Milford Town

Milford Town

The town of Mendon was originally called the Quinshipaug Plantation, and its territory was within the jurisdiction of the Nipmuck Indians when they were living in their glory before King Philip's War. It consisted of land eight miles square, and was granted by the Massachusetts Colony Court October 16, 1660, on the petition of Gregory Belcher, James Penneman, Thomas Mekens, Moses Payne, Edmund Quincy, Robert Twelves and Peter Brackett. On the 22d of April, 1662, for the consideration of the sum of twenty-four pounds sterling the Indian proprietors of the land released their title, and a deed running to 1 Moses Payne and Peter Brackett, of Braintree, was signed by Annawassamauke, alitxs John, and Quashaamit, ali(u William of the Blue Hills, and Great .Tohn Namsconont, alias Peter, and Upanbohqueen, alias Jacob of Natick. The deed described the land "as eight miles square, lying about fifteen miles from Medfield, and is bounded one mile to the east of a small river which lieth about three miles to the eastward of Nipmug Great Pond, and so from the line of one mile on the east of that small river is to run eight miles west or westerly, and is to lie three miles to the south or southward of the path that leads to Nipmug Great Pond, and five miles on the other side of that part north or northwards."

On the 15th of May, 1667, the town of Mendon was incorporated, and on the 19th of February, 1691-92, an additional tract of land, which has since been designated as the " North Purchase," was, for the consideration of three pounds sterling, conveyed to a committee of the town, consisting of Ferdinando Thayer, Joseph White, Sr., Josiah Chapin, Abraham Staples, Sr., Samuel Hayward, James Lovett and Samuel Read. The grantors were John Awasomog and Amos Awasomog and Peter Ephraim, heirs to John Awasomog, late of Natick. The land was described in the deed as " laying upon the north side of the township of Mendon, butted and bounded as followeth : Southerly upon Mendon line and easterly upon Sherburne line to the height of Maspenock Pond, and northerly upon a line of marked trees until it comes to Maspenock Pond, westerly partly upon the abovesaid Maspenock Pond and partly upon a

On that part of the territory of Mendon which is now Milford the firrit allotment of land seems to have been made to Benjamin " Alby/' in 1664, and consisted of an acre for a mill-lot. In 1670 a twenty -acre house-lot was laid out to John Sprague, near " Albee's** mill-lot. On this lot the first dwellinghouse, in what is now Milford was built. Not long after the settlers began to move into the territory in considerable numbers. Among the earliest were Seth Chapiu, John Jones, Ebenezer and Joseph Sumner, William Cheney, Benjamin Wheaton, Jonathan Hayward and his nephew, Jonathan, and Thomas White. The affairs of the town were conducted smoothly until after the incorporation of Uxbridge, in 1727, which was set off from Mendon, and somewhat disturbed the territorial equilibrium. The project of a new meeting-house was started, and became, as in many other towns before, a fruitful source of dissension. The result was that the Mill River dissentients from the action of the First Church, on the 15th of April, 1741, "with the assistance of the elders and messengers of the church of Hopkinton and the church of Holliston, solemnly framed themselves into a church state by signing a church covenant." In the following November the following petition was presented to the General Court :

To liis Excellency William Shirley, Esq., Capt.-General and Governorin-Chief in and over his Majesty's Province of the Massachusetts Bay, &c.; and to the Honble, the Council and the House of Representatives of said Province in General Court assembled this 25»h d, of November, 1741.

The petition of sundry inhabitants of the town of Mendon in said Province hereunto subscribing, Humbly sheweth ; That the said Town of Mendon, in answer to a petition of sundry iuhabitants on the Easterly side of Mill River in said Town, did, at their meeting on September the 22, 1741, vote their consent That the lauds in said Township lying on the Easterly side of Mill River to the County road by Sheffield's Mill, then bounding on said road to Bellingham and bounding on Bellingham, Holliston and Hopkinton, with all the lands and inhabitants who dwell on these lands within said lines, be a distinct and separate Township; that the lands set off by the Town as aforesaid, with the polls and estates rateable to the support of the ministry and being within said boundaries, are not (your petitioners conceive) more than about one-third part of said Town, considered in respect to polls and estates ; that there are five families on the westerly side of Mill River who choose to congregate with your petitioners and to be laid to them, whose lands, also, at least some of them, will be much incommoded by remaining to the old Town; which families, if added to your petitioners, will, as your petitionere hope, render their charge of maintaining the gospel

Your petitioners are nevertheless humbly of opinion that it would be more conducive to the peace and welfare of the whole that your petitioners and othere within the Bounds aforesaid, with the addition of those few families, be created a precinct, rather than a separate Township, and that the Ministry of both the Churches and Congregations in said Town may lie supported by a Joint Stock, and every one attend the public ministry that is most convenient and agreeable.

Tour petitioners humbly pray yoTir Excellency and the Honble Court that the Inhabitants of Mendon dwelling on the Easterly side of Mill River and adjoining as aforesaid to Bellingham, Holliston and Hopkinton, with their lands in said Township, together with other lands on the .Westerly side of said River up to a Road called the Eight Rod Road, and including Nathan Tyler's house and lands up to Upton line, may be created a separate Town in a separate precinct, or that the public Ministry of both the Churches and Congregations in the Town of Mendon be supported by a Tax or Assessment upon the whole Town, as your Excellency and Honors shall judge most meet tiouers shall ever pray, i.e.

And we, whose names are hereunder written {being the owners of the lands of thfe five families above-named), humbly pray that we, with, our lands, may be annexed to the new Town or precinct unless the Ministry be jointly supported.

A Petitioo of John Jones, and a considerable number of others, inhabitants of the Town of Mendon, Prayiug that the Petitioners, with their families and Estates, within the Bounds expressed in the Petition, be erected into a separate Town or Precinct.

In the House of Representatives, Read again together with the answer of the Town of Mendon thereupon, and voted the prayer of th& Petition be so far granted as that the Inhabitants of Mendon, with their Estates lying on the Easterly side of Mill River, and bounded by said Rivers - Bellingham, Hopkinton and Holliston, including the Families with the Estates on the west side of said River to the Eight Rod road, as expressed and described in the Petition, together with Nathan Tyler and his lands, Samuel Rawson, Daniel Lovel, William Hayward, Thomas White, Daniel White, William Hovey, Josiah Adams, Benjamin Green, Samuel Green and Ebenezer Albee, with their Estates in the old or standing part of said Town, or so many of them as shall join the Petitioners in building a Meeting-House and settling a Minister be, and hereby are, erected into a distinct and separate Precinct; and that the Inhabitants thereof be invested with the same powers and Privileges as other Precincts do enjoy, saving, nevertheless^ that Jonathan Hayward, John Green, Obadiah Wlieelock, James Albee, Joseph Corbet, Thomas Beard, Benjamin Albee, James Albee, Jr., John Kilburn, John Green, Jr., Ebenezer Wbeelock, William Sprague, Joseph Rockwood, Jonathan Hayward. John Hayward, Wm. Sprague, Jr., and John White, living within the above-mentioned bounds, or so many of them as shall desire it, together with their Estates, may continue to the standing part of said Town so long as they attend the public worehip there in a stated way and no longer, Provided that the said , Inhabitants so set off shall, within the space of two years from this time, erect a convenient Meetiug-House and settle a learned Orthodox Minister for the public worship of God.

On the 18th of January, 1742, or according to old style, 1741-42, a meeting was held at the house of Sylvanus Nelson, and the precinct was organized, at which Daniel Taft presided, and the following officers were chosen : William Cheney, Jr., clerk; Capt. Daniel Lovett, Ensign, Nathan Tyler; Deacon. Nathaniel Nelson; Jonathan Hayward, Jr., and John Jones, Jr., precinct committee. A committee was appointed at a meeting held on the 26th of January to select a site for a meeting-house, consisting of Deacon Ebenezer Reed, of Uxbridge, Deacon Thomas Marshal], of Holliston, and Elder Joseph Haven, of Hopkinton. On the 18th of March John Jones, of Hopkinton, and Ebenezer Littlefield, of Hollis-

We ars of opinion That the Knowl or Rising Ground at ttie Country Road leading from Holliston to Mendon, whore the Cross- Roads meet which comes from Habijali French's, and on Ihe southwesterly corner of Joseph Sumner's Lot in said Mendon Easterly Precinct, is the best place for a Meeting-House to stand on, and will accommodate the Inhabitants of said Precinct with the families in the standing part of Mendon, riz. : Josiah Adama, Benjamin Green and Samuel Rawson.

With only a slight change, the meeting-house was built on the spot designated by the committee, and Rev. Amariah Frost was ordained December 21, 1742, only two days within the time specified in the act of incorporation. Mr. Frost was a graduate of Harvard in the class of 1740. The precinct thus formed was generally known as the " Easterly Precinct of Mendon," and the church was designated "the second church of Christ in Mendon." After the incorporation of the precinct as a town in 1780, the name of the church was changed to " The First Church of Christ in xMilford."

But the people of the precinct were not many years contented with a separation in the ministry alone from the old town. As early as 1753 a movement was begun, and though encountering opposition it never subsided until its purpose was accomplished. Finally at a town-meeting held on the 1st of March, 1779, the town agreed to a separation, and a conference committee was appointed representing the three precincts then existing, of which Jonathan Jones, Seth Nelson and Ichabod Thayer were members on the part of the Easterly or Second Precinct. The conference committee on the od of May, 1779, came to an agreement of which the following is the text :

Article 1st. That the 5Ieadow or land usually flowed by the Mill Pond formerly occupied by Lieutenant William Sheffield, on the north side of the Country Road, belonging to said Town, shall still remain and continue the property of said Town of Mendon, although said Second Precinct should become a separate Town ; and in case said Town of Mendon should have occasion to Eject Jeremiah Kelley, the present occupier of said Pond, or any other person or pei-sons, who may hereafter occupy said lands, from the possession of said Premises, or they shall not keep a good Grist-Mill in repair at or near the Premises, agreeable to the original agreement between said Town andv Matthias Puffer and David How, - then the said Second Precinct, although they should become a separate Town, shall have the three-eighth parts of what said Town of Mendon shall recover, they, the said Second Precinct, paying the three-eighth paris of the cost and charge that may arise in recovering the same.

Article 2d. Agreed, that the said Second Precinct draw their equal proportion of the School Money, according to the Valuation of the said Town : also, one-third part of the Ministry money belonging to the said Town : also, their equal proportion of the said Town's stock of Arms and Ammunition.

3d. Agreed, that the said Second Precinct take their equal proportion of the Poor maintained by the Town, according to the Tax said Precinct pays ; and also, after said Precinct is set off as a separate Town, there shall be any Poor sent to this Town from proper authority to be maintained by this Town, and it shall appear that the persons so brought were the usual or original Inhabitants of the said Second Precinct, then the said Second Precinct shall receive and maintain Iheraas their Poor.

4thly. That the said Second Precinct pay their equal proportion of all the charges that have [arisen] or shall arise within the Town of Mendon prior to their being incorporated as a separate Town, of whatever name

5thly. That if there appears to be a surplusage of money, over and above paying all the Town's debts and charges, when they, the said Second Precinct, shall become a separate Town, then the said Second Precinct to draw their equal proportion, according to their Valuation.

A committee was appointed to draw a petition to the General Court, consisting of Captain Gershom Nelson, Jonathan Jones and Ichabod Thayer, Jr., and in response to their petition the following act of incorporation was passed by the General Court :

Act Of Incorporation Eighty

An Act for Incorporating the Easterly Precinct in the Toicn of Mendon^ in the County of Worcester, into a BrparaU Town by the Name of MUford.

Whereas it appears that the Inhabitants of the Easterly Precinct in the Town of Mendon, in the County of Worcester, labor under many Difficulties in their present Situation, for Remedying of which they Earnestly request they may be Incorporated into a Separate Town.

Be it therefore Enacted by the Council aud House of Representatives in General Court Assembled, and by the Authority of the same that the Easterly part of the Town of Mendon, in the County of Worcester, bounded as follows, Yizt.: beginning at a heap of Stones on Bellingham Line, on the North of the Country Road, then running West, and bounded South on said Road until it comes to a Road called the eightrod Road, now reduced to a four-rod Road, then North, and bounded westerly on said Road, as it is now Stated by the Town of Mendon, until it comes to Upton Line, thence on Upton Line to Hopkinton Line, thence on Hopkinton Line (o Holliston Line, thence on Holliston Line to Bellingham Line, thence on Bellingham Line to the Bounds first mentioned - Be aud hereby is lucoiporated into a Town by the Name of Milford, and that the Inhabitants tliereof be and they are hereby Invested with all the Powers, Privileges & Immunities which the Inhabitants of the Towns in this State do or may by Law enjoy.

And Provided Nevertheless, and be it further Enacted that the Inhabitants of the said Town of Milford shall be held to take and maintain their Proportionable part of the Poor of said Towo of Jlendon that are now maintained as such, or that shall be liereafter Returned from any other Town as belonging to said Mendon before the said Town of Milford was Incorporated.

And Be it further Enacted that the Inhabitants of said Town of Milford shall be held to pay their Proportionable part of all Town, County and State Taxes that are already raised, or granted, to be assessed on the Inhabitants of said Town of Mendon, or that shall be granted to be assessed on said Town of Mendon during the present Sitting of the Great and General Court, and be held to repair & Build one-half of the Bridges and mend and repair one-half the Roads on which they are bounded lying in the Town of Mendon forever.

And Be il further Enacted that all the Proprietors belonging to the Propriety of the Town of Mendon, that shall be Incorporated into the Town of Milford shall hold all their Common Rights in the Common and Undivided Lauds in the Propriety of the former Township of said Mendon as though they had not been aet off into a Sepai-ate Tov n - And their Proportionable part of the Ministry and School Sloney belonging to said Town of Mendon that have accrued to Ihem by the Sale of the School and Ministry Land,

A}td. Be it further Enacted That Joseph Dorr, E8q^, be and he is hereby directed and empowered to issue his Warrant directed to some Principal Inhabitant of said Town of Milford requiring him to warn the Inhabitants of said Town of Milford qualified by Law to Vote in Town Affairs to Assemble and meet at some Suitable time and Place in said Town, to choose all such Officers as Towns by Law are Required and impowered to choose in the month of March Annually, and to Transact all other matters & Business necessary to be done in said Town.

Dorr, of Mendon, issued his warrant, dated April 25. 1780, for a meeting of the town of Milford, to be held on the 1st day of May, 1780, at the meeting-house, and at said meeting Joseph Dorr was chosen moderator ; Caleb Cheney, clerk ; and Lieut. Jesse Whitney, Caleb Cheney, Warfield Hayward, Ebenezer Read and Stephen Albee, selectmen ; and Caleb Cheney, treasurer; Lieut. Jesse Whitney, Caleb Cheney, Warfield Hayward, Ebenezer Read and Stephen Albee were chosen Committee of Correspondence ; Adam Chapin, Ichabod Thayer, Jr. and Moses Chapin, assessors; Joseph Cady and Obadiah Ward, constables ; Jonathan Jones and Josiah Chapin, surveyors of highways for the First District ; Levi Thayer and Samuel Davis, for the Second District; Boyce Kimball, for the Third District ; Dr. Elias Parkman, for the Fourth District; Captain Gershom Nelson and Samuel Warren, tything-men; Capt. Ichabod Thayer.Jr., Oliver Daniell and Joseph Jones, Jr., fenceviewers; Captain Gershom Nelson, sealer of lumber; Jesse Hayward, se.iler of leather; AmosShepherdson, Nathaniel Saunders, Caleb Boynton, Jr., and Ephraim Hayward, hog-reeves ; and Deacon Abijah French, At this time the population of the town was about seven hundred and fifty. It had just passed with its mother town through the Revolutionary War and was in a reduced state in its financial condition, and, with the exception of one or two grist and saw and, perhaps, fulling-mills, had no industry in which its people could be employed beside that of agriculture. During the Shays' Rebellion in 1786 it remained loyal to the Government, but was so far impressed with the burdens which caused it as to be opposed to extreme measures against those who were engaged in it. On the 27th of January, 1787, after its suppression, its people voted in town-meeting " to aend a petition to the General Court that those who have heretofore arisen to oppose the sitting of the Courts of Justice in several counties of this Commonwealth, and all those who »re now under arms in opposition to the authority of the same, on condition they shall disperse and return to their several homes, and behave themselves peaceably in future, may not be molested in their persons or property in consequence of what they have heretofore done.''

The affairs of the precinct, which, by »he act of incorporation, had become a town, went smoothly on until the death of Mr. Frost, on the 11th of March, 1792. After an interval of about eight years an invitation was extended to Rev. David Long to settle as pastor, with a settlement of one hundred and fifty pounds, payable one-half in one year and one-half in two years, and an annual salary of eighty pounds. His ordination took pl.ice May 20, 1801, on a stage erected in the open air, and a large number of clergymen took part in the services. During his pastorate, which continued until his resignation, in 1841, a new meeting-house was erected. In 1819 the precinct reorganized itself, according to the forms of law, as a parish, and, in opposition to the claim of the town that the meeting-house was a municipal possession, demolished the old structure and built a new one on its site. On the 15th of November the parish accepted the house from the architect, and, by the sale of pews, raised a fund more than sufficient to defray its cost. On the 25th of November the meeting-house was dedicated.

Rev. Smith Bartlett Goodenow, the next pastor, was installed October 20, 1844, and dismissed January 1, 184G. He was followed by Rev. Preston Bird, who was installed May 24, 1849, and dismissed February 16, 1852. Rev. James Trask Woodbury succeeded and served from his installation, July 15, 1852, until his death, January 16, 1861. The successor of Mr. Woodbury was Rev. Alfred A. Ellsworth, who was ordained September 4, 1862, and dismissed June 28, 1865. Rev. James B. Thornton, who succeeded Mr. Ellsworth, was installed November 22, 1865, and resigned January 28, 1868. Rev. Sylvester C. Kendall followed, and served five years from his installation, August 5, 1868, until his dismissal, June 12, 1873. Rev. Dr. Merrill Richardson was installed June 12, 187.3, and died December 12, 1877, being succeeded by Rev. Oliver S. Dean, who was installed September 20, 1877. The present pastor is Rev. Webster Woodbury, who was preceded by Rev. Charles L. Wetherby. In 1867 and 1868 the meetinghouse of the parish was removed to the present site, and enlarged and remodeled. Its dedication occurred on the evening of the day of the installation of Rev. Mr. Kendall, August 5, 1868. The cost of the improvements, with a new organ, was a little in excess of twenty-six thousand dollars.

During the life of the Second Precinct only the Congregational Society existed within its limits. In 1781, the first year of the incorporated town, Universalism made its appearance and Rev. Adams Streeter began to preach, holding services once a month. The earliest members of the Universalist Society appear to have been Samuel French, Noah Wiswall, Ebenezer Sumner, John Claflin, Caleb Boynton, Samuel Bowker, Ebenezer Wheelock, Ebenezer Sumner, Jr., Nahum Clark and David French. Meetings were held in the houses of the several members of the society, and Mr. Streeter continued his regular monthly ministrations until his death, September 22, 1786. On the 28th of December, 1787, the society formally adopted and subscribed a religious compact, but had no regular preaching until May 31, 1790. At that date Rev. Zephaniah Lathe was engaged for monthly services and continued his engagement until 1797, and was followed until 1821 by Rev. Joshua Flagg, Rev. Nathaniel Smith, Rev. Richard Carrique, Rev. Caleb Rich and others. During the year 1820 a brick church was erected, and dedicated January 10, 1821. The society was incorporated December 6, 1824. The succession of ministers as given by Mr. Ballon, in his valuable "History of Milford," has been as follows: Rev. Thomas Whitte- and James R. Claflin, Elias Whitney, John Morris, Edwin Battles and Freeman Walcott were chosen " to carry ont the recommendations contained in the report." On the 11th of June provision was made for the payment of State aid to the families of soldiers, and to parents, brothers and sisters dependent upon them ; the whole, for both, not to exceed twenty dollars a month to each family and dependents of a soldier. December 9th six thousand dollars were appropriated for State aid to soldiers' families.

On the 31st of March, 1862, twenty thousand dollars were appropriated for aid, during the year, to the families and dependents of volunteers belonging to Milford, and the following resolutions were unanimously adopted :

Resrdve^, By the inhabitants of the town of Milford, in legal townmeeting assenibleil, that we have heard with pride of the heroic condnct of the officere and soldietB of Company B, Twent)--fifth Regiment Massachusetts Volunteers, and our other fellow-citizeus of Milford engaged in the battles of Roanoke and Newbern.

Rf'solfed, That our thanks are due to an overruling Providence, and our congratulations to our fellow-citizens in the fields aforesaid ; that amid perils by sea, in the camp and in the shock of battle, so few have paid for their patriotism with their lives ; that the j'atient endurance of these, our fellow-citizens, their unflinching courage and their glorious victories, will live forever in the history of the town of Milford.

Hesolvrd, That we tender them our congratulations, that, as membei-s of the Twenty-tifth Regiment, and bearers of the flag, they were the tirst to raise the flag of our old Conmionwealth over the batteries of the enemy at Newbern.

Eeeolved, That we tender to the friends of those who have fallen in the service our heartfelt sympathies, with the assurance that the names of the fallen will ever be held in honored memory.

Jiesoh-ed, Th,at these resolutions be recorded in the town records, and a copy of the same be sent to Capt. Willard Clark, commanding said company.

On the 20th of July the selectmen were authorized to pay a bounty of one hundred and twenty-five dollars for each volunteer who shall enlist for three years, and be credited to the quota of the town and to open a recruiting-office in the town. A bounty of one hundred and twenty-five dollars was also directed to be paid to volunteers for nine months' service.

On the 9th of June, 1864, the bounty to persons enlisting for three years was fixed at one hundred and twenty-five dollars, and twelve thousand dollars were appropriated to pay the same. Provision was also made to give the returning soldiers belonging to the town a public reception by thecitizens.

Milford furnished one thousand one hundred and forty-two men for the war, which was a surplus of one hundred aud thirty-two over and above all demands. Twenty-five were commissioned officers. The whole amount of money appropriated and expended by the town on account of the war, exclusive of State aid, was sixty-two thousand six hundred dollars (162,600).

for one year. "Wni. Birch, private, enl. in Unattached Co., 19th Rogt., for 100 days. Wm. Henry Birch, private, enl. in 19th Unattached Co. for 100 days. Patrick Birmingham, private, enl. in Co. A, 57th Regt., for three years. Henry L. Bishop, private, enl. in 19th Unattached Co. for 100 days. Montgomery Bixby, private, enl. in Co. A, 2d Regt. Heary Artillery, for three years. Montcalm Bixhy, private, enl. in 10th Unattached Co. for 100 days. Warren Bixby, private, enl. in 10th Uuattached Co. for 100 days. George H. Blake, private, enl. in 10th Unattached Co. for 100 days. John G. Bliss, private, enl. in Co. F, 3Gth Regt, for three years. Lucius Blood, sergeant, enl. in Co. G, 40th Regt., New York, for three for one year. George G. Desantelle, private, enl. in o7th Regt. for three yeans. Timothy Devine, corporal, enl. in Co. H, 1st Regt. Cavalry, for three drowned Sept. 0, '61, in Potomac River. James Donahue, private, enl. in Co. K, 2Sth Regt., for three years. Bernard Donahue, private, enl. in 19th Unaltaclied Co. for one year. John Donahue, private, enl. iu Co. O, let Batt. Heavy Artillery, for year. John Finn, private, enl. in Co. F, 3Cith Regt., for three years. Martin Finn, private, enl. in Co. K, 28th Regt., for three years.. Thomas Finn, private, eni. in 10th Unattached Co., for one three years. James A. Frainpton, private, enl. in 19th Unattached Co. for one year. Robert L. Frampton, Jr., musician, enl. in 19th Unattached Co. for one

Light Artillery. Otis W. Holmes, captain, enl. in Co. B, 25th Regt., for three years. Charles E. Holt, private, enl. in Co. K, 4th Regt, Heavy Artillery, fur years. Patrick Houren, private, enl. in Co. H, 9th Regt., for three years. Austin Howard, private, enl. in Co. G, 40th Regt., New York, for three years. Olevan Howard, private, enl. in Co. F, 3Gth Regt., for three years. Whitman Howard, private, enl. in Co. K, 61st Regt., for one year. Edgar E. Howard, private, enl, in Co. K, 4th Regt., for one year. Edson F. Howard, private, enl. in 19th Unattached Co. for one year. Sylvester B. Howard, private, enl. in 19tb Unattached Co. for 100 days. Stephen E. Howard, corporal, enl. in 19th Unattached Co. for inn days. John Howarth, private, enl. in 19th Unattached Co. for one year. Edward W. Howe, enl. in let Batt. Heavy Artillery for three years. Willard N. Howe, private, enl. in Co. G, 4(ith Regt., New York, for three

Patrick Bfurphy, private, enl. in Co, A, 57th Regt., for three years. Cornelius Murphy, private, enl, in Co. A, 57th Regt, for three years, David S. Murphy, private, enl. in Bat. A, 1st Regt. Light Artillery, for two years. John Murphy, privatu. enl. in Co. C, 55th Regt, Patrick E. Murphy, lieutenant, enl. in 9th Regt. for three years. John Jlurray, private, enl. in Co. H, 9th Regt., for three years. Thomas Murray, private, enl. in Co. A, 57th Regt., for three years. Francis Murray, private, enl. in 9th Regt. for three years. John C. Nelson, private, enl. in Co. G, 4Uth New York Regt , for three for one year. Edwin F. Pond, private, enl. in Co. B, 25ih Regt., for three years. Chandler H. Pond, private, enl. in Co. A, 29th Regt., for three years. William A. Pond, musician, enl. in 7th Regt. for three years. Francis G. Pond, musician, enl. in Co. I, 45th Regt., for nine months. Henry A. Pond, private, enl. in Co. A, 25tb Regt., for three years. Bernard H. Pond, sergeant, enl. in Co. G, 40th Regt., New York, for days. Patrick Powers, private, enl. in 2.';th Regt. for three years. Henry A. Preston, private, enl. in Co. E, 4th Regt. Heavy Artillery, for years. James Pye, private, enl. in 19th Unattached Co. for one year. William Pyne, private, enl. in Co. C, 9th Regt., for three years. Oramandel Qviimby, private, enl. in 19th Unattached Co. for one hundred days. Edward R. Richards, private, enl. in 19th Unattached Co. for one year. John S. Richardson, private, enl. in Co. E, 2d Regt. Heavy Artillery, for three years. Eli A. Richardson, private, enl. in 19th Unattached Co. for one year. Charles F. Riley, private, enl. in Co. H, 2d Regt. Heavy Artillery, fur three years. Joseph Sample, corporal, enl. in Co. I, 4Sfh Regt., for nine months. Henry Sanger, private, enl. in 19th Unattached Co. for 100 days. Jonathan B. Saunders, private, enl. in Co. K, 9th Regt.. New York, for

Artillery, for three years. Dalty Sweeney, private, enl. in Co. H, 9th Regt., for three years. Dennis Sweeney, private, enl. in Co. G, 40th Regt., New York, for three three years, Robert T. Thomas, private, enl. in IDth Unattached Co. for one year, Kdmund A. Thompson, private, enl. in 19th Unattached Co. for otio

Frank L. Wood, private, enl. in 19th Unattached Co, for one year. Frederick H. Woods, private, enl. in Co. G, 5tb Eegt., for 100 days. Alexander S, Wright, private, enl. in 19th Unattached Co. for one year. Daniel Wynn, private, enl. in Co. E, 2d Eegt., for three years.

some who won distinction and lasting fame. The names of Draper and Underwood will be inscribed with that of Scammell on the page of history, and illumine for generations the annals of the town.

Chapter Clxii

It is, of course, impossible, in the limited space allotted to this sketch, to specify the different establishments which contribute to the industrial interests of Milford. It must be sutficient to refer to their general character and the progress they have made in the hands of accomplished and enterprising men. Fifty years ago the industries of the town were confined to a small cotton-mill, the manufacture of something over one hundred thousand pairs of boots, a small tannery and other smaller enterprises, all of which yielded a product not exceeding two hundred and seventy-five thousand dollars. In 1845 this product had increased to perhaps three hundred and fifty thousand. In 1855, with the facilities for business which railroad communications with Boston had developed, it had increased to nearly two millions of dollars. The value of boots and shoes alone manufactured in the town had risen from a little over one hundred thousand dollars in 1835 to more than a million and a half. At the present time, though the boot and shoe business is temporarily dull, the enterprise and prosperity of the town have more than held their own, notwithstanding the incorporation of the town of Hopedale, which had been one of its most industrious and active districts.

The establishments of Colburn, Fuller & Co., Charles W. Shippee, Claflin & Thayer, James S. Kelley, Charles F. Quiggle and R. E. Foster & Co., in the shoe business; of Benjamin H. Spaulding and Jones & Wilkinson, straw-goods manufacturers; the granite quarries of the Milford Granite Company, Nonross Brothers, Theodore Sherman, John Cuddihy and Robert Ross and other smaller industries too numerous to mention give the town an air of prosperous activity and substantial wealth.

Among the institutions and corporations which have both contributed to the prosperity of the town and been rendered necessary by it, are the Milford National Bank, the Milford Savings Bank, the Home National Bank, the Milford and Woonsocket Railroad Company, the Milford and Hopkinton Railroad, the Milford Gas Company and the Milford Water Company. There are in addition the usual volunteer associations found in our larger towns, having for their object either social, literary or philanthropic purposes. Among these are the Jloutgomery Lodge of Free and Accepted Masons, chartered in 1797 ; the Mount Lebanon Royal Arch Chapter, chartered in 1824; the Milford Commandery of Knights Templars, chartered in 1859; the Masonic Mutual Relief Society ; the Tisquantum Lodge, No. 4G, Independent Order of Odd Fellows, chartered in 1844; the Quinshepaug Encampment, No. 20, chartered iu 1867 ; the Knights of Pythias, Bay State Lodge, No. 51, organized in 1870 ; Division No. 7, of Ancient Order of Hibernians; the Improved Order of Red Men,Oghneta Tribe, No. 15; the Daughters of the Forest; the Milford Lodge of Knights of Honor, No. 692, organized in 1887 ; Fidelity Lodge, No. 21, Independent Order of Good Templars, instituted in 1863; Elmwood Lodge, No. 129, instituted in 1872, and a Catholic Temperance Association, organized in 1859; the Major E. F. Fletcher Post 22, of the Grand Army, and the Royal Arcanum, Nipmuck Council, No. 907.

Among the men of Milford who have given distinction to the town there are those who must not be overlooked in this narrative. The first to be mentioned, as well in distinction as in point of time, must be General Alexander Scammell. He was the son of Dr. Samuel Leslie Scammell, and was born in 1744 iu that part of Mendon now Millbrd. He graduated at Harvard in 1769, in the class with Theophilus Parsons, William Tudor, Peter Thacher, Peleg Wadsworth and James Winthrop. Immediately after leaving college he taught a public school in Plymouth two years, and then removed to Portsmouth, New Hampshire, where he studied law and occupied himself somewhat with the business of a surveyor. In August, 1772, he served in some capacity on board the armed sloop "Lord Chatham," hound from the Piscataqua River to Boston with plans, reports and dispatches for the lords of the treasury. In 1775 he was appointed brigade major of the New Hampshire militia, and in 1769 colonel of the Third New Hampshire Regiment, and was wounded at the battle of Saratoga. He rose to the rank of adjutantgeneral in the army, and at the siege of Yorktown, on the 30tb of September, 1781, he received a wound, of which he died in Williamsburg in the following month. A stone was erected over his grave bearing this inscription, selected from Humphrey :

Rev. Stephen Chapin was born in Milford, November 4, 1778, and died in Washington, October 1, 1845. He graduated at Harvard in 1804 and receivedthe degree of Doctor of Divinity from Brown University in 1822. He was first settled in Hillsborough, New Hampshire, and afterwards in Mt. Vernon in the same State. He was also settled for a time at North Yarmouth, Maine, and in 1822 was appointed Professor of Theology in Waterville College. In 1828 be became president of Columbian College, at Washington, and resigned in 1841, four years before his death.

Milford, December 18, 1811. He began his business life in a dry-goods store in his native town, but afterwards removed to Worcester, where he established a successful firm. In 1843 he removed to New York and for many years was the senior partner in the wellknown house of Claflin & Blellen. After the retirement of Mr. Mellen the large business of the firm was carried on under the title of H. P. Claflin & Co. In one year it is withip the writer's knowledge that the sales of the house reached seventy millions of dollars. Under the clouds of the war and the shadows of various financial crises the house of H. P. Claflin & Co. was sometimes staggered and threatened with disaster; but through all its losses it went successfully on and under the management of the sons of Mr. Claflin it still rears its head proudly among the largest business houses in the land.

Adin Ballou Underwood, son of Orison and Hannah (Bond Cheney) Underwood, was born in Milford, May 19, 1828, and graduated at Brown University in 18-19. He was admitted to the Worcester County bar in 1853, and two years later removed to Boston. In April, 1861, he was commissioned captain in the Second Massachusetts Infantry Regiment, and in September, 1862, became colonel of the Thirty-third Regiment. He was engaged in the battles of Fredericksburg, Chancellorsville, Gettysburg and Lookout Mountain, in the last of which he was disabled by serious wounds from further military service. In November, 1863, he was made brigadier-general, and in September, 1865, was brevetted major-general.

For many years he occupied the office of surveyor in the Boston Custom House, and is now living in Milford, beloved and respected by his fellow-citizens and honored by all who know him.

Aaron Claflin Mayhew was the son of John and Nancy (Freeland) Mayhew, and was born in Hopkinton, July 22, 1812. He removed to Milford in 1829, and learned the tanner's trade with Hon. Lee Claflin. In 1835 he formed a partnership with David S. Godfrey fisr the manufacture of leather, and afterwards of boots and shoes. After the death of Mr. Godfrey, he formed a partnership, in 1853, with George W. Howe and John S. Leland, under the title of A. C. Mayhew & Co. After the death of Mr. Leland, in 1857, Sullivan C.Sumner took his place. Mr. Mayhew was president of the Milford National Bank from the time of its original establishment, in 1854, until his death, and represented his town in the House of Representatives and his district in the Senate. He was also a member of the Governor's Council two years, during the administration of Governor Banks. His death, which was sudden, occurred September 26, 1880.

William Claflin is the son of Hon. Lee and Sarah (Adams) Claflin, and was born in Milford, March 6, 1818. Though largely and successfully engaged for many years in Boston in the shoe and leather business, he is more popularly known as a politician and public oflScer. He was a member of the House of Representatives from 1849 to 1852, a member of the Senate in 1860-61 (and in the latter year its president), Lieut-Governor from 1866 to 1869 and Governor from 1869 to 1872. He has been also a member of Congress, and with all these honors in the past he is still vigorous in body and mind and the recipient of universal respect.

Rev. Adin Ballou, though not a native of the town, has been so long a resident, and by his authorship of the "History of Milford" has so closely identified himself with its interests, that he should be mentioned among those who make up its roll of honor. Mr. Ballou is descended from Maturin Ballou, who came to New England and settled in ;Providence Plantation about 1640. He is the son of Ariel and Edilda (Tower) Ballou, and was born in Cumberland, Rhode Island, April 23, 1803. In 1822 he was converted to the doctrines of Universalism. In 1823 he preached to several Universalist congregations in Mendon, Bellingham and Medway, and to the First Universalist Society in Boston. In April, 1824, he was settled over the Universalist Society in Milford, and in 1827 over the Prince Street Society in New York. In July 1828, he resumed his position in Milford, which he held until 1831, when he took charge of the First Congregational Parish in Mendon. In 1842 he removed to Hopedale, to make, with others, " the experiment of establishing a fraternal community on the true Christian basis." The history of the Hopedale Community and the connection of Mr. Ballou with its career may be found thoroughly narrated in the " History of Milford," of which he is the author. Mr. Ballou has been through life an active thinker and reformer, and has been also a prolific writer. He is now living in Hopedale, resting from his labors at the age of eighty-six, and, as he says himself, " confidingly as well as contritely, he casts himself for final disposal into the bosom of God's forgiving love as manifested through his ble.ssed Son."

William Franklin Draper is the son of George and Hannah (Brown Thwing) Draper, and was born in Lowell, April 9, 1842. He was a draughtsman by occupation and he enlisted as a private, September 6, 1861, in Company B, Twenty-fifth Massachusetts Regiment, for three years. He was promoted to second lieutenant October 11, 1861; to first lieutenant April 15, 1862 ; to captain in the Thirty-sixth Regiment August 12, 1862; to major August 17, 1863; to lieutenant-colonel May 6, 1864; and to brevet brigadier-general October 12, 1864. He was engaged in battles at Roanoke Island in February, 1862, at Newbern in March, 1862, at Fort Macon in the same year, at Fredericksburg in December, 1862, at Vicksburg in July, 1863, at Jacksonville in July, 1863, at the Wilderness and other battles during the last Virginia Campaign, and was discharged in October, 1864, at the expiration of his term of service. General Draper is living at his home in Hopedale, a prominent caudi- ate for the succession as Governor of the Commonwealth. He has recently exhibited an independence of spirit which, while attracting honest and conscientious citizens to his candidacy, may diminish his chances for a nomination. The power of what are called "boodle" politicians is so great that it is possible his repudiation of their aid p-ud influence may hazard his success in the convention. On the other hand, it is possible that a reaction may be set in motion by his bold stand, which shall in the end swell an overwhelming tide in his favor.

In order that it may be seen who have been prominent in the affairs of the town in the difierent generations since its incorporation the following lists are inserted in this narrative, showing who have acted as selectmen, moderators of annual meetings, town clerks, town treasurers and representatives to the General Court :

The twenty-first article of amendments to the Constitution, providing for representative districts, was adopted by the Legislature of 185G and 1857, and ratified by the people in 1857. Under the apportionment made in accordance with the amendment, the town of Milford constituted the Nineteenth Representative District of Worcester County, and until the next apportionment the following Representatives were chosen :

Under the apportionment of 18G6 the towns of Milford, Mendon, Uxbridge and Blackstone constituted the Fifteenth Representative District of Worcester County, and the following Representatives were chosen to represent the district until the next apportionment :

Under the apportionment of 1876 the towns of Milford, Mendon and Upton constituted the Second Representative District of Worcester County, and the following were chosen until the next apportionment :

Under the apportionment of 1886 the towns of Milford, Blackstone, Mendon and Hopedale constituted the Eleventh Worcester District, and the following have been chosen :

The population of Milford since the introduction of the shoe industry has steadily increased. In 1815 it was probably about one thousand, in 1825 about twelve hundred and fifty, in 1835 fifteen hundred, in 1845 twenty-five hundred, in 1855 about seventy-five hundred, in 1865 about nine thousand, in 1875 about ninety-eight hundred, and in 1885 ninety-three hundred and forty-three. At the date of this sketch, after deducting the population of Hopedale, it probably stands at about ten thousand. The town owns no water-works, but the inhabitants are supplied by the Milford Water Company with water, and an annual appropriation is made to pay for water for fire purposes. It has a good Fire Department, with two steam fire-engines and three hose companies and a hook-and-ladder company, and is thus well provided against serious disaster.

The following list of expenditures of the town for the year 1887 will exhibit the working of its municipal machinery, and with this list this imperfect sketch must close. The writer wishes, however, before closing, to give due credit for a large amount of information to the exhaustive " History of Milford," prepared by Rev. Adin Ballon, who, while furnishing the town with a memorial of inestimable value, has completed a lasting one of himself: indirectly from Hopkinton, and they are said to be of Scotch extraction; their ancestors may have been among the Scotch immigrants who helped to settle Hopkinton at an early period. (See " History of Milford.")

John Claflin, the son of John and grandson of Ebenezer, was born in Holliston, June 24, 1775 ; he married Lydia, daughter of Henry and Jerusha (Burnap) Mellen, of Hopkinton, in 1798 (she having been born December 15, 1777); they came to Milford in 1798, resided two years on the Noah Wiswall place, carrying on there the business of cordwainer; then bought about forty acres of land, with its buildings, of Samuel Rockwood, the place recently occupied by Benjamin D. Godfrey, and lived there four years. He next purchased, of his father, the lot where the Mansion House now stands, containing about four acres, with the buildings thereon. There he kept store and tavern five years. This was probably the first tavern kept on that spot. Thenceforth, steadily advancing in enterprise and increasing in wealth, he became one of our mo.st influential citizens ; shrewd and successful in public affairs as well as private; captain and then major of artillery; invested first or last with the most responsible town offices, and holding for thirty years nearly, previous to his death (which occurred July 10, 1848), a continuous commission as justice of the peace. His children were: Sylvia, Amelia, Charlotte, Direxa, Aaron, Jerusha, Horace B., Sophia A., William Bainbridge.

Horace B. Claflin was born at Milford, Mass., December 18, 1811, his father being John Claflin, general country store-keeper, farmer and justice of the peace. He was educated at common school and the Milford Academy.

At the age of twenty he, in company with his brother, Aaron, and brbther-in-law, Samuel Daniels, succeeded his father in business at Milford. The latter gave each of the three boys one thousand dollars to start with. The following year (18.32) they opened a dry-goods store at Worcester, in connection with their general store at Blilford. In 1833 Aaron took the Milford store, leaving Horace in exclusive possession of the Worcester business. He remained in Worcester until July, 1, 1843 (marrying, meantime, Agnes Sanger, daughter of Colonel Calvin Sanger, of Sherborne, Mass.), and then, with William F. Buckley, he formed the firm of Buckley & Claflin, and began a wholesale dry-goods business at 46 Cedar Street, New York. In 1850 they built a store at No. 57 Broadway, and moved into it in January, 1851. The following July (1851) Mr. Buckley retired, and Mr. Claflin made up a firm with William H. Mellen and several juniors, under the style of Claflin, Mellen & Co. In 1853 Mr. Claflin and others built, at 111 Broadway, the building known as Trinity Building, whither the business was transferred on the completion of the structure. There the firm did a rapidlyincreasing business until January, 1861, when they moved into the store corner of Church and Worth streets, running through to West Broadway.

The great expansion of their trade, in view of their largely increased room, came at an unfortunate time. By the late Civil War the firm's assets were largely locked up and rendered almost worthless, and Claflin, Mellen & Co. were compelled to ask their creditors to accept seventy per cent, on long time in settlement of their accounts. A large majority of the creditors accepted these terms, but claims to the amount of about one million dollars could not be adjusted on extended time, and were bought up by friends of Mr. Claflin at about fifty cents on the dollar. Very speedily after resumption the firm began to discount the compromise notes, and long before maturity of the extension, the seventy cents, and thirty cents additional, with interest on everything, had been paid. Then Mr. Claflin sought out all who had sold their claims for cash (at about fifty cents), and paid them the balance needful to make up one hundred cents and interest.

January 1, 1864, Mr. Mellen retired, and since then the style of the firm has been H. B. Claflin & Co. Their sales during the war amounted in one year (from May 1st to May 1st) to seventy-two million dollars.

In the panic of 1873 the firm, with millions of dollars of bills receivable on hand, could not get discounts rapidly enough to meet their open accounts at maturity. No paper with their name on it went to protest, but they asked their creditors to accept notes at an average of five months, with interest added, in settlement of the open accounts, and most of the creditors were willing to extend this accommodation. The notes were paid at an average of about ninety days - say two months before maturity. The ability of Mr. Claflin may be judged fairly by the magnitude of the business which he built up, which from 1865 to the time of his death far exceeded that of any other commercial house in the world. He was the pioneer of that development of modern business by which the old-fashioned jobbing houses became importers, and even manufacturers, as well as distributers of merchandise, a development which has now extended to many other branches of trade, with a constant tendency to the minimum of profit and consequent benefit to the consumer. The fortune which he accumulated is a very inadequate measure of his success, for bis great liberality to his associates prevented him from keeping to himself the share of the profits which he might fairly have claimed. More than a score of persons who ^tood in confidential relations to him in the business (partners and others) retired to leisure at various times with ample fortunes, not one of them having contributed a dollar in money to the firm's capital.

If he had been avaricious his accumulations would probably have been thrice what they were, but he preferred gratitude to money. In measuring his work, too, not only his individual fortune and those of hia immediate associates must be reckoned, but note should also be taken that hundreds of fortunes throughout the United States have had their begining in the generosity of Mr. Claflin. It was a great satisfaction to him to give young men a liberal start, and perhaps no other man has lived in this country who has helped so many beginners with money and with unexampled credit, until they have become able to sustain themselves.

He was a man of strong convictions and of noble principles. In 1850 it was unpopular - it cost something - to be known as an opponent of slavery, but when the Castle Garden meeting was called in that year, he, in his quiet way, let every one know that he was an uncompromising friend of freedom, and it was a satisfaction to him to be published in the list of " Black Republicans," which many of the newspaper.-* held up for abuse.

Although strongly Republican in his political views, and a Republican Presidential elector in 1872, in 1881 he voted for President Cleveland (when most of his personal friends were in favor of Mr. Blaine)^ because he was a sincere believer in civil service reform. '

His life was remarkably happy. He said to his sons many times, " I should be glad to live my life over again, for with all its mistakes and disapjiointments it has been full of happiness." Only a man of good heart and clear conscience could say that.

Mr. Claflin's benevolence was without limit. He was always thinking of the poor and needy, and frequently said to his family, " We must try to give pleasure to poor people, not to the rich; the latter do not need our attention." His cheerfulness was wonderful. His conversation sparkled with humor. Even in the most trying times his presence was like sunshine to his family and friends. He was a living illustration of Sir Humphrey Davy's charming lines : " Life is made up not of great sacrifices or duties, but of little things, in which smiles and kindness and small obligations, given habitually, are what win and preserve the heart and secure comfort."

His pleasures, except those of business, were found at home. He belonged to no clubs, entertained and went into society comparatively little ; but in his home circle, and among the few who were very intimate with him, the charm of his bright face, his overflowing merriment, and his sweet seriousness will never be forgotten. He loved more than most men, and every one that lived in his immediate presence had an affection for him beyond expression in words. He died November 14, 1885, in the seventy-fourth year of his age.

Aaron Claflin

Aaron Claflin was born in Milford, April 20, 1807. He grew up and succeeded his father, Jolin Claflin, in l)u.siness. He married Mary, daughter of Captain RuCus and Hannah (Parkhurst) Thayer, April 17, 1828. He has devoted himself honorably and successfully to business, mainly in manufacturing boots, and especially as a wholesale dealer in that general line, managing, since 1842, a large and flourishing boot and shoe store in New York City, and residing in Brooklyn much of his time. But he has constantly given Milford a large share of his business enterprise and wealth.

The numerous substantial edifices in our Centre, occupied under his auspices, or aftbrding ample accommodations to other business men, together with public halls, &c., proclaim his deep interest in the thrift of his native town. Besides these, he owns and runs a large model farm of two hundred and fifty acres on Silver Hill, with probably as much pecuniary benefit to others as to himself This is his rural home, which he visits quite regularly from month to month, making such temporary stays as convenience and pleasure dictate.

He is an expert at minding his own business, treating his fellow-creatures commendably, dispensing his benefactions unostentatiously, and thus insuring to himself a corresponding measure of respectful goodwill. His memory is a most remarkable encyclopsedia of town history, genealogy and interesting facts. Milford owes Mr. Claflin and family a high tribute of solid honor and gratitude.

Hon. Aaron C. Mayhew

Mr. Mayhew came to Milford from Hoptinton in the year 1829, and entered the employ of the late Lee Claflin to learn the tanner's trade. With a resolute ambition and energetic will to achieve success in the world he did so. Having mastered his trade and married a congenial helpmeet, he entered into partnership, March 25, 1835, with David S. Godfrey, for the manufacture of leather, under the firm-name of Godfrey & Mayhew. The firm soon commenced to manufacture boots and shoes. Their business grew and prospered. Mr. Godfrey having died, Mr. Mayhew formed, in 1853, a co-partnership for prosecuting the same line of business with George W. Howe and John S. Leland, under the firm-name of A. C. Mayhew & Co. Mr. Leland died in 1857, and Sullivan C. Sumner took his place in the firm, which, with slight changes, remained in continuous activity. Mr. Mayhew was .several years president of the Milford Fire Insurance Company, vice-president and on the Investment Cummittee of the Milford Savings Pank from its incorporation in 1851. He was made president of the Milford National Bank at its institution in 1854, and held that responsible position until his death, which occurred September 2o, 1880. Meantime he was distinguished in civil and political life as moderator of many town-meetings, selectman, representative to General Court two years, twice a State Senator, a member of Governor's Council under Banks two years, on the State Central Committee of the Republican party for several years, and a Presidential elector on the Grant and Wilson ticket in 1872. Such is the outline of his personal and public success, from the humble beginning whence he started.

His pedigree was aUo honorable. He placed in the hands of Rev. Adin Ballou documents and a genealogical tree which make him a descendant of the celebrated Mayhews that distinguished themselves in the early times of New England as civilizers of the Indians. Thomas came over from England in 1631 ; he was immediately admitted a freeman, settled at Watertown, held numerous responsible civil oflices, and finally, under a grant from the Earl of Sterling, was made superintendent of Nantucket, Martha's Vineyard and the adjacent islands, for the purpose of governing, civilizing and Christianizing the Indians there. He left Watertown with a colony of whites for his domain, and his son, Thomas, as a preacher to the Indians. This son died when the father was seventy years of age; and finding it impossible to procure a successor who understood the language of the natives, he took his son's place, ministering till his death, at the advanced age of between ninety and one hundred years. (See Mayhew Genealogy, " Milford History.")

Zibeon C. Field.'

Zibeon C. Field, of Milford, is the son of Zibeon and Lydia (Howe) Field, and was born in Paris, Maine, on the 25th day of December, 1831. He is a direct descendant of the eminent English astronomeii Sir John Field. He is also a lineal descendant of John Alden, the last surviving signer of the famous compact made on board the " Mayflower.''

Mr. Field first came to Milford in 1848, and worked for some time in a boot shop, but his health having become impaired, in 1852 he sailed for California, going around Cape Horn in the good ship " R. C. Winthrop." After having passed three years there at work in the mines, he returned to Milford, but soon after engaged in the provision business in Roxbury. It was not till 1858 that he v/as permanently established in Milford, where he has ever since been carrying on a coal and lumber business in connection with his brother, Perley T. Field.