Plymouth Town (part 13 of 54)

These continued in oiEce till about 1765, at which time the Sixth Company in the town was divided into two distinct and separate companies, known as the North and South. The line of division was across the parish from east to west, near the Centre Village. The officers of the North Company were Barnabas Howard captain, John Howard lieutenant, and Abiel Packard ensign. The officei-s of the South Company were Isaac Packard captain, Josiah Packard lieutenant, and Issachar Snell ensign. These officers held their commissions till the Revolutionary war.

In 1773 the military companies of ancient Bridgewater had been increased to nine, and these, with two companies from Abington, constituted the Third Regiment, of which Josiah Edson was colonel. This re;.;iment was honored with a review by Governor Hutchinson on the 13th of October of that year. Josiah Hayden was appointed Colonel of this regiment, July 1, 1781 ; Dauiel Cary, major, Sept. 6, 1792.

In ISIO the Plymouth County brigade was placed under tiie command of Col. Sylvanus Lazell, promoted to brigadier-general. The brigade then consisted of four regiments of infantry, a battalion of'cavalry, and a battalion of artillery. Among the field and statf officers of the Third Regiment were :

Culeb Howard, lieut.-col., appointed April 19, 1817. N;ith:iD JoDes, lieut.-col., uppointud Oct. 3, IS29. Murtin Ciiry, lieut.-cul., appointed Oct. 1, 1S:12. Benjiiiuiii KcitL, Uout.-cul., uppotiitcd Nov, IT, 1833. Edwiird Suulhwoitli, uiaj., iippointed Aug. 22, 1S15. Martin Cary, luaj., appointed Sept. 22, 1S31.

April 7, 1787, a cavalry company waa organized in the town, and Isaac Lazell was appointed first captain. The following are the names of commanders from the North Parish :

Ill June, 1853, a charter was granted to Nuhum Reynolds and fifty others, to form a cavalry company, which was organized June 27, 1853, under the name of " North Bridgewater Dragoon Company." The first meeting for the choice of officers was held in Tyler Cobb's Hall, Gen. Eliab Ward presiding over the meeting, at which time the following officers were chosen : lu consequence of the various calls upon the coniuionwealth for troops for the United States service, during the Kehellion of 1861, the volunteer militia of Massachusetts, as it existed previous to the beijiuning of the war, was nearly broken up, by the enlistment of its members individually, and as companies and rcj^iments, for three months', nine months', one years', three years', and one hundred days' service; and the law establishing the volunteer militia bein^ no longer in conformity with the system of organization prescribed by the laws of tiie United States, it was found impossible to recruit this militia as the law then stood. To remedy this evil, the Legislature of Massachusetts passed a law in 18U-t for the reon'anizatioD of the entire militia of the commonwealth. This act was approved May 14, 18G4, and all laws ia existence previous to that date for the regulation of the militia were repealed. The new law provided for a new enrollment, to be made by the .several assessors of the towns throughout the State, of all persons between the ages of eighteen and forty-five, the same to be returned to the adj'utant-geueral.

The commander-in-chief then proceeded to divide the commonwealth into military districts of companies. Under this arrangement there were two hundred and forty-nine districts established. North Bridgewater (now Brockton) and West Bridgewater coiisiiluted two districts, and was divided as follows :

District Number Sixty includes the whole of North Bridgewater except the school districts four, five, six, and seven, otherwise known as Marshall, Ames, Campello, and Copeland Districts.

District Number Sixty-one comprised the southerlyschool districts, numbered four, five, six, and seven, in Brockton, and the whole of West Bridgewater.

An order was next issued to some justice of the peace within the district, to call a meeting for the election of captains of the several companies. After the election of the captain, it became his duty to enroll all persona liable to enrollment within their respective limits. " And all persons under the aj;e uf twenty-four years, liable to do military duty, shall be enrolled in one roll, and constitute the 'active militia.' And all such persons as shall be above the age of twenty-four years, together with all persons that shall be exempt from duty, excepting in cases of ridt, invasion, insurrection, war, etc., shall be enrullLd in another roll, and constitute the ' reserve militia.' "

The active militia was to have been formed into regiments, brigades, and divisions by the commanderin-chief, and organized in conformity with the laws of the United States, subject to such changes as the commander-in-chief might make from time to time.

The reserve militia was to have been organized into companies, regiments, brigades, and divisions, and attached to such brigades in the active militia a.s the commander-in-chief should deem expedient, when ordered out for actual service.

Orders were received by George W. Bryant. K.-m(., to notify a meeting to be held Jan. oO, IStlf), for the choice of a captain for District Sixty. The ineetiiig was held at the armory on Cliapel Street, at one o'clock P.M., when Samuel F. Howaid was elected captain, who was commissioned Jan. 30, 18Ur>. A meeting was subsequently held for the choice of lieutenants April 1, 18G5, when George Southworth was elected firat lieutenant, and Bradi'ord Wild .-second

The choice of captaius for District Sixty-one wus made at a meeting held at West Bridgowuter, on Friday, Jan. 27, 1865, at which Austin Packard, Esq., was called to preside. Mr. Thomas P. Ripley was elected captain, and received a commission dated JaD. 27, 1865.

At a meeting of the company soon after, in April, Nathaniel M. Davenport, Jr., was elected first lieutenant, and Zibu C. Keith, second lieutenant, both of Campellii.

Agreeably to instructions from headquarters an enrollment was made by the captains of the abovenamed districts, and placed in the adjutant-general's office, in which we find the number of persons enrolled in District Number Sixty, Capt. Samuel F. Howard, for active service waa one hundred and thirty men ; reserve militia, five hundred and nineteen men. The number of persons in District Number Si.xty-one, Capt. Thomas P. Ripley, for active service, was seven ty-eij;ht men ; reserve militia, three hundred aud nine men.

We have given the foregoing account of the militia organization up to May, 1865. The companies had hardly been formed, and officers chosen, when the Legislature passed a law, approved May 16, 1865, disbanding the " active militia," allowing them to volunteer in the service for five years. " All companies that do not volunteer within sixty days from May IG, 1865, shall be discharged," thus leaving a militia force of volunteers only, of which there are but few old companies.

Cuimingham Rifles. - Among the present militia organizations of Ma.-isachusctts is the Cunningham Rifles. Co. I, which is a part of Massachusetts' regiment volunteer militia, with the following officers and membeis in July, 1884 :

Chapter Xii Pcblic-Hodses And Traders

Fublic-Houses. - The city of Brockton is situated on the direct route from New Bedford to Boston, and previous to the building of the railroads that connect the two cities it was a stopping-place for travelers needing refreshment. At one time there were three public-houses in the village, beside one on the turnpike south of " Tilden's Corner."

One of the most prominent public-houses in early days was one kept by Maj. Daniel Cary, on the site where Rufus P. Kingman, Esq., now resides, formerly owned and occupied by the late John Wales. Next in order was a house kept by Barnabas Howard, at the north end of the town, where entertainment was provided for man and beast. Silas Packard kept public-hou.se ou the corner of Main and Court iSireets, formerly occupied by the late Capt. Benjamin Clark. Col. Edward Southworth also kept public-house at his residence, on the site now occupied by the City Block," and later Maj. Nathan Hay ward kept near the corner of Main aud Ea^it Elm Streets, the site now occupied by "Mercantile Building." Nathan Hayward, Newton Shaw, Nathaniel H. Cross, Capt. John Packard, and Edward J. Snow have each kept public-house near the corner of Main and Crescent Streets, aud opposite the residence of Rufus P. Kingman, Esq.

In the early part of 1833 preparations were made for the erection of a new and more commodious house than was then in the town. July 4th of that year a house waa raised by Messrs. Bela Keith, Esq., aud Benjamin Kingman, who were the owners till 1856, when it passed into the hands of Tyler Cobb, who was

A few years since Aaron B. Drake opened a publichouse at Campellu, by the uauie of -'Salisbury House," which was kept for a few years only. Tliere are fourteen public-houses in the city at the present time, - eleven at the Centre and three at Campello.

A short time siuce Sauford Winter, Esq., erected an elej;aut brick block at the corner of Belmont and Main Streets, formerly known as the " Old Corner Store" lot, at an expense of nearly seventy-five thousand dollars, which is now u,sed as a public-house. It was first named " Hotel Palmer," now " Hotel Belliiont," and is the leadini: hotel of the city. F. B. Smith is the proprietor.

Traders. - It is very difiBcult to give the dates when the ditferent traders in the city began bu.siness, although we find the names of all. We liere give the names of those who have been in the trade, keeping variety store, as follows: Deacon Ichabod Howard kept store at the north part of tlie town, on the road to Boston, in the house recently occupied b}' the late Deacon Ozeu Gurney. Silas Packard and Col. Edward Soutliworth had a store on the corner of Main and Court Streets, where the late David Cobb's store now stands, now occupied by his son, David 11. Cobb. Col. Edward Southwortli kept store in 181G nearly opposite the First Congregational Church, now known as the " Gazette Building." Maj. Daniel Cary kept in the north part of the old building that was .several years ago removed from the corner of Main and Belmont Streets, and on the lot now occupied by the elegant residence of Rufas P. Kingman, ]<>q. Mr. Cary wa.1 succeeded by John Wales. Jonathan Keith kept a grocery store where the South Congregational Church now stands, at the corner of South and Main Streets, Campello. Isaac Keith kept groceries in the south part of his house, at the north corner of Main and South Streets, a short distance uorth of the church. Benjamin Kingman succeeded him in trade a year or two, wlien he removed to the Centre. Silas Packard ifc Co. were succeeded in trade by David Cobb, who came from Mansfield, Mass., in 1823, and learned the trade of Mr. Packard. A few years since Mr. Cobb erected a new and commodious building in place of the old store, where he continued a successful business as a variety store, till he was succeeded by his --on, David H. Cobb. Capt. John Packard erected the store, corner of Main and Belmont Streets, oppo^ite Rufu.'? P. Kingman's house, several years since, and was associated with Joseph Packard in trade. At a little later period Matthew Kingman and Nathaniel Snow purchased the stock and goodwill of the store and traded for a short time. The store was afterwards purchased by David Cobb about 1836, and was kept by Tyler Cobb for several years. About 18-10, William P. Howard, of Easton, purchased the stock, and conducted a successful business for several years, and then removed to Messrs. Howard, Clark A: Co.'s building, where stands the "Clark Block." In 1S36, Frederick Parker came from Barnstable, and entered into partnership with Ambrose Hayward, under the firm-name of Hayward & Parker, in the dry -goods trade, in William Ryder's building on Main Street, and continued but a short time. John Ritchie opened a store at the Factory Village, near " Sprague's," which has since been occupied by Daniel Eames, Ephraim Noyes, Ira Copeland, William H. Brett, Chandler Sprague, and others. Ira Copeland erected a grocery store a short distance east from " Sprague's," on the road leading to Abington.

Lemuel B. Hatch opened the first store in Campello about forty years since, which he kept but a fi'.vi years. The business has been conducted in the same building by Messrs. Tyler Cobb, Samuel Carter. John \\ . Sncll. Varanes Wales, and Sidney Packard. A few years since Josiah W. Kingman, IC^q., erected a large and commodious building for a store at the corner of Main and Market Streets, which lias been in u.->e by Sidney Packard, Messrs. llnwaid & Kiilli, and Mrs. William H. Williams, the prc.ienl occn[iant, who keep a variety store. A lew years since W. U. Alger, of West Bridgewater, erected a building corner of Montello and Depot Streets, at Campello, near the railroad station, and kept a grocery store a short time. This building was afterwards purclia>ed by Mr. Nels(jn J. Foss, who occupied it as a flour and grain store and post-otEce. Henry Dyer had a small store on Montello Street, near the depot, and Benjamin Swain on Main Street, Campello. Several years since Aaron B. Drake & Brother were in trade wlurc the " Salisbury House" now stands. Newton Shaw kept a store in the easterly part of the town, at " Shaw's Corner," a few years since. Perez Marshall kept a grocery store near " Tilden's Corner ;" Lorenzo Wade and George A. Packard in the West Shares (now " Brockton Heights"). George Clark kept a store a short time near the same place. Isaac Packard kept store in the West Shares (now " Brockton Heights"), in the build- injr occupied by Williiiui Packard. Beojuniiu KelloLiii kc])t .store io town in 1835. Cyrus Porter, Jr., had a store near Zopliar Field's Corner, on Nortli Main Street, in 1835. A few years since J. F. Hale opened a 'Jirocery store in Central Block, on Main Street. L. C. Bliss became his succe.ssor in that business. Newton Siiaw had a grocery store near the railroad, on Centre Street, some years since. Mr. William H. Pierce succeeded him in business. Lyman E. Cobb erected a new store near the same locality, and continues to do a successful business in that line. Daniel Lovell purchased the store recently occupied by the " Union Store No. Gil), " on School Street. Henry W. Robinson commenced trade in 1844 Id the store now occupied by him at the Centre. He was the successor of William White. In 1850, William B. Barry became associated witli him in the business, under the tirm-uame of Robinson & Barry, which copartnership existed five years, Mr. Barry then removing to Boston. This wa.s u variety store till 185D, when it was changed to dry goods exclusively.

In 1834, Charles Alhertou and Albert Smith became associated in business in the hotel building, under the fiim-uame of Smith &, Atherton. This firm continued for about two years, when they dissolved partnership, and William F. Brett became a partner with Mr. Smith, under the firm-name of Smith & Brett, in 1836. This firm continued till 1839, when Mr. Smith withdrew from the firm, leaving Mr. Brett alone in business till 184G, at which time Rufas P. Kingman, Esq., became a partner, under the firm of Brett & Kingm;m, which copartnership continued till 1854, they doing a dry-goods, grocery, hardware, and merchant-tailoring business. A new firm was then formed, consi.'-tiiig of William F. Brett, J. Freeman Ellis, SB. Ripley, and Edward O'Neil, who continued in the same business. In ISGO, Henry A. Brett came from Warehani and purchased the stock and business, and conducted the same one year, when he sold to William H. Brett and Rufus E. Brett, who continued in business under the style of William F. Brett's Sons. This firm was dissolved in 1865, Rufus E. Brett and Frederick L. Brett continuing the business under the firmname of Brett Brothers.

In 1SG2, Mr. B. C. Benner & Co. opened a drygoods store opposite Kingman's block. Charles Curtis, Jr., succeeded William P. Howard in the dry-goods trade in Howard & Clark's building, on Main Street, for several years. He afterwards removed to Taunton. B. P. Davis had a shoe store in 1850, opposite Kingman's brick block, on Main Street. Charles D. Brigliam had a shoe store at 423 Main Street (Tyler Cobb's building). Ambrose Hayward opened a grocery store in Howard, Clark & Co.'s building, July 4, 1864. A. N. Farrar had a grocery store in John Tilden's building a few years since. He was succeeded by Simeon Mitchell in 1861, and the store was afterwards occupied by John Tildon.

James Hall and William H. H. Hebard have since occupied that store for a short time each. The building is now used as a residence. Henry Howard kept a store in his building, formerly occupied as a shoe manufactory, now occupied by William F. Field. E. Capen French had a grocery store near Stoddard's brush-factory, in the north part of the village ; store afterwards occupied for the same purpose by Joel T. Packard. B. R. Clapp has a variety store in the building, near the new post-office, on Main Street. Southworth & Noyes had a grocery and hardware store nearly opposite Kingman's brick block, now Edward 0. Noyes; Daniel Hayward one on School Street, near the railroad. John W. Snell kept a small grocery store opposite the residence of Freeman Holmes several years since. S. Francis Dearborue had a grocery store in Drayton's building, now occupied by Col. John J. Whipple as a grocery and drug store, opposite the First Congregational Church, formerly occupied by N. C. & G. W. Fisher as a grocery store. Nathan Jones kept a grocery store in Col. Southworth's building many years. E. H. Woodbridge kept paints, oils, etc., on School near JIain Street. William Field also kept a grocery store in Capt. John Battles' house. Lot Packard kept a store in the house afterwards occupied by Capt. Robert Packard. F. & H. Baylies kept a dry-goods store in " Wheeler's Block," corner of Main and School Streets, a few years since. The building was afterwards owned and known as "Bixby's Building." Francis 0. Hall kept a grocery store on Turnpike Street, in the West Shares, for a short time, several years since. Johu W. Snell kept a grocery store at Campello for a short time, in a building owned by Bela Keith, Esq. Rufus L. Thacher kept a flour and grain store in Central Block, on Centre Street, a few years since. C. C. Bixby & Co. kept a large assortment of drugs, medicines, fancy goods, books, stationery, etc., in Bixby's block, where the present brick block knowu as " Bixby's" now is, adjoining the " Home Bank Building." Isaac Washburn came from Kingston, and kept store in the old tavern building, opposite Rufas P. Kingman's residence, for a short time only.

Chapter Xiii

Free Schools - Old School Districts - School Committee of the North Parish - School Committee of North BriJgewaler (now Brockton) - Annuul Appropriations for Schools - New School Districts - Attendance on the Schools - Valuation of School Property in 1882 - Adelphian Academy - North Bridgcwatcr Academy - Private Schools - Normal School Scholars - Graduates of Colleges - Press of Brockton - Town Maps - United States Pensions.

Schools. - For the past two centuries our country has enjoyed a system of education that has had no parallel. The progress of our country, witli all its Varied interests, luay be attributed to tlie education of her people. There is no one thing in which the happiness and prosperity of society is so mucli involved as in the proper education, the moral traiuiiifr, and discipline of youth, and the many advantages arisiuj; from the same cannot be too highly estimated or overstated. The boldness of the measure aiming at universal education through the medium of free schools has no precedent in the history of the world. Every nation abroad, as well aa States at home, are imitating our example. The credit of originating these free institutions is due to our Pilgrim Fathers. It was in the cabin of the " Mayflower" that they agreed among themselves to a written constitution of government which was the nucleus of all the free governments of the earth. At the time they landed on our shores two grand ideas pervaded their minds, namely : religion, or the spiritual interest of their people, and knowledge, or the education of the young.

Free Schools. - The fisheries of Cape Cod were early laid under contributions for the support of free schools in 1671. At a public festival a few years since the following sentiments were offered : " Mackerel Schools and Free Schools, the one the support of the other ;" another, " The Fishermen of Cape Cod, they get their learning on their own Hook." These institutions have long been under the control of the government, by them supported and controlled, sanctioned and protected by law as much as the right of a person to their own mode of worship ; and the distinguishing feature of the system is in the advantage of commonschool instruction, which is free to all, without distinction of race, color, or position, and is secured to every child in the State, that the property of the commonwealth shall be subservient to eijual and ade- (|uate instruction. The mass of the people have been educated, and we have enjoyed what no other nation has been permitted to enjoy, - we have learned for ourselves how to conduct a free government, and the success of the same may be seen in the progress

From earliest time the policy of Massachusetts has been to develop the minds of her people and to imbue them with the principles of duty. In doing this she has had the aid of the many towns within her limits, and has a system which is destined to greater and mure elevated usefulness than has ever before been :-een.

The town of Brockton has ever been ready to contribute of her public funds for educational purposes. Previous to the incorporation of the old North Parish the parish paid their proportional part of school expenses of the town of Bridgewater, and received a share of the benefits of the same. At a meeting of the town of Bridgewater, held Nov. 2-t, 17-lG, a committee of twelve were chosen To consult what method may be most beneficial to the Town in improving of ye school for the futer." Robert Howard, Abiel Packard were chosen on the part of the North Parish. The committee made the following report : Dec. 1, 1746. " Voted that the sum of £25u, old Tenor, to support schooling in the town one year next following, and that the grammar-.school has been kept longer in a precinct than htis been useful when it comes to their turn, and that the west precinct shall have the improvement of ye grammar-school the first year, and then the other precincts in order shall have the grammar-school according to their proportion of ye Tax." We next find a record in the parish books as follows: March 21, 17-17. 'At a meeting held this day To chtise a committee to take care of the money, and gat a scole masture, or a scoole dame, and to see if the precinct can agree whare the scoole shall be keept this year," it was voted " That Timothy Keith, Robert Howard, and Abiel Packard should be a committee to take care of the scoole the year Insewing." Also, " Voted by the jneciiict, that the precinct should budevided into three scoulc Ricks, to begin at Elisha Dunbar's, and frtiiu thence to Abia Keith's, and from thence to Hencry Kingman's all to the South of that line to be the South Rick, And the meedal Rick to extend North as far as the north side of Abiel Packard's field that Joy ties Zachariah Guriiey's, by an east and west Line from said place.

" Eiich peart having Equal parte In the town treasury for draft of money belonging to the precinct for the use of the scoole to be drawcd by the committee for the scoole or their order." For a long time after the establishment of the North Parish, or Precinct, there were but three school districts, which were divided as above. " The subject of new school- Houses was brot to the attention of the parish, August 15, 1748, To chuse a man or men to receive the money due from the town to maintain a scoole and to dispose of the same in the best method ; Alsow, To see if the precinct will build one or more scool-houses for the use of the Parisli scool, and to act anything proper for accomplishing the same. The meeting was setteled by the choise of Daniel Howard, moderator.

Old School Districts. - " Voted that Timothy j Keith, Abiel Packard, and Robert Howard should bee a committee to draw the money out of the town treasury this present year, their perporsionabel part for the use of the Parash Scools, and to dispose of the same in the way and manner voted by the precinct last year past." Dec. 9, 1751, a meeting was held " To agree How and whare the scoole shall be keept the Insueing year. Voted that the scool shuld be keept in three places in the precinct ; also. Voted that the meddal part shuld have the scool the first fore months, and the south part should have it the nest two months, and the north part, which extends from the north line of the middle rick as far north as the town extends, should have it the next three months." A^ain, March 2S, 175:-1, the laying out of the money and " settcUing of the scool" was left to the precinct committee. The people of the precinct, feeling dissatisfied with the division, called a meeting, which was held March 11, 1784, "To take the minds of the precinct respecting the grammar school for the future, and act what may be thought proper concerning the same," at which it was '' Voted to divide the precinct into four Ricks for the Grammar-School ; also, Voted that Barnabas Howard, Dea. Jonathan Gary, Mr. Matthew Kingman, and Ensign Issachar Snell be a committee for the purpose aforesaid, and make report at the fall meeting." Sept. 6, 1784, the committee for dividing the district into four ricks for the grammar-school gave in the following report :

" We, the subsoribors,' being chosen a committee by the North Precinct, in Bridgewater, in order to divide said precinct into four parts for the better accommodutioD of the Inhabitants of said precinct to improve the Orramoiar School, and having considered the same, do report as followeth, namely : That a line be drawn from Mr. Zachariah Cary's westerly to Ephraim Churchill's, and from thence to Eoston Line, and those families on the south side of said line to be the South Riuk, and those on the north side of said line to be the North Rick, and from said Cary'a easterly to William Shaw's, and from thence to Abington line, to divide the easterly part of said precinct, those families on the south side of said Road to be the South Rick, the before-mentioned Ricks to be divided North and South by the Country Road.

the meeting voted " that the Grammar School be keept six weeks in each Rick." " Voted that the two Ricks on the west side of the Country Road have the Grammar School this year."

After the above division of the parish into districts, or ricks, the precinct committee had cliarge of the division of the school fund as it was drawn (Vom the town treasury, and upon them devolved the duties that afterward were assigned to the committee chosen for each district.

March 4, 1794. The parish "voted to rai=e £15, to be assessed on the inhabitants of the puri.sh, for the purpose of English schooling." March 17, 1794. At a meeting of the parish it was " voted to chose a Committy in Each English School District to take care of the school money, and see that it is well laid out for the benefit of each Destrict." The duties of this committee were to procure rooms, teachers, fuel, etc., for the schools in their several districts.

School Committee of the North Parish. - The following is a list of the school committee cliosen by the town for the several districts from 1794 to 182G inclusive : iNIarch 16, 1795. The parisii came toyetlier " to hear tiie Report of a committee clio.sen to sec il' tliuy can fix upon any plan tlial siiall operate more equally in the division of the Grammar-Schuol District."

" The committee appointed by the North Parish of Bridgewater at their meeting in November hu-t to consider whether any alterations can be made in the Grammar School wricks in said Parish wich will be of more general advantiige to the inhabitants thereof. Beg leave to make the folluwiug repoite, namely :

" Flint, your committee are of ojiinion that the South west and South east wricks, ns to their extent and bounds, remain as they now are. Secondly, your committee are of opinion that it will be for the general advantage of the inhabitants of the North west and North East wricks to be divided into three wricks, in the following luaniicr and form, to wit; The first, or north west wrick to be bounded Northerly and Westerly on Stoughton and Eastou, Southerly on the South west wrick, and easterly on tho river wbaieon Ucyuolds' saw-mill stands, including also Lieut. Parinenas Packard and Bcnjaiiiin Silvester's familys. The S*'voiiti,or north wrick to be botiinlcd northerly on Stoughton, westerly on Reynolds' mill Itiver aforesaid. Southerly on the Southern wrick, and easterly on trout Brook, excluding the heforc-nientioned fauiilies of Lieut. Parinenas Packard and Benjamin Silvester, including Daniel Howard, Esq., Gideon Howard, and Thomas "White, and their families before mentioned. Tho Third, or North East wrick to bo bounded easterly and northerly on Abington and Itandolpli, westerly on Trout Brook, and southerly on the .South cast wrick, excluding Daniel Howard, Esq., Gideon Howard, and Thomas White's families, before mentioned. Thlidlj, your coniiiiitiea are also of opinion that the Gramiiiar-School ought to be kept in tbe two southern wricks every other year, - one-half in tho South west wrick, and the other half in the S'juth east wrick. \Pe are also of opinion that said Grauiniar-Scliool ought to bo kept in the three northern wricks nvi^ry other year in the following proportion, namely : one-Third pa.-t of tbe time in tho north west wrick, one-third part in the middle or north wrick, and one-third part of the time in the North East ivrick. Foiirthlij, your committee are furthermore of the opinion that tbe school in the north or middle wrick ought to be kept alternately at the achool-House near Nathaniel Snell's and tho school-House near the Meeting- House, and that the schoid in the South east wrick ought to be kept at or between Selh Kingman's, Abel Kingman's, and Eliab Packard's, and that tho School in the North east wricks ought to be kept alternately at the school-house near Deacon Jonathan Cary's and the ."Schoolhouse near William Shaw's, unless the inhabitants of said wrick can agree on a more central place, which wo judge to be at or between Ames Packard's, Josiah Packard's, Jusiah Karnes', and Perez Southworth's.

Again, the graiumar-school did not suit all the people ill tliL' parish : for, Nov. 14, 179(!, we find a meeting cuiieii -' To see if some more advantageous method cannot be devised for the improvement of the Grammar-School," at which it wits " voted to postpone the subject to the next March meeting."

March 9, 1797. " Voted to choose a committee of one from each school District, to make some alteration in the Grammar-School Districts, and report at next fall meeting." Daniel Howard, Esq., Issachar SncU, Esq., Waldo Hayward, Capt Lemuel Packard, Moses Gary, Capt. Zebedee Suell, Capt. Je.sse Perkins, Jeremiah Thayer, Jr., Barnabas Curtis, Daniel Mauley, Jr., were the committee who made the following report, Nov. 13, 1797 :

" Firal, Th;it Suid School shall not he kept in a dwellingbouse. Stcniid, That Said School be kept in each En<;Iish district through the parish, provided they Shall build School- Houses and tit them with seats in the same manner the Schoolhouse ne;ir the meeting-house is, and otherwise convenient in the judgment of the Selectmen for the time being, and fiiid sufficiency ut' Fire wood. Thinl, In case any district shall not comply with the foregoing conditions, the school is to be keept in the ne.\t Distreot according to their turn. The school shall be keept tirst in Issachar Snell's, 2d in Jesse Perkins', ;id Jonathan Cary's, 4th Amzi Brett's, 5th William Shaw's, 6th Ichahod Edaon's, 7th Charles Snell's, 8th Ephraim Cole's, 9th Daniel Manly's, loth Capt. Zebedee Snell's, - all of which ie Submitted to the parish for consideration and acceptance.

Previous to the organization of the town, in 1821, the North Pariah bad the charge of tlie school funds which were set apart by the town to them, and the precinct committee were the committee when no others were chosen especially for that purpose. The amount was assessed upon the inhabitants according to their valuation. We find no systematic account of the amount appropriated yearly or the manner in which it was spent, but presume it was well expended. The schools were usually from six to eight weeks in a year, and we should judge the people would make the most of their time. We have found occasionally separate amounts additional to that voted by the town to be assessed by the parish, as, March IG, 1795, "Voted £15 for English Schooling." Also, Feb. 27, 1798, " Voted to raise two hundred dollars for the use of schooling." This above vote was reconsidered Aug. 19, 1798. The precinct voted sums only when an extra outlay had been made or a school-house built. The fii-st appropriations are from 1821 to 1825, inclusive, when the sum of six hundred and twenty-five dollars was voted. Early the next year (182G) the

State passed a general law placing the entire care and su})erintendence of the public schools in a town iu the hands of a committee, which consisted of three, five, or seven persons, whose duty it was to examine into the qualifications of teachers, and to visit the several schools at the commencement and closing of them. Their duty was to provide books for those that fail to provide for themselves, under certain rules, and also to determine what books should be used in the schools.

School Committee of the Town. - The following is a list of the school committee from 1827 to 18G4, inclusive, together with the years of their election :

Annual Appropriations for Schools. - This comwittee was also required to make au aouual report of tlie number of schools, scholars, amouut appropriated, and such other details as was deemed of interest to the secretary of the commonwealth. From these reports (now on file iu his office) from North Bridgewater we fiud the following reports, which we publisii to exhibit at a glance the condition of the schools at difi'erent dates :

We see by the above returns that prior to the year 1837 the amount annually appropriated for the support of the public schools in the town did not increase in proportion to the increase in the number of scholars. During this year a change was made in the laws regulating the schools throughout the commonwealth by the organization of the Board of Education in June, 1837, and by which all the school committees in the several towns were required to make a detailed report to them annually of the condition of the schools in their respective towns, which report was either to be read in open town-meeting or printed for circulation among the inhabitants. The effect of these reports has been of universal advantage to the commonwealth, as by this system the experience of each town is laid open to the others, so that they may be benefited by another's experience. By it the several portions of the State are brouirht nearer each other, causing a spirit of emulation to pervade the community. It is this that has given the Old Bay State a name wortliy of being handed down to future generations, and has made her so celebrated for her educational advantages.

The returns above named were u.-.uallv made iu March or April, and presented to the town fur their approval. Below we present the reader witli a copy of the returns from 1838, the year I'olluwiug the organization of the board, to the year 1882, iiielusivo:

Note. - The reports in the several town^ being made in the early part of the year, the figures opposite the dated above arc, in fact, the record of the preeeding year, as, iu 1833, the ruluru being for the year ending in March, it would bo the record tor 1837, and so on to the eud of the list.

For eight years previous to 1864 the town of North Bridgewater (now Brockton) did not expend as much money per scholar as most of the towns in the State.

Historv Of Brockton

In that year the people, witli a commendable spirit, added one thousand dollars to their appropriation, making it four thousand five hundred dollars, which sum was divided among the several districts through the town ; also another appropriation of twelve hundred dollars for high-school purposes, making a total of five thousand seven hundred dollars for schools. To show how the town has been in past times, we will present to the reader a few figures for 1863, with an appropriation of three thousand five hundred dollars. There were in the commonwealth three hundred and thirty-three towns. Of this number, three hundred and six towns paid more for each scholar between the ages of five and fifteen than this town, while there are but twenty-sis towns that did not pay as much. There were in the State. North Bridgowater paid $2,606 per scholar. East Bridgewater paid $3.3Uy per scholar. West Bridgewater paid $3,513 per scholar. Bridgewater paid $3,597 per scholar.

In comparison with the other towns in Plymouth County, while this town stood second in point of population, fifth in valuation, fourth in the number of her schools, yet she paid the smallest sum per scholar of any town in the county. At that time the public sentiment began to change in regard to the importance of keeping up the schools, and the additional sum appropriated in 1864 gave a new impul.se to the cause of popular education. Sept. 5, 18G4, a new high school was opened in the building formerly occupied by Mr. S. D. Hunt for school purposes. The school at the end of the first year gave promise of success.

During the first settlement of the North Parish there was but one school district, and that included the entire parish. Only one teacher was required, and that was usually the minister of the parish, or some person suflBciently " larned" to teach the young to " Read, Wright, and Sifer," which at that time was all that was deemed necessary for common business pursuits, except those intending to enter some professional calling.

As the different portions of the precinct became settled, movable schools were held in private dwellings, mechanic shops, and corn-houses, or such places as could be best and most easily procured. The minds of the people were occupied in agricultural pursuits, clearing land, and providing for the support of their families, and such other matters as were necessary for subsistence. They were like all people in new places : they had not an abundance of money or means to do with, as at the present day, and he was lucky who could be spared from labor long enough to get even six weeks' schooling in a year.

New School Districts. - In 1751 the people saw the necessity of a division of the school funds, and, for the purpose of dividing the time equally and accommodating all portions of the precinct, voted to divide the parish into three school districts, or " Ricks." Again, in 1784, the parish was divided into four districts, or " Ricks," and the school was kept in the two westerly districts, which were west of the present Main Street, the first year, and the two easterly districts to have it the next year. Again, in 1795, the two northerly districts were divided into three districts, making five in the parish. In 1794 a system of choosing a district " committee man" to look after the schools in the several districts was adopted, which served to give new interest in school matters. In 1797 a committee of one from each district were appointed to rearrange the "keeping of the School." This committee reported against keeping schools in private houses, and in favor of having schools kept in order around the town, provided each district would furnish a schoolhouse and find fuel. Various changes were made in the division of the territory till 1865, when there were fourteen school districts in the town.

No. 1, or ^^ Centre." - The first house erected in this district was near the old church ; the next was situated just south of the present hotel and on the spot where Kingman's brick block now stands. The third was located on School Street, east of the hotel and near the present new house. The present building was erected in 1847, and is a neat, roomy building, two stories in height, with a cupola and bell, and is painted white, with green blinds, and inclosed with a substantial fence. Now used for a high school.

No. 2, or " Howard." - This district comprised the northerly portion of the town, near Stougliton line. The first house erected in this part of the town was built previous to 1795, and was removed in 1860 to give place for a new and larger edifice. The next building was erected during the years 1860 and 1861, under the direction of Lucien B. Keith, Charles S. Johnson, Nahum Battles, Willard II uw- aid, and Henry Howard as building committee, and who were tlie trustees in behalf of the district. The building wad fifty by thirty-three feet, with twentythree feet posts. The contractor and master-builder was John F. Beal, of Stoughton, who performed his part in a faithful and workmanlike manner. The school-room is thirty-five by forty-two feet, with seats for eighty scholars, which are of the modern style, furnished by Mr. W. G. Shattuck, of Boston. Around the outside of the room were seats for sixty scholars more. The rooms were well furnished with blackboards. There was a large room in the second story, well adapted for public gatherings of any kind, furnished with settees. There was also a retiringroom iu the house, fifteen feet square, with seats for those wishinir to remain during intermission. In the entry was a large amount of wardrobe hooka and iron sinks for the use of the pupils. The arrangement of the house was excellent, and the interior, as well as exterior, appearance reflects great credit upon the building committee. The house was dedicated March 20, 1861, wiih the following exercises: Voluntary; invocation, by Rev. N. B. Blanchard ; singing, by the children ; remarks, by Galen E. Pratt, of the school committee ; address, by Mr. Farwell, the teacher at at that time ; finale, singing, under the direction of Robert Sumner, of Stoughton.

No. 3, " West Shares or Northwest Bridgewater" (now" Brockton Heights"). - This district was provided with a small, neat .school- house, situated upon the road leading from the Centre Village to Stoughton. It consisted of a one-story building, painted white, with green blinds.

No. 4, " Tllden." - This building was situated on the Boston and Taunton Turnpike, and near the road leading from Easton to North Bridgewater Village, and near to the shoe manufactory of H. T. Marshall ; it was a small building, simiJar to that at the West Shares.

No. 5, the " Anies" District. - Situated on the road leading to Easton from the Centre Village, and near the residence of the late Dr. Fiske Ames.

No. (), or " Campello" District. - The first schoolhouse in this village was one of the first in the town ; was erected previous to 178-i. This was sold at auction, and removed by Maj. Nathan Hayward to the north part of the town in 1842, and a new one erected by Bela Keith, twenty-eight by eighteen feet, at an expense of about five hundred dollars, one story iu height, painted white. In 1854 this house was raised, and one story added, and in 18G2 a new house was built by Otis Cobb, co.sting four hundred and fifty dollars, situated south of the old building. These

No. 7, or " Copeland." - There have been three houses in this district. The first was built about 1800. A neat and tidy house was erected iu 1852: one-story building, painted and blinded, and was an ornament to that portion of the town, when compared to the old red school-house of ancient days. Tliis district is situated about one mile east from the village of Campello, on the east side of Salisbury River, and the bounds of which extend to the West Bridgewater line.

No. 8, or " Shaw's." - This district was one of the early formed, the old house being built previous to 1794. The next house was erected in 1843, costing about five hundred dollars, one story high and painted ; located on or near the same spot that the old house stood, which is near to what is called " Shaw's Corner."

No. 9, or "Cary Hill." - This is one of the oldest districts in town, a house having been built previous to 1794. It was situated in the northeast part of the town, upon a high spot of land called " Cary Hill." First house burned in March, 1840 ; rebuilt by Marcus Packard, in July, same year, costing four hundred and twenty-five dollars.

No. 10, the " Field District." - The school in this was situated on a prominent height of land, on the south side of Prospect Street, between the houses of John Field and the late Joseph Brett. They have a new house erected within a short time.

No. 11, or " Sprague's." - This portion of the town has had two school-houses. The first was built about 1800; the second was built iu 1852, under the care of Chandler Sprague, Esq., and was a neat, twu-story building, with a cupola containing a bell, the whole painted white, with green blinds, and was located iu a very sightly position on a prominent street.

No. 12, or " North Winy." - This is a comparatively new district. It was formed of a portion of the Centre District, being set apart from them in 184C. At first a large, two-story house was erected, but of late it has increased in numbers to such an extent that in a few years a second house was erected for the primary department, and both became well filled with pupils.

No. 13, or " South Wing." - This, like the North Wing District, is also a new district, they having been setoff' by themselves at the same time the Centre was divided, and the North Wing taken from them in 1846. A new school-house was erected near the residence of Mr. Sumner A. Ilayward, un the cast side of Main Street, and has quite a large school.

N^o. 14, or " Snow's." - This district comprises the territory between West Shares and Tilden Districts. The house was situated near the First Methodist Church, on the turnpike, and has been erected but a few years.

they " voted to abolish the District System." Since that time the schools have been under the immediate control and direction of the school committee chosen by the town and city. The several committec-uien are selected as special for particular schools.

Table Of Attendance

1st Grammar. 1st Grammar. 1st Grammar. 1st ijrammar. 1st Grammar. 1st Grammar. 1st Grammar. 2d Gnimmar. 2d Grammar. 2d Grammar. 2d Grammar. 2d Grammar, ltd Grammar. 3d Grammar. .3d Grammar. Intermediate. Intermediate. Intermediate. Intermediate. Intermediate. Intermediate. Intermediate. Intermediate. Intermediate. Intermediate, lat Primary. Ist Primary. Ist Primary, lat Primary. Ist Primary. 2d Primary. 2d Primary. 2d Primary. 2d Primary. 2d Primary. 2d Primary. 2d Primary. 2d Primary. 2d Primary. 2d Primary. 2d Primary. 2d Primary. 2d Primary, 2d Primary. 2d Primary, 2d Primary,

Adelphian Academy. - About the luiddle of August, 1844, two young men, brotliors, wlio liad finished their collegiate studies, came into town, entire strangers, without letters of introduction or money, and opened a school in a building owned by Maj. Nathan Hayward, south of the hotel and quite near the " Old Unitarian Church." Tliey comnieiiced with thirty students, Sept. 4, 1844, and steadily iucrutLsed in numbers as follows : the first term they had fortysix students ; second term, fifty; third term, ninetysix, fourth terra, sixty-nine ; fifth term, one hundred and twenty-one. The second year the building proved inadequate to their wants, and the church above named was procured for tlie same purpose. The school continued in favor and was doing well, when a meeting was held to consider the propriety of erecting a suitable building for the permanent establishing of the academy. Three thousand dollars was agreed upon as the amount needed to accomplish the object. Failing to get enough subscribed, the project was abandoned for a time. Struggling against adverse circumstances, and after much thought and many solicitations to go elsewhere, they concluded to remain at North Bridgewator, and to make that town a permanent home. A small hillock of about lour acres, a short distance north of the railroad depot, was purchased, which they called Montello, upon which they erected buildings suitable for their purpo.se, involving an expenditure of nearly ten thousand dollars. The friends of the enterprise made them a dedicatory visit soon after the completion of the buildings, and presented them with a valuable bell for the academy building. In the spring of 1847, an act of incorporation was granted to the proprietors with corporate powers. The following is a copy of the act :

"Silaa L. Loomis, L. F. C. Lootnis, Nathan Jones, and their associates and successors, are hereby made a corporation by the name of the Adelphian Academy, to be ealablished lo the town of North Bridgewater, in the county of Plyiuoutb, with all ilic powers and privileges, and subject to all the tUuiey, rcitrietiuns, and liabilities set forth in the forty-fourth ehaipterof the Revised Statutes."

This corporation had permission to hold real estate to the amount of fifteen thousand dollars, and personal estate to the amount of ten thousand dollars, to be exclusively devoted to the purposes of education.

The following were elected officers of the institution : Joseph Sylvester, president; L. C. Lnoniis, secretary ; S. L. Loomis, treasurer ; Hon. Jesse Perkins, L. C. Loomis, Josiah W. Kingman, Edwin H. Kingman, David Cobb, Newton Shaw, Silas L. Loomis, George Clark, Caleb Copeland, Franklin Ames, Isaac Eames, trustees.

This institution continued to increase in numbers until a high school was thought of being established in the town, which the Messrs. Loomis suppo.sed might injure their school, when they concluded to close it as soon as it might be done without too great a sacrifice. Thus the academy was brought to a close in 1854, after a term of ten years from its conimencenient. During this time they had gathered a library of over one thousand volumes and a cabinet of over ten thousand specimens. The following are among those that had taught in that institution :

Professor Silas L. Loomis, A.M., M.D., now surgeon in the United States army ; Professor L. C. Loomis, A.M., M.D., now president of the Wosleyan Female College, Wilmington, Del.; J. E. Marsh, A.M., M.D., now surgeon in the United States Army ; Kev. Horace C. Atwater, A.M., Hon. Isaac Atwater, A.M., chief justice of Iowa ; Rev. J. H. Burr, A.M., Kev. Daniel Steele, A.M., J. Mason Everett, E. A. Kingsbury, Maximilian Hall, B. A.Tidd, Miss Emiua L. Loomis, Miss Susan T. Howard, Otis S. Moullon, Annie E. Belcher, S. M. Saunders, Emery Seaman, 0. W. Winchester, A.B. ; Mrs. Mary A. Winchester.

The building formerly used as an academy ha.-i since been removed to the corner of Centre and Montello Streets, near the railroad depot, and is used ;is a manufactory. It was a three-story building, painted white, with green bliods, and crowned with a cupi>lu fur a bell.

North Bridgewater Academy. - This in.->titution was founded by Mr. Sereiio D. Hunt, who was assisted at different tiroes by the following teachers: Mrs.

Private Schools. - Among the most prominent of those institutions in the town is Mrs. Nathan Jones' school. We take pleasure in recording the fact that for more than thirty years Mrs. Jones has kept a private boarding-school for children of both sexes at her residence ; and few there are to be found of the young jKTsons, natives of the town, who have not attended ' Mrs. Jones' School" at least for one term.

Deacon Hemau Packard kept a select school at the north end of the town, on Prospect Hill, for several years previous to his leaving town for New Orleans, which had a good reputation.

Normal School. - List of persona having attended the State Normal School at Bridgewater, with the years of their attendance, most of whom are graduates :

List Of Graduates Op The Brockton High School

Lizzie F. E^Ues. Minnie Ida Estes. Mary A. Hall. Nellie Packurd. Henry C. Gurney. J. Emil C. Lajjergreen. Frank. A. McLauthlin. Lizzie F. Cushman.

The Press of Brockton. - The first newspaper published in Brockton was commenced by George H. Browu, Esq., of East Bridgewater, Aug. 22, 1835, under the name of Bridgewtiler Patriot mid Old Colunij Gazette, in the hall over Maj. Natlian Hayward's store, in what is now the south corner of East Elm and Main Streets.

The next paper in the town was entitled the Old Colony Reporter and North Bridgewater l/niou, and was published by Messrs. F. W. Bartlett and Thouias D. Stetson, of Kingston, Mass., under the firm of Bartlett &, Stetson, commenced Oct. 27, 1848. Mr. Bartlett left the firm after a term of one year, after which Mr. Stetson and Rev. William Whiting continued the paper in Col. Edward Southworth's hall till 1851.

About the same time there was a small sheet published at the office of the Reporter, devoted to the temperance cause, edited by young persons.

During the latter part of the winter (pf 1850 and 1851, one Dr. Cawdell commenced the publication of a paper called the Bay State Clipper. A few numbers were printed, and the paper, press, types, and one form of the paper were left in the hands of Col. Southworth, the owner of the premises occupied by the doctor, for expenses.

The Adelphian, a literary paper, was published for two years from Oct. 11, 1850, by the Mes.>)r3. Loomis, late principals of the Adelphian Academy, which was edited by the young ladies of the academy, and was especially devoted to the interests of the young.

A^orth Bridgewater Gazette was commenced in the hall over Col. Edward Southworth'a store, by George Phiiiney, Esq., now of the Wultham Free Press, who continued to publish the same till July 25, 1855, when he removed his office to a new building oa Franklin Street.

Mr. Phinney continued to edit and publish the paper till 1863, when he sold his interest in the paper and printing-office to Mr. Augustus T. Jones, who removed to the old stand in Southworth's hall, opposite the First Congregational Church, and continued to publish a weekly paper until April 1, 1884, when the management was for a time under the care of F. H. Buffum & Co. On the 1st of September Mr. Jones sold the paper to A. M. Bridgman, a I person well known among the newspaper fraternity as connected with the Haverhill Gazette and other papers.

In 1874, Mr. G. F. Andrews, of Plymouth, Mass., started a paper called the Old Colony Press, which had but a short existence. The material was closed out by E. Y. Perry, Esq., of Hanover, Mass., who held a mortgage on the entire property.

Mr. Albert H. Fuller, thinking the time had come for a second paper in an enterprising town like Brockton, purchased the material, and published the first number of the Brockton Weekly Advance, May 6, 1876, under the firm of A. H. Fuller & Co., Walter L. Hathaway having an interest in the same, and W. J. Jenks, editor. Mr. Fuller sold the paper to Isaac Folgcr and S. Heath Rich, of Nantucket, who conducted the same from September, 1878, to May, 1879, reaching a circulation of about two thousand two hundred. This enterprise not meeting the expectations of its proprietors they surrendered it to their creditors, and the material was sold .March 15, 1882, to Arthur E. Fesaendcn, who published the same a few months only.

Albert H. Fuller, mentioned above, started the Brockton Weekly Enterprise, July 5, 1879, and is now the publisher of the same, assisted by an able corps of journalists. This paper is in a prosperous and thrifty condition, S. Heath Rich, editor, having a circulation of fifteen hundred copies. Mr. Fuller started the first daily newspaper in Plymouth County, Jan 26, 1880, and has a circulation of two thousand two hundred copies.

Several years since G. A. Goodall published a niiuiature paper called Campellu Press, which was sold to Augustus T. Jones, of the Gazette. It was an advertising sheet, and given to the public.

Mr. J. F. Hardy afterwards purchased the same, and with J. C. Russell as partuer, under the firm of Hardy & Russell, publisiied the same for a short time.

On the 8th of Marcli the Campello Leader was first issued, and was published sixteen weeks. Tiiis was more of a literary paper than a newspaper, and wa.s illustrated by the well-known artist of Brockton, Mr. A. F. Poole, having cartoons and pictures of local scenes, etc. Not being remunerative, this also shared the fate of its predecessoi's, and stopped.

The Brockton Eagle is tlie name of an eight-column weekly paper published by William L. Puffer, at No. 5 Green Street. The first number was issued Fob. 20, 1S84.

Town Maps. - March 1, 1830, the Legislature of Massachusetts passed a resolve requiring the several towns in tiie commonwealth " to make a survey of their territory, and deposit a copy in the oiEce of the Secretary of the Commonwealih." In conformity to this resolve, and by a vote of the town passed May 10, ] 830, Jesse Perkins, Esij., made a survey of the town, and a map was published. Bradford Kingman, Esq., oi Brookline, has a few copies.

April ft, 1853, at a legal meeting of the town, George VV. Bryant, Chandler Sprague, Edward Southworth, Jr., Benjamin Kingman, and Frederick Howard were chosen a committee to cause the town to be resurveyed and a new map to be published. The contract for publisliing the same was given to Messrs. H. F. Walling and E. Whiting. The map contained names of residences, views of churches, manufactories, roads, woods, streets, ponds, rivers, and divisions of the various school districts. The first map was about twenty inches square, of which a few copies only are in existence. The last map was thirty by thirty-nine inclies. The first map of the ancient town of Bridgewater, including what is now North Bridgewater, was drawn with a pen by Beza Hayward, at that time one of the selectmen, June 16, 1795, and is a very crude affair.

In 1880, Elbridge L. Brown, Esq., made a survey of the town, showing the different wards of the city. Nearly the same thing was published in the " Brockton Directory," in 1884.

An elegant copy-plate map w.as published by Bi adford Kingman, Esq., in 186(5, for his " History of North Bridgewater." The survi.ying and copy from which it was made was executed by Otis F. Clapp, Esq., a native of Brockton, now in charge of the " Providence City Water- Works," and is a skillful specimen of engineering work.

United States Pensions. - The following is a list of persons in Brockton who draw pensions by rea.son of wounds or other causes, as furnished by United States Pension Commissioner Dudley:

Chapter Xiv

Casualties and Miscellaneous Events. - lu or about the year 1725, Heary Kingman came from the West Parish (now West Bridgewaterj, and settled on the .spot where the late Seth Kingman lived and died. He was about twenty-one years of age, and unmarried. Soon after iiis arrival at his new home, he proceeded to the woods for the purpose of cuttinL? fencing, about ten or eleven o'clock a.m. While in the act of splitting a large oak log, it split prematurely, and the axe entered the calf of his leg, nearly severing it, only a small portion of flesh remaining on each side to connect the parts; the bone was cut off entirely. It was a bitter cold day, and all he had to bandage with was his small handkerchief, iu which was his luncheon. This he used as best he could, tied up the wound, and dragged himself to a small bridge, where he remained till evening, when, by the merest accident, so.me one heard him cry out for help, and even then passers-by supposed it was only the wild animals in the woods, which in that day were quite common. At-last some person found him; a litter was made, on which to carry him home, and when he reached his boarding-place, a messenger was dispatched four miles or more to West Bridgewater, for a physician. A long time must have elapsed before one could reach him, as the snow was deep and very bad traveling. But, strange as it may appear to the reader, the parts grew together, and he afterwards became an efficient officer in the army.

1739, February 5. The first meeting of the North Parisli was held to-day. Timotliy Keith, moderator ; Robert Howard, clerii, who continued to hold that uiEcc thirty-two years in succession.

1748. Indian corn sold for thirty-two shillings per bushel ; rye, forty-six shillings per bushel ; wheat, three pounds per bushel ; flour, ten pounds per hundred.

17-t'J. This summer the most severe drought ever experienced by the oldest person then living. In the last of May the grass was all burnt by tlie sun, the ground looked white, the earth was dried to a powder at a great depth, and many wells, springs, brooks, and river.s were dried, so that fish lay dead on the bottom. The pastures were so scorched that cattle grew poor. Hay had to be brought from England to supply their wants, which sold for three pounds ten shillings per hundredweight. Barley and oats were so much injured they scarcely saved enough for seed. Flax was a total failure. Corn rolled and wilted. Herbs of all sorts wore destroyed. During all these troubles government ordered a day of fa-sting and prayer, and on the Gth of July copious showers of rain fell to refresh them, and things looked brighter, and what was fortunate for the people, the next winter was very mild. After the plentiful rains, a day of public thanksgiving was ordered.

1751, June 17. Severe hail-storm. Hailstones large as English walnuts were in abundance, breaking glass and doing other damage to a large amount.

England and America had begun, and the importation of foreign goods was stopped, it became customary for people to manufacture their own clothing I and in many places the young ladies had spinningmatches at their minister's, for the benefit of their families. On the 15th of August, 17G9, at two o'clock P.M., ninety-seven young ladies met ut the house of their pastor, the Rev. John Porter, and generously gave his lady, for the use of her family, 3322 knots of linen, tow, cotton, and woolen yarn, which they had spun for that purpose. At three o'clock something, of American produce only, was set before them for their refreshment, which was more agreeable to them than any foreign dainties, considering the situation of the country at that time. At four o'clock the ladies walked in procession to the meeting-house, where a discourse was delivered by their pastor from Acts ix. 36 : ' This woman was full of good works,' in which piety, industry, frugality, and benevolence were recommended and encouraged. The closing prayer being made, the following lines, composed by their pastor, were sung :

David, son of Rev. John Porter, was riding in a chaise when about ten years of age ; the horse took fright, ran, and threw him out, breaking one of his legs, which was soon after amputated. He survived but a short time. Died May, 1767.

1780, May 19. Remarkably dark day. Betweeo twelve aud oue o'clock people could not work ; were oblified to lij^lit caodles to see to eat dioner ; looked very melancholy indeed; but little rain. The evening was very dark.

1820, December 22. Rev. Daniel Huntington delivered a discourse in the meeting-house of the North Parish, it being the Second Centennial Anniversary of the landing of the Pilgrims at Plymouth. Text, Psalms xliv. 1-3.

1821, July 4. The first town-meeting was held in North Bridgewater this day. The meeting was opened by prayer by Rev. Daniel Huntington. Over two hundred were present, and the first yearly town officers were chosen. Joseph Sylvester was moderator. Col. Edward Southworth was chosen town clerk.

1821, October 31. Messrs. Daniel Temple, of Reading, Mass., and Isaac Bird were ordained as missionaries to the heathen, in the old meeting-house. Rev. Richard S. Storrs, D.D., of Braiotree, preached the sermon ; Rev. Daniel Thomas, of Abington, gave the charge ; and Rev. S. Green the right hand of fellowship. Mr. Temple married Miss Rachel B. Dix, of Boscowen, N. H., and sailed for Malta Jan. 2, 1822, on the brig " Cypress," from Boston. In 1823, Rev. Isaac Bird sailed for Beyroot as missionary. Mr. Temple has since died, Aug. 9, 1850.

1823, November 13. David Brown, a native of the Cherokee tribe of Indians, delivered an address in the meeting-house of the First Church, after which a collection was taken for supporting schools in his nation.

1835, November 6. Miss Susan Hersey, a young miss of sixteen, who resided in the family of Deacon John Crafts, was drowned in Howard's Pond.

1844, November 6. Hon. John Quincy Adams delivered a discourse to the citizens of North Bridgewater in the meeting-house of the First Congregational Church.

1847, August 14. Lorenzo D. Hervey had his left arm fractured by coming in contact with another train at South Boston, which was standing on a side track, his arm resting at the time on the side window.

1849, May 22. Ethan and Henry Leach (brothers) were thrown from a chaise while crossing the railroad at the burying-ground crossing, aud instantly killed.

1851, October 30. Timothy Sullivan was killed by couiinir in contact with a bridge at the north end of the village, known as " Harlow's Bridge."

1852, July 26. Eugene Marshall was a passenger on board the steamer " Atlantic," that sunk on Lake Erie. The steamer came in contact with the " Ogdensburg" near Longport, two o'clock Friday morning. Three hundred lives lost. One hundred and fifty men and women were drowned in the cabin. Mr. Marshall narrowly escaped drowning.

1853, February 5. George Wasliington, son of Levi French, was badly .scalded, injuring him so much that he died the next day (Sunday). Age, two years and ton months.

1853, February 26. Edward Elmer, son of Perez Marshall, was drowned while attempting to cross a pond near his father's house. Age, six years and live months.

1853, February. Eldridge G. Cobb, and one hundred and seven others, sent a petition to the Legislature opposing the passage of a law restricting the sale of intoxicating liqours.

1853, November 21. A collision took place between two trains of cars on the railroad, one of which was the steamboat train ; four persons severely injured. One died soon after.

1853. Alonzo S. Drisko, a workman ensiased in building the new house of worship for the First Congregational Church, had an arm broken by a board falling from aloft.

1854, March 18. Severe gale. Railroad-crossing sign at Court Street blown down. The steeple of the Porter Church was somewhat damaged by the force of wind, which was pretty general throughout this section of country.

Thermometer stood at ninety in the .shade. Hailstones as large as cherries fell in abundance. Zuphar Field's house struck. Cow belonging to Chandler Sprague, Esq., instantly killed.

1854, June 19. The house of Weaton Simmons, known as the " Poor Farm," was struck by lightning, instantly killing Lemuel Reyiiold.s, who had just stepped into the house for protection from the storm.

1855, September 20. Tu-day was observed as a holiday for the purpose of holding a fair to obtain means for erecting a fence around the new cemetery. A large and brilliant procession, consisting of the various fire-engine companies in full uniform, drawing their engines, handsomely decorated, preceded by a band of music ; also the North Bridgewater Light Dragoons, under the command of Capt. J. Freeman Ellis, together with a representation of the various trades in large numbers. The procession was formed at one o'clock, when, after marching about the various streets, they proceeded to Yale's mammoth tent, which had been erected for the purpose of serving the dinner, in a lot owned by Frederick Perkins, and opposite tlie residence of Franklin Ames, Ea(i. The procession was under the care of Francis M. French, Esq., as chief marshal.

By an act of the Legislature passed April 19, 1856, a Probate Court was established at North Bridgewater, to be held the last Tuesday of July in each year.

1856, June 3. The centennial celebration of the four Bridgewaters was held to-day, and the bells of all the four towns were rung half an hour before sunrise, and cannon fired on Trooper's Hill.

1856, June 4. A meeting was held to show the feeling in regard to the assault on Charles Sumner at Washington, at which resolutions were passed condemning the act in the strongest terms.

1857, January 18. Very severe snow-storm. Trains on the railroad were blocked for several days. The thermometer during the day was sixteen degrees below zero. The sky was obscured by a dense cloud of snow, that extended in every direction. At night the weather moderated ; but the wind increased to a gale, piling the snow in huge drifts. The storm in the night was of unexampled severity. The force of the wind caused the spire of the church at Campello, which had bceu erected but a short time, to break just below the clock, and the bell to break through the roof aud lodge in the vestry below. The damage to tlie hou^e by this fall was about three thousand dollars.

1857, April 6. Some fiend placed some iron rails upon the railroad track about one mile north of the village, causing the locomotive called the " Pilgrim" to run oflf the track aud injure the train, breaking Aldeu Reed's jaw-bone, an employe of the road in charge of the train.

1857, May 31. Terrible hail-storm, doing great damage to crops and fruit-trees in the town. Hailstones, as large as robin's eggs, fell to the depth of an inch, continuing about one-half hour.

1858, March 30. Emma Olivia, daughter of F. B. Washburn, was so severely burned while at play that she died in fifteen hours after. Age, seven years and eight months.

1858, September 21. Frank Richmond, son of Philo W. Richmond, broke his leg by falling from a ladder while at work painting on the east side of Kingman's brick block.

1859, June 3. Gershom I. Sylvester, son of F. M. Sylvester, seven years of age, was run over by cars near Keith's mills, and injured so that he died soon after.

1859, July 30. Mrs. Harriet Everson and Thacher Everson, wife and daughter of Joseph H. Everson, of Hanson, were killed by a locomotive near Keith's mills. George W. Monroe and Miss Sarah F. Stetson were in the covered wagon at the time and severely injured.

1859, September 9. Mr. Henry Volney French, who had just arrived at the depot in the Centre Village from New York, in the steamboat train, attempted to jump from the cars while the train was in motion, was thrown upon the track and run over by the train, and lived but two hours after the accident. Mr. French was of the firm of French & Howard, shoe manufacturers. He was a man of excellent luibits, smart, active, and very exemplary in all the w;j.lks of life. A deep feeling of sadness pervaded the entire community upon learning of the sad afiFair. His wife and children were absent from home at the time of the accident, in Maine.

1859, November 26. When the four o'clock truin was approaching Campello, and near the brick factory, from Boston, a woman named Joanna Barrett, in attempting to cross the track, was struck by the locomotive and injured so that she died in a few moments.

1860, August 2. A young child of Daniel Hayward, eighteen months old, fell from an attic of a twostory house to the ground, a distance of thirty feet, through the carelessness of a domestic ; taken up apparently uninjured.

1861. Mr. G. E. Wilbor and Thaddeus Keith made a bet on the election of Abraham Lincoln, Wilbor betting he would be elected and Keith that he would not ; the condition was that the one that lost wa.s to walk to Boston. Mr. Keith, having lost the bet, started for Boston March 6th, and walked the entire distance to the city in five hours. He was accompanied through the village by fife and drum.

1861, April 8. As Mrs. John Ellis and another lady were riding from North Bridgewater village to Campello, they were robbed of their pocket-books. The rogue was caught soon after, and punished.

1863, September 24.' William Tolman, son of Elijah Tolman, engineer at Ellis Packard & Co.'s steammill, had an arm broken and otherwise severely inj ured.

1863, October 20. Leroy Hamilton, a driver in the employ of Hancock's express, was struck by a locomotive while crossing the track at Elliot Street crossing. The wagon was made a complete wreck. Mr. Hamilton escaped with a few bruises only.

1864, September 26. A boy in the employ of Harrison Rogers was dragged about by a horse till life was extinct, by incautiously fastening the rope-halter around his arms. The horse became unmanageable, so the boy could not releiise himself.

1864. The drought of 1864 has had no parallel for years. For June and July only 2.38 inches of rain fell; May previous, only two inches; July, 1.32 inches ; June, 1.06 inches. In 1854, ten years in August previoas, there was no rain.

1864, January 3. The body of an unknown man was found on the railroad-track, about a half-mile south of Campcllo depot ; supposed to have fallen from the New York train. The body was terribly mangled, so that it could hardly be identified.

1864, October 27. Five cattle were killed by a Fall River train at Howard's crossing, in the north part of the town, and others badly injured.

1864. Adeline Harris was appointed teacher by the Freedmau's Relief Association, stationed at Newberne, N. C, and sailed from New York December 8th.

1816. Dwelling-house of Arza Keith partially burned ; caused while making varnish in one of the rooms. Mr. Keith was injured by inhaling smoke, from the effects of which he never recovered.

183G, March 6. Dwelling-house formerly belonging to Rev. Daniel Huntington, uiid occupied by Dr. A. K. Borden and George II. Brown, destroyed by fire.

1847, March 19. Store owned by George Clark destroyed by fire at eleven o'clock P.M. Also a dwelling-house belonging to Micah Packard nearly consumed at the same time.

1850, February 6. Ruel Richmond's wheelwrightshop consumed by fire at three o'clock a.m. Weather severely cold ; engines could not work well ; thermometer 6° below zero.

1853, March 31. The last and boot manufactory owned by Chandler Sprague, Esq., and formerly known as the " Old Cotton Factory," was totally destroyed by fire at half-past three o'clock a.m. Loss, 84000.

1853, May 23. The steam-mill connected with the furniture manufacturing establishment of Josiah W. Kingman, at Campello, took fire about a quarter to one o'clock p.m., communicating with the lumberyard and buildings around, destroying the dwellingbouse of Mr. Kingman, stable, warehouse, and finishing-shop, tiiree workshops belonging to the same, also the dwelling-house owned and occupied by Anson Morse, dwelling of David Allen, meeting-house, and fire-eugine-house belonging to Enterprise Engine Company, No. 2. Many other buildings took fire from these, but by the prompt and energetic working of seven different engines were saved from the devouring element. The loss by this fire was estimated at about $50,000, with a very small insurance, a severe loss to the village, besides throwing a large number of workmen out of employment.

1856, October 5. The grocery-store near the depot in the village, occupied by William H. Pierce, partly destroyed between two and three o'clock a.m.

1859, September 8. Dwelling-house and stable of Marcus Packard, on Mount Ashland, about eleven o'clock A.M. Loss, $9000. Also^ a lot of wood near by, caused by sparks from the same.

1860, October 19. Barn belonging to William F. Brett, containing thirty-two tons of hay and one cow, destroyed at twelve o'clock at night. Loss, $700.

1861, March 2. Barn belonging to Galen Packard, together with one horse and three cows, destroyed by fire about five o'clock A.M. Loss, 8600. No insurance.

Chapter Xv

Induatrial Slutiaties - Valuation for 1840 - Valuation for 1 350 - Valuation for 1860 - Products of 13-15 - InJuatned of I8ji - Manufacturing Stutiatica for 1805 - A^'ricultur.il Statistics for 1865 - Trades and Prufussions - Statistics of Labor for 1875 - Farming in 1875 - Statistics of Valuation iiiul Taxation for 1883 - Numberof Dwclling-Ilouses and Fuuiilios in the Nortb Parish, now llrockl4,n, in I7li4 - Pu|iulutiuu in 1810, 1820, 1830, 1840, 1850, 1855, 18C0.

Industrial Statistics. - The Legislature of Massachusetts, by an act passed April 19, 1837, required the assessors of the several towns in Massachusetts to return to the secretary of the commonwealth an accurate account of the various branches of industry. The following is the product of North Bridgewater (now Brockton) for 1837 :

Cotton-mill, 1 ; number of spindles, 350 ; cotton consumed, 16,000 pounds ; number of yards of cotton cloth manufactured, 60,000 ; value of the same, 84800; males employed, 3 ; females, 12; capital invested, 88666. Common sheep, 60 ; common wool produced, 210 pounds; average weight of fleece, 3; pounds; value of same, 884 ; capital invested, 8120. Boots manufactured, 79,000 pairs; shoes manufac tured, 22,300 pairs; value of boots and shoes, §184,- 2U0 ; males employed, 750 ; females, 375. II at manufactories, 1 ; hats manufactured, 2000 ; value of same,

SGOOO ; mules employed, 3 ; females, 3. Manufactories of Ibrks and hoes, 1; value of same, SIOOO; hands employed, 2 ; capital invested, 3400. Manufactories of chairs and cabinet-ware, 3 ; value of tlie same, §38,500 ; hands employed, 39. Value of wooden- ware manufactured, 300 ; hands employed, 1. Shoe-tool manufactories, 2 ; value of the same, SI 900 ; hands employed, 22 ; capital invested, 85000.

Valuation for 1840. - Number of polls over 16, 679 ; number of polls supported by the town, 5 ; nuiuber of polls not taxed, 20. Number of houses, 3SS ; number of shops adjoining, 153; number of warehouses, stores, etc., 6 ; number of barns, 264 ; all other buildings, 69. Tillage land, U63 acres ; English and upland mowing, 1043 acres ; tons of hay, 744 ; fresh meadow, 692 ; tons of hay on the same, 399 ; pasture, 2789 ; woodland, 2243 ; unimproved land, 2283 ; unimprovable land, 613 ; town land, 120 acres; roads, 245 acres; water, 20 acres. Horses, one year old and over ; oxen, four years old and over, 467 ; steers and heifers, 83 ; sheep, 22 swine, 314. Number of chaises, 47. Grist-mills, 3 saw-mills, 3; other mills, 1. Oats, 1063 bushels rye, 4U5 bushels; barley, 331 bushels; corn, 3833 bushels.

Products for 1845. - A census of the productions of the State, published in 1845, shows the product of North Bridgewater (now Brockton), Mass., as follows :

Establishments for the manufacture of chaises, wagons, sleighs, aud other vehicles, 3 ; value of carriages manufactured, $5200 ; capital, $1600 ; employ 8 men.

Manufacturing Statistics for 1865. - Gross value of mechanics' tools, 828,525 ; capital, ^4500 ; hands employed, 33. Number of tack and brad manufactories, 1 ; value of stock, 82000 ; capital invested, $2500 ; hands employed, 2. Melodeoii and oriran manufactories, 2; number of instruments manufactured, 70 ; value of the same, SGSlJO. Number of marble manufactories, 1 ; value of productions, 8G422 ; hands employed, 10. Number of cabinet manufactories, 1 ; value of goods manufactured, §.'10,000 ; capital invested, 815,000 ; hands employed, 3U. Number of pairs of boots manufactured, 103, 06G ; number of pairs of shoes manufactured, 1,009,700 ; hands employed, - males, 1059 ; females, 208 ; value of goods manufactured, 81,466,900. Number of blacking establishments, 3; hands employed, 8; value of stock, 825,808.97 ; value of blacking manufactured, 8 13,- 806.95; capital invested, $12,300. Number of shoe-last manufactories, 1 ; number of lasts manufactured, 48,000; value of the same, 812,000; capital invested, 810,000 ; hands employed, 12. Number of shoe-box manufactories, 1 ; value of boxes made, $9000 ; hands employed, 7 ; capital invested, $1000.

Agricultural Statistics of North Bridgewater (no'w Brockton) for 1865. - Cords of firewood cut, 3065 ; value of the same, 810,890. Acres of farming land, 3972 ; value of the same, including buildings, $255,184. Acres of improved land, 3761.

History Of Brockton

Trades and Professions. - The following list gives the Dumber of persons employed in the various trades and professions in North Bridgewater (now Brockton) as collected in 1855 :

Brockton Farms In 1875 Aobicultdrai. Products

Dwelling-Houses and Families in 1764. - An order was passed by the A.^beuJbly, Feb. 2, ITUi, directing the selectmen of each town and district to " take an exact account of the number of dwelliugliousos, families, aud people in their respective towns and districts, including Indians civilized, iiei,'roos, and mulattoes, as well as white people, aud females as well as mules."

History Of Brockton

In 1790 the first United States census was taken, since which time there has been a statement of the population every ten years, each one varying from the other in the system of classification.

ro])ulation in 1SB5, 6335. Number of dwellings, 1249. Number of families, 1391. Number of churches, 8. Number of school-houses, 15. Number of ratable |jolls, 1708. Number of legal voters, 13G2. Number of naturalized voters, 141.

Chapter Xvi

First Coverings for the Feet - Modern Shoes - Boot and Shoo Trade in New England - Store Trade in Masaaehusetta - Improvements in Manufacturing - Introduction of JIachinery - Early Shoe Manufacturers - Statistical Tables fur llrockton - Brockton as a Boot and Shoe Manufacturing City.

Boot and Shoe Manufacture. - This imptirtant industrial interest, having assumed such wonderful proportions, and towering as it does above all its compeers in magnitude and importance, deserves more than a passing notice. When we consider the amount of capital devoted to this branch of the meclianie arts, the energy and peraeverance of the leading men engaged iu the same, we cannot fail to give it a place amon<r the sreatcst of manufactures. It is a curious and interesting study to trace the variotis changes that have taken place in coverings fur the /i:i;t.

The first known to have been used were fifteen hundred years before Christ, and the first or oldest form was the sandal. Those used by the poorer classes cousisted of flat slices of the palm-leaf, lapped in the centre, forming the sole, and a double band of twisted leaves secured and strengthened the edge. A thong of strong fibres of the same plant was aflixed to each side of the instep, and was secured round the foot, while those of the wealthy classes were luaJe of leather, and frequeotly lined with cloth, tlie point or end turning up like a pair of modern skates. Specimens of these sandals, made of leaves or papyrus, are now ou exhibition in the British Museum. Among the Hebrews, shoes were often made of wood, and those for soldiers of brass or iron. Among the Greeks and Romans the use of shoes was not common, and the Spartan youths were early taught to go barefooted, females only being allowed to wear shoes.

From the earliest days there has always been a great diversity of style in the different periods of time. The Lacademonians wore red shoes. Roman senators and patricians wore high, black, laced buskins, with ornaments of ivory. Some were made with tops of great length, to cover the legs, and were called boots, the tops often being made of skins of wild animals laced up in front, great care being taken to procure an exact fit.

The Jews commonly went without covering for the feet, except when on very long journeys it became necessary to wear something, - in such cases sandals, made simply of a sole with one or two straps across the instep, heels being seldom used.

During the reign of Edward the Third of England, those that worked at the shoe-trade were denominated the " gentle craft," as they produced shoes of the most gorgeous descriptions ; the greatest variety of pattern was devised and the richest contrast of color elaborated. Coming down to the reign of Richard the Second, boots and shoes were made of great length, so that they were chained to the knee of the wearer with gold and silver straps or cord. This fashion was iu use till Parliament, in 14G3, forbade shoemakers making points on shoes over two inches long for tlie unprivileged classes under penalty of twenty shillings, and for those that wore them excommunication was denounced against any persons wearing such. This move had the effect to widen the toes to such an absurd extent that Queen Mary limited the width to six inches.

During the reign of Charles the First, in the sixteenth century, boots were made of elegant Spanish buff leather, with tops of such enormous dimensions as to obstruct walking with ease. The distinguishing mark of gentility during the reign of George the First and Second was red heels. The ladies wore silk or velvet in preference to leather, and the favorite color was figured blue silk, with bright red heels and silver buckles. In 1790 the low, flat slipper was introduced, and the shoe-buckle disappeared and the plain shoe-string was introduced. The Prince of Wales endeavored to preserve the use of the

The shoes of the Oriental ladies are highly ornamented, the covering being wrought with gold, silver, and silk, and set with jewels. The sahot is a shoe peculiar to France, and is made of wood, very clumsy, but warm and comfortable.

Of all the varieties of shoes none are so curious as the Chinese, none are so costly or elaborate, and none so unnatural. Their feet are kept bandaged from their infancy, so that when they arrive at maturity they are enabled to wear shoes of three or four inches in length, which are usually made of beautiful silk.

Of the boots and shoes of modern days, those manufactured in America excel all others in style and variety of kinds. The celebrated gaiter-boot inaugurated a new era in coverings for the feet, and its introduction is attributed to the Countess of Blessiiigton ; but owing to the labor of lacing and unlacing, holes wearing out, breaking off, etc., these gave way to the elastic gaiter, which has been universally adopted and approved. The Americans are rapidly securing to themselves a superiority over ail other nations in this most important of manufacturing interests, and they are now regarded as the manufacturers of the world. American ingenuity and skill has couiplctcly rivaled the best specimens of Parisian handicraft, and the importation of French gaiters has nearly ceased. Narrowing our limits down to home interests, we may safely say that the highest perfection of this branch of the mechanic arts has been attained in Massachusetts.

Early in the seventeenth century the Lords of Trade reported to Parliament that the greater portion of leather used within the province was made in Massachusetts. During the war of the Revolution, Massachusetts supplied large quantities of shoes fur the array, and during the late Rebellion she supplied the demand of the government.

The boot and shoe trade of New England is of modern date. Previous to the war of 1S12, those engaged in shoemaking consisted of the " village cobbler," and those whose custom it was to travel from house to house and place to place, to repair and make shoes for the families, enough to last them till he came around again, which was usually once a year. Shoes were not made up in large quantities as at the present time, and it was by degrees that the shoemakers procured a little leather and made it into shoes, and bartered them at a neighboring store fur groceries, or exchanged them with the tanners for

The store trade of Massachusetts may be said to have begun in or about 1818, when the first cargo of shoes and boots was shipped to New York to Messrs. Spofford & Tileston, boot .ind shoo jobbers. The trade has since continued to increase, till it now forms oue-third part of the total maimfucturing power of the country. Nearly every small country town in New England does something in the manufacture of boots and shoes, and it has been estimated that every eighth man is a shoemaker.

The shoes that were made previous to 1818 were mostly of the sewed kind, until a patent was obtained for riveting the uppers to the bottoms, a steel plate having been used for that purpose. Then came wooden pegs, said to have been first used by Joseph Walker, of Hopkinton, Mass. Soon after pegs had come into common use, it produced a great revolution in the manufacture of sale work. Women and boys were employed to peg shoes that could not so well be employed on sewed work, and hence the number of shoemakers increased very fast. If we stop to consider the great improvements made in the manufacture of sale work by machinery, we cannot fail to see that it has become one of the most important of business pursuits. We now find, instead of the manufacturers sending out leather to make into shoes, as in former times, large numbers of men are engaged in making shoes in the manufacturing shops by the different machines that are in use, of which there is a great variety. Instead of cutting leather with a hand-kuife, it is now cut with dies, propelled either by machinery or by hand ; and in place of the uppers being sewed by hand as they were formerly, machines do the work nicer and much quicker. Then wc have the patent last-holder, for assisting in the process of lasting the shoes ; from this the shoe passes to the pegging-machine, where, in an almost incredible time, the shoe is pegged ; from thence the shoe is passed to the leveling machine, which is a powerful engine for rubbing down the bottoms. Then the shoe is handed from one person to another to do the different parts, of finishing the edges, and grinding the bottoms, putting on of heels, etc. After they are finished, by grinding the bottoms, they are colored and tied in pairs, or placed in single pairs in a paper box, and packed in cases for shipment. We have already seen that shoemaking and manufacturing are not what they were once. Manufacturing shops, instead of being small buildings, having a few cutters only, are now large and commodious buildings, several stories high, filled with machinery of different kinds, and propelled by steampower. In one room, usually the ba.sement, is the steam-boiler and engine, and machines for cutting sole-leather, rolling it and cutting out the soles at a single stroke. In another loft the leather is secured to the last, and the outer soles prepared for the pegging operation. This machine is supplied with a thin strip of wood, like a watch-spring, its width being the length of the peg. From the coil at each revolution of the machine, a peg is clipped, that falls into a cell, ready to be introduced by its next movement into its place in the shoe. The pegs are thus produced at the rate of fourteen in a second.

With the recent introduction of machinery there has been an increase in the amount of goods, with less help than formerly was required on the same quantity of goods.

The shoe manufacture in this town has become the prominent business of the town, giving employment to a large number of persons, both male and female. It commenced and became one of the leading branches of business previous to the incorporation of the town.