Leominster City (part 1 of 4)

Water-Works, Elevations

the town voted Dec. 30, 1872, on a test vote of 249 yeas to 5 nays, to proceed with the work, according to plans reported by their committee and chose a water board consisting of Emery Tilton, Dr. G. W. Pierce, for three years; H. M. Lane and George Hall for two years ; C. H. Merriam and Wm. M. Howland for one year. The board was organized with C. H. Merriam, chairman, H. M. Lane, clerk, and Wm. M. Howland, treasurer. January 13, 1873, this board was authorized and instructed to proceed with the work. A loan was obtained from the State Treasurer, payable one third each in ten, fifteen and twenty years, at seven per cent interest. The contract was awarded to Charles L. Goodhue of Springfield, Mass., and completed by him to the satisfaction of the town, Dec. 23, 1873, at which

Paton Mfo Co. Shop 429

The water is taken from Morse brook about one and one half miles from the center, and has a fall of one hundred and eighty-three feet at the top of the curbstone around Monument Square, with a pressure of about seventy-nine pounds to the square inch. The drainage area is 1.2 15 acres and the storage capacity of all the reservoirs is 150,000,000 gallons. The original surveys and plans were made, providing for four reservoirs, " Haynes," "Morse," " Junction," and "Distributing." Three were constructed and the fourth, "Junction," reservoir left to be built at some future time, if needed for storage.

Town Government. 4 1

The amount of water in the three reservoirs is adequate to supply present demands. The accompanying diagram gives the elevations of the several reservoirs and points of land and other well known localities in town, with distance above or below the curbstone at Monument square. A sketch of Mr. Emery Tilton, the first Superintendent of the Water Works is given elsewhere.

Mr. Joseph G. Tennev, the present superintendent of the Water Works, has occupied that position and has also been treasurer of the board since 1879. He was born in Leominster, Aug. 5, 1825, educated in the public schools of the town, learned the carpenter's trade and began the business of carpenter and builder for himself, while yet in his minority. At the age of twenty he contracted to build his first house for his sister, Mrs. Maynard, on Pleasant street, and soon after the A, O. Wilder house on West street. In 1850 he built a residence for himself on Water street, where he first began housekeeping and where he has since lived. In 1859, Mr. Tenney went South, but was sent for by Isaac Covvdrey to return and help him build a house for Porter M. Kimball. This he did, and continued in business with Mr. Cowdrey for some time. In 1864 he engaged in the Piano business with J. P. Lockey, and in 1867 became the first treasurer of the Arlington Piano Co. In 1870 he began outside, the manufacture of sounding boards, for the same company, erecting the building opposite his residence on Water street, for that purpose. He was associated with the Stratton brothers at Strattons' mills in 1871, bought out their interest, and in 1874 entered into partnership with Captain Clesson Kenney, under the style of Tenney & Kenney, continuing for five years, after which time the latter conducted the lumber business and Mr. Tenney gave his attention to the management of the Water Department for the town.

EPTEMBER 1743, the first church in Leominster was organized and Rev. John Rogers, a lineal descendant of the martyr of that name, was ordained their first minister. The frame of the first meeting house was raised in the summer of 1741, on land purchased for that purpose of Ebenezer Houghton, and situated in the northeast corner «of what is now the old burying ground. The building was far enough towards completion in the winter of 1742, so as to have a month's preaching in it. It was 45 feet in length, 35 in width and 22 feet high. It was rough boarded on the outsides with few windows, and within only a loose floor and movable seats or benches. There were no pews for several years and the outside was not finished and painted until 1753. This house was used not only for public worship, but as a town house, and the town meetings were held in it for over thirty years. In 1775 it was sold at public auction to the Baptist society in Harvard, taken down and carried to " Still River," and for a long time was used by them as a place of worship until they were about to build a larger house, when they moved the old one across the street, and fitted it up for a parsonage. On account of differences in opinion between himself and his people, about minor doctrinal points of religion, Mr. Rogers was dismissed in 1757, but about one-fifth of the society adhering to him, a " poll Society " was made of them by the Legislature, to whom he preached until prevented by the infirmities of age, and was dismissed by them in 1788.

After the settlement of the controversy with Mr. Rogers, the church and town proceeded to the choice of a minister, and in 1762, Rev. Francis Gardner was settled as their secod pastor. After the dismission of Mr. Rogers from the " poll Society," that- church and society was dissolved, and the members united with Mr. Gardner's church. Mr. Rogers died October "~1^.....,L~IC^, ^' ^7^9' ^^ the 78th year of his age. The ^^E^jforajig marble monument to his memory was placed ''"'"^"^ - '" over his grave in the old cemetery in 1845 by a committee of the First Congregational Society, one half the expense being paid by the Hon. Walter R. Johnson, of Washington, D. C. a grand-son of Mr. Rogers.

Rev. Francis Gardner, was a son of Rev. John Gardner, of Stowe, and was born Feb. 29, 1736; was graduated at Harvard University in 1755, and was nearly 27 years of age when ordained. He was a man of sound understanding and great learning, a thorough biblical scholar, a discreet and prudent pastor, and a good sermonizer, but, according to Mr. Wilder in his valuable history, "as an orator, the Rev. Mr. Adams of Lunenburg and some others were far his superiors." Mr. Adams was not only a good orator, and a good minister, but he was somewhat facetious. On a certain occasion he expressed himself in language like the following : " Let Father Gardner write a sermon and let me deliver it, and we would beat the devil," meaning, undoubtedly that the effect of such sermons thus delivered, would be to convince the hearers that, whenever they were enticed by the adversary to commit sin, they should immediately obey the precept given by St. James : "Resist the devil, and he will flee from thee." M r . Gardner died sudden- 1 y at Watertown, while on a journey to Boston, June 2, 1814, in the seventy-ninth year of his age and the fifty-second of his ministry. He was buried in our old burying-ground and over his grave a tablet was erected by the town to commemorate his valuable services and to express their gratitude and respect for him. It was during the ministry of Mr. (Gardner that the second meeting-house was built, the site, a little more than an acre, being what is now the common in front of the present First Congregational (Unitarian) Church, the dimensions being, probably about 50x60

Par0Chialout1E5 During A Period Of Nearly

IN WHICH HIGHLY IMPDRI HE OFFICIATED UNTIL Hl^ HE POiJE-SSED IN AN EMINENT DfGft^ETHOr'd^^^ AND SOCIAL VIRTUES WHICH ENDFARfO HlMTO HIS FAMILY. GAVE HIMTHE CONFIDENCE OF H(S FRIENDS AND THE ESTEEM AND RESPECT OFHIS PEOPLE, WITH WHOM HE LIVED IN MUCH HARMONY, DISCHARGING TO GENEftAL SATISFACTION HIS MINISTERIAL AND PAR0CHIALOUT1E5 DURING A PERIOD OF NEARLY fiFTY-TWOYEARS. IN TESTIMONY DFTHEjR ESTEEM F0HHI5MANYVIRTUFS AND To PERPETUATE THE REMEMBRANCE OF HIS LONG AND FAITHFUt S£B VICES feet, and fronting to the east. At each end was a porch, and in each of the porches were two flights of stairs to the gallery. The expense of the house is not known, but it was considered a large and elegant meeting-house. It was considered the town's property, and for fifty years the town meetings were held in it. In 1824 it was taken down and converted into a town house, and used as such for twenty-seven years until the new brick town house was completed in 185 i.

Rev. Wm. Bascom, the successor of Mr. Gardner was installed in 1815. He was a graduate of Harvard University in 1802, and had been settled in Fitchburg. After a ministry of about five years, the connection between him and the church was dissolved March 2d, 1820. He died in 1845.

Rev. Abel Conant, the ne.xt minister, ordained January 24th, 1 82 1, was a native of Milford, New Hampshire, where he was born July 17, 1793. He graduated at Dartmouth in 1815, and was preceptor of Groton Academy several years, while he was studying his profession. During the ministry of Mr. Conant, the third meeting-house was built by the town. Three more religious societies were organized, and three other houses for public worship erected. Mr. Conant died December 6th, 1836, and was buried in the south-westerly part of the old cemetery. A granite monument % was erected by the Society to mark his resting 1^^ place.

The present Unitarian church edifice was built by a vote of the town at a town meeting held on the 8th of December, 182 i The building was completed early in the fall of 1823. The pews were sold for $1600 more than enough to pay for building, and a portion of that sum was appropriated to the purchase of an organ. The bell, which, for so many years, on every Sunday morning, has invited the members of all religious societies to the worship of God, was presented to the town by one of its public spirited citizens, Joel Crosby, Esq. Oct. 15th, 1823, the church was dedicated.

Society of Leominster," was organized by law, and the town ceased to manage its parochial affairs. In the spring of 1837 the clock was placed in the tower of the meeting-house, in accordance with the provisions of the will of the late Joel Crosby, Esq., who, by the same will gave $1000, the interest of which, was to be used for the support of the parish. In 1850 the meeting-house was finished up in more modern style, but its general appearance remained unchanged. Outwardly, the steeple of " beautiful architectural symmetry " remained untouched, as also did- the clock and bell.

Mr. Rufus Phineas Stebbins, a graduate of Amherst and of the Theological School at Cambridge, preached as a candidate in July, 1837, and was ordained September following. His relations wiih the Society were dissolved by mutual consent in 1844, he having accepted a call to preside over an institution in Meadevillt, Pa., for the preparation of young men for the ministry.

Mr. Hiram Withington, his successor, also a graduate of the school at Cambridge, was settled over t^e church from December 25th, 1844, to July 31, 1848.

Rev. Amos Smith became their minister November 26t 1, 1848, and resigned September ist, 1856. From that time to September 2d, 1857, the pulpit was supplied by Rev. T. B. Forbush and Mr. Stephen Barker, at which time Mr. Barker was ordained, remaining until June i, i860.

Rev. Eli Fav was installed June ist, 1S61, and resigned April 1st, 1864. August 3d of the same year, Rev. J.jhn B. Green, a graduate of Meadville Theological School, Pa., became the pastor, remaining until June 20th, 1867.

Rev. E. a. Horton, a graduate of the University of Michigan, (with honorary degree of M. A. in 1880) and a graduate of Meadville Theological School, Pa, in 1868, settled in Leominster in 1868, remaining seven years ; was then out one year by illness ; three years at the old church, Hingham, and was settled over Second Church, Boston, in 1880.

Rev. William H. Savage, a graduate of Andover Theological Seminary, was settled in Leominster from Nov 1876 to Nov. 1886, when he accepted a pastorate in Watertown, Mass.

Rev. Edward B. Payne, the present pastor, is a native of Vermont, forty years of age, a graduate of Oberlin Seminary, preached five years as a Congregational minister in Berkely, Cal. After becoming a Unitarian he was settled at Springfield and Manchester, and Feb. 2d, 1S87 was installed in Leominster.

In pursuance of letters missive from a number of persons belonging to the society organized Nov. 26th, 1822, (now legally designated "The Orthodox Congregational Society in the town of Leominster") desirous of forming themselves into a church, an Ecclesiastical Council convened at the house of Capt. Ephraim Lincoln, Dec. 25, 1822. The result of this Council was the organization of a church, in connection with the Society then existing, with 10 members. To these were added fourteen others who had been members of the First Congregational church, (Unitarian) who were received into the new church December 26th, on the recommendation of an cx-partc Council convened at their call. The Church thus formed worshipped in a private house, the same in which it was organized, for nearly two years. Their first meeting-house was built in 1824, and located northerly from the common, about half way to the old burying ground, on land that was formerly owned by Ebenezer Houghton, and is now the Catholic Church on Main street, having been occupied by the builders until sold to the Methodist Society in 1837. Its second piare of worship was erected on its present lot on Park street, southwesterly from the common (on land originally owned by Rufus Houghton) in 1836, and was dedicated Feb. 8, 1837. In May, 1850. this house was struck by lightning, and came near being destroyed. In repairing it alterations were made in pews and galleries. In Feb. 1872 it caught fire from an overheated furnace and was entirely consumed The society had previously arranged to build their present brick church the coming season, which was completed and dedicated August 19, 1873. It cost about $65,000, seats about eight hundred and fifty persons and is one of the finest country churches in the State.

Rev. O. G. Hubbard, of Sunderland, the successor of Mr. Payson, graduated at Amherst College in 1829. He was ordained May 23d, 1833, and after a faithful and successful ministry was dismissed in June 185 i. He died in East Falmouth Aug. 14th, 1852.

Ohio, after a pastorate in Charlotte, Vermont, was installed as Mr. Hubbard's successor, December 17th, 185 1. He closed his pastorate, which had been one of great success, June 1st, 1857, removing to Westfield, Mass. He was afterwards settled for several years in East Boston, Mass., and is, at the present time settled pastor at Traer, Iowa.

Rev. Joseph W. Backus, the next pastor of this church and a graduate of Yale, was installed January 14th, 1858, and dismissed August 13th, 1862.

Rev. Horace Parker began his ministry December 7, 1862, without a formal call or installation, continuing as acting pastor until May i, 1865. In January and February, 1865, with the consent of the church, he served us delegate of the Christian Commission at Meade's Station, Va. He has since done much good work as a minister of the gospel, in Ashby, Pepperell and Lunenburg, until obliged by ill health to resign. He is now a resident of Shirley, Mass.

Rev. William J. Batt, a native of Fall River, and a graduate of Brown and Andover, was ne.xt installed as pastor, Oct. 17th, 1865, having supplied the pulpit for some months previous. His ministry was very successful in every respect. Mr. Batt was dismissed July 15th, 1874. He is now, as he has been for several years, chaplain and moral instructor at the State Reformatory in Concord.

Rev. Henrv A. Wales, succeeded Mr. Batt as acting Pastor. He studied theology at Hartford Seminary, Conn., and was ordained to the ministry Sept. 12th, 1866. He served this church from Sept. 1874 to Sept. 1877.

Rev. Sylvan us C. Kendall entered upon the duties of the pastorate May ist, 1878. He closed his ministry here at the expiration of one year. He is a graduate of Amherst and Andover, and an able preacher.

Rev. Gabriel H. DeBevoise, a graduate of Phillips Academy, Williams College and Andover Theological Seminary, was called to the pastorate January 26th, 1880. He accepted the call and was duly installed March 3d, i88d. He resigned May 25th, 1883, after a very successful pastorate, and was dismissed by council July i8th, 1883. He entered the service of the Missionary Department of the Congregational Sunday School and Publishing Society, where he labored faithfully until the time of his present settlement over the Second Congregational Church and Association of Keene, N. H_

Rev. Richard Meredith, the present pastor, was installed March 6th, 1884. Mr Meredith is of Welsh parentage. He received his education and training for the Christian ministry in his native land ; but preferring the United States as the scene of his public labors, he came to this country in 1862. In April 1863 he entered the Troy Conference of the Methodist Episcopal Church and spent fifteen years in the Itineracy. In 1878 he accepted a call to the First Congregational Church in East Hartford, Conn., and after si.x years service there, he received and accepted a call to his present position. Of the members of this church six are known to have entered the ministry, viz : Thomas Boutelle, Artemas A. Wood, now in Lyons, N. Y., Fernando Putnam, who afterwards entered the Protestant Episcopal Church, Payson Tyler, who preached and died at Hardwick, Vermont, Francis J. Marsh, ordained at Upton, Mass., in 1875, who is now pastor of the Congregational Church at Walpole, Mass., and Albert H. Wheelock, who was ordained at Topsham, Me., July ist, 1888, where he now labors.

The first movement for the formation of a Catholic Church in Leominster, was made in 1849, by the Rev. M. F. Gibson^ pastor at Worcester, Mass., who came here and said mass at the home of one of the Catholic families. From that time he made monthly visits and, as the numbers increased rapidly, permission was granted by the Selectmen to use the Town Hall, then Gardner Hall, and there services were held every other week. In 1857 the small meeting-house owned by the Baptist Society, on North Main street, near the North Village, was purchased and fitted up for worship. At this time Fitchburg was assigned a resident pastor, (Rev. M. F. Gibson) and Leominster was made a part of that parish, and was attended by Father Gibson until 1856, Rev. Edward Turpin until 1866, and Rev. C. M. Foley until 1872, when Leominster was made an independent parish with the present efficient pastor, the Rev. Daniel Shiel. Father Shiel completed his studies at St. Carlow, Ireland, and was the first priest ordained by the Rt. Rev. P. T. O'Reilly. The present church and a parsonage were purchased of the Methodist Society in 1871. In 1876 this church was remodelled and much enlarged, so as to give a seating capacity of 800, making a fine church edifice. In 1882 the old parsonage building was moved from its location on Main street adjoining the church, and a new and attractive modern structure erected on its site. When the parish was established and Father Sheil appointed (in 1873) the church was dedicated to Almighty God, under the patronage of St. Leo. It is now a large and flourishing parish.

Central Baptist Church

Early in the ministry of the Rev. Mr. Bascom, those persons, in town, who embraced Baptist views, united with the Baptist Society in Holden. In August 1822 those who had joined the Holden church, with others to the number of sixtyfive, were dismissed to form a church in Princeton. The members living in Leominster were constituted a branch with the privilege of sustaining a minister, and a Calvanistic Baptist Society was formed in 1S24, by David Allen and nine others. The Branch Church was publicly organized as a distinct and independent Church of Christ in 1837. This church was dissolved Oct. 27th, 1849, and a church, principally composed of members of the old church, was constituted March loth, 1850. It was named "The Central Baptist Church of Leominster." A new Society had been organized three months previous. The first place of worship was the old John Richardson tailor shop on Main street. Its first meeting-house was built by

Capt. David Allen, and located on the plain near North Leominster, on land now occupied for a residence by S. A. Meads. It was dedicated in June 1832, and occupied by them until 1849. It was afterwards owned by the Catholic Society until they purchased their present house of worship on Main street. At present it is occupied by the said Meade as a barn and carpenter's shop. The present church edifice in the center of the town, facing the common, was erected on land purchased of the First Congregational (Unitarian) Society in 1849, and was dedicated in January 1850. The ministers by whom the people were supplied with preaching prior to the formation of the " Central " Church were (as nearly as can be learned) as follows : Rev.'s John Walker, A. Sampson, Elisha Andrews, Nicholas Branch, Elias McGregory, Luther Goddard, Josiah C. Carpenter, David Taylor and B. H. Clift. At the organization of the "Central Baptist Church," (March 10, 1850,) the Rqv. a. M. Swain was chosen pastor, the call being dated April 27th. He continued pastor until Nov. 1854. Rev. A. C. Bronson, his successor, served from Dec. 1854, until June 1857. The Rev. Isaac Woodbury served the church one year, beginning Sept. 6(h, 1857. Rev. A. M. Higgins accepted the call of the church May ist, 1859, remaining thirteen months. For about a year after this, the church was supplied by Joseph Barber, then a student at Worcester. In January, 1862, the Rev. W. H. Watson, commenced a pastorate of three years and a half. Rev. A. L. Fittz supplied the church from July 1865 until Jan. ist, 1866, when Rev. Abijah Hall of Attleboro, became their pastor. In July, 1868, he was succeeded by Rev. Thomas Clarkson Russell, who remained until April i, 1874. Rev. A. F. Mason was settled November 5th, 1874, remaining until April 23d, 1876. Rev. O. D. Kimball was pastor from Sept. 3d, 1876, to Feb. 4th, 1883; Rev. A. L. Freeman from Feb. 24th, 1884 until July 29th, il

Rev. Julius B. Robinson, the present pastor, was born in Lebanon, Conn. He graduated at Newton Theological Institute in June, 1873, and was ordained at Milford, Mass., July 2d of the same year. He has since been settled at Fisherville, since re-named Penacook, N. H., at West Springfield, Mass., and in New York city, " Riverside " church, corner Broadway and Eighty-sixth street. His pastorate began Nov. 7th, 1886.

This Society was formed March 27th, 1823, at the residence of Nathan Stratton. John Stratton was chosen clerk, but the church was not legally organized until March loth, 1828. Its first meeting-house, standing at the corner of Prospect and Harvard streets, and at present used for a dwelling-house, was dedicated in December, 1829, and was used until the Society removed to the house purchased of the Evangelical Society in January 1839. The Society enlarged the last named house in 1849, erecting a steeple, etc. In 1871 the Society sold this house to the Catholic Bishop and removed to its present handsome church edifice on Main street. This house was erected at a cost of $65000.00, and has a seating capacity of 800. The ministers of this Society, being of the itinerant order, have remained only for short periods, and have, consequently, been somewhat numerous. At first the ministers were circuit preachers and hence there were frequently two or three at a time. The dates of settlement cannot, in many instances, be obtained, but we are able to give what is belie v^ed to be a complete list of ministers who have preached since the Society was established. In explanation it may be said that previous to '46 this church was either on a circuit or was a mission station. In '23 the first Society was formed by Erastus Otis, who with George Fairbanks, were stationed on the Needham circuit, with which, it is supposed Leominster was connected until '34, when it was probably connected with the Marlboro Circuit. In '31 Leominster was probably connected with Lunenburg, in 't,6 with Fitchburg, and from '36 to '39 with Lunenburg and Marlboro, when it was probably again connected with Lunenburg ; in '40 with Marlboro and Fitchburg mission. In '41 it was Leominster and Lunenburg ; in '42 Lunenburg and Leominster, in '43 Leominster and Sterling missions, in '44-5 it was a missionary station by itself, and after that a regular station. The list of ministers is as follows : '23, Erastus Otis and George E. Fairbanks . '24, Benjamin Hazelton, John C. Risley and Ira M. Bidwell ; '25, John Lindsay Jared Perkins and H. S. Ramsdell ; '26, Joel Steele, Jared Perkins and Leonard B. Griffin ; '27, Abraham D. Merrill, Giles Campbell and Thomas W. Tucker, supernumary ; '28, P^phraim K. Avery, Thos. W. Tucker and Lewis Johnson ; '29, Daniel Fillmore, Isaac Jennison and A. B. Kinsman ; '30, Daniel Filmore, and Isaac Jennison ; '31, Jacob Sanborn and Sanford Benton ; '32, Abraham D. Merrill and Samuel Coggshall ; '33, Isaac Jennison ; '34, Charles Virgin ; '35, Thomas W. Tucker and Joel Knight ; '36, J. S. Ellis ; ';^y, Charles Virgin, William P. White and Ebenezer F. Newell, supernumary ; '38, Horace Moulton and Ephraim Culver, Jr.; '39, Willard Smith ; '40, Benjamin Paine and Willard Smith , '41, Benjamin Paine and Samuel Heath ; '42, Samuel Heath and William A. Ciapp ; '43, Horace Moulton ; '44-5, Thomas H. Mudge ; '46, John C. Ingalls ; '47-8, Z. B. C. Dunham; '49-50, Samuel Tupper ; '51-2, Daniel Steele; 53-4, Zachariah A. Mudge ; '55, Nathan Soule ; '56-7, Cyrus L. Eastman ; '58-9, John Middleton ; '60, Charles Miller ; '61, Jabez W. P. Jordan ; '62, Jabez W. P. Jordan and H. M. Loud ; '63, M. M. Parkhurst ; '64, Jonas M. Bailey ; 65-6, Thomas J. Abbott ; '67-8, Converse L. Macurdy ; '69-70-71, John Peterson ; '72-3, Joseph H. Mansfield ; '74-5-6, Alfred A. Wright ;

Rev. Charles F. Rice, the present pastor, was born in Chelsea, Mass., April 14th, 185 i. He is the son of Rev. Wm. Rice, D. D., of Springfield, Mass., and of Caroline L., daughter of Wm. North, of Lowell. He graduated from Wesleyan University, Middletown, Conn., in the class of '72. After graduating, he held for a time the position of Classical Teacher in the Springfield High School. In 1874 he was elected Tutor of Latin in Wesleyan University, where he remained for three years. In the spring of 1875, he joined the New England Annual Conference of the Methodist Episcopal Church, and in 1877, was appointed pastor of the Appleton M. E. Church in Boston, which position he held until April 1880. His subsequent pastorates have been as follows : 80-82, Wesley Chapel, Salem ; 83-4, Webster ; 85-7, St. Paul's, Lowell. In April, '88, he was appointed pastor of the M. E. Church in Leominster. Aug. 25th, 1875, he married Miriam O. Jacobs, daughter of Horace Jacobs, M. D., of Springfield, Mass., and they have four children, one daughter and three sons.

On March 24, 1874, several of the members of the Orthodox Congregational Church of Leominster, who were residents of the village of North Leominster, met at the house of Geo. S. Burrage, " to consider the expediency of forming a Congregational church in that village." This action was due to a deep feeling that there w^as need of a local church. As a result of this meeting, and of others which grew out of it, an ecclesiastical council was called to meet in Kendall Hall, May 6th, 1874, to advise concerning the expediency of forming a Congregational Church here. By this council a church was

The first officers of the church were as follows : Pastor, ReV'. Henry E. Cooley ; deacons, Leonard Wood, John Henry Shedd ; clerk, Mrs. Abby G. Boutelle ; treasurer, George Hall; church committee, Timothy Dwight Wood, Mrs. Martha A. Burrage, Mrs. Julia P. Wood, George Hall ; superintendent of Sunday school, Leonard Wood.

The "Congregational Society of North Leominster " was organized April i/th, 1875, with the following ofificers : clerk, Leonard Wood ; treasurer, George Hall ; executive committee, Newton C. Boutelle, George S. Burrage, John H. Shedd.

For several years after its organization the services of the church were held in Kendall Hall. The church edifice, which stands upon Main street in the village, was dedicated on the 7th of April, 18S0, free from all indebtedness. The cost of the building, and its furnishings, was $16,000. The work was done under the supervision of George Hall, Charles Farnsworth and James Skinner, as a building committee. Prominent among the donors toward the building and furnishing of this house were Augustus Whitman and Capt. Leonard Burrage. F"rom Mr. Whitman, at the time of his decease, the Society received a legacy of $5000, and from Mr. Burrage, upon his death in 1888, they received a legacy of $6000. To Mr. Burrage the Society is also indebted for the gift of its parsonage and lot, which is situated nearly opposite his late residence, at the upper end of Main street.

Rev. Henrv E. Coolev, the first pastor, was installed Nov. loth, 1874; he died Feb. 17th, 1877. Other pastors have served as follows : Rev. E. G. Smith, from June 1877 to June 1881 ; Rev. Henry P. Cutting, Nov. 1881 to Sept. 1884; Rev. Newton L Jones, March 1885 to March 1887. The present officers of the church are : Pastor, Rev. Frederic A. Balcom ;

Rev. 1^'redekic A. Balcom, the present pastor, was born in Worcester, Mass., January 26th, 1853. He prepared for college at the High School, Cirafton, Mass., graduated from Williams College, in 1878; in September of that year he entered Yale Theological Seminary, completing his course of study there in the spring of i88l He was pastor at West Hartland, Conn., from May 188 1 to June 1884 ; at Holden, Mass., from June 1884 to Sept. [886 ; teacher and preacher at Franconia, N. H., until April, 1887. He became acting pastor of this church July ist, 1887.

N his excellent sketch of the Public Schools, Dr. C. C. Field, who was for over forty years a member of the School Board, writes : "At this distant period, it is difficult to conceive, how great must have been the undertaking for them, (referring to the early settlers of Leominster,) to provide christian ministration and secular education for themselves and their children, while they were subduing the forests and cultivating the newly cleared fields for the mainten. ance of their families. Neither can we easily comprehend how much the present prosperity of our schools may depend upon the excellent school system, which, with unusual wisdom and foresight, they established from the beginning. Leominster is one of the few towns in the State, that was never divided into legal ' School Districts.' The town always managed its school affairs in its corporate capacity, built and located all the schoolhouses, and divided the money raised for the support of schools among the several schools as equally as circumstances would allow, after the subject had been considered and reported upon by a committee chosen for that purpose." The town, also, has often been in advance of the State in matters of management and instruction in her Schools. In 1803 a " School Committee" was chosen, and the teachers required to keep registers, similar to those now used. In this Leominster anticipated State action by a quarter of a century. It is not within the scope of this work to give a history of the Schools. Of the past it is sufficient to say this ; Money has always been voted freely ; the general management has been committed to wise and faithful servants ; in matters of grading, instruction and supervision Leominster has led, but seldom followed. For all this, she is largely indebted to the clear head and earnest devotion of Dr. C. C. Field, whose words, in substance, well describe the present of her schools ; "And now, with our excellent system of conducting school affairs, with the High School maintained for the benefit of all the inhabitants, having two departments, five teachers and more than one hundred pupils, with the Grammar and Primary schools in the center, and the North Village, classified according to the scholars' attainments, and with mixed schools in the outskirts of the town, all with comfortable and commodious school rooms, furnished with every necessary apparatus, now we say, if the children of the present generation fail to acquire a good education, the fault must be theirs and their parents' and not because the town fails in any degree to supply all necessary means and facilities."

Dr. Caleb Clesson Field

No sketch of the Public Schools would be at all complete that did not mention with honor the name of Dr. C. C. Meld. To his sustained interest, watchful care and excellent judgment, the town is very largely indebted for its efficient school system ; and especially for those progressive ideas of school management and instruction, for which Leominster has always been noted. That the system has been, in many ways, improved o late, is only another way of saying, that the seeds which he planted and cultivated with so much care, have fruited since his death. There is a permanent element of eager progress and wise conservatism, in the spirit of school management here, of which Dr. Field is the author, and, of which record should be made to his lasting honor.

Caleb Clesson Field was born in Northfield, Mass., May 27th, 1810; he graduated at Amherst College with honor in the summer of 1833. After graduating he taught for some time in Concord, Mass., with marked success. In 1835 he began the study of medicine at a private school in Boston, but in June of the next year was compelled to leave the school on account of his health. He remained at his home in Northfield until 1837, studying with Dr. Dean of Greenfield. He then spent five months with the celebrated Dr. Tvvitchell of Keene, N. H. After this he attended a course of lectures at Dartmouth Medical School, where he received the degree of M. D. in 1837. Dr. Field came to Leominster in the same year and began the practice of his profession, which he continued with the growing favor of the community until his death, May, 1881.

Dr. Field was twice chosen to represent the town at the "General Court " and did faithful and honorable service there, especially as a member of the Committee on Education. In May, 1 88 1, reduced in strength by the winter's work and especially by the severe requirements of his profession in the early spring. Dr. Field took a sudden cold which led to pneumonia, of which he died after a brief illness of five days. He was married three times. Only one of his children is living at the present time. When Dr. Field became a resident of Leominster, the Educational pulse of the State was just showing increasing strength, owing to the fresh, pure blood infused into the system by Horace Mann and others. The Board of

Education was formed and broad ideas of Universal Education were taking on form and flesh. In 1838 Dr. Field was elected a member of the School Committee, a position which he held for over forty-three years, serving much of the time as its chairman.

In his profession Dr. C. Caleb Field was highly esteemed by his brethren and served the community with skill and success. In his work for the Schools he wisely blended three things ; an earnest love for the cause of education, a hearty welcome for all progress, and a firm holding on to that which is good. He was a friend to the teachers and loved the schools as if they were his own. He kept himself well informed of every advance in educational matters, and worked constantly, yet wisely for the best things. His educational ideas were never old, because they were always gnnving. The Schools of Leominster will always bear the marks of his wise oversight. As our modern life makes larger and larger demands on the individual, and the system of Public Instruction becomes more comprehensive, Special Supervision must and does take the place of the old way. But in the years before this was possible, any town was most fortunate, if, among her citizens there was one, who had the will and the ability to do for her Public Schools what Dr. F'ield did for the Schools of Leominster. The service was long, wise and faithful.

As a man. Dr. Field was highly esteemed in the communitv. His character grew in breadth and strength to the end. He left a lasting impression for good upon the town.

In this connection, also, should be mentioned the name of James Bennett, Esq. His is an honorable name in Leominster, and especially in relation to her system of public instruction. A faithful member of thc'Leominster School^Committee for many years, Mr. Bennett was. to tlie end of life, an earnest and devoted friend of education. His time, his influence, his help in every way, was freely given to increase the efficiency of the Public Schools. In this field, as well as others, he did excellent and lasting work.

James Bennett was born in Lunenburg in 1805. He received his education in the Public Schools, in which, at a later period, he was a teacher, both in his native town and elsewhere. Not far from the year 1830 Mr. Bennett came to Leominster and was for a time employed in making combs, which was then the leading industry of the town. Some years later he began the insurance business, largely in consequence of an injury to his hand, received while engraving combs. He continued this business, until he was forced to give up all work on account of failing health.

From 1856 to 1880 Mr. Bennett was largely identified with the public interests of the town. In the Fall of the year first named, he was elected to represent the town at the "General Court." He served two terms with credit to himself and honor to the town. He was one of the first, if not the first, to be honored by a re-election. It was during his term in the Legislature, that Mr. Bennett was chosen a member of the Leominster School Committee - a position which he held for the ne.xt thirteen years. In many ways Mr. Bennett was well fitted for this office. His interest in the Schools was constant. He did not limit his labors. So far as he was able, and his abilitv exceeded that of most men, who do not make teaching a profession, he gave the teachers direct aid as well as encoura<''ement. He did his work well and faithfully. In connection with the Public Library, also, Mr. Bennett did most efficient work for the town. It is enough to say that he found the Library a si/iall collection of books of small value ; but when he left the committee in 1880, on account of the growing infirmities of age, the library numbered 8000 volumes, had a home of its own, and a fine reading room department attached. Of the labors necessary to bring this about Mr. Bennett bore his full share. He was an active, wise and influential member of the Committee. He had excellent qualifications for this work, and freely gave of his time to this service.

Mr. Bennett was also a great lover of history. He collected and left for use much valuable material for a local history of the different wars, for which Leominster furnished men. In many ways he had the tastes and instincts of a scholar, although he lacked the training of the schools. It is not possible here to give a full record of all his service, or of his fervent patriotism and quick interest in every good cause. It is enough to say, that Mr. Bennett lived a useful and worthy life, honorable to himself and helpful to the community. As a friend, a citizen and a man his character will bear close scrutiny. The better he is known the more he will be honored.

Present Organization Oe The Public School

The present .Superintendent of Schools is Mr. I. P^reeman Hall. The School Committee for 1888-9, are, Edward M. Rockwell, (Chairman,) George M. Powers, (Secretary,) Erancis C. Bowen, Charles C. Eoster, Henrietta M. Gates and Joel D. Miller. The teachers are as follows :

School Committee

Sketches of E. M. Rockwell (chairman), Geo. M. Powers (Secretary), and Mr. C. C. Foster will be found in connection with the account of the business in which each is engaged ; and of J. D. Miller in connection wiih the High School.

P^RANCis C. BowEN, was born in Stoneham, Mass., Jan. 31, 1834. He was educated in the Public Schools of his native town and Leominster. At the age of 18 he came to Leominster and entered the employ of his uncle, Manson D. Haws. Some years later he entered into company with Mr Haws, in the manufacture of Ladies Shoes, and continued a member of the 'firm for nine years. After leaving this busi- ness, Mr. Bovven purchased the farm adjoining the family estate inherited by his wife and located almost in the village of North Leominster on the road towards Shirley. He has given special attention to the dairy business, furnishing butter for the Ouincy Market, Boston. He is now serving his third year as a member of the School Committee.

In 1876 and 1877, Mr. Bowen represented the town in the Legislature. He has often been solicited to let his name be used for other town offices, but has refused permission. He was for many years the active and efficient Superintendent of the Unitarian Sunday School, and has always taken special interest in the affairs of that Society.

Mrs. Henrietta M. Gates was born in Westminster, Mass., and educated in the Schools of that town and of Leominster. For seven years or more she was a teacher in the Public Schools of the State, teaching in Westminster, Gardner and Leominster. In 1867 she was married to Mr. Jonas W. Gates of Leominster, and has since made her home here.

In the Spring of 1880 Mrs. Gates was elected a member of the Library Committee and has served most of the time since as its Secretary and Treasurer. She was chosen a niember of the School Board at the April Meeting in 1880 and is now serving in her third term on both these Committees. She gives valuable and conscientious service.

Superixtkndent Of Schools

Isaac Freeman H.at.l, the present Superintendent of Schools, was born in Dennis, Mass., April 23, 1847. He received his education at Bridgewater Normal School, Phillips Academy, Andoverand Dartmouth College, although he did not take the full College course.

Mass., while Col. Parker was Superintendent. From him he learned whatever of good the so-called "Ouincy Method" contained. In iSSo Mr. Hall was elected Superintendent of Schools for Dedham, Mass., and began work there in September of that year. After a successful serv-ice of nearly five years, he resigned to take charge of the Schools of Leominster. June 13, 1872 he married Miss Amelia G. Mead of Ouincy, Mass. They have four children, one son and three

Miss Sarah E. Richardson is a native of Leominster and received her education in the Public Schools and by private instruction in the modern languages, from native teachers. She has taught in Leominster a large part of the time for the past twenty years or more. She began teaching in No. 2. and was for some five years a teacher in one of the primary schools in Gardner Hall. After this she was for a time assistant in the Clinton High .School.

In 1S76 Miss Richardson was elected assistant in the Field High School ; a position which she has filled and still fills to the entire acceptance of all concerned. During this time she has been absent from the school some three years on account of severe sickness.

Mrs. Ella M. Wilder, who was for so many years the successful principal of the Second Department of the High School, is a native of Lancaster and received her education there and in Leominster. In 1865 she began teaching, in what is called No. 5. After three years service in this and other schools, she was elected as principal of the Second Department of the High School in i86x This position she filled with eminent ability until the summer of 1SS6, when she

Mrs. Sarah E. Brown is a native of Lynn and received her education in the Public Schools of that city. Most of her ions: service as a teacher has been in the schools of this town, where she began work in what was then called No. 8, (now called the Bennett School,) something more than thirty years ago. Since then she has taught in the different grades of the Public Schools with continued and sustained success. For fourteen years past she has been principal of the A. and B. Grammar grades in the Field School.

Mrs. Harriet L. Nichols was born in Amesbury, and educated in her schools. She has been a teacher in the Public Schools of the State for more than twenty years. Her service in Leominster dates from about 1870, when she began teaching in what was at that time known as No. 8, (now the Bennett school). She has since taught in different schools and in different grades of the same schools, doing faithful and efificient service. She is now principal of the C. and D. Grammar grades in the P'ield School.

Ellen E. Pitts is a native of Clinton, Mass. She was educated in Lancaster and at Middlebury, Vt. She began teaching in 1861, and in i86> was elected to a position in the Leominster Schools. Her service has been continuous from that time. Miss Pitts is now principal of the Field Primary School, where she is doing efificient service.

Helen B. Pierce was born in Leominster and is a graduate of the High School. She has been in continuous service as a teacher here since 1S74. More particular reference is made to Miss Pierce in the list of High School graduates.

CvNTiiiA P. BouTELLE was bomiu Leominstr, May nth, 1848. She received her education, for the most part, in the Schools of her native town ; but entered l^ridgwater Normal

Educational 69

School in 1868 with the intention of taking the full course of study. At first sickness in the family at home, and later - when she returned to the work - her own ill health forced her to give up this undertaking.

Miss Boutelle was for many years one of Leominster's most painstaking and efificient teachers. She began her work in No. 6 : but was for a long time in charge of what was then called No. 13, but is now the C. grade in the Field Grammar School. Her last work in the Schools was as assistant in the Second Department of the High School. Teaching was her profession, a work which she loved and in which she achieved success. She died at her home in Leominster, April, 1888.

Mrs. Jennie Burgess (Lockey), who was connected with the Leominster Schools for nearly ten years, is a native of Westminster, Mass. She was educated in the school* of that town and of Brimfield, Mass. She began teaching in Oct. 1863, and taught in Brimfield, Warren, Westminster and Clinton, Mass. She began work in Leominster in the Fall of 1877, and after some years of successful teaching in different grades of schools, she was called to take charge of the music in Clinton. This work she was soon obliged to resign on account of ill health. After recovering her health Mrs. Burgess resumed work here as assistant in the Second Department of the High School. In this position she remained, combining with her work there, for a part of the time, the care of the music, until the summer of 1887, when she resigned and was married to Hon. John H. Lockey of Leominster.

Sarah A. Going is a native of Fitchburg, Mass., but received her education in the Public Schools of Worcester and Leominster. She has been connected with the Leominster Schools as teacher for nearly twenty years, and has rendered efficient service in several grades and in different parts of the town. For seven years she taught in what is now the Field Primary

School. This position she resigned and was for a brief time out of the service. She then taught at No. 3 and at North Leominster and is now in charge of the Cross Street School.

The Field High School

The present High School was established in 1850 ; but it is really the offspring of the old "Graimnar Sc/ioo/," so-called, which Leominster maintained during most of the early years of her history. This "Grammar School" of the fathers, or as it was named in the quaint phrase of the time, "a man-School," was evidence of a feeling that the State should provide Schools where something more would be attempted than to teach the children to "read, right and sifer and nothing else," as the records have it.

Very much of the efficiency of the High School is due to the wise oversight of Dr. C. C. Field, who, from the time of its organization until his death, made this School his constant care. In recognition of this service the Committee have named the High School and the other Schools connected, in his honor. In this connection the name of Jonas Henrv Kendall should be mentioned. We give the e.Kcellent note of Dr. C. C. Field, as covering what should be said :

"No historic sketch, of the School system and School affairs of the town, can be complete, that does not record the name of Jonas Henry Kendall among the generous benefactors of the town. He died in 1862, a descendant of an ancient and honorable family of the town. I^y his will, besides minor bequests to individuals and a gift to the town of a fine bell for the Town House, and ^5000 for a hall and school room at North Leominster, he bequeathed to the town $5000 for a free Public Library, the income of $10,000 for the support of the High School, and the income of $3000 for the benefit of the .School at the North Village. It is particularly for his benefac- tions to the cause of education that his name should be held in grateful remembrance for all time by all lovers of sound learning and generous culture."

J jEL D. Miller, the present principal, was born in Athol, Oct. io::h. 1837. He fitted for college at Athol High School and Bernardston Academ,^ and graduated from Williams in 1864 ; was ordained in i855 ; but has taught all the time since graduating; for the last twenty-one years in Leominster.

The ccnu'sc of stud)' for the Field High .School was not definitelv arranged until 1868, but the two young men entering Harvard that vear, finished a full course of classical studv in the School and stand on the records as the first class. At about the same time, also, Mr. John M. Lockey fitted in the High School for the Agricultural College at Amherst.

Class of '68 : William W. Carter, son of Solon and Lucretia J. Carter, graduated with honor at Harvard in the class of '72. He entered at once upon the profession of teaching, as principal of the Englewood High School, 111. He proved himself a very able teacher, and continued his work at P^nglewood until about a year ago, when he resigned and entered the Real Estate and Insurance business with Mr. H. B. Lewis of that city. Alfred W. Field, second son of Ur. C. C. Field, graduated with honor at Harvard, at the age of 21, and at once began a special course in Chemistry at that Institution. A year later he was appointed acting Prof, of Chemistry in the absence of Prof. Jackson. He filled the position for two years, and was then appointed by the College to a Parker Scholarship, resident abroad for three years, with expenses paid. He had hardly begun work in Berlin when his health failed, and as his disease was pronounced "diabetes," he at once returned home. After a brave fight with this disease for full seven years, a part of which time he spent at Harvard, he died July 9th, 1882, at the residence oi his aunt, Mrs. Merriman, at the old home place on Main street. He was a young man of unusual [promise.

Class of '70: This was the first regular class and consisted of five members. Helen M. Carter, (Lockey), daughter of Solon and Lucretia J. Carter, began to teach soon after graduating. After the resignation of Miss Clara Howland, who had successfully served for some years as assistant in the High School, Miss Carter was elected to fill her place. In this position she remained for two years or more, when she resigned and, Sept. 24th, 1874, was married to Mr. John M. Lockey. Their residence is (jrove Avenue, Leominster, Mass. P^^Ua F. Wood, graduated from the State Normal .School at Framingham. She did not engage permanently in teaching: In 1881 she was married to Mr. Austin A. Smith. Their residence is Lindell Avenue, Leominster. Stella P^arnsworth, a daughter of Mr. Charles Farnsworth of North Leominster, has spent the years since her graduation at her father's home. liWa Gates (Lewis.) was for some years a teacher in Leominster, and now is Mrs. L. \V. Lewis. Laura Merriam, a daughter of Chas. H. Merriam, Esq., graduated at the Oriad Institute at Worcester, Mass. She has been a successful teacher of music in the Public Schools, especially in the City of Fitchburg. Her residence is with her mother on Main street, Leominster.

Class of '70. (July.) This class was graduated the same year as the first. This was necessary in the first arrangement of a regular course of study. Dora E. Wheeler, (Foster,) was for several years a successful teacher in the Leominster schools. In 1S77 she was married to Mr. C. C. Foster, at that time master of one of the Grammar Schools of Chicopee, Mass. Their residence is now Grove Avenue, Leominster, Mass. Jennie Allen, daughter of Joel C. Allen, is now Mrs. Chas. S. Perry, and resides in Leominster. Eva S. Pierce (Farwell,) a daughter of Dr. (j. \\\ Pierce, is now Mrs. Edwin C. Farwell and resides in Hyde Park, Mass. She was for a brief time a teacher in the Leominster Schools. Nellie Sprague has made her home, since leaving the High School, with her father, Mr. Nathan Sprague, of this town.

Class of '72. Herbert C. Burdett, son of A. L. Burdett, graduated from Harvard in '78. After successful work as a teacher, he entered the office of Hartwell & Richardson, architects in Boston, and was afterwards, for about four years, with the celebrated artist, H. H. Richardson, Brookline, Mass. In February, 1887, he became associated with J. H. Marling,, in the firm of Marling & Burdett, architects, Buffalo, New York. The International F'air Building, the largest, so far as known, in the world, and the finest, from an architectural point of view, of any ever constructed in this country, was recently built from their plans. The accompanying drawing of iiis building will be interesting' to the schoolmates and friends of Mr. Burdett here' in his native town, showing, as it does, the advancement he has made in his chosen profession. Lizzie Balch has resided in Leominster most of the time since graduation. She is now a teacher of painting. Ada Putnam, (Wells), after leaving school, remained at the home of her father, Mr. Charles H. Putnam, until Nov. 1 1, 1873, when she was married to Mr. PVederick Wells of this town. After a lingering illness, Mrs. Wells died at her home Nov. 12, 18S4. Burton J. Legate graduated at Harvard in 1877. He remained for one year at the college for a post-graduate course, and then was for a short time principal of one of the Grammar Schools of Hingham, Mass. He resigned to enter, as teacher, one of the best private schools in the city of Boston, where he is still teaching with very marked success. K. P. Merriam graduated from

Harvard in 1877. He was for a time in the census department at Washington, D. C. He died suddenly at Cottage City, Aug. 17, 1875. Kittie I'^ield, daughter of Dr. C. C. Pleld, entered the State Normal School at Framingham, but was taken sick during her course there, and after a lingering illness, died at her father's house, Sept. 13, 1875. She was a young lady of much promise. Anna L. Niles remowd from Leominster with the family.. She has since been married, and now resides at Lawrence, Mass. Lizzie Pye left Leominster with the family soon after her class graduated, and her present residence, if she is alive, is not known to the writer. Lizzie Tilton,

(Sha| ley) was for some years a teacher in the Leominster schools. In 1876 she was married to Mr. C. H. Shapley of this town. Their home is on Main street. Alice L. W^oodworth, is now Mrs. Ledru Walker and resides in Worcester, Mass. Anna R. Hall, (Kittredge) was married in 1875 to Monroe H. Kittredge and resides in Leominster.

Educational 75

ton University in 1878, and has since entered the ministry of the Methodist Church. He was stationed at So. Royalst(3n in 1882-3, at Brookfield, in 1884-5-6. His present appointment is Oxford, Mass. In 1880 he married Annie M. Jewett, adopted daughter of Dea. Charles Jewett of this town. Annie M.

Jewett, (Stratton,) (see above.) Hattie Tyler attended the training course for teachers, connected with Field High School, and afterwards the N. E. Conservatory, Boston. She was for twelve years a teacher in the Public Schools. Ten years in Leominster, teaching in District No. 3, one year, in the Field Primary one year, and the remaining eight years in the Kendall school building at North Leominster. Emma Page, (Pierce,) married as above, and is now a resident of North Leominster. Alma Batchelder, (Clapp,) taught in Leominster in 1873-4, 3-1^ (^1 '^^'^s married in 1877 to Mr. F. A. Clapp Thos. Kenefick graduated from Harvard in 1877. He studied law at the Harvard Law School and is now in the successful practice of his profession at Palmer, Mass. Herbert B. Whitney, son of Dea. F. A. Whitney, graduated at Harvard in 1877. He studied medicine at the Harvard Medical School, and graduated with .special honor. He spent 188 1-2 in the Boston City Hospital, and the next two years in Germany. On his return he began the practice of his profession, under most favorable conditions, in the City of Boston ; but he was soon compelled to go West on account of his health. He is now a practising phvsician in Boulder, Colorado. Carrie Woods has spent the time

Class of 74. Emma Stearns, daughter of Henry and INIary A. Stearns, died at her father's home, Leominster, after an illness of some months. Nellie B. Pierce, daughter of Dr.

G. W. Pierce, has taught in Leominster most of the time since graduating, and is now doing excellent work in the fourth grade of the Field Primary School.

in the PubHc Schools of the State. For one year, she was in Leominster ; the remaining- ten have been spent in Merrimac, where she is still teaching. Rosa M. Marshall (Walker), married Frank W. Walker, and now resides in Babylon, L. I. I"2mma Moors, adopted daughter of Loren L. and Emily F. Moors, has remained in Leominster, since graduating.

L. W. Porter, was married to Frank J. Whitney of the next class, in 1879. H*-''' home has been in Boulder City, Colorado. Alice A. Adams was a teacher for a brief time, but has made her home with her sister, Mrs. N. C. Boutelle, North Leominster, during much of the time since graduating. P21izabeth L.

Seaver, (Blanchard) was for some time a teacher in Leominster. She married P'rederick Blanchard and now resides in California. Helen A. Legate was for several years a successful teacher in the Leominster schools, closing her work as assistant in the 2d Dep't. of the P'ield High School. She now has charge of a large school in Concord, Mass. P'anny P. Gates has made her home in Leominster, Mass., since graduating. Carrie A. Nutter has remained in Leominster and has been for much of the time employed in the store now owned by Mr. L. Y . Burrage. Mary Anna Merriam taught for a brief time and is now Mrs. Leonard C. King. She resides in Fitchburg. Dana Richardson studied at Harvard as a special student, and graduated at the Harvard Medical School. He was for a time in No. Leominster, but is now settled at Brockton.

removed from town soon after graduating. His present residence is in Philadelphia, Penn. ]£lmer Y. Legate .studied at the Worcester Academy and is now a farmer in Leominster.

l^rank J. Whitney has been forced to Hve West most of the time since graduating, on account of a strong tendency to lung difficulties. He has been engaged in business in Colorado. He married Mary A. Porter, as above. Chas. Simpson graduated at Boston University ; for some years he followed the profession of teaching and then entered John Hopkins' University for a more thorough preparation for his work. His present residence cannot be given. Clifton A. Crocker, son of Dea. S. S. Crocker, engaged at once in the Paper Business at Holyoke, Mass. He is a member of The Crocker M'f'g. Co., and a successful business man. Nellie F. Goodhue left town soon after graduating and her present residence has not been ascertained. Mary L. Derby, daughter of Benjamin Derby, has been a resident of Leominster since graduating. Anna M. Martin was for a time a teacher in Leominster, but inherited consumption soon brought on sickness and death. P'anny G. Houghton has remained at her home in Leominster. Lillian M. Stratton was for several years a very successful primary teacher in Leominster, and is now doing excellent work in the same grade of schools in Watertown, Mass. Erminie

E. Woodworth is now and has been a resident of Leominster. Laurabella Clarke studied music a few years after graduation. She has been teaching in the public schools of western North Carolina and Northern Georgia during the past five years, and is at present teaching in Macon County, North Carolina. Residence, Highlands, N. C.

Class of 'yS. Mary Eveline Darling, daughter of Joseph S. Darling, now resides in Keene, N. H. Grace Lincoln Darling, daughter of Joseph S. Darling, is taking the regular Scientific course at Wellesley College. Carrie L. Willard has been, for most of the time since '78, a teacher in Leominster. She is doing excellent work in the third primary grade.

Class of '79. Kittie A. Wilder graduated from the Worcester Normal School, and taught two years in the Webster Grammar School. She was married in Feb. 1886, to R. L. Chandler and is now residing in Sterling. Annie M. Wilder, since graduation, has studied music, and taught the same in Leominster and Clinton. She is now organist at the Orthodox Congregational Church, Leominster. Residence, Sterling. Fannie L. Williams, (Fiske,) married Mr. Frank F. Fiske, of North Leominster, where their residence now is. Marrian B. Clough (Burdett) graduated at Smith College, taught for some time, and is now Mrs. W. C. Burdett of this town. Their residence is on Orchard St. Alice M. Gates has nearly completed the course of instruction at the State Normal School, Worcester, having entered in Sept., 1881. She taught school in Leominster the fall of 1879, and following winter; in Lunenburg in the spring of 1880, and again in Leominster a year, beginning 1883. Mary McCann attended the State Normal School, Worcester, from 1881 to 1884. She engaged in primary work in Clinton and Leominster, in which she was so successful as to be called to the State Normal .School, New Britain, Conn., where she is now teaching. When not teaching, she makes her home in Leominster. Jerry George Foley graduated at the Boston College and is now teaching in the Martin School of that city. William Chase Burdett, son of A. L. Ikirdett, is Sec'y of F. A, Whitney Carriage Co. He married Marrian B. Clough. John William Walsh, while in the High School, commenced reading law in the office of Hamilton Mayo. He entered Holy Cross College, Worcester, but at the end of one year was obliged by impaired health to give up taking a full course. As soon as his health was sufficiently restored, he entered the Law Department of Boston University, where he graduated in 1880. He was admitted to the Suffolk Bar and began practice in Fitchburg the same year, in partncrshij), un- til 1886, with John W. Corcoran of Clinton, when, at that time, he became associated with Thomas F. Gallagher, the partnership continuing until the death of Mr. Walsh, Aug. 12th, 1887. Ralph Gardner Morse attended Chickering Institue after graduating and has been Sec'y of the Hecla Powder Co. since 1883. Married Susie F. Colby Nov. 226, 1883.

Class of '80. George Balch Pierce is in the telephone business. His present residence is Boston, Mass. Charles H. Pratt is a civil engineer in employ of the Midland R. R. Co. of Florida. Marietta Harrington is a music teacher and organist. She resides in Leominster. Nellie M. Seaver taught for several years in Leominster, and is now in National City, California. Annie Conlin began teaching in Leominster in 1883. She has charge of the B grade class in the Pleld Grammar School and is doing faithful and honorable service. Mattie A. Cole began teaching in 1881. She has taught in Hcnniker, N. IL, Sterling, Ashburnham, Leominster, and Concord, Mass. She is now teaching at the Bennett School. She has marked success in primary work. Anna L. Legale (Powers) taught for some time after graduating and is now ^Irs. Fzra \V. Powers. Julia E. Sanders resides at North Leominster. Abbie J. Carter (Watson) married Elmer E. Watson, Nov. 25th, 1885. They live at North Leominster.

Class of '81. Kate Allen is teacher of music in Leominster. Hattie L. Fuller, (Lawrence,) daughter of William H. P\iller, married Cecil Lawrence and lives in Leominster. Lizzie A. Hall has her home in Leominster. Mary F. Kenefick learned the millinery business in Leominster. At present she is with R. H. White, Boston. Grace A. Legate, daughter of PVanklin Legate, taught a short time. She died at her home in Leominster. Nellie F. Maynard (Harrington) married Fred A. Harrington and lives in Leominster. Sadie M. Merriam, daughter of Gardner Merriam, has a home in Leom- inster. Carrie Whitney (Morse) was in the employ of R. B. Andrews & Co. two and a half years. She was married Jan. 24th, 1884, to C. E. Morse; residence, Leominster. Clifton W. Bates graduated at Dartmouth in 1885. He commenced teaching the same year, and is now Professor of Modern Languages at Brooklyn, N. Y. Charles N. B. Wheeler graduated at Harvard in 1887, and has spent the time since in teaching. He is now assistant in a private school, Duxbury, Mass.

Class of '82. Ida P. Smith taught in Leominster in 1883, and is still a resident of this town. Ella F. Holt remained at home in North Leominster for some time, but is now married to Mr. William A. Garno of Fitchburg. Nellie B. Rice resides at North Leominster. Kate E. Rugg taught in Westminster in 1883, and now resides at North Leominster. Anna L. Tisdale (Pierce) married Edward W. Pierce and resides in town. Arthur T. Wilder taught for a brief time and is

Prevear, is at present a teacher in the Field Grammar School. ]\rary S. Welcome, daughter of Charles Welcome died at her home April 30, 1SS4. Jennie F. Brown, (Tolman), married Mr. P. S. Tolman and resides in Leominster. Florence T. Morse, (Putnam), daughter of George F. Morse, married Wm. A. Putnam. Their home is on West street. Carrie C. Lane, daughter of Howard M. Lane, has remained at home since graduating. Jennie M. Richardson, daughter of Alanson Richardson, taught in Leominster for some years. She is now in her second year's study at Smith College. Annie L Wheelock, daughter of George H. Wheelock, was a teacher in the Leominster Schools till the Fall of 1887, and is now spending her second year at Smith College. Lillian J. Richardson, daughter of L. A. Richardson, has remained at home since 2:raduatin<2:. She assists her father in his Studio. Hattie

Educational. 8 1

Pierce, daughter of Dr. G. W. Pierce, is a successful primaryteacher. She studied in the Training Class for Teachers, taught first in Attleboro', Mass., and is now teaching in the first grade of the Field Primary School. Bertha Buss remains in Leominster. Annie J. Hall, daughter of George Hall, spent a year at Bradford Academy, and now resides at North Leominster. Minnie B. Stearns graduated at the State Normal School, Worcester, Mass., and has taught at Townsend, and Longmeadow, Mass. She is now teaching at Longmeadow. Annie S. Harwood, (Chase), daughter of N. Harwood. Esq., married Wm. H. Chase, Sept. 28, 1887. They live in Leominster. Emma Wilder is at her home in Sterling, Mass. Lucy Poland graduated at the Worcester Normal School and is engaged in teaching. Hattie M. Divol studied music and is now teaching in Leominster. Jennie Gates remains at her home in North Leominster. Alice Conant, (Meade,) married Howard E. Meade. They live in Leominster. Frank Urquhart graduated at Dartmouth in '8y. He manifested much ability as a writer and has chosen the profession of journalism. He is at work on the Newark Journal, N. J. Class of '84. Harry Howard Boyden graduated at the Worcester Polytechnic Institute in 1887. He remained for the ne.xt year as assistant in the Labratory. He resides at Leominster. Frank T. Harvey graduated at the Worcester Polytechnic Institute in '8j, and has since entered the Medical School, N. Y. city. Andrew Lincoln Houghton is a machinist in Leominster. Russell H. Colby graduated at The Boston Institute of Technology in 'Sy, and is now in the employ of the State Board of Health, as analyst. Ida L. Willard is book-keeper for Valpey & Anthony at their manufactory, Leominster, Mass. Ida M. Stevens has her home in Leominster. Emma E. Adams, (Johnson), was a member of the Training Class for Teachers. She taught some time in Leom- inster. Nov. 23 she married George W. Johnson. Nellie C. Foster taught two terms at Loudon, N. H., and nine at Newport, N. H. Her residence is now in Leominster, Mass. Minnie L. Joy resides at her home in Leominster. Emma Fuller, daughter of Wm. H. Fuller, is now a teacher of music in Leominster. Gertrude Louise Rhoades studied in the Training Class and is now a member of the Leominster corps of Teachers.

12, '88, to David F. Corkum. Their residence is in Leominster. Alice G. Burdett, daughter of A. L. Burdett, Esq., has remained at home since graduating. Mabel A. Cole, (Wheeler), daughter of G. H. Cole, married, March 27, '88, to Bertrand Thorpe W'heeler, residence. Cedar Grove, Dorchester, Mass. Cora H. Coolidge graduated at Gushing Academy, Ashburnham, Mass., and this year has entered Smith College. Her home is in Ashburnham. Gertrude H. Felton is now book-keeper at the Woolen mill of Edward M. Rockwell. Minnie G. Field resides at North Leominster. Mary A. Frost, daughter of Sumner M. F"rost, is now pursuing the regular course at Smith college. Her home is in Leominster. Annie J. Kenefick taught two years in Maynard, Mass., and is now assistant in the 2d Department of the Field High School. Carrie L. Miller spent the first year after graduating in study, a part of the second in teaching in the High School. She died at her home April 23, 1887. Kate

M. Policy makes her home in Leominster. Anna L. Stearns lives at her uncle's home, North Leominster. Clinton T. Boutelle has remained at Leominster since his graduation. Edward A. Darling has spent some time at school since graduating and is now in Dorchester, Mass.

Educational 83

Crockett, Mary A. Railey, Helen G. Rice, May W. Willard, Harry W. Putney, Clarence J. Reed, and Fred E. Upham. Reed studied at a Commercial School in Boston, and is now with A. B. Merrill, and Upham is in the employ of D. C. Nickerson. The names of ]\Iiss Allen, Miss Railey, and Miss Willard appear in the list of teachers. Grace B. Savage is at her father's home in Watertown, Mass. M. Crissie Shedd is taking a four years' course at Framingham Normal School ; Fred E. Morse has spent two years at Lawrence University, Appleton, Wis., and is now in Boston University ; Raymond P. Walker is now in the second year of his theological studies at Boston University ; Alfred A. Wheeler has this year entered Harvard College.

Class of '87. Of the members of this class, Mary E. Burgess is at Gushing Academy ; E. Harry Rockwell and Allen C. Crocker at the Polytechnic Institute, Worcester ; Edward Earl at the Institute of Technology, Boston ; Edgar D. Shaw at Phillips Academy, E.xeter, N. H. ; and Appleton H. Pierce at Harvard College. Clara L. Richardson, Winnifred A. Richardson, Jennie E. Killelea, L. Lizzie Reynolds, and Minnie E. Sullivan are in Leominster. (The name of Miss Reynolds appears in the list of teachers, and Miss Sullivan is organist at St. Leo's Church). Lucius W. Richardson studied at Bryant & Stratton's, and is now in Boston.

Class of '88. Mattie E. Cutting and Mabel H. Goodale have entered the State Normal School, Worcester ; Hattie A. Rugg is fitting for Smith College ; Edith M. Smith is bookkeeper in her father's office, North Leominster ; Ruth K. Burrage is at her home in Shirley ; Gertrude M. Carter is studying in the Training Class. Carrie L. Felton, second daughter of Mr. Samuel Felton, was taken sick in the early summer and died, after a short but painful illness, at her father's home, on Grove Avenue. She expected to enter the "ormal School and

Public Library

Leominster has a large and well-selected Library. The interest of the people in matters of this kind dates back to 1763, when what was known as the Social Library was purchased. It consisted of 100 books and was kept for fifty years in the study of Rev. Thomas Gardner. Other collections of books were made by different Societies and School wards as the years went by, but in 1856 all these were merged in one and accepted by the Town as the beginning of a Public Library. P>om that time until now the town has made an annual appropriation for the support of the Library. The meeting of the first library committee was held at the ofifice of J. C. Allen, May 21st, 1856. J. C. Allen was the first Secretary, D. R. Haynes the first Treasurer, and Thomas Tinker the first Librarian. The Library was kept in Mr. Tinker's store, next door to what is now A. L. Williams & Co.'s grocery store until 1863, when it was removed to the office of C. W. Carter in a small building where Wood's block now stands. Mr. Carter acting as librarian for one year. In 1864 the town received a bequest of ^5000 from the estate of J. Henry Kendall for the founding of a Public Library. The Town Hall was raised and the present library room was fitted up, the library taking possession in April, 1864. P>om this time it has increased regularly, both in the number of books and in public favor. Mr. James M. Bronson has been librarian since 1864. The library now contains about ten thousand volumes.

In 1866 a Reading Room Association was formed, and in 1869 this branch of work was taken in charge by the Town and made a part of the library. The Reading Room is now sup- plied with a large number of daily and weekly papers, monthlies and other periodicals. Few towns of the size of Leominster have as equally good Library and Reading Room.

Dr. George W. Pierce

No mention of the Library would seem finished, which did not give prominence to the name of Dr. George W. Pierce. He was for many years an active and energetic member of the Committee in charge of its affairs. He had a great love for books and a clear understanding of their value. It is true that his habits of reading and his natural tendency of mind, led him to study science more than literature ; but he had a good knowledge of the best authors and his advice in the selection of books was most valuable. The service, which he gave, was not one in name only, but one of loving regard for the growth and usefulness of the Library as well. Nothing which promised good results in this direction was foreign to his thought or his heart. Hence Dr. Pierce was one of the first to plan and w^ork for a reading room in connection with the Library. He saw plainly how great would be the influence for good of this department in the coming years. It is not too much to say that the town is very largely indebted to the wise and faithful service of Dr. Pierce in connection with its Public Library. The same is also true of the Museum, in which, from the start, he was greatly interested.

Dr. George W. Pierce was born at West Boylston, Mass , Oct. 15th, 1 8 16. He was educated at Leicester Academy and graduated at Harvard Medical School, in the class of '45. P^or a short time he practised his profession in Bolton, but came to Leominster in 1847, where he resided until his death in May, 1886. He was twice married. In 185 1, to a Miss Damaris Balch, of a family widely connected in Leominster ; and in 1869, to Mrs. Charlotte H. Carter of Lowell, Mass. P^our children by the first marriage, and one by the last, survive him.

Dr. Pierce belonged to Leominster. He came here as a young man, married from this people, reared and educated his children here, was the family physician in many homes, and was for almost forty years a vital part of this whole community. He lived and rejoiced in its atmosphere, gloried in its prosperity, planned for its material, intellectual and moral growth, and labored with no divided heart and no stinted wisdom for its best and largest interests. When he died he was more than an old resident ; he was, in the truest sense, a citizen of Leominster. No plan looking to her good could be devised of which he was not a part. His services were freely given and always effective for the best and most permanent improvements in town. And yet, Dr. Pierce was at his best, where most men fail, /. c. in his own home. He could make, and did make, a home in the best sense of the word. No better thing could be said of him than this : " He was always his children's hero." Dr. Pierce was a worthy representative of a noble profession, ranking high among his brethren ; a man kind, indulgent and helpful in his home life ; a gentleman by nature and practice ; a citizen who desired and planned for the best things, and who gave his services when and where he could, without hope of reward or desire for recognition. His will always be an honored name in the history of Leominster.

The Museum

The museum owes its origin to the zealous efforts of Rev'. Wm. J. Batt with the co-operation of James Bennett, PIsq., and Dr. G. W. Pierce, whose interest in geological and antiquarian research cau.^ed them to render valuable aid. In Dec. 1 87 1 the museum was established, five trustees were chosen, Rev. Wm. J. Batt, Dr. C. C. Eield, Joel Smith, J. C. Allen and T. A. Hills, who, together with the library committee, G. W. Pierce, Rev. E. A. Horton, S. L. White, Rev. J. D. Miller and

Educational

Wm. H. Reed, constituted what was known as the Leominster Museum Board. About five hundred dollars was contributed by public spirited citizens and mostly expended in cases and material, forming the necleus of the present collection, by a committee consisting of Joel Smith, James Bennett and N. C. Boutelle. In i88o, with the consent of the trustees, the town "voted to accept of the museum as a part of the public library and provide for its care, and the Library Committee appointed E. G. Davis, curator. This collection contains many interesting specimens and much valuable historical material.

Group Of Relics

In the matter of contributions, also, there has been much interest shown by Mr. D. W. Salisbury, Mr. Bennett, Dr. Pierce, and many others who have been liberal givers. Among late valuable contributions should be mentioned $2000 from the estate of Capt. Leonard Burrage. Both Library and Museum are growing in popular favor.

Patriotism

LL through its history as a town, Leominster has been noted for its military spirit. In the old French and Indian war in 1757, a full company of soldiers was furnished to go to the relief of Fort William and Henry, and October 9th, 1 760, 'they all returned and united with their friends in a general Thanksgiving over the total reduction of Canada. During the Revolutionary War there were fully three hundred men from Leominster, enlisted for various terms of service, from minute men to regular soldiers for three years, a surplus of thirteen men beyond the full quotas under the various calls. The records of meetings on the Town books leave no doubt as to the patriotism of the inhabitants.

As early as March 3d, 1766, an address to the people of Boston, who were enduring great hardships on account of the unjust laws of the British Parliament, was adopted in Town Meeting, expressing clearly their views on the subject of civil and religious liberty, and closing with the following paragraph : "/fV must, ICC can, and ive will be free. We cannot part with our creation right. We are obliged to forever assert it, as it is our glory to be in subjection to that Supreme Being, that formed us free."

In January, 1773, several votes were passed in Town Meeting in approbation of the doings of the town of Boston in regard to Public Grievances.

In August, 1774, a committee of correspondence was chosen. These committees, in the various towns, were a channel of intelligence and a bond of union of great assistance to the cause and led to the appointment of Deputies to meet in General Congress.

After the passage of the act of Parliament for shutting up the Port of Boston, the committee, appointed by the town, recommended among other measures, "That we will heartily endeavor, as much as in us lies, to awaken and stir up every person to a thorough sense of the real certainty there now is of America being reduced to the most abject slavery and pov^- erty ; and the danger there is of the loss of our religious as well as our civil rights and privileges, unless we unitedly endeavor, by a steady and manly opposition, to prevent it."

After all other means, to preserve the rights of freemen, had been resorted to in vain, and it became necessary to take up arms in defence of their liberties, the inhabitants of Leominster were as prompt to act as they had been to resolve. At the first alarm, April 19th, 1775, fifteen men left their respective homes and marched to Lexington. A full company was on the same day enlisted into the Continental Service for eight months, and placed under the command of Col. Asa Whitcomb, on Prospect Hill in Cambridge. Nearly all were from this town, with the following Leorninster officers : Captain, Davi4

Qo Leominster, Historical And Picturesque

Wilder ; Lieutenant, Timothy Boutelle ; Sergeants, William Warner, Josiah Carter and Peter Joslin ; Corporals, Levi Warner, Samuel Buss and James Butler ; Drummer, Thomas Rogers ; Fifer, Abijah Haskell. On the 15th of July, 1776, the town voted Independency of Great l^ritain, and a copy of the Declaration by Congress was entered on the Town Records.

Throughout the struggle the inhabitants complied with all the requirements made upon them, being frequently called upon by the State, in emergencies, to furnish men on short enlistments. On one occasion, in 1777, in addition to numerous volunteers, a whole company went under command of Capt. John Joslin to assist in preventing the march of Gen. Burgoyne's army from Canada. They were in season to engage in the battle of Bennington, and at the first fire received from the enemy, Thomas Joslin, the youngest brother of the Captain, was shot through the heart.

Li 1777, Congress issued a call for three years men, and the town voted to raise ^500 to pay those who should enlist. We are unable to give the names of all who entered the service under this call, but among the number were : John Joslin, John Buss, Levi Phelps, Edward Phelps, Levi Blood, Caleb Wood, Peter Joslin, Thomas Robbins, Samuel Jones, Samuel Houghton, Samuel Rogers, and probably five or six others. They participated in several battles, and with the exception of Peter Joslin and Samuel Rogers, lived to return home at the expiration of their term of service. Most of them lived to a good old age, four of them remaining in town. John Buss died in 1845 ^'""^1 Ivlward Phelps, the last survivor, in 185 i.

It is a matter worthy of record that during the Revolution, in all the one hundred and fifty-three families in town, not a person was accused, or even suspected, of being a Tory or unfriendly to the cause, and that during the war the inhabitants

The town had sustained itself nobly through the Revolution, furnishing more than its proportion of men and means, and in common with the rest of the Commonwealth, its people were greatly involved in debt. There was very little hard money in circulation and the Continental Currency had become greatly depreciated, - but notwithstanding these unfavorable circumstances, the men of this town, as a rule, sustained their credit and eventually paid their debts, although some few sold their farms for paper money, and when it became worthless, were ruined.

Many other towns were less fortunate than ours, especially in Worcester County. Taxes were high and lands and goods were levied upon and sacrificed for debts. At last the dissatisfaction and feeling against the Courts developed into open rebellion, in which crisis this town maintained its integrity by sustaining the Government. The leader of this insurrection, one Daniel Shays, in 1786 assembled his armed mob to stop the Courts, and sent a message to the judges of the Supreme Court, then about to hold its session at Springfield, ordering them not to open their court or indict the rebels. About the same time a body of men had collected to stop the Court of Common Pleas at Worcester. At this juncture Leominster sent out a whole company with officers for the relief of the Courts at Worcester, and also a part of a company with two superior officers. Ensign John Buss and Major (afterward Col.) Timothy Boutelle, to assist in dispersing a camp of the Shayites at Petersham. It was an intensely cold night and many of the soldiers were frozen on the march. Colonel Boutelle led the advance guard. Arriving in Petersham before sunrise, he sur-

At Springfield the insurgeants, headed by Shays, approached the Court House, and passing beyond a forbidden point, were fired upon by the militia men twice without effect. At the third volley three of the insurgents fell dead and others were wounded. The rest retreated without firing a gun. Thus ended the Shays' Rebellion. Col. Boutelle was accorded great credit for the tact and skill exhibited in breaking up the camp at Petersham, and for many years held command of the regiment. Ensign Buss was soon promoted and was for several years Captain of the South company in this town.

War Of 1812

In the war of 18 12, a complete company of artillery under command of Captain Joseph Tenney was sent from here to South Boston to help protect the harbor of Boston from the British, who had determined upon laying waste the whole American coast from Maine to Georgia. The company remained on duty as long as its services were required, when it returned, and years afterwards each soldier received a pension from the government in recognition of this service.

War Of The Rebellion

In the War of the Rebellion Leominster furnished 404 men, which was in excess of her full quota under the different calls, and came out with a considerable surplus to her credit. The town was always prompt in furnishing requisitions from the government for military supplies and in the voluntary contributions of articles for the relief of her men in the hospitals, and after battles, and since the war, has not forgotten the men who served her in the days of peril, but has been ever ready to relieve their necessities and provide for their families. Leom- inster was largely represented in the 15th, 21st, 23d, 25th, 32d, 36th, 53d and 57th regiments, and had representatives in every branch of the service. There were few of the great battles in which Leominster men did not take an honorable part.

It is a fact greatly to be regretted, that so much of the military history of this town is lost or scattered ; that, during the War of the Rebellion there was no local paper to chronicle the doings of her citizens at home and in the field. The town records and a few published orations give only a faint reflection of the patriotic enthusiasm which pervaded the community and made this town second to no other of its size in the State in its support of the government.

The early scenes of the rebellion are still fresh in the minds of many who were living at that time: The Secession of the Southern States - the attack on Fort Sumter - the call of President Lincoln for seventy-five thousand volunteers - the attack on the 6th Mass., while passing through Baltimore - the mass meetings of citizens - the intense excitement of that first Sunday (in war times) with its services of a patriotic nature - the enlisting of volunteers - their parades and drills - their impatience at not being called into service, and their final departure for the seat of war - the tender parting of soldiers with their friends (to many the last on earth) - and then the news of Ball's Bluff with its terrible slaughter, and of subsequent battles and campaigns in all of which the friends and families of Leominster soldiers were anxiously interested.

At the time of the breaking out of the rebellion there was one company of militia in town. The Old Military Co. A. of Leominster. This company had kept up its organization from the time the " order to raise " was issued from headquarters in May, 1789. For more than 60 years it had been known as the Leominster Artillery, but after the war of 18 12 was changed to Infantry, and previous to the rebellion was in good condi- tion. Within one week after the first requisition of the President they were thoroughly drilled, equipped and ready to march. When the order was promulgated to receive none but those who would go for three years, and the maximum should be loi, they filled the company to that number and were soon after ordered into camp at Worcester. ' Before leaving town Capt, Rockwood was presented with a sword by citizens of the town, the Rev. Eli Fay making the presentation speech. Few realized upon that occasion that this company of young men were leaving for three long years of hardship and suffering, and that many of their number would be killed in battle, become the victims of rebel brutality in Southern prison pcHS, be wounded or maimed for life or die from disease contracted in the army.

To show the patriotic spiritof the times, we give the following extracts from Mr. Fay's speech : " Captain Rockwood : Your fellow citizens have thought it proper to make some expression of their appreciation of your willingness to leave the quiet scenes in which you have so long mingled and to serve your race, your country, and your God, on the battlefield ; and they have chosen me as theip representative, to express, as. words can but feebly express, the satisfaction we feel that you are willing to go and to lead a goodly number of our fellow citizens to the field of mortal combat (if need be) in defense of the liberties of our country. * * * ^jj- . Wg have given you our men - our young men - we have given them understanding the awful hazard of war, and I charge you, before God, to bring them back to us aliv^e, or bring back to our distressed country, in order and liberty, the price of their blood. And as a slight testimonial of the profound sympathy which the community feel for you in view of the trying and responsible duties of your post, they have requested me to present this sword to you. Sir : Minister of the gospel of peace, as I am, yet under the circumstances, I cheerfully comply with that request. * *

Take this sword as an expression of our sympathy for you and an assurance that our best wishes go with you ; and, by your regard for our town - by the honor of our commonwealth - by your pride of country - by our sense of the justice of our cause - by the remembrance of our revolutionary sires - by the price paid for our liberties - by the stars and stripes that float over us - by the shattered flag-staff of Fort Sumter - by the blood of our murdered citizens - by the value of our free institutions - and by the love of God, do your whole duty, and may the arm of the Omnipotent uphold you ! "