Bedford Town (part 2 of 4)

The system of supporting high ways, which continued until the recent method of appointing a commissioner to direct the whole business, was early in practice here. A separate highway rate was assessed and men were allowed to work out their shares, but only on legal highways without a special vote of the town. In 1745 "Col. John Lane is allowed to work out his rate on the way between his house and the Country Road." In 1748 the wages allowed were established by vote in town-meeting: "In the three summer months fourteen shillings each man pur day, in the month of September Eleven shillings pur day." No one was allowed full pay unless he was sixteen years of age.

Hartwell. It was the extension from the present Loomis estate to connect with the Billerica and Camhridge road at the present cemetery gate. Eleazer Davis (2d) lost his life in building this piecE of road in September, 1748.

From 1750 to 1790 but few new roads were called for^those already laid out were gradually improved - gates and bars were discontinued and an occasional bridle-way was opened to the public travel and care.

About 1790 citizens of the District of Carlisle began to take steps to bridge Concord River. A letter from them, dated December 9, 1790, was discussed by the voters of this town and the subject-matter referred to a coofniittee.

Before that committee was ready to report, a petition had been entered at the Court of General Sessions by the people of Carlisle and a meeting of the citizens of Bedford was held in December, 1791, when steps were taken to ascertain the best way to reach Concord River from the village. In the following February the committee reported that they had made surveys as follows : " From 1(5 milestone, near J. Fitches' to Brother Rocks, by Samuel Lane's (Huckins') two miles and one-half: From said mile-stone through the swamp by Job Lane's house (Farrell's) to the River meadow - Oak upland - one and a third miles and forty-eight rods; From said milestone over Zachariah Fitch's causway (Sampson's) to the River, near Oak ujiland, two miles and one hundred rods." The committee chosen to consider the feasability of the plan of bridging the river made an extended report, from which the following is taken: "To put the bridge where it is proposed by the petitioners would require the building of a road through four hundred rods of meadow, deep mirey swamp and low, flat land, and the whole of the same lying in Bedford (saving eight rods), when we have neither stone nor earth suitable within a mile, - Therefore we think it very unreasonable and imposing upon the town of Bedford for them to think for to make us their slaves for ever, as we shall be, if we should be held to maintain a highway where they propose." The committee urged the way by the "Brother Rocks," saying - "however we are willing for to help them over the River when they miiy stand upon good bottom, and do something for them that we trust the Court's committee will think honorable to the town." The town opposed the plan most assiduously, but the Court ordered the road to be laid out in the way most objectionable to Bedford people, and they were obliged to plunge into the swamp and build the road and help bridge the river at an expense most trying to the people in the beginning. The town was divided into eight districts, with a superintendent for each, and the work of buildiug the road from the "bar" to the river was assigned in equal portions.

The miry nature of the ground over which the road was built has occasioned continual outlays since the construction, which, with the oft-repeated calls for repairs upon the bridge, have led later generations to believe that the investigating committee of 1792 was endowed with prophetic wisdom. The first bridge did not last twenty-five years, and Bedford was obliged to make an outlay of five hundred dollars to replace her portion in 1823. In 1873 the old mudsill bridge was taken away and a modern pile-bridge put in its place, at an expense to this town of nearly three thousand dollars.

The road from Bacon's (Frost's) to Gleason's mill (Staple's) was opened as a public way in 1798 and from Hosmer and Muzzy's corner to Samuel Hartwell's (McGovern's) in the same year. In 1800 the road past the present East School-house first appears as a town road, and in the same year the road from Webber's (Kenrick's) to Lexington line over the hill was straightened.

At the opening of the present century a road from the main way to Oliver Reed's (C. L. Waits') was opened. The evidence of the records is that it was a town-way at times and at others it was private. Mr. Reed was allowed to work out his highway rates on this road by special vote of the town.

In 1802 the town voted " to open a road from John Sprague's and so on to Eleazer Davis', they to give the land, and fence the road, all but sixty rods, which the town should build." It was laid out two rods wide, and two years were allowed for its completion, proving that the " Loop " round by Josiah Davis' house was not a public way until 1804. Measures were being taken at the same time to have the road to Lexington straightened, which was done by order of the Court of Sessions in 1807. The cost paid by this town was $1048.10. The straightening began at James Wright's chaise-house (Chas. Woods), and resulted in the present road over Shawshine River to Nathan Fitches' corner and direct to Lexington line.

The Middlesex Turnpike, a private enterprise, chartered in June, 1805, caused Bedford people a good deal of anxiety. A committee was chosen to protect her interests, believing the opening of such a thoroughfare would tend to draw away travel from the village and injure the town. It was located in 1806, crossing the town on its northeast border. The proprietors of the turnpike were actuated by a vain delusion that the new road built without regard for hills or ponds would attract all of the travel between New Hampshire, Vermont and Boston, notwithstanding the oft- repeated demand for " tolV

They enjoyed a measure of success for awhile, but professional teamsters were slow to abandon the familiar routes and discard the hospitality of the long established taverns in Bedford.

The opening of the Chelmsford road in 1823 was encouraged by this town, and measures were adopted to attract travel through the village, and the loss occasioned by the turni>ike was more than made up to the town by the new route. Six and eight-horae teams were continually passing through the village loaded with wool, butter, cheese and produce of the iiortheru farms, in exchange for salt, molasses, dry goods, rum and the requisites of a " country store,'' and in early winter " the roads were full " of farmers' teams loaded with their own fat pigs and beef and other products of their own industry, to be bartered in the markets for a years' supply of family necessaries. The charter of the Turnpike Company was repealed in 1841, and the road became a publii_- highway; by this, Bedford was burdened with another bridge and a section of road to maintain, which, because of its location, was of but little benefit to the citizens.

When the turnpike w:is opened this town was obliged to build two short lines of public road for the accommodation of families located near it. One of aeventy-five rods, in the east part of the town, made a new opening to Burlington, and one in the vicinity of Abner Wheeler's (Ernstein's). May, 1822, the road from John Merriam's to Lexington, two rods wide, was made a town-way. But few additions were made to the highways after the opening of the Chelmsford road until the coming of the railroad.

A short cut from Vinebrook mill (Staples') to the village was made by open ing the road from Lyon's barn across Shawshine River to the oldroad at Blodgett's house. This added another bridge to the town's care. The records show that while freed from building new roads, much attention was given to straightening and improving the old, but, fortunately, enough curves remain to preserve the rustic beauty of the town ; these are appreciated when driving for pleasure, but often condemned by the ambitious farmer in his haste to reach the market. In 1874 the road going south from the village was widened and straightened to accommodate the travel occasioned by the opening of the Middlesex Central Railroad. Loomis Street was soon opened as an eastern approach to the railroad station.

"Webber" Avenue, built in 1884, and " Hillside" Avenue built, in 1888, were private enterprises, but were soon accepted by the town as public ways.

Railroads. - In the summer of 1873 the ground was formally broken and work commenced on the bed of the Middlesex Central Railroad in this town. The town invested $20,000 in the enterprise and has never regretted the step. In the autumn of 1874 the road was opened for travel from Concord to Lexington, where it connected with the " Lexington Branch of the Fitchburg." The stage-coach, which had lingered here much longer than in any other town within equal distance of Boston, was set one side.

In the autumn of 1877 a railroad of a two-foot gauge was opened between Bedford and North Billerica. A road of this kind had been operated in Wales with success, but none so narrow had been built in this country. The novelty of the road, its cheap construction and equipments attracted much attention. Foreign ]ihilanthropists sought for the |)lans and returned to Europe with cheering reports. The rolling stock of the road consisted of two locomotives, "Ariel " and " Puck ; " two passenger cars ; two "excursion" cars and a few others for freight. For some months trains made regular trips over the road, and the experiment was a success as far as the working capacity was concerned, but it was a financial failure. According to a report in the Scicnlific American of March 16, 1878, the cost reached $00,000 while the estimate was $50,000 or $8000 per mile. A portion of the subscription " proved unsound or fraudulent," which, with the extra cost, unplanned for, placed the road in an unfortunate condition before it was ready for service. It was unpopular from the starting of the trains and never succeeded in regaining the confidence of the people in general, although some judicious men never lost confidence in the road* as iin ultimate success pecuniarily, but time was not allowed to test the wisdom of the plan; The road was thrown into bankruptcy and the rolling stock sold by assignees for $9000 in June, 1878. Thus the loss to Billerica and Bedford became a benefit to the Sandy River Railroad in Maine, where the rolling stock was put to immediate use.

Individuals were the only investors here, but they with many mechanics of the town, lost heavily by the failure, while the owners of the land through which the road passed were in many cases liberally compensated for damages by holding the rails, etc.

In 1885 the Boston and Lowell Company, then coatrolling the Middlesex Central, built a line from Bedford to connect with their main line at North Billerica, following substantially, through this town, the abandoned bed of the " Narrow Gauge.'' The town invested $2000 in this enterprise. By the addition of this line Bedford became a railroad junction, and is within ready access of Lowell and Boston, having abundant accommodations. As regards the time required for reaching the capital of the State, Bedford is to-day where Arlington was twenty years earlier.

Chapter Xv

The opening of the Chelmsford road, so called, in 1823, contributed greatly to the facilities for travel, and Bedford Centre became a popular thoroughfare. Competitive stage-routes were established from Concord, N. H., to Boston, in one of which Bedford merchants were stock owners. This fact, together with the popular roads and well-kept taverns, led to the selection of Bedford as a way station, where relays of horsea were kept. Other stage lines passed through the village, one of which was from Lowell to Woonsocket. An enterprise, strange, indeed, to the present generation, was created by the regular coming and going of the coaches, loaded inside and out with merchants and tourists. A public conveyance led to the establishing of a post-office in Bedford and in 1825 Elijah Stearns, Esq., was appointed the first postmaster. The first mail that left the town contained but one letter. Postage was an item of importance, and with many people correspondence was necessarily limited. The rates ranged, according to distance, from six cents to twenty-five, and pre-payment was optional. A letter from Billerica to Bedford must necessarily go through Boston, incurring a postage of ten cents. A widow at Bedford received, in one day, letters from four sons, who were struggling for an education in dill'erent schools, and her bill at the post-office was one dollar. The postmasters in the order of their appointments are: Elijah Stearns, John A. Merriam, Keuben Bacon, Thomas Stiles, .Jonas Munroe, Thomas Stiles, Henry A. Gleason, JIarcus B. Webber, Charles G. Fox, Marcus B. Webber, Henry A. Gleason.

INDU.STKIES. - Bedford has always been classed with the agricultural towns of the State; although in common with all inland settlements during the cohmial period, the people were largely engaged in supplying their own wants, hence every family conducted its own manufacturing. The cumbersome loom, with its oaken beams, spinning-wheels great and small, hetchcl, cards and the like, were requisites here longer than in towns on the direct line of the first public coaclies. With this primitive machinery the lamb"s warm fleece was turned to cloth, and dyed with indigo at the' chimney-corner, while the flax, from the fields, was made into snowy linen by the same deft hands that were equally skillful in manufacturing golden butter and savory cheese, not only for domestic use, but to exchange for other necessaries. The housewife had her annu.al season for jirepariug the year's .stock of "tallow-dips" or candles and manufacturing soap for family use.

The blacksmith hammered out the nails of all sizes, and with the aid of the woodwright supplied the farmer with all his tools. The itinerant cobbler made the boots and shoes from leather tanned in the neighborhood vat. The village bad its brick-kiln. Char- - coal was manufactured and Tarkiln Brook (crossing the south part of the town) suggests a day when the sap of the early forests was boiled to tar and resin on its winding banks. When the brave pioneer's life was over the village carpenter made the coffin for his body. It was early in the jjreseut century that the people of Bedford began to contribute to the increasing demands of a growing population outside of its own borders. In 1805 Jonathan Bacon and John Hosmer began the manufacture of children's shoes for Boston market. They were both of an inventive mind, - made their own lasts and prepared their own patterns. The business increased and other firms engaged in the enterprise ; among them were Benjamin Simonds, Zebedee Simonds, Reuben Bacon, Chamberlin & Billings. Several hundred people of both sexes were employed. Young men from other localities were apprenticed in the service of the different firms, many of whom settled here and became leaders in public afi'airs. When the business was at its height the annual sales amounted to upwards of ninety thousand pairs, at an estimated value of fifty thousand dollars. This was all hand work, and the employes were, to an individual, American born. "No shoes were in better credit than those made in Bedford." When machinery was introduced elsewhere, and all classes of people were employed in producing all grades of work, the demand for the superior articles, made here, gradually slackened, and after a time the business entirely ceased. Another enterprise carried on here quite extensively, when the shoe business was at its meridian, was the manufacture of bandboxes. Women were employed chiefly and many young women were attracted to the town to engage in this employment. Not a few of them formed holy alliances with the young men of the shoe firms and together became the founders of some of the most enterprising families.

George Fisk in the north part of the town and Amasa Lane in the east carried on this line of manufacturing. At first thinly-shaved wood for the foundation work was obtained from New Hampshire, but later a m.achine was introduced and the whole work was done here. The size of the boxes varied according to the fashion of the ladies' bonnets, which was variable in those days, as at the pre.sent, and created a demand equal to the supply.

About the year 1812, inquiring minds were turned to a geological formation that had already been used for paint. The first meeting-house, when repaired after the Revolution, was painted with the material known as the " Bedford Yellow." As before mentioned, it was found in the largest quantities on the Sprague farm. Thompson Bacon and others engaged in the enterprise. For some years it was used as a mineral paint - yellow ochre.

A stratum of clay was discovered on the southern border of the town and citizens engaged in the manufacture of bricks for local use. The clay was teamed to the centre, where a kiln was prepared and sufficient quantities burnt to build several houses and chimneys for others. The manufacture of charcoal became an important industry at one time. David Rice, the village blacksmith, burnt the coal for his own forges in a field near Carlisle bridge, while in the south fields the business was carried on more extensively, a market being found in and about Boston.

About the year 1830, Jonathan Bacon invented and patented a blind fastener known to the trade as " Bacon's Patent Lever Blind Fastener." They were made by hand and were the most approved article of the kind iu the market for some years. In the year 1832 about 4000 sets were made in town. Mr. Bacon received encouragement from Edward Everett, wlio pronounced the first pattern exhibited to be an article of value, as it proved to be. This patent was a source of a good income to Mr. Bacon, and the manufacture of them gave employment to several workmen in iron. Tanning and currying as an industry was carried on in the latter part of the eighteenth century and the opening years of the nineteenth. It was carried on at the centre by James Wright, Sr. and Jr., successively, and by the Convers family in the south pa-rt of the town. It was chiefly of local interest and prepared leather for home market. The farmers' habit of wearing leather aprons and sheepskin breeches created a local demand, long since discontinued. The baik for tanning was ground by revolving stones after the manner of a corn-mill. The Wrights were succeeded by Benjamin F. Thompson, who in after years removed the industry to Woburu.

About 1840 a paper-mill was established on the site of the Wilson corn-mill, on Vine Brook, and the manufacture of coarse jiaper was carried oc for a series of years, giving employment to many hands. The business was removed after the destruction of the mill by fire, causing the removal of one-tenth of the inhabitants of the town. After this calamity the industries, "with the exception of the manufacture of local necessities," were chiefly agricultural, until after the close of the Civil War. The opening of the Middlesex Central Railroad in 1873 furnished direct and easy communication with Boston, only fifteen miles distant, and prepared the way for a decided change, which is now rapidly taking place. Men, whose business centres are in Boston, are establishing homes, and the centre of the town is fast becoming a residential village.

The old system of farming is giving way to the culture of small fruits and vegetables, and acres are covered with glass for the purpose of securing early crops. The Colonel Jones farm of colonial days, in the west part of the town, comprising many acres oi the " Great Fields " sought by the first settlers, is being used for the propagation of nursery stock.

Grazing has become an important feature of agriculture, and the production of milk for Boston market has increased rapidly with the improved facilities for transportation. About six hundred and fifty cans of eight quarts each are daily shipped from Bedford. Many tons of superior quality of hay are annually produced, for which there is a good local market. Acres are annually planted with cucumbers, for which a ready market is found at a packing-house where cucumbers, gathered when quite small, are manufactured into pickles.

A wood factory for the manufacture of miscellaneous articles, gives employment to several men, and the town has its complement of cartwrights, blacksmiths and other artisans. Several men are employed with teams in marketing wood, cut from the forests of the town, but the growth keeps even pace with the consumption. The " Bacon Snow Plow," invented by Isaac P. Bacon, is considered the best horsemachine in use for clearing snow from sidewalks, and is used in the large towns of the county. The inventor died without liaving secured a patent and the industry is lost to the town.

Chapter Xvi

The streams of the town have never contributed very largely to its industries, although in the early days there were more places where the water-power was utilized than at present. Manufacturers have been benefited by damming the Concord River near its confluence with the Merrimack, while the people of Bedford have seen their broad meadows depreciate in value by the overflow of the banks. Peppergrass Brook, which drains the western slope of the village, furnished power for a saw-mill at the opening of the present century ; the mill was located on the southerly portion of Winthrop farm and owned by Job Lane. The Winthrop, or Great Meadow Brook, was utilized by the early inhabitants ; a remnant of the dam is now to be seen on the left side of the highway in going from the village to the East School-house. Farther down the same brook and near Sandy Brook bridge was another mill. There is evidence of an early mill near Farley Brook. The natural ponds cover but a small area. The dams at the saw-mills on Shawshine River and Vine Brook have aided in forming small ponds where ice is gathered for local use. " Spring Pond " or " Fawn Lake " covers seveeral acres, and is fed by a succession of sjirings ; it is a beautiful sheet of water and adds much to the attractiveness of the estate.

Public-Houses. - Benjamin Danforth and Walter Pollard were the inn-keepers of the town, very soon after the incorporation, and possibly furnished entertainment to travelers before the town was organized. The early records show that Danforth and Pollard each had bills against the town for entertainment as early as 1738. The former was doubtless located on or near the site of the " Shawshine House," and was succeeded in business by Captain John Webber and his .son, John Webber, Jr. The Pollard Tavein was near the Job Lane Alill, and the Fitzgerald house of the present is thought to represent the original house, in part. It was re-located after the discontinuance of the highway from James Lane's to Thaddeus Fitches'. Tradition furnishes proof of the honesty of Pollard by showing that he represented goods, offered for sale, in their true condition, thus : " Want to buy any yellow pork ?'' says Walter Pollard. " Think not," says Job Lane. Jeremiah Fitch, Jr., opened a tavern about the year 1766. It was there that the minutemen of the town lunched on the morning of April 19, 1775. The opening of the stage routes and the increase of teaming through the town led to the opening of a tavern towards the close of the eighteenth century. Its location was near the present corner of Concord Street and Park Avenue. It was first kept by Phineas Chamberlain ; he died in 1809, and his successors were Stearns, Porter, Flint, Hurd and Phelps. The house was destroyed by fire in 1837. At the opposite end of the village David Reed opened a tavern in 1797, and conducted the business until his death in 1832. The present " Bedford House " was built in the first quarter of the present century, as a private house, by Joshua Page. It was soon enlarged and turned into a public-house, and has been so kept until the present. In 1888 the sale of intoxicating liquor was suppressed in the town, and the property purchased by a stock companj'. The house now furnishes the comforts of a first-class suburban hotel.

" Bedford Springs" is located about one and fourfifths miles north of and on the Billericaside of Bedford Village. The name is derived from three natural fountains strongly impregnated with mineral properties. This place was included within the Oakes farm, which consisted of 150 acres, granted by Cambridge to Captain Gookin, in exchange for his lot on the township, and by him sold to Thoma.s Oakes. It is evident that the lake and never-failing springs of pure water attracted the attention of the aborigines long before 1643-44, when " Shaweshin was granted to Cambridge."

The keen students of nature early detected the remedial properties of the bubbling springs. The Pawtucket Indians had settlements in this vicinity and their medicine-men resorted to these waters. Scattering remnants of the tribe made occasional visits long after the Wamesick Purchase of 1685, by which " all manner of Indian rights and claims to that parcel of laud granted by the General Court to the town of Billerica" were honorably extinguished.

Mrs. Franklin Stearns, of Billerica, who was born in 1801, tells the following : " My mother, who lived near the springs, often told me that she remembered distinctly when the Indians came a long distance to fill their leathern bottles with water from the springs and told her, when stopping at her home, that it was medicine." These children of the forest also brought their sick to bathe in the waters. This evidence seems to have been lost sight of, and the instinct of the brute creation was needed to lead man to this fountain of health. About 1835 the farm was owned by Augustus Pierce. It consisted chiefly of woodland and pasture land. The owner furnished pasturage for the villagers' cattle. It was noticed that the cattle always went to the springs for water rather than to the open pond, and that cows having access to the springs were in better condition and gave better milk than those confined in neighboring pastures, where the grass was better, but the water was taken from other sources. This led to the analysis of the water by Dr. Jackson, of Boston, whose report, confirmed by later chemists, gave rise to the present beautiful health resort.

A company was soon formed who bought the real estate, and a commodious building was erected for hotel purposes. The enterprise was never a financial success until the Billerica and Bedford Railroad was put into operation. The estate was purchased by William R. Hayden, M.D., in 1856. It then comprised forty acres of land with the hotel, stable, bathhouse and bowling alley. It now comprises 175 acres, with buildings added, at a cost of $25,000. An equal sum has been expended on the grounds, making one of the most attractive health resorts within equal distance of Boston.

Here is the laboratory of the New York Pharmaceutical Company, of which Dr. Hayden is president. They make here 350 different preparations tor druggists and practicing physicians, of which Hayden's Viburnum Compound, The Uric Solvent and Phosphorus Pills are the principal. More than 25,000 pounds of the Viburnum Compound were shipped from this place during the last year (1889).

The Billerica and Bedford Railroad passes over the western border of the grounds, making the resort within convenient access of Boston and Lowell. The hotel, now under the proprietorship of William Adams, is filled with guests of prominence during the summer months. A post-office was established here in 1888, of which Dr. Hayden is the postmaster.

Bedford Springs is a distinct natural feature of the town, and the pharmaceutical works are entirely separate from all other enterprises, but they, together constitute the most attractive feature of the town. A sketch of the life of William R. Hayden, through whose perseverance natural possibilities have become realities, and whose fertile brain has produced a blessing world-wide in its extent, will be found elsewhere in this connection.

Chapter Xvii

when 1225 (two hundred and twenty-five dollars) were appropriated for that purpose, "providing the sum could he increased to an amount sufficient to purchase an engine with equipments for service." This was done hy organizing a stock company of nineteen members, each owning a share, the par value being .$15 (fifteen dollars). Each owner of a share held a certificate which, by vote of the town, entitled the bearer (provided he be deemed eligible) to a preference .in the appointment of engine-men, who were annually appointed b)' the selectmen, agreeable to the statutes of Massachusetts. In 1845 hooks and ladders were added to the apparatus, hut fortunately there was but little use for the machinery, and but little attention was paid to it after a few years.

In 1879, after a disastrous conflagration, the town voted to buy a suction hand-fiie-engine, and the sum of 1475 (four hundred and seventy-five dollars) was appropriated for it. This being done, the "Shawsheen Engine Company," of forty members, was formed, and paid an annual fee of f 2 (two dollars) each.

The " Winthrop Hook-and-Ladder Company " was also organized, and in 1883 the annual compensation was increased for the members of both companies to six dollars. Cisterns for the storage of water were built in 1888, and the town is well protected against the ravages of fire, at an annual expense of about $300 (three hundred dollars).

Bedford has always been jealous of its good name, and made haste to mete out justice to any who, by violation of law, have brought reproach upon it. In March, 1797, and for several succeeding years, officers were chosen to prevent theft, with instructions to pursue offenders to justice at the public expense. At this time there was a family in town so addicted to larceny that its members would steal from each other. The vigilance of the officers is apparent, as one of the f\imily was brought to condign punishment by being tied to an apple-tree (in the absence of a whipping-post) in the village, and publicly and legally whipped with thirty stripes. This was the second ' offence ; a third was punishable " by the pains of death without the benefit of clergy.'' This act of justice was not sufficient to deter other membpr.s of the family from similar offences, and the town was not rid of the family until two farmers, whose estates joined that of the offenders, purchased their farm, upon condition that they should not relocate in the town.

A greater evil, the sale of intoxicating liquors, met with but little opposition until 1828. The customs of society here, as elsewhere, gave full endorsement to the free use of ardent spirits in public and private. The "flowing bowl" was prominent on both solemn and joyful occasions. The records are remarkably free from itemized bills for liquors, but the oft-repeated charges for " entertainment," together with traditions, leave no room for doubt as to the nature of the entertainment furnished at the public charge? In 1804 the use of liquor at funerals was abolished by vote of the town. In 1822 a committee was chosen to repair the Common, free of expense to the town for labor ; but they were allowed to furnish " those that do the work with some spirit at the expense of the town." It is doubtful whether it would not have been more economical to have paid for the labor. In 1834 the overseers of the poor were instructed not to furnish ardent spirits for the poor unless directed by a physician. The first temperance society was organized in 1830, and moral suasion was faithfully applied, but it was not until 1888 that the State law was made effectual, through the vigilance of the " Law and Order League." To remove unfortunate possibilities, public-spirited men purchased the Bedford House property and organized a stock company.

The witchcraft delusion, that had been such a scourge in the Colony, had left its effect upon credulous minds in this town. There were those who attributed every mysterious occurrence to an eccentric old woman. They believed she was responsible for the power that is now seen iu a balky lior.se - refusing to advance, or a wheel to revolve on a neglected axle. There is a tradition that in the early years of the Revolution, when the British troops were stationed in Boston, this woman, in the disguise of a Tory, had a concerted meeting with some of the proud officers of the army. She represented to them that she had a great secret, which she would reveal upon their paying a heavy fee. The officers, anxious to engage in the enterprise, met her, upon agreement, at midnight near her own home. On being satisfied that the booty was in the chaise of the officers, she led them, by the dim light of a flickering candle, across a narrow plank which served as a temporary bridge over a swollen stream into a dark recess ; she then extinguished her light, recrossed the bridge, which she pulled after her, .secured the bags of English coin and went home. The ambitious officers, foiled in their undertaking, gladly left the town, but not until they had aroused a family and obtained aid in the search for their team and guidance back to Boston.

It appears that the early farmers of Bedford were greatly annoyed and their crops seriously damaged by the crows, blackbirds and squirrels. This was a prevalent evil in the Province, so much so that the General Court enacted a law in 1740-41 authorizing towns to pay a bounty on the heads of the little creatures, and were reimbursed from the Province treasury. There was allowed " for every dozen of blackbirds taken in their nests, and not fledged, twelve pence ; for the like number of blackbirds grown and fledged, three shillings ; for each crow, six pence, and for every water rat, gray squirrel and ground-squirrel, four pence."* The town indorsed this law at once, and the boys, stimulated by a bounty for the work of destruction, entered upon a competi- tlve war of extermination. The treasurer's report of 1741 shows twenty-two orders " given to parsons for squirrels and birds," amounting to £12 14s. 8d.

The list includes the names of the leading men of the town. As orders were only drawn for the parents, the number of individuals enlisted in the work of destruction is not determined, but there were, doubtless, as many as one hundred, and the records show that the practice was continued for years. One boy, William Webber, in his eagerness, mistook an owl's nest for that of a crow's, and when about to cajHure the fledglings was attacked by the mother owl, which plucked out one of his eyes, subdued the youth and provided a priceless meal for her brood. In 1823 the town voted ''not to allow Bobbins to be killed in the town this year." In 1829 voted " to pay twenty cents for old and ten cents for young crow's heads, caught and killed within the limits of the town."

Chapter Xviii

At the time of the incorporation of Bedford, profanity and drunkenness had become flagrant crimes in the Province, and occasioned special legislation. In 1734 the following act was passed by the General Court :

" Whoever shall be convicted of prophane swearing or cursing shall, for the first offence, forfeit and pay the sum of ten shillings ; and for every such oath or curse after the first, uttered at the same time and in the hearing of the same person or persons, the sum of two shillings, and for a second offence the fine was ten shillings." The fine for drunkenness was ten shillings for the first offence, and twice that for a repetition. In order that the law should be enforced, tithingmen were annually chosen as town officers. Their general duty appears to have been to promote the Divine honor and the spiritual welfiireof the people, by encouraging family worship and discipline, and checking profanity, Sabbath-breaking, idleness, intemperance and kindred immoralities. The otficial title, " Tithingmen, or tenth men," originated from their having a tithing, or a cnmi)any of ten families, each to oversee, including their own. Two such officers only were chosen at the first town-meeting, and as subsequent records furnish no evidence of an increase in number, it may be inferred that the people were dispoeed to obey the laws here better than in some places.

The most respectable voters of the town, often the deacons of the church, were elected to this oflice and sworn to the faithful discharge of the duties.

the magistrate of what they saw amiss in any one under their inspection. Long poles or staffs were furnished as instruments of authority, and especially used in the meeting-house during public worship. In the e.xpenses for 1742, Oliver Pollard has a charge of " 4 shillings for tithing men's staves." The faithfulness of the officers appears in a record of 1764, in which Stephen Davis, treasurer, gives credit for " 4 shillings for a fine for a prophane oath." It was the balance after deducting the cost of the prosecution. Tithingmen were annually chosen by the town until 1848, but their duties had long before fallen to other officers. In March, 1822, Deacon Michael Crosby, Zebedee Simonds, James Webber and Elijah Stearns, Esq., were chosen as tithingmen and sworn to the fiiithfal discharge of the trust. They were instructed to keep such order on Lord's day in the meeting-house and the Centre School-house as they may think proper. By virtue of a law of the Province of 1739-40, deer-reeves were annually chosen with the other officers of the town. The record of December 17, 1739, has the following : Voted, " that violation of the act relating to killing of Dear in the province be legally prosecuted. Major John Lane and Mr. Thomas Woolley be for that service sworn to the faithful discharge of the trust." Hog-reeves were chosen at the first election of officers in the town, and annually thereafter. As the town voted that the swine should go at large, according to the restrictions of the law, the duty of the hog-reef was to see that the animals were properly yoked from April to October. The remaining months they were allowed to go free and untrarameled.

"The English Eight," an annuity from estates in the mother country, was of great assistance to some of the early families. The Lanes and Pages were the beneficiaries for several generations. It originated in New England with .Job Lane (before mentioned) and came to the Page family, through the marriage of a granddaughter with Nathaniel Page, the second of the name in tliis country, who was born in England and came a youth with his father, Nathaniel, to Boston in 1682, and to Bedford (then Billerica) in 1687. A fragmentary correspondence, consisting of scores of letters and bills, dating from 1651, between the custodians of the English estates and Job Lane, is among the interesting papers treasured in Bedford. The annual remittance was sometimes made in merchandise according to the requests of the owners, as appears from items preserved. "May 2, 1721, St. Stephen writes alone: Sende 6 large quarto bibles," one of which is now owned by Miss Sarah Chandler, of Lexington. It contains the Page fiimilj': record. A letter dated " London Mar. 20, 1754, to Job & John Lane," expresses regret that " the Bibles did not suit."

"July 26, 1748, Zach. Bourryan sends Mathew Henry's Exposition on ye Bible 5 and 6 vols." Dress fabrics were often ordered and received, ana two of the ladies of Bedford appeared on important occasions attired in tlie " Englisli (Jovvus,'' The arrival of the large leather-covered trunks were occasions of much interest to the several families. It is evident that the town did not fail to exact a tax on the income, as appears from the records of 1744 : Voted " not to abate the Rates that the Lanes and Pages - gentlemen^ were assest for their income from England." During the Revolution the income was not received and the privations of that ])eriod were felt more severely by those families than by others that had depended upon their own energies entirely; but after peace was restored with England the full amount came in one remittance. The English law of primogeniture was not transferred to this country. New England adopted the older rule of the common law, by wliich all the children shared alike in their parents' estate, except in Massachusetts, where the oldest son had a double portion. The legal claimants of the Lane income at length became very numerous, and the just division very difficult ; hence the claims were sold in the early part of the present century.

Other fiimilies received aid from England in the early years of the town's history, as appears from the following: "Feb. 23, 170(i, Widow French's rates abated for income at England."

" Bedford, September the IG, 1785. Lane, this is to lufunn you what Articles I am Desirous to f^eii and for. Fret, one Pice of Chents for one gonnd, Very Dark. 2(1. one Pice of Sattain for one Cloak. 3d. One half Pice of Base.

4tli. one yard & three-quarters of .Scarlet Brad Cloth. 5th. one Silk Handkerchief. 6th. The Rest in tine Liiineu. "In So Doing you willohlige,

Chapter Xix Noted Occasions

The ordination services at the settling of the ministers, mentioned in the Ecclesiastical section, comprised all of the convocations of note previous to the year 1800. On the 22d of February of that year a most imposing ceremony was participated in by the whole town in honor of General George Washington, who had died in the closing days of the last century. Rev. Samuel Stearns delivered the memorial sermon.

In the various anniversary celebrations of Concord fight, held by the mother town, Bedford has been well represented. In March, 1850, ten leading men were chosen to confer with the people of Concord in regard to the seventy-fifth anniversary, and three of the vice-presidents were from this town at that celebration. At the centennial, April 19, 1875, a good company of civilians was in the procession with banners. The one carried by Bedford minute-men one century earlier was borne by Isaac E. Fitch, and one with the following inscription : " Caj)tain Jonathan Wilson killed April 19, 1775. He died for us and Liberty," was carried by Abram E. Brov/n. Both standard-bearers were great-grandsons of those who fought on the memorable day at Concord.

On Memorial Day, 1874, the Soldiers' Monument was dedicated with imposing ceremonies. The parent towns of Billerioa and Concord assisted in the services. The former furnishing a Postof theG. A.R.and brass band and the latter sent Company C, of the Fifth Regiment, and a brass band. Josiah A. Stearns, A.M., was president of the day ; Ralph Waldo Emer- .son, Sampson Mason and Rev. William J. Batt were among the speakers.

The one hundred and fiftieth anniversary of the incorporation of the town was the grand jubilee day of its existence. At the autumn town-meeting, September 30, 1878, it was voted that the town would observe this occasion. Rev. .Jonathan F. Stearns, D.D., one of Bedford's sons, was chosen to jirepare an historical address, and a large committee of citizens was chosen to conduct the celebration. The committee organized with .Josiah A. Stearns, chairman ; Rev. George F. Lovejoy, secretary, and Oliver J. Lane, treasurer.

The funds for the celebration were obtained by subscription; more than six hundred dollars were contributed to the general fund ; besides, there were many generous contributions for special objects.

When plans were so far matured as to issue notices and invitations, the committee called for a name for the celebration, and Mr. Elijah W. Stearns, the village druggist, called from his ancient Latin the numerical adjective "Sesijui " (one and a half). This gave the occasion a tinge of novelty and added spice to the post-prandial remarks.

August 27th, the day on which "the Great and General Court" that granted the charter for the town commenced its session, was selected for the celebration rather than September 23d, the date of the act of incorporation. This was to accommodate sons of Bedford engaged in literary work who were then enjoying their annual season of rest.

The occasion was replete with interest for young and old. For judicious planning and careful execution, the Sesqui Centennial of Bedford is recorded as an event that reflects credit upon all who contributed to its success. Chief among many were the historian and president of the day, both of whom, with a brother, the last of the sons of Bedford's honored minister (Rev. Samuel Stearns), have, since that day, joined the great company that they labored to honor through that celebration.

The organization of the church, which took place in July following the incorporation of the town, was celebrated in July, 1880, by the Church of Christ, connected with the Trinitarian Congregational Society. Rev. George F. Lovejoy, pastor of the church, preached an historical discourse, which was printed in pamplilet form. At the conclusion of the services a thank offering was made and the society freed from debt.

The fiftieth anniversary of the g.athering of the first Sabbath-schooJ was held in July, 1868. It was an occasion of general interest. Rev. William F. Stearns, D.D., president of Amherst College, and other sons of Bedford, were prominent in the celebration.

The seventieth anniversary was another important event, when a general reunion was enjoyed. The history of the school, in pamphlet form, was issued at that time.

Chapter Xx

Bedford is in about the central part of Middlesex County, fourteen miles northwest of Boston and twelve miles south of Lowell. It is connected with both cities by rail.

It has Billerica on the north, the same with Burlington and Lexington on the east, Lexington, Lincoln and Concord on the south, and Concord and Carlisle on the west, from which it is separated by Concord River.

The village stands on a slight elevation and constitutes a water-shed. Peppergrass Brook extends in a winding northwesterly course and Trout Brook in a southwesterly course to Concord River. Shawshine River enters the town from Lincoln at its extreme southern point and flows the entire length of the town, » : east of the village, entering Billerica at the north. It receives the waters of Tar Kiln Brook soon afterentering Bedford, and after crossing Lexington Main Street it receives Elm Brook, which drains a long range of meadows on the Concord side and takes in Hartwell Brook on its course.

Spring Brook, an outlet of Fawn Lake at Bedford Springs, unites with Potash Brook or Ash Gutter in its southeasterly cotirse to the Shawshine, which it reaches near the East School-house. Vine Brook enters the town from the east and becomes an important tributary of Shawshine River. Other small streams are tributary to either Concord or Shawshine Rivers. The only motive-powere, utilized at present are on the Shawshine River and Vine Brook.

"The soil," says Alfred C. Lane, of Boston, a grandson of Bedford, in " Notes on Geology of Bedford," "may be divided into three kinds - the dark peat of the swamps and meadows, boulder clay and high level sand-beds."

The peat is found on the lines of the water-courses, where a considerable portion of the surface appears to have been formed of vegetable matter and was used for fuel, before the development of coal-mines j a firm white sand subsoil which underlies this vegetable deposit made it comparatively easy to cut out the peat or turf in convenient pieces to stack for drying. It is also used as a very good fertilizer for the sandy soil of high lands. The cranberry and an inferior quality of grass are natural productions of this soil, and turned to some profit by the farmer. The boulder clay is composed of sand, pebbles and boulders, together with clay varying in quantities according to the location. This is supposed to have drifted here with the ice and been deposited during the glacial period. The underlying ledge crops out in some locations and shows unmistakable signs of the southerly course of the ice-fields. The most noticeable is in the vicinity of the North School-house.

The boulder clay is the soil found in the northerly part of the town, more generally than elsewhere ; it is hard to cultivate, but productive when broken and fertilized ; if left in its natural condition it produces the huckleberry and other small fruits of comparatively little value.

The sand, besides forming the subsoil of the peat lands, is thrown up many feet above the stream level and found in beds ; by digging in these beds one may easily detect layers of successive deposit, which indicate the action of the water when the ice was disappearing, before any well-defined water-courses had appeared and this territory was an inland lake. The pine trees seem to be the natural production of this soil, which is light and dry, but when enriched becomes productive and is easily cultivated.

In general the geological formation is calcareous gneiss and sienite, in which are found good specimens of garnet. " In Bedford the strike of the gneiss is northeast and the dip nearly perpendicular." Hitchcock mentions the yellow ochre in connection with a rusty mica schist.

Bedford is indicated as a locality for garnet by Dana and Hitchcock both, and at one time the attention of the people was turned to this formation, as of merchantable value, but it was not remunerative. The iron and suljjhur springs indicate the decomposition of certain mineral properties that are visible in some locations about Bedford Springs.

The village is well drained and free from miasmatic influences. It is classed among the very first localiities of the State in point of healthfulness. No destructive contagion has visited the town since about 1750, when a throat distemper baffled the skill of physicians and brought sorrow to families in the east part of the town. Longevity is noticeable in the families that represent the first settlers and particularly in the Davis, Lane, Page and Hartwell families.

Teees. - Besides the pine already mentioned, there is the white cedar, that takes kindly to the peat of the low lands in the vicinity of Concord Eiver, and the red cedar found in small quantities, making its slow growth in the boulder clay, where oak, maple .and birch flourish the most abundantly ; the elm flourishes here, having been planted by the early settlers for shade, and many venerable specimens are standing - useful monuments of the past. Flora: The following is condensed from alocalwork, "Some of the AVild Flowers of Bedford," by Charles W. Jenks, a careful student of the soil and productions of his ancestral territory :

"The wild flowers of Bedford are neither numerous nor rare. We have few deep valleys of rich soil, and few running brooks falling over rocks, both of which localities are the chosen haunts of many species. The earliest, perhaps, of all our flowers is one rarely noticed, the skunk cabbage, which may often be found in March, with its peculiar spathe of yellow or red, peeping out from some damp or swampy place.

".Soon after, along the banks of ditches or in low meadows, the cassandra or leather leaf, with its long line of heath-like bells; this plant, if gathered in fall or winter and kept in a warm room, will blossom freely. Together with this is generally found the sweet-gale, a low shrub with small and insignificant catkins, but having a delicious aromatic fragrance. Then, after the hazels and alders have flung their delicate tassels to the wind, the whole array of spring flowers is upon us - seven species of violets, blue and white (the yellow I have never seen in the town limits, though I have found it in the neighborhood); the wood anemone, with its neat and prettier relation the rue anemone, the columbine or honeysuckle, the houstonia, the false Solomon's seal, often called wild lily of the valley, and that little marvel of be.auty and color, the fringed polygala, the marsh marigold, under the false name of 'cowslip,' lighting up the meadows with its brilliant yellow, and occasionally, on some rocky land, the early saxifrage, the bell-bower with its pale yellow lily-like flower, and deep in some pine grove the moccasin flower or lady's slipper, one of the most curious of the remarkable family of orchids, the trillium or wake Robin, which among us is represented by its least attraptive form, the nodding species - these, with many otliers, make up what may be called the spring flowers. Then the shrubs begin to blossom - the shad-bush, the rhodora, with its purple flowers, followed by the many viburnums and cornels, the wild cherry, the choke, and the more palatable black or rum-cherry, the barberry, with its nodding raceme of yellow flower.s, whose sensitive stamens throw the pollen on to any insect visiting it, to be borne to some other flower ; the low

"About the middleof June, in the meadows, will be found the side-saddle flower, more commonly known as huntsman's-cup or pitcher-plant; about the same time of the year, .ind generally with the side-saddle flo\ver, are found two of our early orchids, the arethusa and pogonia or adder's-tongue, resembling each other in shape, - the former of a deep magenta color and the latter much paler, but with a delicious fragrance. A little later, in these same meadows, will be found the yellow lily, the tall meadow-rue, the trumpet-weed with its large heads of dull purple and the button-bush with its globular head of flowers, while hidden in the grass, but making itself known by its odor, is the meadow mint. Then along some watercourse, either ditch, brook or meadow, bursts forth the flaming cardinal flower, one of the brightest and most brilli.ant of all our flowers, and never so handsome as when seen in abundance in its native place. With this fore-runner of autumn come the goldenrods ; the clematis, clothing the bushes over which it climbs with a beautiful wreath of white flowers, followed by the feathery fruit; the groundnut, with clusters of fragrant chocolate-colored flowers; the clethra or white alder lining the road in some swampy place and sending forth a rich spicy odor from its pure white spikes; then the asters, purple and white, along the roads, the woodlands and meadow.s, of as many species and as difficult of determination as the golden-rods; the gerardias, the tall yellow and the smaller purple species; the gentians, the deep blue with its closed flower, and among our latest, if not the last of all, the fringed gentian, by many considered our most exquisite flower. The only companion of the gentian is the witch-hazel, with its weird-like yellow blossoms, which comes late in the fall and does not mature its fruit till the next season.

"The plants found in and along the river seem worthy of special mention. Among the earliest is the yellow water-crowfoot, which is found in May, and resembles a large buttercup. Later in the season the shores are lined with the blue pickerel-weed and the white arrow-head, while farther out are the white and yellow pond lilies, - the latter in two species, one much larger than the other; the bladder-worts are also found. "In August the hibiscus or swamp rosemallow may be found on its banks, while in the river itself is the water-marigold and the beautiful floatingheart.

" The family of composites is largely represented at all seasons of the year. The dandelion, golden-rods, asters, cone-flower, wild sunflower, trumpet, ironweed, thistle, hawk-weeds, climbing hemp-weed, elecampane, white-weed or ox-eye daisy, and tansy are of this family. Among the orchids are the lady'sslipper, pogonia and arethusa, four or five species of rein-orchis, including the ragged-fringed and the pur-

" There are a few parasitic plants found in Bedford, the dodder being one of the commonest; the Indianpipe is found in some of our woods and in many pine woods, the pine sap or false beechdrops, and rarely the one-flowered cancer-root. Rushes, sedges and ferns are also found here and furnish interesting study to any one enjoying the science of botany."

For many 3'ears the town was divided for the purpose of taxation into classes. They were designated as the south list and the north list. The two constables were the authorized collectors and the duty of levying the tax fell to the selectmen. The tax for each department of government was assessed by itself, which made the duties of these officers the most important withiu the gift of the town.

In the year 1736, after the expenses of organizing the town and church had been met, the rates and portions were as follows and entered upon the records as here given :

The following is a copy of the warrant issued to the constable for the collection of the taxes in 1743 : (But two punctuation marks appear in the original, and they might be regarded as accidental)

'* Middx Ss. To Zacberiah Fitcli one of the cons' of tlie Town of Bedford Greeting In his Majestya name you are Rei|uired to levy and collect of the several parauns named in the liat herewith cuinuiitted unto you each his respective proportion therein set down of the sum total of Buch list being fare iissesment granted and agreed upon by the Inhabitants of the town of Bedford Regularly assembled for defieyiug the nessaaary charges arising with in the same and to deliver and pay in the sum and sums whii.h shall bo levy and collect uuto Juhu Wliitmore Town Treasurer or where you shall have ordera from the ei-lectinen, and to conipleat and make up au accompt of your collections of the whole Bum at or before the first day of June next in serving the date hear of and if any parson or parsons shall neglect or refuse to make payment of the fluni or fluiuB whereat he or they ai-e Respectively acweased and set in the said list to destrain the goods or chattlea of Buch parson or parsons to the value thereof and the distress or distressesso taken to keep by the space of four days at the cost and charge of the owner and if ths owner do not pay the sum or sums of money so assessed upon him with four days than the sd distress or distresses so taken you are to expose and openly sell at ati out-cry for payment of sd money and charges notice of such sail being posted up in some pnblick place within the same Town Twenty fore hours before hand and the over pluse coming by the sd sail If any be beside the sum or sums of the assessment and the charges of taking and keeping of the distress and distresses to be Imediately restored to the owner and for want of goods or chattels whereon to make distress you are to seese the bodle orbudies of the parson 'or parsons so refusing and him or them commit uirto the common goal of the said County there to remain until he or they pay and satisfie tlie several sum or sums whereat they are Respectively asses.sed as aforesaid unless upon aplication made to the Court of general Sessions of the peace the same or any part thereof bo abatted

The basis of suffrage in 1810 appears in the warrant for the spring meeting : ** To the freeholders and other votable inhabitants of said town, qualified to vote in town-meetings, namel}', such as pay to one single tax, besides the poll or polls, a sum equal to two-thirds of a single poll tax."

In 1812 "a voter must have been a resident for the space of one year, and have been taxed during said time for his poll. The property qualification was then declared to be a "freehold income of ten dollars or other jiroperty valued at $200."

The changes in the observance of funeral rites, as indicated by the records of this town, have been as great as in any direction. The custom of holding any religious service at the burial of the dead was not general when this town was incorporated, but it was the custom to furnish mourning friends with certain articles of wearing apparel, and the custom was observed in some families in a modified form until a much later date. The following receipt is self-explaining:

" Boston, June 24, 1715, RecJ. of Mr. Job Lane, of Billeiica, y^ sum of teu pounds, at twice, for gloves for y^ fuueral of hia father." " I say reced by me. - Bknj. Fitch."

Rev. Samuel Stearns was instrumental in breaking up the drink habit at funerals, which was carried to a most ridiculous extreme in some cases. In 1804 the town voted "That the practice of carrying round drink publicly or in a public manner, and also of inviting the bearers to return to the house of mourning after the funeral, be laid aside." It .was also voted

" That notice be given to those who are desired to officiate as bearers, previous to the time appointed for attending tlie funeral. That two or more suitable persons be appointed by the town to superintend on these solemn occasions. That prayer be attended in one hour after tiie time appointed for the funeral." In 1817, after the erection of the new meeting-house, and purchase of the new bell, it was voted "That the bell should be tolled one hour before the time set for the funeral service. It was also customary to notify the people of the death of a fellow-citizen by tolling the bell and indicating the .age of the dece.ased by the number of strokes of the bell. On the Sabbath following a death, all of the members of the family were expected to attend the service of public worship at the meeting-house and present written petitions for a remembrance in the " long prayer." The " note for prayers" was expressed according to the case - that of a widow was as follows : " Mrs. B. desires prayer that the death of her husband may be sanctified to her and her family for their spiritual good." Petitions were also sent in for prayers for recovery of the sick, or delivery from impending danger. It was expected that the pastor would make early calls on Monday following, upon all of the sick who had thus asked an interest in the public prayer.

In 1810 Mr. William Page gave a hearse to the town. Until that time the dead were carried to the burial-ground on the shoulders of men. When intoxicating liquor was too freely used the scene became most disgraceful. It was a repetition of these scenes that led to the action of reform by the town.

The erection of the frame of a building - "a raising" - was an occasion where the sublime and ridiculous were strangely combined. The people of the town assembled in large companies, and aided in putting the massive oak timbers together and pulling the frame into place, a side at a time. The minister was expected to attend and offer prayer during the work, and all were treated to as much liquor as they would drink. At the raising of Colonel Timothy Jones' house, about the year 1780, tradition says, the Rev. Mr. Penniman gratified his appetite for strong drink so much that he offered one of his most peculiar addresses to the Deity, and when returning home fell from his horse and lost his wig. This was found by the boys, and some days later put in a hollow log near his house, when the owner was called upon by the boys to assist in capturing a wood-chuck that had lodged in the log, and there found his much-needed article of dress, instead of the little animal.

Biographical

The subject of this sketch was born in Salem, Mass., May 7, 1820, in a house on the opposite corner to the one in which White was murdered by the Kuappa and Crowninshield. In 1821 his parents removed to Moultonborough, N. H., where they lived a few years, and William was sent to the village school for a brief term. The family next moved to Boston, which was to be the scene of the boy's development into manhood. He attended the North Bennet Street School, under the instruction of "Master Capen.'' His father was lost at sea, and the family having no reserved means, the mother was thrown upon her own resources for their support.

About this time William entered the law-office of the Hon. James T. Austin & Sons, Joy's Building, as errand boy, for the liber.al salary of one dollar per week, where he remained one year, at the end of which time he went to live in the family of Mr. Ansel Lucas, at South Abington, Mass., where he had the opportunity of attending school, and where he made good progress. At the end of eighteen months Mr. Lucas moved to Eel Kiver, now Chiltonville, a suburb of Plymouth, where he remained until the death of Mrs. Lucas, who was a most estimable lady, and very much beloved by all who knew her.

William, who was then sixteen years old, returned to Boston, to be his own lord and master, with but little experience in the ways of the business world. Being of a sanguine temperament the future appeared to him to be all beauty and sunshine. Oh, Youth I Oh, Hope ! angels of beauty and love, you are kind only to be cruel, and when dark clouds overcast your gorgeously painted sky, despair is near. William soon found that the price of honest bread was labor, and that he must find employment, which he did with Mr. Tucker, one of the original conductors on the Boston & Worcester Railroad, in delivering letters, packages and money parcels from the railroad to parties in Boston, dividing with Mr. Tucker the proceeds of this primitive express business. At that time Mr. Harnden was ticket master in the Boston & Worcester depot, which position he resigned to succeed young Hayden, and at that time commenced the regular express business between Boston and New York, which has now become so important and extensive.

The next scene was the pit of the old Flag Alley Theatre, and the first appearance of our hero in a playliouse. Tiie mimic world was a new revelation, and from that hour he was simply " stage-struck." He hung around the stage-door to see the tinsel kings, queens and villains enter and exit. They were the beings of romance.

The next scene was the old Fredonia Society, in Devonshire Street, where John B. Gough, William O. Eaton, John Salmon, George A. Wyatt and other noted amateurs delighted the " Hoodlums" and our subject played Doric in " A Race for a Dinner." The favor accorded to the Fredonia gave life to the Histrionic Society, which was well fitted up for the times in Castle Hall, corner of Castle and Washington Streets, which sent forth several noted actors, amongst them James Stark, Octavus Johnson, Harry Paul and others. There was a rivalry between Stark and Hayden for leading parts. At one time Mr. Stark, being manager, and desiring to jilay tlie leading part in the play called "The Seven Clerks ; or, The Three Thieves and the Denouncer/' cast Hayden in a minor comic part out of his line, much to his chagrin. Feeling the slight and that he should not do himself credit, he went on the stage sure that he would fiiil, but instead of that he made a brilliant success, playing the part twenty-one nights to overflowing houses. He was afterwards elected president and manager of the society, but as there was no income from amateur theatricals, he entered the Old National Theatre under William Pe'by as a supernumerary and assistant property man.

The child prodigy. Miss Davenport, during an engagement at " The National," in one scene of a play in which she appeared had to pay off some factory help, who filed before her and received their tin money. Several passed her in due order accepting their pittance, when our hero, being the last and not being satisfied with his part and aspiring to be author and actor, accepted the coin with all the disdain of which he was master, threw it upon the stage, and with folded arms stalked down to the foot lights and out at the promptei's entrance. The audience saw the "gag "and cheered the "supe'' to the echo. Manager Pelby was a witness of the debut, and coming down to Wright, the prompter, exclaimed, " Who in hell is that boy ? " On being informed he said, " Give him some small business ; he will rise." Desiring to obtain a position in the company of the Old Lion Theatre, there being no opening for a novice, he accepted a place as a supernumerary in the play of " Mazeppa." The actor who had a short speech to make as a sentinel on a bridge, being taken suddenly ill, the manager gave orders to have one of the supeinumeries placed on the bridge and when JIazeppa entered the wing and motioned him to go off, he should do so. Hayden was the one placed there, and having become familiar with the lines, he, instead of leaving the bridge, went on with the part, much to the surprise and satisfaction of the manager, and continued in the part until the piece was withdrawn. He next joined a strolling company of players as leading man and "did" some of the prominent towns in this State. The business was bad, the manager stranded, and his company with empty pockets were obliged to " foot it to Boston." Mr. Hayden established the Dramatic Mirror, which, however, after a few months, died of what the doctors would call "marasmus." He next became a clerk for Mr. George W. Redding, a news agent at No. 8 State Street, Boston.

When W. H. Smith, the eminent actor, was manager of the Boston Museum, he gave Mr. Hayden an engagement at that theatre, but on account of sickness this engagement was canceled, and, much to his regret, his theatrical career closed.

Dr. Hayden has been thrice married - first to Rebecca Wyman Erskine, in 1840, by whom he had three children, one of whom still survives (Mrs. R. W. Rouse, of Port Richmond, New York). Mrs. Hayden died in 1847.

For his second wife, in 1850, he married Maria B. Trenholm, of Falmouth, a lady possessing remarkable intellectual abilities. In 18G6 she graduated in New York as a physician, and for several years had a large and influential practice, and was on the Board of Medical Censors. Mrs. Hayden had four children, two of whom survive her, she dying in 1884.

In 1845 he commenced the study of medicine, graduating in New York City, where he followed his profession for eleven years, when he moved East to accept the presidency of the New York Pharmaceutical Company the laboratory of which is now in successful operation, making 350 medicinal preparations for the physicians and druggists, threeof them being specialties from original prescriptions of Dr. Hayden, and are in high repute with the medical profession. They are The Compound Phosphorus Pills, The Uric Solvent and Hayden's Viburnum Compound, the latter having a most extensive sale, and being of a remarkable character. The company has received and published the written testimonials of more than five thousand physicians, being more than was ever before given by the profession for any other special remedy in the history of medicine. At the end of the first year after the incorporation of the company it virtually failed, and proposed to close up the business. To this Dr. Hayden objected and endeavored to arrange to carry on the works on his own responsibility. After much negotiation a trade was made, which at the end of twenty-four years is a great success.

In lSi;7, when Dr. Hayden came to Bedford, there was no railroad nearer to Bedford and the Springs than Lexington (six miles distant). Dr. Hayden went before the Legislature and obtained a charter for a line from Lexington to Bedford, which was built hy the Middlesex Central Railroad Company.

The next move was* tor a narrow-gauge road from Bedford to the Springs and North Billerica, which was also built. Dr. Hayden being the second president of the road, which practically was a success. Dr. Hayden, who desired this road changed to a standardgauge road, enlisted in its behalf the co-operation and able services of Mr. Mellen, the general manager of the Boston & Lowell Railroad, without whose favor it would not have been done. Some idea may be gained of Dr. Hayden's labors when we state that at one time he was president of the New York Pharmaceutical Company ; working chemist and pharmacist, doing all the compounding in the laboratory ; landlord of the Springs House Hotel for sixteen years ; having for six or eight years the larger part of the practice in the town of Bedford, two miles distant; visiting Boston upon an average of five times a week ; liaving for tlie past twenty-five years written all the company's hand-books and advertisements, attending to the general business, and carried on a farm of forty acres. During Dr. Hayden's residence in Bedford he has served the town one term on the Board of Selectmen, and two terms on the School Board, and received a very large majority of the votes of the town for the Legislature. During the past three years Dr. Hayden hasbuilt two laboratories and one of the most beautiful houses in the country, and made an extended tour of Europe, from Ireland to Italy, Austria, Switzerland, France, Belgium, Holland, Germany, England and Scotland.

Dr. Hayden has visited Europe several times and made the acquaintance of some distinguished men, among them Lord Lyt ton (BulwerLytton) Profes.sor John Ashburner, Louie Blond, the Rev. James Smyth, and the great Robert Owen, Robert Chambers and many others, and in this country he enjoyed the personal acquaintance of William Lloyd Garrison, Horace Greeley, Theodore Parker and other reformers.

Bedford Springs, the residence of Dr. Hayden, is one of the most beautiful spots in New England, sixteen miles from Boston, on the Bedford and Billerica Railroad. The estate comprises about two hundred acres of cleared and wood land, one of the largest artificial lakes in the State, a summer hotel, three medicinal springs, railroad station, express and post-olfice, and is a little world in itself.

In religion Dr. Hayden is an agnostic, in politics a progressive Republican, believing in the party when it is in the right, but never when in the wrong. His creed is, " Right and Justice for all men and women alike."

Jonathan Bacon

Jonathan Bacon was descended from Michael Bacon, who went from England to the north of Ireland, where he lived for several years, when, in 1640, he came to this country and settled in Connecticut. Michael Bacon, son of Michael, settled in that part of Billerica which is now within the limits of Bedford. He built a saw and grist-mill on Shawshine River, which was burned by the Indians in King Philip's War. At his request a military guard was detailed for his protection, and his mill was rebuilt. A saw and grist-mill, owned by Charles Clark, now stands on the site occupied by him. In the early history of Bedford, which was incorporated in 1720, the Bacon family was a prominent one. In a petition to the selectmen of Concord for permission to be set oflf as a new town, dated May 1, 1728, the name of Joseph Bacon appears, and at the first town-meeting of Bedford, held October 6, 1729, Jonathan Bacon was chosen one of the Board of Selectmen. Among the taxable inhabitants of Bedford, in 1748, were Samuel

Bacon, Josiah Bacon, Josiiih Bacon, Jr., Benjamin Bacon, Michael Bacon, John Bacon and Thomas Bacon. In 1780 Jonas Bacon enlisted as a soldier in the Revolution, and Jonathan Bacon was one of the signers to the covenant of the first church in Bedford, organized immediately after the incorporation of the town. Benjamin Bacon, who was born December 6, 1713, and died October 1, 1791, was chosen a deacon of this church February 15, 1759.

Thompson Bacon, son of John Bacon, of Bedford, and a member of this family, married Martha Hosmer and had nine children - Jonathan, John, Reuben, Elbridge, Thompson, Eliza, Nancy, Octavius and Albert. Of these, Reuben was an extensive manufacturer of shoes in Bedford, and Albert is still living in his native town. Another of these children, Jonathan, the subject of this sketch, was born in Bedford April 15,1785. With only the advantages of a commonschool education, he was in his early life employed on liis father's farm. Possessing a naturally thoughtful mind, his attention was soon turned to mechanical pursuits, in which he displayed an ingenuity which laid the foundation of his eventual success. Associated with John Hosmer, he was the first in this country to engage in the manufacture of women's and children's shoes, and his careful management resulted in the estalilishment of a profitable enterprise, which gradually increased and before many years was carried on by a considerable number of firms.

In connection with his shoe business he made patterns for lasts, and for shoes, which he manufactured himself, and thus opened the way for the display of his inventive powers in a broader field. He soon found that new mechanical enterprises, more congenial to his tastes, required the abandonment of his manufacture of shoes, and, selling out that business, he ever after devoted himself to inventive study and the manufacture of such devices as were its result, and their sale to the trade. George H. Gray, Joseph West, Charles Brooks and Horton, Hall & Co., of Boston, were among the principal dealers in his articles of manufacture. Among these devices were sash and blind fastenings, latches and various carriage appliances, of which the article known as " Bacon's Patent Lever Blind Fastener " has been for upwards of fifty years on the market, and has never yet been equalled by anything used for the same purpose.

Mr. Bacon married Abigail, daughter of Eben Clark, of New Ipswich, New Hampshire, an oificer in the Revolution, and at one time on the staff of General Washington. His children were Abigail, who married William Ripley, of Abington ; Clark, who married Emma C. Burr, of Hingham ; Frederick, who married Ann Robbins, of Bedford ; Caroline, who married Isaac Hurd, of Concord; Eliza, who married Prescott J. Bigelow, of Abington ; Warren, who married Lucy A. Lawrence, of Bedford ; "Jerome A., who married Marion M. Darling, of Boston, Eliza F. Merriam, of Boston, and Anna R. March, of Bedford ;

Mr. Bacon, tliongli largely interested in public affairs, neither songlit nor accepted office except such as he believed that he could administer for the benefit and welfare of his native town. He was chairman of the Board of Selectmen of Bedford for many years, only consenting to an election because he believed it the duty of every citizen to bear his share of town burdens, and to perform his part of a townsman's duty. Further than this he refused to go, and at one time declined a nomination (equivalent to an election) to the State Senate. In politics he was a Federalist and Whig, and as long as he lived, after the organization of the Republican party, he was one of its devoted members. Civil service reform, so far as a part of its policy is concerned, would, if he were now living, be no novelty to him.

As long ago as August 28, 1840, during the Harrison campaign, he drew up and signed a constitution for a political association advocating the election of General Harrison as president, in which, opposition was declared "to members of Congress distributing executive patronage until two years after they had ceased to be such." He belonged to that class of men whom older readers well remember, distributed all over the Commonwealth, some in almost every town, who ruled the communities in which they lived, not by wire-pulling, trickery and self-seeking, but by advice and counsel, sought and followed on account of their wisdom, and by an honest and earnest effort to put the best men in office, and thus promote and secure the public welfare.

In theology he belonged to what was called in his day the liberal wing of Orthodoxy, and remained in the old church and parish when they became Unitarians and the conservative wing organized a separate society.

It will not be difficult to portray the character of the man thus briefly sketched. With a mind elastic and susceptible of expansion and growth, with a training which had implanted within him a love of truth, integrity and faithful labor, he combined a tenderness of spirit and an affection for his family and home, a regard for public interests and a respect for the rights, comfort and welfare of those about him, which made him a conspicuous figure in his town, and one receiving the entire confidence of his friends and neighbors.

Chapter Xxii

This town has but few parks or public grounds. The "Training Field, or Common," now comprises the land about the meeting-house which was erected in 1816 by the town.

The enclosed tract represents but a fractional part of the land at first held by the town for public purposes. According to records referred to in a previous chapter, the gifts of land in 1729 "towards the encouragement of the new town " amounted to tliirteen acres, but it is evident that a much larger portion was held by the town. It is possible that the tract given by the several donors proved by survey to contain more than the recorded promise indicated, as was the case in the Winthrop farm. It appears from the vote of Oct. lo, 1729, that land was obtained by purchase as well as by gift. " Samuel Fitch and Step)hen Davis were chosen to tacke cear of the Bond and to tacke the Deed for the Town of the land that Wadkins that he sold to the Commeety." This doubtless refers to land bargained for before the incorporation, on which to begin the meeting-house in anticipation of the new township. As the only committee at work before the incorporating act was passed, that needed land, was the building committee, the conclusion most naturally is that tlie land on which the meeting-house was erected was obtained by purchase, and not by gift, as tradition has led many to believe.

Sixteen acres of tlie common land went to Rev. Nicholas Bowes as a portion of his settlement fee ; about one acre was assigned for a burial ground in the lot given by Israel Putnam ; and from time to time highways have been taken from the common land.

It is evident that the site selected for the meeting-house was covered with heavy timber, and that the present village site was an unbroken forest, save where a few bold pioneers had made clearings and established homes away from the parent villages. "Trodden paths" had been marked out in winding courses by travellers in their journeys from one settlement to another.

meeting-house was Vmilt from timber cut and hewn on the ground, and that more was standing when the question of providing a schoolhouse was decided in the affirmative in 1741.

The vote was to build a house, or buy one of Benjamin Kidder, and if the committee decided to build they were to cut the timber on the town's land, - " the bigness of the house to be twenty feet in length and sixteen feet in width and seven feet and a half stood." As the committee succeeded in buying Kidder's house for £12, the school building was provided without cutting the giants of the forest, and they remained until a later period.

Land divested of the timber was of but little value wlien this town was incorporated, and bounds were very indistinct for a good many years after that time. In a conveyance made in 1758, by Daniel Walker to r>enjamin Kidder, is the f oUlowing : " Bounded partly on range way and every other way by sundry lots of land." In setting off the "widows thirds" of the estate of Josejdi Bacon is the following description of bounds : " It turns and runs two polls by the onion garden, then running to the road through said onion garden." In 1730 the town appointed a committee "to stake out so nu;ch of the town's land as is convenient for the use of the town about the meeting house, and a training place." Forty years later it appears that another committee appointed to settle the bounds of the Common reported tlie boundary line upon its southerly and easterly sides the same as the previous committee. The records lead to the conclusion that the first meeting-house was erected on the northwest corner of the Common and near the highway, and that the first school house was erected on the northeasterly corner. About the time of the erection of this school house the town had the Common surveyed ; and a plan of it, made by Thompson Bacon, Esq., is to be seen in the record book. But little attention was given to improving the Common, and it was travelled over in a promiscuous manner until about 1850, when the fence was built by the united efforts of the parish and citizens, and travel across it by team was discontinued. Trees were planted and well-dehned walks laid out, and it is now a most attractive spot. When the town and parish became distinct corporations the ownership of the Common became a disputed question, both parties having enjoyed its privileges and contributed towards making necessary repairs. The plan already referred to shows that Joshua Page owned all of the land bounding the Common on the west, in the year 1806. Sheds for the protection of horses had been located about the Cmnmou at different times, but about the year 1825 they had been more systematically arranged on the westerly side, and the owner of the adjoining land had but a limited frontage. jVIr. Page, the owner of the land, was an enterprising man, and desired to put his possession upon the market for building lots, for which there was a pressing demand, and he succeeded in getting a vot" of the town to remove the sheds to another location and to open a street. His statement to the town, styled a " memorial," is of interest in many ways. It serves to mark an era of great progress in the town; sliows the condition of the surface of the land in that vicinity when in its natural state ; indicates the aggressiveness of the man, and shows what prompted Mrs. Hannah Reed to give the land known as the " Back Common " to the town.

The deed of conveyance from Mrs. Reed was made March 3, 1831, and contains the following: "The intention of this conveyance is to furnish the town of Bedford with a place or a piece of land where, and on which, such of its inhabitants as have occasion, on the Sabbath, to use horses and carriages to convey themselves or their families to meeting and on public occasions to the centre of the towni and may wish for a shelter for their horses and carriages, they may under the direction of the town erect or place stables for such purposes ; also to furnish said town with a place where as it may have occasion, it may erect or place sundry small buildings as a school house - hearse house and the like, provided that no such building shall be of such size or be so i)l;ice(l as to inrouvenience the use of said land for stable ground . . . nor interfere with the reserved rights of ways, and the area not so used shall be forever open to the Inhabitants of said town as a promenade walk, or Training field - and where it bounds on said Common shall at all times be kejit open and no incdosure or incumbrance shall be suffered within the area thereof. The Town shall always have the right of prescribing and controlling the location of the stables and other building lots."

This gift was but one of many acts of generosity recorded to the honor of Mrs. Hannah Reed. The town purchased the Flint land in 1891 for a school house and play ground, and the full benefit of the Common has since been realized by the town.

Besides the buildings already mentioned, there were upon the town's land the "Pound" and the " Bell House." The former was deemed indispensable in a well-regulated community, and a corner was assigned for it in January, 1732-3. Its location was changed in a short time, and the abandoned " Pound " at length became the foundation of John Bacon's shoe shop. A new " Pound " was built in a corner of the Back Common, and this remained until the spring of 1891, when its walls were put into the foundation of a new School House. The location of the Bell House is fixed by the vote taken Oct. 9, 1753 : " Voted, To hang the bell about two rods and one half northward of the School house and as near to Mr. Benjamin Kidder's wall as can be with convenience. Voted also to build a house not less than twelve feet nor more than fourteen feet square and that the house be so high as to hang the mouth of the bell sixteen feet high." (See Frontispiece.)

A few rods west of the village there is a triangular piece of ground which remained unimproved for many years. When the Village Improvement Society was organized this ground was graded and ornamented, and is now a place of intere.st. There stands upon it one of the most symmetrical oak trees to be found in this locality. The indications are that it is as old as the town. Captain Jonathan Wilson marshaled the "Minute Men'' of the town in this vicinity on the morning of Ajjril 19, 1775, before going to Concord, where he lost his life ; and the people by general consent have named this improved angle of ground Wilson Park.

Chapter Xxiii

[After the chapters of ecclesiastical history had passed througli the press, it became possible to obtain a memory sketch of the first meeting-house and photographic v'ews of the later houses of worship; hence this chapter descriptive of the buildings, with other details, is appended.]

The rude structure represented in the frontispiece was a meeting-house in the broadest sense of the term ; for in it were held all of the public gatherings, both of a secular and religious nature, for many years.

It is evident that when it was first occupied it contained only rude benches, and possibly these had not been provided when Jonathan Bacon assembled the first town meeting.

Clad in the coarse garments from their own looms, with sheepskin breeches a:id leathern aprons, inherited from their fathers, these brave men assembled in the inclement month of January, 1730, and made plans to "lot out the pew ground." William Hartwell, Stephen Davis, and Dea. Israel Putnam were made a committee to perform this service, and also to assign the lots to those who were ready to build pews. This proved the most difficult task assigned to any committee during the organization of the town and church. The descriirtion of pew lots was unaccompanied by a plan, and as they were not uniform in size, and erected by individuals at different times, it may be supposed that difficulties often arose in regard to titles. The records show that erring human nature led some to infringe on their neighbors' rights.

It at length became apparent to the people that some form of record must be made, and in the autumn of 1734 the pews thus far built were described and recorded as follows : -

A record of the Pewes in the meting house in Bedford by order of the Commitey Wil. Hartwel, Step. Daves, Dea. Israel Putnam with the advice of the Selectmen. A record of the pues as the Conmiete loted them out.

The records show tliat other allotments were made at subsequent meetings. The reader will observe that a \y*\v and a seat were entirely unlike.

In a meeting of November, 1734, Article 4th " was to see the minds of the Town whether they will grant Joseph Dean a pue iu the two hind seats in the meeting house either side of the grate aley. it was put to voat and past on the negative."

It is apparent that only the more affluent citizens took " pue ground " and built pews in the opening years of the town's history; and that others occupied the seats, and from time to time, as circumstances warranted, received their lot and built after their own plan. The difference in style of pews was chiefly in the height of the partition walls and provisions to keep out the wind.

In 1741 six men asked to change rear seats to j)ews with raised platforms, and offered for this privilege to build a school house for the town, bitt the offer was not accepted by the voters.

-On another occasion a voter was allowed to change the partition walls of his pew on condition that he should not place them so as to shut off the view of the minister from his neighbor's pew.