Sherborn Town

Sherborn Town

HERBORN is one of the older towns in the county, and forms a portion of its southern border, being separated by Charles River from Dover and Medfield in the county of Norfolk on the east ; on the south is Medway, in the same county. HoUiston and Ashland bound it on the west, Framingham on the north, and Natick on the north and northeast. Tlie township now contains about 10,000 acres, and its extreme length from north to south is something more than six miles, and from east to west about four and one half miles. Originally the territory was very much larger, but it was reduced by the formation of new towns. The population is about 1,000. It is situated some twenty miles W. S. W. of Boston, witii whicii it has easy communication by the Mansfield and Framinglianr Railroad, whicli passes thnui-li the lowii fmni south to north, ami connects with the I'xislou and Albany Railroad at South F ranini-li;nn.

The name of the town \v:is aiicicnily wrillcn Sherborne, and sometimes Shrailmi'ii, Shcrbnru, and Sherburne. The latter \\;is the must acecptable, and finally became its piTuiauciit dcsignalion for many years; and the action of a jjortion of the inhabitants in presenting a petition to the General Court in 1852, to change the name to Sherborn, has since been much regretted. The chief ground of this action was a supposition that Sherborn, in Dorsetshire, England, was the original home of some of the first settlers. It was a town anciently distinguished as the site of a monastery, and as a place of burial for some of the Saxon kings ; and at a later day as" the spot where the prime nobility met William, Prince of Orange, and welcomed him to the throne of England. But the best authorities spell the name of this Dorsetshire town "Sherborne"; and in the usual confirmation, by the General Court, of the grant of land for a township, " it is ordered tliat the name of the towne be Slierborne." And wherever the town is mentioned in the rerords of the General Court of the colony it is called Sill rborne. It would, therefore, have been more s;iiisfactory, if an alteration must be made at all, to have had the new name wholly correct.

Grants of land by the General Court to individuals were commenced as early as 1643, and were Clint iniied at intervals for thirty years; but al\va\s suhjcci to the rights of the Indians (Nipmnck-i. wlin ivccived payment and gave deeds for all the land included in the township. Few if any of these grantees occupied their land. The first transfer to actual settlers of land "lying in the woods on the west side of Charles River, three miles from Natick," was made May 3, Ifloii, 0. S. Immediately after, Nicholas Wood and Thomas

Holbrooke took possessiou and commenced their labors. They were soon followed b}' Henry Layland, Benjamin Bullard, George Fairbank, John Hill, Thomas Breck, and Daniel Morse. Most of these persons were men of substance, of strong, determined character, hardy, and not easily discouraged, as the event proved. Many of their names still live in the persons of their descendants, who are found among the prominent citizens 'of Sherborn at this day. And they required all the energy and endurance of which man is capable to subdue tlie wild lands " in the wilderness beyond Medfield," and to protect themselves against the lurking Indian. For although the Nipmuck Indians who inhabited this portion of the colony had been treated fairly in the purchase of their lands, and were at first friendly, they were afterwards influenced and controlled by King Philip with disastrous results to the settlers.

These first residents settled in the south and southeast parts of Sherborn, which then included a portion of the present eastern part of Medway. The Indian name for the locality was Boggestow ; it is perpetuated in the name of a meadow, pond, and brook. In various petitions to the governor of the colony and the General Court, the settlers termed themselves " inhabitants of Bogistow," and " inhabitants and proprietors of lands at or near Boggestow."

Although living remote from "Medfield and not included within its bounds, the Boggestow people obtained privileges there, and also enrolment and taxation as her citizens ; and for some twenty-five years the births and deaths in their families were there recorded.

But at length, as tlie number of settlers increased, and the farms were growing into better condition, a petition signed by fourteen inhabitants was presented "to the mucli lionored General Court, 7 of 3 mo. 1663," praying for " liberty to be a Towne of ourselves with such otiiers as may be admitted to our Society hereafter." Tiie General Court appointed a committee " to view the place and return their apprehensions." The result appears to have been unfavorable, as notiiing more is found concerning tlie petition. But the colony remained, for these were men not easily daunted when they had once determined to subdue the forest, and to form a community of their own. They were strengthened by the addition from time to time of new residents, until in the year lG7-i, when the settlement was twenty-two years old, the number of families amounted to twenty. The long-cherished plan of forming a new town and church was then revived, and urged by a second generation of planters. Joseph Morse, a son of Daniel, was prominent in preparing a new petition "To the Honoured Gov. & Deputy Gov., with the rest of the assistants and deputyes of tiie Generall Court of his Majesty's Colony, of tiie Massachusetts," October 7, 1674. This petition represents that there are " neere twenty families already settled on farmes .... in this part of the wilderness called Boggestow, & neere thereunto, besides some other farmes, not yet Improved, lying between the bounds of Naticke & Meadfeild, & upon the west of both, which probably may shortly be emprooved also." It also states that " amongst other difficultyes," the petitioners " have not found it our least to goe to- meeting on the Lord's day unto Meadefeild, by reason not only of the distance from theare, and the leaving of severall at home, but also in regard of the difficulty in passing over the water betwext, in winter seasons & times of floods, which sometimes prooves hazardous to health & life ; wherefore for our releife herein, and that wee may not wholly omit our duty what in us lyetli to spread the Gospel in this wildernesse, .... & for the better regulating of affayres amongst us, we your petitioners do humbly crave the favorable help of this Honoured Court." It then asks that a tract of land, six miles square, may be " made a

The jietition w-as granted October 21, and the town named Sherborne, on the condition " tliat a farm of two hundred acres of land be - reserved for the country, that no land shall be allotted to any but actual settlers, and that no man shall receive above fifty acres till there be twenty new families settled there, and then the whole that is free to be disposed of as the major part of the inhabitants capable by law to vote shall judge meet."

The form of this new township was very irregular. It has been aptly compared to a hand-card, with its handle about one mile wide, between Natick and Medfield, and with its blade west of those towns, extending nortii to Sudbury Eiver, and south to Charles River and the north line of Bellingliam, then a part of Dediiam. It included much territory which has since been assigned to new towns. As soon as practicable, negotiations were held with Major Gookin and Rev. Jolin Eliot, in behalf of the Natick Indians, for an exchange of land with them. This exchange was completed in 1679, and the township thus rendered more compact. The negotiations were commenced in 1675; but a terrible calamity suspended the work for two years, and paralyzed every effort that was not required for self-preservation. This was nothing less than tJie horrors of an Indian war.

The inhabitants first "assembled for the ordering the aflairs of Shearborn,^' on January 4, 1674 - 75, fourteen persons being present ; and the records of the town then commence. A committee was chosen to view the land granted by the General Court for a township, and to lay out the same ; and another committee to treat with the Natick Indians for the desired exchange of lands. Only one other townmeeting was held for about two years, and that was in March, 1676, for the transaction of indispensable business.

At this time Philip, the great sachem of the Wampanoags, was on the war-path, scattering fire and death wherever he went; and the consternation excited in the minds of the settlers was something of which we can have no adequate idea. The rapidity of the movements of the Indians through the by-paths, the thickets, and the forests, with which they were perfectly familiar, their stealthy advances, their sudden appearances, and violent murderous attacks as they swooped down on a village or a settlement, caused them to be peculiarly dreaded by a people who were wholly unaccustomed to this savage mode of warfare. Moreover, as Philip truly stated in a paper which he left on a portion of the bridge between Medfield and Boggestow, destroyed by him on the retreat following his desperate assault on the former town, "the Indians lose nothing but tlieir lives. You must lose your fair houses and cattle." The fear of so much loss undoubtedly added to tlie pangs of dread for tiie loss of life; for tlieir farms were of little use in this wilderness without their buildings and cattle. His bold threat in the same paper tliat tlie Indians " will war tiiis twenty-one years if you will," dirt not give them much hope for the future, although, as Hubbard quaintly observes, Philip fell short of this time by more than nineteen years. l?ut of his early death, efl'ected by a party under Captain Church, tlie colonists could then know nothing, and they had oidy the jirospect of continual watchfulness and defence for an indefinite period. During the known ))resence of the enemy in the vicinity, the jjcople all retreated to the garrison-houses, of which there were two,^ and lived there. Many remained for a long time, and there some of their children were born. One of these garrisons was the house of Daniel Morse, Sr., near the present road from Sherborn to Dover, and not far from Charles Eiver; and the other on the farm of Benjamin Bullard, near the present boundary line between Sherborn and Medway, and also near Charles Eiver. The latter was attacked by the enemy on February 21, 1676, the same day that Medfield was burned, and after their retreat from that jjlace. This garrison was made with great care and strength, and resisted the assaults of the Indians, some of whom were picked off by shots fired through the admirably arranged loop-holes. Finding their efforts vain, they next attempted to burn the building by pushing down the declivity above it a cart of burning flax. Destruction now seemed imminent ; but fortunately the progress of the cart was arrested by a rock, still to be seen, and the lives of the garrison saved. Some writers place the date of this attack at a later day, in May, but Hubbard, who wrote about 1677 - 78, is probably better authority. The only other concerted attack by the Indians was made either in May or July following (writers differing as to date), when they met with such a notable repulse that " they never dared to show their faces there afterwards.'" But there were single attacks by scattered Indians, and some deaths occurred among the whites. These were troublous times, and tried to the utmost the nerve and endurance of our ancestors. They never meditated a retreat from their possessions, but resolutely adhered to every means of defence, and were obliged to be watchful against surprise for a long time, not knowing the day nor the hour when they migiit be again attacked by their treacherous foe. Philip commanded not only his own tribe, but also Indians of other tribes, whom he had persuaded to enlist in his attempt to extinguish the new settlements of English people. Some of these Indians had hitherto been friendly to the whites, and among them the Nipmucks, who inhabited this and the neighboring region of country. Says S. G. Drake,^ " These were the most distressing days that New England ever beheld. Town after town fell a sacrifice to their fury. All was fear and consternation. Few there were who were not in mourning for some near kindred, and nothing but horror stared them in the face." But after the death of Pliilip in August, 1676, altliough tiie Lidians still made hostile demonstrations, their power was broken; and early in 1677 the colonists began to resume their usual occupations. The inhabitants of Sherborn again took up their negotiations with the Natick Indians for the desirable and important exchange of lands. This exchange, as before mentioned, was not fully completed and an agreement signed until April, 1679.

The town being now laid out in better form, means for the trausaction of the public business being established, the officers chosen, and a social compact adopted, the inhabitants next turned their attention more fully to the preparations for stated public worship. Of this they deeply felt the need, and this had been one of their strong arguments for incorporation as a town. Steps had previously been taken towards the selection of a location for a meeting-house, and a lot of land had been staked out. But this location \vas unsatisfactory to many of the people, and after much discussion it was finally removed to a spot near the site of the meeting-house of the present First Parish, \vhich consequently became the centre of the town. It has remained to the present day the site of a meetinghouse, and about it arc clustered the other public buildings of the town. But it was only after much controversy, and an appeal to the General Court, tliat the business was settled. The court felt obliged at last to place the town under the guardianship of a committee " to order and governe the prudentialls of the said towne for three years." The town dutifully submitted, and the differences were gradually adjusted. Other differences between inhabitants, concerning secular matters, had been settled by arbitration or by the decision of a committee of the General Court, so that this action of the court in taking the whole charge of the business of the town, through a committee, did not seem unreasonable to them ; and it certainly was preferable to a prolonged litigation.

One of the inhabitants. Sergeant (afterwards Lieutenant) Edward West, was accustomed to act as a lay preacher before the settlement of a minister. At a later day, in 1691, he was appointed the first schoolmaster of the town. Public worship was held at the house of Captain Joseph Morse in the south part of the town, and was continued there for a considerable time, until the

After various efforts and much delay Mr. Daniel Gookin, a graduate and fellow of Harvard College, and a son of Major-General Gookin of Cambridge, was ordained as their pastor, March 26, 16S5. He had previously been an assistant to the Apostle Eliot in the Indian mission at Natick, and received warm commendation from that eminent man. His lectures at Natick were delivered first to the English, and then " the same matter is delivered to the Interpreter, whom, with much pains, Mr. Cooking had fore-prepared." He continued this work among the Indians after his settlement at Sherborn, and in fact during the greater part of his life. He appears to have been a man of more than common ability, and constantly labored for the good of his people and of the Indians. He died January 8, 1717-18, in the sixty-eighth year of his age, having continued for about thirty-four years the minister of Sherborn.

The preamble to a certain petition presented by the inhabitants of Sherborn to the General Court about 1698 well represents the religious spirit that annnated the early settlers. It says : " In the first beginning and settlenaent of the town of Sherborn, the only and principall benifitt and previlege which the ancient inhabitants [then known by the name of Bogastow, near Medfield] did propose to themselves was to have the meeting-house near to them." And this same feeling was dominant in the minds of that people for many years. They considered it their greatest privilege to be near enough to the meeting-house to be able to attend the services regularly.

The extensive territory of the town made it sometimes difficult for those near its borders to attend these stated religious exercises. And as the number of inhabitants in these localities increased by the addition of new settlers, a spirit of uneasiness began to appear, and also a desire to form themselves into new towns with privileges of their own. Objections arose on the part of other inhabitants as to the mode or place of division, or to any division whatever. The older townsmen naturally desired to increase rather than diminish their population, and also to retain all the tax-payers possible. When, therefore, seventeen families residing on Sherborn Row, in the north part of the town, some adjoinhig Mr. Danforth's farms ^ and others holding leases from liim, made propositions for separation in order that they miglit join the inhabitants of " Framlingham plantations " in efforts for the formation of a new town, there was great opposition to the project. A long and serious controversy ensued with regard to the payment of rates, and to the jurisdiction, as when Framingham was incorporated, in the year 1700, the rights of Slierborn were reserved. The bounds of Sherborn in that direction appear not to liave been well defined, and the right of territory thus became involved and uncertain. The contest continued for several years, and until settled, June 16, 1710, by the General Court, which annexed tlie seventeen families permanently to Framingham and made to Sherborn, as an equivalent for the loss, a grant of four thousand acres of land west of Mendon. We have not space to write further of this memorable controversy, which excited deep feeling for many years and stirred the whole community to its foundation.

The next great civil question was one concerning the accommodation with religious privileges of the inhabitants " Wlio are Dwellers on ye West side of Dopjjing Brook " ; but this appears to have been settled amicably. At first, representations were made in tlie town-meetings (where for many years both parish and town business was transacted) of tiie difficulty n'ith wiiicii some of the western inhabitants of the town could attend public worship, " the said town being near 12 miles long, and the meeting-house situated at the Easterly End." The remaining residents were disposed to accommodate their distant bretliren, and once passed a vote (March 6, 1723) to build a meeting-house in a more central location, " so that tiie town remain together for the strengthening thereof." But it was afterwards decided tliat this would not meet the objections " in consideration that the Form and Situation of the Town is so ill convenient that one meeting-house Cannot be so placed as to Suit tlie Wiiole town, but fiiat in time there will be need of two to accommodate the Inhabitants." It was then voted to build a new meeting-house on or near tiie old sjiot ; ' and on motion of some of tlie principal western inliabitants it was also voted to remit to them tlieir proportion of the £ iCifl granted for that purpose in anticipation ol' thr liiiii' ulicn they should build a meeting-house of their nwii, they agreeing at the same time to do all otlier " publick Duty to the town as heretofore till the

Genii. Court Shall Set us off"." The latter event was soon brouglit about. After a petition to the General Court, a committee of that body was chosen to view the premises, and make inquiry into the matter. Tiie report was favorable, and tiie western precinct was incorporated by a bill passed December 3, 1724, under the name of Holliston.

No other important event occurred for many years. The year 1754 was remarkable by tlie invasion of an uncommon disease, called in Slierborn the " Memorable Mortality," and in Holliston the " Great Sickness." Nearly thirty lives were lost in Sherborn by its ravages, - a serious and alarming inroad on its still small population.

In 1770 it was found that the meeting-house must be enlarged, and " this was done by sawing the house in two in the middle, moving the western half to the distance desired, and connecting the two parts together by a new piece."

We now approach a time of great trial to our colonists, not only in this town, but in all the towns in this province, and in all the English provinces in this country. The oppressive exactions of the mother country were becoming too onerous to be borne, and the people began seriously to consider the necessity of throwing off the yoke. Sherborn was ready now, as ever, to do its part in contributing men and means to support the great struggle for what it deemed to be just and right. .\s early as 1774 a committee of correspondence was chosen, committees also to attend the county conferences at Concord and Cambridge, and to procure a field-piece. Three cannon, procured by the latter committee instead of a six-pounder, were accepted by the town, and it was voted " that the committee prove them at the town's expense, and fire the biggest as soon as may be, with all the necessaries that may be needed." Many other votes were afterwards passed, showing that the people were animated to a high degree with the spirit which finally achieved the independence of the colonies. In 1776 it was voted to extend relief to the poor of Boston, then besieged by the enemy, and to find places for them to live in. A company of minute-men was raised, and £8 granted to provide ammunition for the cannon. As soon as the news reached tiiis town of the conflict at Lexington, on the lOtli of yVpril, 1775, the minute-men proved themselves worthy of their title by marching immediately to meet the assailants, and the rest of the able-bodied men, of all ages, followed with all possible alacrity. But the distance was so greatj and the route of the enemy so uncertain, that they had not the satisfaction of meeting and lielping to chastise them. They, hoAvever, furnished their quota to assist in besieging Boston, and a number of them displayed their heroism in tlie battles of Bunker Hill, White Plains, and Brandywine. Seven brothers, the sons of Mr. Samuel Clark, enlisted as soldiers, and served, on an average, over three years per man.

In May, 1776, the town voted, that if Congress decided to declare the colonies independent of Great Britain, the people would, with their lives and fortunes, endeavor to support them in that measure. And Daniel Whitney, their representative, was instructed to act accordingly. When the question of the adoption of the Federal constitution arose, Sherborn sent Daniel Whitney to the convention held in Boston in 1788, with general instructions, but also with full confidence in his judgment to act for the right. And that honorable member was one of the majority who voted in favor of this great charter of our freedom.

In 1781 an entry, found in the town records, states that the salary of Eev. Elijah Brown for one year, ending March 1, 1781, was £73 6«. 8^/., "equal to £2,933 64. 8c/. continental currency." This shows the depreciation which the latter had sutt'ered, and that it took more than £ 40 of that currency to equal £ 1 of sound money. It is a powerful argument against the establishment of an irredeemable currency.

Early in the present century, when our national honor and our authority on the high seas were invaded, Sherborn accepted her share of the work, and made preparations as soon as a conflict was threatened, and before hostilities had commenced. In 1814', when an actual call for men was expected, allowances were granted to them, and some soldiers from tlie town performed duty in the forts in Boston harbor.

In February, 1830, a portion of the inhabitants, desiring a form of worship and belief different from that then prevailing, requested of the projDcr authority that " a warrant may be issued, in due form of law, for the purpose of forming a second religious Congregational Society in said town." These petitioners comprised a majority of the church, but a minority of the congregation. They retained the forms of government and belief of the original Puritan church of 1685. They immediately organized, and during the same year erected a meeting-house not far distant from that of the First Parish.

The First Parish also felt the need of a new edifice, as the old one had been in use for more than a century. And during the same year, 1830, they proceeded to build a meeting-house nearly on the same spot that had always been occupied for that purpose. On December 26 public worship was attended for the last time in the old church, and an interesting and instructive sermon was given by the pastor. Rev. Amos Clarke. On the 29th of the same month the new church was solemnly dedicated to the service of God.

The meeting-house of the Second Parish was also completed during the year 1830, and dedicated November 4. Its first pastor. Rev. Samuel Lee, was installed on the same day, and remained in charge of the church and society until 1836, when he was succeeded by Rev. Daniel T. Smith. The latter was obliged to retire, after a service of [ about two years, on account of ill health. Rev. Edmund Dowse, a native of Sherborn, was then invited to assume the pastoral charge, and he has served from 1838 to the present time. But few instances of so long a pastorate can be found in our day, and only one in the entire history of this town. Perhaps there is not one other that has occurred in the birthplace of the pastor. The twenty-fifth anniversary of the settlement of Mr. Dowse w'as celebrated with appropriate ceremonies. On the approach of the fortieth anniversary his many friends aTid parishioners desired to recognize his long and useful service, and at the same time to off'er to their pastor a fitting memorial of their confidence and esteem. They therefore resolved to celebrate the event October 10, 1878. The services were held in the meeting-house, and were deeply impressive and interesting. A large number of clerical friends and old parishioners were present, in addition to the residents in the town, and the celebration was entirely successful.

In 1859 the church-building was found to be insufficient for the accommodation of the parish, and it was enlarged and wholly remodelled so as to make substantially a new and commodious edifice of tasteful appearance. It was dedicated November 29, of the same year. In 1875, in accordance with a petition, the name of the Second Parish was fixed by the legislature, and it is now known as the Pilgrim Church and Society of Sherborn.

cessors were the Eev. Daniel Baker, Eev. Samuel Porter, Eev. Samuel Locke, D. D., afterwards president of Harvard College, Eev. Elijah Brown, Eev. S. B. Townsend, Eev. Amos Clarke, Eev. Eichard C. Stone, Eev. Tlieodore H. Dorr, Eev. William Brown, Eev. Alfred E. Mullett, aud Eev. Eugene de Normandie, the present pastor. Among these were strong, able men, highly esteemed in their day and generation. Eev. Samuel Porter was interested in agriculture and horticulture, and the well-known Porter apple was discovered on liis land and was named for him, a worthy memorial of his love for trees and gardens. Tlie stump of the original tree was -standing not many years since on his farm in the centre of the town.

In the year 1847 a very large gathering of the Leland family was held, descendants of Henry Laylaud, one of the earliest settlers of Sherborn, and who now comprise a large proportion of its population. A mammoth tent was required to contain all who desired to attend. It was a higlily interesting occasion. A granite monument to their common ancestor, suitably inscribed, was dedicated to his memory on the same day by his grateful descendants. It stands at the north side of the Common.

From the earliest times Sherborn has set apart portions of land for use as cemeteries. In general these lots were bare and uninviting spots, devoid of beauty or attraction, as was often the case in New England towns. Before the middle of the present century the subject of a more modern rural cemetery was seriously considered and finally urged by some of the inhabitants, prominent among whom was the lamented Dr. Oliver Everett, the beloved and respected physician of the town, from 1825 until near the close of the year 1851. A location was most judiciously chosen by him on Pine Hill, near the centre of the town, and still sufficiently secluded from public view. An association was formed, and the grounds were laid out with much taste by Captain Jacob Pratt, who had a deep interest in the work, and had also selected the same spot i'ndcpcndently of Dr. Everett. On May 19, 185ii, Pine Hill Cemetery was consecrated with suitable exercises, an address being given by Eev. Edmund Dowse. Dr. Everett was one of tiie first to be buried in the cemetery lie iiad advocated. It has always been a source of interest and satisfaction to the people. The remains of some of the older ministers of tlie town have been

In ancient times, and even to a comparatively recent date, the stated meetings of the inliabitants for the transaction of tiie business of tiie town were held in the public meeting-house which belonged to the town. The business of both town and parish was performed in tlie same meeting, and the town records contained also the records of the parish until August, 1809.

In the year 1836 the town purchased-of the proprietors the academy building, and the public townmeetings were held in it for several years. This building had finally become old and worn, and also of insufficient size, and it was evident that better accommodations must be provided. But before any definite action w'as taken the proposition of the executors of Thomas Dowse, hereafter described, was received and accepted, and their consent obtained to invest the amount in a new town-house which should contain a suitable room for the use of the proposed high school. Thus was the town providentially aided in a highly important work, only a small additional sum being required to complete the building. It stands on the old site of the school-house, at the southeasterly side of the Common. It is a neat structure of sufficient capacity for the wants of the town for many years, and contains a large hall for meetings and lectures, a good school-room, and a room for the public library, besides convenient anterooms. It was dedicated, with a])propriate ceremonies, December 23, 1858.

For many years there had been a library in the town, owned by an association of individuals, and at ji later date an agricultural library. After the passage of an act by the legislature, allowing towns to establish libraries, the members of these associations expressed a willingness to present their collections to the town to form the nucleus of a public library. The proposition being favorably cjitertained, the associations presented a jjetilion to the town at a regular meeting held March 5, 1860, for the establishment of a public library, accompanied with the ofl'er of the gift of both libraries (comprising 573 volumes), provided it would comply with the request and conform to the full provisions of the state law on the subject. The town cordially granted the petition, and made an appropriation for the eslablishinent of the library. It was opened for the use of the inliabitants in the following month of June. Annual grants of nioaev bv the town have secured the addition of new books, and great satisfaction has been derived by the citizens from this popular institution. April 1, 1879, the whole number of volumes was 2,500. This small town deserves credit for its early adoption of the law for the establishment of town libraries, and it takes pride and pleasure in this important aid to education.

The year 1861 arrived, and the black clouds hurrying across the national sky portended a convulsion of no common character. Civil war was upon us with all its great labors and trials and sacrifices. Sherborn had always done her duty in great emergencies ; she did it now. As early as May 1, 1801, at a town-meeting called for the purpose, a committee was chosen to prepare patriotic resolutions, which were unanimously adopted. Dr. Loring, in his bi-centennial address, thus eloquently discourses of the part borne by tlie town : " Eightytwo of your citizens were enrolled in the army. Large sums were expended in bounties to the soldiers, partly contributed by private liberality, and partly drawn from tiie treasury of the town. Your charities were unbounded. Individual and associated efibrt was unremitting in smoothing the rugged pathway of the soldier, in providing for those whom he had left behind, and in alleviating liis toil on the field and his sufferings in hospital and camp. From your fireside to every battle-field was stretched the silver cord of affection and solicitude, bringing close to your hearts every great event of tlie sublime period, and binding your familiar and household names to every far-off' spot in our land, which the war clotiied with immortal reason ; for your sous were on every field, your blood was spilled in almost every conflict. The sacrifices which you made were great. Of those who went forth, nineteen laid down their lives in their country's service, defending the flag on many a hardfought field."

When the first grant of land was made to the inhabitants, a tract of fifty acres was appropriated for tlie support of a free school for the use of the English and Indian children. " At first the work of teaching was performed in the several families or in some private house wliere the children of the settlement were assembled for that purpose." ^ As before mentioned, Edward West was chosen schoolmaster. " He appears to have been a man of superior education, whom the people desired to retain in the settlement, and to whom they offered special inducements to remain." In 1727 a vote was passed "to build a sciiool-house 18 feet wide & 20 ft. long, and to set it on ileettinghouse common on tiie Southeasterly side of the Meetinghouse." The school lands were sold during the next year to defray the expense of this structure. And this spot remained as the site of a building used either wholly or in part for school purposes for nearly one hundred and fifty years.

In addition to the common schools with which tiie town has always been provided, there has usually been, for the last one hundred years, a school of advanced grade for instruction in the higher branches and in the classics, kept by Rev. Dr. Locke, Rev. Elijah Brown, Rev. Amos Clarke, and others. And at a still later period there were occasional terms of private select school. Many of the citizens felt the need of a more permanent school of tiiis character, and efforts were made from time to time to establish it, but without success. They therefore received witli great satisfaction and gratitude, in the year 1858, the proposition of the executors of the will of Thomas Dowse, to convey to the town the sum of S 5,000 in trust, for the support of a high school which should furnish to the youth of the town tlie means for study of the higher Euglish branches, and also those which are required in preparation for entering college.

Thomas Dowse was a leather-dresser, and resided in Cambridgeport during nearly the whole of a long life. He was a thorough workman, and attentive to his business, but had also a taste for science and literature. He gradually accumulated a fine library of valuable books, which were elegantly bound, and thus satisfied his critical eye by their appearance. His library was his treasure, but iiis books were not kept for show. He was well acquainted with their contents, and passed most of his leisure time among them. Altiiough not a native of Sherborn, he passed much time there during his boyhood. His father also resided in the town for several years. A portion of his estate was wisely left to his executors in trust, to be bestowed according to their judgment, for scientific and literary purposes. In consideration of his family connection with this town, and also of the fact that many relatives bearuig his name still resided here, the executors, through Mr. George Livermore of Cambridge, one of their number, deemed it appropriate that the town siiould be the recipient of a portion of the means for usefulness and improvement contemplated by the donur. Hence this acceptable bequest, which will always remain as a memorial of the practical benevolence of Thomas Dowse. The Dowse Institute, in the cit}' of Cambridge, is another result of the judicious and thoughtful action of the executors.

The school was opened and its first term commenced March 14, 1859, and for fifteen years furnished the only means of education in the higher studies enjoyed by the inhabitants of the town. It was higlily successful in its results, and afforded many examples of faithful teaching and earnest study. Its last term as an independent school was held in the autumn of 1873.

But Sherborn was destined to be still more highly favored. In the year 1870 the executors of the will of the late Martha Sawin, of Natick, gave notice to the town that Miss Sawin had bequeathed a large sum of money for the purpose of founding and supporting an academy for tlie instruction of its youth in the advanced branches of learning. This was truly a munificent gift, and gave promise of providing all needful education. Members of the Sawin family were anciently inhabitants of Sherborn, and in later years, after their removal over the border line into tiie bounds of the town of Natick, tliey still attended church and school in Sherborn, and owned land there. Their old and cherished associations were therefore with Sherborn rather than Natick. Miss Sawin also doubtless felt tiiat this town had greater need of assistance in this direction than the town of Natick, which was already provided with an efficient high school. It became necessary to effect a compromise with the heirs, who contested the will. T!iis was finally accomplished, and at a town-meeting called for the purpose December 19, 1870, it was voted to accept the bequest, and trustees were chosen to take charge of the estate.

The amount remaining for the support of an academy was now less than $40,000, invested in real estate and other securities not immediately available. The trustees were therefore not able for some years to commence the actual work of placing the academy in operation. An act of incorporation was obtained of tlie legislature April 12, 1871, in which authority was vested in five trustees, one to be chosen in each year after tlie first year, in tlie annual meetings of the town, from among its inhabituiits. Tliese trustees were also to be trustees from that date of the Dowse schoolfund, but the two funds were to be kept distinct. By the terms of this act a certain proportion of the fund could be used for the erection of a building. This was commenced .in 1873 and completed in 1874, and is an ornament to the town. It is 54 X 60 feet m size, two stones high, with a Alan- sard roof, and has at the eastern corner an octagon tower ninety feet in height. The material used in its construction was brick, with granite trimmings. It contains several commodious and well-lighted school and recitation rooms, and the front wall of the larger room is appropriately adorned with portraits of Martha Sawin and Thomas Dowse. The exercises of dedication were held September 10, 1874, and were very largely attended by the inhabitants of the town and by friends of education from other places. The first session of the school commenced immediately under the charge of Mr. Edward A. H. Allen, who has continued to be its principal to the present time.

In the year 18G9, on the occasion of the great Peace Jubilee in Boston, the Sherborn Musical Association, formed for the purpose, attended and participated in the grand celebration. Tliey repeated this service at tlie second Jubilee in 1872, and have continued their organization to this day. The pleasing art of music has always been cultivated in the town.

October 21, 1874, occurred one of the most notable and deeply interesting celebrations that have ever engrossed" the fceliiig^'s of tlie friends of the

Source changes here: from History of Middlesex County, Massachusetts, by Drake, Samuel Adams, published 1880; 7,454 words in this source stream.

By Albekt H. Blanch Ard, K.D.

HEB60BN is one of the older towns in the county, and forms a portion of its southern border, being separated by Cliarles Eiver from Dover and Medfield in the county of Norfolk on the east ; on the south is, Med way, in the same county. HollistQQ and Ashland bound, it on the west, Framingliam on the north, and Natick on the ^orth and northeast. The township now contains about 10,000 acres, and its extreme length from north to south is something, more than six miles, and from east to west about ifour and one half miles. Originally the territory was very much larger, but it was reduced by the formation of new towns. The population is about 1,000. It is situated some twenty miles W, S..W. of Boston, with which it has easy com-, munication by the Mansfield and Fmmingliam Bailroad, which passes through the town from 80ut|i to north, and connects with the Boston and Albany Bailroad at South Framingham.

The name of the town was anciently written Sherborne, and sometimes Shearbom, Sherbum, and Sherburne. Tlie latter was the most acceptable, and finally became its permanent designation for many years ; and the action of a portion of the inhabitants in presenting a petition to the General Court in 1852, to change tlie name to Sherbom, has since been much regretted. The chief ground of this action was a supposition that Sherborn, in Dorsetshire, England, was the ori^nal home of some of the first settlers. It was a town anciently distinguished a^ the site of a monastery, and as a place of burial for some of the Saxon kings; -and at a later day as the spot where the prime nobilitymet William, Prince of Orange, and welcomed him to tlie throne of England. But the best authorities spell the name of this Dorsetshire town ''Sherborne^'; and in the usual confinnation, by the Greneral Court, of the grant of land for a township, '^ it is ordered that the name of the towne be Sherborne/' And. wherever the town is mentioned in the records of the General Court* -of the eolony it is called Sherborne. It would, therefore, havebeen more satisfactory, if an alteration must be made at all, to have had the new name wholly correct.

Grants of land, by the General Court to individuals were commenced as early as 1643, and were continued at intervals for thirty yeans; but always subject to the rights of the Indians (Nipmucks), who received payment and gave deeds for all the land included in the township. Few if any of these grantees occupied their laud. The first transfer to actual settlera of land ''lying in the woods on the west side of Charles Biver, three miles from Natick,'* was made May 3, 1652, O. S. Immediately after, -Nicholas Wood and Tliomas

Holbrooke took . possession and fisommenced their labors. They were $oou followed by^ Henry Layland, Benjamin . Bullard, George Fairbanks John Hill, Thomas Breck^ and Daniel Morse. Most of these persons were men of substance, of strong, determined character, hardy, and not easily discouraged, as the event proved. Many of their names still live in the persons of their descendants, who are found among the prominent citizens ^f Sherbom at this flay. And they required all the energy and endurance of which man is capable. to subdue the wild lands " in the wilderness beyond Med field,'' and to protect themselves against the lurking Indian. For although the Nipmuck Indians who inhabited this portion of the colony had been treated fairly in the purchase of their lands, and were at first friendly, they were afterwards influenced and controlled by King Philip with disastrous results to the settlers.

These first residents settled in the south and southeast parts of Sherbom, which then included a portion of the present eastern |)art of Mcdway. The Indian lutnue for the locality was Boggestow ; it is perpetuated in the name of a meadow, pond, and brook. In various petitions to the governor, of the. colony and the General Court, the settlers termed themselves '' inhabitants of Bogistow,'' and '^ inhabitants and proprietors of lands at or near Boggestow.''

Although living remote from Medfield and not included within its bounds, the Bo^estow people obtained privileges there, and also - enrolment and taxation a^ her citizens ; and for some twenty-five years the births and deaths in their families were there recorded. . <

But at length, as tlie number of settlers increased, and the farms were ^ groining into better condition, a -petition signed by fourteen inhabitants was presented '^ to the much honored General Court, 7 of 3 mo» 1662," praying for " liberty to be a Towne of ourselves with such otliers as may be admitted to our Society hereafter.'' The General Court ai>- pointed a committee ** to view the place a)id return their apprehensions." The result appears to have been unfavorable, as nothing more is found concerning the petition. But tlie colony remained, for these were men not easily daunted when they had once determined to subdue the forest, and to form a community of their own. They were strengthened by the addition from time to time of new residents, until in the year 1674, when the settlement was twenty-two years old, the number of families amounted to twenty. The long-cherished plan of forming a new town and church was then revived, and urged by a second generation of planters. Joseph Morse, a son of Dauid, wis prominent in preparing a new petition ''To the Honoured Gov; & Deputy Gov., with the rest of the assistants and deputyes of the Generall Court of his Majesty's Colony of the Massachusetts," October 7, 1674. This petition represents that there are '^neere twenty families already settled on farmes ..... in this part of the wilderness caUed Boggestow, & neere thereunto, besides some other farmes, not yet Improved, lying between the bounds of Naticke & Meadfeild, & npom tie west of botJiy which probably may shortly be emprooved also." It also states that ''amongst other difiicultyes," the petitioners " have not found Jt our least to goe to meeting on the Lord's day unto Meadefeild, by reason not only of the distance from tlieare, and the leaving of severall at home, but also in regard of the difiKculty in passing «jOver the water betwext, in winter seasons & times of flooos, which sometimes prooves hazardous to health ft life; wherefore for our releife herein, and ^at wee may not ^Hiolly omit our duty what in us lyeth to spread the Gospel in this wildemesse, . - - . ft for the better regulating of affayres amongst us, we your petitioners do humbly crave the favorable help of this Honoured Court." It then asks that a tract of land, six ^iles square, may be " made a

The ))etition was granted October 21, and the town named Sherborne, on the condition '' that afarm of two hundred* acres of land be reserved for the country, that no land shall be allotted to any but actual settlers, and that no man sliall litoaVe above fifty acres till there be twenty new families settled there, and then the whole that is free to be disposed of as the major part of the inhabitants capable by law to vote shall judge meet." '

The form of this new township was very irregubr. It has been aptly compared to a hand-card, with its handle about one mile wide, between Na* tick and Medfield, and xnih its blade ii*est of those towns, extending north to Sudbury River, and south to Cliarles River and the north line of BeU lingham, then a part of Dedham. It included much territory which has since been assigned to new towns. As soon as practicable, negotiations were held with Major Gookin and Rev. John Eliot,

VfL behalf of the Natick Indians, for an exchange of land vith thero. Tliis exchange was completed in 1679, and the township thus rendered more opmpact. The negotiations were commenced in 1673 ; but a terrible jcakmity suspended the work for two years, and paralyzed every effort that was not required for self-preservation. This was nothiQg less than the horrors of an Indian war.

The inhabitants first *' assembled for the ordering the affairs of Shearbom^f^ on January 4, 1674 - 75, fourteen persons being present ; and the records of the town .then commence. A committee was chosen to view the land granted by the General Court for a township, and to lay out the same ; and another committee to treat with the Natick Indians for the desived exchange of knds. Only one other town* meeting was held for about two years, and that was iiijHarch, 1676, for th^ transaction of indispensa-^ ble business.

At this time Philip, the great sachem of the Wampanoags, was on .the 'war-^patli^ scattering fire and deatli wherever he went ; and the consternation excited in the minds of the settlers was something of which we can have no adequate idea. The rapidity of the movements of the Indians through the by-paths, the thickets, and tlie forests, with which they were perfectly familiar, their stealthy advtoces, their sudden appearances, and violent marderous attacks as they swooped down on a village or a settlement, caused * them to be peculiarly dreaded by a people who were wholly unaccustomed to this savage mode of warfare. Moreoitf, as Philip .truly stated in a paper which he left on a portion of the bridge between Medfield and Boggestow, destroyed by him on the retreat following his des[)erate assault on tlie former town, ''the Indians lose nothing but their lives. Tou must lose your fair houses and cattle.'^ The fear of so much loss undoubtedly added to the pangs of dread for the loss of life ; for their farms were of little use in this wilderness without their buildings and cattle. His bold threat in the same paper tliat the Indians '' will war this twenty-one years, if you wilf did not give them much hope for the future, although, as Hubbard quaintly observes; Philip fell short of this time by more than nineteen years. But of his early death, effected by a party under Captain Church, the colonists could then know nothing, and they had only the prospect of continual watchfulness and defence for an indefinite period. During the known presence of the enemy Jn the vicinity, the people all retreated to the garrison-liomei, of which there were two,^ and lived there. Uwy remained, for a long time^ and there some of tkeir diildren were bom< One of these garrisons wis the house of Daniel Morse, Sr., near the present road from* Sherbom to Dover, : and not far from Chauies Biver; and tlie otlier.on the farm of Benjaonn BoUard, near the presient boundary; line between Sherbom and Medway, and al^o near Charles Bmr. The latter was attacked by tlie enemy on Edmiary 21, 1676, the same day that Medfield was burned, and after their retreat from that plaee. This garrison was made with great care and strength, and resisted the assaults of the Indians, some of whom were picked off by shots fired through the admirably arranged loop-holes. Fmding their efforts vain, they next attempted to bum tbe building by pushing down the declivity above it a eart of burning flax. - Destraction now seemed imminent ; but fortunately the progress of the cart was arreted by a rock, still to be seen, and the lives of the garrison saved. Some writers place the date of this attack at a later day, in May, but Hubbard, who wrote ^ about. 1677 - 78, is probably better authority. Tlie only other concerted attack by the Indians was made either in May or July following (writers difEering as to date), when they met with such a notable repulse that " they never dared to show their faces there afterwards.'' But there were single attacks by scattered Indians, and some deaths occurred . among the whites. These were troublous times, and tried to the utmost the nerve and endurance of our ancestors. Thev never meditated a retreat . from their possessions, but resolutely adhered to every means of defence, and were obliged to be watchful against surprise for a long time, not knowing tlie day nor the hour when they might be again attacked by their treacherous foe. Philip commanded not only his own tribe, but also Lidians of other tribes, whom he had persuaded to enlist in his attempt to extinguish the new settlements of English people. Some of these Indians had hitlierto been friendly to tlie whites, and among them the Nipmucks, who inhabited this and the neighboring region of country. Says S. G. Drake,' " These were the most distressing days that New England ever beheld. Town after town fell a sac- - rifice to their fury. All was fear and consternation. Few there were who were not in mounung for some near Idndied, and nothing bat horror stared them in the face.'' But after the death of Philip in Attgiist> 1676^ although the Indians still made hostile demonstrations^ their power was broken > and early in 1677 the colonists began to lesaroe their usual occupations. The inliabitnnts of Sherboni again took up their negotiations with the Natick Indians for the desirable and important excliange of lands. This exchange^ as before mentionedy was not fully completed and an agreement signed until April, 1679.

The town being now laid out in better form^ means for tlie transaction of the public business being establishedi the officers chosen, and a social compact adopted, the inhabitants next turned their attention more fully to the preparations for stated public worship. Of this they deeply felt the need, mod this bad 'been one of their strong arguments for incorporation as a town. Steps had previously been taken towards the selection of a location for a meeting-house, and a lot T>f land had been staked out. But this location was unsatisfactory to many of the people, and after much discussion it was finally removed to a spot near the site of the meeting-house of the present First Parish, which consequently became the centre of tlie town. It has remained to the present day the site of a meetinghouse, and about it are clustered the other public buildings of the town. But it was only after much controversy, and an appeal to the General Court, tliat the business was settled. The court fdt obliged at last to place the town under the guardianship of a committee " to onler and goveme the prudentialls of tlie said towne for three years.'* I^e town dutifully submitted, and the differences were gradually adjusted. Other differences between inhabitants, concerning secular matters, had been settled by arbitration or by the decision of a committee of the General Court, so tliat this action of the court in taking the whole charge of the business of the to\ni^ through a committee, did not seem unreasonable to them ; and it certaii^y was preferable to a prolonged litigation.

One of the inhabitants. Sergeant (afterwards lieatenant) Edward West, was accustomed to act as m lay preacher before the settlement of a minister. At a later day, in 1694, he was appointed the first schoolmaster of the town. Public worship was held at the house of Captain Joseph Morse in tlie south part of tlie town, and was continued there for a considerable time, until the

After various efforts and much delay Mr. Danid' Gookin, a graduate and fellow Of Harvard CoU^e, and a son of Major-General Gookin of Cambridge^ was ordained as their pastor, March 26, 1685. He had previously been an assistant to the Apostle Eliot in the Indian mission at Natick, and received warm commendation from that eminent man. His lectures at Natick were delivered first to the English, and then '' the same matter is delivered to the Interpreter, whom, with much pains, Mr. Qooking had fore-prepared.'^ He continued this work among the Indians after his settlement at Sherborn, and in fact during tlie greater part *of his life. He appears to have been a man of more than common ability, and constantly labored for the good of his people and of the Indians. He diied January 8, 1717-18, in the sixty-eighth year ofhis age, having continued for about thirty-four years the minister of Sherbom.

The preamble to a certain petition presrated by* the inhabitants of Sherbom to the General Coiul about 1698 well represents the religious spint that animated the early settlers. It says: ''In the first beginning and settlement of the town of Sherbom, the only and principall benifitt and previlege which the ancient inhabitants [then known by the name of Bogastow, near Medfield] did propose to themselves was to have the meeting-house near to them.'' And this same feeling was dominant in the minds of that people for many years. Thdf considered it their greatest privilege to be neaf ' enough to the meeting-house to be able to attend the services regularly. .

The extensive territory of the town made it sometimes difficult for those near its borders to attend these stated religious exercises. And as the ' number of inhabitants in the^ localities increased by the addition of new settlers, a spirit of uneasiness began to appear, and ako a desire to form themselves into new towns with privileges of their own. Objections arose on the part of otlierin-^ habitants as to the mode or place of division, of to any division whatever. The older townsmen natu* rallv desired to increase rather than diminish their* " population, and also to retain all the tax-payers u possible. When, tJierefore, seventeen families residing on Sherbom Row, in the north part of the town, some adjoining Mr. Danforth*s farms ^ and otbers holding leases {rom him, made piopositioiis for separation in order that they might join the inhabitants of ^* Framlinghtun plantatioiis '' in efforts for the formation of a new town, there was great opposition to the project. A long and seriods controversy ensued with r^rd to the pay. roent of rates, and to the jurisdiction, as when Framingham was incorporated, in the year 1700, the rights of Sherbom were reserved. The bounds 6l Sh^bom in that direction appear not to have -beeif well defined, and the right of territory thus hetsmt involved and uncertain. The contest continued for several years, and until settled, June 16, 1710, by the General Court, which annexed the seventeen families permanently to Framingham and mnde to ^Sherbom, as an equivalent for the loss, a

* grant of four thousand acres of land west of Mendon. We have not space to write further of this iiemorable controversy, which excited deep feeling for many yean and stirred the whole community to its foundation.

*' The next great civdl question was one concerning the accommodation with religious privileges of the uihabitants ** Who- are Dwellers on ye West side

*^f Doppiug Brook *' ; but this appears to have been settled amicably. At first, representations were made in the town-meetings (where for many years both parish and town business was transacted) of the difficulty with which some of the western inhabitants of the town could attend public worship, ''the^d town being near 12 miles long, and the meeting-house situated at the Easterly End/' The

' remaining residents were disposed to accommodate their distant brethren, and once passed a vote (Manch 6, 1723) to build a meeting-house in a more central location, ** so that the town remain together for the. strengthening thereof. '' But it was ifterwards decided that this would not meet the objections ** in consideration that the Form and Situation of the Town is so ill convenient that one meeting-house Cannot be so placed as to Suit the Whole town, but that in time there will be need of two to accommodate the Inhabitants.^' It was then voted to build a new meeting-house on or

' near the old spot ; ^ and on motion of some of the principal western inhabitants it was also voted to remit to them their proportion of the £ 160 granted for that purpose in anticipation of the time when

. they should build a meeting-house of their own, they agreeing at the same time to do all other publick Duty to the town as heretofore till tlie

Oenll. Court Shall Set us of.^V The latter event was soon brought about. After a petifion to the General Court, a committee of that body was choien to view the premises, and make inquiry .into the matter. Tlie report was favorably and the western precinct was incorporated by a bill passed December 3, 1724, under the name of Holliston.

No other important event occurred,- for many years. The year 1764 was remarkable by the invasion of an uncommon disease, called in Sherbom the '^ Memorable Mortality,'' and in Holliston t)ie *' Great Sickness.'* Nearly tliirty lives were lost in Sherbom by its ravages, - a serious and abrmuig inroad on its still small population.

In 1770 it was found that the meeting-house must be enlarged, and '' this was done by sawing the house in two in the. middle, moving the western half to the distance desired, and connecting the two parts together by a new piece.''

We now approach a time of great trial to our colonists, not only in this town, but in ^1 the towns in this province, and in all the English provinces in this country. The oppressive exactions of the mother country were becoming toe onerous to be home, and the people began seriously to consider the necessity of throwing off the yoke. Slierbom was ready now,, as ever, to do its part in contributing men and means to support the great struggle for what it deemed to be just and right As early as 1774 a committee of correspondence was chosen, committees also to attend the county conferences at Concord and Cambridge, and to procure a field-piece. Three cannon, procured by the latter committee instead of a six-pounder, were accepted by the town, and it was voted " that the committee prove them at the town's expense, and fire the biggest as soon as may be, with all the necessaries that may be needed." Many other votes- were afterwards passed, showing that the people were animated to a high degree with the spirit which finally achieved the independence of the colonies. In 1776 it was voted to extend relief to the poor of Boston, then besieged by the enemy, and to find places for them to live in. A com^iany of minute-men was raised, and £8 granted to provide ammunition for the cannon. As soon as the news reached this town of the conflict at Lexington, on the 19th of April, 1775, the minute-men proved themselves worthy of their title by marching immediately to meet the assailants, and the rest of the able-bodied men, of all ages, followed with all possible alacrity. But the distance was so grent^ and the route of the enemy so uncertain, that thej had not the satisfaction of meeting and helping to chastise them. They, however, furnished their quota to assist in besieging Boston, and a number of them displayed their heroism in the battles of Bunker Hill> White Plains, and Brandy- Seven brothers, the sons of Mr. Samuel

Itt May, 1776, the town voted, that if Congress decided to declare the colonies independent of Great Britain, the people would, with their lives and fortunes, endeavor to supix)rt them in that measure. And Daniel Whitney, their representative, was instructed to act accordingly. When the question of the adoption of the Federal conititution arose, Sherborn sent Daniel Whitney to the convention held in Boston in 1788, with general instructions, but also with full confidence in his judgment to act for the right. And that honorable member was one of the majority who voted in favor of this great charter of our freedom.

In 1781 an entry, found in the town records, states that the salary of 'Rev. Elijah Brown for one year, ending March 1^ 1781, was £73 6«. 8//., ''equal to £2,933 6*. 8 rf. continental currency .'* This shows the depreciation which the latter had suffered, and that it took more than £40 of that currency to equal £ 1 of sound money. It is a powerful a^ument against the establishment of an irredeemable currency.

Early in the present century, when our national honor and our authority on the high seas were invaded, Sherboni accepted her share of the work, and made preparations as soon as a conflict was threatened, and before hostilities had commenced. In 1814, when an actu«il call for men was expected, allowances were granted to them, and some soldiers from the town performed duty in the forts in Boston harbor.

In February, 1880, a portion of the inhabitants, desiringa form of worsliip and belief different from that then prevailing, requested of the proi)er authority that " a warrant may be issued, in due form of law, for the purpose of fonning a second religious Congregational Society in said town.'* These petitioners comprised a majority of the church, but a minority of the congregation. They retained the forms of government and belief of the original Puritan church of 1685. They immediately organized, and during the same year erected a meeting-house not far distant from that of the Pint Parish.

The First Parish also felt the need of a new cdi* fice, as the old one had been in use for more than a century. And during the same year, 1830, they proceeded to build a meeting-house nearly on (he same spot that had always been occupied. for tliat purpose. On December 26 public worship was attended for the last time in the old church, and an interesting and instructive sermon was given by the pastor, Bev. Amos Clarke. On the 29th oi the same month the new church was solemnly dedicated to the service of God.

The meeting-house of the Second Parish was also completed during tlie year 1830, and dedicated November 4. Its first pastor, Bev. Samud Lee, was installed on the same day, and remaii^ed , in charge of the church and society until 18S0, when he was succeeded by Bev. Daniel T. Smith. The latter was obliged to retire, after a service ci about two years, on account of ill health. Bev. Edmund Dowse, a native of Sherborn, was then invited to assume the pastoral chaj^, and he has served from 1838 to the present time. But few instances of so long a pastorate can be fouudin our day, and oidy one in the entire history, of this town. Perhaps there is not one other that has oc* curred in the birthplace of the pastor. The twenty-fifth anniversary of the settlement of Mr. Dowse was celebrated with appropriate ceremonies. On the approach of the fortieth anniversary his. many friends and parishioners desired to recognize his long and useful service, and at the same time to offer to their pastor a fitting memorial of- their confidence and esteem. They therefore resolved to celebrate the event October 10, 1878. The tervices were held in the meeting-house, and were deeply impressive and interesting. A large num« ber of clerical friends and old parishioners were present, in addition to the residents in the town, and the celebration was entirely successful.

In 1859 the church-building was found to be insufOicient for the accommodation of the parish, and it was enlarged and wholly remodelled so as to make substantially a new and commodious edifice of tasteful appearance. It was dedicated November 29, of the same year. In 1875, in accordance with a petition, the name of the Second Parish was fixed by the legislature, and it is now known as the Pilgrim Church and Society of Sherborn.

oesson were the Bev« Daniel Baker, Bev. Sainuel Torter, Bev. Samuel Locke, D. D., afterwards president of Harvard College, Bev. Elijali Brown, Ecv.^S. B. Townsend, Bev. Amos Clarke, Bev. ^ Bichard . C. Stone, Bev. Theodore H. Dorr, Bev. "William Brown, Bev. Alfred E. Mullett, and Bev. Eugene de Normaiidie, the present pastor. Among these were strong, able men, highly esteemed in their day and generation. Bev. Samuel \ Porter was interested in agriculture and horticulture, and the well-known Porter apple was disco'vcgced on his land and was named for him, a worthy memorial of his love for trees and gardens. Tlie stamp of the original tree was standing not many years since on his farm in the centre of the town.

In the year 1847 a very large gathering of the Leiand family was held, descendants of 'Henry Layland, one of the earliest settlers of Slierbom, and who now comprise a large proportion of its population. A mammoth tent was required to contain all who desired to attend. It was a highly interesting occasion. A granite monument to their common ancestor, suitably inscribed, was dedicated to his memory on the' same day by his grateful descendants. It stands at the north side of the Common.

From the earliest times Sherbom has set apart portions of land for use as cemeteries. In general these lots were bare and uninviting spots, devoid of beauty or attraction, as was often the case in ^ew England towns. Before the middle of the present century the subject of a more modem rural cemetery was seriously considered and finally urged by some of the inhabitants, prominent among whom was the lamented Dr. Oliver Everett, the beloved and respected physician of the town from 1825 until near the close of the year 1851. A location was most judiciously chosen by him on Pine Hill, near the centre of the town, and still sufficiently secluded from public view. An association was formed, and the grounds were laid out with much taste by Captain Jacob Pratt, who had a deep interest in the work, and had also selected the same spot independently of Dr. Everett. On May 19, 1852, Pine Hill Cemetery was consecrated ^ with suitable exercises, an address being given by Bev. Edmund Dowse. Dr. Everett was one of the first to be buried in the cemetery he had advocated. It has always been a source of interest and satisfaction to the people. The remains of some of the older ministers of the town have been

In ancient times, and even to a comparatively recent date, the stated meetings of the inhabitants for the transaction of the business of the town were held in the public meeting-house which belonged to the town. The business of both town and parish was performed in tlie same meeting, and the town records contained also the record^ of the parish until August, 1809. '

In the year 1836 the town purcbused of the pibprietors the academy building, and the public tdwnmeetings were held in it for several years. This building had finally become old and worn, and also of insufficient size, and it was evident that better accommodations must be provided. But before any definite action was taken the pToplositioh of tlie executors of Thomas Dowse, hereafter described, was received and accepted, and their consent obtained to invest the amount in a new town-house which should contain a suitable rootn for the use of the proposed high school. Thus was tlie town providentially aided in a highly important work, only a small additional sum being required to coihplete the building. It stands on the old site of the school-house, at the southeasterly side of the Common. It is a neat structure of sufficient capacity for the wants of the town for many years, and contains a large hall for meetings and lectures, a good school-room, and a room for the public library, besides convenient anterooms. It wa^ dedicated^ with appropriate ceremonies, December 23, 1858.

For many years there had been a library in the town, owned by an association of individual, and at ^ later date an agricultural library. Aft^r the passage of an act by the legislature, allowing towns to establish libraries, the members of these associations expressed a willingness to present their collections to the town to form the nucleus of a public library. The proposition being favorably entertained, the associations presented a petition to the town at a regular meeting held March 5, 1860, for the establishment of a public library, accompanied with the offer of the gift of both libraries (comprising 573 volumes), provided it would comply with the request and conform to the full provisions of the state law on the subject. The town cordially granted the petition, and made an appropriation for the establishment of the library. It was opened for the use of the inhabitants in the following month of June. Annual grants of money by the town have secured the addition of new books^ and great satisfaction has been derived by the citizens from this popular iustitution. April 1, 1879^ the whole number of volumes was 2,500. This small town deserves credit for its early adoption of the Jaw for the establishment of town libraries^ and it takes pride and pleasure in this important aid to education.

Th^ year 1861 arrived, and 'the black clouds hurrying across the national sky portended a convulsion of no common character. Civil war was upon us with nil its great labors and trials and sacrifices. Sherboru had always done her duty in great emergencies ; she did it now. As early as May 1, 1861, at a town-meeting called for the purpose, a committee was chosen to prepare patriotic resolutions, which were unanimously adopted* Dr. Loring, in his bi-ceutennial address, thus eloquently discourses of the part borne by the town : '* Eightytwo of your citizens were enrolled in the army. La^ sums were expended in bounties to the soldiers, partly contributed by private liberality, and partly drawn froin the treasury of the town. Your charities were unbounded. Individual and associated effort was unremitting in smoothing the rugged pathway of the soldier, in providing for those whom he Iiad left behind, and in alleviating his toil on the field and his sufferings in hospital and camp. Prom your fireside to.every battle-field was stretched the silver cord of affection and solicitude, bringing close to your hearts every great event of the sublime period, and binding your familiar and household names to every far-off spot in our laud, which the war clothed with immortal reason ; for your sous were on every field, your blood was spilled in almost every conflict. The sacrifices which you made were great. Of those who went forth^ nineteen laid down their lives in their country's service, defending .the flag on many a hardfought field."

When the first grant of land was made to the inhabitants, a tract of fifty acres was appropriated for the supiK)rt of a free school for the use of the English and Indian children. '^ At first the work of teaching was perfonned in the several families or in some private house where the children of the settlement were assembled for that purpose.'* ^ As before mentioned, Edward West was chosen schoolmaster. '' He appears to have been a man of superior education,.M'hom the ])eople desired to retain in the settlement, and \o whom they offered special inducements to remain.'^ In 1727 a vote was passed '* to build a school-house 18 feet wide'& 20 ft. long, and to set it on Meettinghouse common on the Southeasterly side of the Meetinghouse." This school lands were sold during the next year to dofray the expense of this structure. And this spot remained as the site of a building used either wholly or in part for school purposes for neatly one hundred and fifty years.

In addition to the common schools with which the town has always been provided, there' has usually been, for the last one hundred years, a school of advanced grade for instruction in the higher branches and in the classics, kept by ttev. Dr. Locke, Bev. Elijah Brown, £ev. Amos CLurke, and others. And at a still later period there were occasional terms of private select schooL 'Many of the citizens felt the need of a more permanent school of this character, and efforts were made from time to time to establish it, but without success. They therefore received witli great satisfaction and gratitude, in the year 1858, the proposition of the executors of the will of Thomas Dowse, to convey to the town the sum of 8 5,000 in trust, for the support of a high school which should furnish to the youth of the town the means for study of the higher English branches, and also those whid^ are required in preparation for entering collq;e.

Thomas Dowse was a leather-dresser, and resided in Cambridgeport during nearly the whole of a long life. H^ was a thorough workman, and attentive to his business, but had also a taste for scj^iice and literature. He gradually accumulated a iSne library of valuable books, which were elegantly bound, and thus satisfied his critical eye by their appearance. His library was his treasure, but his books were not kept for show. He was well acquainted with their contents, and passed most of his leisure time among them. Although not a native of Sherboru, he passed much time thjere during his boyhood. His father also resided in the town for several years. A portion of his estate was ^^$ely left to his executors in trust, to be bestowed according to their judgment, for scientific and literary purposes. In consideration of his family connection with this town, and also of the fact that many relatives bearing his name still resided heic^ the executors, through Mr. George Livermore of Cambridge, one of tlieir number, deemed it appropriate that the town should be the recipient of a portion of the means for usefulness and improvepient contemplated by the donor. Hence this acceptable beqnart, which will alwaja lemain aa a memorinl of the pncticil benevolence of Tliomas Dowse. Hie Dowse lustitnte, in the city of Canibridge, ia another letolt of the judicious and thoughtful action of the

The' school was opened and its first term coin> menced Manh 14, ltt59, and for fifteen years far> mahed the only means of education in the higlicr studies enjoyed by the inhabitants of- the town. It «u highly successful in its results, and afi'orde<l tAaay- examples of faithful teaching and earnest Ita last tenn aa an iodepeodent school was held in the autumn of 1873. '

But ' Sheibom was destined to be still more higMy favored. la tlie year 1870 the execators of the will of the late i&rtha Sawin, of Katick. gave notice to the town- that Miss Sawiif had beqneathed a large sum of money for the purpose of foundiug vud supporting an academy for the instruction of its youth in the adrauced branches of Inming. Tliis waa truly a mnniflceut gift, and gire promise of providing all ntedful education. Uemben of the Sawin family were anciently inbabibots of Slierbom, and in later years, after their removal over tlie bonier line into the bounds of the town of Natick, they still attended church and school in Sherboni, and ouned land there. Their old and cherished associations iverc therefore with Sherbom nther than Xatick. Miss Sawin also doubtless Cett that this toH-ii had greater need of assistance in this direction thnn tlw tomi of Natick, which WIS already pronded with an efficient high school. It became necessary to -effect a compfbm'ise with the heirs, who contested the will. This was finally accomplished, and at. a town-meeting called for the purpose December 19, 1870, it was voted to accept the bequest, and trustees were cboseu to take chaige of the estate. >

The amount remaining for the support of an academy was now less than 840,000, invested in real estate and other securities not immediately available. The trustees were therefore not able for some years to commence the actual work of pladng the academy in operation. An act of incorporation waa obtained of tlie legislature April 12, 1871, in which authority was vested in five tnutees, one to be chosen in each year after the first year, in the annual meetinga of the ton-u, from anong its inhabitants. These trustees were also to be tnistees from that date of Uie Dovafe tdiool. fund, bnt the two fnwb were to be kept iliiHnrt By the terma of this act a certain proportioa of the fond could be used for the erection of a bitiUing. Iliis was commenced in 187S and eompktcd in 1S74, and is an ornament to the toviL It ia 54 X 60 feet iu size, two stories faigb^ with a ICusard roof, and has at the eastern coiner an octagon tower ninety feet in height, l^e material naed in its construction was brick, with granite trinAnings. It contains several commodious and well-lighted school and recitation rooms, and the front wall of the larger Mom is appropriately adorned with portraits of IMartha Sawin and Thomas Dowae. The exereises of dedication were held September 10, 1874, and were very largely attended by the inhabitants of the town and by friends of edncatioa from other places. Tlie first aeasion of the ac^ool commenced immediately under the charge of Mr. Edward A. H. Allen, who has eontinaed to be its principal to the present time.

In the year 1869, on the occasion of the great Peace Jubilee in Boston, the Sherbom Mosical Association, formed for the purpose, attended and participated in the grand celebration, Tlwy repeated this service at the second Jubilee in 1872, and have continued their oiganization to this day. The pleasing art of music faaa always been altivated in the town.

October 21, 1S74, occurred one of the most notable and deeply intuesting celebrations that have ever engrossed the feelings of the friends of the tomi. Hw occasion was the two>hui)dtedth amii- Tenat7 at tbe incorporation of Sberbom. To the Oliver Everett Lodge of Good Templnra, established in the town, b due the credit of inaugunting the celebration, and their efforts were crowned with lagiial soccess. The oration was given hj tlie Qon. peo^ B. Loring, and was an eloquent tribute to the founders of the little municipality, and to the patriotism of its citizens in all emei^ncies. It was also an interesting liistorical address. Various shorter addresses were made by past and preset^ inhabitants, interspersed with music. The entire exercises, connected as they were with ancient times and the early history of New England, excited the deepest interest in the minds of all the people in any way related to the town.

June 17, 1876, tlie citizens re-dedicated their town-house, which had beeli injnred by fire, and also celebrated the day in an aiipropriate manner, with addresses and music.

July 4, 1876, arrangements were made for the celebration, by the whole town, of the centennial anniversary of American independence. A picnic was enjoyed during (lie day at Farm Lake, a beautiful sl^t of water in the eastern part of the town. In the evening literary exercises were held at the towii-liatl. The Declaration of Independence was read, patriotic addresses were given by various citizens, and music was furnished by the ^lerbocn Musical Aasociation.

Agriculture has always been the chief ocenpi^ tion of the inhabitants of tliis town, although nnous mechanical trades have, from time to time, occupied a limited number. At present the chief industries of this nature are the mannfaetuie 6t, shoes, of willow-ware, and of cider and vinqjar. - The latter is conducted on a much larger scale than ever before.

Among the distinguished sons of Sherbon not already mentioned are Eev. Zedekiah Sang^i D. D., afterwards of Bridgewater; Hev. Samivcl Kendall, D. D., of Weston ; Eev. Henry Wane, D. D., professor of divinity at Harvard Univeraltyi and the father of Henry Ware, Jr., D. P., John Ware, U. D., of Boston, a medical profeasoT at Harvard, and William Ware, the author of Xtf Hobia and other American classics; and Ashtfr Ware, LL. D., a cousin of Henry Ware, a distinguished lawyer and jurist, at one time also a pro-- fessorat Harvard, and afterwards a judge of the district court at Portland, Maine.

A Hitfoyg of SherborhfroM 1674. io 1830, by William Biglow, was published in Milford iit 1830 ; also a Hithrg of Sieriorn and HoltUiou, with Genealogies, by Abner Morse, in Boston^ in IS56. The historical oration delivered at the Uceutennial celebration of tlie town, by Hon. Qeotge B. Loring, and a sermon given during the same week by Bev. Edmund Dowse, were published together at Natick in 1875.