Shirley Town (part 1 of 2)

Shirley Town

town. The occasion was the two-hundredth iiuiiiversary of the incorporation of Sherborn. To the Oliver Everett Lodge of Good Templars, estabhshed in the town, is due the credit of inaugurating tlie celebration, and their efforts were crowned with signal success. The oration was given by the Hon. George B. Loring, and was an eloquent tribute to the founders of the little municipality, and to the patriotism of its citizens in all emergencies. It was also an interesting liistorical address. Various shorter addresses were made by past and present inhabitants, interspersed witli 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, the citizens re-dedicated their town-house, which had been injured by fire, and also celebrated the day in an appropriate 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. .\ picnic was enjoyed during tiie day at Farm Lake, a beautiful sheet of water in the eastern part of tiie town. In tlie evening literary exercises were held at the town-hall. Tlie Declaration of Independence was read, patriotic addresses were given by various citizens, and music was furnished by tlie Sherborn Musical Association.

Agriculture has always been the chief occupation of the inliabitants of this town, although various mechanical trades have, from time to time, occupied a limited number. At present the chief industries of this nature are the manufacture of shoes, of willow-ware, and of cider and vinegar. The latter is conducted on a much larger scale than ever before.

Among the distinguished sons of Sherborn not already mentioned are Rev. Zedekiah Sanger, D. D., afterwards of Bridgewater; Rev. Samuel Kendall, D. D., of Weston; Rev. Henry Ware, D. D., professor of divinity at Harvard University, and the father of Henry Ware, Jr., D. D., John Ware, M. D., of Boston, a medical professor at Harvard, and William Ware, the author of Zenobia and other American classics ; and Asher Ware, LL. D., a cousin of Henry Ware, a distinguished lawyer and jurist, at one time also a professor at Harvard, and afterwards a judge of the district court at Portland, Maine.

A Rkhry of Sherborn from IGTJf, to 1830, by William Biglow, was published in Milford in 1830 ; also a Ilistori/ of Sherborn and Ilollislon, With Genealogies, by Abner ]\Iorse, in Boston, in 1856. The historical oration delivered at the bicentennial celebration of the town, by Hon. George B. Loring, and a sermon given during the same week by Rev. Edmund Dowse, were published together at Natick in 1875.

Shirley

HIRLEY is situated in the northwesterly part of Middlesex County. It is thirty-eight miles northwest from Bosthirty miles in the same direction from Cambridge, and twenty miles southwest from Lowell, the two shire- '^ towns of the county.

The town is of irregular form, being seven and one half miles between its extreme north and south points, and but four miles at its greatest width.

It is bounded on the north by Groton, on the east by Groton and Harvard (from wliich towns it is separated by the Squannacook and Nashua rivers, which unite on its eastern boundary), on the south by Lancaster, and on the west by Lunenburg and Townsend. Harvard, Lancaster, and Lunenburg are in the county of Worcester.

son of Governor Wiuthrop, with several others, by an act of " tlie General Court held in Boston the 23'' day of the S"" month, 1655." Its location is so far from the centre of the above-named territory - the settlement of which at first progressed very slowly, owing to Indian depredations and to the small number of settlers - that it remained an unbroken wilderness for more than sixty years after the grant of the territory of Grnton, and until all the settlements of the neighboring districts had successfully commenced. During tliis period the Indian wars of Massachusetts had been waged, carried on, and concluded, and enterprising settlers were encouraged to penetrate and occupy those hitherto wild lands whicii were to be the future homes of themselves and their children, without the protection of garrisoned houses, and with no fear of surprise from the nocturnal visits of the revengeful aborigines of the soil.

The precise time of the first settlement in Shirley cannot now be ascertained, but is supposed to have been about the year 1720. Tiic farms first laid out and occupied were on the Squannacook River and along the northern boundary of the town. The second framed house was erected two miles from what is now Shirley Centre, at the corner formed by a union of the roads leading from Shirley and Lunenburg to Groton. The population had, however, become sufficiently numerous, as early as 1747, to realize the need of a distinct municipal organization, and tliose who most fully recognized this need united in forwarding a petition to the parent town, praying for an act of separation.

Tiie petition was graciously received and read "at the anniversary meeting in Groton, and the prayer thereof granted," with few modifications, and recorded. But it was not until six years from the date of tlie petition above named that an act of incorporation was passed by the state legislature. This was done at the January session of 1753, when the territory became a district, and received the name of Shirley in lionor of William Shirley, Escp, who was then govci'uor of IMassachusetts.

By a subsequent act of the legislature in 178G all districts that had beni\ incorporated previous to the year 1777 were made towns. In this change Sliirley was included.

By an act of the state legislature of 1 7(15 a slrip of land on the south boundary of Shii-hy, lying between Shirley and Lancaster, " bring a Icrri- (orv of about two hundred rods in bieailtli, and extending in length one mile from Lunenburg line to Nashua River, was annexed to Shirley." This additional territory has usually been denominated Stow Leg, and the union - is what now constitutes the domain of the town.

The house of Mr. John Whitney, where the first to\ra-meeting was held, and wliere the people took their first step as a body politic, was afterwards purchased for a work-house and alms-house. Thus the building, appropriated to the first public business of the town, was devoted permanently to a public service, and continued as long as the wants of the town demanded, when it again became a private establishment.

Shirley is favorably located for the health of its inhabitants. It is situated about fifteen miles froni the southern boundary of New Hampshire, in full view of tlie lofty hills that range along that part of the Granite State ; the refreshing breezes are an antidote to the fogs and unhealthy exhalations that arise from the low grounds and rivers by which the town is partially intersected and bounded.

Tlie soil has an undulating surface, rising to considerable elevations in some places and sinking into corresponding valleys in other places, and in character is variable. The Mulpus Brook, which passes through a northern valley of the town, is bordered by a low swamp that naturally yields a coarse unpalatable grass, of little value as fodder, and which in time, if not guarded against, will give place to an entirely worthless jungle. When cultivated and drained, it becomes prolific of hay and other produce.

There are, bordered by the rivers, tracts of intervale land, that are usually overrun by water in the spring and sometimes in autumn. These overflowings leave behind an annual tribute of sediment by which the soil is largely enriched. The crops are, however, exposed to unseasonable frosts and floods, by whicli they are occasionally injured and sometimes totally destroyed. In favorable years, under the hand of faithful cultivation, these lands, easily tilled, yield large harvests of grass and grain, but are especially fitted to the growing of hops.

The productions of Shirley are much the same as are found in other towns of the same latitude, except, perhaps, that hops have been more a specialty than in most other towns of the vicinity. This product has occasionally amounted to fifty thousand ))ounds grown in one year.

Until some years after Sliirley became a municipality, there was but one corn-mill within the limits of the original territory of Groton, aud tliat was situated on the extreme southern section, and is now within the bounds of Harvard, in a place known as the Old Mill District. This mill was built in 1673. A short period subsequently to its erection tlie town of Harvard was made the scene of Indian depredations, but this edifice, so usefid to the towns in its vicinity, was passed over unmolested, and has been left for after generations during all the years that liave followed, aud may render a service for years to come.

During several years after its erection, so great was the press of business that tlie town was compelled to enact a law binding the proprietor of tlie mill to set apart the second aud sixth days of each week, on which he could grind only for the Grotou people.

If the settlements in Shirley were commenced about the year 1720, it must have been over thirty years, while its farms were slowly being established and receiving their proprietors, before the first corn-mill was erected. It stood upon the north bank of Cantacoouamaug, was built soon after the incorporation of the town, aud owned by William Longley aud Samuel Hazeu, two enterprising farmers, whose descendants have continued, for more than a century, to be among the most active and enterprising citizens of the town. They may well regard with pride their energetic ancestors as public benefactors.

This mill was an humble structure, had but one run of stones, and was without apparatus for bolting. But humble as was the undertaking, it was then a great event for the town, and was hailed as the harbinger of better times.

To the settlers in Shirley the distance to the Old Mill was from three to seven miles. A large majority were forced in winter to convey their grain to mill upon hand-sleds, and in summer upon "wheelbarrows. Many a weary load was thus conveyed in those days, while many another, still more wearisome, was borne on their stalwart shoulders. And such was the amount of service required of one small mill, that two journeys instead of one were frequently demanded.

As the town advanced in population other cornmills, with their almost necessary adjunct, the sawmill, were liberally supplied, answering the wants of the general public.

The manufacture of cotton goods was commenced in Shirley as early as 181-2, and has been contiiuied, through all the succeeding years, as the most extensive and profitable enterprise of which the town can boast. It has availed itself of all the improved facilities that genius has invented for expediting the work, and with a favorable issue. True, it has had its periods of loss, yet, on the whole, it must be regarded as a remarkable success.

Until the year 1832 the cotton-mills of Shirley were of an inferior grade, both in dimensions and capacity, but at the above date a new structure was completed, which, including an addition since made, is in length 150 aud in breadth 36 feet, and three stories in height. Its fabrics are light brown sheetings, and when all the machinery is in use it produces 22,500 yards per week. It is known as the Frcdoniau Mill, and is owned and operated by S. W. and J. E. Smith.

Another large edifice for the manufacture of cotton goods was completed in 1850. The structure is of brick, three stories in height, exclusive of the attic, wliich is filled with machinery, and its dimensions are 1-10 x 50 feet. It was erected by the Shaker community, but soon passed- into the possession of its present owners, - a company from New Bedford, - and bears the name of the Phoenix Mill. Its fabrics are brown and bleached sheetings, and, under favorable circumstances, the mill will turn out 30,000 yards per week.

The other cotton manufactory now in being (1879) was erected by N. C. Munson in 1865. Its length is 114 and its breadth 45 feet, and it is three stories high. Its fabrics are brown sheetings, of which 7,500,000 yards annually are made.

These mills - with their predecessors of humbler dimensions, most of which have been destroyed by fire - were, aud are, all pi'opelled by the waters of the Cantacoouamaug, a small stream that passes through the southern valley of the town aud empties into the Nashua. They have created a village on the banks of this stream, the largest, most populous, and most enterprising within the town. It is situated two miles south of the Centre, and on the road leading to Lancaster and Worcester.

The manufacture of paper stands next, in time and importance, to that of cottons. In the latter years of the last century .louas and Thomas Parker, brothers, and natives of Shirley, left home and resided one year in Waltham, Massachusetts, where they acquired the art of paper-making. Tliey returned to Shirley, and, in connection with Joseph

The announcement that paper-making was about to be added to the other enterprises of the town created quite a sensation among its yeomanry, and all seemed to look with anxiety for a development of the plan. It was, however, an humble effort compared with what has since been put forth in the same direction. The mill had but one engine, and no other drying process was then known but the slow one by sun and air. The enterprise, notwithstanding, Avas a great novelty in this vicinity.

The next paper manufactory was built by Edgarton & Co., on the Nashua River, near the borders of the town. It was a large building, two stories in height. Henry P.'^Howe was the superintendent of this mill, and, being a skilful machinist, sought out different methods by which to remedy the tedious process of air-drying. He finally hit upon the plan, which was subsequently patented, known as the "fire dryer." This wonderful machine, after many trials, alterations, and improvements, was at length completed, and put in operation with satisfactory results. It is hardly possible to describe the astonishment created by the discovery. That produced by the old processes would hardly be regarded as worthy the meanest service to which paper is devoted at the present day.

By the invention of Mr. Howe the pulp is received from the grinding engines at one end of the machine, and after passing through a complicated process comes out at the other end finishecl paper, ready for immediate use.

The reputation of tiie inventor was now sufficiently established to warrant him to undertake the manufacture of paper-making machinery, furnished with the " fire dryer." He accordingly fitted up a machine-shop, and carried on tiie business in town for three years, when he removed to Worcester, Massachusetts, wdiere he soon after died. The "fire dryer," which promised so much in the outset, has been superseded by steam drying, which is the best method that ever has or probably ever will be invented.

The Edgarton manufactory, under dillerent contractors, continued in operation until June 15, 1837, when it was destroyed by fire, with all its contents, including several tons of paper ready for the market. John M. Sherwin, one of tlic u^sn-.xtives, fell a victim to the confliigration.

In 18'1.2 another mill was erected on tiie Drivilege, with a capacity for making one ton of manilla paper per day. It continued about ten years, when it was also destroyed by fire, and the manufacture of woollen goods was established in its place. The buildings that ^^'ere prepared for this new enterprise were large and showy, but within one year from their erection they shared the fate of their predecessors.

The manufacture of paper has been continued, with varied success, from its commencement, through all the years that have followed, and is now (1879) in profitable operation, although upon a much smaller scale than formerly. It is confined to one mill, which turns out four tons of finished paper per week, which is made into paper bags. These bags are made by machinery, at the rate of 130,000 per day.

Farmers' tools - such as scythes, forks, and various other iron and steel implements - have at dift'erent times been manufactured in Shirley. Carriage-building has also had its seasons of success at difi'erent periods. For the twenty years that succeeded 1840 a large carriage-making establishment was conducted by Har\'ey Woods and Brothers. They manufactured carriages from the cheapest to the most ornamental kinds. During some of these years they turned out six hundred railroad carts, and in the time of the Mexican War and during the War of the Rebellion many military baggage-wagons and ambulances were also manufactured here, and the proprietors enjoyed a well-earned reputation for their fidelity as business men.

The Shakers of Shirley have devoted themselves to different mamifactures that the wants of the communify iiave demanded, and their products have ever sustained a salable reputation. They vary their employments according to the wants of the times. They have made agricultural implements, wooden ware, hair sieves, corn brooms, grass bonnets, husk mats, feather fans, and fancy articles of various kinds. They also cure herbs, make apple-sauce, preserve catchup and pickles, distil roses and the different mints, and thus meet a want nowhere else so well sujjplied. Their stanch honesty, industrious habits, and frugal living may be seen and understood of all men. Their products enable them to live above ))]iysicnl want, and nbo\e anv unreasonable fear nf coininLC penury. Tliey are neither ricli nor poor, but pursue that medium course \vhich makes them satisfied witli tliemselves and tlie world, and leaves open to them a consistent faith in another and better state.

It has been trul}' remarked that the descendants of the Pilgrims of the Plymouth Colony and those of the Puritans of the Massachusetts Colony depreciated greatly from the higji standard of their fathers iu intellectual culture, for at least three generations, where the best opportunities existed that the country could supply ; but more than this may be said of the settlements that were scattered through the inland towns and plantations. In these places very few school privileges could be afforded. Generations were born and passed away without access to institutions of public instruction. This was true of the settlers of Shirley. So remote were they from the centre of Grotoii, and so small their own ability to sustain a school of the simplest character, that from 1720 - the time when their settlements were supposed to have commenced - until four years after tlieir incorporation as a town, a period of thirty-seven years, no movement was made in the direction of public instruction. Hence, generations were born and passed away without ever entering a school-room. And yet there were but few that were reared in those times who could not read, write, and cipher, which sho\\s that home instruction was not wholly neglected. Indeed, it is known that several individuals of respectable standing in town, who held municipal offices, acquired the rudiments of learning after their eighteenth birthday, and with little other than self-help ! In one instance an aged man told the writer of this sketch that he did not even know the first letter of the alphabet until after he was married, when, through the assistance of his wife, he acquired a competent knowledge, for his day, to hold a respectable place in society.

In May of 1757 the town voted "to have a school for three months, and have it commence in August or September." This school was conducted ill an apartment of a private dwelling.

Schools were, from time to time, held in different parts of the town, down to the opening of the War of the Revolution, when, owing to the straitened condition of the town finances, they were suspended until the close of that struggle. Peace imparted new hope to the people, and secured an increase of educational effort. The schools were then resumed, increased, and enlarged as occasion required, giving

The first school-house was located in the centre of the town, for the use of all the children in town. It was a humble edifice, about twenty feet square, covered outside by rough boards, with no inside ceiling. It was furnished with a cellar, to which access was gained through a trap-door in the centre of the room. In one corner of the apartment stood a huge fireplace, built of rough stones and surmounted by a chimney of the same materials. The room was furnished with a few seats, made of rough planks, and with benches constructed of boards, over which a plane never passed. To facilitate the means of supporting a school for a few weeks each year, it was customary to rent the building to some pedagogue or school-dame, as a tenement, in part payment for his or her services.

Dame Nutting - - as she was reverently called at the time by people of every age - occupied this responsible station for many years. This female official might have stood beside Falstaff himself without losing aught by the comparison. She kept herself furnished with a stick, some six feet in length, with which she reduced her urchins to due subordination. Hand-bells had not then been invented, and as a substitute the dame would step outside the door and ply her stick to the weatherbeaten ceiling ; and woe to the offender who did not heed, for the recent notions in regard to corporal punishment formed tio part of the school code of those days.

The work of school-teaching was assumed by Dame Nutting at a late period of her life. In her younger days she broke the monotony of household duties by a very different employment, - - she made excursions to Boston, and procured young negroes, either by gift or purchase, and secured homes for them, at a price, in Shirley and vicinity. She travelled on horsback, and conveyed her infant charges in panniers. Andrew Mitchell, who was a soldier in the War of the Eevolution, and from whom descended many families, was one of the proteges of this afterward famous school-dame.

Eventually the town was divided into districts, - three in number, - and these, by subsequent changes, were enlarged to five, and then to seven, which promise to meet all present and coming wants in this direction. The town has also always made such pecuniary appropriations for educational purposes as to give it an average standing with the other towns and cities of the commonwealth.

There are elderly people in all our towns who behold with rejoicing the contrast between the present schools and those of their early days, when their school-buildings were little better than hovels, their school-terms limited to six or eight weeks, and their text-books confined to B'llmorUt's SjieUer, tiie New Testament and Psalter, and perliaps Webster's Third Part, and none but " written arithmetics."

By the will of the late Hon. Leonard M. Parker the tow'n has been furnished with the commencement of a fund for tlie support of a high school for the free use of all the inhabitants of the town.

Though the settlements of Shirley were subsecpient to the time of Indian depredations, the town was organized as a district seven years before the close of what has been termed the French War, which occasionally demanded army recruits from the colonies. Several volunteered from Groton and some from Siiirley, among whom was Mr. Josepli Longley. He was chairman of the selectmen at the organization of the district, and Avas the first town-clerk. This latter office he was appointed to fill until 1758, when he enlisted in his Majesty's service, and was mortally wounded in the battle and defeat of Fort William Henry.

Previous to the rupture witli the motlierland the town had assumed larger proportions, and was enabled to take an active and decided part in the controversies and conflicts that resulted iu the independence of tlie country.

Tlie settlers of Shirley had, with the Puritan descent generally, been proud of their motlierland, - " blessed England," as they reverently called her, - and willingly did reverence to the " best of kings " ; yet when the grievances imposed had become too numerous and oppressive to be tamely endured, they were prepared to second every worthy measure to sustain the rights and secure tiie liberties of the colonies, and to pledge tiieir property and lives in the. glorious struggle for inde])pndeiice.

Tiie papers that were ilriwn at liie order and sanctioned by a vote of ilic Idwii.iu relation to British aggressions, - too long I'or iiiscrlion here, - ailniiiiililc both in spirit and scholarshij). Tiie lirst was adopted at a meeting of the town, October IS, I7()5, and was a protest against tiie Stamp Act. While they firmly condemned in tliis ])aper the officials of tlie crown, tliey avowed loyalty to liis Majesty's person, and invoked for liim tiie favor of Heaven.

Stamp Act the inhabitants of the town received a missive from a committee appointed by a meeting of the citizens of Boston, complaining of the injustice of the crown in apjjointing judges for tlie province of Massachusetts Bay, payhig their salaries, and without whose consent they could not be removed, as a serious infringement of tiieir rigiits, giving the people no better chance for justice, no better security of life and property, than if they were ruled by the most despotic government under heaven.

In relation to the Act on Tea, passed by the parliament of Great Britain in 1773, we find the following resolutions, with other decisions equally firm, receiving the unanimous vote of the citizens convened for tlie purpose : -

" 1. Tliat we will neitlier buy, nor sell, nor drink, nor suffer it to be drunk in any of our families, any Tea tiiat is subject to an American duty.

" 2. That we will stand ready to unite with our brethren, through the colonies, in every proper measure to retrieve our liberties and to establish them upon such a firm basis, tliat it will be out of the power, at least of our present enemies, to wrest them out of our hands."

The sympathy, repeatedly expressed, with the citizens of Boston was confirmed by deeds. After the passage of the Boston Port Bill a town-meeting was called and lioklen, January 18, 1775, at wliidi it was voted to " make some provision for the suffering poor in Boston and Cliarlestown on account of the Boston Port Bill, so called, and that the same be done by subscription." A committee was chosen "to receive the donations for said poor, and forward them, as soon as may be, to Boston or C^harlestown."

At this same meeting the yoke of allegiance to tlic mother country was completely broken by a vote to withhold the province tax for the support of his Majesty's government.

It was also voted, at this meeting, to endorse the Association of the Grand American Congress, held in Pliiiadelpliia in October, 177-1'. Tlie paper of association, which was drawn for the signatures of the entire people, - too long for insertion here, - would have done honor to a mucii older community than that whicli peopled the young town of Siiirley. It was presented for signatures January 1 8, 1775. This decision of the jieople was attended by another as extraordinary as it was rare. Here is (he record. " At a legal meeting of the inhabitants of Shii-lov, held im tlie IStli day of Jan.,

A. D. 1775. Resolved and voted that the above draught of an association is ajDproved of, and that the same be entered in the District Book of records, and that the same be signed by tlie several inhabitants of said district, and that the committee of corresjiondence see that the same is done or inform the district at their next district meeting of ! every person who shall delay or refuse to sign the same, so that the district may take such further order thereon as they may think proper."

This liearty and unanimous response to the proceedings of tlie First Continental Congress proved that the patriotism of Shirley was without any mixture of tory alloy.

By such decision on tiie part of tlie yeomanry of the country a formal separation from Britisli rule was encouraged, and nerve was given to the daring of the council and to the valor of the battle-field. I

The pledges that were made by the people of Shirley were nobly redeemed. Wlien the tidings ; of the Lexington battle reached town, every man I old enough to bear arms, except seven, volunteered his services and marched to Cambridge. The age j and infirmities of these, or the situation of their families, prevented them from joining tlieir brethren. [ One of them, Mr. William Longley, known to the people as Old Will the Miller, though bent down with age and supporting himself with two staves, said he would join the company, and when reminded of his infirmity, replied, " I know that I cannot handle a musket, yet I will figlit tlie redcoats with my two canes," at the same moment brandisliing those formidable weapons aloft.

The churcli common was crowded with the eager citizens. Women and children were there to encourage their sons and brothers to be true to the principles of liberty, to supply them with the comforts needed on their march to join the army before Boston, to invoke the blessing of Heaven upon the enterprise, ami to bid tliem what might prove a last farewell ! These movements were unmistakable tokens of the patriotism of the actors.

Volunteers went, from time to time, as militiamen before the opening of the memorable campaign of 1 7 7 7 . Twenty-two men were then raised for the regular army, and the town voted each man tiius raised §20 additional bounty.

Subsequently the citizens of Shirley were required to supply other support in the service of the war, such as muskets, military coats, and camp stores, all of which were readily contributed.

voted every volunteer one hundred silver dollars, and it also voted to give £40 to each recruit who would serve three months additional to his appointed time.

At the next annual town-meeting tlie town voted to raise $1,200 in silver, to be assessed on the inhabitants, towards paying tiie soldiers hired for three years, whose time had 'expired.

Added to this heavy war expense in camp and field, the town appointed a committee to provide for the wants of the families of the absent soldiers, in addition to the ordinary current expenses of the town.

But when peace came, and the armies of foreign oppression were withdrawn, there was not that harmony of action established that is required to build up and sustain a well-ordered republic. In Massachusetts insurrectionary movements commenced with petitions from popular assemblies to the state government for a redress of grievances, which were not duly regarded. The result was that armed forces assembled in several counties, under different leaders, who committed acts of violence by stopping courts of justice, arresting private citizens and holding them in durance, and in some instances by pillage and robbery.

Now, although the people of Shirley had, without a solitary exception, sustained the cause of American independence, they were, with one or two exceptions, in favor of some movement to ameliorate the existing condition of things. And it may be that a majority did not discountenance a resort to forcible measures, should milder efi"orts fail. It was the first purpose of the hisurgents to suppress the courts of sessions until some action should be taken to stay the flood of executions which wasted their property and made their homes desolate. Hence, a party from Shirley joined another party from Groton, under the command of Job Shattuck, of the last-named place, who had served in the French and Revolutionary wars, and was otherwise qualified to be conspicuous in such a cause.

Connected with Mr. Shattuck in this command were two brothers, residents of Shirley, - Sylvanus and Nathan Smith, - both of whom had been ofiicers in the late War for Independence. The party marched to Concord on the 12th of September, bivouacked for the night, and by preventing the session of the court on the following day accomplished their object, and returned to their homes.

insurgents being at Pelliam, where the comniander resided, invitations were extended to the disaffected in every part of the state to organize, and repair thither, and act as circumstances should require. This presented another opportunity for the disaffected patriots of Shirley and Groton to show their zeal for the rebel cause. Matthew Clark, a resident of Shirley, and a private in the campaign, has i tiius described the movement ; we follow his account.

" A number of men were assembled from Siiirley and Groton, in tiie centre of the first-named town, at the public-liouse of ilr. James Dickerson, and after paying their devotions at the altar of Bacchus grew brave, and proceeded to organize themselves into a military company, to join tlie insurgent forces under Shays, and assist him in his patriotic work. Aaron Bigelow, of Groton, was elected captain ; Solomon Pratt, of Shirley, was promoted to a lieutenancy ; and Cornelius Davis, also of Siiirley, was appointed ensign. The company immediately took up a line of marcli for Pelham, whicii place they reached on the third day. They remained there about eight days, when the rebel army was removed to Petersham.

" During this period tlie company from Shirley formed a ])art of tlie detachment that was sent to Springfield to suppress a court in that place. After a sliglit skirmish the detachment was driven back by government troops. As General Lincoln, who commanded these troops, pushed forward towards the rebel camp in Petersham, Shays, with his principal officers, fled to other states, and eventually took refuge in Canada. Captain Bigelow and Lieutenant Pratt were also among the missing ; but Ensign Davis, true to the obligations he had assumed, never left his command, but made an orderly retreat back to Siiirley with his entire company. At Fitchburg, through whicli town tliey passed, a body of government troops were stationed to intercept, and if possible capture them ; but so well disciplined and firm was the rebel corps, that it was allowed an unmolested course. As these soldiers marched through the villages lying ou their way, they presented as great external apjiearance of 'the pomp of war' as their means would allow, bv unfurling their banner and marching in closed ranks to the sound of music.

the company arrived at liic border of Shirley it was disbanded, and each nmu returned to his home. Subsequently e\ery iiiili\ idiml that volunteered in this canqjaigu was arrested, carried

The following action from the town records will show the attitude of the people at this perilous period. A meeting of the town called by a warrant posted January 29, 17S7, contained these articles: 1. "To see what the town will do in regard to sending provision to those men who are gone, or about to go (as they say), in defence of tlieir rights and privileges. '2d. To see if the town will take into consideration the present distressing circumstances of our public affairs, and consult upon means for a settlement of those disturbances that are subsisting in this commonwealth.-"

At the meeting that followed it was voted, " 1st, i not to send provisions to the men gone from this ! town under arms. 2d, to choose a committee, agreeable to the second article." Tliis committee reported in favor of sending a petition to the General Court praying that all " the disturbances subsisting in this commonwealth may be settled"; which report was accepted, and tiie petition sent. By this action of the town we find that a majority j of the people were opposed to the use of forcible measures, though it cannot be denied that almost - all of them were in favor of some immediate and j salutary reforms in the affairs of government. ! The War of 1812 with Great Britain and tiie 1 Mexican War liave left no data wortiiy of record, and the incidents usual to most of the New Engj land towns were exjierienced in Shirley in regard to the War of tiie Rebellion. The news of the I capture of Fort Sumter, which came to town April 15, 1861, aroused the entire community from their apathy, and caused the dullest to believe that the rebels were in earnest in their belligerent declarations. From that time until tlie war closed the interest and zeal of our people Mere unabated. Town-meetings were of fretiuent occurrence, large sums of the public funds were appropriated for tiie benefit of the army, and tiie stream of private ciiarity was constantly accumulating for the encouragement and comfort of tiie Federal soldiers.

Tlie whole number mustered into tiie service from Siiirley was one iiundred and lliirty-eigiit. Of tiiis number twenty-one were killed, died in camp or hosjiital, or at honie of disease engendered by tiie hardships of army life.

soil has been tlieir life business. The average yearly death-rate during the one liundred and sixteen years of the town's existence has been Vlh per year. There have been, at different periods, eight physicians who have lived and practised tlieir professions in town. Of those who made Shirley the place of their life-work was Dr. Augustus G. Parker. He was born in Harvard, February 14, 1796. His father was a physician, and he was the youngest child of a numerous family. He early imbibed a taste for the profession of iiis fatlier, and while yet a youth began to ac(juaint himself witli the rudiments of the healing art. It is undoubtedly true that his future success was, in large degree, owing to that singleness of purpose witli which he devoted himself to tlie duties of jiis calling. While he was yet a minor his fatlier removed with his family into the state of Vermont, wliere he passed the rest of his life.

Here the subject of this notice commenced tlie active duties of his profession in company witli liis father. He was thus ushered into business, like many other practitioners of his time, without a public education, and witiiout those other privileges that are now almost universally regarded as a necessary passport to the confidence of the community.

Dr. Parker removed to Harvard, his native town, and entered into partnersliip with Dr. Stone of that place. In one year he removed to Sliirley, where he passed the remainder of his life, iiaving a very large and lucrative practice. In 18i7 he received a diploma from the Massachusetts Medical Society. He died June 18, 1843, in the forty-eiglith year of his age.

The early settlers of most of tiie New England towns were of Puritan descent, and possessed one form of Christian faith, one order of church polity, - hence tlie ecclesiastical history of one community may be fairly taken as a history of all. It consisted generally of accounts of special fasts, the calling, ordaining, and burying of ministers, - for it was rarely true that one was dismissed, or relinquished his position while he lived, - the disciplining of members, and the building of meetinghouses.

For several years after the town was incorporated the people continued to worship with their friends in Groton, and it was not until after many and hard struggles with poverty that tiiey were enabled to set up an altar to God nearer home. In 1754 the first meetinsj-liouse was erected.

When first occupied it was only rough-ceiled on the outside, and wiiolly without pews or seats, either on the ground-floor or in tiie galleries. Still, it was an essential point of attraction for all true lovers of the sanctuary. It protected them from the rough winter blasts, and from the scorchr ing suns of summer, and supplied the hardy settlers witii a place of worship.

With various improvements, this house remained the only place of public worship for twenty years, when it was converted into a barn, which is now in use. In 1773 tlie se

Source changes here: from History of Middlesex County, Massachusetts, by Drake, Samuel Adams, published 1880; 9,264 words in this source stream.

By Bet. Sbth Ckaudlzb

^HIRLEY is situated in the northwesterly part of Middlesex County. It is thirty-eight miles northwest from Boston, tliirty miles in the same direction from Cambridge, ' ^' and twenty miles southwest _ ^ , ^7u '*^ irom Lowell, the two shire- J^^^-^ -ji'' towns of the county. #^Vp '' The town is of irregular

It is bounded on the north by Groton, on the cast by Groton and Han-ard (from which towns it is separated by the Sqoannacook a'nd Nashua rivers, which onite on its eastern boundary), on the south by Lancaster, and on tbe west by Lunenbui^ and Townsend. Harvatd* Lancaster, and Lunenburg ore in the county tt Worcester.

son of Governor Wintliropi with several others^ by ah act of ** the General Court held in Boston the 2S^ daj of the 5^ month, 1655." Its location is so fiir from the centre of the above-named territory - die settlement of whicii at first progressed very slpirly^oiring to Indian depredations and to the small number of settlers - that it remained an unbroken wildeniess for more than sixty 'years after the grant of the territory of Groton, and until all the settlements of the neighboring districts had successfully cofnmenced. During ttiis [leriod the Indian wars of 'Mas^chusetts had been waged, carried on, and conduded, and enterprising settlers were encouraged to penetrate and occupy those hitherto wild lands which were to be the future homes of themselves and their children, witliout the protection of garrisoned houses, and with no fear of surprise from the nocturnal visits of the revengeful aborigines of the soil.

- The precise time of the first settlement in Shirley cannot now be ascertained, but is supposed to have been about the year 1720. The farms first laid oat and occupied were on the Squannacook Biver and along the northern boundary of the town. Tlie aeoofad fraitied house was erected two miles from what is noiv Shirley Centre, at the comer formed by a union of the roads lending from Shirley and lionenburg to Groton. The population had, however, become sufficiently numerous, as early as 1747, to realhce the need of a distinct municipal organization, and those who most fully recognized tiiis need united in forwarding a petition to the parent town, praying for an act of separation. '

The petition was graciously received and read ''at the anniversary meeting in iGfroton, and the prayer thereof ^nted,'' with few modifications, aiid recorded; But it was not until six years from the date of the petition above named that an iCct of incorporation was passed by the state legislature. . Tliis was done at the January session of 1753, "when the territory became a district, and received the name of Shirley in honor of William Shirley, Esq., who was then governor of Massa^ chtisetta.

'. By a subsequent act of the legislature in 1786 all districts tliat had been incorporated previous to the year 1777 were made towns. - In tliis change Shiriey was included.

' By an act of the state legislature of 1765 a strip of land on the sooth boundary of Shirley, lying between Shirley and Lancaster, ''being a territory of about two hundred rods in breadth, and extending.in length one mile from Lunenburg line to Nashua Biver, was annexed to Sliirley.'^ This additional territory lias usually been denominated Stow Leg, and the union is what now constitutes tlie domain of the town.

The house of Mr. John "Whitney, where the first town-meeting was held, and where the people took their fir»t step as a body politic, was afterwards purchased for a work-house and alms-house. Tlius the building, appropriated to the first public business of the town, was devoted permanently to a public service, and continued as long as the wants of the town demanded, when it again became a private establishment.

Shirley is favorably located for the health of its inhabitants. It is situated about fifteen miles from the southern boundary of New Hampshire, in full view of the lofty hills that ringe along tlmt ^lart of the Granite State; the refresliing breezes are an antidote to the fogs and unhealthy exlialations tliat arise from the low grounds and rivers by which the town is partially intersected and bounded.

The soil has an undulating surface, rising to considerable elevations in some places and sinking into corresponding valleys in other places, and in cliaracter is variable. The Mulpus Brook, which (lasses through a northern valky of the town, is bordered by a low swamp that naturally yields a coarse 'Unpalatable grass, of little value as fodder, and which in time, if not guarded against, will give place to an entirely worthless jungle. When cultivated and drained, it become^ prolific of hay and other produce.

There are, bordered by the rivers, tracts of intervale land, that are usually overrun by water in the spring and sometimes in autumn. Tliese overflowings leave behind an annual tribute of sediment by which the soil is largely enriched. The crops are, however, exposed to unseasonable frosts and floods, by which they are occasionally injured and sometimes totally destroyed. In favorable years, under the hand of faithful cultivation, these lands, easily tilled, yield large harvests of grass and grain, but are especially fitted to the growing of hops.

The productions of Shirley are much the same as are found in other towns of the same latitude, except, perhaps, that hops have been more a specialty than in most other towns' of the vicinity. This product has occasionally amounted to fifty thousand pounds grown in one year.

Shirley

Until some yean after Shirley became a monicipolity^ there was but oue coni-inill within the limits of the original territory of Groton, and tliat was situated on the extreme southern section^ and is now within tlie bounds of Hansard, in a place known as the Old; Mill District. Xbis mill was l)nilt in 1673. A short period subsequently to its erection the town. of Harvard was made the scene of Indian depredations, but this edifice^ so useful %o the towns in its vicinity, was passed over unmolested, and lias been left for after generations during all the years that have followed, and may render a service for years to come.

During several years after its erection, so great was the press of business that tlie town was compelled to enact a law binding the proprietor of the mill to set apart the second and sixth days of each week, on which he could grind only for the Groton people.

If the settlements in Shirley were commenced about the year 1720, it must have been over thirty years, while its farms were slowly being established and receiving their proprietors, before the first corn-mill was erected. It stood upon the north bank of Cantacoonamaug, was built soon after the incorporation of the town, and owned by William Longley and Samuel Hazeii, two enterprising farmers, whose descendants have continued, for more than a century, to be among the most active and enterprising citizens of the town. They may well regard with pride their energetic ancestors as public benefactors.

This mill was an humble structure, had but one ran of stones, and was without ap^iaratus for bolting. But humble as was the undertaking, it was then a great event for the town, and was hailed as the harbinger of better times.

Ta the settlers in Shirley the distance to the Old Mill was from three to seven miles. A brge majority were forced in winter to convey their grain to mill upon hand-sleds, and in summer upon wheelbarrows. ^lany a weary load was thus conveyed in those days, M'hilc many another, still more wearisome, was . borne on their stalwart shoulders. And such was the amount of ser\'ice required of one small mill, that two journeys instead of one were frequently demanded.

As the town advanced in population other com-r mills, with their almost necessary adjunct, the sawmill, were liberally supplied, answering the wants of the general public.

The manufacture of .cotton goods was commenced in Shirley as early as 1812, and has beett continued, through all the succeeding years, as the most extensive and profitable enterprise of which the town can boast. It has availed itself of all the improved facilities that genius lias invented for expediting tlie work, and with a favorable issue. True, it has had its periods of loss, yet, ou the whole, it must be regarded as a remarkable success.

Until the year 1832 the cotton-mills of Shirley were of an inferior grade, both in dimensions and capacity, but at the above date a new rtructoie was completed, which, including an addition since made, is in length 150 and in breadth 36 feet, and three stories in height. Its fabrics are light bro;wn sheetings, and when all the machinery is in use it produces 22,500 yards per week. It is known as the Fredonian Mill, and is owned and operated by S. W. and J. E. Smith.

Another large edifice for the manufactuie of cotton goods was completed in 1850. The strootujre is of brick, three stories in height, exclusive of the attic, wliich is filled with machinery, and its dimensions are 140 x 50 feet. It was erected by the Shaker community, but soon passed into, tli^ possession of its present owners, - a company from New Bedford, - and bears the. name of the Phoen)z Mill. Its fabrics are bro\iii and bleadied* sheets ings, and, under favorable circumstances, the mill \rill turn out 30,000 yards per week. r

The other cotton manufactory now in being (1879) was erected by N. C. Munson iii 186St. Its length is 1 14 and its breadth 45 feet, and* it is three stories high. Its fabrics are brown aheetr ings, of which 7,500,000 yards annually are made.

These mills - with tlieir predecessors of humbler dimensions, most of which have been destroyed by fire - \yere, and are, all propelled by the waters of the Cantacoonamaug, a small stream that passes tlirough the southern valley of the town and empties into the Nashua. They liave created a village on the banks of this stream, the largest, most populous, and most enterprising within the town. It is situated two miles south of the Centre, and cm the road lending to Lancaster and Worcester. >

The manufacture of. paper stands next, in time and importance, to that of cottons. In the latter years of the last century Jonas and Thomas Pajr^ ker, brothers, and natives of Shirley, left home and resided one year in AValtham, Massachusetts, where they acquired the art of paper-making. They returned to Shirley, and| in connection with Joseph

The announcement that paper-making was about to be added to the other enterprises of the town created quite a sensation among its yeomanry, and all seemed to look witli anxiety for a development of the plan. It was, however, an humble effort comparNl with what has since been put forth in the same direction. The mill had but one engine, and no other drying process was then known but the alow one by sun ^nd air. Tlie enterprise, notwithstanding, was a great novelty in this vicinity. '

The next paper manufactory was built by Edgarton fr Co., on the Nashua River, near the borders of the town. It was a large building, two stories in bei{(ht. Henry P. Howe was the superintendent of this mill^ and, being a skilful machinist^ sought oat diiferent miethods by which to remedy the tedious process of air-drying. He finally hit upon the |Saii, which was subsequently patented, known as th6 '' fire dryer.'' This wonderful machine, after numy trials, alterations, and improvements, was at length completed, and put in operation with satisftctoiy results. It is hardly possible to describe the' 'astonishment created by the discovery. That produced by the old processes would hardly be rqprded as ^t-orthy the meanest service to which paper is devoted tit the present day.

By the invention of Mr. Howe the pulp is received from the grinding engines at one end of the machine, and after passing through a complicated process comes out at the other end finished paper, ready for immediate use.

The reputation of the inventor -was now. sufficiently established to warrant him to undertake the manufacture of paper-making machinery, furnished with the *' fire dryer." He accordingly fitted up a machine-shop, and carried on the business in town for three years, when lie removed to Worcester, Massachusetts, where he soon after died. The ''fire dryer,'* which promised so much in the outset, has been superseded by steam drjring, which is the best method that ever has or probably ever will be invented.

The Edgarton* manufactory, under different contractors, continued in operation until June 15, 1887, when it was destroyed by fire, with all its contents, including several tons of paj)er ready for the market. John M. Shem-in, one of the operatives, fell a victim to the conflagration.

In 1842 another mill was erected on the privilege, with a capacity for making one ton of manilla paper per -day. It continued about ten years, when it was also destroy^ by fire,, and the manufacture of woollen goods was established in its place. The buildings that were prepared for this new enterprise were large and showy, but within one year from their erectioa they shared the fate of their predecessors.

The manufacture of paper has been continued, with varied success, from its commencement, through all the years that liave followed, and is now (L879) in profitable operation, although* upon a much smaller scale than formerly. It is confined to one mill, which turns out four tons of finished paper per week, which is made into paper bags. These bags are made by machinery, at the rate of 120,000 per day.

Farmers' tools - such as scythes, forks, and various other iron and steel implements -r- have at different rimes been manufactured in Shirl^. Carriage-building has also lud its seasons of 9uccess at different periods. For the twenty years that succeeded 1840 a krge carriage-making establishment was conducted by Harvey Woods and Brothers. They manufactured carriages from the cheapeist to the most ornamental kinds.. During some of these years they turned out six hundred railroad ycarts, and in the time of the; Mexicaii. War and during the War of the Bebellion many military baggage-wagons and ambulances were also manufactured here, aud the proprietors enjoyed a well-earned reputation for their fidelity as business meiL

Tlie Shakers of Shirley have devoted themselves to different manufactures that the wants of the community have demanded, and their products have ever sustained a salable reputation. They vary their employments according to the wants of the times. They liave made agricultural implements, wooden ware, hair sieves, com brooms, grass bonnets, husk mats, feather, fans, and fancy ardcles of various kinds. They also cure herbs, make apple-sauce, preserve catchup and pickles, distil roses and the different mints, and thus meet a want nowhere else so well supplied. Their stanch honesty, industrious habits, and frugal living may be seen and understood of all men. Their products enable them to live above physical want, and above any unreasonable fear of comiiig peniiry. They are neither rich nor poor, bat pursue that medium course vhicli makes them satisfied with themselves and the world, and leaves open to them a consistent faith in another and bkter state.

It has been truly remarked that the descendants of the Pilgrims of the Plymouth Colony and those of the Puritans of the Massachusetts Colony depreciated greatly from the high standard of their fathers in intellectual culture, for at least three generations, where the best opportunities existed that the country could supply ; but more than this may be said of the settlements that were scattered through the inland towns and plantations. In these places very few school privileges could be afforded. Generations were born and passed away "without access to institutions of public instruction. This was true of the settlers of Shirley. So remote were they from the centre of Groton, and so small their owil ability to sustain a school of the simplest character, tliat from 1720 - the time when their settlements were supposed to liave commenced - until four years after their incorporation as a town, a period of thirty-seven years, no movement was ]!nade in the direction of public instruction. H^nce, generations were bom and passed away without ever entering a school-room. And yet there were but few that were reared in those times who could not read, write, and cipher, which shows that home instruction was not wholly neglected. Indeed, it is known that several individuals of '' respectable standing in town; wIk) held municipal offices, acquired the rudiments of lenruing after their eighteenth birthday, and with little other than self-help ! In one instance an aged man told the writer of this sketch that he did not even know the first letter of the alpliabet until after he was married, when, through the assistance of his wife, he acquired a competent knowledge, for his day, to hold a respectable place in society.

In May of 1757 tlie town voted "to have a school for three months, and have it commence in August or September.'' This school was conducted in an apartment of a private dwelling.

Schools were, from time to time, held in different parts of the town, down to the oi)ening of the War of the Revolution, when, owing to the straitened condition of the town finances, tliey were suspended until the close of thnt struggle. Peace imparted new hope to the people, and secured an increase of educational effort. The schools were then resumed, increased, and enlarged as occasion required, giving

The first school-house was located in the centre of the town, for the use of all the children in town. It was a humble edifice, about twenty feet square, covered outside- by, rough boards, nith no inside ceiling. It was furnished with a cellar, to which access was gained through a trap-door in the centre of the room. In one comer of the apartment stood a huge fireplace, built of rough stones and surmounted by a chimney of the same material^. The room was furnished with a few seats, m^de of rough planks, and with benches constructed of boards, over which a plane never passed. To facilitate the means of supporting a school for a few weeks each year, it was customary to rei^t the bnildijig to some pedagogue or school-dame, as a tenement, in part payment for his or her services.

Dame Nutting - as she was reverently calkd ^at the time by people. of every age - occupied this responsible station for many years. This feipoak ofiicial might have stood beside Falstaff hifnself without losing aught by the comparison. She kept herself furnished with a stick, som^^ix feet in length, with which she reduced her urchins ^to due subordination. Hand-bells had not then been invented, and as a substitute the (lame would step outside the door and ply her stick to the weatherbeaten ceiling ; and woe to the offender who did not heed, for the recent notions in regard to corporal punishment formed no part of the school code of those days.

The work of school-teaching was assumed by Dame Nutting at a late period of her life. - In her younger days she broke the monotony of household duties by a very different employment, - she made excursions to Boston, and procured young negroes^ either by gift or purcliase, and secur^ homes fpr them, at a price, in Shirley and vicinity. She travelled on horsback, and conveyed her infant charges in panniers. Andrew Mitchell,*jwho was a soldier in the War of the Revolution, and from whom descended many families, was one of .the proteges of this afterward famous school-dame.

Eventuallv the town\i*as divided into districts, - three in number, - and these, by subsequent changes, were enlarged to five, and then to seven, which promise to meet all present and coming wants in this direction. Tlie town has also always made such pecuniary appropriations for educationid purposes as to give it an average standing with the otlier towns and cities of the commonwealth.

There are elderly people in all our towns who beliold with rejoicing the contrast between the present schools and those of their earlj days^ when their school-buildings were little better than hovels, their school-terms limited to six or eight weeks, and their text-books confined to DHworth*9 Spefieri^xt New Testament and Psalter, and i)erhaps Webster^ 9 Third Fatty and none but '' written arithmetics/'

By tfie will of the late Hon. Leonard M. Paiker the town has been furnished with the commence-* men't of a fund for the support of a high school for the free use of all the inliabitants of the town.

Tubugh the settlements of Shirley were subsequent to the time of Indian depredations, the town was organized as a district seven years before the dose of wliat has been termed the French War, which occasionally demanded army recruits from the colonies. Several volunteered from Grotou and some from Shirley, among whom was Mr. Joseph Longley. He was chairman of the selectmen at the organization of the district, and was the'ftrst town-clerk. Tliis latter office he was appointed to fill until 1758, when he enlisted in his Majesty's service, and was mortally wounded in the battle and defeat of Fort William Henry.

ffrevious to the rupture with the motherland the town had assumed la^r proportions, and was enabled to take an active and decided part tn the controversies and' conflicts that resulted in the independence of the country.

The settlers of Shirley had, with the Puritan descent generally, been proud of their motherland, - " blessed England,'' as they reverently called her, - and willingly did reverence to the '^ best of kings"; yet when the grievances imposed had become too numerous and oppressive to be tamely endured, they were prepared to second every worthy measure to sustain the rights and secure the liberties of the colonies, and to pledge their property and liv^ in the glorious struggle for independence.

The papers that were drawn at the order and sanctioned bv a vote of the town, in relation to British aggressions, - too long for insertion here, - are admirable both in spirit and scholarship. The first was adopted at a meeting of the town, October 18^ 1765, and was a protest against the Stamp Act. While they firmly condemned in this jwper tlie officials of the crown, they avowed loyalty to his Majesty's person, and invoked for him the &vor of Heaven.

Stamp Act the inhabitants of the town received a missive from a committee appointi^ by a meeting of tlie citizens of Boston, contplaining of the injustice of the crown in ap|)ointing judges for the provmce of Massachusetts Bay, paying their 'saU aries, and without whose consent they could not be removed, as a serious infringement of their rights, givinj^ the jieoi^le no better cliance for justice, no better security of life and proi)crty, than if they were ruled by the moist despotic government under heaven. - *

In relation to the Act on Tea, passed by the parliament of Great Britain in 1773, we find the following resolutions, with other decisions equally firm, receiving tlie unanimous vote of the citizens convened for the purpose : -^

"1. Tliat we will neither ' buy, nor sell, nor drink, nor suffer it to be drunk in any of bur families, any Tea that is subject to an American duty.

" 2. That we will stand ready to unite with our brethren, through the colonies, in every [iroper measure to retrieve our liberties and to -establish them U2X)n such a firm basis, that it will be out of the power, at least of our present enemies, to wrest them out of our liands."

The sympathy, repeatedly expressed, with the citizens of Boston was confirmed by deeds. After the passage of the Boston Port Bill a town-meeting was called and liolden, January 18, 1775, at which it was voted to '' make some provision for the suf^ fering poor in Boston and Cliarlestown dn account of the Boston Port Bill, so called, and that the same be done by subscription." A committee was chosen ** to receive the donations for said poor, and forward them, as soon as may be, to 'Boston or Cliarlestown."

At this same meeting the yoke of allegiance to the mother country was completely broken by a vote to withhold the province tax for the support of his Majesty's goveniment.

It was also voted, at this meeting, to endorse the Association of the Grand American Congress, held in Philadelphia in October, 1774. The paper of association, which was drawn for the signatures of the entire pople, - too long for insertion here, - would have done honor to a much older community than that wliich peopled the young town of Shirley. It was presented for signatures January 18, 1775. This decision of the people was attended by another as extraordinary as it was rare. Here is the record. '' At a legal meeting of the inhabitants of Shirley, heU on the 18th day of Jan.,

1775. Besolved and voted that the above draaght of an association is approved of,, and that the same be entered in the District Book of records, and that the same be signed by the several inhabitants of said district, and that the committee of eorrespondence see that the same is done or inform the district at their next district meeting of every person \rho shall delay or refuse to sign the same,, so that the district may take such further order thereon as tliey may tliink proper/'

This hearty and unanimous response to the proceedings of the First Continental Congress proved that the patriotism of Shirley was without any mixtoxeof tory alloy.

By such decision on the part of the yeomanry, of the country a formal separation from British rule was encopraged, and nerve was given to the daring of the council and to the valor of the battle-field.

The pledges that were made by the people of Shirley were nobly redeemed. When the tidings of the Lexington battle reached town, every man old enough to bear arms, except seven, volunteered his services and marched to Cambridge. The age and infirmities of these, or the situation of their families, prevented them from joining their brethren. One of them, Mr. William Longley, known to the people as Old Will the Miller, though bent down with age and supporting himself vdih two staves, said he would join thecompany, and when reminded of his infirmity, replied, " I know that I cannot handle a musket, yet I will fight the redcoats with my two canes/' at the same moment brandishing those formidable weapons aloft.

The church common was crowded with the eager citizens. Women and children were there to encourage their sons and brothers to be true to the principles of liberty, to supply them with the comforts needed on their march to join the army before Boston, to invoke the blessing of Heaven upon the enterprise, and to bid them what might prove a last .farewell ! These movements were unmistakable tokens of the patriotism of the actors.

Volunteers went, from time to time, as militiamen before the opening of the memorable camixaign of 1777. Twenty-two men were then raised for the regular army, and the town voted each man thus raised $20 additional bounty.

Subsequently the citizens of Shirley were required, to supply other sup|X)rt in the service of the war, such as muskets, military coats, and camp gtores, all of which were readily contributed.

voted every volunteer one hundred silver doUara, and it also voted to give £40 to each recruit who would serve three months additional to his appointed time.

At the next annual town-meeting the town voted to raise $1,200 in silver, to be assessed on .the inhabitants, towards paying the soldiers hired for three years, whose time liad expired.

Added to this heavy war expense in camp and fields the town appointed a committee to provide, for the wants of the families of the absent soldiers, in addition to th(s ordinary current expenses of tl^ town.

But when peace came, ^d the armies of foreigi^ oppression were withdrawn, there was not that hiuy mony oC action established that is, required to build up and sustain a well-ordered republic. In Maasachusetts insurrectionary movements commenced with petitions from popular assemblies to the state government for a redress of grievances, which were not duly regarded. The result was that armed ' forces assembled in several counties, imder different leaders, who committed acts of violence by stopping courts of justice, arresting private citizens and holding them in durance, and in some instances by pillage and robbery. '

Now, although the people of Shirley had, with? out a solitary exception, sustained the cause of American independence, they were, with one or two exceptions, in favor of some movement to ameliorate the existing condition of things. And it may be tlxat a majority did not discountenance a resort to forcible measures, should milder efforts fail. It was the first purpose of the insurgents to suppress the courts of sessions until some action should be taken to stay the flood of executions which wasted their pi*opcrty and made their homes desolate. Hence, a party from Sliirley joined another party from Grot on, under the command of Job Shattuck, of the last-named place, who had served in the French and Bevolutionary wars, and was otherwise qualified to be conspicuous in such a cause.

Connected with Mr. Shattuck in this command were two brothers, residents of Shirley, - Sjivanus and Nathan Smith, - rboth of whom had been officers in the late War (or Independence. The party marched to Concord on the 12th of Sei>tember, bivouacked for the niglit, and by preventing tlie session of the court on the following day accomplished their object, and returned to their homes.

insugenti being at Pelbam, where the commander lesided^ invitations wer& extended to the disaffected in every part of the state to organize, and repair thither, and adt as circumstances should require. This presented another op])ortunity for the disaffected patriots of Shirley and' Groton to show their Kal for the rebel cause. Matthew Clark, a resident of Shirley, and a private in the campaign, lias thus described the movement ; we follow his account. '

** A number of men were assembled from Shirley and Groton, in the centre of the first-named town, at the public-house of Mr. James Dickerson, and after paying their devotions at the altar of Ba(k;hus grew brave, and proceeded to organize themselves into a military company, to join the insurgent forces mider Shays, and assist him in his patriotic work. Aaron Bigelow, of Groton, was elected captain j Solomon Pratt, of Shirley, was promoted to a lieutenancy ; and Cornelius Davis, also of Sliirley, was appointed ensign. The company immediately took rxp a line of '-march for Pelham, which place they leached on the third day. They remained there about eight days, when the rebel army was removed to Petersham.

'' During this i)eriod the company from Shirley formed a part of the detachment that was sent to Springfield to suppress a court in that place. After a slight skirmish the detachment was driven back by government troops. As Greueral Lincohi, who cbmmanded these troops, pushed fonvard towards the rebel camp in Petersham, Shays, with his principal officers, fled to other states, and eventually took refuge in Canada^ Captain Bigelqw and lieutenant Pratt were also among the misshig; but Ensign Davis, true to the obligations he liad asswned, never left his command, but made an oxderiy retreat back to Shirley with his entire company. At Fitchburg, through which town they passed^ a body of government troops were stationed to intercept, and if possible capture them ; but so well disciplined and firm was the rebel corps, that it was allowed an unmolested course. As these soldiers mardied through the villages lying on their way, they presented as great external appearance of 'the pomp of war' as their means would allow, by unfurling their banner and marching in closed ranks to the sound of music.

''When the company arrived at the border of Shiriey it was disbanded, and each man returned to his home. Subsequently every individual that volunteered in this campaign was arrested, carried

The following acCm from the townreconi show the attitude of the people at tliis pr; period. A meeting of the town called by ;r rani* posted January 29, 1787, contained articles: 1. "To see what the town will do : gard to sending provisioa to those men wli gone, or about to go (as they say)v in deft i their rights and privil^es. 2d. To s^ if tliu will take into consideration the present distic^ circumstances of oar public a&irs, and c(>\ upon means for a settlement of those discurbv that are subsisting in this oonmumwealth.^' -

At the meeting that followed it was voted, * not to send provisions to the men gone fron^ town under arms. 2d, to choose a cotnm agreeable to the second article." This conin. reported in favor of sending a petition to the eral Court praying that all " the disturbances sisting in this commonwealth may be seitl which report was accepted, and the petition By this action of the town we find that a nio of the people were opposed to the use of io* measures, though it caimot be denied that :i all of them were in favor of some immediai<' salutary reforms in the affairs of government. .

The War of 1812 with Great Britain am Mexican War liave left no data worthy of r.. and the incidents usual to most of the New land towns were experienced in Shirley in r< to the War of the BebeUion. The.news o;' capture of Fort Sumter, which came to : April 15, 1861, aroused the entire cotnu^: from their apathy, and caused the dullest t> lieve tliat the rebels were in earnest in their ); erent declarations. From that time until tuc closed the interest and zeal of our people unabated. Town-meetings were of frequent ; rence, largo sums of the public funds were ;.* priated for the benefit of the army, and the r^; of private charity was constantly accumulatin the encouragement and comfort of the FedciJ. diers.

The whole number mustered into the ^ from Shirley was one hundred and thirty-i -' Of this number twenty-one were killed, di. camp or hospital, or at home of disease engen by the hardships of army life.

ml his been their life bosineM. The average jearij deatb-iate daring the one hundred and sixteen jears of the town's existence has been 12^ per year. There have beeu^ at different periods^ eight physicians who have lived and practised their professions in town. Of those who made Shirley the place of their life-work was Dr. Augustas G. Parker. He was bom in Harvard, February 14. 1796. His father was a physician, and he was the youngest child of a nnmerous family. He early imbibed a ^Aste for the profession of his father, and while yet & yoath began to acquaint himself with the rudiments of the healing art. It is undoubtedly true that his future success- was, in large degree, owing to that singleness of purpose with which he devoted himself to the duties of his calling. While he was yet a minor his father removed with his family into the state of Vermont, where he passed the rest of his life.

Here the subject of this notice commenced the active duties of his profession in company with his father. He was thus ushered into business, like many other practitioners of his time, vwithout a public education, and without those other privi^ leges that are now almost universally regarded as a necessaiy passport to the confidence of the community.

Dr. Parker removed to Harvard, his native town, and entered into partnership with Dr. Stone of that place. In one year he removed to Shirley, where he passed the remainder of his life, having a very large and lucrative practice. In 1827 he received a diploma from the Massachusetts Medical Society. He died June 18, 1843, in the forty-eighth year of bis age.

The early settlers of most of the New England towns were of Puritan descent,- and possessed one form of Christian faith, one order of church polity, - hence the ecclesiastical history of one commanity may be fairly taken as a history of all. It consisted generally of accounts of special fasts, the calling, ordaining, and burying of ministers, - for it was rarely true that one was dismissed, or relinquislied his position while he lived, - the disciplining of members, and the building of meetinghouses.

For several yearis after the town /was incorporated the ])eople continued to worship with their friends in 6roton,.and it was not until after many and hard struggles with poverty that they were enabled to set up an altnr to God nearer home. Li 1754 the firat meeting-houae was erected.

When first occupied it was only rough-ceiled on the outside, and wholly without pews or seats, either on the ground-floor or in > the galleries. Still, it was an essential point of attraction for all true lovers of the sanctuary. It protected them from the rough winter blasts, and from the scorching suns of summer, and supplied the hardy settlen with a pbce of worship.

AYith various improvements, this house remained the only place of public worship for twenty years, when it was converted into a bam, which is now in use. In 1773 the second meeting-house was erected, and the framework and outside covering of this second temple are now parts of the meetinghouse of the First Congregational Society, which is now and ever has been in constant occupancy* The building has undergone alterations on three different occasions, and is at present one of the most convenient, ornamental, and substantial church strtictures that can be found in any of our rural districts.

It was some eight years after the meeting-houae had been prepared for use before a. ministry had been established, the pulpit, meantime, being supplied by transient preachers and regular candidates. On the ,25th of February, 1762, Mr, Phinehaa Whitney received a unanimous invitation to settle, on the following terms : First, he was to receive £133 6 «i 8//. as a settlement, one half to be paid in three mouths, and the rest within/ the y.ear. Second, he was to receive £53 13«. ^td. as a sai# ary, to be raised to £60 when the town should have seventy-five families, and to £66 13 «. 44. when there were eighty-five families. Third, he was annually to receive twenty cords of wood, to be cut and brought to his door. These preliminaries being adjusted, Mr. Whitney was ordaiiietl June 23, 1762.

The ministry of Mr. Whitney, which lasted for more than half a century, was one of general peace and prosperity. He had the confidence of his people, and between him and them a good degree of harmony was maintained. He was also fa/vorably considered abroad, was frequently invited to sit in ecclesiastical councils, to assist in the settlement of clergymen, and was noted for his decision and firmness. In the trying period of the American Bevolution, when the people of the town found themsehTs unable to pay his full salary, he bore the deprivation with calm resignation, and even contributed of his private resources, towards the expenses of the war, what would have been an

Mr. Whitnej was a ckMmatr and partiealar friend of Ber. Zabdiel Adaras^ of Lunenburg, and preached the funeral sermon at the burial of that distinguished divine. In his doctrinal views Mr. Whitney assented to many of the tenets tliat were importdl in the Mayflower^ yet maintained a becoming liberality towards fellow-Christians of other names. He seemed rooted and grounded in the noble principles of Arminian Congregationalism^ and believed that on these principles the church militant could be most securely established.

If r. Whitney was bom in Weston, Massachusetts, April 23, 1740, graduated at Harvard College in 1759, and died in 1819, after having entered the fifty-seventh year of his ministry. For several of the later years of his life he was deprived, by paralysis, of ability to perform his pulpit hibors, and had the assistance of a colleague from 1815 until within a few months of his death. From 1819 until 1834 the society was without a settled minister, when the present incumbent, Bev. Seth Chandler, was chosen for the work.

The first important secession from the old Congregaftonal Church was made by Universalists in 1812. On the 21st of September of that year a religious organization was effected, of these seeeders, who called themselves the First Universal Christian Society in Shiriey. This movement was qot more the result of sectarian than of local influences.

The south village, through its manufacturing interests, had begun to assume an importance that laid claim to some special identity, and the location of a church in its midst would secure that identity. Most of those, too, who from religious motives were engaged in the movement, lived in the vicinity; and that village - two miles from the centw of the town - was chosen to locate the new, and what was considered in all the region around strange form of Christian belief.

The first meeting-house was erected in 1816. It was a humble structure, neither neat, tasteful, nor convenient. Its high box-pews and angular aisles were in striking contrast with the ornamented mouldings and fretted cornices that had distinguished those portions of church architecture, even in Puritan temples, that had survived to that period. It had but one door of entrance, which opened into a narrow porch, and thence to the body of the church. A singers' gallery extended along tlie western wall, and was entered*, by flighti of stain located within the auditorium of the bone. It was covered by a hip-roof and fuxnishcd with a numerous array of windows, not proteoted by bfinds. The cheap and inartistic properties and. piopoitioM of this i^igious temple marked the cmre and fragality of the time.

In 1846 this uncouth structure was thonmgU^ remodelled, and made to present the graoefid proportions of modem architecture. In 1869 it was removed, and converted into a public hall, and a new and splendid church edifice was net up. in its place. Its style of architecture is the Eng^ Gothic, adapted to wooden structures. The hngth of the building, including chancel and-vestiy, is one hundred and ten feet. The width is fortjiHW feet. Including the porch and tower, the width is sixty-six feet. The height of the spire is one himdred feet, and it is sufficiently capacious at the base to admit carriages. The entire expense of the church was 825,000. The society has furnished itself with the various organiied means of charitj, juvenile instruction, and adult mental culture, diit have become the order of the day, and is denned to exert a healthful moral infinenoe throughout the village and vicinity.

The second ecclesiastical secession was a aepantion of the Trinitarians from the First Qiurefa, a majority of that church being of the Unitarian CutL

A small brick meeting-house was erected in the centre of the town, which remained the place of worship for the new society until 1860, when, bj a majority vote, the society removed iht locatioa of its Sabbath services from the central to the south village of the town, where a new meetinghouse was erected, more capacious than the fir^ which has ever remained the place of its soleom assembling.

The Orthodox Society had been in existence f''"' two years, when its first minister, Mr. Hope Brown, of Fitchburg, received a call to the pastorship. He was ordained June 22, 1830, and remained in the connection for nearly fourteen yean, when he was dismissed, by his own request, abd r^ moved to Xaperville, Illinois, where he for a time had the charge of a parish. Thence he removed to Bockford, where he still lives, but without a stated ministry.

he conferred the rite of baptism upon forty^nhie persons, and received eighty-eight into church communion. He was very active and faithful in the discharge of his parochial duties, and had frequent calls from other towns to sit in ecclesiastical councils, and wherever he was knomi he secured the confidence and respect of his fellow-citizens. His septoition from his parish and his removal from the neighborhood were very generally regretted, and many of his friends could hardly be reconciled to a poUcy that dissolved a connection which had been so long and so prosperously sustained. The subsequent history of this society has been one of frequent clunge.

A secession was made from the Ortliodox Society in 1853, of a few of its members of Baptist proclivities, who formed a. church, erected, a chapel, and have sustained their identity as a distinct people, without a settled ministry.

The only remaining ecclesiastical revolution worthy of notice in this place occurred in 1781 - 82, and its singularity will impart a peculiar interest to the reading community. At the date named, Ann Lee, the famous prophetess and preacher of Shakerism, having immigrated to this country with' several of her followers, and liaving established themselves a home in the wilderness near Albany, in the state of New York, made a missionary tour through parts of Connecticut and j\Iassachusetts, and at length found a family in Harvard, in the last-named state, where she and her doctrines were kindly received, and where she abode, disi^ensiug the word for a long season. She taught that Christ most appear twice, in and through one ^lerson of each sex, in order that his system, of faith might be perfect and effectual in the work of human salvation. She said tliat he had appeared the first time through Jesus of Nazareth, the son of a carpenter, and that his second coming was through herself, the daugliter of a blacksmith, and by receiving her faith - the distinguishing article of which was celibacy - Christians would have a perfect scheme of salvation, would be like the angels in heaven, and that when it should be fully carried out it would introduce a universal spiritual existence, where men could no more be bom or die.

While *' Mother Ann,'' as , she was reverentlv called by her disciples, remained in Har\'ard, many persons from the neighboring towns went to see her and hear her speak, some with a desire to find a purer faith, and others out of curiosity.

mission ; among whom were two farmers who lived in the extreme southern part of Shirley. They were brotliers, Elijah and Ivory Wilds. These were joined by two other families, living in Lancaster, whose estates joined those of the Wilds. Tlieir names were John Warner and Nathan WillanL The farms of these four individuals were united in a joint-stock proprietary, and it forms the territory now owned and occupied by the Shirley Sluikers. Tlie two dwellings where the Wilds lived are yet (1879) standing, time-worn and weather-beaten, amid the more imposing structures which the larger temporal means of these humble believers have enabled them to rear around. They eontain the rooms, unaltered, in which the holy *' Mother Ann ** discoursed to her spiritual children, where her elders knelt in prayer, and wliereihey led in the sacred songs, the devout march, and the solemn dance.

These meetings for worship were of frequent occurrence during the early periods of their history, and were often attended by strangers from a distance. Women have been known to come to them on foot a journey of twenty and more miles, and return on the evening of the same day. On one occasion two women walked from Mason, New Hampshire, twenty miles, on a rainy Sunday, and were even obliged to stop and wring the water from their stockings, then proceeding on their journey unharmed by the elements, being protected by their faith.

Those who have witnessed the mild and gracefpl movements of the modem Shaker worship cannot fully understand the zeal with which the early believers labored in the same vocation. Their dances and marchings were accompanied with violent twitchings and stampings, with shakings and whirlings, and oftentimes individuals dropped in a swoon, in which they would lie for hours, and even for days.

Though the Shakers of Shirley had few, if any, legal persecutions, they have not wholly escaped the violence of mobocracy, especially in the early stages of their existence. The most notable instance of mob |)er$ecution occurred at the house of Elijah Wilds on the evening of June 1, 1873, and on the morning of the day foUotiing. From a written testimony of said Wilds the following account. has been mainly derived. Ann Lee and her elders^ - James Whittaker and William Lee - had come over from Harvard to hold a religious meeting ^ith their friends in Shirley, '^ in consequence of

Mother's testimony against all sin and every kind of impurity of flesh and spirit^ and the great conyiction it [her testimony] produced among the people in this vicinity, a tumultuous mob was raised^ mostly from the town ,of Harvard, and consisting altogether of the enemies of the cipss. The malicious crew came to my house on Sabbath evening, about eight o'clock, and surrounded the house. Some of the leaders of the mob were or had been captains in the militia, and stjU bore that tide. They were followed by a large number of men, for the evident purpose of abusing Mother and the Elders.''

The little assembly of worshipped, thus invested by a furious mob, knew not how to protect themselves. They had no disposition to use the means of physical defence, if they had them. Supposing the malice of the invader would be aimed chiefly at their female leader, they hurried her into a small, dark closet, that led from a chamber, and concealed the door of the cbset by placing before it a high chest of dowers. Their next plan was to convey intelligence to the municipal authorities, and claim protection. But this could not be easily effected, as the house was completely surrounded by the mob, and none were allowed to pass out At length a woman who lived in the neighborhood, and who had a nursing inflEmt at home, asked permission to depart and attend to her little one. Her request was granted, and she lost no time in reporting to ihe proper officers the perilous condition of her friends at the house of Elijah Wilds.

The written narrative proceeds : ^'When daylight appeared, the leaders of the mob called for Mother and the Elders to come out to them. With this demand they did not see fit to comply, but gave them liberty to come into the house, and they came in accordingly. Mother and the Elders requested us to prepare some breakfast for them, which was done, and the mob leaders sat down and ate. Motlier then advised me to feed the residue of the mob who were in the dooryard. Accordingly, I carried out bread and cheese, of which they 'Cat freelv. After this the elders went into the dooryard, and Elder James [Whittaker] addressed them, and said, 'Wliy have ye come here to abus^ or hurt us ? What have we done ? Have we injured your persons or your property ? If we have, make us sensible of it, and we will make you restitution.'

brethren seized him by the other, and held him till he cried out, ' Lord have mercy I you will pull me in pieces.' At this cry the hands of the mob were loosed from him.'*

The police, arrinng at this moment, ordered the mob to disperse. This brought the intruders to a stand, and after some parley the leaders in the riot proposed that if the two elders - James Whittaker and William Lee - would return with them to Harvard, to the house of Jeremiah Willard, one of their brethren, they would not injure them or their friends. Though the elders had no confidence in the professions or promises of their persecutors, Ih^y Consented to their proposal, hoping thereby to draw them away from the house of Mr. Wilds, when an opportunity would be presented of relieving the " Mother " from her closet confinement. Accordingly, with a number of the brethren, they proceeded to Harvard, followed by the mob that had molested them through the night.

On arriving at Harvard the rioters violated their engagement with the elders that they would not injure them, and, dragging them out into a convenient place for their purpose, first tied James Whittaker to the limb of a tree, where they scourged him with a whip until he felt that the skin was almost flayed from his back. This flagellation he received with calm submission, and blessed God that he was accounted worthy to suffer in the cause of his Master. They next brought out William Lee, who told them he would not be tied, but kneeling, bade them lay on their stripes, which he would receive like a good soldier of the Cross. Just, however, before the lash fell, a sister broke through the gang of desperadoes, and throwing herself under the uplifted whip, begged that she might receive the blows instead of her beloved elder. The persecutor turned his whip, and, by design or accident, struck this sister a blow upon the temple which opened a wound that bathed her face in blood. At this the rioters became alarmed, and, having released the elders, left their disgraceful work but ha^f finished.