Needham Town (part 11 of 12)

April, July and October, once a year In each of the four churches, and its meetings have been largely attended, with fine music and able addresses. For many years the Union Temperance Band has influenced the young people for good, and its banner is inscribed "Temperance the Handmaid of Religion". In 1895 the Episcopal Sunday School was invited to join, and for a time some of its members attended meetings of the Band. The Union Temperance Band is considered as a continuation of the Nehoiden Band of Hope, and consequently was fifty years old in 1908.

In the early seventies there was Autumn Lodge Number 94, Independent Order of Good Templars, which met every Friday evening in Waban Hall. High Rock Lodge Number 47, I. O. of G. T., was organized about the same time, and met every Tuesday evening in the Parker Building, then sometimes called the Greenwood & White Building, or White's Building. Later its meetings were in the Odd Fellows Building, but the lodge lasted only a few years.

On November 17, 1879, Social Lodge Number 8, 1. O. G.T., was chartered, and lasted about six years, meeting Thursday evenings in Odd Fellows Hall. Hillside Lodge Number 116, I. O. G. T., was organized, and met in Highland Hall Tuesdays. Crystal Wave Lodge Number 152, I. O. G. T., was chartered on November 21, 1894, and was a success for a number of years, its membership increasing from twenty-nine to seventy. The meetings were held in the Baptist vestry and later in the chapel of the First Church.

In 1876 a Temperance Reform Club was formed, and May 22 one hundred and nineteen signed the pledge in Parker Hall. On June 8 the club had a torchlight procession, and on the i6th two banners were presented to it in Parker Hall. The leaders were D. Banks M^Kenzie and the Rev. Louis Charpiot, who were connected with the Appleton Temporary Home for Inebriates, which institution occupied for about ten years, 1872-81, the estate on which previously had been the Oakland Hall Institute. The Woman's Christian Temperance Union dates from May 28, 1886, and In 1904 had forty-two regular members and twenty-one honorary. The Union held Its early meetings in the First Parish Church, but in later years met at the residence of Dr. Vesta D. Miller, who was president from its formation until her decease. In 1888 the Union organized a Loyal Legion, juvenile, at HlghlandvIUe, which did good work for ten years, also a Loyal Legion on the Great Plain, and this was a success for two or three years. Both of these Legions had large memberships, and they flourished as long as the women who were their leaders could give the needed time. In February, 1903, a branch of the Woman's Christian Temperance Union was formed at HlghlandvIUe, and from about 1893 to 1895 there had been a Young Woman's Christian Temperance Union In that village.

The History of Needham would be Incomplete without some reference to Dr. Vesta Delphlne Miller, who was devoted to many good causes, particularly to that of Temperance. For more than thirty years she practiced medicine, and was skilful, faithful and self-sacrificing, often in emergencies acting as nurse for many hours at a time, regardless of her own health. Many families depended upon her as their physician and friend, and her comparatively sudden death on February 23, 1908, caused sorrow in numerous homes. Her funeral was on the afternoon of the 25th, and was largely attended, the Rev. Charles E. Sawtelle and the Rev. Robert L. Webb officiating. Mrs. Miller brought comfort and hope not only to many, who recovered from illness, but to others who could not, and no one was more sincerely esteemed than she was. She received the degree of M.D. from the College of Physicians and Surgeons in Boston, but had previously studied at the New England Female Medical College, 1865, and at the Cincinnati Medical College. Subsequent to obtaining her degree she attended the New York Post-Graduate Medical School.

Needham Lyceum

Needham Jan. 7th 1831. People from various parts of the town of Needham met at the Alms-house to consider the nature, purposes and objects of Lyceums; and determine whether it would be expedient to form an institution of this kind - if deemed expedient, what measures were best to establish one and bring it into successful operation. - To regulate the meeting they chose Moses Garfield - Moderator Josiah Noyes - Clerk -

Copious remarks were made at this meeting, a constitution read &c - It was thought best to defer transacting much business till a subsequent meeting that more might be present. Accordingly Voted, that the meeting be adjourned to Friday Jan, 14th, 6 o'clock, P. M. at the Almshouse - and that notice thereof be given from the several pulpits in town on the Sabbath, Jan. 9th. Meeting adjourned -

After reading several Constitutions of Lyceums and the Constitution of the Working Men's Society of Dedham the proceedings of the Meeting for forming a Work Men's Society for Needham, - considering the expediency of having one Society or two in the town, - comparing the natures objects and uses of each and both conjointly - It was thought best to have but one Society for the town to accomplish the objects of both - According - it was - Voted that a Committee be chosen to form a Constitution and determine the name of the Society made up of the two aforenamed. Voted that the Committee of twelve appointed at the meeting for forming a Working Men's Society be this Committee. (See their names below) -

The History Of Needham 607

Ebenezer W. Mcintosh Committee appointed at the meet- Daniel Kimball ing to form a Working Men's Rufus Mills Society, to form a Constitution

The Lyceum was of great educational value to Needham, as it was throughout rural New England, but in our town it did not survive the Civil War. The meetings were usually held semi-monthly during the winter, either in a schoolhouse or at the almshouse. These different places of meeting gave all sections of the town opportunities to attend, and there were courses of lectures by Dr. Noyes on chemistry, by the Rev. Daniel Kimball on local history and other topics, and instructive subjects were treated by out-oftown speakers, some of them from a distance. Although Dr. Noyes refers in his diary to a "Debating Society", which met at Myrick's Tavern in the winter of 1834, a feature of the Needham Lyceum was the discussion of questions such as "Civilization", "Books and observation", "Columbus and Washington", "War or reference of nations", "Capital Punishment", "Superiority of intellect in man or woman", the "Bank Question" and "Slavery", each of these two great issues requiring more than one meeting, "Levelling System", "Wealth and Knowledge", etc. Dr. Noyes was much interested in the Dover Lyceum, which was organized the same year as the one in Needham, and lee- tured before It on chemistry, illustrating by experiments. Presumably the lectures given by Dr. Noyes in Needham, Natick and other places were similar. The Dover Lyceum sometimes met in Noanet Hall, or Newell's Hall, which was just across the river, and was the meeting place of various organizations. In the winter of 1841/2 the Rev. Daniel Kimball gave a series of lectures on local history, which are valuable, particularly those relating to the oldest houses In town, many of which have since disappeared. Mr. Kimball's manuscript, or a copy of it, was in the possession of the late Charles C. Greenwood.

A programme of the "Closing Exercises" of the Needham Lyceum on April 2, i860. Includes an address by Its president, the Honorable Edgar K. Whitaker, and various literary features. The meeting was to be held at Village Hall, at 7^ o'clock "precisely", and the directors were Otis E. Bowen, Augustus Eaton and Charles E. Keith.

Newton, Needham And Natick Society For Apprehending Horse Thieves

This society was formed at Charles Denny's tavern on April 19, 1822, with Benjamin Slack as moderator and John W. Slack as clerk. On May 3 they met at the same place, adopted a constitution, which was printed, and at an adjourned meeting, on June nth, Ebenezer Starr was chosen president, John W. Slack clerk, and five directors and seven riders were also elected. The earlier meetings were held in the afternoon, but the annual supper soon became the principal feature of the society, and involved small assessments. The notices of the meetings were addressed to the clerk and signed by the president and vicepresident. There were about fifty members, and after the first year the number of directors was Increased to seven, and some years as many as ten riders were chosen. On April 8, 1835, they had a supper at Nathan F. Crafts's and then disbanded. The funds were divided among the twenty-nine members then in good standing, which gave them $2.86 each. Their records were by vote deposited in the office of the town clerk, who was also clerk of the society, and have remained there to this day. The president succeeding Mr. Starr was Benjamin Slack, 1826-32. In 1833 the time of the annual meeting was changed from June to January, and Henry Crafts was chosen president and served two years, when William Farris became the last president of this society, with Seth Davis as vice-president. The second clerk was John Sargent, the tavern-keeper in Wellesley Hills, who was in office 1824-6. John W. Slack was again clerk in 1826-32, Miciah ^ M. Rutter 1832, Town Clerk Asa Kingsbery^ 1833- .

Needham Young People'S Association

The Needham Young People's Association is the result of a meeting held in the library rooms at the town hall on June I, 1910, for the purpose of forming a Boys' Club, and in the autumn of that year Bourne Hall was transformed into a gymnasium, which is now (191 1) well equipped. Classes in athletics, for boys and girls, are conducted by competent teachers, and this gymnasium is an important institution, furnishing a headquarters for the young people, and providing them with varied resources and amusements. Louis A. Holman has directed this work with untiring devotion and with no pecuniary compensation.

Agricultural And Kindred Societies

Residents of Needham were active in the old Norfolk Agricultural Society, as some are to-day in Middlesex and Norfolk Pomona Grange Number i. Patrons of Husbandry of Massachusetts. On April 30, i860, there was a meeting in Village Hall to form the Needham Horticultural Society, on which occasion Edgar K. Whitaker was chairman and George W. Palmer secretary. The organization was perfected on May 7, when the constitution was adopted, and the objects of the Society are therein declared to be "the promotion of Horticulture, and incidentally Agriculture, Floriculture, and general Improvements". Mr. Whitaker was elected president, Holland N. Batcheller secretary and Charles E. Keith 1st vice-president, and these gentlemen were re-elected annually until the society ceased to keep records. They took as their motto "Labor omnia vincit", and during the first year held nine public meetings, besides their elaborate exhibition on the evenings of September 24 and 25, when there was a display of fine fruits, beautiful flowers, and specimens of women's skill in artistic directions. There were seventy-six contributors to this exhibition, some of them ofi^ering several samples of fruit and flowers, and the list is interesting as it gives the names of the different varieties of apples, pears, grapes, and numerous vegetables, then esteemed most choice. The women made these occasions a success, and a brief list illustrating their ambitions in the line of fancy work at that time may be of interest: - Miss Jane Avery (now Mrs. Carter) "i Picture of a Rose - in water colors" "i Crayon Head". Miss Harriet E. Sawyer "i Beautiful Fruit Picture, in Water Colors". Picture frames decorated with corn, cones and "Leather Work" were in fashion, as well as frames of hair. Miss Harriet E. Kingsbury brought, among other articles, "i Ottoman of Raised Worsted Work", and some bead work. Similar contributions were received from others. Mrs. F. F. Stedman "Hair Work, elegantly framed" "2 Embroidered Vests". Miss Myra Smith (Mrs. Greenwood) " I Beautiful Wax-work Bouquet of Flowers in a Glass Case". Miss Sarah C. Mills (Mrs. Cutter) "i What- Not, Elegantly Wrought in Leather". Mrs. Noyes excelled in decorating picture frames with cones and "Burrs", and really beautiful specimens of her work are preserved at her former home. Most of the ladies were not content with one or two samples of handiwork, but presented a number. "Wrought" slippers and suspenders were also a source of honorable pride. In the very long list of vegetables and flowers are included "3 Mammoth Squashes, 96, 98 and 105 lbs", sent by James Cartwright, "125 Varieties of Cut Flowers, rare and beautiful" from James Gray of West Needham, vegetables from the Oakland Hall Institute, and flowers from the "Young Ladies of Oakland Hall Institute". Henry H. White (Wight?) exhibited "i Chess Board, inlaid with 94 pieces of wood", and Charles E. Keith "i Sample Double Sole Nailed Miners' Shoes", and "Plough Shoes" and "Hunters Shoes". The profusion of this display of flowers and vegetables was remarkable and on lesser occasions there had been beautiful exhibits. Mrs. Ebenezer Whiting M'^Intosh had rare flowers, and brought to one of the meetings "a dish of asters containing twenty five varieties". The same evening Master Channing Whitaker exhibited a "Cabbage Rose Measuring T[h]ree feet and five inches in diameter", and "last and least a small vase standing upon the north west Corner of the tables presented by Mr. Keith, admired for its humble symplicity". Many visitors attended the public exhibition, and the society was active in setting out shade trees, visiting noted farms and orchards, such as the pear orchard of John Gordon in Brighton, and had every prospect of usefulness when the Civil War came, which absorbed the attention of all, with the result that the society adjourned sine die on the first Monday of October, 1862, and the records came to an end. The previous June they had voted "to have no Strawberry festival this year". Besides lectures, the society had planned for general improvement in the cultivation of fruits and flowers, and proposed to stimulate competition by prizes. George W. Palmer, an active member, was the proprietor of the "Needham Plain Nursery", and had his first annual sale of trees in 1861. During the first fourteen months of its existence the society had had a lecture on botany from Dr. Noyes, which apparently was enjoyed, and Mr. Henry O. Hildreth of Dedham, and others from out of town, had addressed them. The Needham Horticultural Society printed a pamphlet of sixteen pages in October, i860, in which its purposes were set forth, and a report of its principal exhibition followed. There were then sixty-one regular members and twenty-two honorary members.

Needham Farmers And Mechanics Association

The Needham Farmers and Mechanics Association was organized in the autumn of 1877, largely through the efforts of Abel F. Stevens of Wellesley, who was its first president and served three years. For two seasons Agricultural Fairs were held In Parker Hall, the animals exhibited occupying temporary quarters in the square at the north of the hall, and In the yard of Eaton's stable. At these fairs there were many interesting exhibits from Needham, and adjoining towns, showing that the enthusiasm which characterized the members of the old Horticultural Society had by no means died out. The women contributed to the success of these fairs, and their work in various domestic departments, as well as with the needle, was most creditable. The Association had seventy members in 1888, and about one hundred in 1908, the membership including residents of Needham, Wellesley, Dover, Natick and Sherborn. From the fall until into the spring meetings are held every two weeks, sometimes in a hall, but more often at a private house, when subjects of importance are considered, and speakers from out of town present topics of which they have special knowledge. The membership has never been limited to men, and for thirty years this association has been of great value to the community.

In the early nineties there was a Poultry Club in town, and HIghlandvIlle, now Needham Heights, Is well known at exhibits in Boston, and in more distant places, as the resi- dence of the owners of fancy pigeons, to whom prizes are repeatedly awarded. There were pigeon and poultry "fanciers " in that portion of the town nearly forty years ago.

In 1870 the town accepted the act of the General Court "concerning shade and ornamental trees in Highways and Streets". Five years later the selectmen urged the choice of two Foresters, and the protection of shade trees. On March 5, 1900, George Warren Colburn was elected Tree Warden, the first in Needham, and $100 were appropriated for his use. Mr. Colburn was succeeded in 1908 by John E. Richards, and the latter in 1909 by Ernest E. Riley. In 1910 the appropriation for the work of the tree warden was $700.

Since 1880 a large oak tree on Great Plain Avenue by George C. M'=Intosh's has been cut down, and also another great oak on the same avenue by land of Thomas Orr. The late Thomas Orr was expert in relating experiences, and while he was cutting down the oak a severe thunder storm arose, and Mr. Orr, short of limb, started for his house, which was struck by lightning just as he got there. He said, "I ran like the very devil, and the lightning struck the house just as I shut the door". An oak on land of John J. Morgan, near Nehoiden Street, and another a short distance west of the cemetery, on the same street, were cut down. All of these were large trees, but not as ancient as the Greenwood oak and its mate at the west end of the old Training Field. These two venerable trees are probably over three centuries old, but unfortunately the Greenwood oak, vigorous until about 1903, died in 1908, leafing out a little that year for the last time. The noon-house is said to have once stood close by it. The other old oak, which is directly opposite the driveway of the Townsend place, and since 1908 a part of that estate, was looking badly in 1904 when George Kuhn Clarke employed the tree warden to fill the decayed places with cement, remove the dead wood, and to brace the largest limb by means of an iron rod. After this treatment the old tree showed a remarkable revival of vigor, and in 1907 it was again cared for, and the brace repaired, by the tree warden at Mr. Clarke's expense. In 191 1 it is in good condition.

The late Charles C. Greenwood collected in his grove of less than one acre specimens of a great number of trees and shrubs, and north of his house he had an artificial pond, or large, shallow basin, devoted to pond lilies and other aquatic plants.

The canker worms never seriously damaged the orchards in Needham, and appeared in this town for a limited time only, but in 1904 it was rumoured that Gypsy and Browntail moths had been observed, and the next year about $174 were spent in combatting them, Ernest E. Riley having been appointed "Superintendent for Suppressing Gypsy and Brown-tail Moths". In 1906 $1693.78 were expended, of which the town paid $1426.03 and the property owners $267; in 1907 the cost was increased to $2793.44, twelve men drawing pay for services. In 1908 the expense was about $6500, of which the town appropriated $2325, the assessments amounted to $1637.65, and the Commonwealth paid the balance; nineteen men were then employed. The first appropriation by the town for this purpose was $800 in 1905. The first appearance of the elm beetles in Needham, with serious injury to the trees, was in 1907, and that year and in 1908 they were a far more destructive pest than the moths, which latter have not, apparently, made great headway in town.

1 The date following the name is that of death, and all of these nonagenarians died in Needham unless otherwise indicated and most of them were born there.

Widow Lois Brown, June 22, 183 1, aged one hundred years; if she was born on November 9, 1733, as appears to have been the fact, she was under ninety-eight when she died.

* Between 1848 and 1864 there were four persons died in Needham in their ninetieth year, of whom Sarah Mills, wife of Lieut. Fisher Mills, was aged eightynine years, ten months and fourteen days. She died October 9, 1857, and was born in Waltham. There were also three women who died in their eighty-ninth year, and one in her eighty-eighth.

Catherine Dwyer, September 11, 1907, aged one hundred and two years; born in Ireland. If her age is correctly stated Mrs. Dwyer is the oldest person that has died in Needham.

From 1865 to 1910 inclusive there were seven persons who died in their ninetieth year, including Permelia Smith, born in Lynnborough, died in Needham April 8, 1872, aged eightynine years, ten months and seventeen days, Betsey Gage Kimball, born in Bradford, died November 11, 1873, aged eighty-nine years, nine months and fifteen days, Anna (Spencer) Blasland, born in New Haven, Conn., died August 25, 1876, aged eighty-nine years, nine months and one day, James Smith, born in Needham, died March 28, 1894, ^g^d eighty-nine years, eleven months, twenty-four days, Henry Nash, born in England,^ died April 10, 1906, aged eighty-nine years, eight months and three days, Winthrop F. White, born in Acton, died May 29, 1907, aged eighty-nine years, eight months and nineteen days.

There were also seventeen persons died from 1865 to 19 10 who were in their eighty-ninth year, and of these was Hiram Carr, a native of North Haverhill, N. H., a venerable and familiar figure in the streets of our principal village. Mr. Carr died October 19, 1906, aged eighty-eight years, nine months and nine days.

On October 30, 1906, George H. Gay, then aged ninety-four years, the Honorable Enos H. Tucker, ninety-two years and nearly four months, and Ezra Fuller, ninety-one years and seven months, lacking some days, were photographed together on Mr. Fuller's grounds. All three were born in Needham, and with the exception of some years that Mr. Tucker was away, when in his prime, they all passed their entire lives in Needham. At the funeral of Mr. Gay a large bust of the First Napoleon, "Who [did] bestride the narrow world like a Colossus" when our venerable citizen was born, stood on the mantel near the head of the casket. Mr. Tucker and the writer sat together at the foot.

"Like shadows gliding o'er the plain, Or clouds that roll successive on, Man's busy generations pass; And while we gaze, their forms are gone.

*He lived, - he died'; behold the sum. The abstract of the historian's page! Alike, in God's all-seeing eye, The infant's day, the patriarch's age."

Francis Asbury Burrill

Needham has had its share of original characters whose sayings or conduct would furnish materials for entertaining sketches. The writer knew many of these persons who were living in the last century, and has heard anecdotes of others, but there are relatives or friends to be considered. Most of these quaint or peculiar individuals belonged to fairly well-to-do families, and but few to the small element that may be described as degenerate representatives of the old New England stock. The latter are an interesting study, and exist chiefly in the more remote towns. They appear to have found no opportunities in this country, and to be badly "run out", although in some instances the first two or three generations in the New World were respected. There seems to be no reason why a brief biography of "Frank" Burrill should not be included in the town history, and certainly he was as versatile a "Jack of all trades", and as well known in the town, until within a few years, as any man within its limits. He was born at the townfarm on September i6, 1830, and represented three great races, - the Caucasian, the American Indian and the African. According to the town records his maternal ancestry was of mixed Indian and African descent. His name was recorded as William Wyman,^ but Mrs. Susan Burrill, an excellent woman, who lived on the Robert Fuller place, and near the poor-farm, was attracted to him because he was "such a pretty baby", and took him to her home. Mrs. Burrill had no children, and after a time adopted this Infant, although her husband positively declined to have any part in the transaction. She named him Francis Asbury, In honor of the great Methodist divine, but the child's beauty did not last, and he grew to be rather a trial to his adopted mother, but was useful at times, as he was always the first to appear on important occasions, such as fires, where he was conspicuous. There are stories of his bravery, or recklessness, not only at fires, but when other opportunities for getting killed presented themselves.

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men to gather on the triangle near the Church and play "three old cat" and scrub, and Frank joined them in their games till he was approaching fifty, his peculiar laugh resounding throughout the neighborhood. When less than twelve years old the writer was accustomed to play ball with Frank. This "common" is now private property, but prior to 1895 it belonged to the First Parish. For years Frank rang the Church bell to announce deaths, Sunday services, fires, and whenever there was an opportunity to ring it, particularly on the Fourth of July, when he was one of the noisiest persons in the town. The tall flag-pole was of especial interest to him, and he had charge of the flag. He was handy with tools and with machinery, and did a good deal of "tinkering" without pay, in consequence of judicious flattery. In a few instances he engaged in combats, the most elaborate of which was a duel fought with revolvers on North Hill one pleasant afternoon. The neighborhood was agitated by this momentous meeting, but as it was before the days of telephones it was some time before Officer Wragg arrived, and shots had been fired, though without the result hoped for by some people. During the excitement Frank repeatedly called out, "Stand up to it like a man", his opponent replying, "A life for a life". Frank never went to jail till he was about seventy years old, when an unappreciative corporation refused to recognize him as a privileged character, and resented his building a wall across its street railway at the foot of a hill. Mrs. Burrill left her real estate to the Methodists, subject to the life rights of Frank, and for thirty years the house was rented, Frank living in a shop which he built on the premises. Young men and boys annoyed him at times in his latter years, and he resorted to fire-arms, evidently not shooting to kill, although in at least one instance he wounded a boy. The father of the injured youth was at first somewhat annoyed by the "accident", but soon took a reasonable view of the affair, and there was no further reference to it.

Early in 1906 Frank was discovered ill in bed with the fire out, and the town physician was sent for, who on his arrival pronounced the disease to be pneumonia, and advised that the patient should be taken to a hospital, but Frank said that he preferred to stay in the shop. That winter several active men in the prime of life had died of this dread sickness in Needham, and the doctor, who was an excellent one, is said to have taken a gloomy view of his patient's prospects, saying that there was no use giving stimulants unless he gave a gallon at a time, but in a month Frank went personally to Natick to procure "supplies". He died after a brief illness February 25, 1908, in his seventyeighth year, and his funeral, which was held in a marvellously cold place, was attended by the chairman of the selectmen, Edgar H. Bowers, by the writer, and by several other persons who felt an interest In Frank. Requiescat in pace. The town has had many a citizen who was a worse man than old Frank.

It has been said that General Washington passed through West Needham on his way to Cambridge in 1775; whether he did so or not he was in Needham on the morning of November 6, 1789, on his return to New York from his Presidential tour of Massachusetts and New Hampshire. He had passed the night of the 5th in Watertown, and dined on the 6th at Sherburne, now Sherborn. These facts are from the President's diary. At the Needham town line he was met by a cavalcade headed by his former companion-in-arms, Col. William M<=Intosh, whom he is said to have recognized at once. It was a day when rain or snow was threatening. The tradition is that the President stopped at Needham Lower Falls, under the elm that since has borne his name, and that he drank from the ancient well and praised the quality of the water. He proceeded to Sherburne along the street that for many years has been Washington Street. This old well was filled by Charles Rice, who planted a tree above it, and Frederick Curtis has a sketch, made about 1844, of the house which stood in the shade of the Washington elm. This house was unpainted, and was sometimes called the "Black House". It was a typical early eighteenth century dwelling, with the roof sloping nearly to the ground.

The Centennial Celebration

This was observed at the Meeting-house on November 16, 181 1, and Mr. Palmer preached his admirable and wellknown "Century Sermon", which was printed in December

Shepard, Esq., *'a Committee to exprefs their gratitude to the Rev^. Stephen Palmer for his extraordinary exertions in preparing and delivering his Sermon which Comprises an accurate history of the Town". Mr. Palmer gracefully acknowledged a letter from this committee, and also addressed an able letter to the people of Xeedham, which is worthy to be read by later generations. On May 11 the town voted to receive these letters, which were recorded. The town possesses Mr. Palmer's original letter, dated April 25, 18 1 2, acknowledging the thanks of the committee. Apparently only one hundred copies of the sermon were printed, of which the town voted fifty to Mr. Palmer, six to the Rev. Mr. Noyes, and the balance of the edition to the town treasurer to dispose of.

Old Home Celebration

In 1902 August 31, September i and 2 were devoted to an "Old Home Week" celebration. The plan for this homecoming was presented by the Rev. Robert L. \\'ebb at a town meeting held on June 16, 1902, and a committee of five were then appointed to select one of twenty-five to arrange for it, the expenses to be met by private subscriptions. At the first meeting of the committee of twentyfive, knowTi as the "General Committee", they named an "Executive Committee" of six, of which the Rev. Mr. Webb was the chairman, and three other committees, and later appointed seven more committees. The Executive Committee chose Henr}^ D. Blackman as secretarj^ and John F. Alills as treasurer, and all of the various committees did efficient work. The celebration began on Sunday, which was a beautiful day, with appropriate services in the Churches. On Alonday, and again on Tuesday, the bells in the Churches rang at sunrise, and at half past nine on Monday Howard A. Grossman and J. Emery Coulter of the

The History Of Needham 625

"Excursion Committee" took charge of a party of twentyfive persons in four carriages and visited twenty-four points of historical interest in the town, including the Townsend house. Ten large signs had been placed indicating the site of the first meeting-house, of the old training-field and other historic places, and the party were accompanied by John F. Mills, whose knowledge of the town is exceptional, and who did much to make the celebration a success. Mr. and Mrs. Arthur Whitaker received and refreshed the sightseers at the Hillside Farm, and the three hours' drive was much enjoyed. During the forenoon there were sports, including a ball game on Washburn's Field. The Brookline Band furnished music during the sports. In the evening fully five hundred persons assembled in the town hall to hear the historical address of George Kuhn Clarke, who had been chosen Historian by the General Committee. The local papers spoke highly of this address, and it was printed practically in full in the Needham Recorder and in other papers. After the conclusion of the address there were other speakers in answer to invitations from the presiding officer, who was Dr. Albert E. Miller, and John T. Wye read an original poem entitled "Our Dear Old Home". On the platform were seated several guests, and prominent citizens of the town, including the Honorable Enos H. Tucker, then in his eighty-ninth year. The decorations, arranged by a committee of which Armand J. Mathey was the chairman, deservedly attracted much attention. The Webster Quartet furnished music. On Tuesday there was a party to visit places of interest, similar to that on Monday, and which started at ten o'clock; they were given refreshments by John A. Tilton and by Mrs. Curtis Mcintosh. Late on Tuesday afternoon was laid the corner-stone of the new town hall by the Grand Lodge of Masons of Massachusetts, the members of the board of selectmen and the building committee participating. Fully three thousand persons witnessed these impressive ceremonies, which had been preceded by a procession headed hy Dodge's Cadet Band of Natick, which gave a concert from five to six P.M. on the common. Later there was a collation for the Masons and others in the town hall, and in the evening the town officers had a reception in that hall, followed by addresses by ex-Mayor Charles H. Coulter of Brockton, William Carter and others. Prizes for success in the various games were awarded by the Honorable Emery Grover, who had been prominent at the laying of the corner-stone of the new hall. Prizes were also given to Thomas J. Crossman and to Armand J. Mathey, the former in recognition of his having the best decorated store, and the latter the best decorated house. Edgar H. Bowers, the chairman of the selectmen, presided on Tuesday evening, and Knowlton & Allen's orchestra furnished the music. There was enthusiasm for the Rev. Mr. Webb, who had been the leader in planning and carrying out the programme, and he was called upon at a late hour to speak. The "Old Home Week" ended with a social dance in the hall. The weather was fine during the three days of the celebration, which was a great success, and attended by many former residents of Needham, including Josiah H. Carter, who was upward of ninety years of age and had been a town officer in Needham prior to 1850.

Bicentennial Celebration

No attempt has been made to give in this town history an account of the elaborate Bicentennial celebration by the Town of Needham in September, 191 1, as a volume descriptive of those memorable days is to be issued by the town, but it is desirable to record what occurred in November, 191 1, when the real birthday was observed. On November 15 the bell of the First Church was rung in recognition of the fact that it was first heard on November 15, 181 1, and on the 17th, the anniversary of the Incorporation of the Town, the various bells were rung and flags were dis- played. In the evening the Needham Historical Society met in the First Church, when the charter members signed the by-laws, and listened to the reading of a portion of the Rev. Stephen Palmer's Century Sermon and also an extract from his sermon commemorative of Colonel William Mcintosh.

On the evening of the 20th the Music Study Class of Needham gave a musical play in Bourne Hall, the title being Nehoiden " and the scene High Rock Woods prior to 1680. This play was written by Mrs. William C. Moseley, who adapted old English and Indian melodies and ballads to it. Several of the performers excel as singers and the acting was good; all of the parts were taken by women. " William Nehoiden " wore the ancient powderhorn owned by Sumner B. Mills, and said to have once been the property of the Indian Nehoiden (or Hahaton).

Needham Authors

In 1765 Elizabeth Harris wrote verse inspired by the death of friends, and twenty years later Caleb Fisher, a native of Dedham, but who lived in Needham, wrote in the Byronic strain about women, the poet then having reached the discriminating age of fifteen years.

There have been two ministers of the Church in the West Precinct who have been conspicuous as writers, the Rev. Harvey Newcomb and the Rev. Abijah R. Baker. Mr. Newcomb was the author of one hundred and seventyeight books, all of a religious character, and chiefly for the use of young people, particularly for Sunday Schools. Two of these books had a circulation of thirty-four thousand copies each, and others were nearly as popular. Mr. Newcomb's great work, which is still an authority, is the "Cyclopedia of Missions", 784 pages, published by Scribners, 1854. Mr. Baker was brilliant and versatile, and wrote a number of books for Sunday School use. Of these "The Catechism Tested by the Bible" had had a sale of half a million copies to the year 1871, and was published in six different languages, including Arabic and Hawaiian. In Hawaii the use of this book was established hy the Government. President Lincoln said that he had taught from the religious text-books of Mr. Baker, and that he especially liked "Tim the Scissors Grinder", the first in a series of popular stories written by Mrs. Baker. She was Harriette Newell Woods, daughter of Professor Leonard Woods of Andover, and was the author of two hundred volumes, mostly religious novels. Washington Irving referred to certain of her writings in terms of praise. The Rev. Mr. Baker wrote "Divine Sovereignty in Human Salvation", which required thirty editions to satisfy the demand. Other books of his were a success, and his printed sermons and addresses numerous. Dr. William Thomas Green Morton, the discoverer of the use of Ether as an anaesthetic, published comparatively little, but his friend Mr. Rice wrote an Interesting volume entitled "Trials of a Public Benefactor, as Illustrated In the Discovery of Etherization", 1859. This book gives an account of the troubled life of Dr. Morton.

A complete list of the books, pamphlets and magazine articles written by residents of Needham during the century ending in 191 1, would be undoubtedly a long one, and, as is the case with the fauna and flora of the town, must be prepared by others than the writer of this history. The establishment of Wellesley College added to the list of authors in Needham, both of prose and verse, and within the limits of the present town there have been no less than fifteen persons who have written verse during the past forty years, and much of It has been printed.

Newspapers And Periodicals

Between October, 1868, and December, 1870, Charles E. Keith published five numbers of The Sierra Magazine, purporting to be issued in Needham and San Francisco. These numbers contained in all about one hundred and twelve pages, and were devoted to poetry and miscellaneous matter written by Mr. Keith. In January, 1871, appeared the first number of The Beautiful World, which Mr. Keith intended for a semi-annual, and which was entirely filled with verses. As a matter of fact this periodical was limited to six numbers, the second appearing in October, 1871, and the last in July, 1873, the average number of pages being about twenty-two. The first issue of The Sierra Magazine had contained lines addressed to Lake Cochituate, and verses on High Rock and on Needham. These contributions to the magazine were of considerable length, and the two latter are found also in the final number of The Beautiful World, the verses describing Needham having undergone some alteration in the mean time. All of these pamphlets were issued in book form by C. E. Keith & Co., 36 Bromfield Street, Boston: 1873, and were preceded by a Memoir of Royal Keith, with a genealogy.

In 1874 George W. South worth, a native of Stoughton, established a printing office in Needham, and on Saturday, November 28, issued the first number of the Needham Chronicle and Wellesley Advertiser, which after May 21, 1881, that being the date of the last issue under the original name, became the Needham Chrofiicle without the words "and Wellesley Advertiser^\ and to the present time has continued the principal source of local news for many of the citizens of this town. The paper has been changed and enlarged several times, and presents an attractive appearance. Mr. Southworth has the reputation of using good type, and a much higher grade of paper than is customary. This printing plant has been one of the features of Needham since 1874, ^^<^ most of the town printing has been done there. The excellent quality of the paper used is shown by the good condition of the town documents after the lapse of many years. The Dedham Historical Society has the only perfect file of this paper from 1874 ^o 1897 that is known to the writer of this history. The office files were burned with the Odd Fellows Building in 1887. Mr. Cyrus W. Jones, who is a collector of historical documents, has a file of the Chronicle that lacks only eight or ten numbers prior to the year in the nineties when he ceased to preserve the papers.

The Needham Globe was issued by William G. Moseley on August I, September i and October i, 1878, and then ceased.^ The Needham News published by John D. Emmons was limited to Vol. I, No. I, which was issued on Friday, June 9, 1883, and The Needham Enterprise, May 18, 1887, did not exceed one number. The latter was the result of the enterprise of Bowers & Brown, printers, and appeared a day or two after their office in the Odd Fellows Building was destroyed by fire. The first number of the Needham Recorder appeared on December 8, 1894, and this paper has continued to the present time, and is practically an edition of the Natick Citizen, of which William T. Howard of Natick was until recently the editor and proprietor. Both the Chronicle and the Recorder have at times been involved in the storms of local politics, representing opposing factions, or parties, and much has been printed that cannot be accepted by the historian as fair or impartial.

Music And Musicians

Paul Dewing, who was a military man, is remembered as sometimes playing a huge ophicleide, or tuber, horn. The Flaggs of West Needham and the Manns of East Needham were excellent musicians, and the Fries brothers, Henry, August and Wulf, contributed to give Needham a reputation as the home of some exceptionally accomplished performers. Henry D. C. Fries lived in East Needham in the fifties, and his brothers were often there. Moses, William Willard and Joel Richards Mann, sons of Lieut.-Col. Moses

* Mr. Moseley states that to the best of his recollection there were four numbers of the Needham Globe, and that the first was issued in July. Cyrus W. Jones says that August i is No. i, and that his file consists of three papers; evidently a file of this paper is extremely rare.

The History Of Needham 631

Mann, who was an old-time chorister, were well known, and Willard as a clarinet player had few equals anywhere. Moses Mann, the younger, organized the noted Boston Brass Band. Isaac Flagg played the fife, Solomon Flagg, and his son Solomon, Jr., the snare drum, and Eben Flagg was a noted bandmaster associated with "Ned" Kendall, and who^had a high reputation for his mastery of the bugle, cornet and clarinet. Eben Flagg engaged in contests of skill with some well-known bugle and cornet players, and was usually victorious. In 1861 he was the leader of Flagg's Band. It is said that for some time after his first wife's death he declined to play an instrument; he died in Wellesley April 30, 1893, aged eighty-four years and eleven months.

The Nehoiden Glee Club flourished in the years immediately preceding the Civil War, and the writer has a programme of a concert given by this club in i860. After the war the Highlandville Cornet Band was organized in that village, and its members were of English birth. Thomas Beach led with an E t^ cornet. A uniform was obtained, and for years this band was one of the institutions of the town. The Needham Brass Band was formed at Highlandville in the seventies, and for a time met in Highland Hall, but later on the premises of James Beless, who rendered generous assistance to the musicians in procuring uniforms and in various ways. In 1883 William Wragg was the business manager of the Needham Brass Band. About 1885 the band was given up, which was regretted, as its members were not only good musicians, but steady and reliable young men. In 1871, or 1872, the Nehoiden Cornet Band was formed at the Great Plain, with Charles Ewing, the druggist, as the leader. Mr. Ewing played a B I? cornet, and John Clews, who lived at Highlandville, added much to the music with his E'^ cornet. The band sometimes met in Highland Hall, and included a number of members resident in that part of the town. Alonzo Bond of Boston, a popular instructor, was their teacher, but the organization barely survived a second summer. They had no uniform except caps. The writer remembers attending one of their rehearsals in Highland Hall, and recalls Mr. Bond's energetic manner. The Needham Choral Society flourished for a year or two soon after the division of the town. In 1907 Charles E. Cushing, who plays the cornet, formed an excellent orchestra of eight pieces, known as the Needham Concert Orchestra. At times the musicians consisted of four ladies and four men, all but two of whom were residents of this town. Since 1909 there has been a fine High School orchestra, familiar as the Needham Harmonic Orchestra, and which includes ten, or more, pieces. Edward F. Howe has a good orchestra of some half dozen instruments, and in 19 10 the Needham Military Band was formed. In 191 1 the band numbers thirty-two musicians, some of whom are accomplished performers, and it is a source of pride to the citizens of the town. It has a uniform, and in 191 1 a fully equipped band-stand was erected on the common, the public subscribing some $800 for the purpose.

Sixty-five years ago an old black house stood just south of the residence of the late Sherman Bowers and was reached by a cart-path which ran from Webster Street to Rosemary Street. Joseph Mudge, Jr., was an auctioneer in 1790. Moses Mann was licensed in 1795 "to sell by retail distilled Spirits at his Shop" in Needham.

Nathaniel Bullard and Royal M°Intosh were auctioneers in 1805, '06. Jabez Morse was a glazier in 181 5; Jonathan Bowditch and Benjamin Davenport were then blacksmiths. Peter Lyon and Samuel W. Dix were blacksmiths at the Lower Falls under the firm name of Lyon & Dix in 1821.

The History Of Needham 633

Early in 1813 the General Court authorized the towns of Newton and Needham to jointly maintain a fire-company at the Lower Falls. Needham was to furnish eight of the twenty-one enginemen, and thus became identified with Newton's oldest fire-company, which for many years has been known as Cataract Engine Company Number i. The Act of 1813 repealed one passed on June 18, 18 12, which created the fire-company, and authorized the selectmen of each town to appoint annually In March not more than ten enginemen, thus forming a company of twenty.

The Thomas Kingsbury house, later the home of the Bowen family, at the corner of Highland and Greendale Avenues, was built In 182 1. It Is said that the old barns on the Noyes and Colonel M'^Intosh places were both made from portions of a huge ancient barn that stood on the Robert Fuller, Jr., farm. When the Noyes barn was taken down in 1891 It had been on the same site for about seventy years. The house on Rosemary Street, which in 1906 was turned around and moved nearer the street by Mr. William Carter, and now greatly renovated stands north of the Nehoiden Block, was long conspicuous as an old tenement painted red, and the timber from which It was built was cut on Davis C. Mills's land off Greendale Avenue, not far from Great Plain Avenue. Newell Smith's house, later the home of Luther Kingsbury, was built In 1826 on Parish land. The Hagar house on South Street was built In 1827. William Bradley was a blacksmith in Needham in 1845. Artemas Newell, known as "Squire Art", had a reputation for giving good dinners at his house In Needham, and among his guests were Governor Banks, Thomas Wentworth Higglnson, and also the then Auditor-General of the Commonwealth and others. Squire Newell had much to do with securing the first railroad facilities for East Needham. The writer well remembers the Squire, who leaned heavily on a cane, and wore a rather brilliant dressing-gown. He died July 3, 1871, aged sixty-four years.

In i860 C. H. & G. W. Dewing had a store on the Great Plain, and Frederick Marchant and Timothy N. Smith had lumber yards close to the railroad, on the west side, and opposite to each other on Great Plain Avenue. Mr. Marchant's yard was on the north side of the avenue.

On August 24, 1893, the one-act comedy entitled "My Uncle's Will" was given in the town hall for the benefit of the Needham Library Building Fund, and Miss Annie M. Clarke of the Boston Museum Company, who for more than fifteen years was a summer resident of Needham, appeared as Florence Marigold with Frank Andrews of the Grand Opera House, Boston, as Charles Cashmore. Miss Clarke is said to have also played the leading part in a drama given in Needham for the same fund, or other object of public interest.

The Hunnewell Estate

The Honorable John Welles had a fine estate in what is now Wellesley and in Natick, and in 1839 his son-in-law, Horatio Hollis Hunnewell, came to reside in West Needham, occupying the house formerly the home of Dr. Morrill. In 1852 the fine Hunnewell mansion was erected, and two years later the noted Italian gardens were laid out, with six terraces four hundred feet long and the upper terrace seventy feet above the level of the lake. These gardens contain over two acres, and, with the other features of this beautiful estate, are noted far and wide, and are annually visited by thousands of persons, who enjoy the generous hospitality of the owner and share with him the opportunity to view the results of his taste and successful management. The azaleas and rhododendrons make a most brilliant show in their season, and the place is attractive and worthy of study at all times. The property consisted in 188 1 of about four hundred acres, of which one hundred and fifty acres were in Natick and the rest in Needham. Formerly sixty-six acres, with buildings, were owned by the Misses Susan and Jane Welles, but were later acquired by Mr. Hunnewell, who also bought thirty acres of the Dr. Morton estate. Ten acres of this land he gave to the Town of Wellesley for a park, and built there the fine town hall and library building, which he also presented to the town. The playground of twenty acres on Washington Street, and that in South Natick, are among his many presents to the people, and his kindly manners and generous deeds, without the slightest ostentation, made him beloved in the community where he lived for upward of sixty years. Prior to 1 88 1 Mr. Hunnewell had gathered around him his children and grandchildren, and one mansion after another rose on the Hunnewell estate, until at the present time (191 1) the family occupies six or eight fine residences. The letter W may still be seen upon the gates of the Welles place as one approaches the Natick line.

As early as 1632 there was legislation In Massachusetts to restrain the swine, and in 1636 the office of hogreave was created. Under both charters laws were passed, and amended from time to time, relative to swine running at large. In 1719 the town chose Jonathan Smith and Andrew Wodkins "for the Regelalating of Swine & Sworn", and on March 4, 1722/3, voted that "Swine Should Run at Larg". The vote of 1722/3, with slightly varying language, was annually repeated until 1768, when the majority was on the other side, but the vote was reconsidered at an adjourned meeting. In 1769 the sentiment was again unfavorable to the liberties of the swine, and from that time on, with the exception of 1770-5, it was rarely in their favor for two consecutive years, although In 1790 the hogs were to be free a portion of the year. This was about the last of the votes that did not enjoin constant restraint.^

It is said that the pigs in early times wandered long distances, remaining in the woods for months and rearing their families there. The General Court had enacted in February, 1713/14, that swine were to be restrained, and a fine of twenty shillings was imposed upon a man who

^ In 178 1 the voie was "Swine to Run at Large this year Being well yoked and Ringed"; the next year there was a contest as to whether they would "Shut up their Hogs" from March 25 to May i, and from September I to October 31, but the votes which were once passed were later reconsidered. There was an annual controversy about the swine for many years, and as a nuisance and detriment to the town, because of the way in which they were kept, they have been a live issue to the close of the nineteenth century, and may be in the twentieth. In 1884 the citizens had much difficulty in getting rid of a piggery, containing several hundred animals, which a non-resident had located on Marked Tree Road, and but a short distance from the modern centre of the town.

The History Of Needham 637

refused to serve as a hogreave, but in 1747 it was provided that the same person should not be chosen to that office oftener than once in four years.

Pounds And Stocks

On May 11, 1713, Josiah Newell and Josiah Haws were chosen by the town to make a pound, and in December the former was granted £2, los., 2d. "for defraying the Charg of Sitting up a pound for this Town". In September, 1721, it was voted to build a pound and stocks, and the next May to rebuild the pound on land given by Josiah Haws. Mr. Haws lived on the hill north of where Edward Granville Fuller's house is, and it Is not unlikely that the land he gave was identical with the site of the modern pound, which was at the entrance to the driveway of the late Michael W. Quinlan on Great Plain Avenue. Mr. Haws was to build the pound for £2, 5s. "upon the Land of S"^ Haws which Land he Gives free for the ufe of the Town as Long as S'^ pound" shall exist. He rebuilt it in 1733, and for more than twenty years had charge of it, and made the necessary repairs at the expense of the town. In 1733 the town voted to build a pound near the house of Peter Edes, in the West, but reconsidered the vote a few days later. At the March meeting in 1744/5 £10 were appropriated to build a pound, and a year later Robert Ware and Josiah Newell, Jr., had performed the work, and another £10 were required to pay for it. From 1761 to 1764 Amos Fuller, Jr., made repairs on the pound, and In 1767 Capt. Ephraim Jackson was granted £9, 8s. "for his Building a Stone pound and Finding Meterials their for"; this stone pound appears to have resulted from a vote of May 22, 1766, which was to build a pound "Near Caps Jackfon's or Lil Macklntafh's: where it Shall be thought molt proper". The selectmen were the building committee. On March 14, 1763, the town refused to abate forty shillings "of the note that was Given by Mef""^ Lokers of Sudbery to Caps Eleazer KIngsbery Town Treafurer as a Fine For their Breaking open Needham Pound", or to pay Ephraim and Moses Bullard two "Dollors" "for their Detecting Mef''^ Lokers In the act of Pound Breach". In 181 1 Lieut. Fisher Mills repaired the pound to the extent of $22.25. ^^ 1847 the town directed the selectmen to sell the old pound if they could get $20 for it, and to build a new one on the town farm. It does not appear what action was taken under this vote, but in 1855 the selectmen were authorized to build a pound at the town farm, and it continued In use until the division of the town in 1881, since which time the pound has been nominally at the stable of the pound-keeper.

The law of 1648 awarded death by hanging to the dog that killed a sheep. In March, 1721, the town "a greed by a vote that no Ram Should go at Larg In the Common from the first day of august untill y^ last day of October under penalty of 3 shilling or the Ram that Shall be taken up by any owner of Sheep in this town". Eleven years later a similar vote was passed increasing the time of restraint about a week. On March 13, 1738/9, John Fisher, Esq., James Smith and Aaron Smith were chosen a committee "to draw up Sumthing to bring to the Town Refpectlng Rams Running att Large", and on May 16 the town passed the following vote: - "Whereas the Inhabitants of the town of Needham Labour under Dificultys with Respect to Rams going at Large which have been a great damage by reafon of the Sheeps Lambing In Winter Seafon It is Therefore Ordeied. That from & after the Laft Day of July next until the first day of November yearly for such term of time as they Shall think Convenient no rams Shall be Suffered to go at Large in Said town under the Penalty of twenty Shillings to be paid by the Owner of Such Ram one Moiety to y^ finder and the other Moiety to the poor of said town & every ram so found Running at Large to be posted up in Some Publick Place in S^ town with the Colour & Marks both natural & artificial & if noo owner appear within the Space of Six days then the S^ ram to belong to y® finder of S^ ram he paying y^ one half of y® Value of S^ ram to the Select men & overfeers of the Poor. The foregoing Order or by Law having been read three Several times voted that y° Same be accepted & that John Fisher Esq? & Aaron Smith be & hereby are desired to prefent to y^ Court of Gen: Sefsions of y« Peace next to be holden at Boston for their Appropriation". On May 14, 1789, a lengthy and elaborate vote restraining rams from going at large between the twentieth of August and the tenth of November "having had Three Several Readings in Town meeting legally afsembled past to be anacted by a Vote in the Affirmative". The town records contain under date of October 16, 1752, a description of two steers "Taken up Damage Fesant by Nathaniel Fisher of Needham", and the appraisal of these steers was recorded as taking place on the 28th. In the back part of Vol. IV. of our town records will be found a number of similar transactions more elaborately recorded. At the May meeting in 1779 the town voted "that their Cattel Should feed on the Roads and Commons in the Town". In 1801 James Smith petitioned the town to enforce the law of 1800, which authorized towns to restrain "Neat Cattle and horfes and horse kind" from going at large "without a Keeper", and the town voted to restrain said animals from May i to October " laft ", and a similar vote was passed annually for fifty years, with rare exceptions. The length of the period of restraint, however, varied, but later included the entire year. The first inspector of Cattle and Provisions in Needham was Samuel O. Fowle, M .D .V., who was appointed in 1893, and served for many years at a salary of $100, which has recently been increased to $300.

Pound-Keepers

The following list Is incomplete as to the early poundkeepers, but the best that the records afford : - Joseph Haws, 1714 (May 12), '16-18, four years, probably

There seems to be no record of the election, or appointment, of a pound-keeper in 1857, in 1867, in 1873 or in 1874. At the March meeting in 1857 the appointments of highway surveyors, field drivers, surveyors of wood, sealers of leather, sealers of bread and surveyors of lumber were referred to the selectmen, but their selections were ratified by the town on April 2. These officers were again elected in 1859, but the pound-keeper, sealer of weights and measures and the firewards have been appointed by the selectmen for more than thirty years. The selectmen have also prepared the lists of other minor town officers when the town did not exercise that power.

Field Drivers

The field drivers have had only nominal duties in modern times, and never were important. In Needham the number was originally two, but was soon increased to four, and then reduced to three. There were rarely, if ever, more than five until 18 14, when eight were chosen; in 18 18 there were eleven, in 1828 twelve, and the number has since varied. In 1880 there were five, in 1898 eight, in 1904 four, and in 191 1 three. It does not appear to what extent the law as to cattle and swine going at large was enforced a century ago, but in later times it has not always been observed. In the years from 183 1 to 1853, inclusive, the fence viewers and the field drivers were combined into one list which numbered from six to thirteen individuals, varying at different dates.

Fence Viewers

A law of December, 1693, required each town to elect two or more fence viewers, and as early as 1653 the selectmen had duties as fence viewers. In 17 12 there were two fence viewers chosen by the Town of Needham, in 1812 three, in 1854 six, and since 1867 the selectmen have been the fence viewers. The duties of the fence viewers involve considerable formality, and their findings have been recorded at the end of different volumes of the town records.

There are no conspicuous instances of long service among them. For the names of the field drivers and fence viewers from 171 2 to 1776 see the lists of minor town officers later in this book.

Early in 1772 Samuel Wight was granted 7s., 2d., 2f. for "Irons for the Stocks in Needham", and Lieut. Jonathan Day ten shillings for "Making & Setting Up the Stocks".

Wild Animals And Bounties

Wolves were numerous in Dedham in its early days, but scarce after 1700, although not unknown in West Dedham much later. In 1705 Benjamin Colburn received ten shillings for killing a wolf, and the bounty was not abolished till 1716. On September 7, 1730, Josiah Kingsbery, the treasurer of Needham, had paid £6 for wild cats killed "and fent to the Province Treafurer", and in the winter of 173 1/2 the assessors made a rate "to Defray the Nefsefsary

On April 4, 1791, the town voted a "Bounty of one Shilling for each Crow that may be killed within the limits of of Said Town by any of the Inhabitants of said town". Later the usual bounty was ten cents, but from 1814 to 1816 it was twenty-five cents, although subsequently again ten cents, and in 1805 and 18 18 there was no bounty paid by the town for crows. The season was from May i to July i, and in 18 16 the claims for crow bounties were to be brought in within sixty days. The later year seventy-eight crows appear to have thus lost their lives, and in 1827 one hundred and four crows were paid for at twenty cents each. It is said that there was fraud in connection with these claims.

Deer And Deerreaves

In 1693/4 there was legislation in Massachusetts to protect the deer, and in 1739 a law was enacted requiring each town to choose two deerreaves; "Dearreaves" our town clerks called them, and the deer were supposed to be protected from January i to July i. On November 23, 1739, Jonathan Smith and John Goodanow "were Chofen to take care of the Deer as the Law Directs", and were duly sworn. Josiah Ware was deerreave for thirty-five years between 1743 and 1788, and some years had no colleague, notwithstanding the statute. The last deerreaves in Needham were Charles Deming and Lieut. Nathan Dewing who were chosen for 1798. All laws for the "preservation and increase" of moose and deer were repealed on February 27, 1797, with the exception that the laws continued in force on certain islands. For many years no deer were seen in Needham, but in the first decade of the twentieth century they became not infrequent visitors in different sections of the town. In July, 1910, a buck was seen feeding in the writer's mowing land, and later the same day a doe appeared. In 1909 several had been reported, but usually only one was seen at a time.

Dogs

By a law of 1798 owners of dogs were required to certify the number of their dogs to the assessors on or before April I, and after 1798 on or before May i, and each dog was to be taxed $1, and to wear a collar with the name of the owner of the dog on it. If not certified the tax was $2, and no tax exemptions applied. The assessors were to cause unlicensed dogs to be killed, and might pay as high as $2 for killing one dog, and draw on the town treasurer for the amount paid. Owners were liable for dog damages. Paying this dog tax was to give no "habitancy". The law did not apply to the District of Maine. This law was the forerunner of others, and in 1865 the tax on male dogs was made $2.

In 1798 there were twenty-five dogs in the East part of the town and twenty-four in the West taxed at $1 per head. The number licensed in different decades has been as follows: - 1900 260, 1905 357, 1910 339. As far as known to the writer dogs under the age of six months have been omitted from the census. From 1869 to 1888 the schools benefited by the dog taxes, and from 1889 the Free Public Library, which received $722.52 from this source in 191 1. Early in 1849 a large committee was chosen to enforce the dog law, and "to prevent dogs from going at large" unless the dog was "Muzzeled Sufficant to prevent his biting or doing damage, under a penalty of $10"; the committee was also to ask the General Court for a change in the law. In 1854 the town levied a tax of two dollars per head on all dogs running at large, and required the animals to be licensed and to wear collars with their owners' names inscribed thereon. Failure to observe these regulations was to involve a fine of $io "without Judge or Jury".

As late as 1852 there were no seats in the town hall, except for certain officials, and such as were brought in for aged men, and the older citizens say that at the town meetings the dogs were almost as numerous as the voters, and that these noble animals greatly disturbed the meetings.

In 1859 there were still some sheep in Needham, and the inhabitants petitioned the General Court "for better protection of Sheep from the ravages of Dogs", voting at the April meeting that if the General Court did not heed their request then "the Town hereby request the Assessors to omit taking the Invoice of Dogs, and assessing a Dog Tax for the present year". In 1858 only thirty-one dogs had been registered, of which number Davis C. Mills had three, presumably foxhounds, as he was well known as a fox-hunter throughout an extensive territory, and came of a hunting family.

Fish

On May 22, 1738, the town voted to petition the General Court to remove the "Comberance" at Watertown, which prevented fish from coming up the river, and in 1765 Ensign Lemuel Pratt was chosen by the town "to See to the Obfervation of the law Relating to y^ Catching of FIfh". Under date of May 31, 1786, forty-six men, most of them of Needham, petitioned the General Court to protect the shad in the Charles River, which were taken with "Seanes & Wares" to the great injury "of the poorer part of the Community". The petitioners stated "That moft of the Sluices at the Damns below the lower falls in the Town of Newton are so confi;ructed as to render the pafsage of the said fifh difficult, and at some feafons impracticable", and that as a result "thofe valueable fifh will foon be exterpated from the faid River". The General Court failed to legislate at that time in behalf of the shad (House Files 1992).

The following were elected to represent Needham in the General Court and declined to serve: - John Smith, I7i5> Josiah Kingsbery, 1730, Capt. Moses Bullard, 1781, Lieut. William Fuller, 1782. The representative was chosen at the May meeting until 183 1, and under the Second Charter, which includes the years 171 1 to 1776, he was the only official connected with the general government of the Province that was chosen by the people. The election of cer- tain County officers by the voters has already been referred to. In 1834, 1836, 1837, and 1840 Needham had two members of the General Court at one time, but there were many earlier years when no representative was chosen, and after the formation of the district the other towns included in it had each the representative for certain years according to an agreement of the local political committees. The years given in the list are those for which the member sat, without reference to the fact that since 1832 he has been elected in November of the previous year. From 1857 to 1876 Needham with Dover and Medfield formed the Fourteenth Norfolk district, but In 1876 the town of Norfolk was added and the number of the district was changed to the Ninth. In 1886 Millis took the place of Norfolk, and in 1906 Needham was separated from Dover, a town with which It had many associations and common Interests, and also from Wellesley, which until 1881 was a part of Needham, and was united with Dedham to form the First Norfolk district.

Trial Justices: - George Keith Danlell, Emery Grover, July 31, 1868-June 15, 1898, when he became Judge of the District Court of Northern Norfolk.

The Justices of the Peace to 1846 were: - Capt. Jeremiah Fisher, appointed December 19, 1728, October 25, 1737, and November 5, 1761, John Fisher, Jr., appointed February

* On March 5, 1888, the town voted to elect its selectmen and assessors for three years, and this vote took effect in 1889, but in 1894 the one-year terms were resumed. On March 2, 1903, the three-years term for assessors was again adopted.

' Mr. Clarke was the last selectman chosen from the old Centre, and until the election of Austin Potter in 191 1 there had been none for fourteen years from the entire western portion of the town.

retired business man of ability, wide experience, and strong character. He rendered important service to the town, and died October 4, 1906, while chairman of the selectmen. William Gorse, 1906.

The following were elected, but never served as selectmen: - Isaac Underwood, 1772, Capt. Moses Bullard, 1781, Lieut. Ephraim Bullard, 1787, Luther Smith, 1819, Capt. Timothy Bullard, 1819.

The number of selectmen was five from 171 1 to 1845, with the exception of the following years: - seven in 1714, three in 1733, 1738, 1741 and in 1830, nine in 1747. In the early years, apparently to 173 1, the town clerk was exofficio a selectman, but is included in the numbers given. Since 1845 there have been three selectmen each year. Formerly they received pay only for special services, such as perambulating the line, but occasionally the town furnished them with toddy, or other drink, at Morse's or Bullard's. For example: - on March 10, 1763, 19s., 4d. were granted to Landlord Bullard "for Some Entertainment the Select men had at his houfe in the Space of a year Paft". In the seventies the selectmen were paid $300 each per year for some years, but James Mackintosh declined all compensation, and the writer has the impression that Mr. Mackintosh never drew a salary as selectman.

The History Of Needham 665

several years: - Josiah H. Carter, ninety-six years old, Enos H. Tucker, ninety-three years old, chairman in 1882, '83, and George Kuhn Clarke, whose first service was in 1884, and who was chairman in 1895, '98-1900 (four years). Mr. Carter died September 29, 1907, and Mr. Tucker December 30, 1907, since which date Mr. Clarke has been the veteran among the assessors of Needham. The following were elected assessors, but never served: - Jonathan Parker, 1749, Jeremiah Fisher, 1749, Col. Charles Rice, 1826, '31 (General), Lemuel Mills, Jr., 1828, John Mansfield, 1841, Charles Mcintosh, 1871, Herbert Moseley, 1885.

^ Mr. Patten lived for some years in the Lower Falls district; from 1866 to 1886 he was cashier of the State National Bank of Boston. Mr. Colcord had been an usher in the Phillips School, Boston, from September I, 1844, until his death, which was after an illness of three days. His home was where Nathaniel Wales resides, but there are few people now in Needham who recall him. He was born in Effingham, N. H., and was forty-three years old when he died. Mr. Atwood was a member of the school committee in Salem for eleven years subsequent to his being in Needham.

1879-87 (resigned); she was appointed October i, 1879. 1882-93 (twelve years). 1887 (appointed October 24 vice Mrs. Page); she resigned on March 6, 191 1, having served more than twenty-three years. John Wesley Titus, 1894-9 (six years).

The History Of Needham 669

The following were elected to the school board, but never served: - William Clark, 1838, Charles Blanchard Dana, 1865, Clough Rice Miles, A.B., 1869.

The first election for three years was in 1858. On March 7, 1870, the board was increased to six, but has been three since the division of the town in 1881. In 1904 and in 1910 attempts were made to resume electing a committee of six.

The constables were very important officers from the first settlement of Massachusetts and had many duties and small pay. It was difficult to find responsible men who were willing to serve, consequently the great number who were elected and excused, or fined for refusing to serve, or who asked the town to accept a hired substitute. In the latter case, when the town took favorable action, it often required that the man excused should give a bond that his substitute should faithfully perform his duties, particularly as a collector of taxes. In Needham the taxes were divided, as equally as was convenient, between the constables for the East and West parts of the town respectively. In the special rate made on January 24, 1732/3, for "Reliveing" a poor woman and her child. Constable William Chub. East, had £21, 4s. committed to him by the assessors, and Constable Timothy Bacon, West, had £20, is., 4d. The tax levy for the minister's salary for 1771 was divided between the constables as follows: - Josiah Ware £49, 6s., 5fd., Moses Bullard £58, 13s., 6|d. It was many years before the collector of taxes was an official distinct from the constables. By the law of 1640 the constables were required to collect the taxes, and by that of 1646 they were to carry black staves five or five and one half feet long, tipped with brass for five or six inches. The law of 1646 was amended in 1675 by specifying when they could act officially without having their staves with them. In 1653 the fine for refusing to serve was increased from twenty shillings to £10 for the town of Boston and to £5 for the other towns, and remained £5 during the Provincial period. The law of 1658 defined the very numerous duties, criminal and civil, of the constables under twenty-six headings, and in 1668 their responsibilities were extended to looking after the education of the young, and to enforcing the laws as to industry. The constables were obliged to be sworn promptly, and in case of failure to pay the fine it was the duty of the town treasurer to prosecute in the Court of General Sessions of the Peace the individual who refused to serve, and this was occasionally done in Needham as late as 1777. The law of 1692 exempted certain persons from serving as constables, and also provided that no person should be obliged to serve oftener than one year in seven; failure to warn a town meeting subjected the offending constable to a fine of twenty shillings.

Although the constables were Important officers, and it was the Intention of the author to give complete lists of the minor town officers to 1776, it seems hardly worth while to name the one hundred men who followed Mr. Ockinton from 1715 to 1776, for the following reasons: - Most of those elected got excused if they could, or Induced the town to accept a hired substitute, or simply refused to serve, and in some instances were prosecuted and fined. During this period, 1715-76, nearly every reliable man In town was elected constable more than once, but the majority served only one year, and William Chub, prominent as a constable, is the solitary Individual who served more than three years. Mr. Chub was constable for the whole town in 1743. All sorts of devices were resorted to in order to escape holding this office. A favorite method was to promise to serve the next year, or at some future time, and in 1735 John Pain pledged himself to take care of the meeting-house from April, 1735 to April, 1736, if he was excused from serving as constable. The town accepted his offer, but he was a failure as a janitor, not doing "as he has undertook".

In 1747 Nathaniel Tolman and Henry Dewing were successively chosen for the East, but persuaded the town to accept young Ezekiel Richardson as a hired man ("attyered man"), "provided he will Bring Good Bonds men for fuerties for His paying the Rates that he fhall Have to Colect". Much time was consumed by the town in securing men to serve as constables, and the preparation of the list of those who actually did serve proved a severe task.

It does not appear that any of the old-time constables made a special impression on the community except William Gilbert Jones, usually known as William Jones, who was a brave and efficient officer. He was first elected in 1842 and served for many years, a portion of the time as sole constable of the town, an unusual distinction. His greeting to delinquent poll-tax payers "Money or Dedham" is a familiar tradition, and his fight with the stalwart blacksmith in West Needham has often been described. Mr. Jones is said to have remarked on this occasion "Hell or Dedham". Mrs. Caroline Wells Healey Dall never forgave him for presenting the doctor's bill to her husband, then minister of the First Church, and compelling the reverend gentleman to pay it, in violation of all prerogatives, the fact that the physician was not a Unitarian, but an Orthodox, having no bearing upon the case. The doctor Was careless about collecting, and his wife, wishing some money, gave a batch of bills to Constable Jones, including one made out to Mr. Dall. The doctor disclaimed all responsibility for his wife's disrespect for the clergyman, but it does not appear that Mr. Dall got the money back.

Bill Burrill, 2d, constable nine years, and special police as late as the seventies, was another courageous and competent officer, but they were few in number in his time, and it is probable that the majority of the constables were chiefly anxious to avoid trouble, and were no more disposed to do police duty, or fitted for it, than some men that the

The History Of Needham 673

Mr. BurrlU was a good man and a worthy citizen, who served the town for twenty-six years as fireward, two years as auditor, two years as highway surveyor, and as a policeman during the construction of the Sudbury River conduit. He and his uncle, BUI Burrlll, Senior, a veteran of the War of 18 1 2, and a near neighbor of the writer, were both annoyed all their lives by uninformed people who addressed them by the name of William. The elder Bill Burrlll was presented with a watch Inscribed Incorrectly, and probate officials and others Insisted upon having this Christian name wrong. The name of Bill came into the Burrlll family In consequence of one of them marrying into the Bill family of Essex County.

Police

From the time of the Civil War, or earlier, special poHce were appointed in Needham for a year, or as occasion required, but in the seventies and eighties there was practically no police service In town except on the Fourth of July, and at periods when disturbances were anticipated, as during the construction of the Sudbury River conduit. On September 15, 1893, the town passed a resolution favoring night police, as the result of the supposed presence on the Great Plain of a "fire bug", and consequently a night watchman was assigned to duty. In 1895 a night police was appointed for Highlandville, and two years later a man was given evening duty at the Upper Falls. As the town grew, and became the terminus of several street railways, the amount of day service was Increased, and It has usually been efficient. In 191 1 there were no less than twenty-four police officers In Needham, but some of them were appointed to protect particular estates, and received no pay from the town. The appropriation in 1895 was $1400 and the fines, a total of $1592.80, In 1905 $3000, in 1906 $3400, 1910 $3300. From 1882 to 1900, Inclusive, William Wragg, now deputy- sheriff, was one of the constables and was also a police officer, rendering valuable service. His brother, George E. Wragg, was for several years an active and well-known officer, and was the first regular night policeman. In 191 1 Norman M°KenzIe, night police at the modern centre of the town, and Armand J. Mathey, both brave and capable men, have served the town as police for more than a dozen years. Mr. Mathey's duties are partly as day officer on the Great Plain, but he is always to be depended upon when police protection is desired in other portions of the town. The following lists give the names of the

Minor Town Officers The History Of Needham 675

The following were elected, but were excused and never served: - Lieut. Samuel Townsend, 1764, Ensign John Bacon, 1764, Robert Smith, 1768, Lieut. Aaron Smith, 1768.

The following surveyors were also elected but excused : - Nathaniel Bullard, 1726, '30, Eleazer Kingsbery, 1727, Zachariah Mills, 1730, Henry Dewing, 173 1, Jeremiah Fisher, 173 1, Ebenezer Newell, 1737, Samuel Parker, 1741,

The History Of Needham 679 The History Of Needham 68 1

Committee to Reckon with the Town Treasurer 171 2- 76: - Sergeant John Smith, 1727, Josiah Kingsbery, 1727, Dea. Timothy Kingsbery, Thomas Metcalf and Eleazer Kingsbery were chosen on March 10, 1728/9, to reckon with the "two Late Trefuerers", and the town clerk, Capt. Robert Fuller, was added to the committee on May 14, 1729, Capt. Robert Cook, 1730 (chosen on January 27, 1730/1), Andrew Dewing, 1730, '32, Thomas Metcalf, 1730, Nathaniel Bullard, 1732, Zachariah Mills, 1732, Jonathan Smith, 1732, Ensign Thomas Fuller, 1732 (those chosen on March I, 173 1/2, doubtless audited the accounts of the year then

The first law as to weights and measures in Massachusetts dates from 163 1, and four years later the towns were required to have standard weights sealed by the marshal, then James Pen. In 1647 the selectmen and the constables were to choose a sealer of weights and measures, who was to hold office until his successor was appointed, and the Auditor-

The History Of Needham 683

General of the Colony was to be prepared to supply the weights and other standards. In 1679 the County treasurer was the authority in these matters, and in 1680 an extensive equipment of new scales, weights, and measures was obtained from London by the Colony. On January 29, 1717/18, the town of Needham chose John Smith, Sr., Samuel Pa'rker and Thomas Metcalf to provide "Scalls and weights Such as the Law Directs" and "Meafuers for Standards for this town", and in 1720 John Fisher was chosen "to Seal Wights and Meafuers the first munday in April appointed to bring y^ Sd Wights and meafuers to be proved". Mr. Fisher was not, however, the first sealer of weights and measures in Needham, Thomas Metcalf having been appointed in 1712. In 1773 two shillings were granted Capt. Caleb Kingsbery for repairing the "Towns Scale Beam". The sealer of weights and measures was usually chosen In May by the selectmen and one, or more, of the constables, acting together, but In 1859, 1879, and other years, he appears to have been chosen In town meeting, or the nomination of the selectmen ratified. Late In 1802 the town paid Colonel Kingsbery $28.90 for a "Town Standard and for giting the same Sealed", and later In the year the Colonel obtained of Richard Austin a " pair of Brafs scales for the town standard ", for $3, and also one "28 and one 7th weight for said town Standard". The latter cost $2.50.

The Haywards were a short-lived board, 1717-19, and consisted of either two or three men. This office was held by: - Christopher Smith, 1717, Henry Dewing, 1717, Jonathan Gay, 1718, Jonathan Smith, 1718, Edmund Dewing, 1718, Ephraim Ware, Jr., 1719, Zachariah Mills, 1719.

The Sealers of Leather are referred to in the Acts of the General Court in 1692. Stephen Huntting was the first one in Needham and was chosen on March 14, 1719/20. Usually two were annually elected until they were abolished in 1867. In 1766 the town paid Samuel Daggett five shillings "for a hammer to Seal leather". In 18 19-21 no sealers of leather were chosen, and in 1855 there were four.

Lieut. Jonathan Smith was a sealer of leather thirtythree years between 1769 and 1819. Jonathan Smith, presumably the elder, had served ten years between 1745 and 1772, but it is possible that Jonathan, Jr., later known by his military title, should be credited with some of these years. Ephraim Pain was a sealer of leather thirty-one years from 1757 to 1791.

^ Apparently there is no record of an election of a sealer of leather in certain years, and in 1737, 1741 and 1747 Jeremiah Woodcock may have been either the Deacon or his son as the record fails to indicate which it was.

The History Of Needham 685 The History Of Needham 687

The duties of the Clerk of the Market do not appear to be clearly defined, but by Act of the General Court In December, 1696, they were directed to Inspect all bread offered for sale, and if the loaf was below the required size to seize it, to retain one third of it as a fee, and to deliver the rest to the selectmen for the poor. The constables were directed to assist the clerk of the market when necessary. The office was held in Needham by John Fisher, Jr., in 1716, '17, '19, '22, and by Thomas Metcalf in 1718, but was discontinued in 1723. Sealers of Bread were first chosen in this town on March 16, 1772, when Timothy Newell, Lieut. William Mackintash and Ensign Ephraim Bullard were elected. The two former were succeeded the next year by Lieut. Jonathan Day and Ebenezer Newell. Sealers of Bread, usually two in number, were chosen annually until they were abolished on March 4, 1867. Amos Fuller, Jr., who served eleven years between 1789 and 1804, filled this office as long as anybody. Rufus Mills built "the Bake House", which In 1878 was removed from Its location close by the road, just south of where the granite steps lead to the Dwight School, to the slope of North Hill, where It has been occupied as a dwelling from time to time. In February, 1909, the Bake House resumed its travels, was slid down from North Hill, and, after remaining partly in the road and partly on the Burrlll place for two or three weeks, it was ultimately located, by John F. Mills, on Rosemary Street, on what was once Parish land. The building was badly damaged by fire on the afternoon of July 13, 191 1.

On March 14, 1774, the town voted to "Chufe Three Perfons to be Surveyors of Timber this year", viz., Michael Metcalf, Aaron Smith, Jr., and Capt. Eleazer Kingsbery, but the next year none were chosen. There were two Surveyors of Lumber prior to 1844, when Seth Dewing became sole surveyor, and so continued for years, but later served with colleagues. In 18O2 there were four surveyors of lumber.

The first Surveyors of Wood chosen in Needham were Benjamin Slack, iLphraim Bacon, Capt. Michael Harris, Jonathan Richardson, Lemuel Bracket, David Scot and Lieut. Jonathan Smith, who were elected at the annual meeting in 1805. Of these Messrs. Slack, Harris and Smith were prominent citizens, and Squire Slack held the office of surveyor of wood for many years, as did Solomon Flagg, Sr., who was elected for the first time in 1806. Capt. Michael Harris, Jr., was precocious as an oflice-holder, and in his twenties filled positions of importance in the town and parish, in addition to that of a militia captain. Lieutenant Smith was an active man in Needham, and the Wellesley Town Hall and Library occupy the site of his house. The surveyors of wood were later known as Measurers of Wood, and have seldom exceeded fourteen in number, although there were seventeen in 1878; some years they have also ben Weighers and Gaugers. In 1910 there were eight Measurers of Wood and Bark, two Surveyors of Lumber and six Public Weighers. William Flagg was a surveyor of wood for thirty-three consecutive years, 1828-60, and Robert Mansfield thirty years, 1861-90. A brother of the latter,

The History Of Needham 689

John Mansfield, served twenty-six years between 1828 and 1859. Samuel W. Dix held this office for twenty-five years between 1821 and 1848, and Newell Smith an equally long time between 1825 and i860. George W. Hoogs was for twenty-one years a surveyor for the Lower Falls, between 1810 and 1841.

In Provincial times the list of proposed jurors, prepared by the selectmen, or by a special committee, was offered to the town for acceptance, as at the present day, and some were excused by vote of the town. On occasion each name in the list was acted on separately, and committees were appointed to "Regulate the Jury Box's", which were kept locked until a juryman was required. In modern times the names are drawn by the selectmen and one of the constables. The first record of a juryman in Needham is when Ephraim Ware, Sr., was selected as a Grand juror on July i, 1719, and the second instance is the choice of Captain Cook as a Traverse juror on March 11, 1733/4. Prior to 1776 the names of but twenty-nine other jurors are preserved in the Needham records; some of these were for the Superior Court, others for the General Sessions of the Peace or the Inferior Court.

Apparently in ancient times The Hundreds Dividend reached some distance south of Blossom Street, and probably included the "School Farm", if not The Leg. The statement on page 21 that The Hundreds extended substantially to Blossom Street was influenced by the positive assurance of a native of West Needham (Wellesley), who has been regarded as an authority in such matters, that that was the fact, but this opinion was at variance with impressions derived by the writer from the study of early records. It seems reasonably certain that the territory known in 171 1 as The Hundreds was larger than that so designated a century later.

Israel Whitney was called "Deacon Would Be" by some people, but it does not appear how generally the worthy man's supposed ambition was thus recognized. Mr. Whitney had on one or more occasions received votes for the office of deacon, and his facetious title was in contrast with that of his neighbor, "Deacon Could Be."

The old oak on the Training Field was badly damaged in a severe gale in January, 191 2, and Mr. Clarke arranged with the tree warden to do what was necessary for its preservation.

The alphabetical lists of Needham soldiers in the Civil War under the following headings : Infantry, pages 404-502; Cavalry, pages 502-504; Artillery, pages 504, 505; and Navy, pages 506, 507, are not indexed here. The chronological lists of the minor town officers, pages 674-682, 684-687, are also not indexed here.

Index

Church bells, 624. First Church, 204, 322, 579, 621, 626, 634. Baptist Church, 252. Methodist Church, 268, 579. Orthodox Congregational Church in Grantville, 278. Evangelical Congregational Church, 286. Unitarian Society of Grantville, 300 of Faith adopted, 283. Chapel built, 284, 285. Church Manual printed, 286. Bell bought, 286. Standing Rules adopted, 287. Annual reunions, 287. Name changed,

Conferences of Methodists, 259, 260 Confirmation services, first held, 304 Congregational Church in West Needham, see Churches Congregational Society of Grantville, see Wellesley Hills Congregational Society

Deacons, First Church, 212, 225, 226, 230. Congregational Church in West Needham, 247. First Baptist Church, 256, 257. Orthodox Congregational Church in Grantville, 280, 281. Evangelical Congregational Church, 293, 294

Earthquake, 51, 227, 634

East Parish, see Parishes, First Parish East Samara, Philippines, 511 East school district, 344, 349, 367 East school-house, 357. Teachers, 363,

590. William, 307 Ewing, Charles, 63 1 Exempt property, 533 Exempts, War of 18 12, 486-489 Expedition against Canada, 231 Ezra Newell Fuller Camp, Sons of

Financial, 512-537. Currency and town debts, 514-517. Town debt, 517, 518. Committee to reckon with the Town Treasurer and Auditors, 518, 519. Assessment of taxes - Assessors, 519-522. Collection of taxes - Collectors, 522- 525. Duties of the ta.xpayers,

Highways, appropriations, 107, 533, 534. Cost of breaking out the roads, 108. Taxes worked out, 108. Wages paid to laborers, 109. Plows purchased, no