Acton Town (part 2 of 3)

Daniel Webster's sentiment, forwarded from Marshfield. - " Isaac Davis : an early grave in the cause of liberty has secured to him the long and grateful remembrance of his country."

The Davis Monument was honored by a visit of the State Military Camp, of Concord, under the command of General Benjamin F. Butler, in the fall of 1870. The noon hour in camp was a scene of bustle in j preparation for the afternoon march to Acton. While I dinner was yet in a state of service at division quarters, the drums of the First Brigade were heard in the far distance to the right and the long line was marked by its dust, wending its way by a circuitous route to the review field. In half an hour the other brigades were on the march and at quarter of two o'clock five thousand men were in line. The infantry were on the right and centre, and the whole artillery and cavalry were massed on the right.

Promptly at two o'clock General Butler, mounted on a white horse, and with his full staff, took his place at the head of the division and rode out at the north corner on the Concord Road. He wore no plume. The marching column was about a mile and a quarter in length. The road from Concord to Acton was largely the same as the Acton troops took in the Revolution, the division marching in column of fours. At frequent intervals groups of men, women and children were gathered to witness the pageant.

The head of the column reached Acton at ten minutes after four o'clock. The selectmen, W. W. Davis, Elbridge J. Robbins, Jr., and Charles Robinson, with a committee of citizens and ladies, headed by John Fletcher, Jr., had made ample preparations to welcome the troops. Houses were decorated and barrels upon barrels of lemonade and apples had been got ready.

with people in holiday attire. W. W. Davis, chairmain of the Board of Selectmen, addressed General Butler in an eloquent and earnest manner. The general responded : " In behalf of the soldiers of Massachusetts gathered herein your good old town, I thank you for your earnest welcome and for your offered hospitality. It seems most pleasant to us to find so beautiful a resting-place after our long and weary march. You have referred to the services of tbe militia in the late war, and you will allow me to say that the character and conduct of Co. E, of Acton, evidenced that the spirit of the Revolutionary sires has not died out of the good town of Acton.

"You have the honor of having erected the third monument of the War of the Revolution, and of having suffered among the first in that struggle. You have earned the right to say that the sons will, by deed and work, keep green the memories of this historic spot. You and they have made a noble record, and, as it has been in the past, so may it be in the future.

" I doubt not that the sight of this monument, and the thought that we stand on the ground made sacred by the ashes of heroes, will be of value to the Military of Massachusetts, in increasing in their bosoms the holier emotions of patriotism, and inspire them to be able defenders of the institution for which Davis, and Hosmer and Hayward fell.

" We rejoice that we are able to be here and thank you again for the welcome and the bounty with which you greet us. We propose to close our response by a salute of thirteen guns, which will be fired by one of our light batteries, as a further tribute of respect and affection for the men of Acton living and dead." The event was a lively one, and a feature of the week that will long be remembered by those who participated in it, and by those who witnessed it.

The War of 1812 - The War of 1812 was not popular in this part of the country, but in the beginning of the war several men were enlisted in the army. In 1814 the military company called the Davis Blues was ordered into service as a body and was despatched to Boston to assist in the defence of that place against a possible attack. Hon. John C. Park, of Boston, a native of Acton, and a grandson of Rev. Moses Adams, thus writes, describing the event :

" 1 well remember the commotion in Acton on the day when the Blues met to take up their march to Boston. We boys were wild with excitement, but when the large doors of the meeting-house were thrown open and it was understood that the company would have prayers offered for them, we were sobered at once. I thought the prayer was very earnest and appropriate, and was indignant when afterwards, among the gathered knots of men in front of the porch, I heard some criticising it as being too much tinctured with the good old minister's anti-war sentiments. In a few days the fifer returned and gave glowing accounts of their enthusiastic reception and the march of the Blues through Boston. It seems that at every street-corner the men and the boys would cheer, and the drum and fife were expected to respond with a triple roll and salute. The poor fifer was so exhausted with his untiring efforts, to pipe shrill for the honor of his corps and the town, that he was taken with spitting of blood and had to return home. This I believe was the only blood shed during the campaign."

The enemy kept away from Boston, otherwise the " Davis Blues " might have patterned after the style of the Davis minute-men thirty-nine years before at Concord. John Fletcher, afterwards captain of the company, was then clerk and went to Boston as clerk. Silas Jones, the son of Aaron Jones, was the captain. His company was the first to report at headquarters (after receiving the orders) of any in the regiment. Thiee times since the existence of the nation a company from Acton has been summoned at the outbreak of war, - the Revolution, the War of 1812 and the War of the Rebellion - and in each case has been the first to appear on duty.

A list of Acton Davis Blues who went to South Boston in the War of 1812, whose names have been copied from the original-pay roll, in the handwriting of the clerk of the company, Deacon John Fletcher, now in possession of Deacon Samuel Hosmer :

School-Houses. - There was a movement in 1740, soon after the town was organized, to obtain an appropriation for school purposes, but the movement failed. At a meeting in 1741 the town voted that a reading, writing and moving school be kept for six months.

In 1743, at aspecial meeting in December, the town voted £18, old tenor, for a reading and writing school and to divide the town into three parts.

From 1790-1800 there were five districts, then four for nearly thirty years, when the present division into six districts began. When there were only four districts the inhabitants of the southeast part of the town received their school money from the town and united with certain inhabitants of Sudbury and Concord, and had a school in a house which was just across the Sudbury line. This was called the School of the Three Friends. At this time the North and East Districts were one. Previous to the organization of the town there were buildings erected for school purposes at private expense, and the schools kept according to the circumstances then existing in different localities.

The first schoolmasters were mostly residents of the town. As late as 1771 there were four schoolhouses which were private property. The first appropriations for schools were very small - not more than £12.

But few studies were taught and the teachers but poorly paid. The schools were called reading and writing schools, and none but the simplest rudiments of knowledge were taught before the present century.

A master in the winter received but little more per week than a day-laborer, and the teacher of a "woman's school " but little more than a servant girl.

In 1760 an order was drawn to pay a master fifteen shillings for keeping school two weeks and a half, and another drawn for his board for half that sum.

An aged resident of the town said that when she was a girl the lady teacher had one dollar per week for her services and her mother received one dollar per week for boarding her. The grant for schools was greatly supplemented by donations and subscriptions by the citizens for private schools.

For several years a private school was supported in the autumn at the Centre of the town. Rev. Asa D. Smith, D.D., late president of Dartmouth College, was one of the teachers of that school.

The town records give the following items: "October 14, 1796, it was voted that there shall be five districts in this town, and the school-houses shall be built on the same places that was agreed upon by a former vote of the town, viz.: One of the said houses to be built near Mr. John Dexter's Paster bars on the road leading from the meeting house to Dr. Abraham Skinner's.

" One where the school house near Samuel Tuttle's now stands (in the East District, near Horace Hosmer's present residence). The other house to be built where the school-house now stands near John Harris.

" January 21st, 1797. To see if the town will agree to build a school-house to accommodate the District where the school-house was consumed by fire.

"To see if the town will agree to form themselves into a certain number of school districts and provide each District with a school-house and divide the school money into so many equal parts."

In 1797 a town-meeting was called "to see if the town will reconsider all former votes respecting building school-houses, if any there be on record, and see if the town would build a school-house in the district that had the school-house burnt." (This house that was burnt stood at the turn of the road beyond Mr. Charles Tuttle's site leading to Mr. Thomas Hammond, in the south corner).

" Voted to reconsider all former votes respecting districts for seven years past. Voted that there be a committee of five men to fix a place for a school-house in the North District to which Lieutenant Noyes belongs, and that Jonas Brooks, John Edwards, Esq., Aaron Jones, George Robbins and Edward Wetherbee be the Committee.

"Then voted fifty pounds to build said house and that said committee build such house as they think Propper for said District and the best way they can.''

In November, 1798, the committee appointed by the town reported they had " attended to the service and soaled four of the oald school-houses, viz.: one by Mr. John Adams, Jr., one by Oliver Jones, one by Hezekiah Wheeler's, and one near the meetinghouse. The whole of which was soaled for Eiftyfive dollars and approved notes given to the Town Treasurer for the same payable within nine months from the date."

The school-house located and built by this committee, of which Jonas Brooks was chairman, was the old red school-house which stood for the next forty years a few rods north of the parsonage, then newly built, on the same side of the road. The frame of this school-house is now the substantial part of Mr. Cyrus Hale's house. It stood on rising ground facing the east. It was well built, square, with a high desk in the centre of the west side and rows of double desks rising on the north and south sides, the highest row on a level with the windows, styled the back seats, where the oldest scholars sat. This was the model for the school-houses built at that time.

Here the Tuttles, Taylors, Joneses, Fletchers, Hosmers, Conants, Stearnses, Richardsons, Davises, Parlins, Handleys, Browns gathered for their daily tilt with themselves, their mates and their masters.

They came in groups from all parts of the district, ranging out a mile and a half and numbering in some winter terms nearly a hundred, all grades in charge of one teacher. The elements which collided and harmonized in this arena "during a single day, and day after day, was a miniature picture of Acton's liveliest town-meeting.

" Beside yon straggling fence that skirts the way With blossom'd furze, unprofitably gay, There in bis noisy mansion, skilled to rule, The village master taught his little school ;

By-ways and Nooks of Acton.1 - There is a deserted farm lying to the southeast of Nagog Pond which many years ago was the home of a family named Chamberlain. The house and other buildings are now gone, but their location may be determined by the remaining well and cellars.

It exactly answers to all the particulars. If the stanza had been written especially for this place, it could not have come nearer to reality.

There is a profusion of cowslips in the meadow, an abundance of old-fashioned damask roses on the hill near the well and a pretty brook, and almost always there are cattle pastured there.

The house, if it was still standing, would add greatly to the quaintness of the place. It is a quiet nook, away from all traces of civilization. There is an abundance of wild fruits in their season, and a rare place for boating or fishing on Nagog Pond.

In a northerly direction from Strawberry Hill is where the Indians, once inhabifants of this and the neighboring towns, used to go to manufacture their arrow-heads. They would never tell the early settlers definitely where they went, but would indicate that direction. Some years ago a hunter's dog while digging for a rabbit or a fox, cut his paws badly. His master found he had dug into a great quantity of very small sharp-edged, flint-like rocks, which, without doubt, were the remains left by the Indians from making their arrow-heads.

Probably the first settlers of South Acton were Nathan Robbins and wife, who came from East Acton and located at a site now owned by Mr. James Tuttle on the road to Stow, called the Bright's House. They started from their home beyond the cemetery in East Acton. Mr. Robbins drove the team loaded with the household goods and the wife took charge of the baby and also the family pig. In her journey she came to the big brook, which the pig would not cross. He seemed to have some premonitions of his fate and that of his descendants, should he head for that part of the country, but the woman was as resolute as the pig. She landed her most precious freight across the stream first, and then returning, pigged it over all safe, and at last reached their new home. The story is that Mrs. Robbins and freight reached the spot first. At any rate, for some unexplained reason, the ladies in that part of the town have always been a little ahead.

one of the original settlers of the town. Its birth record is not on town-books, but some think it is well on to two hundred years old. It was in a flourishing condition when Captain Davis and his company passed that way in 1775. It was a large tree when Simon Hapgood, father of Benjamin, was a child.

Thoreau and his sister came up from Concord to visit it before he died, and he made it twenty-two feet in circumference then. It is now more than that. The interior of the tree is hollow. The cavity is circular, sixty inches in diameter and twenty-five feet in height, through which one may look and see the sky beyond. An opening has recently been cut at the bottom and entrance can be easily made. There are worse places for a night's lodging. A good crop of chestnuts is yearly produced by its living branches. The town should get possession of this luscious tablet of the bygones and see that no ruthless axe take it too soon from the eyes of the present generation. If you wish to find it, go to the residence of Benjamin Hapgood, on Strawberry Hill, turn in from the road to the southeast from Mr. Hapgood's barn a few rods to a piece of woods, and you will easily find the venerable specimen.

Geologic Sketch of Acton.1 - Acton, unlike some of the neighboring towns, owes the principal part of its natural scenery to the irregular surface of the rock strata which form its foundation. The contour, through the action of the various atmospheric agencies, had nearly reached its present form before the glacial period, and it was but slightly modified by the action of the ice during that period. Rising to its greatest elevation near the centre of the town, the slope to the northward received the greatest force produced by the motion of the ice toward the south, which resulted in grinding down and polishing the surface of the rock and in making the slope to the north more gentle, while the slope to the south was left steep and often ragged.

The rock is a micaceous gneiss, often merging into mica schist firmly stratified, with a strike north 60° east, and a very steep dip to the northwest. This rock is a member of that crystalline series which forms the oldest portions of the earth's crust. Above this solid rock is the loose material known generally as earth - that is, the accumulation of gravel, sand, clay, loam, etc., which was broughfc to its present position and deposited by the agency of the ice sheet. Portions of this material were accumulated under the ice in a comparative thin layer over nearly the entire surface of the country. In certain places, however, it was built up, by a process not yet understood, into lenticular masses, with their longer axes parallel to the motion of the ice or nearly north-south. This gave rise to a prominent feature in our topography, the class of hills known as drumlins, and of which the hill just west of West Acton Village, the two south of South Acton, and Strawberry Hill, toward the northeast part of the town, are typical examples. On 'the surface of the ice and throughout its mass was a large amount of earth and rock, which was scattered over the surface of the country as the ice disappeared. This being in loose form, and easily acted upon by the floods produced by the melting of the glacier, was washed over and separated into distinct areas of sand, gravel and clay. These washed-over portions naturally accumulated in the lower levels, giving rise to the sand and gravel plains which extend along the courses of Nashoba and Fort Pond Brooks, and to the southeast merge into the larger areas bordering the Assabet River. Another and very peculiar feature of the washed-over material is the kame. This was formed by the small boulders and pebbles accumulating in the channels of rivers running upon the ice, and which, upon the disappearance of the ice sheet, were deposited upon the surface of the country, forming long, narrow, winding ridges of coarse gravel. A very fine example of this occurs in Acton, extending from the extreme southeast corner of the town, near the powder-mills, with occasional gaps by the cemetery near the Centre, and thence nearly parallel to and just west of Nashoba Brook, nearly to Carlisle line.

The streams which flow through the town still follow generally the valleys formed by them before the advance of the ice sheet, but in a few cases their courses have been slightly changed by the accumulations deposited by the glacier. The larger ponds occupy pre-glacial valleys ; but the smaller ponds, like Grassy Pond in the north and Sinking Pond in the southeast, simply occupy small depressions in the surrounding sand plains.

The Artist's View of Acton.2 - The surface of Acton, like that of most Middlesex towns, is sufficiently broken and varied in its character to possess a fair share of picturesque localities. With the neighboring towns of Westford and Littleton, it forma an elevated range of hill country similar to that formed by Harvard and Bolton, only of lesser height. Within its boundaries and those of its neighbor towns are found some of the largest ponds of Middlesex. Although unlike Concord or Sunbury, which are flat and meadowy, and which have the benefit of a river to supply their most beautiful points, this town may be said to possess a landscape not inferior to them.

From a picturesque point of view, the near vicinity of running water is most favorable for producing interesting places. The variety of tree forms found in such localities, with the different crops on the cultivated lands adjoining, are enhanced by the winding course of the stream. Though without a river, this town has two mill streams which in a great degree replace one. Two sections of the town are crossed by large brooks. Both West and South Acton are traversed by Fort Pond Brook, and the frequent dams erected for mill purposes create a succession of charming ponds.

The finest stretch of this stream is perhaps that from South Acton Village to the road leading to Concord Junction at Hanson's. There it bends and twists its way through a fine succession of rocky and woody hollows, with here and there an interruption in the shape of a mill. In this section we are sure it is equal to any similar water-course in Middlesex in beauty. Through West Actcu it creates by its wayward course many interesting places, but is not so picturesque as the locality just mentioned.

As one comes along the highway leading from East Acton to the Centre, he crosses a stream converted by a mill-dam just below into a long, shallow pond, which extends northward some distance. This is Nashoba Brook, and, although smaller than the other, is the most picturesque stream within the town.

Nashoba, from its source in Westford, comes down a long, winding valley into the meadows of East Acton. Where it enters Acton it i3 a quiet stream, flowing unnoticed through stretches of low land until it reaches the first mill, some two miles from its head-waters. At this place, where is a saw-mill, are found some rare bits, considered from a painter's point of view.

Three tributary brooks enter Nashoba within the territory of Acton. The first enters near the Carlisle boundary ; the largest, Nagog Brook, the outlet to Nagog Pond (this name is not Magog, but Nagog. The old Indian name is a good one) joins it a mile or so below the first mill-dam. Just below this is a smaller rivulet, which drains the meadows north and west of the Centre. The territory which lies between the first and third mills embrace the finest and most picturesque spots on the stream.

The old Jonathan Wheeler place, which is in this neighborhood, is particularly notable as being one of the most beautiful localities in the town. Just below the third mill the brook is crossed by a bridge a few rods south of the old Revolutionary bridge (now gone), over which the minute-men marched to Concord via the Strawberry Hill road and the fields. Still farther down the stream is the long pond first mentioned, with its wide reach of intervale on either side and picturesque surroundings of the old mill and dam which creates it.

Both our Acton brooks are tributary to the Assabet River, and unite their waters with it just over the Concord line. Although, like other streams, ours are perhaps the most attractive in the spring and fall, yet no season will be found unattractive about them. Each has its peculiar charm, which, if noticed, can never fail to give pleasure to the observer. Each cook and corner in their vicinity will amply repay the effort made to visit them, and a spare hour spent about them is looked back upon with interest.

The pond region belonging to Acton is not extensive. There are only two small ponds - Grassy and Sinking Ponds - which are entirely within the town limits. Grass Pond is unique in having a singular sedgy growth about its margin, and is a pretty little sheet of water, famed for its lilies with pink-tinted leaves, which grow in great profusion.

Sinking Pond is a minute reproduction of Walden, as it used to be before the building of the railroad and the advent of the modern pic-nic ground. The water of this pond, which has no visible outlet or inlet, is very clear and pure. Scarcely any vegetable matter appears about its borders, and it is surrounded by a high ridge of scrubby sand-hills.

Nagog, of which Acton possesses the larger part, is the first lake in this section in point of size, its length being about two miles and its width one mile. Its waters are quite clear and deep, and are broken only by one small island near the southern end.

There are many fine groups of trees about this southern end, which is wild and woody. Here are the greatest number of choice spots in early spring days, when the young leaves of the birches first green the wood, and the brilliant oriole hangs her nest on delicate pensile limbs over the water.

The shore on this side is fringed by quantities of blueberry bushes and is rocky, without a beach. Back from these the hills rise up in broad bush-grown sweffs to the highest point of Acton - Nagog Hill, as it is called.

The most vital and peculiar feature of our Acton landscape is found in its apple orchards. These are the most interesting part of the natural scenery here. Other towns, doubtless, share with Acton in this respect, but in none of them, in Middlesex at least, does the apple-tree reach such a picturesque state. The farmers do not think, many of them, that the chance and irregular groups of wild apples springing up beside the road, side wall, or in corners in the pastures, are worth consideration. However, there is no more beautiful combination of color in the landscape than that offered by these trees in the time of their bloom.

Wild apples are proverbially famous for the delicacy and fragrance of their bloom, which is also of richer color than that of the cultivated varieties. Cultivated orchards, of course, are in greater number than these wild trees, and are rightly paramount in commercial importance. Although planted as they are in checker-board form for economy of space and ease of cultivation, nature early asserts her maguificent arrangement and leans the trees in different directions. There is nothing commonplace about the apple-tree wherever found. Its limbs are crooked and full of surprising twists, and its spray, though coarse, is full of characteristic kinks. With the possible exception of a few varieties, it never forms a regular cylindrical head, but with its growing years increases in the beauty of its irregular outline. The

The magnificent blooming tree is a perpetual reproach to those who only consider it after its fruit is packed away in a cellar or in barrels ready for market. Theaboundant growth of wood and orchard afford the birds sufficient protection and food to enable them to multiply without molestation in Acton. Consequently, our ornithological list embraces most of the species found in inland New England, with the exception of the sea birds, a few of which visit our ponds and brooks in the early spring or fall. The large family of wood warblers in particular thrive here; the catalogue often comprises upward of twelve species and, doubtless, a more practical observer might extend the list.

In the flora, too, Acton offers particularly rich opportunities. The varied character of the country affords protection to a surprisingly wide variety of plant growth. Among the trees we have nearly all found in Massachusetts. One, however, the true paper or canoe birch, is well-nigh extinct here, only a few scattered specimens remaining in town.

Game in Acton. - The hills, woods, brooks and ponds of Acton have been noted from earliest dates for the frequent visits of the disciples of the gun and rod. The Indians for generations had the first chance on these grounds. We need not go to the books to be sure that they were in goodly numbers and in Trim for luck among the fins, the furs and the feathers.

The apostle John, when he went on his missionary tours among the Indians, had to come to these parts, for he was sure to find an audience along the Nashoba waters and the " big brook." These Indians could sing. Eliot had good success in that line. Wilson relates that at their meeting " the Indians sung a Psalm, made Indian by Eliot in one of our ordinary English tunes melodiously." In 1689 there were twenty-four Indian preachers. In 1676 there were 567 praying Indians at Nashoba plantation.

James Spear, with his Indian choir, sung Psalms at one of Eliot's meetings May 14, 1654. There has always been something in the atmosphere or in the ground or in the spot in th;s vicinity congenial to music. We have heard fish and game stories among the veterans of our own day, and have heard them sing and whistle and blow their horns on their homeward beat ; but those red men of the past, if they could speak, would easily silence these modern tongues.

Captain Daniel Tuttle's mother, Harriet Wetherbee, sister to Edward Wetherbee, Senior, used to go down to the brook, below the dam, and throw out shad and alewivee in her day. They had at one time, on the Assabet, at Southeast Acton, a fish warden and fish weirs.

article in the town warrant " to know whether the town will insist on Mr. Faulkner's opening his dam 30 days in a year, as ye law directs, where alewives and other fish pass in great plenty."

There used to be a deer's man appointed by the town to look after the deer and decide upon questions relating to the matter, which shows the deer were here. There have always been self-appointed private wardens to look after the dears, but these were bonafide deer.

Men who hunt and fish for sport are noted for their quiet, modest ways, and it is difficult to get any statement from them on their luck, but by hard pressing, a few items have been secured, which may be of interest to the public. Worse records even than these could be had, if the right men could be interviewed by the right man. They did not intend to have their names mentioned, and so are not responsible for the publishing of the inglorious tale of their life record :

Elnatbsn Jone6 : pickerel, 3000 ; percli, 3000; trout, 200; bass, 100 ; largest pickerel, lbs. ; largest bass, 6 lbs. At one lucky trip the average weight of the perch, lbs., several weighing 2 lbs. ; foxes, 30 ; gray squirrels, 200.

Fifty years ago pigeons were abundant in the woods, and during some seasons made it lively for the huntsmen, who would have great sport in shooting them upon the wing as they flew in flocks over certain localities.

On the 1st of July, when the permit is issued for trying the luck on these delightful waters, there is a decided fish smell in this vicinity. The most sober men in town - deacons, ministers, lawyers, justices of the peace, senators and representatives - doctors - the moderator himself - may be seen rigging their poles and reeling to and fro - with their lines, if perchance, they may strike the spot where they are sure of a prize.

Just watch the justice a moment. He is leaning over the boat. He hears the click of the reel as his line spins out through the ruffled waters. What are all his cases in court now '? There is only one case on the docket just now, and that must have all the nerve and muscle. You may laugh at him and call him a fool, and off his base ; but the question fairly holding the court is, bass or no bass.

Capt. Daniel Tuttle

The 19th of April, 1801. - Again the historic day returns, rich with its patriotic memories. We hail its presence as we would that of an old and endeared friend come back to the family hearthstone. It recalls events which should never be forgotten while the government remains or its annals stand upon the imperishable record.

In the War of the Revolution, without the 19th of April, there might never have been the 17th of June, and without the 17th of June there might never have been the 4th of July, and without the 4th of July the stars and stripes would never have floated o'er land and sea to the joy of many generations. To the citizens of Acton and vicinity this day has been for over a hundred years, of all other days in the year, the most marked. Its yearly advent has been celebrated with new and old rehearsals of what occurred at the North Bridge at Concord, with the ringing of bells, the firing of salutes, the parade of military, orations, bonfires and general glorification. The old patriots who were at the bridge in 1775, when Captain Davis fell at the head of his command, have told it to their children and their children's children. The monument which stands upon the village green is but an embodiment, in solid native granite, of the sentiment which has thus been alive among these hills and valleys for over a hundred years.

When the telegram came to Captain Daniel Tuttle, on the evening of April 15th, to have his company report the next morning at Lowell, armed and equipped for war service, it found a response prompt and earnest from every man.

Though scattered in different towns, and not expecting the summons, the bells were rung in the night, messengers sent in all directions post-haste, equipments forwarded, carriages procured, overcoats provided - for it was a cold, cheerless April night - and at 7.30 o'clock on the morning of April 16th, Captain Tuttle was able to report to Col. Jones, of the Sixth Regiment, his whole command ready for duty.

Farms, shops, stores, homes, families, friends, plans, had been left behind in an instant, and they were on their way to destinies which none could foretell. They had played the soldier on the parade-ground in peaceful days, in holiday attire. It now meant business. The country was in a death-struggle all at once. Its very capitol was in danger of capture or destruction by rebel hands.

Captain Daniel Tuttle was born February 14, 1814, on the heights which overlook the village and town, one of the oldest of a large family of children. His father, Francis Tuttle, Esq., was for a long time an officer and influential citizen of the place. The captain was elected to command the Davis Guards in the years 1855, 1857, 1859, 1861. He was twice postmaster. He was forty-seven years old at the outbreak of the war, and exempt by age from military duty. He was a Breckenridge Democrat in the preceding canvass for the Presidency against Lincoln. He had at

At the opening of a new season, and with all his cares so pressing, it seemed impossible for him to leave; yet when the summons came there was but one decision. When seated in his wagon, just as he was about to leave, he said to family, neighbors and townsmen, as a parting word, "God take care of you all."

In those dark, ominous moments of suspense, the appearance of the old Sixth Regiment in Boston, in the early morning after the evening's summons, and its steady march down Washington Street, with knapsacks, overcoats, flashing bayonets and beating drums, on their way to the seat of war, and the cheering and almost frenzied crowds which accompanied every step, was a scene which it is worth a life to witness. No one not present can know the enthusiasm of that occasion.

Their march down Broadway, New York, was a repetition of the same scene, only on a grander scale, and in a city whose citizens were not supposed to be so largely in sympathy with the soldier. The appearance of the old Sixth Massachusetts in their streets, made up of all parties, and with each man's life offered for sacrifice, united the divided city, and they became as one man in saying "The Union shall be preserved." The passage through Philadelphia was in the night, or there would have been another repetition of the same boundless cheer and God speed the right, from the surging crowds of that ever loyal city.

Baltimore was reached on the 19th of April. It was the North Bridge of division between the contending sections of the land. The city overflowed with bitterness, and cursing against the Union, and the men who came to defend her.

"On this morning," says the historian, " the streets were filled with a scowling, angry mob, as the cars, eleven in all, containing the Sixth Massachusetts Regiment, rolled into town. The cars were drawn by horses across the city from one railroad to another. As they penetrated farther into the city the crowd became more dense, and the faces grew blacker with hate. Stones, brickbats and all kinds of missiles were thrown through the windows of the cars. At first the soldiers bore it patiently and without resistance, until all but two of the cars reached the station. These two, separated from the others, were surrounded by a yelling crowd, that opposed their passage. The officers consulted and concluded to disembark the men and march them in solid column to the station. The brave fellows went on through a shower of stones, bricks and scattering shots.

" At last, just before they reached the station, the colonel gave orders to fire. The soldiers discharged their guns among the crowd and several of the mob fell dead or wounded. The troops reached the station and took the cars. The scene that ensued was terrific. Taunts, clothed in the most offensive language, were hurled at the troops by the panting crowd, who, breathless with running, pressed to the windows, presenting knives and revolvers and cursing up into the laces of the soldiers. Amid such a scene the Massachusetts regiment passed out of the city, having had four of their number killed and thirty-six wounded.

"On this very day, the 19th of April, eighty-six years before, the first blood shed in the war of the Revolution had stained the grass in front of Lexington meeting-house, and on the Concord plains.

" On the second anniversary, long to be remembered, the first blood in the Civil War flowed in the streets of Baltimore, shed from the veins of the descendants of these early patriots."

The Davis Guards received at home, on their return, Aug. 10, 1861. The Davis Guards arrived at South Acton at about 8.30 o'clock, Saturday morning. A large crowd had collected to welcome them home. After cordial greetings a procession was formed and proceeded to the Centre in the following order : Col. W. E. Faulkner, chief marshal, assisted by Henry Wilder, James Wetherbee and John H. Sanborn ; National Band of Worcester ; Union Guards, Capt. A. C. Handley, 50 men ; Liberty Guards, Capt. S. Willis, 40 men ; Drum corps ; Hayward Guards, Capt. Daniel Jones, 62 men ; Lowell Brigade Band (this band barely escaped with their lives at Baltimore) ; Davis Guards, Capt. David Tuttle, 52 men ; Concord Artillery, Capt. Prescott, 54 men ; Detachment of Concord Artillery, with field-pieces, Capt. M. Hobson, 12 men ; Chief Engineers of Concord Fire Department ; Hookand-Ladder Co., Charles Stowell, foreman, 10 men ; Independent Engine Co., Jonas Melvin, foreman, 60 men.

A little out of the village a procession had been formed, under the direction of Samuel Hosmer, Esq., of the citizens of Acton and the adjoining towns, awaiting the arrival from South Acton.

Upon the arrival of the military they formed in the rear, and were thus escorted into town. Upon the arrival of the procession in town it gathered around the speaker's stand, when prayer was offered by the chaplain. Rev. Alpha Morton, after which Dr. John M. Miles, in behalf of the town, welcomed them in an eloquent address. This was Responded to in behalf of Capt. Tuttle, by Dr. Harris Cowdrey.

Col. Faulkner made a brief address to the audience. About 12.30 o'clock the companies formed into line, and marching to the monument, three cheers were called for and heartily given for the American flag, and at the same time a new, beautiful banner was run up to the top of the monument by Willie Boss, from which point, as if by magic, it sprang into the air, the band playing the " Star Spangled Banner." Hon. Charles Hudson, of Lexington, then delivered a very able address.

After an intermission of an hour, sentiments were offered by the toast-master, O. W. Mead, Esq. Brief addre^es were made by Rev. James Fletcher, of Danvers (a native of Acton), Hon. E. W. Bull, George Stevens, Esq., John White (a member of Davis Guards, who fought under the stars and stripes in Mexico, who is an Englishman, but when the order for marching came, volunteered to go with the Davis Guards), Hon. James M. Usher, of Medford, George M. Brooks, Esq., of Concord, Capt. Phelps, of Lexington, and Lieut. Bowers, of the Concord Rifles.

There were about three thousand people present. The route of the procession was handsomely decorated with flags and mottoes, as was also the new store of James Tuttle & Co., at South Acton. Over the armory, " Davis Guards not afraid to go ; " in the townhouse, " God defend the right;" on the monument, " Union, Davis, Hosmer, Hayward ; " at Capt. Daniel Jones', "Welcome home;" at Lieut. J. Blodgett's, " Honor to the brave ; " at Hon. John Fletcher, Jr.'s, " First to go ; " at E. S. Buffum's, " Safe return ; " over J. Fletcher & Sons' store, " Through Baltimore."

A detachment of the Concord Artillery fired a national salute on the arrival of the Guards at South Acton, also as the procession reached the centre of the town.

In 1850, on the seventy-fifth anniversary of Concord Fight, a union celebration took place at Concord, in which the inhabitants of Acton took part. A large company from Acton represented the minutemen of the Revolution, officered by Colonel Winthrop E. Faulkner, as captain, and Daniel Jones, the son of Captain Silas Jones, who commanded the Davis Blues in Boston in the War of 1812, and James Harris as lieutenants. They wore a flannel blouse and carried canteens with 1775 stenciled on them as uniform, and armed with guns of no particular standard, though some of them looked old enough to have been at the original Concord Fight ; but the contents of some of the canteens, judging of its potency, was of a later period.

The marching of this company elicited warm encomiums from military men present, and the result was a reawakening of interest in military matters in Acton and the permanent organizing of Company E, Sixth Massachusetts Regiment, known as the Davis Guards, the following winter.

Colonel Faulkner was the first captain of this company, and its other commanding officers till the outbreak of the Rebellion are here given : Captain Daniel Jones, Rufus Holden, Captain Moses Taylor, Captain Daniel Tuttlle, Captain Aaron C. Handley, and again Captain Tuttle who was still at its head in 1861.

In obedience to General Order No. 4,. issued by Governor Andrew, January 16, 1861, requiring the militia of the State to be forthwith put into a state of efficiency, this company practiced at drill every week during the winter and recruited its ranks' to be ready to answer any call. On the 19th of January, at a meeting of the field officers and company commanders, at the American House in Lowell, it was unanimously voted to tender the services of the Sixth Massachusetts Regiment to the Governor and Legislature when such services shall become desirable for purposes contemplated in General Order No. 4.

On the 28d of January the Legislature proffered to the President of the United States such aid in men and money as he he may require to maintain the authority of the National Government. This resolution was forwarded the same day to the President.

The result of this act of volunteering was that the Sixth Regiment was the first regiment called, and General Butler was the first to receive a commission as a general officer of volunteers.

The circumstances of the transmission of the order are given somewhat in detail. The proclamation of President Lincoln calling for 75,000 men, and convoking an extra session of Congress was dated April 15th, but did not reach Boston until the 16th and was not received at Albany until the 17th, receiving from the Governor of New York on the 19th the response by telegram to the President that the Seventh would start for Washington that evening.

The Governor at once issued his Special Order No. 14, commanding the colonels of the Third, Fourth, Sixth and Eighth Regiments forthwith to muster their commands in uniform on Boston Common, and sent it by special messengers. Colonel Jones, who was in Boston, received his order first, took it to Brigadier- General Butler for regular transmission and issued his orders the same day by telegraph to the Lowell and Lawrence companies of the Sixth and took the four o'clock train on the Fitchburg Railroad to carry the order to the companies in Acton and Groton to assemble in Huntington Hall in Lowell on the morning of the Kith at seven o'clock - uniformed and ready to proceed to Washington.

Colonel Jones, on his trip to Groton, met Captain A. C. Handley in the railroad station at South Acton, who immediately started with the order to Captain Tuttle.

Late in the afternoon of the 15th Captain Daniel Tuttle was chosen in town-meeting to an important office. On being requested by the moderator to be sworn as usual, he declined for the reason that he was liable to be sent out of the State with his company any day.

In a little more than an hour the summons came, Captain Tuttle started immediately for Lowell and messengers were sent at once to rally the absent men.

Other messengers were sent in different directions, and at two o'clock in the morning of the 16th the bells of the town-house and church were rung, calling the people of Acton to witness the departure of that miltary company which was the first in this or any other State to leave their homes in response to the President's call.

The company reached Lowell before the hour named, 7 a.m. on the morning of the 16th, and with the other companies of the regiment were dispatched to Boston during the day. Its departure to Washington was delayed somewhat by reason that it was late on the morning of the 16th that Governor Andrew decided to attach to the Sixth Regiment Companies L and R, from Stoneham and Boston.

The regiment left Boston about sunset on the evening of the 17th, and reached New York the next morning and Philadelphia the next afternoon. It left Philadelphia at one on the morning of the 19th, and, had there been no delay, would have passed through Baltimore early in the morning and probably without opposition; but the train carrying the Sixth was a very long one, and the passage of the Susquehanna (then made by ferry) consumed so much time and the slow rate of speed owing to the length of the train delayed its arrival at Baltimore until ten o'clock in the forenoon.

At that time each separate car was drawn through the streets of the city by strings of horses, and thus the different companies of the regiment became separated.

The first six companies, including Company E (Davis Guards), passed through without serious molestation, but the remaining five companies were attacked by the mob, through which they gallantly forced their way, though not without thirty-six of the men receiving gun shot wounds and the loss of four soldiers killed.

In the long procession of fallen patriots who were to pass forward and onward to eternity from the battle-fields of the Rebellion, these four Massachusetts soldiers led the way.

Leaving Baltimore about two o'clock the Sixth reached Washington - forty miles distant - late in the afternoon, and were received by General McPowell, of General Scott's staff, and were assigned quarters in the Senate chamber in the Capitol, where they remained about twelve days.

The regiment, aided by a part of the Eighth Regiment and a battery, the whole under the command of General Butler, then went back and re-opened the route through Baltimore, staying there some ten days, and * were detailed to guard the junction of the main track of the Baltimore and Ohio Railroad at the Washington branch, at the Relay House, where they remained till the expiration of their service.

The regiment was mustered in at Washington April 22d, and discharged August 2d, being absent from home about 115 days. The term of service, though brief, is assured a high place in history. This regiment was the first to leave home and the first to be attacked. It received a vote of thanks from the first session of the Thirty-seventh Congress for the alacrity with which they responded to the call of the President, and for the bravery and patriotism which they displayed on the 19th of April in fighting their way through Baltimore on their march for the defence of the national Capitol.

In his order dismissing the regiment Governor Andrew said: "Its gallant conduct has reflected new lustre on the Commonwealth, and has given new historic interest to the 19th of April. It will be received by our people with warm hearts and generous hands." Of the fifty-two men who went out under Captain Tuttle, twenty-seven are now living.

Shortly after the return home of the Sixth Regiment, Colonel Jones commenced to recruit a regiment of three years' men, to be numbered the Sixth Massachusetts. -It was not till the ranks were full and it was nearly ready to leave for the seat of war that Governor Andrew decided to retain the old Sixth as a militia regiment, to be called upon in cases of special urgency.

The new regiment was numbered the Twenty-Sixth, Most of the officers and many of the men of the old Sixth had enlisted for three years, and were enrolled in the Twenty-sixth. Captain Tuttle's health not permitting him to return to the war, William H. Chapman, lieutenant of Company E, old Sixth, became captain of Company E, Twenty-sixth Regiment, and twenty members of the old company enlisted in the new one. This regiment was mustered into the service of the United States October 18,1861, and left the State November 21st, same year, taking passage on the steamship "Constitution" to Ship Island, on the coast of Louisiana, and remained at Ship Island about tour months.

At that time the fleet under Commodores Farragut and Porter, bombarded Forts St. Philip and Jackson, on the Mississippi River, and the Twenty-sixth Regiment moved in rear of the forts in readiness to assault, but the surrender of the forts avoided the necessity of an attack, and saved many valuable lives.

After the surrender the regiment garrisoned the forts about four months, and then was ordered to New Orleans for provost duty. It remained there about a year, then started with General Banks on the expedition up the Red River as far as Opelousas; then ordered back to New Iberia, where about three-fourths of the company re-enlisted, and were given a furlough, commencing April 4, 1864, of one month, to visit their friends at home. Upon the expiration of the furlough the regiment was ordered to return to

After occupying Carrollton and Morganza, it returned to New Orleans, and on July 11th embarked on steamer "Charles Thomas" for Bermuda Hundred, Va., which place was reached the 21st of July. On the 28th the regiment marched to Deep Bottom, Va., where considerable picket firing took place, but no casualties happened. Subsequently the regiment was ordered to Washington, D. C., and then marched through a portion of Maryland to the valley of the Shenandoah River, reaching Winchester on the morning of the battle of September 19, 1864. The battle commenced about 10 o'clock in the forenoon and lasted till 5 p.m, when the enemy retreated. The regiment, being in the lead, advanced too far without proper support, and found itself with the enemy not only in front, but on both flanks, and, being thus exposed to a severe cross-fire, suffered severely, Company E having seven men killed or mortally wounded. Of the four months' men who went into the battle, at its close only twenty-three were fit for duty. The battle of Fisher's Hill took place three days later.

On October 18th the three years' term of service of that portion of the regiment that did not enlist having expired, the regiment was consolidated into a battalion of five companies by Special Order. No. 64, and those whose term of enlistment had expired were separated from their comrades who had re-enlisted. In the battle of the following day, let it be said to the credit of many of those discharged men, though under no obligation to do so, they gallantly again entered the ranks, fought all day and helped to change a temporary defeat into a glorious victory.

I am sorry to say that this voluntary act of patriotism cost some of these noble men their lives. Corporal Loker tells me that after the fight he helped to bury two men killed in the action whose term of service had expired before the battle.

On October 19th the rebel army surprised the Union troops at Cedar Creek, driving them back four miles in confusion. This was the scene of Sheridan's famous ride from " Winchester, twenty miles away," though, as a matter of fact, the Union troops had made a stand before his arrival. The remarks he made to his men greatly inspirited them, though it is not probable that these remarks will ever take a place in polite literature.

The results of the battle of Cedar Creek were the capture of nearly all of the rebel baggage-train and field artillery, and the complete dispersion of Early's forces. The battalion remained at Winchester during the winter, were ordered to Washington May 2d, and one month later were sent to Savannah, Ga., where they remained until August 26, 1865, when the battalion was mustered out of service; left Savannah September 12th, and reached Boston September 18th ; were sent to Gallop's Island for final payment, and

Memorial Library

In the narrative of Company E, Twenty-sixth Regiment, I stated that Governor Andrew decided to retain the Sixth as a militia regiment to answer sudden calls. In response to such a call it left the State August 31, 1862, to serve for nine months under Colonel Albert S. Follansbee, of Lowell. Company E, of Acton, was officered as follows: Aaron C. Handley, captain; Aaron S. Fletcher and George W. Rand, lieutenants ; Dr. Isaiah Hutchins, hospital steward for the regiment.

Captain Handley had commanded the Davis Guards some years before the war. His grandfather had served in the Revolutionary War and his father did military duty in the War of 1812.

The regiment was ordered to proceed to Suffolk, Virginia, near Fortress Monroe. It assisted in the construction of Forts Nansemond and McLellan. The regiment was detailed for guard duty in the forts, afterwards for scouting duty and destroying rebel railroads, among which were the Norfolk and Petersburg Railroad and the Seaboard and Roanoke.

The regiment took part in several battles and skirmishes. Among these may be mentioned the Deserted House, Carrsville and Ludlow Lawrence's home. In these actions the Sixth had twenty-seven men killed and wounded. No casualties in Acton company, though that company lost three men by disease. The regiment was mustered out June 3, 1863.

The services of the old Sixth were required for the third and last time during the war, for a term of enlistment of one hundred days, commencing July 18, 1864.

Col. Follansbee again led the regiment, and Co. E, Davis Guards, of Acton, was under the following list of officers : Frank M. Whitcomb, who was orderly sergeant during the nine months' term of service in 1861 and 1863,. was captain, with George W. Knight and Isaiah Hutchins as lieutenants. The regiment was ordered to proceed to Washington, D. C, and marched to Arlington Heights and performed fatigue duty in front of Fort Stevens for two or three weeks. This fatigue duty consisted in leveling the ground and felling trees to give greater range and efficiency to the great guns of the fort. After this time it was ordered to garrison Fort Delaware and to guard the rebel prisoners in the fort. After a useful but uneventful term of service it was mustered out, Oct. 27th, and returned home.

The official military record of the town of Acton reports as sent to the army during the War of the Rebellion 215 different men, including twenty commissioned officers. The adjutant-general's report for 1865 states that at the close of the war she had answered all calls required to fill her quota, and had a surplus of thirty tellectual powers, married to an amiable and highly accomplished wife, beloved by a large circle of friends, all looked that he should rival the fame of his elder brother, who had even then reached the highest honors within the gift of his native State. But in the midst of his apparent worldly prosperity his ambition was suddenly checked and his whole course of life was suddenly changed. Under the preaching of the Rev. Mr. Sutherland, a Scotch clergyman of Bath, familiarly known as Father Sutherland, he became a sincere convert to the religious creed in which he had been educated by his pious and excellent mother. After a long struggle with himself, and against the advice and remonstrances of many friends, he relinquished his profession as a lawyer, and all his hopes and dreams of future greatness and worldly glory, and devoted himself to a course of theological studies. As soon as this course was completed he was ordained over the Evangelical Church in Acton, where he remained from 1832 to 1852, when he became a pastor of the church in Milford, and remained a pastor till the time of his death.

No person could stand for twenty years in any community, holding the relations which were held by Mr. Woodbury in Acton, without making a deep impression upon the public mind. He had a personal presence, traits of character, mental peculiarities and forces, which took him out of the ordinary line of influence, so that when he left town, not the parish simply, but the whole community and neighboring towns felt the change.

As a preacher Mr. Woodbury was especially noted. Why so noted ? It was not because of his rare theological training. In this he was confessedly deficient, and at times even boasted of the fact that he had not been to Andover, or any of the other celebrated schools of the day. It was not because he had a natural theological acumen, which would supplement the deficiency of school discipline. His most ardent admirers admitted this, and some were glad of it. It was not because of his labored preparations for the Sabbath effort. Few have carried into the pulpit preparations apparently so meagre. His discourses were seldom written, and when partially so, were for some cause the least effective. He had simply the lawyer's brief, a small bit of paper, which none but himself could decipher, and he with difficulty at times.

But he had a large, commanding person - a charactertic of the Woodbury family. He had a clear-ringing, variable voice, which he could modulate to any circumstances, grave or comic, to any audience-room, large or small. He had a quick, susceptible nature which flooded his face with tears, sometimes of tender sympathy and sorrow, of sudden humor or contagious passion. He would cry when others had no thought of it. It was all the same to him. He had a rare gift of descriptive narrative. Not often did he finish a discourse, however impressive, without telling some anecdotes which, told in his blunt, quaint style, would raise a smile through the house and cause one to look to his neighbor as if to say, "That is just like him and nobody else." He had a fondness for nature in all her varied forms, human nature not excepted, which, bubbling up like water from a living spring, gave a freshness to his words and sentiments and bearing before an audience.

There was a frankness and boldness and what some would call a rashness in uttering his convictions which provoked approval and opposition, and he did not seem to care which. People gave him credit for meaning what he said, even if they did not agree with him.

His emotional conception of every subject which he treated, whether in the pulpit or on the platform, gave him a power which he wielded with wonderful effect on great occasions.

The monument which stands upon our village green never would have graced the spot nor extended the patriotic fame of the town but for his memorable address to the Legislature.

They could hear again the rattle of the musketry at the North Bridge, and the shriek of Captain Davis as he fell at the head of the advancing column.

As a reformer Mr. Woodbury's gifts were conspicuous on the platform. His humor and pathes and passion and wit, his bluntness, quaintness and oddities, his independent honesty and high purpose gave him at one time a foremost rank as an anti-slavery and temperance advocate.

In all the region around about and in many distant places his efforts when in happiest moods will be remembered as sparkling with telling points and a burning oratory.

The whole town revived under his manly strokes. The houses and farms and shops and roads and schools, which had languished under the blight of intemperance now took on a new lease of prosperity.

His oft-repeated wish to be buried in Acton, with the dear people to whom he had ministered in the buoyancy and strength of his best years, has been gratified. He sleeps in Woodlawn Cemetery, by the granite shaft which he erected in memory of his beloved son, James Trask, Jr., by the side of his Augusta, as he was wont so fondly always to call her,

History Of Middlesex

" My Son, I have begotten you in the Gospel, so I call you my son.' "Sly Son. 1st. Get your sermons from the Bible, the closet and the fields.

" 2d. Be brief. You are a short man and the people will not expect loDg sermons from you, my Son. Unless you deem yourself a very eloquent man. Be brief! be brief!

"4th. Throw physic to the dogs! They may not like, but they might as w ell have it as yon. You don't need it. Air, exercise, good food and plenty of it, are better than physic. Let the dogs have it.

" 5th. Trust in God and keep your powder dry. If your powder is wet it will not be of any use. Trust in God, but you must have dry powder or your shooting will not hit the mark. My son, God bless you and your people. Amen."

Reminiscences. - One hot summer morning in July, quite early in the day, there was heard a loud shouting from a carriage which had stopped in the street opposite : " I say ! I say I ! I say ! ! !

Hurrying to the door, Mr. Woodbury, of Acton, some thirty miles distant, was recognized sitting in the carriage alone, stripped all hut his pants and shirt. He was not expected. His first salutation was, "I say! have you any milk?" other questions followed, but the first thing to be settled was milk; he was thirsty.

Why Mr. Woodbury liked to live outside the village. "Because," he said, "he could shout as loud as he pleased without disturbing his neighbors."

Why he wore a broad-brimmed hat, loose-fitting coat and pants of blue color, carried a blue umbrella, instead of black, had boots with sole leather projecting a half-inch beyond the upper leather, drove his oxen through the village in a farmer's frock, with pants in his boots. Because he had a mind to.

Why he liked the Acton choir. Because it was a large choir and made up of ladies as well as gentlemen, and Augusta stood for years a prominent and graceful singer among them. He got tired of this all gander music when in college.

Deacon John Fletcher wras born in Acton July 21, 1790, and died July 1G, 1879, in his ninetieth year. He was the son of James, the son of Timothy, the son of Timothy, the son of Samuel, the son of Francis, the son of Robert, who came from England to Concord, Mass., in 1630, when thirty-eight years of age. He was at the time of his death the oldest person in Acton. He was nine years of age when George Washington died, and remembered distinctly the sensation which that event made throughout the country. In his boyhood all the territory west of the Hudson was a wilderness.

He married Clarissa Jones, the youngest of eleven children, all but one of whom lived to mature life, whose father was Aaron Jones. She died in her seventy-sixth year (February 8th), after being married over fifty years, the mother of seven children. He

In his early life he was captain of the Davis Blues, and was familiarly called Captain Fletcher. He was clerk of the company when it went to Boston in the War of 1812. He held the office of special commissioner for Middlesex County for several years. He was for a long period of years the veteran boot and shoe manufacturer of this reg'on, and in company with his sons, John and Edwin, carried on the business up to the time of his decease. He was conscientious in his dealings with his patrons, stamped his name upon his work, and made it good, if at any time there was a failure. He was largely interested in the general appearance of the Common, in the planting of the noble elms which now give dignity and beauty to the village, and but for his exertions and those of Francis Tuttle, Esq., they would have perished in the severe drought of 1840, after they were set out. He was interested in the erection of the public buildings of the Centre.

After his former shoe-factory and the old church, which was used as a town hall, were burnt, he encouraged the town to rebuild on the old site a new and commodious structure, offering to rebuild a shoefactory which should be an ornament to the place, which he did as promised.

As early as 1815 he began an industry in the town, which, till within a few years, was of great advantage to the material interests. He early espoused the temperance cause, and became an earnest advocate of the principles of anti-slavery. His ardent support of the temperance cause cost the loss of a valuable orchard in 1843 - destroyed by the girdling of his trees - and the same was repeated upon him a few years afterwards. When he became convinced that a certain course was right he gave himself to it heart and hand, with but little regard to the consequences to himself. In 1828 he, with his brother James, built the homestead, which till recently remained on the site now occupied by the Memorial Library.

Simon Hapgood died in Acton December 21st, aged eighty-six years and ten months. He was one of the original frunders of the Congregational Society, was for nearly forty years an exemplary member of the church, and for many years a teacher in the Sabbathschool; was one of the earliest advocates of temperance and emancipation, and was always identified with that which is for the best good of the community and the world at large.

Deacon W. W. Davis was born in Harvard March, 1824; came to Acton April, 1861. He married Martha Taylor, of Boston, April 7, 1853. She died December 8, 1868. Children : William and Ada. He has taught school eighteen terms. In 1861 he represented the towns of Boxboro', Littleton, Carlisle and Acton in the State Legislature, being what was called the War Session. August 3, 1882, he married Abby

Dea. John Fletcher

R. Worthiley, of Andover. He has been selectman of Acton, two years; School Committee superintendent, three years; Sabbath-school superintendent, fifteen years ; deacon of the Congregational Church since 1862. In politics the deacon has been uniformly a Republican. He has been a hard-working man, greatly improving his farm and lifting from himself burdens which at the beginning he had to assume.

Hon. John Fletcher was the son of Deacon John Fletcher; born in 1827. He was of the firm of John Fletcher & Sons till his father's death, in 1879. Since then he has been in the firm of S. T. Fletcher & Co., with his son, Silas Taylor, at 77 Clinton Street, Boston. The business is that of butter and eggs commission store. Though retiring in his habits, he has taken an active interest in public affairs, in parish, town and country. He has been chorister twenty years; representative to General Court in 1862; in the State Senate two years (1870-71); a director in the Lowell and Nashua Railroad; president of the Schubert Choral Union since its organization ; superintendent of the cemeteries; on the Executive Committee of the village improvement, and prominent in his activities for the home support of the Civil War. He married Martha Taylor, daughter of Silas Taylor.

Universalists. - The following extracts from an able sermon preached by Rev. I. C. Knowlton, D.D., at the dedication of the new meeting-house at South Acton (1878) are given. In a recent note from Dr. Knowlton he adds, " I send you the missing links in your sketch of our folks in Acton. I spent much time and labor in preparing the sermon from which you copy; I cannot go over the ground again. I think its statements are all correct."

January 27, 1821, the First Universalist Society of Acton was legally incorporated. It consisted of fifty paying members, two years after of sixty-one and eventually of over eighty paying members.

December 17, 1833, a church of thirty-nine members was formed a3 the result of the labors of Rev. Joseph Wright, who, that year, "became pastor of this society.

October 4, 1834, the Boston Association of Universalists met at Acton. During the next six years the religious services were in the First Parish Church and well attended.

In 1842 an attempt was made to resuscitate the First Parish by uniting all the elements not affiliating with the Evangelical Church. At about this time there was a Methodist Church organized and there was Methodist preaching for a few years.

From 1850-58 there was no regular Universalist preaching in Acton. In 1858 halls were provided in South and West Acton, and Rev. J. M. Usher preached in these two places for a period of six years. The parishes in South Acton and West Acton, although entirely separate, were started at the same time and have always worked together in perfect harmony. The same pastors have officiated in each place. Rev. J. M. Usher, an energetic and well-read man, was really the founder of both.

After the retirement of Mr. Usher, in 1864, Rev. Edwin Davis became pastor of both these societies and continued until April, 1872; Rev. W. W. Harward, three years ; Rev. N. P. Smith, oue year. Rev. I. C. Knowlton, D.D., assumed his charge in October, 1875, fifteen years, and is still occupying the pulpits, with acceptance, in his seventy-first year.

In 1868 the West Acton Society built, furnished and paid for a very pretty and pleasant meetinghouse, which it has used and greatly enjoyed ever since.

Each parish, at the date of this writing, though depleted by the removal of many of its young people to city centres, is enjoying a fair state of prosperity. Each meeting-house is pleasant and convenient, kept in good repair and occupied every Sunday.

The Baptists. - The Baptist Church is located at West Acton. It was organized July 10, 1846, with a membership of twenty-three persons. The present membership is over one hundred ; the average congregations 200. The Sabbath-school has always been a flourishing adjunct of the church, now numbering one hundred and fifty. They have an attractive meeting-house, located centrally in the village, with all the modern contrivances to promote the interest and profit of the worshipers. They have a large and instructive library connected with the society, adapted to give general culture as well as religious instruction- The following is a list of the pastors and the length of their pastorates: Rev. Horace Richardson, seven years ; Rev. W. H. Watson, seven years ; Rev. Jacob Tuck (2d), three years ; Rev. W. K. Davis, five years ; Rev. J. C. Boomer, four years ; Rev. J. R. Haskins.

Rev. C. L. Rhoades came to the West Acton Baptist Church, as its pastor, from the Lexington Church. He was a man of great enthusiasm, and during his pastorate of four and one-half years his hands were filled with work. He resigned in January, 1888, to go to the Fourth Street Church, of South Boston.

Rev. Frank A. Heath came direct from Hamilton Theological Seminary and was ordained June 7,1888. He is now in the midst of his work, with able and liberal assistants in active co-operation, and with high hopes of a success in the future exceeding any record of the past. Their first meeting-house, dedicated July 19, 1847, was burned July 2, 1853 ; their second meeting-house was dedicated September 19, 1854.

Daniel Wetherbee, Esq. (East Acton). - Few men have held a more prominent position in Central Middlesex. From his youth he was acknowledged as a leader. His early education commenced and was continued in the old tavern situated on the "Great Road" from Fitchburg to Boston, of which he became proprietor in later years. Wetherbee's Tavern was known from the Canada line to our metropolis, and was a temporary Mecca of drovers and drivers of baggage-wagons for more than half a century preceding the advent of railroads.

The small stream running through his ancestral domains he at once improved and enlarged, till Wetherbee's Mills comprised one of the most important points in the illustrated map of the county. Of public life he had his full share. He was town clerk, assessor and selectman for many years, and five years a representative to the Legislature. He was largely instrumental in establishing the State Prison at Concord Junction. He became one of the originators of the Lowell and Framingham Railroad, and a permanent director. He married Clarissa Jones, daughter of Abel Jones. He died July 6, 1883, aged sixtyeight years, leaving a widow and seven children.

The American Powder - Mills. - These mills, incorporated under the laws of Massachusetts, having their business office in Boston, are located in the corner of four towns - Acton, Sudbury, Maynard and Concord. They cover an area of 401 acres. The capital is $300,000. The annual production is in the range of $240,000.

These mills were started by Nathan Pratt, in 1835, and they were run by him till 1864; then the property was sold to the American Powder Company, and that company was formed by the union of Massachusetts Powder-Mills, located at Barre, Mass., and incorporated under the name of the American Powder Company, 1864.

They did a very successful business, and went out of business in 1883, and were succeeded by the American Powder- Mills. About sixty men are employed at the present time. They are doing a large and successful business.

The houses within a quarter of a mile of the depot were those of the tavern, for many years the residence of Aaron Jones; the house of Abel Jones, his son, across the road opposite, on the hill, and that of Col. Faulkner.

Besides these there was a small school-house, a few barns, cooper-shops, stables and out-buildings. Now there are over a hundred pleasant residences, a number of mills, stores and factories, a fine church, assembly hall, chapel, a commodious school-house, large store structures, railroad facilities for traffic and travel, and a village noted for its comfort and neighborly and social culture.

Tattle, Jones & Wetherbee. - On the rise of ground facing the Fitchburg Railway track stands the central structure of the vicinity - the hub of trade for years of this section of country. This firm is composed of these gentlemen, in the order of their connection with it : James Tuttle, Varnum Tuttle, sons of Francis Tuttle, Esq.; Elnathan Jones, a grandson of Aaron Jones, and J. K. W. Wetherbee, each marrying sisteis of James and Varnum. No other than these have ever been in the partnership. The present name was adopted February 8, 1867, when Mr. Wetherbee was admitted. Mr. Jones joined about 1852, and between these dates it was James Tuttle & Co. From 1843 to 1852 it was J. & V. Tuttle. James Tuttle began trade on his own account in 1839. A year or so here and three at Acton Centre, and he was ready to start with his brother at the South Village, which had just been reached by a railroad from Boston. Then the lower part of the building now occupied by jeweler Baldwin was constructed, a single story, with its basement, for the beginning of these operations. The house of Mr. James Tuttle is to the rear of this enlarged structure. These young men of twenty-five and twenty-one started with good pluck and with a will to succeed, but with little idea of the possibilities of their future. The railroad terminus was then at West Acton. All things seemed at the time to favor that village. Long after they started no little trade went past them to the prosperous concern of Burbeck & Tenney. That was then called Horse-power Village, and this nothing but Millcorner, where merged a half-dozen roads from Boxboro', Acton Centre, Westford, Sudbury and Stow. That was a stage, this only a saw and grist-mill centre.

In those early days they did a business of $25,000 per year. This gradually grew until it reached a quarter of a million, with appliances to match the growth. In 1850 they moved to their new store on the site of the present grocery. This building consisted of basement, a full story above and an attic floor. Shed, carriage-house and barn stretched from it back along the Concord pike.

James Tuttle has always been a shrewd and jolly helmsman, and when he set his craft on these waters he was bound to steer straight to the destined port. This store was burned January 20, 18G6. Within a year the restored building was ready for a new launch, and it has floated safely on its way ever since.

Exchange Hall, up three flights from the ground at front, has been devoted to public uses from the outset. The Universalists worshiped there until the new church was occupied in February, 1878. Every sort of gathering and entertainment has been held within its walls. Its dances, socials, concerts, lectures, campaign meetings, caucuses and conventions have made it well and widely known.

The prosperity of the firm rests upon its equity, Yankee sagacity and thrift. The gentlemen connected with it, many and various, stand high in the regard of their fellow-townsmen. The senior, Mr. James Tuttle, has been selectman, assessor, overseer of the poor, chairman of committee for building school-house, church and other public buildings. Mr. Jones has been prominent in town affairs. Mr. Varnum Tuttle has been a stanch pillar of the chapel enterprise. Mr. Wetherbee has been for fifteen years postmaster at Acton, town treasurer for years, which office he still holds ; selectman for many years, and trustee and executor of many private estates.

J. W. Tuttle & Sons. - Mr. Joseph Warren Tuttle, brother to Francis Tuttle, Esq., was the senior member of this house, and lived in one of the finest mansions at South Acton. The business is a wholesale commission. merchant's for the sale of all kinds of country produce; office, No. 1(5 and 18 Clinton Street, Boston. An honorable and successful career of fortyfive years has given the house a high standing in the great thoroughfares of trade. The business was founded in 1843 by J. W. Tuttle.

J. A. Bowen. - The shoddy enterprise at South Acton, now in charge of Mr. Bowen, is one of importance. The privilege and land were first obtained of Abel Jones for a woolen-mill during the war, by S. S. Richardson, by whom the first dam was erected. The amount of the shoddy and extract productions for a year is now estimated in the vicinity of $100,000 per year. The business has been profitable and employs over thirty hands. Mr. Bowen, the proprietor, is a gentleman of quiet habits, of enfeebled health, yet an intelligent, reputable and liberal citizen of the village, whose enterprise in the successful management of the interest, and whose generous contributions in the way of public improvement are appreciated by the community.

Charles Augustus Harrington. - He was born in Shrewsbury, Worcester County, Mass., December 22, 1814, where he lived the first thirty years. He married, May 81, 1866, Mary J. Faulkner, daughter of Colonel Winthrop E. Faulkner. He came from Wisconsin to Acton in 1867, and has resided in town most of the time since. Though interested in public affairs he has never sought or held official positions of responsibility except to act as assessor for Acton four years. He is an earnest Republican in politics and liberal in his support of enterprises for the benefit of the community. He has been largely instrumental in giving to South Acton its new impetus towards a prosperity exceeding all previous records. He built his own elegant mansion which overlooks towards the west, the Faulkner house and the water scenery of the " Big Brook," and the fine mansion recently built on the western and northern slopes of the village; the retreating low-lands of the New England settlement are also seen in the distance, with clusters of comely dwelling-houses.

The thirty daily incoming and departing trains which pass on the Fitchburg Railroad help the effectiveness of this panorama of beauty as seen from the windows of Mr. Harrington's home. He has rebuilt and enlarged the Faulkner Mills, put in an icehouse, store-house, barn and an elevator for the flour and grain business at an expense of $17,000. He rebuilt the piano-stool factory which was burnt November 9, 1886, putting in steam at an expense of $10,000. The estimated productions of this factory, run by Mr. Chadwick, annually are $75,000, which are shipped to all States east of the Mississippi and to Canada.

At the grain and flour-mills, now in charge of F. J. Hastings & Hezzleton, a very heavy business is now carried on. No place in this region has a more complete stock for feed, fertilizing, garden seeds, farming tools; flour comes in and goes out by the car-load. It is the heaviest grain business between Waltham and Fitchburg; estimated annual amount, $150,000.

The Acton Light Infantry was organized in 1805 and then consisted of forty-one members, including officers. The following gentlemen previous to 1830 commanded this company: Paul Brooks, Simon Hosmer, Abijah Hayward, Silas Jones, James Jones, Aaron Hayward, Jonathan Hosmer, John Fletcher, John Handley, Jr., Simon Davis, Abel Furbush, George W. Tuttle and Thomas Brown.

Captain Daniel Fletcher was chosen a delegate to the convention in Boston, 22d September, 1768 ; Francis Faulkner and Ephraim Hapgood to the Provincial Congress in Concord, October, 1774 ; Josiah Hay ward to Cambridge, February, 1775, aud again in May ; Francis Faulkner to the convention in Cambridge, for forming the Constitution, September, 1779; Captain Joseph Robbins to the convention in Concord, to regulate the prices of articles of produce, etc., October, 1779; Simon Tuttle and Thomas Noyes to Concord 23d of May, 1786; and Asa Parlin to the convention in Boston in 1788, to ratify the Constitution of the United States.

Graduates of College. - Nathan Davis, son of Samuel Davis, born November 30, 1737 ; graduated at Harvard College 1759 ; ordained minister at Dracut 20th November, 1765; dismissed in 1785; removed to Boston and was appointed chaplain at Fort Independence, and a review officer; died March 4,1803, aged 65.

Asa Piper, son of Josiah Piper; graduated in 1778, and was crdained at Wakefield, New Hampshire, 1785; was a retired pastor in that place after leaving his pastoral charge.

Solomon Adams, son of Lieutenant John Adams ; born March 18, 1761; graduated in 1788; ordained pastor at Middleton, October 23, 1793; died September, 1813, aged 53.

Daniel Brooks, graduated in 1794 ; settled as a trader in Westmoreland, where he held the office of justice of the peace ; died at Springfield, Vermont.

Thomas Noyes, son of Thomas Noyes, born February 5, 1769; graduated in 1795; ordained pastor of Second Church in Needham, July 10, 1799; dismissed in 1833, after a faithful discharge of his official duties thirty-four years. To his clerical brethren he set an example of diligence, punctuality and perseverance. As a preacher he was respectable, grave and sincere, practical rather than doctrinal. He brought beaten oil into the sanctuary. He was a descendant of the Puritans and a consistent Congregationalist.

Luther Wright, born April 19, 1770 ; graduated in 1796 ; ordained pastor of the First Parish in Medway, June 13, 1798 ; dismissed September, 1815 ; installed at Barrington, Rhode Island, January 29, 1817 ; dismissed July 5, 1821 ; he resided at Holliston afterwards.

Moses Adams, son of Rev. Moses Adams; born November 28, 1777 ; graduated in 1797 ; settled as a physician in Ellsworth, Maine, and was sheriff of the county of Lincoln.

William Emerson Faulkner, son of Franc's Faulkner, Esq. ; born October 23, 1776 ; graduated 1797 ; read law with his brother-in-law, the Hon. Jabez Up ham, of Brookfield, with whom he formed a partnership in business; he died October 1,1804, aged 28, and left a most worthy character.

Josiah Adams, son of the Rev. Moses Adams ; born November 3, 1781 ; graduated in 1801 ; read law with Thomas Heald, Esq. ; was admitted to the bar, June, 1807, and settled in Framingham. He delivered the Centennial address in 1835.

Jonathan Edwards Scott, a native of Nova Scotia; a resident in Acton before he entered college ; graduated in 1802 ; commanded a vessel at sea.

Joseph Adams, sou of Rev. Moses Adams; born September 25, 1783; graduated in 1803; settled as an attorney in West Cambridge ; died June 10, 1814.

John Buggies Cutting, son of Wihiam Cutting; graduated at Dartmouth College, 1802; ordained at Waldoborough, Maine, August, 1807; dismissed March, 1812, and was afterwards a teacher of youth.

Henry Durant graduated at Yale College, 1828; was a tutor in Yale ; all these, excepting the two first and the last, were prepared for college under Rev. Mr. Adama.

Bee. James Fletcher. - He was born in Acton, September 5, 1823, and was the son of Deacon John and Clarissa Jones Fletcher. He fitted for college at

Leicester Academy, Massachusetts, and New Ipswich Academy, New Hampshire. He graduated at Dartmouth College in 1843, at Andover Theological Seminary in 184G, and was a resident licentiate a year ; pastor of the Maple Street Congregational Church, Danvers, fifteen years ; principal of the Holten High School, Danvers, five years ; of Lawrerice Academy, Groton, six years ; of Burr and Burton Seminary, Manchester, Vt., three years. He has taught fortynine terms in all ; been committeeman eighteen years and superintendent of schools six years. He married in Andover, Mass., October 10, 1849, Lydia Middleton, daughter of Rev. Henry Woodward, missionary to Ceylon, granddaughter of Prof. Bezaleel Woodward, of Dartmouth College, and adopted daughter of Hon. Samuel Fletcher, late of Concord, New Hampshire.

George O. Parker. - He was born in Acton, June 19, 1826. He was the oldest son of Asa Parker and Ann Margaret (McCaristone) Parker. He fitted for college at Lawrence Academy, Groton, and Appleton Academy, New Ipswich, N. H. He taught school in Acton and elsewhere. He graduated from Union College, New York, in 1852 ; studied law at the Albany Law School, New York, and was admitted to the bar of that State.

In 1856 he settled in Milford, Mass., and was admitted to the Worcester Co. bar, where he has since practiced. For many years he has been chairman of the Board of School Committee of Milford, senior warden of the Trinity Episcopal Church, Milford. In politics he was a Republican, but joined the Greeley party in 1872, was a member of the Cincinnati Convention of that year, and represented the Democratic party in the Legislature in 1876. December 26, 1854, he married the eldest daughter of Rev. James T. Woodbury, Augusta. Their child, Margaret Augusta, died at Milford in 1861.

William M. Parker, M.D. - He was born in Acton, June 15, 1828, son of Asa Parker and Ann Margaret (McCaristone) Parker. He acquired a thorough academical education, and entered the Berkshire Medical Institution at Pittsfield, and graduated in 1853. He practiced in Shutesbury about five years. He there served as a member of the School Committee. From 1856 to 1860 he was surgeon of the Tenth Regiment of Massachusetts militia. In 1858 he removed to Milford, and there followed his profession till his death, March 1, 1883. He was a member of the Massachusetts Medical Society and of the Massachusetts Medico-Legal Society, and at the time of his decease was State Medical Examiner in Worcester County. He was married June 25, 1872, to Miss Emma T. Day, whose death preceded his own by about six months. He left his only child, Lillian Blanche, to Mr. and Mrs. George G. Parker, by whom she was adopted. The Milford historian, Mr. Ballou, speaks of his social standing as being in accord with the doctor's eminence as a physician and citizen.

Hon. Henry L. Parker. - He «was born in Acton. He was the son of Asa Parker and Ann Margaret (McCaristone) Parker. He graduated at Dartmouth College in 1856. He was admitted to the bar of Worcester County in 1859, and commenced the practice of law at Hopkinton, Mass., and was trial justice for about three years ; removed to Worcester in 1865, where he has been in practice since.

In 1886 and 1887 he was representative to the General Court from Worcester. In 1886 he was a member of Committee on Probate and on Drainage. In 1887 he was chairman of Committee on Probate. In 1889 and 1890 he was Senator from the First Worcester Senatorial District. In 1889 he was member of Judiciary Committee and chairman of Public Ser- * vice. In 1890 he was appointed chairman of the following Committees: Judiciary, Rules, Election Laws and Special Elections. In Worcester was six years a member of the School Board. For the past two years he has been president of the Worcester County Horticultural Society and senior warden of St. Mark's Episcopal Church, also member of the Board of Associated Charities.

Rev. Ephraim Hapgood, son of John and Clara Hapgood, graduated at Brown University in 1874, pursued theological studies at Newton Theological Seminary ; was settled in Seward City, Nebraska.

Edward F. Sherman. - Born at Southeast Acton, graduated at Dartmouth College in 1843, and practiced law in Lowell. The miils at Southeast Acton called the Sherman Mills.

Eben H. Davis. - He was born in Acton, 1840. He was the son of Eben Davis. He graduated at Kimball Union Academy in 1857, and at Dartmouth College in 1861. He took a course at the Harvard Law School, and then entered upon his life-work, that of teaching. He was principal of the Belmont High School, and was then elected, in 1869, superintendent of the schools in Nashua, N. H., where he remained a year and a half, when he resigned and became the superintendent of the schools in Woburn, which position he held for thirteen years, and has been superintendent of the schools in Chelsea six years. He has made a specialty of primary methods in teaching, has written for educational magazines, both in the South and in the Northeast, has lectured in several States at Institutes, and is now editing a series of readers, in behalf of the Lippincott Publishers.

Julian A. Mead, M.D. - 'He was born in Acton ; the son of Oliver W. Mead. He was fitted for college at Exeter, ' N. H ; graduated at Harvard College and Harvard Medical School : studied over two years in the medical schools and colleges of Europe, and is now in active practice in Watertown, Mass.

pared for college at Concord High School ; graduated at Harvard, 1887 ; has been one year at the Medical University of Pennsylvania ; one year at Harvard Medical School.

Frederick Brooks Koyes, son of T. Frederick Noye3, has graduated from Andover Theological Seminary, and nearly completed his course at Harvard University.

Dr. Abraham Skinner was from Woodstock, Conn., and commenced practice in Acton in 1781, where he died, April 16, 1810, aged 53. He married Sarah, daughter of Francis Faulkner, Esq., 1788.

Dr. Peter Goodnow was from Bolton ; commenced practice in Acton 12th October, 1812 ; left February 18, 1827, and was afterwards a merchant in Boston.

Harris Cowdry, M.D., was born at South Reading (now Wakefield), Mass., September 23, 1803. He studied with Dr. Hunt, of that place, and graduated at the Berkshire Medical School, Pittsfield, Mass.

At eighteen he applied himself to the vocation of a nurse, and in this work he acquired a taste for the medical profession. He entered upon this pursuit with the greatest enthusiasm. He grappled bravely with the obstacles that met him at the outset of his profession, and soon took a front rank.