Somerville City (part 2 of 4)

It was fortunate for the McLean Asylum that it secured for its fiirst superintendent the services of a man so fitted by his intellectual and moral endowments to become the pioneer among the hospital superintendents of New England. The highly curable nature of insanity was not then widely recognized. Stories, often not without foundation, of the abuses of the private madhouses of England were rife in the community. People were loath to allow their unfortunate relatives to be taken to an institution where physical punishment and violence were supposed to enter into the means of treatment. To overcome this wide-spread feeling of distrust and aversion, ajid to exhibit the advantages arising from a kind, intelligent treatment, requii'cd a director of spotless moral character; and to lay the foundations of a comparatively new charity wisely and successfully, demanded a physician skilled in his profession, and possessing, in more than ordinary degree, inventive faculty and executive ability. Such qualities were united in the first superintendent.

Dr. Rufus Wyman was born in Woburn in 1778. He graduated with honor at Harvard College in 1799, and studying medicine under direction of Dr. John Jeff"ries, took his degree in 180-i. He sought to correct a naturally delicate constitution by a country life, and settled hi Chelmsford, where he remained, notwithstanding a flattering call from the citizens of Concord, until chosen physician and superintendent of the McLean Asylum. Resigning in 1835, he retired to private life, and died at Roxbury in 1843.

of putting in operation needed mechanical appliances. He early gave attention to the heating and ventilating of the buildings, and devised woodburning furnacesj by which tlie desired temperature was obtained from small volumes of highly heated air. His plan was put in successful operation, and was shortly afterwards used in the Capitol at Washington. To good natural endowments Dr. Wyman had added an academic education, a training of many years in the general practice of his profession, and a judgment formed from a close and varied acquaintance with otlier minds ; and at the beginning of his connection with the Asylum his life had been matured by the experience of forty years. To his wisdom and skill he united unwearied devotion to all the interests and requirements of the institution, and a fidelity which extended to the lesser as well as to the greater and more showy duties of his station. For fourteen years, or till his health broke down, he had been absent but five nights from his charge. He was averse to ostentation, and to such a degree that it is doubtful whether he gave due publicity to the results of his experience, which might have strengthened the hands of others about entering this field of labor, and served to increase the reputation and usefulness of the institution. Chief among his attributes was a sterling integrity and a moral grandeur before which the charges and assaults to which such institutions are - ever unavoidably liable fell harmless. The same qualities which enabled him to proceed patiently day by day, laying the foundations of an intelligent and humane treatment of lunacy in New England, that did not permit him to build or alter without a wise forethought, or to act without a well-matured and, as experience has shown, generally a just reason, will preserve his name fresh in the list of those who have rendered invaluable services for the amelioration of tlie insane in this country.

On the rctiiviiiciit of Dr. Wyman, Dr. Phineas G. Lee, who had been the assistant for a year, was elected to the sui)erintendency, and at once began a course of treatment in some respects opposite to that previously pursued. Dr. Wyman had regarded insanity as an inlhimmalion. Dr. Lee believed it to be an irritation, and curable in all cases, lie brought into greater prominence the moral agencies begun by his pn^deccssor. Idleness was deemed a' great evil, and all the imnates were souglit (o be provided with some occu])atioii, it n^l (if a useful, then of a diverting, nature. All ihi' km.wii varieties of amusement were aihiptcd, which should eft'ectually shut out all trains of diseased thought. In the midst of this experiment Dr. Lee died. Although the indulgence in rational amusements and the establishment of cheerful surroundings are relied upon at the present day as the chief items of treatment, under the light of added experience it is doubtful whether the extreme measures adopted by Dr. Lee could have been long carried out unmodified.

Dr. Lee was born in New Britain, Comiecticnt, in 1808. After a service under Dr. Todd at the retreat at Hartford, in 1834 he became the assistant of Dr. AVyman, and at the expiration of a faithful and active service of two years at the Asylum he yielded his life in the midst of his chosen work, dying October 29, 1836, of nervous exhaustion brought on by his constant and fatiguing labors. Dr. Lee was of a cheerful temperament, devoted and enthusiastic in the pursuit of his calling, and possessed a wonderful control over his patients. The purity of his character and the strength and fervor of his religious convictions endeared him to his many friends, and the energy and skill displayed in the care for his unfortunate charge made his decease - at the early age of twenty-eight - an event universally to be deplored by the friends of the institution. Under the direction of Dr. Lee one hundred and eighty-nine patients were received.

Dr. Luther V. Bell, of Derry, New Hampshire, was elected his successor in December, 1836, and pursued with some modifications the treatment of his predecessor. In 1836 the grounds were enlarged by the addition of six acres, and work was begun to extend the female wing by a similar addition to that upon the east side. The new wards, completed in 1838, were erected with the money of Miss Belknap, and perpetuated the memory of this benefactress. In 1851 Cochituate water was introduced into the A.^lum along the line of the Lowell Railroad. lii 1850 William Appletou donated S 20,000 for the erection of two buildings for the accommodation of a class of patients who had been accustomed to a more luxurious style of living tlinu rmdd l)e furnished in the older apartments. During tlic administration of Dr. Bell the class of occupants at (he Asylum gradually became changed, by the tacit demand of the public, for an institution more particularly devoted to the care of the wealthier class. This change had come about naturally by the more general provision for the insmc made bv tlie erection of state institutions.

Somer Ville

Dr. Bell resigned in 1856, after a service of nineteen years, leaving the institution in a liighly prosperous condition. Twenty-five hundred patients had been admitted under his charge. Tlie number of institutions for the insane had increased in these two decades from half a dozen to more than forty. Dr. Bell left the McLean Asylum standing in the front rank of these curative establishments, and enjoying the confidence of the community to a rare degree. No great change had been adopted in tlie medicinal means, but the agents of moral treatment, so called, had become more perfect, and many ex])eriments and means of treatment had been tried, to be accepted or discarded as experience directed. Important improvements in ventilation and warming had been devised. Some ])linses of disease hitiierto undcscribed had been detected, all of which added not a little to the stock of knowledge in this specialty, and established for their author a world-wide reputation.

For twenty years Dr. Luther V. BelLwas a citizen of this city, and during his residence as physician and superintendent of the McLean Asylum, identified himself with the interests of the town and its inliabitants, as he did with the larger interests of the community in all public questions and in matters ])ertaining to his special vocation.

His reports as chairman of the school committee for the years 1815-46 and 1846-47 are unusually long and minute, and show an earnest and jealous regard for the welfare of our schools, and a warm desire that they should attain that excellence for which tliey liave been in later years conspicuous.

Luther Y. Bell was born in Francistown, Xew Hampshire, December 20, 1806. His ancestors, of Scotch-Irish stock, were among the earliest settlers of New Hampshire, and the name of Bell has been in continual prominence in the annals of the state. The subject of this sketch - son of one governor, nephew of another, the brother of a senator and a chief justice - was graduated at Bowdoin College in lS:i.'5, and at the Medical School at Hanover three years later, while still in his minority. He began the practice of medicine in Derry in 1831, married in 18-34, and continued in the general practice of his profession till he was called to the special service to which he gave the best years of his life.

Becoming interested in the project of providing public accommodations for the insane, he allowed himself to be elected to the state leij-islature for the furtherance of this object, and in 1837, while thus engaged in his legislative duties, received a call to undertake tlie superintendence of the oldest and most prosperous institution for the insane in New England, - the McLean Asylum, where for nearly twenty years he was prominently before the eyes of the town, the state, and the country.

He was for five years president and a leading spirit of the Association of Superintendents of North American Institutions for the Insane. In 1857 he was elected president of the Massachusetts Medical Society. In 1830 he was a member of the governor's council.

Resigning tlie superintendency of the Asylum in 1856, not old in years, but in delicate health, he returned to private life, fixing his residence in Charlestown. But, important and useful as his life had been, it was not destined to go out without a further and crowning service. xVt the beginning of the Rebellion he promptly responded to the call of his country; was commissioned surgeon of the 11th Massachusetts Regiment, June 10, 1861, made brigadier-surgeon in August, and medical director of division when Hooker became majorgeneral. He was in the path of promotion to still higlier fields of usefulness, when, at Camp Baker, near Budd's Ferry, he was stricken down with pericarditis, which terminated fatally on the seventh day, - February 11, 1862.

Dr. Bell achieved his greatest success in the specialty which" was the principal occupation of his life, and upon the full and able performance of the various duties incident to tlie many branches of this calling his most enduring reputation will undoubtedly rest. When he assumed charge of the McLean Asylum there were not more than half a dozen such iiistitutions in the country, and he was frequently called upon to give the aid of his experience in the construction of new hospitals. The system of moral treatment of the insane was recognized at this time, but the means for accomplishing this end were far from being perfect, and it was under the administration of Dr. Bell that many of the appliances and adjuncts for carrying out this higlier treatment were adopted. Many experiments were tried, some of which were abandoned, others continued. All the results of his nineteen years' experience were given to the public in an interesting and elaborate series of annual reports, which did much to increase the efficiency of similar institutions in the country, and to maintain and advance the reiuitation of tliat which he had in charge. Dr. Bell had a taste for the legal aspects of insanity, and his full learning, his ready and suggestive memory and self-command, fitted him for medico-legal duties. For twenty-five years he was constantly before the courts as an expert in the vexed questions pertaining to In's calling. No man liad performed tliese duties oftener, more conscientiously, or with a higher degree of success. As a writer. Dr. Bell excelled ; but he left few products of his pen behind him. Essays on the external exploration of disease, on small-pox, and on a vegetable diet, his asylum reports, a work on ventilation, a eulogy on President Taylor, and an exiiaustive and very able opinion on the Parrisli Will case constitute nearly all of his literary remains. But his life was spent as an observer, and the results of his experience were imparted more frequently by speaking than by writing.

Dr. Bell possessed considerable skill and interest in mechanical arts. Tlie exterior of the Unitarian Church was modelled after his plans. A machine for the manufacture of flax has been hi successful use abroad. He claimed to have been the first to send communication over the telegraphic wire, and petitioned Congress for remuneration. Having an even temperament, he had disciplined himself to bear witli dignity the petty annoyances of his station, and tlie aspersions of the malevolent. His character and life were pure and simple. 'I'hdULrli a member of no religious sect, he had decplv pondered the Scriptures, and in life and death was a consistent Christian man.

Dr. John E. Tyler was elected superintendent February Vl, 1858, and continued in office till iU health compelled him to resigu, Februai-y 17, 1871. During this period two model buikiings were erected for the more violent insane, and the estate was extended by the purchase of five acres of land. The library for the use of the patients was largely increased, greater opportunities for amusement and for exercise were ofi'ered, and the Asylum, then as now, frequently enjoyed the performances and works of artists in the various branches of art and music.

John E. Tyler was born in Boston, December 9, 1819. After leaving school he entered upon a business life, which he shortly after abandoned to fit himself for a profession. Graduating at Dartmouth in 18i;i, he soon turned to the study of medicine, and took his degree at the University of Pennsylvania in 18-16. He established himself in Salmon Falls, N'ew Hampshire, where he practised his profession six years. During this period he represented the town in the legislature two terms. The position of superintendent of the New Hampshire Asylum for the Insane being vacant, he received the a])|)ointment October 15, 1853. Here he remained five years, radically improving the condition of the insane in that state. "Wlien about to return to general practice, lie was elected physician and superintendent of the McLean Asylum. Resigning, with shattered health, after a service of thirteen years, he retired to the private practice of his siiccialtv in the city of his birth. He held a i)rotVss.,rsliip in the Harvard Medical School, and continned to be frequently called in consultation and in courts till his death, April, 1878. Dr. Tyler was a man of uncommon energy and personal ])ower. lie not only had an unusual personal magnetism in dealing with ]ialieiits, but. ])ossessed the faculty of gaining (he confidence of their friends and the public at large more geiierallv than is wont to fall to the lot of hospital directors.

institution during so many years, and wliich sucli important services demand. Suffice it to say that the records of the trustees sliow frequent evidence tliat til their dcvotrd work the success and staudijig of the AM-hiin in no sli-lit degree belong.

15y tiie sinudtanciius retiivmeiit of Dr. Tyler and the first assistant, Dr. .F. II. AVhittemore, the management devolved on Dr. George F. Jelly, who was chosen superintendent October 13, 1871. Dr. Jelly resigned June 1, 1878, after an administration of seven years, in which the Asylum continued jjrosperous. A"o particular changes were made in the methods of treatment during this period, but the agencies for moral treatment have been constantly extended, rendering the institution more home-like in its cliaracter.

Dr. Jelly was born in Salem, in 184-3, graduated at Brown University in ISei, and took the degree of M.D. at the Harvard ]\Iedical School in 1868. Establishing himself in general practice in Springfield, he remained in that city fifteen months, till his appointment to thi' Asylum. The present superintendent is Dr. C'owles.

T/ie VrsdUw CoHre,if. - VVwj\wA Hill lost its Ke.volutionary title and rested in (jliseurity iinin the erection upon it of the Ursuliiie rnnveiit, tjie destruction of which by a mob in 1831 was a notable event.

The order of St. Ursula was established in 15o6, to give relief to the sick, ami to educate gratuitously female youth ; and the importance of its work was so fully appreciated that it escaped the persecutions to which monastic institutions were often subjected in Europe. After a time the vocation of the order was confined to its second object, - the education of female youth ; and as seminaries of learning the convents became established in America.

In 1820 such an institution was founded in Eoston, and six years later it was removed to Mount Benedict. The farm-house of Arnold Cook was fitted up for the school in 1826, wiiile a more convenient and commodious structure was in process of erection. The following year the convent was ready for occupancy. It was a four-story building, eighty feet in length, facing towards the east, erected upon the summit of the hill ; a long flight of steps led up to it from the street. Two large wings were added on the west side in 1S29. Altogether it was the most imposing structure of its kind in New England.

The grouiuls were laic] out in a tasteful aiul attractive manner. The southern slope was arranged in three terraces, on which were reared vines, trees, and shrubs. A drive-way, shaded by handsome trees, led up in a diagonal direction from the southeast corner of the enclosure, and wound rouiul a circular flower-bed in front of the house. The bishop's lodge and the stable were also ujjon the southern slope. On the northern face of the hill was grass-land, a vegetable garden, and an orchard.

Here, then, on a beautiful eminence, with a varied and delightful prospect extending for miles on every side, among a people believed to be as intelligent and orderly as any in the world, this little cominunity of Ursuline nuns began their work of instructing fem-ale youth, drawn mostly from the respected and wealthy Protestant families of the vicinity.

For seven years the institution flourished, and doubtless would have continued in existence till the present time had it not been for the combination of events to be described.

Although the wealtliier aiul more intelligent classes in Boston and vicim'ty were in the main tolerant of the convent, a7id believed that it carried out honestly and faitiifiilly the objects it professed, tlie larger portion of the community, parti}' from inlierited prejudices and partly from the direction given to thought by the pulpit, looked upon the system of convent education with jealousy and distrust, as tending towards the subversion of our institutions. Local events conspired to fan the flame of po])ular feeling, till at last it broke fortli into riot and sacrilege. The first of these events was the retirement of Miss Eebecca T. Reed from her novitiate, and a subsequent account of her life at the convent.

Miss Reed was a young woman of a respectable Protestant family dwelling in this town. Her parents had been possessed of some property, but at this time were in straitened circumstances. AVhile at school Miss Reed witnessed the community come out from Boston and take possession of their new quarters, and her curiosity was stimulated to make inquiries about their objects and mode of life. The more she learned of their seclusion and holy living, the more she became drawn towards a cloister life. She communicated Iter \ wislies to the superior and the bishop, and after conversation witli them, and further consideration, against tlie wishes of her parents she entered the convent, witli the intention of becoming a mm and an instructress, after a suitable period of preparation and trial. But the bright visions of convent life which this highly imaginative young girl had conjured up were destined to be dissipated in a few brief mouths. The picture of a dreamy and perhaps indolent seclusion, and the fascination of a mysterious worship, gave way to the homely and sober routine of duties with each hour appropriate to its own special work or worship. To endure the hard couch, the plain fare, the exacting penances, she realized that one must draw from deeper fountains of religious faith and luve than she possessed.

She resolved to return to the world, and that she might not be hindered in her resolution by ])hysical restraint or by moral suasion, her departure took the form of an escape, and scaling the fence, she presented herself faint and bleeding at the house of Mr. Kidder, keeper of the toll-gate. She stated that she was tired of convent life, had mistaken her vocation, and desired to return to her family, friends, and early religion. The story of her life during the months of her seclusion was not given to tiie public, but only rehearsed to a few particular friends, and the account committed to paper lay in manuscript till after the burning of the institution, when in justification to Miss Reed it was thought advisable that it should be published, with additions and emendations by the authoress and her Protestant friends. It appeared under the title, Six Monl/is hi, a Conveut, and provoked a reply from the superior, which was followed by another pamphlet entitled, A Supplement to Six Months ill a Convent. The escape of Miss Reed had long ceased to agitate the public, when another event took place whicli must be regarded as the exciting cause of the destruction of the convent.

of the institution for several years, and wa of mu-ic. ^Vh^thl-r she imau-incd h.ito fiillil c.nscicntiously the cxartii.ns of life at a time whi;n body and mind we by her exertions in pre])aring for C'oror or whether siie chose to leave the instilulion from other inotiv(^s, will probably never he kiidwn. Hut (ML the afternoon of July :JS, l.s;;t, sh.uily h.lun she would have held her reeilation, ^\w l.tt lh( grounds in an irregular manner, and ^diuxhl admission at the house of Mr. Ciilter. She then distinctly stated that she was tired of her secluded life and desired never lo return to it. She talked calmly and rationally, and stayed initil evening

A Mr. and Mrs. Runey came in, and at her request took her to West Cambridge, to the parents of a former pupil at the school. In all her conversation manner she displayed no signs of insanity whatever. The bishop and superior were acquainted with her whereabouts, and riding out to West Cambridge succeeded in persuading her to retire to the institution again, with tlie understanding that she should return to the world at any time. She asked the Cutters and Ruueys to visit her, and if she did not appear in ten days, she requested them to go to the convent and have an interview with her. At her non-appearance at tiie specified time, this request was fulfilled; but the callers were told that Miss Harrison was sick and had no desire to see them, was perfectly satisfied M'ith her present life, and wished to remain an inmate of the institution. The rejwrt that a nun, declared to be in sound mind, had escaped from the nunnery, was induced to return temporarily, but was not afterwards seen by the ])ublic, and had not left, acted like tinder upon the infiammable state of mind in the connnunity.

Reports were circulated that a luin was imprisoned against her will, and that there were underground cells in the convent where the inmates were immured. Two young ladies walking about the grounds at this period were reported to have been set upon by dogs. Stories were current that, from the mystery of Miss Reed's account, there were abuses at the convent whicli were too horrible to be divulged.

Public indignation sjiread ; hand-bills were posted, and threats uttered which menaced the existence of the institution. The selectmen sought to allay the excitement, and visiting the convent, made a careful examination of the building, that they might proclaim the groundlessness of the charges; but they were coldly received, and delayed in their investigation, and before a public aniioniieenieiit was made of the purity of the institution the rioters had done their work, the blackened memorials of which exist to this day.

On the night of .Vugiist 11, IS.'M,' by dusk, entirely without the foreknow ledge of the respectable citizens of the eiuiiiniiiiii \ , little knots of men began to gather about the vicinity of the convent grounds. At nine o'clock the crowd had greatly increased ; many were in carriages, and the greater part were strangers to the residents, who neither knew whence they came nor what was their ))ur- ])ose. Some of the crowd started a bonfire just to the east of the convent, on tlie land of ilr. Kelly. This brought the fire comj)anies from Boston, and Engine No. 13 came up the convent avenue. AVheu it reached the building a volley of stones was discharged, yells were heard, and an attempt was made to batter down the doors. Finally, disregarding the expostulations of the superior and the feeble remonstrances of the selectmen, an entrance was effected by the rioters, and for an hour or more they ransacked the premises. The building was exavnined in every part, secretaries and drawers were broken open and rifled, costly musical instruments, furniture, and books were thrown from the windows. The sacramental vessels were taken from the ciborium and scattered about the fields ; the cross was torn down and cast into the flames. All the symbols of worship were removed and desecrated, - even the tomb which contained the bodies of several nuns, who had consecrated their lives to deeds of charity, mercy, and instruction, was ruthlessly entered, and left open to gratify the prurient curiosity of the rioters. In the meantime the friglitened inmates, immbering in the vicinity of about ten nuns and forty-seven pupils, many of a tender age, had passed into the courtyard between the wings, and had sought refuge near the tomb till they were taken to places of shelter. The rioters subsequently set fire to the bishop's lodge and the other buildings, and did nut retire from the vicinity till dayligiit, when many of them got into carriages and drove off.

The deeds of the rioters were accomplished without causing a general alarm among the inhabitants of Boston. But on the following day great indignation was manifested among the better classes in the community. The Catholics could hardly be restrained from acts of retaliation. A meeting was held in Faneuil Hall, and addresses made by prominent citizens, who condemned the outrage in the strongest terms. On the 1.5tli of the month Governor Davis issued a proclamation offering $500 reward for the discovery of the perpetrators, and calling upon all classes to heal the wound. Twelve men, of various employments, who were believed to have been engaged in the riot, were arrested and indicted. December 2, John R. Buzzell, a brick-maker, against whom the evidence was strongest, was brought up for trial, and although he was generally believed to have been an active participant, and is said to have confessed his guilt years afterwards upon his death-bed, he was acquitted. Notwithstanding the general desire among the better class to have the perpetrators brought to justice, Marvin Marcy, Jr., a boy of seventeen, who had been drawn into the atfair purely from a love of mischief, was alone convicted, and he was set at liberty at the expiration of seven months.

Although endeavors have been made, no bill has ever passed the legislature indemnifying the Catholics for this wanton destruction of their property, and effacing a black stain upon the honor and good government of Massachusetts.

It remains to name a citizen closely and prominently identified with Somerville from the beginning of its corporate existence almost to the present time, who has been frequently mentioned in connection with the various enterprises for the promotion of public interests or the public welfare.

George Oliver Brastow was born in Wrcntham, September 8, 1811. He remained in his native town during his minority. After following the lumber business in Maine for a few years, in 1S;38 he became a resident of this place, and soon took an active part in the affairs of the town. In 1845 he was elected one of the board of selectmen, and from this time till his death he might almost constantly have been found occupying some public station or engaged in some public enterprise for the welfare of the community. He served three terms of office, aggregating eight years, - from 184-4 to 1862, - upon the school committee. He was sent as a representative to the General Court from this district in 18-19, and returned in 1850 and 1851, and in 1854 was elected to the senate. He was connected with the fire company at its formation in 1850, and in 1859 was one of the organizers of the Somerville l^ight Infantry, and their first captain. He was one of the charter members of John Abbot Lodge of Freemasons, and of Somerville Eoyal Arch Chapter.

The outbreak of the war foiuid liiin again in command of the Somerville Light Infantry, and profl'ering his services to the governor for three montiis. Later he was appointed paymaster in the army. In 18G2 he was again elected to the house of representatives, and again to the senate in 1866 and the three succeeding years, serving in 1868 as president of that body.

When the city government was inaugurated, popular feeling was directed toward Mr. Brastow as the most fitting person to become the first mayor, and he was almost unanimously elected.

and the following year re-elected. Declining further service, he was elected to the governor's council for the years 1874, 1875, and 1876. At the time of his death, November 23, 1878, he was an inspector of the state-jirison at Concord, and director of the Duxbury and Coliassft RailroiKl.

It is doubtfid if any man in .Si.nicrvillr had a firmer hold upon the hearts of his tuwiisnien than George 0. Brastow. This hold was not gained by the display of any rare intellectual or moral qualities, but by his activity in promoting the interests of his adopted town, his familiar slaiidiiig with the people, his frank, genial nature, and bis self-sacrificing generosity to the afflicted and needy of every class and color.

The intellectual qualities of Mr. Brastow's mind were not, however, by any means of a low order, for he was possessed of a good natural ability, and a mind exhibiting many admirable qualities for tlie public service. To a remarkable energy and a capacity for work, he united a good judgment of tiie wants of the people and a nice discrimination of the tone of popular feeling, while few men could assume a more imposing dignity on a fitting occasion; in his social intercourse witli tlie masses he had a hearty and jovial though blutf manner. He was the possessor of a strong common-sense with a lively fund of humor and anecdote, a presence of mind in any position or company, and a ])crs()nal community witli every individual with whimi he came in contact tliat gave liim great iulliience in the councils of the state as well as of the tow n.

Mr. Brastow is largely identified with the development of this city. He bought lands, on entering the town, witii a view to erecting houses and speculating in real estate, and having no continuous private business turned his attention entirely to measures which would develop the district. Hence we find him engaged in almost every enterprise that was started for the welfare of tiie community, - the establishment of cliurches, schools, societies, companies. In all tlicse diverse occupations he manifested the same earnest interest, and the same aptitude for the successful conduct of these concerns.

Mr. Brastow made for himself a war record that was highly honorable, and which clung to him during the remainder of his life. Soldiers of his command still speak of the watchfulness and afl"ectionate care he bestowed upon bis men, not only in the hour of engagement, but iu the every-day life of the camp.

Mr. Ikastow's period of service for the public weal, and for institutions and measures of recognized necessity in the eomniuiiily, extend over a period of more than thirty years, and justly entitle him to be placed in the foremost rank of tlic benefactors of Somervillc; and if we regard tlie high honors accorded to liini at his decease, we find such to be the expression of the popular voice, and that he was furthermore accorded a first place in the hearts of his own fellow-citizens. ^

1 Dr. Rootli having sailed for Europe tjcfore tliis article was in type, the i)roof-slu-ets have beeu carefully read by Mr. (.'harles 11. (iiiihl. cif Soiiicrville, to whom both the author and editor are indebted fur valuable suggestions. - 1£,D.

Source changes here: from History of Middlesex County, Massachusetts, by Drake, Samuel Adams, published 1880; 18,262 words in this source stream.

Somerville City

jdOMEEYnXE has a distinct municipal history of only thirty-seven years, but its 1 territory lias a record, con-" nected wit)i tliat of Charlesiouii, extending back two centuries atid a half. The city of Somerville is situated two miles northwest from Boston. It is four tnilea long, varies in iridth from tMo miles to five hundred feet, and has an area of twenty-seven hundred acres. It is bounded as follows : On the north by Tklcdford and tlie Mystic River, on the east by Boston, " on the south by Cambridge, and on the west by Cambridge and ArHngton. It was set apart from Cktrlestown in \9il, and became a city in 1872.

The surface is uneven, and rises into*no less tlian eight considerable elevations, of which Prospect, AV inter. Spring, and Central hills, and Jlount Benedict are the principal. Tlte soil is various, and in many pbces cNCellent for cultivation. Good sand for building purposes is abundant, and a \titi of clay, suitable for brickmakinc^, uTiderlies much of the surface. Tlie only stratified rock to be found in Somerville is slate. The intrusive rocks, cropping out in numerous ledges, in which occur an unusual variety of minerals, are entirely diabase. The formation is particularly rich in dikes.

Ample facilities are afforded for transit to and from the metropolis, five lines of steam and thiA of horse railways traversing the city, so that scarcely an estate is situated more than fifteen minutes distant from the business part of Boston. Seventeen churches 'and eighteen large and modem schooU houses stand withm its hmits. A public libtaiy is in successful operation, and two newspapers are published weekly. Tlie city is abundantly- supplied with water from Mystic Lake.

At the founding of Charlestown in 1S28, and for the first ten years, the area of the peninsula generally sutficed for the wants of the settlers; hut when, in 1637, bnd became so scarce within the neck that new-comers were rarely granted mon than a citizenship, purchases were made of the Indians, and settlements began to extend upon the mainland. The territory north and east of the Oiarles River was then owned by the Pawtucket Indians ; and by payment of thirty-six shillings in 1637, and twenty-one coats, nineteen fathoms'of wampum, anil three bushels of com, two years later to Squa Sachem and Webcowit, rulers of the tribe, tlie latter were well satisfied to relinquish to the town of Charlestown all the territory that is now Somerville. A few settlers had established themselves on the mainland from the earliest period.'

Extending along the right bank of the Mystic Biver^ from Charlestown to the town of Medford^ and formerly owned by one person, it has now been impipy^by the location of a Public Park and numerous avenues and streets^ upon which have been erected many beautiful residences conducive tQ.the wealtli and beauty of that portion of the city.

in 1681 Governor Winthrop was granted six hundred acres on the Mystic Biver, to which^ from the ten elevations upon it, he gave the name of The Ten Hills Farm. Here he had built a house, at some time previous, which was supposed by Savage, to have been the governor's country residence. The mansion-house, recently demolished, is presumed to have marked the site of this earlier building.

At this farm Winthrop built the Blessing of the Bay, a bark of thirty tons, the first vessel construct^ in Massachusetts Bay. It was probably launched July 4, 1631, at the wharf the remains of which were visible until recently just southeast of the Middlesex Avenue Bridge.

In 1677 the farm passed out of the possession of the Winthrop family, and was ia the hands of various owners, until it was bought, in 1740, by Bobert Temple^ who resided here at the outbreak of the Revolution. It was then less tlian half of its original area. In 1801, and for thirteen years, it was owned by Elias Hasket Derby, who stocked it with improved breeds of sheep. In 1831 it was bought by a party of wealthy gentlemen in the neighborhood of Boston, and styled '^The Ten

Colonel Samuel Jaques, under whose care the farm became one of the objects of interest in the vicinity. Colonel Jaques was bom September 12, 1776. He was a man of strong and original mind, and active in the affiiirs of the day. He was chief marshal at the laying of the comer-stone of Bunker Hill Monument, June 17, 1823, and acceptably filled the responsible position of Inspector General of Hops for the State of Massachusetts. In his manners and surroundings Colonel Jaques resembled the English country gentleman. He was an enthusiastic huntsman, and frequently the suburban residents of Boston were awakened from their slumbers by the sound of his bugle and the cry of his fox-hounds. Webster, Clay, and other noted men were in correspondence with him, and were occasional visitors at the farm. His diary, fully recording the local events of the day, was continued for a period of forty or fifty years, to the time of death, March 27, 1859.

Mr. John Woolwich, " Indian trader/' lived a mile and a half without the neck, on the Cambridge' Boad, near Strawberry Hill, as early as 1630. He was a representative to the General Court in 1634. John Libby and William Ayre were also early settlers in the same neighborhood.

The early inhabitants of Somerville were mostly farmers, and many of them large producers of milk. ' A few were engaged in alewife fishery at the proper seasons. Brickmaking was a branch of industrjr opened after the Bevolution, and has been sincb continued. At the time of the Bevolution the population of the Somerville territory could not have been more than two hundred and fifty. The houses numbered a few more than thirty, and were principally on the Cambridge, Winter Hill, and Milk Bow roads.

The land between these highways was divided into large farms, and held in comparatively few hands. Winter, Prospect, Spring, Central, and Walnut hills were pasture-lands, with an occasional growth upon them, mostly of red cedars. The now populous East Somerville was a farming tract. North of the Winter Hill rdad the fields stretched out to the marshes adjacent to the Mystic Biver, in an expanse unbroken except by the &rm at Ten Hilb. Mount Benedict was under cultivation, and was termed ''Ploughed Hill.'' It was said to have been so named because it had beeii customary to plough it in a circle around the hill, turning the furrows always down the slope. Willis' Creek (the Miller's Biver of later times) took its rise at the base of Spring Hill, and flowed with pure and pellucid stream through the meadows to the Charles Biver.

The tide encroached upon the district now known as '^ Brick Bottom," and passed up to a clump of willows, whose stumps yet remain half-way between Somerville Avenue and Wasliington Street East of Prospect Street, within our limits, was largely marsh. On its west side was high land covered with wood. South of the Fitchburg Bailroad, in the vicinity of Medford Street, was an extensive grove of stately oaks.

The main highways - to Cambridge, and over Winter Hill to Medford and to Arlington - are known to have been laid out as early as 1637, and the first is spoken of as a " path " four years earlier. The road from Union Square to Medford was also laid out at an early period. It began by following the course of Bow Street, from Union Square, and bore the name of Milk Bow from the

Street over BuUard's bridge, which spanned the creek, and going through a birch-pasture came out at Inman's Farm. From Bullard's bridge there was an open way to the gate of the path which led to the Lechmere Farm. In 1637 the land between these principal highways - called the conmion - was divided into riglits of pasturage, or the '' common ufas stinted/' as it was termed. In 1685 this tract was lotted out and confirmed to proprietors^, and eight range-ways were laid out, connecting the Cambridge and Milk Bow roads with the IVinter Hill and Arlington roads. These correspond to Franklin, Shawmut and Cross, Walnut, School, Central, Lowell, and Cedar streets, and Willow Avenue. All are Believed to have been two rods wide originally, but the one corresponding to Shawmut and Cross streets was in later years one rod wider, and was called Three Pole I^ne. Middle, Cross, or still later Barberry, Lane ran from Cross Street, nearly opposite the head of Tufts, in a line with the upper part of Cliester, into what is now Highland Avenue. At School Street it turned northerly ten rods, and then continued westerly^ and terminated in Central Street.

Tlie houses standing in Somerville at the time of the Bevolutiou can be approximately placed as follows : Beginning on Broadway at the Charlestown line was the Locke place, with its low liouse still standing on the north side of, and a little back from, the road^ OpjK>site was a building on the site of the residence of the late Mr. Fitch Cutter. It now stands on the comer of Sycamore and Foster streets. There was another house on the southwest comer of Cross Street. The next in order was on the northeast comer of Temple Street, formerly the entrance to Ten Hills Farm. On the summit of the hill just northwest of the residence of Air. Jonathan Brown stood Joseph Tufts' house, which has been removed to Lowell Street. Paniel Tufts lived in a house which is a part of the stately mansion on the north side of Broadway, opposite the ])owder-magazine.

There was a dwelling upon the powder-house farm. The generous old mansion of Mr. Oliver Tufts was bought, and occupied during the war by John Tufts, father of the present owner.

David Wood's country-house was in Tliree Pole Lane, near the northeast corner of Pearl Street. Hither he brought Ids family after the battle of Bunker Hill. On tlie Cambridge road from the

Charlestown line nothing except a brook broke the monotony of the open fields, till the honae ot Joseph Miller was reached, on the easterly corner of Franklin Street. It is still standing, and in good preservation. It is believed there waii a dwelling opposite the asylum gate. An old celliar, whose superstructure was unknown to any now living, existed as early as the year 1800, opposite the southerly end of Sliawmut Street. The next was a small dwelling on the estate at the westerly coniei^ of Boston Street. Mrs. Debby Shed liv^ above and opposite, in a house which, with a subsequent addition, is still standing, some fifty yards east of Mystic Street. As the road turns toward the west, opposite the '^Yellow Block '^ stood the small gambrel-roofed house of Samuel Shed, which Is now the second story of Mr. William Walker's residence. On the southeasterly comer of Prospect - Street was a house, and in the vicinity of Bonner Pkce lived Mr. Samuel Shed, Jr. Pvthian Block occupies the site of Benjamin Piper's tavern. No other dwelling existed on the Cambridge road^ except a house at the entrance of Webster Avenue and another on the site of the small dwelling joat ' west of the abutment

Milk Bow was somewhat mote thickly settled. After leaving the Union Square of to-day we should first have come to Samuel Choate's, on the west side of Bow Street, a few yards south of Watnut ; the house, though removed from its former site, is still standing. In the scarred and bleached old building just under the eastern wall of the Methodist Church lived Mary Frost, a widow. Jonathan Ireland lived on the northwest comer of School Street, in a house which has been moved to the rear of the Franklin School building. Samuel Tufts occupied the old homestead still standing on the west side of the road near Laurel Street. The widow Band lived on the northwest comer of, Central Street, in a dwelling which has long since ]xissed away. Samuel Kent resided in the low hip-roofed house yet in good repair at the comer of Garden Court. There was another dwelling ott the op]X)site side, near the 'present greenhouse. The twin-brothers Huimewell dwelt beyond, at the tum of the road, on the east side between Craigie and Lowell streets, in a very old house, demolished some fifteen years ago. After this there was no dwelling till we arrived at Timothy Tufts', near Willow Avenue. A hundred years have passed away, and this house is still standing unchanged^ and still occupied by a Mr. Timothy Tufts.

Although no battle, was fought within the limits of Somerville^ almost every considerable spot of her territory is associated ^ith the opening scenes of the BeToliitiou. Ten Hills Farm^ the old Powder-Hoiise^ Miller's Biver district^ Milk Bow^ the load ^ to Charlestowii^ Prospect^ Central^ and Winter hills^ Mount Benedict^ and the eminence on which the Asylum stands^ successively call up a vivid series of events, from one of the first acts indicative of the hostile policy of Great Britain^ to the time of the evacuation of Boston^ - a series almost identical with the history of the war in tliis port of the country. The first of these events^ the incursion to Quarry Hill^ will be described under another head. . In their march to^ and retreat from Concord^ April 19, 1775, the British passed through the territory of Somerville. Landing on the marshes, they struck the path leading from the house on Phips^ farm to BaUard's bridge, the only house then upon the point, and located on the site of houses now on the northern side of Spring Street, between Tliird and Fourth streets, East Cambridge, and at about two o'clock waded Willis' Creek, emerged from the marshes at Bullard's bridge, and entered the Cambridge and Milk Bow roads. Tradition informs us that several residents of Milk Sow were awakened by their onward passage. They were heard to call Pii)er's Tavern by name as they passed. It is also said that Samuel Tufts was running bullets with his negro in a small hut back of the house, and did not hear them; but the Widow Band, who did, and was alarmed by seeing them march by, tan in her night-clothes to his house, when, instahtly saddling his horse, he galloped across his farm to Cambridge to spread the news.

The Hunnewell brothers were deaf, and could not hear them, but Mrs. Tufts was aroused, and saw from the bed the gun-barrels glistening in the light of the risen moon. She awakened her husband, and they beheld the soldiers Iialt^ hasten up the yard, and, after drinking from the well under the window, resume their march.

It was about six o'clock in the afternoon when the retreating expedition re-entered Somerville, almost iipon the run. Here a body of Americans opened a murderous fire upon them from a grove of trees. A halt was made at Timothy Tufts', and a cannon planted on the high ground behind the house. Leaving a few dead, who now lie buried in Mr. Tufts' lot, they soon resumed their march, with a rear-guard, it is stited, to protect their retreat.

and a detachment in advance, which pillaged the houses as far as the rapidity of their march would allow. The inhabitants had left their dwellings at the sound of the distant firing, and taken refuge upon the hills. ^' It liad been a wonder of a winter, so moderate and unfreezing,'^ and the day was unusually warm, so tliat the thickly clothed British soldiers wellnigh sank with exhaustion. Some threw themselves into the old pond at the foot of Laurel Street, and drank like dogs. Several dead and wounded were left in the house mentioned as being near the corner of Prospect Street. Lord Percy received his hottest fire along the base of Prospect Hill, and the field-pieces were again unlimbered. A British soldier, while ransacking a chest of drawers in the senior Samuel Shed's house, was shot in tlie act, and fell over the open drawer.^ The jaded troops had now nearly reached the end of tlUir disastrous expedition ; but there was yet to oppose them, and deliberately lay his life upon his country's altar, Somerville's only martyr in the Bevolution. Some ten rods in front of the residence of Mrs. Gilson, on Prospect Hill> on the grassy slope that looks toward the south, is a spot hallowed by inspiring and undying memories. James ^filler, who had known tlie century from its first decade, took his gun and went forth to do his might against his country's oppressors. With a companion he stationed himself behind a stone wall ; and they used the old Queen's Arm with such efiect upon the passing soldiery thkt a platoon was detached to drive them back. As they advanced up the hillside, Ids comrade said, ''Come, Miller, we 've got to go." But Miller, with a fortitude worthy of the best days of Sparta, replied, ^' I am too old to run," and kept his face toward the enemy until, almost at the setting of the sun, he fell, pierced by thirteen balls, - a fitting and' glorious seal to set upon a ripened life and an immortal ' day!

During the siege of Boston, Somerville bore as prominent a part as any of her neighbora. Nearly all her hills were fortified, and alive with men. Greene and other generals had their headquarters at Samuel Tufts' house. General Lee, for a time, lived at Oliver Tufts'. Nothing more than guards were posted within the Somerville limits before June 17, and those were on Prospect and Winter hills. On the evening of the battle of Bunker

^ This interesting relic, with the marks of the blood and bolieta still upon it, is preserved at the bouse of Mrs. Tufts, in Medford Street.

HiII> having passed over the Cambridge Boad between nine and ten o'clock on the previous night, the Americans retreated to these heights, and soon afterwards began the erection of a line of defences in and about them, which finally made the former almost impregnable, and the latter even more strongly protected. The forces occupying the hills of Somenille constituted the left wing of the army besieging Boston. The first of the line of fortifications were earthworks in the vicinity of Everett Street. Patterson was at that time at the fort indicated as No. 3. There were other defences on the opposite side of the Cambridge Eoad connected with the citadel on Prospect Hill. This hill, ''Mount Pisgah,'' as it was sometimes styled, embraced two eminences, the eastern being what is now called Prospect Hill, the western being the present Central Hill. Both were fortified, - tlie former with a strong citadel, and the latter with a redoubt near the present High-School building. The two heights were connected by a rampart and fosse. . Greene's command of three or four thousand Rhode Island troops was stationed at these defences. Here Putnam, July 18, 1775, raised the flag bearing on one side *' An Appeal to Heaven," and on the other, three vines and the motto, '' Qui transtulit sustinet,'' now upon the Connecticut state seal. The new union flag of the colonies, ^ith its thirteen stripes, was first flung to the. breeze from this height, January 1, 1776. There were works in the valley between Central and Wiiiter liills, but all traces of them have long since disappeared. The principal defence on the latter eminence was in the form of an irregular pentagon, situated just at the junction of the Medford and Arlington roads. It was provided with bastions and a deep fosse, and was further protected with earthworks a hundred yards to the front.

A breastwork, nearly on the line of Central Street, joined the main work at the northwest angle. The intrenclimeijits on Winter Hill, begun by Stark on the ISth of June were more extensive than those of any other position of the American army. Sullivan was stationed here with his New Hampshire troops. A smaller work was placed beyond the main fort, a short distance down the nortlierly slope of the hill ; and another, on a rocky eminence northwest of the bend of Temple Street, in a position to command the Mystic Biver as it narrows and bends toward the west of Ploughed Hill, was occupied on the night of August 2G. The fort on Cobble Hill, where the McLean Asylum stands, was so perfectly built as to be known as '^ Pufi^im's impregnable fortress.^ It was armed with, eighteen and twenty-four pounders, and commanded the ferrv between Charlestown and Boston. It was not occupied till November ii. History records very little damage done to the fortifications by the enemy's cannon. One thirteen-inch shell burst within the citadel on Prospect Hill, but without damage to life or property. The works on Ploughed Hill received the hottest fire, three, hundred bombs having been thrown into them previous to Christmas.

Upon the historical remains of the siege of B9Ston and of earlier scenes time and the necessities of man have worked their usual irreverent clianges ; a few dwellings, the old Powder-House, and isolated pieces of intrenchment between Walnut and Pleasant streets and Yinal and Highland avenues, being nearly all tliat now remain, and Prospect Hill has given to Miller's Eiver, for sanitary requirements, a part of her historic crest.

After the evacuation of Boston, March 17, 1776, and the removal of the seat of war to New York, the residents of. the territory of Somerville, exempted from draft as an indemnification for the losses they had sustained, enjoyed a season of quiet undisturbed by the distracting scenes of war. From November 7, 1777, for neariy a year, the greater part of Bui^oyne's army were quartered as prisoners of war on Winter, Prospect, and Cobble hills. Germans to the number of nineteen; hundred occupied the first-named height, and twentythree hundred British were held on Prospect Hill.

From the Bevolutionary era till the time of its incorporation as a to^rn, the present city of Somerville was merely a farming suburb of Charlestown. For the first twenty-five years 110 changes occurred, except a slight gro\vth in population. The next quarter of a century was marked by greater advances.

Tlie Middlesex Canal, chartered in 1793, and made navigable from the Charles River to the Merrimack in 1803, pursued its sinuous course through 3omervillc. First making its appearance and crossing the extreme northern limits of the town, it reapi)eared where the Mystic Eiver, after flowing south, bends towards the east. Following the course of the river and the Medford turnpike for a short distance, it crossed the Ten Hills Farm, and skirting the base of Mount Benedict to avoid the marshes, it passed under the turnpike and entered Charlestown Neck, cutting neariy in halves the little strip of land belonging to SomerviUe east of the Boston and Maine and Eastern railroads. The tally-ho of the morning boat aroused few passengers from < Somerrille, neither did the boats bring to or carry away from the town much merchandise^ nor was the population perceptibly increased by this new pathway of travel. Witli the oi)ening of steam railroads the prosperity of the canal gradually deelined until its discontinuance in 1S4-J. At present few traces of it remain within the city limits^ a short section of grass-grown bed just east of its intersection with Mystic Avenue and near the old toll-house being nearly all that now exists.

In 1804 the Medford Turnpike^ now known as Mystic Avenue, was opened. Medford Street was constructed about the year 1812, after the completion of Craigie's Bridge.

built in the last cetitury in the southern corner of the | lot consecrated as a cemetery in the early years of the century, the Medford Street school-house, at the junction of Medford, Shawmut, and Cross streets, and one in the Walnut Hill district.

For many years in the early part of the' century Captain Joseph Miller, who carried on a blacksmith's shop at the eastern comer of Washington Street and Asylum Avenue, was the only assessor in this part of Charlestown. He would take the property returns and statements of sales from the fanners, as they came to him with work, - for he numbered nearly the whole district as his patrons, - and then -would take a day to drive in his chaise to the upper limits of the town to finish the work of assessment.

During the seventeen years preceding 1842 beginnings were made which were the sources of much of the growth of the future city. Tlie commencement of this era was marked by the opening of Milk Street, now SomerviUe Avenue, from the west end of Bow Street, - first to Medford Street, and a few years later to East Cambridge, - for the better accommodation of travel over Craigie's Bridge through SomerviUe.

In 1830 the Boston and Lowell Railroad Company procured a charter, and shortly afterwards began sur>'eying the land and laying the track for tlieir road. This innovation upon the established methods of travel encountered much opposition from the inhabitants of SomerviUe. Many were incrednlous of its utUity, and others thought it would destroy the brick-carrying trade. The workmen breaking ground were first opposed with arms, but the road was finally successfully laid, and cars began to run June 25, 1835. The Charlestown Branch Railroad Company a few years later constructed a road to Waltliam, which was -subsequently bought by the Fitchburg Railroad Company.

The citizens now began to awaken to a sense of the importance of this appendage of Charlestown. They felt that their territory was neglected by the town government, and their wishes disregarded; that they were taxed for supporting institutions, and making improvements hi the benefits of wliich they did not participate, and that they did not receive returns at aU commensurate with the amount of money they contributed. In 1828 an attempt was made to obtain separation from the mother town. A petition was sent to the legislature praying for an act of incorporation for a new town, to be called Warren, and counsel was retained. The petitioners were given leave to withdraw, however, and although the subject was kept fresh in the minds of the people, no further attempt was made to secure a separate existence for thirteen yeara. The grievances previously complained of had not been abated at the end of this period, and the town was under indictment by the gra^d jury for the dangerous condition of Broadway, Medford Street, and ^lilk Row ; when, one day in November, 1841, Colonel Asa Pritchard, who lived on Washington Street, between Medford and Boston streets, stepped into the freight-office ' of the Lowell Railroad, where Messrs. Charles £. Oilman and Hiram Hackett were employed, and declared he would pay no more taxes into the Charlestown treasury. His house was in the fields, and unsalable merely because it was in Cliarlestown outside of the neck. It WHS proposed, in pleasantry, to make a new town, where affairs could be managed more in accordance with the wishes of the residents. The proposition was received in earnestness. Notices were immediately prepared, and posted in conspicuous pkces in the district, caUing a meeting, November 22, at the Prospect HiU School-house, to ascertain the minds of the residents in regard to the establishment of a new town with the division line at the neck. Captain Joseph Miller was elected chairman, and Edwin Munroe, Jr., secretary of the meeting; and a committee, consisting of Messrs. Francis Bowman, Asa Pritchard, Edward Cutter, Robert G. Tenney, Benjamin Hadley, and John S. Edgerly, was appointed to notify the citizens more generally, and to obtain their views more definitely concerning the matter at issue. Sabsequently Caleb W. Leland and Joseph Clark were added to the committee. The meeting was adjourned for one week> when a committee was appointed : namely, Francis Bowman/ John S. Edgerly, Clark Bennetty and James Hill, Jr., with the later addition of Oliver Tufts and S. S. Buney, ''to examine the a&irs of the town, and to ascertain the amount of taxes paid by the inliabitants above the Canal Bridge, and also the amount expended in that portion of the town." December 3, the committee reported that the expenses of tlie town of Charlestown for tlie year 1840 were §50,000 ; that of the $34,093.76 raised by taxation, 85,687.78 were gatliered in the disaffected region ; that a lai^ sum was expended for the poor, nearly all of whom dwell within the peninsula; and the affairs of a separate to\ni might be at least as well maintained for the sum of $5,500. This report was accepted, and a committee, consisting of Charles E. Gilman, Hiram Allen, Edwin Munroe, Jr., Caleb "W. Leland, John C. Magoun, Oliver Tufts, Henry Gardner, Charles Miller, Samuel Thompson, and Bobert G. Temiey, was chosen to distribute copies of the report, obtain signatures, and use all honorable means to effect a division of the town through the legislature, then in session, employing counsel if necessary. This committee organized by choice of C. £. Gilman, chairman, and Edwin Munroe, Jr., secretary. At an adjourned meeting of the committee it was reported that Ephraim Buttrick had been retained as counsel. It was voted to call the new town Walford, in honor of the first white settler of Cbarlestown. But at an adjourned meeting, December 13, it was voted, on motion of Charles Miller, to change the name to Somerville, - a name selected solely on account of its rarity in the United States. A petition was signed by Guy C. Hawkins and others, praying for a separation from the town of Cbarlestown at the neck, and for tlie incorporation of a new municipality. Tlie petition was opposed by the citizens of the main jiart of the town, by the inhabitants just outside the neck, by those in the extreme upper part of the dissatisfied district, and in general by the Democrats, who saw, in the success of the movement, the birth of a new Whig town.

A committee was appointed by Cliarlestown to jgive assistance to the petitioners, but they proved themselves traitors to the cause which thev had been elected to further, and gave no assistance. When the matter came before the legislature, toward the close of the session, it was found that the act could not be secured with the boundaries as they were designated in the petition. The Bev. James D. Green, member from Cambridge, a moment before the vote was to be put, declared nothing could be effected at the present session miless the line was drawn outside the neck, as it now exirtSj and a narrow strip in the Northerly ])art of the town extending nearly to Mystic Pond was ceded to Cambridge. Only two of the committee of the petitioners were present; but Mr. Hawkins declared he would assume the responsibility of the concessions, and the act thus modified passed the l^slature and was approved by the governor, March 3, 1842. March 5, Ephraim Buttrick issued a warrant to Charles E. Gilman, commanding him to notify and warn all qualified voters in the new town to meet in the Prospect Hill School-house, March 14, to elect such officers as the law provided. A preliminary meeting, of which Columbus Tyler was moderator and Nathan Tufts, Jr., secretary, was held four days previously, and a board of town officers nominated. At the meeting on the 14th, Francis Bowman was chosen moderator, and the following officers, nominated at the preliminary meeting, were duly elected : Selectmen, Nathan Tufts, John S. Edgerly, Caleb W. Leland, Luther Mitchell, and Levi Bussell. The lastnamed gentleman having declined to serve, Francis Bowman was elected in his stead. Nathan Tufts was chosen chairman, Charles E. Gilman was elected town-clerk, and Edmund Tufts treasurer and collector.

This was for Somerville a day of small things. She began her career as a sparsely populated farming district, with less than two hundred dwellings scattered over her whole territory. She numbered but a thousand and thirteen inliabitants, with a school population of two hundred and ninety-three, distributed in six schools, - ^the Prospect Hill grammar and primary, the Milk Bow primary, on the site of the cemetery, the upper Winter Hill primary, in Central Street, the lower Winter Hill primary, ill Broadway, near Fmnklin Street, and the Bussell District School, kept in a private house in the Walnut Hill neighborliood. A single dilapidated globe and two blackboards, three feet square, compriseil the entire apparatus of her schools. .

Land seldom changed hands, and had never been of sufficient value to be calculated by the foot. The highways were merely country roads, with grassy borders and in poor repair. Many of the old rahge-wajs, pitvioasly described, hioid been enclosed by private parties. Highland Avenue was -stfll a cart-path, lined with barberry-bushes and sanoonded by open lands. It was impassable at night. Franklin Street could only be. traversed on foot. l!asi Somerville was in the fields. Spring Hilly which took its- name in 1841 from the fine spring upon its summit, was just receiving its first streets. There were not a half-dozen houses in West Somerville between tlie junction of Elm and Milk ' stteets and the Powder- House ; and the Ideation which is now dignifiied by the name of Union Square was at that time merely a *^ countiy crosb-road." There was no cluster of dwellings anywhere of sufficient imix)rtnnce to be designated a village. The total valuation of the town was 8988,513, and she could boast of no rich men, scarcely any one paying a tax of a hundred dollars.

The town liad no public hall other than the little school-house on Medford Street. There was no church, place of worship, or organized society, no stores, no minister, lawyer, or physician within her limits. Protection from fires was afforded by one small tub-enginew

Under these unpromising auspices Somerville began her municipal existence. The first meeting, after the oi^nization, was held April 4, 1842, and the following appropriations were made : Support of schools, $1,800; highways, 82,000; county tax, 8450; poor, 8200; contingencies, $300; total appropriation, 84,750.

The religious needs of Somerville received their earliest attention from Miss Elizabeth Page Whittredge, daughter of Livermore Whittredge, of Beverly, a teacher in the public schools, who, though in frail health, sought, out of the fulness of her religious iilature, to supply the want of Christian teaching in the community. June 1, 1842, she gathered the Union Sabbath School in the little public building on ifedford Street. Sixty pupils and' twelve teachers assembled the first Sabbath. Geoi^ Tapley was chosen superintendent, Miss Whittredge assistant, ^liss E. A. Bonner secretary, and Jeremiah Thorpe librarian. lifiss Whittredge continued her work in fast failing health till April 4, 1844, when she relinquished it to Mr. Farrington Mclntire. She returned to Beverly, and passed away, ''with a beautifully resigned spirit, iUignst 28, 1845.'' She was bom February 4, 1812. This was the first religious institution in Somerville, and it formed .the nucleos of the first church.

About this time the Bev. Bichard Manning Hodges, an unsettled minister in Cambridge, feeling convinced that it was his duty to supply tlie want of Christian ministrations then existing, with the concurrence of the Bev. George E. Ellis, of Charlestown, within whose parochial charge much of the new municipality lay, supplied the first Christian preaching in town.

The first meeting for public worship was held in an upper room of the engine-house, on the third Sunday of March, 1844. Some thirty families were represented. Services were continued by Mr. Hodges and the students of tlie Harvard Divinity School till within a short period of the building of a church edificer August 22, 1844, the First Congregational Society was legally organized, and the church erected on the site of the present house on Highland Avenue. It was dedicated September 3, 1845.

Bev. John T. Sargent was installed pastor February 8, 1846, and, resignnig March 4, 1848, was succeeded by the Bev. A. B. Pope, who continued in office until his death, May 24, 1858. Mr. Pope, an earnest and public-spirited man, identified himself \rith the educational interests of the town, particularly in the establishment of the high school, to which he gave a part of its philosophical apparatus. The Bev. Charles Lowe was installed May 8, 1859, and resigned, in consequence of feeble health, June 18, 1865. He was afterwards tlie honored secretary of the American Unitarian Association. His death occurred in June, 1874. Mr. Lowe, an able, universally beloved man, was a member of the school board, and at the time of his death a trustee of the public library.

The Bev. Henry H. Barber, the present pastor, was installed December 2, 1866. Mr. Barber is one of the editors of The Unit^riau Review, lias been one of the school committee, and is a trustee of the public library. This society lias suffered the loss of two church-buildings by fire, - one, July 22, 1852, and the second, dedicated April 28, 1854, bunied October 8, 1867.

No other church existed in town for nearly ten years. A few residents of the East Village, however, uniting with their neighbors of Clmrlestown at the house of the Bev. William Stow, in Mt. Pleasant Street, May 4, 1845, organized a Baptist soeiety, which held its meetings in an edifice at the neck. Li 1853 the building was moved to Somerville> enlarged, and called the Perkins Street Baptist Church. It was destroyed by fire January 8, 1866. Jane 26, 1867, the present costly and commodious house of worship was dedicated. The Bev. Mr. Stow was chairman of the school board for the years 184.8 and 1849. The Bev. J. Judson Miller, the present pastor, was uistalled September 17, 1861, and under his ministry the church has greatly flourislied, - the membership having increased from seventy-five to nearly six hundred.

During this decade Somerville made no . rapid strides, but advanced with a steady and encouraging growth. In 1843 the population had increased to 1,443, and real estate had nearly doubled in value. The high rgte of toll on the bridges Iiindered travel and settlement, but facilities for reacliing Boston were constantly improving. The Fitchburg Bailroad Company, Iiaving bought the road of the Charlestown Branch Bailroad Company, began running trains December 20, 1843, and the Boston and Maine extension, chartered in 1844, began a few years later to promote the colonization of East Somerville. During the year 1846 two new school-buildings were erected, in which were contained the Franklin grammar and Prescott grammar and primary. In 1843 the Somerville schools took the first rank in the county, and the third in the state, in amount of money expended upon them in proportion to tlic wealth and population of the town. The annual expenditures had increased to §18,397.60 for tlie year 1848.

The inhabitants of the town had long felt that they were inadequately supplied with proi)er means of protecting themselves against conflagration. From about the year 1838 they had relied u^wn the little tub-engine " Mystic,'' but there was no regularly organized fire-company till 1830. November 12, 1849, the selectmen were authorized by the town to purchase "a good and sufficient fireengine and a hose-carriage.'' On the arrival of the engine, styled Somerville No. 1, it was voted in the board of selectmen, January 7, 1850, to apiK)int five engineers, and Messrs. Gardner T. Bing, Nathan Tufts, Jr., George O. Brastow, John B. Osgood, and Abram Welch were thereupon appointed. January 8, Mr. Welch declining to serve, Hiram Allen was appointed to fill the vacancy. Tlie engineers met, and organized by the choice of Nathan

Tufts, Jr.^ as cliief and George 0. Brastow as clerk. The first fire after the organization of the department was the bam of Jotliam Johnson, on the Ireland range-way. The following is the list of engineers and the periods of their service : Nathan Tufts, Jr., from 1830 to 1852 ; Abram Welch, from 1832 to 1855; B. A. Vinal, from 1855 to 1858; John Buney, from 1858 to 1861 ; S. H. Gooding, from 1861 to 1865 ; D. A. Sanborn, Jr., from 1865 to 1872 ; J. B. Hopkins, from 1872 to the present time. More than fifty members enrolled themselves in the new company, but becoming dissatisfied, they disbanded March 2, 1853, and surrendered tlie engine and other property belonging to the town to the engineers. December 5, 1854, a meetipg was held to form another company, which was duly organized, and two hundred members connected themselves with the department between December 6, 1854f, and March 30, 1866, when the volunteer system was abolished. On the 26th of May of the latter year a costly and efficient steam fire-engine was purchased and the department reorganized. A working force of engineers, drivers, and firemen were permanently employed. In 1871 a fine building was erected on Highland Avenue, nearly in the geographical centre of the town, for the steam-engine, and the old house was fitted up for a hose-carriage and a hook-and-ladder truck. In 1873 two more hose- houses were built.

The department was again reorganized, in accordance with an act of legislature, April 24, 1874, and June 17 a fire-alarm telegraph was established through the instance of the present chief. In 1872, through the exertions of Mr. D. A. Sanborn, Jr., the Charitable Association of the Somerville Fire Department was organized, and has now a fund of §1,100 for the relief of sick and disabled firemen.

In May, 1877, an ordinance was passed reducing the working force of the department. The department now consists of one steamer and hose-carriage, four hose-carriages, and one hook-and-ladder truck, all dra^n by horses. The city has an abundant supply of water for extinguishing fires, fur*

In 1831 the first directory was published by Edmund Tufts ; it was a duodecimo of thirty-two pages, and contained princii)ally the heads of families in town, five hundred and ninety in nuinber.

A considerable interest liad been manifested for several years upon the subject of a high school, the statutes requiring that such an institution shall

In 1859 Mr. H. H. Babcock was appointed principal, and the coune of stndj was revised. Under the new organization the first r^tdar gradoacion took place in 1S6£. The school at once became more snocessful, and at the resignation of Mr. B^bcock^ in 1867, it was in the first rank of the high schools of the commonwealtL 3Ir. G. L. Baxter succeeded Mr. Babcock, and under his mauagement the school retains its high degree of efficiencT, and contains a larger number of pupils than is usual in proportion to the number of iiiliabitants. The accommodations of the first building being entirelj inadequate for the increasing wants of the school, a large and beautiful school-house was erected, and the same was dedicated Februarr 27, 1872. The school numbered, in 1S78, two hundred and forty-four pupils, and was governed br a corps of two inale and four female teachers.

During the first ten years of the town's corporate existence the population nearly quadrupled, liaving been recorded at 3,5-10 by the census of 1850.

"xpcBses ome ia l^M a town debt, 39,636.f3 hid grown to S20^0.49 at the cad of the first decMle. Seven adKnUiaidings had been eonstiociEdp aagaieatiBf the aaadier to eleven, and the school ptyilatinn was regislered ai feor hnodred and ninetr-sevea, with three aak and eleven fanale teachers.

At the end of this ea three aioia frjch?siailirsl societies were established^ - the First Baptist, the Fraaklin Street Coi^re^tioBal, and the Krst UnivenalisiL The First Baptist Society was foimed in a hall at the comer ^ Soaienrille ATcnne aad Sprii^ Street, Deccaiber SO, 1S52, and the Bev.

from Maj, 186S, to August 9, 1869; Bev. Charles M. Smith, from Februarr, IS? 0, to the present time. The Franklin Street Orthodox Societr had iu beginning at the house of Mr. Temple Finl, April 21, 1S53. September 15, the society took its present name, but was not legallv organized till April 1, 1335. The comer-stone of the first house was bid in October, 185-1, and the chureh dedicsted July 12, 1355. The following is the sncoession of pastors, with the periods of their mirnstry : Ber. B. Judkins, from January 3, 1856, to June S, 1S53; Bev. D. T. Packard, from September 20, 1860, to November 2S, 1S66; Bev. L. B. Eastman, Jr., from June 27, 1867, to May 22, 1871 ; Bev. Williams. Hubbell, from February 1, 1S71, to the present time. The society lost their church* building by fire, March 15, 1867, but promptly proceeded to rebuild upon the same spot the spacious and elegant structure now standing. The cornerstone was hiid August 27, 1S67, the Testries ojKned for worship May 17, 1868, and the ehurdi dedicated September 30, 1S68. Tlie Fir»t Universaltst Society was organised in

February, 1854. For the first five years worship was lield in a chapel on Tufts Street. In 1859 a wooden church was erected on the present site. This M-as destroyed by fire> January 21, 1868. The present house of worship was built the ensuing year. The foUoiidng are the names of the pastors and the time of succession: Sev. G. H. Emerson, 1854-1859; Bev. D. H. Qark, 1859-1862; Bev. Benjamin K. Buss, 1862-1874; Bev. G. H. Vibbert, 1874-1876; Bev. W. S. Balph, 1877 to the present time.

Tlie Somerville Light Infantry i^'as organized October, 1853. In May, 1854, the constitution was approved, and the company was enrolled as Company 6, 4th Begiment, 3d Brigade, 2d Division; but the regiment was afterwards numbered the 5th. George O. Drastow was elected the first captain. He was succeeded by Francis Tufts, June 29, 1854, who served, with an intermission, till April, 1859. Captain Drastow was then reelected, and continued in office until the close of the comjmuy's three months' ser\'ice, at the begihning of the war, when he was succeeded by Captain B. F.' Parker, who commanded the company during its nine months' ser\-ice in North Carolina in 1862-63. Later, under command of W. E. Bobinson, the company started for the seat of the war, under a hundred days' enlistment, but was recalled. After>vard, under the captaincy of J. N. Coffin, they completed a service of a similar length. In the spring of 1865 G. W. Daniels was elected captain, retaining tlie position till May 3, 1871, when he was succeeded by Charles F. King. In the former year the company was reorganized. Captain B. Kramer followed Captain King, August, 1874, and resigned June, 1876. The company was then under command of Lieutenant B. T. Blackwcll, until it was disbanded, July 6, 1876. At present no military organization exists m Somerville.

February 23, 1853, by an act of the legisbture, the Charlestown Gas Company was authorized to lay pipes in town, and, April 11, a similar authority was granted to the Cambridge Gas Company. So generally did the new means of illumination come into use, that, April 13, 1854, the Somerville Gaslight ComjKiny was incor])orated ; but before preparations could be made, the necessity for a further supply of gas had ceased, and the company has never gone into operation.

Company liad been incorporated the pievioos year, and shortly afterwards constructed a line to Boston from the eastern boundarv of the town on Washington Street. In May, 1855, a charter was granted to the Medford and Charlestown Bailroad Company, and one to the Somerville Horse Bailroad Comijany, May 29, 1857 ; and in July, 1858, the roads were finished and put into operation, - the one occupying Main Street and Broadway; the other Washington, Milk, and Elm Streets. By legislative enactment, April 4, 1863, the Somerville Horse Bailroad Company was allowed to extend its tracks from Union S(|uare through to Somerville Avenue to the East Cambridge line. Travel was established to Boston over this extension daring the following year. That part of the Somerville Horse Bailroad Com^iany upon Elm Street, Somerville Avenue, is under lease to the Union Bailroad Compny, and the Middlesex Bailroad Company rents the line on Washington Street, aiiSl also the line on Broadwav to Winter HilL '

In 1856, the First Methodist Episcopal Society was formed, through the labors of the Bev. fi. Gerrish of East Cambridge. The first service was held in Franklin Hall, on the site of Holmes' store. The society was organized June 24, 1857, and a house of worship, the corner-stone of which was laid October 5, dedicated March 31 of the following year. Bev. Charles Baker became the first settled pastor in 1859. llie needs of the society having outgrown the first building, the corner-stone of the present costly and spacious edifice was laid July 27, 1874, and another church dedicated May 29, 1875. The Bev. W. S. Chadbourne, the present ])astor, is the eleventh since the establishment of the church.

In 1859 the town undertook to readjust her own boundaries and those of private estates, liot so much \nth the hope of restoring the original limits, a$ to prevent further encroachments. The ancient lines liad become obliterated or uncertain, and fences had been erected to suit the convenience of abuttors. No elucidation could be exjiected from the Charlestown records, M'hosc meaning had become obscure from a constant reference to bounds of a ])erishabie nature. Consequently a sur>'ey was oidered, and upon its completion, in 1862, a valuable map was preixired, and an aocarate record of all lines and limits, and sectional plans of all the streets, were recorded in durable form.

the made a anifonn and rapid progress. The freeing of the bridges to the metropolis liad tended to torn, the tide of travel in this direction. Real estate had experienced an upward tendency. East Someiyiile grew more rapidly than any other part otr tlie town. The northern and western districts had received but little impetus as yet. In 1S59 there were but three houses in the now thickly populated area bounded by Bow^ Wahiut^ and School streets, and Somerville and Highland avenues. Many new streets had been bid out, increasing their total length to thirty miles. These highways had been kept in a fair condition by the yearly outlay of a sum varying from §3,000 to $10,000. A few reservoirs had been built for better protection against fire, and five school-buildings had been erected. The school population - now numbered at 1,707 - had more than tripled. The schools had increased in number to twentyfour, and were presided over by five male and twenty-six female teachers. A high school and an intermediate grade liad been established. The town continued to maintain the previous high rank of its educational establishments. An appropriation, fluctuating from 86,000 to 818,000, iiad been annually expended upon them.

Hie population hiad more than doubled, having been registered at 8,025 by the census of 1860. There were 1,751 polls, and 1,282 houses. The total valuation of taxable property was $5,760,000. The town debt liad increased to 300,92-1.

During the period of the war the town undertook few improvements or important measures, feeling that any outlay beyond the demands of necessity should rightfully be devoted to the interests of the countrv. Therefore an account of the soldiers for the four succeeding years is almost the history of the town.

On Easter Sabbath, 1862, the Emmanuel Episcopal Church had its beginning in a hall in Somerville Avenue, near Park Street, under the ministration of Rev. N. G. Allen. In 1865 the present church edifice was erected. The present pastor is Eev. N. K. Bishop.

In May, 1863, a Sabbath school was gathered in a chapel in Tufts Street by the efforts of Rev. N. G. Allen, around which \^'as formed the St. Thomas Episcopal Church. In 1868 the Rev. George W. Durell, the present rector, was installed, and it was lai^ly by his bbors that the present church-building was erected.

also took its rise in the year 1803^ when in the month of August the Sabbath achool was toumtL June 14, 1865, the church was r^ukriy organised, under the pastorship of tlie Bev. E. Porter Dter. In January, 1868, a chapel was complefed, and in December, 1871, the society removed to its present house of worship. Tlie church is now under the ministry of Rev. William H. Pierson.

In April, 1863, the town voted to illuminate streets at night where the abuttors would j^ace lamp-posts in position, and before the close of the year ninety-two lamps had been provided.

Somerville's war record is highly honordJe. For rapidity in filling quotas, for measures taken for the comfort of her soldiers, - by personal sympathy, by the visits of the town officers at the sett of the war, in forwarding supplies of moncj and clotliing, - and for the attention given to tliA soldiers' families, a duty which did not cease with the war, this city stands in the front rank.

Four times the Somerville Light Infiuitrywent forth from the town for various periods of service, and one full company, the Somerville Guard, went out for the period of three years.

At the first call of President Lincoln for troops, in April, 1861, the Somerville Light In£uitry entered the service as Company B of the 5th Begiment. They numbered sixty-eight men with George O. Brastow captain, and W. E. Bobinson and F. B. Kinsley lieutenants.

April 17, an enthusiastic meeting of the citizens was held to raise money to aid the departing company and their families, and to give expression to sentiments of loyalty to the government. A sum of 84,3£3.50 was raised, of which a small purse was given to each soldier, and a lai^r sum was placed in the hands of Captain Brastow, with instructions to provide without stint for the comfort of his men. April 20; the company was escorted to Boston, and each member presented with a Testament by his fellow-citizen, Moses H. Sargent. Bemaining in Faneuil Hall tliat uiglit, they started for Washington the next evening. Arriving at the capital on the 27th of the month, they were quartered for four weeks in the Treasury Building, doing guard duty. They were then removed to Virginia, on the Potomac, four miles from Washington, where they remained one week. From June 2 to July 16 they were encamped in the vicinity of Alexandria. On the latter day they were given the right, leading a long column to Manassas Junction, and participated in the ensuing battle of Bull Bun. Here

S. PnMiklm Haimaford was believed to liave been kiUed. They returned home July 21^ leaving comrade W. Frank Moore sick in the hospital at Washington, where he died July 31.

May 25, the Capitol being in danger, the governor ordered the State Militia to assemble on Bos* ton Common, and the Somerville Light Infantry again came forward under command of Captain Bobiuson. But the troops proffered by the state were thought by the President not to be needed, and they returned to their homes. Tliis cheeky to the enthusiasm of the volunteers operated unfavorably in future calls. Time was given for the first ardor of patriotism to cool, and a calculating and somewhat mercenary spirit to enter into a consideration of the subject. Prices had advanced, all branches of industry were in full operation, making a counter-demand upon the services of ablebodied men. Consequently, when on June 28 a call was made for 300,000 men for a three years' service, Tccruiting was carried on with a greater and gradually increasing difficulty. The quota of Somerville in this call was ninety-two, but the town voted, July 19, to raise a full compuny, and pay a bounty to each man. A citizens' committee of sixty was chosen to co-operate with the selectmen in filling the quota. Mass-meetings were held, and a bounty of 8125 was offered. Finally, a com-* plement of men was enlisted, and the company styled the "Somerville Guard." August 12, it was mustered into service, and attached to the 39th Begiment as Company £. It was allowed the privilege of remaining on Pro$j)ect Hill for three weeks, when it joined the camp at Boxford, and was assigned the riglit of the regiment. Here it remained two days, and on September 6 took the cars for Wasliington ; it proceeded to Arlington Heights, and, later, went into winter-quarters at Poolesville, Maryland. The season was spent in doing guard and picket duty upon the Potomac. Here the company suflered its first loss in the death of S. P. Eollins. In April, 1863, the regiment was ordered to Washington, and did guard and escort duty till niidsiumuicr, when, on July 9, it joined the army of the Potomac, with which it remained till the close of the war. It was assigned to the first army corps, and took ^xirt in tlie marches and engagements of the corps at Bristoe and Bappahannock stations, and Mine Ilun. In one of the movements of tlie army, the pickets - of whom there were thirteen from Company E - were left exposed by their fires at the front; seven were captured, of whom two alone ever returned. J. W« Oliver was paroled at Bichmond, and 6. TV. Bean survived the privations of Andersonville. F. J. Oliver, Washington Lovett, Joseph W. Whitmorc, Henry E. Howe, and Bichard J. Hyde died from star\'ation and exposure. When the corps went ipto winter-quarters at Mitchell's Station, Company It had already lost sixty men by sickness, death, and transfers. The regiment havhig been assigned £be extreme right, the picket duties were very severe,' and the company was under arms most of the time. It participated with its regiment in the battle of the Wilderness, and those following in quick succession. In engagements between May 7 and May * 19, Sei^ant Palmer, Corporal Felker, Bobert- Powers, J. H. Boberts, W. M. Herbon, and Corporal Harbum were killed, and February 6, 1865, E. B. Hadley. At Gravelly Bun, March SO, Captain Willard C. Kinsley and Corporal Moran were mortally wounded. The former entered the service as second lieutenant of the Somer\ille Guard, but was afterwards promoted to the command of another company. He was deeply beloved by all wbo' knew him, not only for his courage and maidy qualities, but for his kindness, s}nnpathy, and for* gctfulness of self on all occasions of trial and suffering. The oi^anization of the Grand Army of the Bepublic in Somerville has named its post for this gallant young soldier and martyr. The Somerville Guard suflered no further losses in battle; but of those taken prisoners, Glines, Allen, Jones, Gorham, Horton, Hatch, and Keurick fell victims to* disease brought on by the inhumanity of Southern prisons.

Quickly succeeding the last call was another for SOO,UOO troops, and the Somerville Light Infantry, with B. F. Parker captain, and W. C. Bailey and John Harrington lieutenants, again entered the service for nine months.

August 37, a bounty of S125 had been voted by the town, which was increased to $200 September 24. The company went into camp on Pros- ])ect Hill after the departure of the Somerville Guard, remnining till September 16, when it departed to Wenham. Leanug camp in October, it was ordered to Nortli Carolina, and remained in the vicinity of Newbcni, without participating in any considerable battle, till the expiration of its

In July, 1863, one hundred and eighty-sit men were taken by draft from Somerville. As a result of this levy, $3,000 in commutation money was

October 17> the President made a further call for three hundred thousand volunteers, and, with some difficulty, the town filled her quota of ninetytwo m^n by March, 1864.

Somerville furnished forty commissioned officers and one thousand and eighty-five men for the war, in all branches of the service, which was a surplus of one hundred and fortv-seven above the number required. , Ninety-eight were killed, or died of disease incident to the hardships of war, and . two hundred and fifty were woundexl. The whole amount of money appropriated by the town for war purposes, exclusive of state aid, was 8133^039.41, and 363,823.38 was voluntarily contributed by the citizens.

. Upon the selectmen and war committees devolved unusually arduous, labors, and to Tliomas CSonniiigham, recruiting officer during the greater part of the war and town treasurer for 1863, 1864, and 1863, the town is especially indebted for his energetic efforts in the various departments of the war business, and for preparing and preserving a eareful record of the transactions and expenditures of this period.

The women of Somerville were not less patriotic iiian the men; and actively engaged in all possible labors to manifest their sympathy and furnish material aid. Soldiers' aid societies were formed for making clothing and other articles of comfort for the soldiers in camp or hospital; many delicacies were prepared for the sick or wounded ; fairs were held for the purpose of raising money ; and all that womanly tenderness or womanly ingenuity could siiggest, was cheerfully assumed, and as successfully accomplished.

. Li the summer of 1863 a marble monument inA erected in the cemetery, to the memory of those from the town who had fallen or were vet to &11 in the service of their country. It was erected with the residue of the fund raised for the Somerville Light Infantry at their first going forth. It is a small and simple shaft, standing in the middle of the yard, crowded with names, and it was the first monument erected in ^lassachusetts to the fallen soldiers and sailors in the War of the Rebellion.

were united into the Fourth District, and entitled to three representatives, in a ratio of sixteen to fourteen upon an aggregate of thirty representatives in the ten years, and under th^ census of 1873, upon which a new apportionment was made in 1876, Somerville became entitled to send three representatives to the General Court, which was done for the session of 1877 and thereafter.