Hopkinton Town

Hopkinton Town

List Serving in the Army fa 1780. - Simeon Pago, Moses Craigie, Oliver Tidd, John Harris, Sergeant William Harris, Asa Rider, William Toombs.

List Serving in the Army in 1780. - Simeon Page, Moses Craigie, Oliver Tidd, Asa Rider, John Harris (Sergeant), William Harris, William Toombs.

A List of the Men Enlisted in the Continental Armji for Three Years or During the TTar. - Joshua Wheatou, William Fanning, William White, lono Toombs, Isaac Bixby, Edmund Gould, Asa Rider, William Young, Daniel North, Erastus Harris, Jr., Thomas Freeland, Jr., John Walker, William Toombs, James Gay, William Prentice, John Graves, George Fischer, John Welden, John Gould, Thomas Bnshell, John Haven, Adam Britaea, Geffree Graves, Barnhard Bodemaker, Granshaw Meharan, William Roseman, Frances Duplarey, Samuel Geffus, Moses Gray.

At a meeting held June 17, 1776, I find the following record : "Put to vote to see weather the town will Declare themselves Independent of the Kingdom of Great Britton in case the Contenantial Congre.ss should Declare the same - Past in the Aifemetive by a very Unanamose vote."

The records of the town, in the War of the Revolution, for patriotism and love of liberty, cannot be surpassed by any town in the State or country, when taken in connection with the fact that it appears, by a report of a committee made to the town December 28, 1789, that there was less than 200 families in town.

When the War of the Rebellion broke out, the 'firs't meeting to consider the matter relating to the war, was held April 29, 1861, at which meeting Nathan P. Coburn, Alonzo Coburn, William A. Phipps, Clement Meserve and John A. Phipps were appointed a committee to consider and report what should be done by the town " to aid in the defence of the nation." The committee reported " that the town appropriate a sum not to exceed five thousand dollars, to be expended for the purpose of organizing and drilling military companies for the national defence." The report wiis accepted and the money appropriated. Lee Clatlin, William A. Phipps, Albert Wood, Charles P. Morse and Thomas Mead were chosen a committee to superintend the expenditure of the money.

1862, July 17, the town voted to pay a bounty of fifty dollars to each volunteer for three years, or during the war, to the number of forty-seven, to fill the quota of the town. On the ISlh of August the town voted to increase the bounty to one hundred dollars, and on September 18th the same bounty was authorized to be paid to volunteers for nine months' service, and to pay the men Government pay from the time they enlist until they are mustered into the service.

No action appears to have been taken by the town in its corporate capacity for the years of 1863 and 1864, although recruiting was continued as usual.

April 11, 1865, voted to pay a bounty of one hundred and twenty-five dollars to each volunteer to the credit of the town for three years' services, to continue until March 1, 1865. Also to pay the same bounty to drafted men.

Hopkinton furnished four hundred and twenty-five men for the w.ar, which was a surplus of sixteen over and above all demands ; three were commissioned officers. The total amount of money appropriated and expended by the town on account of the war exclusive of State aid was thirty thousand dollars ($30,- 000.00).

The selectmen in 1861 were N. P. Coburn, E. A. Bates, David Eames, 0. L. Woods; in 1862, 1863, 1864, N. P. Coburn, E. A. Bates, Gardner Parker, C. P. Morse, Thomas Mead ; 1865, E. A. Bates, Erastus Thompson, Thomas Mead, Charles Seaver, and M. C. Phipps. The town clerk for 1861, 1862, 1863, was Joseph A. Tillinghast ; I. Augustus Woodbury, for 1864 and 1865 ; the town treasurer during all the years of the war was Jonathan Whittemore.

Catholicity in Hopkinton.' - Time rolls his restless course ; the changing years flit on, and, one by one, unbidden to-morrows burst forth to-days only to lose themselves again in the yesterdays of the sombre, silent past. Life is one continual change, and to none can this be more evident than to him who will carefully pause and reflect on the wonderful transformations that have been eftected during the past forty years, since the inauguration of the Parish of Hopkinton. Who, in those early days would have presumed to predict so glorious a future for this little hamlet? Who then dared hope that the day would ever come when the Catholics of Hopkinton could claim the proud distinction of having erected to the honor and glory of God the grandest edifice within the confines of New England. Truly it seems the finger of God had pointed out the way for His devoted children, and strengthened their hearts in the hour of darkness against the attacks of a bigoted and unrelenting world. But few of the early settlers survive to tell the story of the suflerings and privations undergone in the cause of Christ when the faithful were forced to travel many weary miles over almost impassable roads to receive the consolations of our holy religion. As early as 1846 the Parish of Milford was formed, which included the present parishes of Hopkinton, Medway, HoUiston, Ashland, Upton, Marlboro', Maynard, Rock Bottom, Westboro', Cordaville and Saxonville. Rev. Father Boyce of Worcester was appointed fir.st pastor, assisted by Rev. Father Gibson, by whom regular monthly services were instituted in the surrounding towns ; the priest being obliged to travel from place to place, oftentimes exposed to the inclemency of the weather, to care for the wants of his devoted flock. Previous to this time the Catholics of Hopkinton attended Mass at the homes of Dominic McDevitt and Edward Mc- Govern, both of Milford ; but upon the arrival of Father Boyce as pastor of Milford, services were held at the residence of John McDonough, who sympathized with !ind materially aided these early pioneers in their unswerving fidelity to their holy cause. Still they remained unsatisfied and longed for a church wherein they might worship God according to the dictates of conscience. The faith of Saints Patrick and Columba glowed in their hearts ; nor could they rest until they had a place wherein a priest might dwell and preach the word of God. With this object in view, a meeting was called in November, 1849, by John Wilson, a Protestant, at his home on Mt. Auburn Street, where were assembled all the Catholic men, twenty-two in number, from the outlying districts - very few then resided in the town proper. What transpired at that meeting is best told in the words of Michael Raferty, an eyewitness, and the oldest Catholic resident living : " I have attended many meetings, both political and re- ligious, but never have I witnessed such enthusiasm displayed as at that first meeting of the Catholics of Hopkinton, and to John Wilson must be given the honor of being the first to propose the establishment of a Catholic Church in our town. His actions on that occasion were something not soon to be forgotten, and his generosity is worthy of record. Seven hundred dollars were subscribed in a few moments, and we voted to build a House of Prayer."

The following day Dr. Pratt offered an acre of land (now a portion of the Catholic Cemetery) as a site for the proposed church. Michael Raferty was appointed to confer with Father Boyce, who in the meanwhile had received an offer from another source. This was from E. A. Bates, Esq., a citizen who owned considerable property on what is now known as Cedar Street, and, wishing to enhance the value of the same, ofiered Father Boyce an acre of land and $200, provided the building was erected within a certain time. The offer was accepted, Father Boyce paying f 100 ; but the building was not begun before 1851.

Toward the close of the year 1849, Father Boyce was succeeded by Rev. Father Hamilton, assisted by Father McGrath, who immediately undertook the arduous work of erecting a church on the site previously selected. The following year Father Farrilly, of Saxonville, succeeded Father Hamilton, coming here as often as necessity required, and holding services at the home of Mr. John McDonough, and later in the old Town Hall,

The labors and the sacrifices of the pioneer missionaries of the East form the most important part of our Catholic history. They are chronicled in the traditions of the faithful, and need not be recited here.

Despite his manifold duties and the countless sacrifices incident to so great an undertaking, Father Farrilly determined to build a Church, and early in 1851 the contract was awarded to Artemus Johnson, of Holliston, for the erection of a wooden church, sixty by forty feet, known as St. Malachi's. Two years later an addition was made, and here the Catholics of Hopkinton knelt 'neath the shadowing protection of the cross of Christ and heard the Word of God.

It was in the spring of 1854 that Father Farrilly was transferred from Saxonville to Milford, where he was stationed as resident pastor, with charge of the original parish heretofore mentioned, assisted by Father O'Beirne and Father Welch, of Natick, lately deceased. Three weary years he labored assiduously for the welfare of his people, when at length his rugged frame, weakened, no doubt, by years of unceasing toil, fell a prey to a disease which resulted in his death in August, 1857. His remains were interred in the church-yard, where they reposed until August 15, 1883, at which time they were transferred to the Catholic cemetery, where a monu- ment had been erected in his honor by his old Hopkinton parishioners. September 15, 1857, Rev. P. Cuddihy, present rector of St. Mary's Parish at Milford, was appointed his successor, who divided the old parish with Father Welch, who had previously acted as curate to Father Farrilly, receiving for himself the present towns of Milford, Hopkinton, Medway, Holliston, Ashland, Marlboro' and Upton. This system continued as late as 1866, at which time Father Cuddihy gave up Hopkinton, Ashland, Marlboro', and commenced the building of a new church in Milford. The history of Father Cuddihy's pastorate during the niue years he remained wHh us, is but the repetition of what every priest has been obliged to undergo, whose mission was to sow the seed of wisdom in a si)ar.sely-settled locality. Yet Father Cuddihy merits more than a passing notice for his indefatigable exertions, and the respect and esteem in which he is held to day by his people is the best criterion by which to judge of his ability as a man and his zealous devotion as a priest in his sacred profession. Upon the retirement of Father Cuddihy, July, 1860, his curate, Father Barry, was appointed first resident Catholic pastor of Hopkinton, with charge of Westboro', Ashland and Cordaville. This was the real beginning of the Hopkinton Parish, and during its brief e-xistence of twenty-four years what has it not accomplished ?

The work done in the short time which has intervened since the institution of this parish shows more plainly than any words of mine the noble generosity which has ever been characteristic of this people, and the self-sacrificing, zealous spirit of the pastors, who, from time to time, had charge of this devoted Hock. Father Barry diligently followed in the footsteps of his predecessors, and what he accomplished during his mission of four short years here will not soon be forgotten. April 1, 1870, he was transferred to Rockport, where he remained until his death, which occurred Jan. 7, 1883. His remains lie at rest in our own cemetery, as it had always been his desire to return to his former parishioners. A few months ago the St. Johu's C. T. and L. Society erected in his honor a massive and costly monument as a memorial to one whose services were as lasting as they were exceptional.

Upon the removal of Father Barry, Father Minetti, an Italian by birth, assumed charge April 23, 1870, remaining in charge until Oct., 1872, at which time he returned to Italy, giving place to Father Ryan, formerly assistant rector of St. Joseph's, Boston. Soon after the advent of Father Minetti the Boston diocese was divided, Springfield being the new See, with Right Rev. P. T. O'Reilly in charge. This left Hopkinton and Ashland as one parish, Westboro' and Cordaville having been included in the new diocese. It was not until August, 1877, that Hopkinton became a separate parish, at which time Rev. J. S. Cullen, present rector of St. Stephen's, South Framingham, and formerly curate to Rev. Father Ryan, was placed over a new parish, comprising the towns of Ashland and Framingham. Meanwhile, Hopkinton had thrived prosperously. Factories had been built, and the Catholic population, which a few years before numbered but a few hundred souls, steadily increased, until at the time of Father Ryan's arrival they numbered nearly two thousand souls. This, together with the poor condition of St. Malachi's Church, called for a larger and more substantial place of worship. Accordingly, several meetings were held relative to the proposed new church, until at a meetiug held in 1875, arrangements were completed for the erection of a granite edifice, to be known as the Church of St. John the Evangelist. The land on Church Street was purchased from the late Dr. Pratt, at a cost of $6000, and the laying of the foundation commenced in May, 1876, the first sod being turned by Father Ryan himself Thence the work rapidly progressed, and May 15, 1877, we had the pleasure of seeing the corner-stone laid with imposing rites, by the Most Rev. John J. Williams, Archbishop of Boston. Rev. Fr. Marsden, of Lawrence, delivered the oration. No delay was now permitted, as the "Old Church" had become rather unsafe, and all were desirous of entering St. John's. At length the basement was completed, aud Christmas morning, 1878, Mass was celebrated for the first time by Rev. Father Ryan, which my friend, Rev. Father J. J. O'Connor, now of Cleveland, Ohio, and myself had the honor of serving. What a Mass was that ! Never did the pealing anthems resound more joyously than did our heartfelt Alleluias on that happy morn. The very air of heaven seemed to re-echo with the joyous " Gloria in Excelsis," and the sublime strain of the " Credo." How happy was our beloved pastor that morning ; how feelingly he spoke of the kindness and generosity extended him in the work he had undertaken, and the gratifying results which had attended his every effort; closing his admirable discourse by wishing us a merry Christmas and a happy, prosperous future. And we 1 Were we silent? Never were more heartfelt prayers uttered than were poured forth that morning for the health and prosperity of our dear pastor, who had already begun to show signs of weariness from the mighty load with which he was over-burdened. Still he persevered in his endeavor, overseeing the whole work himself, both at the church and at the quarry, until at length, broken-down by his persistent labors, he was forced to yield to the entreaties of his friends, aud January 11, 1881, started to make a tour of the south for the purpose of recruiting his health, now very much impaired. Meanwhile, the building had been completed, except the interior upstairs, and the spire ; St. Malachi's had been torn down, the lumber disposed of, and the land sold.

On the eve of his departure all the parishioners assembled at the church to bid him farewell, never thinking for a moment it was the last time they should ever see him, and presented him on that occasion with a purse of $700 as a slight token of their affection and regard for him. The ne$t morning he departed, and during the following months of his absence frequent letters told of his speedy recovery till we had been lured into the hope of seeing him return in perfect health. Alas ! how sad, on awaking Saturday morning, March 26, 1881, word was flashed over the wires announcing the death of our faithful pastor at St. Louis, of spinal meningitis, which he contracted during his brief sojourn there on his way home. He had spent the intervening time traveling through Florida, Nassau and Cuba, and was returning home much improved in health when the fatal disease seized him which terminated in his death. His body arrived on the 29th ; escorted from the station by the grandest funeral cortege ever witnessed in this vicinity. Two days he laid in state in the basement of the church, which was crowded day and night by the thousands who came to do honor to his memory.

The funeral took place Wednesday, preceded by a Solemn High Mass of Requiem, in which Rev. J. S. Cullen, a former curate, was celebrant; Rev. T. Maginnis, of Jamaica Plains, Deacon ; and Rev. P. A. McKenna, Marlboro', Sub-deacon. An eloquent panegyric was preached by Rev. Juo. M. Kremmer, of Southbridge, a life-long friend of the deceased. Over 150 priests from all parts of the State were present at the obsequies, the church was heavily draped, the whole town iu mourning and business generally suspended.

In the words of Hamlet, of him we can say : "He was a man, taken for all in all, we shall not look upon his like again." He had devoted his time, labor, ay ! even his life to promote an enterprise which shall ever stand a monument to his untiring energy. Father Ryan was born in Boston, December 20, 1845. The greater part of his youth was spent at Lawrence, Mass., whither he went with his parents while yet a mere boy. At an early age he entered Montreal College, when having completed his collegiate course he entered Troy Seminary, and was ordained to the holy priesthood December 25, 1865. His first charge was St. Joseph's Parish, Boston, where he remained until transferred to Hopkinton, in November, 1872. Would that it were permitted us to give in detail the edifying history of his labors while in our midst; and yet! where is the need? Though ten years have passed since he was laid to rest his memory still lives in the hearts of the people, who will ever hold him in loving remembrance.

After the demise of Rev. Father Ryan conjecture was rife as to his probable successor. Rev. F. J. Glynn, of Brockton, Mass., then curate here, retained full charge until a pastor should be appointed. Nearly every priest iu the diocese was mentioned as the next rector ; nor was it a matter of slight importance, as the condition of affairs needed an able administrator. Here was a costly church half finished, with quite a debt when the size of the parish - about 2000 souls - is taken into consideration. Some little time elapsed, however, before the appointment was made, and it was not until the Sunday after Easter, April 24th, that Father Mohan, who had been selected to fill the vacancy, arrived. Up to this time he had been rector at Ayer, Mass., but, obedient to his Bishop, cheerfully resigued a flourishing parish to accept one which required the work of years and care before he could hope to enjoy the fruits of his labors. Yet Father Mohan was not a man likely to become alarmed at the enormity of the work laid out for him, nor disheartened at the well-nigh hopeless task of completing the church.

The financial strain under which the people had been laboring prior to his coming had necessitated a cessation of the same at least for a brief period, and accordingly Fr. Mohan contented himself by renewing the Church Debt Society instituted some years previously by Fr. Ryan.

This was a society formed for the purpose of liquidating the debt on the church by equalizing the burden so that all should |)ay a monthly assessment which, though small, amounted to quite an item in the year's income. During the next few years it thrived, but afterwards gradually fell away, until finally in 1888 it ceased to exist altogether. Having permitted one year to pass without calling on the people for any subscription aside from the ordinary revenues of the church, Fr. Mohan thought it time to make some endeavor to remove altogether the debt which he had been steadily diminishing. But ere he began, a calamity as direful as it was unexpected befell the town, which for the time being paralyzed the business interests and delayed for a considerable time all prospects of coBW)leting the chcrch. The morning of April 4, 1882, was a dark one indeed for Hopkinton. About 2 o'clock A. M., we were awakened from our beds to find the very heart of the town, where stood our principal factory, enveloped in flames. Aid was quickly sent from the surrounding towns, but vain were all endeavors to check the onward rush of the flames which now presented one vast wall of fire extending from the cemetery to Walcot Street. Dark, very dark seemed the future of Hopkinton to that grief-strickeu throng gazing upon the ruins on that fatal morning; utterly hopeless seemed every prospect of ever again attaining the prosperity which up to that time we had enjoyed. Then spread forth the rumor, discouraging indeed to those who had depended for their livelihood upon that factory, that the company would not rebuild. It was verified but too soon, as a i'evf months later the firm of Bridges & Co. commenced the erection of a new factory at South Framingham. That was a severe blow to Hopkinton, one from which the town never fully recovered. All thought of completing the church was now at an end, and it was deemed impracticable to attempt to pay off the old debt. The people generally were in poor circumstances with no prospect of brighter days to which they might look forward, and accordingly it was thought advisable to let matters rest for a while at least and allow them time to recover from the effects of the sad calamity which had befallen them. As in the previous year Fr. Mohan contented him.self with the proceeds of the Church Debt Society calling for no subscriptions until the following spring when a collection was taken up which reduced the standing debt considerably. Early in June, 1885, he was transferred to Everett, being succeeded by Rev. M. D. Murphy, our present pastor. During his ministration here he had endeared himself to his people by his modest, kindly bearing and exceptional piety. He was an earnest advocate in the cause of temperance and was charitable beyond measure. As a testimony of the appreciation with which his many good qualities were received on the eve of his departure he was presented with a large purse by his parishioners, who assembled in the basement of the church to bid him farewell and wish him a hearty God Speed. The altar boys at the same time presented him with a beautiful gold pyx.

Time and space do not permit us to give the credit due to each one of the different curates who so ably seconded the efforts of their pastors in the interest of God and religion. Would that it were permitted us to dwell on the records of the past, giving to each his full share of praise, so richly deserved, from the time of the advent of Fr. Barry, first resident-pastor, to the present time; but we must be content to remember them as we knew them.

Below are given the names in the order of their succession : Kev. Fr. Le Bretin, August to October, 1869 ; Rev. Fr. O'Farrell, October. 1869, to November, 1870 ; Rev. Fr. McNamara, May, 1871, to December, 1871 ; Rev. Fr. CuUen, at pref^nt pastor at South Framingham, December, 1871, to August, 1877; Rev. Fr. Glynn, of Brockton, November, 1878, to December, 1881 ; Rev. Fr. Whalen, December, 1881, to February, 1883; Rev. Fr. McMauus, of Salem, April, 1883, to November, 1885; Rev. Fr. Fagan, December, 29, 1885, to the present time.

In the summer of 1885 the Rev. M. D. Murphy received his appointment as pastor of this parish, which was already encumbered by a heavy debt. This was entirely liquidated in a short period of time, and the church, which remained for years in an unfinished condition, with no prospect of completion, dedicated with the most gorgeous details of ceremonial ever witnessed in New England. It is a noteworthy fact that the two great eccle.iiastical dignitaries on this occasion were the same who were selected to act in a similar capacity at Baltimore, on the occasion of the one hundredth anniversary of the establishment of

Early Settlers

Hopkinton was first settled in 1710 or '12. There were some peculiar facts in the settlement of the place, which had an effect on the character of the people. The first settlers did not come in colonies, as in other places, nor by the way of relationship or acquaintance, but single and alone, seeking a home. They came from almost as many different places as there were individuals; the most of the first settlers came from Sudbury, Framingham, Sherborn, Concord, Needham and Marlborough. There was one element that entered largely into the character of these settlers. They must have had some knowledge of the place where they were to make their homes ; there were rocks, hills and an almost unknown and unbroken forest. The soil was rich, but required the hardest possible labor for its cultivation. To overcome such obstacles one must have indomitable courage and energy, a self-reliance and a willpower that never tires, and only those who had such qualities would seek here a home. Early in 1719 the town received an important addition by the settlement of some Scotish families. A century before their ancestors had emigrated from Argyleshire, in the west of Scotland, to the counties of Londonderry and Antrim, in the north of Ireland, where they and their descendants shared largely in the persecutions of the Protestants, in the reign of Charles the First and James the Second. Burdened with rents and tithes, and thirsting for the enjoyments of civil and religious liberty, three Presbyterian ministers, with many of their congregations resolved on removal to this country, of which they had heard flattering reports. In the autumn of 1718, 120 families arrived, some in Boston and some in Portland. Some eighteen families of the 120 in the spring of 1716 came to Hopkinton.

Among this number was Hugh Black, William Montgomery, James Collier (one of the first selectmen elected in the town), Samuel and James Walk, John, Robert and Patrick Hambletou, Robert McFarlane, Robert McCook, Robert Hustons, William Donaghy, Samuel Crooks and Joseph Young, the ancestor of Brigham Young.

Among the first settlers were Joseph Bixby, the father of Abner Bixby, born August 30, 1712, and is the earliest recorded birth to be found on the records. Captain John Wood, elected on the Board of Selectmen in 1724, and "died Aug'ye 21^ 1725 ;" Henry Mel- len, who, it is said, built the first house in what is now Hopkinton, near the Sheffield place ; "Samuel Comins, one of y' builders of y' meeting-house," who came to this place with his wife, Lydia, and six children, from Needham, in 1716 ; John How, in whose house the meetings were held previous to the building of the meeting-house, and others.

business about this time. Claflin, Coburn & Co., commenced the busine.ss in the old meeting-house previous to 1847, ou Main Street, where they remained until their new shop was built, in 1850. The business was removed to Framingham, in 1883. S. A A. Crook commenced the business in 1849 in the J. Walker shop on Hayden Row Street, where they remained until 1853, when then removed into the old meetinghouse on Grove Street, and remained there until March, 1860, when they removed iuto their present quarters, the third if not the second largest boot and shoe factory in the State, containing over sixty-five square feet of floorage; the machinery is driven by a one hundred horse-power engine, the capacity of the establishment being thirty-six hundred pairs per day. The Messrs. Crooks are natives of Hopkinton and descendants of Samuel Crook, who came from Londonderry, Ireland, and settled in this place in 1719.

Erastus Thompson & Co. - Mr. Thompson came to Hopkinton and commenced the boot and shoe busiwas 2145, to 1 too, when it was 4340, notwithstanding ness in 1846, under the firm-name of Thompson, the loss of Unionville in 1850, a loss of nearly 1000, Bales & Barker, in the upper story of the old Cofl'eewas the successful prosecution of the manufacture i house store on Main Street. The firm was dissolved of boots and shoes. To this town belongs the credit 1 in 1853. Mr. Thompson continued the business in the of showing to the world that the bottoms of a boot or | same place until 1857, when he removed to his new shoe might be put on by wooden pegs. In 1820 I shop, and the business has been carried on under the Joseph Walker, a descendant of Thomes Walker, the present firm-name until the present time. Mr. Thomi>- first "dark of the markit, which office he held for i son died in January, 1885 ; since that time the busione fifty years,'' in Hopkinton, made the discovery ness has been carried on by his sons, that he could, instead of sticking on the sole of a I The factory is 40x120, four floors, machinery run boot or shoe, as had been the practice heretofore, { by steam and has a capacity of 1 200 cases per day. A. fasten the parts together by inserting rows of pegs, i Coburn commenced business with W. F. Claflin, cut from well-seasoned birch or maple wood. This I brother of the ex-Governor, in the Woodard shop on discovery has produced a great and wonderful revo- Hayden Row Street, in 1855 ; the firm continued until lution in the manufacture of boots and shoes in the I 1870, when it was dissolved, and a new firm formed New England St&tes. Mr. Walker with his five sons i under the name of A. Coburn Son & Co. A new factory long carried on the business in this town. Pie died I was built on the site of the old factory in 1859, which January 9, 1852. was destroyed by fire - Aug. 27, 1889, which was rein 1826 two of his sons, Leonard and Lovett set up i placed by a factory on the same site, forty by one for themselves, and for a number of years continued ' hundred and eighty, with an annex twenty-seven by to carry their boots and shoes to Boston and Provi- ! thirty, four floors, and is the best constructed factory dence in a one-horse wagon. The work at that time i in the town and has a capacity of 1200 pairs per day. was done by hand, and in small shops attached to or I G. & F. W. Wood & Co., of Woodville, a part of near by the dwellings of the workmen. By degrees division of labor was introduced in the business, and machinery driven by steam-power required larger shops. Our manufacturers then had the privileges and were proud to stamp their names on their works. But not so in this day of improvements.

.Judging from the names we read on the boots and shoes manufactured in Hopkinton at the present time, one would imagine th.at the first settlers had left, and the Dutch and Greeks have taken their places. Mr. Lee Claflin, father of ex-Governor Claflin, commenced the making of boots and shoes in Hayden Row in 1840, employing L. H. Bowker to do the work, while he himself attended to the sale of the goods in Boston. Mr. Bowker was afterward of the firm of Phipps & Bowker. The firm of Davenport & Gibbs commenced 51-iii

Hopkinton. They commenced business in 1867, in a building on Wood Street, 25x50, four floors. Em- ])loyment was given to about Iforty persons, the output being 1200 cases the first year, the result ol hand-work alone. In 1870 they bought of their father. Colonel Albert Wood (a descendant of Cajitain John Wood, one of the first Board of Selectmen, elected in 1724, and died August 21, 1725, and from whom the village received its name), the stone mill formerly used by Colonel Wood as a cotton factory, and in 1877 they built a new building, 36x90, four floors, the extensive machinery being run by waterpower, the total capacity of the whole establishment being 1100 pairs per day.

In 1885 : value, $1,562,837 ; males employed, 737 ; females, 164; total, 901, showing an increase in valuation of over $500,000, and a decrease of over 400 hands, the effect of machinery in thirty years.

John Young, a descendant of Joseph Young, who came from Londonderry, Ireland, and settled in Hopkinton in 1719, was born in Hopkinton, March 7, 1763. He was the father of Bngham Young, the Mormon. He moved from Hopkinton to Whittingham, Vt., iu January, 1801, where Brigham was born, June Ist of the same year. John returned to Hopkinton and lived on Saddler Hill.

Walter McFarland, son of Ebenezer McFarland and descendant of Robert McFarland, born in 1749. He represented the town in the Legislature for twelve years and served in the Senate for the year 1787. He held many important positions of public trust. By occupation a fsirmer and civil engineer. Died in 1827.

Lee Claflin, son of Ebenezer and Sarah Claflin, was born in Hopkinton, November 19, 1791, and died February 23, 1871. Mr. Claflin was the architect of his own fortune. He had no ancestry to boast of and no one to help him so much as he helped himself. He was the first president of the Hopkinton Bank and through his influence, with that of Colonel Valentine, D. Bucklin and others, the Hopkinton Academy was instituted. He was in his day and time prominent in the boot and shoe business and a great friend of the Methodist Society and served one term in the Senate.

.John Barrett, grandson of Samuel Barrett, the first settled minister in Hopkinton was born in Hopkinton in 1769, and died April 4, 1821. He w.ts the author of an English Grammar, which was published in 1819. He was remarkable as a teacher of the Classic Language and was one of the teachers of Horace Maun.

Col. Joseph Valentine, son of Samuel Valentine, born in Hopkinton, November, 1776, and died March 26, 1845. He possessed fine business capacity and was for a long time one of the most prominent men, of the town. He was a delegate in the convention for the revision of the Constitution in 1820, and represented the town in the General Court for six years, and served as chief marshal at the consecration of Bunker Hill Monument.

Col. Albert Wood was born in Hopkinton, August 1, 1801, and died in 1887. Possessed of sterling common sense, he for the long period of his life was one of the most prominent men of the town. He was previous to 1845 in the manufacture of cotton cloths and twine. The statistics of the cotton industry for 1845 show the following facts: Cotton consumed, 280,000 pounds ; manufactured, 612,000 yards; value, $30,500; twine manufactured, 20,000 pounds; value, $2,800; batting manufactured, 30,000 pounds; value,

; males employed, forty ; females employed, fifty. This industry was carried on in Massachusetts by M. Wood, who was the father of Woodville.

Capt. Daniel Shays, the leader of Shays' Rebellion in 1786-87, son of Patrick Shays, was born in Hopkinton, at the "Shays place" on Saddle Hill (where at the pre.sent time the old well and cellar can be seen), in 1747, He left Hopkinton when about twenty-one years old, and served in the Army of the Revolution. He raised a company of which he was appointed captain, and was wounded in the service. After the war he settled in that part of Pelham now Prescott. He finally settled in Sparta, where he died poor September 29, 1825. He was of Scotch descent, and the name on the early records is spelled Shea, Sha, and sometimes Psha.

At a meeting of the trustees held in Boston, 1711, it was, voted, 1st, that the committee for signing leases to the tenants of the lands in Hopkinton be directed and empowered to allot and set out 12,500 acres of the best and most improvable of the land, within said township. 2d, that they are directed to lay out 100 acres of land for the ministry in such convenient place and manner as they shall find most suitable for that use ; that lOU acres of land shall be laid out for tlie first minister that shall be ordained and settled iu the town, to be for him and his heirs for the term of ninety-nine years from the 25th of March last past, free from paying any rent, and that 100 acres shall be laid out for the school a training-field and burying-yard by said committee, as they shall judge most accommodable, and that 200 more shall be reserved to be allotted for other public uses, as the trustees from time to time shall see meet to direct. 3d. That the residue and remainder of the lands over and above the above 12,500 acres within said township belonging to the trustees, either by purchase or the General Court grant, (the cedar swamp that part of the town grant by the General Court excepted), shall and remain a common to and among the tenants that shall hold these lands by lease under the said trustees for their use and benefit, each tenant to have a right and privilege to said common, according to the quantity of land contained and specified in their leases for and during their term."

"Tliis Indenture, made tlie twenty-fiftli day of Marcti in tiie twentythird year of the Reign of our Sovereign Lord George, by the Grace of Ood, of Great Britain, France and Irt-land, Iving Uefenderof the Kaitli, Ac, Annoque Domini, 1750. Between His Excellancy, William Shirley, Ksq., Tlie flonoralile Jonathan Belcher, William Dnnier and Spencer IMiiim, Esq., Paul nudley, Edward Hutchinaon, Joeiah Willard, Jacob Wendell, Eaqs., The Rev, Dr. Josepli Sowall, The Kev. Edward Holyoke, Preaident of Harvard College in Cambridge ; The Rev. Neliemiah Walter, minister of Ro\bnry; The Rev. Nuthanlel .\ppletan, minister of Cambridge ; Samuel Sewall, Andr«w Oliver, Thomaa Hutcliirison, Esq., and M' Edward Brumfield, merchant, all inhabitants within his Majesty Province of the Massachusetts Bay, in New England, Triietees appointed by a Decree in his MajeBtys High Court of Chancery, Dated the nineteenth day of March, Anno. Dnni. 1712, for the purchaeing houses and lands fur the perpetuiiting the Charity of the Honorable Edward Hopkins, Esq , and iraptnviug of the same, On the One part : and includes John Jones, James Work, Henry Millen, Benjamin Wood and John Rockwood, Selectmen of Hopkinton, in the County of Middle sex, and their successors within the Province aforesaid, of the other Part ; Witnesseth, that the said William Shirley, Jonathan Belchei-, Wni. Dummer, Spencer Phips, Paul Dudley, Edward Hutchinson, Josiah Willard, Jacob Wendal), Esq., Joseph Sewall, Edward Holyoke, Neh*" Waller, Nathaniel Appleton, Samuel Sewall, Andrew Oliver, Thomas Hutchinson and Edward Bromfield, Trustees as aforesaid, as well for and in consideration of the Kents and Services herein after reserved and of the per formance of the Covenants and Agreements herein after expressed and mentioned to he kept, done and performed on the part and behalf of the said John Jones, James Wark, Heury Millen & others ; as also for other good and valuable causes and considerations them here uuto especially moving, Have demised, grauted, and to Farm, Letten, and by these presents do demise, grant and to farm-lett unto the said Selectmen and their successors, three certain tract or parcel of land scituate, lying and being in Hopkinston, within the County of Middlesex aforesaid, containing one hundred acres, as survt-yed and laid out by John Joues, Surveyor, being under oath, for the use and benefit of n Sroul and t) a iniug field and Beryintj place for aaid Hopkiaston, and is Bounded viz: Southerly on Wilseu and Gordeu, westerly on a High way, northerly on Mr. Barrett and on highway, and Easterly on a highway and on Stimpson land, the other tract of forty-five acres Layeth at White ball, and is bounded soutlierly on Common land, westerly on Common land, northerly on John Kelly land, and Easterly on Common land, as may more appear by the plans annext.

" To Have and To Hold the above-mentioned demised Premises with the appurtenances, unto the said Selectmen, and their Succ»;9Sor8, for the use aforesaid, for and during, and unto the full Era and Term of Nine hundred and ninety-nine years from the twenty-fifth day of March as above said, thence next ensuing and fully to be complcat and ended : Yielding and paying therefor yearly and every year during the said Term hereby demised unto the Treasurer of the said Trustf-ea fi)r the time being or bis assigns the Yearly Rent of one pepper corn If demanded, next coming. And if it shall happen that the yearly Kent or Rfiits herein before Reserved, or any of them or any part thereof, shall be behind or unpaid, in part or in all, by the space of Thirty days next aflerany of the said days or Times on which the said ought to be paid as aforesaid, That then and from thenceforth it shall and may be lawful unto and for the Trustees or Treasurer there or his Successors and Assigns into the Demised premises and every or any part thereof with the appurtenances, to enter and diKtraio for the same: And the Distress or Distresses there found to take, lead, drive and carry away and the same to detain, impound and keep until the said yearly Rent and Rents in manner and form, as aforesaid Reserved, and the arrearages thereof, if any such shall be, shall be unto the said Trnsteea or Treasurer, or to their or his successors and assigns fully satisfied, contented and paid: And if it shall happen, that the said yearly Rent or Rents herein before Reserved shall be behind and unpaid in part or in all. and no distress made and taken as aforesaid during the thirty days above-mentioned, by the space of thirty days next after the expiration of the thirty days on which the same ought to have been paid, or a distress might have been made ; That then and from thenceforth, It shalland may be lawful to and for the said Trustees or Treasurer, their and his successors and assigns into and upon the said Demised Premises and every part thereof with the appurtenances wholly, to re-enter and the same to have again, retain, repossess and enjoy in their former estate and title, anything in these Presents contained to the contrary in any wise uotwithstaiiiiing. And the said Selectmen, for themselves and theirsuccessors, and every of them, doth covenant, Grant and Agree to and with the said William Shirley, Jonathan Belcher, Wm. Dummer, Spencer Phips, Paul Dudley, Edward Hatcbinson, Joeiah Willard, Jacob Wendell, Esqr., Joseph Sewell, Edward Holyoke, Nehemiah Walter, Nathaniel Appleton, Samuel Sewell, Andrew Oliver, Thomas Hutchinson and Edward Bromfield, Trustees, as aforesaid, their successors and assigns, and every of them by these presents in manner and forio following. That is to say. That the said Selectmen, or some of them, shall yearly and every year and from Time to Time during the said Term hereby Demised well and truly content, satisfy, pay or cause to be paid unto the said Trustees or Treasurer, and their or his successors or assigns the said yearly Rent or Rents herein before Reserved, and on the several Days or Times herein before appointed for the payment thereof, and in the same manner and form as the same shall grow due and payable, according to the true Intent and meaning of these Presents. And at the Expiration of the said Term or other Determination thereof, shall and will surrender and deliver up unto the snid Trustees or Treasurer, their and his Successors, the same premises iu like goodand Teuantahle Repair peaceably, quietly and willingly ; and tiiat he and they shall from time to time and at all times during the said Term pay all Kates and Taxes to Church and Common W^ealth that shall be set and imposed, according to Law, upon him and them and the Premises. And the said Trustees, for themselves and successors, do Covenant, Promise and Agree to and with the said Selectmen and their successors, in manner and form following, That ia to say. That they faithfully performing and fulfilling all and singular the Covenants, Agreements and Payments above Expressed, may and shall peaceably have, hold, possess and enjoy all the above Demised Premises, for, and during the Term aforesaid, without Let, Trouble, Eviction i>r Disturbance from them the said Trnste<i8or their Successors, or from any other Person or Peraons, from, by or under them, or by their means or Procurement. And they further Covenant and Promise, That the said Selectmen and their Successors, holding and continuing in the Possession and Iniprovemeni of the Premise?, under the faithful performance of the Covenants, Agreements and Payments above expressed uuto the Cumpleatmeut and Ending of the said Term of Nine hundred and ninety-nine years, without eviction or ejectment for breach of covenant at the expiration of the same may and shall, if he or they see cause, Renew tlK-ir Lease for such Term of years ,^r for the Life or Lives as shall then be agreed upon, by and between the Lessor and Lessees that shall then be, without any alteration of the covenants and Agaeemente before expressed, Save only of the Rent to be then Reserved which yet the Trustees for themselves and Successors covenant, Promise and Agree to and with the said Selectmen and their successors, That it shall not be lawful for them nor will thej^ Demand, Let and Reserve above Nine Pence per Acre for the said Lands and Premises, from and after the Expiration of the Term, as above said, at any time or for any Term whaisoever. And, Finally, the said Trustees, for themselves, their Successors and Assigns, do Agree, Covenant and Promise to Discharge and Save the said Selectmen and their successors from payiug any Province Land Tax for Three-Quarters of the above Demised Lands. In Witness Whereof, the aforesaid parties to these Presents have interchangeably hereunto set their Hands and Seals the day and year first above writcen. '

" Memorandum - "Whereas the within named Trustees at their Meeting November lii, 1720, have agreed and voted that the Residue and remainder of the Lands over and above Twelve Thousand five hundred Acres within the Township of Hojtkinston belonging to the said Trustees either by purchase or the General Courts Grant (the Cedar Swamps in the Part of the Township granted by the General Court excepted), shall he and remain a C-ommon to and among the Tenements. Ac, Each Tenement to have Right and Privilege in the said Commons according to the quantity of Land specified in his Lease and during his term : That notwithstanding the Exception and Reservation of the Cedar Swamps as aforewiid all and singular the Tenants that shall take and sign Leases within three yeai>4, from the 25th of March last past, &c., shall be allowed the Benefit of cutting both Cedar and Pine in the said Swamps for covering. Flooring and finishing the Houses and Barns which they shall erect and maintain onthe Premises ; hut they are prohibited cutting and carrying off any Timber out of the said swamps for sale and if any presume so to do, such shall be impeachable of waste, &c., as in and by the third, fourth and fifth votes past at the said meeting, more amply and plainly may appear, reference thereunto being bad : Wherefore now, pursuant to the Direction and Power given unto us the Committee Subscribers unto this present Endorsement for ourselves and the within named Leeeers and on r and their Subscribers, We do Covenant and Grant to and with the within named Lessee, viz., His Executors, Administrators and Assigns to have and to hold a right and privilege in the said Conunon according to the Quantity of land, specified in the within written Lease for and dtiring his Term. And further that the said Lessee and his Executors, Administrators and Assigns, shall, and may lawfully from time to time, have the "tienefit of cutting both Cedar and Pine, in the Swamps aforesaid, for the covering, llooring and finishing the Houses and Barns ho shall erect upon the Premises within written. And tiie said Lessee for himself, his Heirs, Executors. Administrators and Assigns, doth Covenant and agree to and with the Lessors and their Successors not to ciit or carry off timber of any kind out of the said Swamps for sale orany mor than for the Uses aforesaid on pain and penalty of being Impeached an Prosecuted for Waste.

"Signed sealed and Deliv ered in presence of ua Samubl Ballaed, Tho&ias Bromfiki.d, ''Suffolk, SS., Boston, Octo. 17, 17ftl. " Edward Hutchinson, Thomas Hutchinson, E field acknowledged the above Instrument by the free act and deed. " Before me John Faterw

In closing the history of Hopkinton, there is much, if space would allow, that could be added. The schools of the town are in good condition and in the hands of a competent superintendent, and a committee devoted to their interest. The town report for 1890 shows the followings statistics: number of schools of all grades, 23; number of pupils enrolled, 789; support of schools and incidentals, fl2,693.1fi ; Highways, $,3000 ; street-lights, $250 ; support of the poor, .ffiOOO; incidentals, .$1200; town officers, $15«6 ; interest on town debt, $10,150 ; Memorial Day, $100. The town has water- works which furnishes a liberal supply of good water.

Biographical Hon. Lee Claflin

Hon. Lee Clafiin'', (Ebenezer^ Ebenezer'), born in Hopkinton, November 19, 1791, married Sarah Adams, daughter of Elisha and Sarah (Watkins) Adams, December 19, 1815, certificate of the Rev. Isaac Bowney. Engaged in the tanning biisine.« in Milford as early as 1813 ; added the boot and shoe business about 1821. He rose from an humble beginning and many judicious steps to wealth and distinction. He represented the town in the Legislature in 1834. In 1839 or '40 he returned to Hopkinton, where he attained many honorable positions ; having been a member of the State Senate in 1859, while a resident of that town. He was very early a prominent member of the Liberty Party, and was always active in the anti-slavery cause. He was in.struraental in establishing three banks, of which he was the first president, the Milford, the Hopkinton, and the Hide and Leather, of Boston. He was greatly interested in all educational matters, being one of the three designated founders of Boston University. After South Carolina surrendered to the Federal arms, he took an active part in the purchase of the abandoned seminary at Orangeburg, which finally became Olaflin University, which was named for him.

While an apprentice to Mr. Warren in Framingham he joined the Methodist Church of which he was a devoted and steadfast supporter all his life, lie made many donations to the churches and literary institutions of that denomination, and frequent benefactions of a more general nature to the community. He was a man of great mental vigor as well as physical strength, which lasted to the end of his life. He died from the effects of an accident, Feb. 23, 1871.

By his first wife he had three sons, William, Charles Lee, who died in infancy, and Wilbur Fisk, who resided in Hopkinton until his death, August 31, 1885 - she died April (Jth, 1834. Mr. Claflin married March 8th, 1830, Polly Jones Harding, who survived him several yea*s.

The ancestors of Samuel and Abram Crooks were Scotch Presbyterians who, as runs the record, were originally dwellers in Argyleshire, in the west of

Scotland. They went from thereto Antrim and Londonderry, in the North of Ireland, as early as 1618. .Just one hundred years later than this date, a colony of 120 families, among whom were the Crooks, emigrated to America, a portion of them landing in Portland, Maine, while the remainder came to Boston. Quite a large number of these colonists went northward and became the original settlers of Londonderry, Derry, Derryfield and other of the pioneer towns in New Hampshire, while another portion consisting of eighteen families journeyed westward and settled upon the high-lands of Hopkinton, in the winter of 1719. Among these sturdy settlers was Samuel Crooks, from whom, in the fifth generation, the subjects of this sketch are descended. First, Samuel ; second, John; third, Abraham: fourth Samuel, who was the father of Samuel and Abraham, whose portraits accompany this sketch.

Their father, Samuel, was born in Hopkinton, August 22, 1792, and in March, 1818, married Emeline, daughter of Jonathan and Hannah (Thayer, Stearns, to whom were born three sons, John, Samuel and Abram. Their father was a farmer and became one of the leading spirits in the town. For many years he was superintendent of the Town Farm) and was a useful and valued citizen, who died in October, 1873, universally respected. Coming now to the fifth generation, we find the eldest John born. May 29, 1819; Samtjel, the second, who was born in Hopkinton, December 17, 1821, and Abram, the youngest of the family, also born in Hoi)kint(in, March 29, 1826. Samuel and Abram having been so intimately connected, and so closely identified with each other in all business matters, it is thought better to make the record of their lives a joint one, rather than to give them in separate sketches. The childhood days of these boys were spent on the farm, and their experiences doubtless were similar to those of the average New England farmer's boys. Their educational advantages were such as were commonly afforded by the District School, which was situated about a half mile from their home. Leaving school they were fully occupied with the ordinary farm duties, until at about the age of fifteen, they commenced in what has since proved to be their lifework, and which has, from very small beginnings, so wonderfully developed, that at this writing Ihey stand Ihird only in the output of their manufacture of all the boot and shoe manufactories of this Commoiiweallli.

They began by bottoming boots and shoes at the village of Woodville, in the western part of the town of Hopkinton. Here they gradually acquired a knowledge of the full details of this business as then prosecuted, and in 1849, commenced ;i8 boot and shoe manufacturers in the building then known as the Joseidi Walker shop, which they rented from a man who had befriended them in the early part of their career as manufacturers. Hon. Lee Claflin, the father of Ex-Gov. - William Claflin, of Ncwtonvillc, Mass.