by Mr. Alfred W. Whitcomb. The present officers are: President, Hon. Winslow Battles; Vice-President, John B. Thayer; Conductor, L. F. Brackett ; Secretary, George C. Spear. ent membership is about seventy. Business. - Randolph was one of the pioneer '" shoe at their homes. It is an interesting fact that at the period to which allusion is made the present flourishing 'shoe city' of Brockton (then the little village g ry. g together with the remaining villages of the old town of Bridgewater, as well as the Abingtons, Hanson, Halifax, Weymouth, Braintree, aud other towns, sent thither her shoemakers for employment. The quality of the leather used in shoemaking then was as much superior to that now employed as the clumsy appearance footwear of the present year of grace. Everything was done by hand. The men did the heavier work, while in almost every house the ' women folks" turned an honest penny by " fitting" or " siding' boots,

As there were no railroads, shipments were slow and uncertain. It was common enough for a man to load boots into sacks and carry them into Boston on horseback.

Mr. David Burrell, still hale and hearty at eightytwo, and himself one of the pioneer boot and shoe manufacturers of the town, said to the writer, recently, that he well remembered that during the war of 1812, when the presence of British cruisers off the Atlantic seaboard made shipments by water unsafe, men would load ox-teams with boots (the latter being placed in empty molasses hogsheads), and in that primitive fashion make their slow way southward into The same

French as being, if not the earliest, certainly one of | the very first. He had a tannery, located on the site | of the present residence of Mr. Jonathan Wales, and | manufactured shoes to some extent. Other early | manufacturers were Isaac Thayer, Silas Alden, Eleazar Beal, Alden & Tolman, Howard & Niles, Seth | Mann & Co., Burrell & Maguire, John Alden, Hiram - Alden, Luther Thayer, Oliver Leach, William Abbott, David Parker, Levi Mann, Mann & Odell, Charles McCarty, Wales Wentworth, James Littlefield, James A. Tower, Samuel French, Henry Bass, John Wales, | John Belcher, Ezra Thayer, Alexander Strong, Dan- | iel Howard, Alfred W. Whitcomb, Matthew Clark & | Co., Mann & Sawin, Jonathan W. Belcher, ete.; while of more recent date are J. Warren Belcher, Howard & French, F. Clark & Co., Charles H. Howard, and George H. Burt & Co. Other firms there were, and are; but as the present article does not | attempt to serve the purposes of a gazetteer or of a |

More than passing mention should be made, however, of the present firm of George H. Burt & Co., which is considerably the largest in the town at the present time, employing some three hundred hands, occupyiug two connecting factories (the largest being one hundred and sixty-two feet in length), and manufacturing from twenty thousand to twenty-four thousand | cases of fine calf boots per year. The business was begun by Alexander Strong in 1849, and he continued a partner in the business, either active or silent, until his death. His son, Edward, was also identified with the business for many years, withdraw-

Mr. Sidney French was the firm's agent in charge of the factory until about 1871, when Mr. George B. Bryant, the present agent, | succeeded him. , The concern has other factories in the "' shoe towns" of Marlboro' and Brookfield. The pay-roll at the Randolph factory is from twelve thousand to fifteen thousand dollars per month.

Mr. Charles H. Howard, who manufactures fine boots and shoes, is quite an old established manufacturer, and like the other principal remaining manufacturers, Howard & French and F. Clark & Co., does | a prosperous and increasing business.

The firm of J. W. Pratt & Co. is an old and prosperous one. Calf shoe-laces are a specialty, while a large business in leather remnants is also done. Over one hundred thousand dollars' worth of work is annually turned out.

Messrs. George ©. Spear & Co., who deal exclusively in leather remnants, have built up a heavy and growing trade, their goods being exported to a considerable extent.

Fire Department. - For years the town has maintained an efficient fire department. The old hand- '"' Fearless,' and " Independence' - have, however, been replaced by two steamers, an extinguisher, and the requisite hose and hook-and-ladder companies. In years past nearly all the prominent men of the town had belonged to the department, and had "run wid der machine"' to fires

Statistics. - It has seemed most convenient and appropriate that certain statistical information respecting the town be grouped under a single general head. The subdivisions will be clearly indicated.

from surveys made by H. Beal, Jr. hand upper corner of this giving a few facts respecting the town. head of '" employments" statistics, which is not without interest at the present day:

4, stone-cutters; 4, tailors; 3, wheelwrights; 3, blacksmiths ; 2, harness-makers ; 2, painters; 2, curriers; 1, landlord; 1, cabineramteley ; 1, brick-maker ; 1, cooper; 1, basket-maker ; Of the mechanics, 40 are engaged during the summer in farm-

Census Of 1880 Valuation

* In 1873, the year after the setting off of Holbrook from Randolph, there was included in the total valuation here given four hundred and eighty-four thousand three hundred and eighty dollars of bank and corporation stock owned by residents of Randolph, and taxed by the State.