Stow Town

Stow Town

This territory, being deserted during the war by the inhabitants, became a famous rendezvous for the savages, whence they made raids upon tlie neigliboring towns. Tradition says tliat the Indians once held a consultation upon Pompasittacutt Hill, overlooking Concord and Sudbury, relative to wliicli place they should destroy. Sudbury was decided upon, because one of the leading warriors said, "We no prosper, if we burn Concord. The Great Spirit love that people. He tell us not to go there. They have a great man there. He great pray." This allusion was to Rev. Edward Bulkley, the Concord minister. They feared his influence with the Great Spirit. Hence Concord was saved, and Sudbury suffered. Indians resided upon this territory for years after its settlement and incorporation, and some of the inlj^abitants now have deeds of land given by the aborigines to their ancestors. Soon after the incorporation of the town a rate was made to pay Ben Bowhugh, or Piphugh, and James Speeue and others, for lands purchased of them.

Who was the first settler in Stow after Philip's War is unknown. In 1681 we find a list of the twelve allotments of land. Lot number one was set apart for the first minister. The other eleven lots were probably taken up in 1678 or 1679, and were assigned to Boaz Brown, Gershom Heale, JolinButtrick, Ephraim Heldreth, Thomas Stevens, Stephen Hall, Samuel Buttrick, Joseph Ereeman, Joseph Daby, Thomas Gates, and Sydrack Hapgood. Subseciuently, and before the middle of March, 16S6, house-lots were granted to twentythree other persons. The inhabitants having so increased in mimbers as to be able to look after their own affairs, the prudential committee, on the 11th of October, 1681, ajjpointed Thomas Stevens, Boaz Brown, Thomas Gates, and Stephen Hall, to take charge of the plantation ; and they were invested with the powers of selectmen "for the carrying on of such affaires as shall relate to the good settlement of the place," subject, however, to instructions from the committee. This committee. April 24, 1682, appointed John Hay ward, of Boston, plantation clerk. In the early part of 1683 the inhabitants became anxicms to take their place among the towns of the colony, and made known their wishes to the prudential committee, who on the 9th of April chose Tliomas Stevens, of the plantation, as clerk, and directed the iidiabitants to meet, and choose five selectmen " to order and manage their Towne affaires, and a Constable for y" year Ensueing." The meeting was held on the 19th of April, 1683, and Sergeant Benjamin Bozworth, Thomas Stevens, Stephen Hall, Boaz Brown, and Joseph Ereeman were chosen selectmen, and Thomas Gates constable. Early in the following May the citizens met, and prepared a petition to the General Court, asking to be made a town with " some suttable comly English name," and to be freed " from Country publick Charges & Hates a while Longer," on account of the great expense they would be at in supporting a minister, making bridges, and "other unavoidable heavye secular matters, y' will sorely pinch a poore people in soe yong a plantation, where they can not yet Raise competent ordinary food & Rayment." On the 16th of May, 1683, the General Court granted their prayer, and ordered them to be a town by the name of Stow, and freed them "from ye Country Rates for three yea res."

The town, thus constituted, was of very irregular shape, extending from the ancient bounds of Sudbury to what is now Lunenburg. But portions of it have been taken from time to time to form the towns of Harvard, Boxborough, Shirley, Hudson, and Maynard. It now comprises only about one third of its original area, and is bounded north by Boxborough aiul Acton, east by Maynard, south by Hudson, and west by Bolton and Harvard. It has three villages, - the Lower Yillngc, where the first meeting-house M'as erected, about a iiiilc easterly of the Centre, and Rock Bottom, in the southerly part. The principal stream is the Assabet River, in the southeasterly part. Assabet Brook is the next largest stream. The two noted hills, Pompiisittacutt and Shabbukin, are now respectively within the limits of Maynard and Harvard. But there are beautiful views from Sj)indle, Birch, and Marble hills. In 1875 the jiopulation was 1,022.

Fccles/.usfl.cal Affairs. - As many of the early settlers were from Concord, we presume that Rev. Mr. Bulkley of that place preached to them occasionally. But the first allusion on the records to ministerial matters was in June, 1683, when a rate of five pounds was made to pay Mr. Greene, who had preached previous to that date. He jirobably remained but a few months. June 5, 1685, a rate was made to pay Mr. Parris " for his pains amongst us." This was Rev. Samuel Parris, subsequently so noted in eoimection with the Salem witchcraft delusion. His stay was short. James Minot (H. C. 1675), of Concord, preached about one year, commencing in the autumn of 1685. At a meeting, November 15, 1686, Mr. William AVoodrop was invited to settle, and lie accepted the call the same day. His salary was to be £40 a year, " one halfe money, y'' other half in corne and graine." Immediately measures were taken to build a parsonage. But the following spring Mr. Woodrop asked to be released from his engagement, " he having intelligence from his wiffe, as he saith, y' shee can not come to him, concluded his call was to goe to her," in England. He left the country soon after. The last of May, 1687, a committee was sent to induce Mr. Minot of Concord to return, and assume the ministerial duties. They were not successful. About tlie 1st of August, 1687, a Mr. Overton supplied the pulpit, and probably received a call, as in the fall nf (liat year measures were taken to build him a house, to be finished "by y" first of Aprill, l(i8S." He, however, took his departure in the spring. In the early part of 1689 Mr. John Winborn commenced preaching, and was soon called to the pastoral (illirc, which he accepted previous to August 19, 168',), when an agreement was entered into between him and the town, relative to his settlement. His salary was fixed at £10 per year, " ten pounds in money, ten pounds as money, & twenty in pay." He was to have the use of the minister's house and lot, and if he remained their pastor for five years friiin that date, the house and land were to be lieily given him, hut if he died within five years, his \vi(l(j\v was to liave the " Liberty of one end cif the liiHisi' f(ir l\V(i years." It docs not appear that h.' wns ever onla'iued c.r installed. After a re^ideiiee i.l' about six years, ilillienlties arose that led to his relir. iiieiit IVoui tile pulpit. At a towu- the pastoral charge. He declined it, but continued to preach. At the end of six mouths the call was unanimously renewed, and again declined. Application was then made in the autumn of 1697 to Kev. Samuel Parris, a former preacher, and recently dismissed from Salem Village, to take up once more the ministerial work with them. It is supposed he would not come for the salary offered. The General Court was asked for help, and ten pounds were granted. This induced Mr. Parris to remain. Yet after the expiration of a year's service the town were unable to agree with him relative to his further continuance, and he retired. Anotlier call was then extended to Joseph ]Mors, March 27, lOl'D, but without avail. A new candidate soon entered tlie arena. On tiie 21th of July, 1-699, Eev. John Eveleth (H. C. 1689), previously settled at J\lauchester, was unanimously called. The townxnted him "forty pounds Sallery p"' Anna," and if he should settle, and " Cary on y" worke of y" ministry & Live & Dye with y""," then he was to have the " ministry house & all y" Land & meadow aloted for y'' ministry." It was subsequently voted to get him thirty cords of firewood yearly, and to help clear up and fence his lands. In ^lay, 1700, a long agreement relative to his settlenuait was sigiu'd In tliirty-two of the inhabitants and Mr. Eveleth, from which it appears that he had then accepted the call. He was not, however, installed until about the fst of December, 1702; the exact date is unknown. TIk' elnurli Avas probably gathered at the time of the installation. Thus the (own, after years of trial, secured a permanent pastor, and all things appear to have been prosperous until 1717, when some trouble arose, sav the records, "in referance to Mr. Evehth's niise'irria-e of late amonnsf us," whieli hd to the railing ,,f two e.iuiu'ils, and the dismi.ssal of the minister near the close o'i that rear. Tradition savs that Mr. Eveleth's niise;irnaire \ s.'liool in town, tlou oi his Ke, fellowship \- { pre:,el,ed in M:, previous year, appeared as a candidate, and was called to tile pastoral office June 17 of tJiat year. He was offered a salary of £70, to be gradually raised to £80, with £100 in money or lands as a settlement. He accepted the invitation about the 1st of August, and was ordained November 26, 1718. The church at that time consisted of fifteen males and about as many females. After a faithful, and in the main peaceful pastorate of over fiftysix years, he died Jauuiiry 10, 1775, in the eightieth year of his ;ige. Fur some time previous to his death he was ((uitc feeble, and preached but little. He was ]ir()bably a strict Calviuist, and "was mellt " ; ami i^ ivpi-csrlitrd tu Iia\c brcil Xi'VV sti'm in his drmrannr, ,m, that the eliikhvn lived in constant fear of him, but was "of good intellectual abilities, and sound in his principles of religion." During his ministry iOi) persons were admitted to the church, and 1,34.6 were baptized. He married Mary Baxter (daughter of Eev. Joseph B.), of Medfield, April 11, 1720, and they had five sous and four daiigliteis. She died December 30, 1784, in her eighty-fourth year. The question of an assistant was mooted during tlie last three years of Mr. Gardner's pastorate, and Xcivember -Z'J, 1773, the church invited Mr. .lohn Marrett (II. C. 1763), who had supplied tlic pulpit iiiurh of the time for two years, to become " Culege Pastur," but the town refused to concur.

Mr. Jonathan Newell (H. C. 1770) came as a candidate in Marcli, 1771, and rcci'ivcd a call "by a very great majority," mi the :2(iih df .lune following. His salary was placed at t .')-'] (i.v. S(/. during the lifetime of Mr. Gardner ; and thereafter it was to be £80. He accepted the proposals in September. It was voted that his ordination be "as private as possible," and six poiuids were granted to entertain the ordaining council. He was inducted into office October 11, 1774, and the venerable Mr. Gardner gave the charge to his young colleague. The ministry of IMr. Newell was harmonious and prosperous. The only serious difficulty that occurred during his pastorate was caused by dogs. In 1796 a committee was chosen by the town "to kill all the Dogs that come into the meetinghouse on the Sabbath Day, if they can't keep them of without." On the" 1st of December, 18:28, Jlr. Newell asked the town to provide a preacher in his stead, and he would then relinquish "all further support from them as a minister." His proposition was accepted on the 22d of that month, and the town voted to "hold in lasting remembrance and veneration the Rev. Mr. Newell .... for the deep interest he has ever manifested in their welfare collectively and individually." He lived less than two years after this, dying October 4, 1830, being not quite eighty-one years of age, and lacking just one week of fifty-six years from his ordination. During his ministry 140 persons were admitted to the church, about 1,100 were baptized, and 337 couples were married. He was more liberal, theologically, than Mr. Gardner, but he continued to exchange with both whigs of the Congregationalists till the close of his ministry. He was a man of great prudence, kindness, and benevolence, - was simple, unobtrusive, and grave in deportment, yet without austerity. He was a large, vigorous man, and of great physical strength, fond of a joke, and a lover of children. He was a good farmer, and of quite a scientific mind, having invented, among other things, a nail-cutting machine, which with some modifications is still in use. He married first, Sarah Fisk, of Watertown, a beautiful young woman, November 24, 1774; she died September 14, 1776. His second wife, married October 11, 1781, just seven years after his ordination, was Lucy Eogers (daughter of Eev. Daniel E.), of Littleton. She died June 26, 1846, at the age of ninety. They had five sons. Mr. Newell preached a centennial sermon May 16, 1783, which was printed, and also a sermon at the close of fifty years from his ordination, which was published.

ilr. John L. Sibley (H. C. 1825) commenced ifreaching as a caiulidate January 17, 1829. The town asked him to settle, February 16, and offered him §600 salary, with twelve cords of wood yearly, and §500 as a settlement. He accepted the invitation, and was ordained the 14th of May following. At his request he was dismissed from the pastoral office March 29, 1833. He was of the liberal school of theology. During his pastorate, June 6, 1830, the first vSuiiday school in the town was organized, with Jacob Caldwell as superintendent. Air. Sibley was for many years afterwards the librarian of Harvard College. Up to the close of his ministry all the ecclesiastical affairs had been managed by the town, but in the latter part of 1833 the members of the religious society of whicli he had been the pastor organized as the First Parisli, and the town ceased its supervision. At this time the theological sentiment of the town was much divided, aiul no minister was settled for several years, though the pulpit was supplied most of the time.

Eev. William H. Kinsley was installed December 25, 1839, and closed his labors the last of March, 18-i6. He died at Mendon, September 7, 1851. Eev. Eenben Bates (H. C. 1829) was installed June 18, 1816, and on account of feeble health resigned September 24, 1859. He died December 1, 1862. Eev. George F. Clark received a call January 20, 1862, was installed April 23, of that year, and resigned in April, 1867. The subse(pient pastors have been Eev. F. W. Webber, Eev. John F. Locke, and Eev. David P. Muzzey.

The first meeting-house was probably erected in 1685, but not finished for two or three years. It had four windows of three lights each, two double doors, and was "filled between y'= wall tinib"^ & studs from y'' cills to y^ goule peices with clay." A new house of worship, " 40 foot long and 32 wide, and 20 foot between joynts," was built in 1713, and occupied about the 1st of May, 1714. After two or three years of controversy another house (probably raised August 27, 1753) was erected. It was 50x40 feet, and twentythree feet high. The pew-ground was sold, January 27, 1755, for £91 14«. lOrZ., and it was soon after occupied for religious services. The fourth house, after a five-years contest, was built in 1S27 by a committee who were given the old house, and were to pay the surplus of expenses, should there be any arising from the sale of the pews, into the town treasury. This house, dedicated October 1, 1827, was burned November 9, 1847. The present house of worship was erected in 1S4S, and dedicated August 30 of that year.

Ed ncaf tonal. - The first reference to schools was January 11, 1715-16, when John Whitman was chosen schoolmaster for one quarter. The town frecpiently chose the teacher, though sometimes it was done thrmigh a committee. The wages at first were about thirty shillings per month. The schools were kept in private houses in the different parts of the town. The vote to build the first school-house was in January, 1731-32, and three were ordered to be erected in August, 1733; yet it appears that there was but one house in 1734, and only two in 1742. A "school-dame" was employed for six months in 1750, and £40, Old Tenor, was raised to pay her. It was voted in 1752 not to have a grammar school, and a year or two later the town was indicted for this neglect. It was voted, Marcli 14, 1763, to build a school-house eighteen feet square, near the. meeting-house, and that all families living within a mile and a half should send their children there ; the others to decide where their school should be kept. Three other houses were voted for in 1 76(), but probably did not go u]) immediately. In 1789 the town was divided into four districts. For some years previous and subsequent to 1810 three school committee were chosen by the town in each district. In 1811 there were seven districts, and seven persons, with Eev. j\fr. Newell, were chosen to visit the .schools at the opening and close of the terms. From 1819 to 1826 a committee of three was nsiially clioscu. Since llien, with one or two e\- (riiliniis, a supcrinleuiliug roniiinllic lias annually iicrii clioscn. for many years tlie town chose a prudiHiialconiinill.v lor' each district, but in 1842,

Stow

October 1-3, ISi'-i, twenty-seven citizens of the town formed an association for the establishment of an academy. A building, erected for that purpose, was dedicated May '61, ISM, Rev. Mr. Newell, the resident clergyman, giving the address ; and the school was immediately opened under the care of John M. Cheney. The instil iitidii was very prosperous during its early history, having students from six or eight dift'erent states, and from Canada. It was discontinued after about twenty years.

The town, April 19, 1S53, made an appropriation for a high school to be kept a portion of the year; and in like maimer it was sustained for a few years. In the spring of 1871 Colonel Elijah Hale proposed to give the town $5,000 as a \iermanent fund, the interest thereof to be used towards the support of a high school, provided that the town would appropriate an equal amount. Two other persons offered to contribute 81,100 additional. The town accepted the donations May 2-1-, 1871, and chose seven trustees to take charge of the fund. It also set apart the old academy building and grounds for the use of the Hale High Scliool, which was opened about the 1st of September following.

Mililarij Affairs. - Of necessity the early settlers had a ([mm military organization. All were prepared to defend themselves from the prowling savages. Eegular military companies were formed as soon as possible. Sometimes, when met for drill, and es])ecially when about to depart on some hostile expedition, religious exercises were held. The town records are almost totally silent relative to early military operations. From 1755 to 1760, during the French and Indian War, soldiers from Stow were in the army at Crown Point, Fort William Henry, Nova Scotia, and doubtless at other places. For many years succeeding 1693 towns were required to keep a stock of powder and ammunition, and other military stores, for any unlooked-for emergency. These materials of war were sometimes deposited in the loft of the meeting-house, and afterwards a special building was erected for them. The Stamj) Act of 1765 roused the people, and October 21, 1766, a town committee prepared instructions to their representative to the General Court, giving reasons why taxes or duties should not be levied upon them, and urged the greatest vigilance to prevent all unconstitutional draughts upon the public treasury. The town, March 7, 1768, declared in favor of economy and industry, against the importation of all " foreign superfluities," and agreed to " do any thing proper towards supplyuig the paper mills, at Milton, with materials for carrying on said manufactures." January 25, 1773, they approved of what tlu^ Bostonians did November 20, 1772, relative to the state of afliiirs, and chose a committee to consider what more should be done. The committee reported the importance of preserving their civil and religious privileges, expressed their concern at the action of parliament, and noticed with uneasiness the unreasonable extension of the power of the vice-admiralty courts, etc. Further measures were taken, in 1774-, to protect their "rights as British subjects, men, and Christians." The town decided in January, 1775, to "do what they can, in accordance with the constitution, to carry into execution the agreements of the Continental Congress, and the several resolves of the Provincial Congress relating thereto." They also requested the constable to pay the taxes to Henry Gardner, recently ajipointed province treasurer, and not to Harrison Gray, the old treasurer. The opening act of the Revolution, at Lexington and Concord, soon followed. Anticipating the raid of British troops, a large quantity of military stores and some cannon were sent from Concord to Stow and concealed near the residence of Henry Gardner. Some of the citizens were in the fight at Concord, and Daniel Couant was wounded. The " two military companies, under Captains Hapgood and Whitcomb, marched for Concord at noon, passed the North Bridge, and arrived at Cambridge at sunset." During the war the town was active in furnishing the men and means needed for its successful prosecution. They purchased hay and beef for the army, provided fire-arms for those unable to provide for themselves, su])plied the soldiers with clothing, and ordered the selectmen to provide for their families when needy. In the course of the contest thirty-five men were furnished for three years' service, and some three hundred more for different periods, varying from one to eight months, who went to Cambridge, New York, Canada, Nantucket, Dorchester, Providence, Stillwater, Fishkill, etc., at an expense to the town of £4,880. Some prisoners were brought to town in 1779, and the town asked the honorable council what should be done with them ; and in September voted that

"the Dutchmen, the Britons, and the Scotchmen, shouhl be sworn." None of the soldiers from town were killed in battle, in the French and Indian or Eevolutionary "War, but some died of disease.

Oidy a few items have been gleaned relative to the war of 1812-14. There was voted in May, 1812, to each volunteer two dollars down, and three dollars when called into service; and with what the government paid to make his wages ten dollars a montli. In September foUuHing it was agreed to make the monthly i)ay of the three soldiers drafted twenty dollars. In tliis w;ir it is believed none of the town's soldiers were killed in battle.

During the Eebellion of 1801-05 the town contributed to the Union army one hundred and forty-three men, whose term of service varied from one hundred days to three years. Several of the soldiers gave their lives on the battle-field. 15esides the large bounty paid tiie men, the Ladies' Aid Society contributed to the sanitary commission and to some of the town's soldiers more than $1,000 in necessaries and money.

In 1730 the town ojiposed the taking of a portion of its territory to form the town of Harvard, giving to the General Court these reasons : Tiiat the great part of the land was unimprovable ; that it would take away one seventh of the ])opulation; that they were so poor as -to be hardly able to Mippdi-t their minister, and could not bear the country charges without the others. But their [)lca was unavailing. The incorjxiration ot Harvard in 17:32 left a'little strip of land west of the Nashua River belonging to the old town, w liicli for many years was called Stow Leg; but in 1761 it was annexed to and forms a part of Shirley. Between 1773 and 1780 the town four times opposed the incorporation of a part of her territory into the district of Boxborough. No particular opposition was made to the taking of a small slice in 1806 to hel[) form the town of Hudson, or to the larger |)ortiou taken in 1H71 to form the town of Maynanl.

other farm products, 19i,000 gallons of milk, worth $18,250, about four tons of butter, worth nearly $2,000, and some §8,000 worth of apples are annually produced.

At Piock Bottom, about 1813, the manufacture of cotton goods was commenced in a small way by Silas Jewell. Some years later the works were purchased by i\Iessrs. Cranston and Hale, and woollen goods have since been produced. The mill is now operated by Hon. B. W. Gleason and Sons, em]jloying seventy-five hands, using pounds of wool, and making nearly two hundred thousand dollars' worth of all-wool flannels yearly.

One of the most noted residents of the town was Mr. John Greene, who was of great ability, and in high favor with Oliver Cromwell during the Protectorate, being a captain of the dock-yard at De|)tford, and clerk of the E\che(|uer. LTpon the death of Cromwell he came to A'ew England, and finally, with his sister and her husband, settled in Stow, where he died and lies buried.

Probably the most distinguished native of the town was Hon. Henry Gardner (H. C. 1750), son of Piev. John Gardner, born November 14, 1731. He represented Stow, in the General Court, most of the time from 1757 to 1775, and was a member of the Provincial Congress that met at Salem, October?, 177 I, anil \i as rhnsen treasurer of the province by that body on the 2Sih of the same month, which position he held until the adoption of the state constitution in 1780, when he was elected the first treasurer of the commonwealth, and continued in that office during his lifetime. He was also a member of the Provincial Congress that met at (Cambridge, February 1, 1775, and at Watertown, May 31, the same year. He was chosen councillor Mav 30, 1776, and was re-elected until the new constiluliiiii 1-1 nilri-('(l him ineligible. He was a jusliee of I he peace ihroughout the state for sinne years, and one of the judges of the Court of Comnu)u Pleas, for Middlesex County, and one of the original nu'mbers of the American Academy of Arts of thai (lay s))nke of liim as "a courageous, uniform, industrious ])atriot, and a discreet, humane, and upright judge." He removed from Stow a few years ])revious to his death, which took place October 7, 1782, in the fifty-first year of his age. lie married, September 21, 177S, Hannah Claiip, of ilorehester, and was the grandfather of c\-Goveru..rHcurv J.tiardncr.

Source changes here: from History of Middlesex County, Massachusetts, by Drake, Samuel Adams, published 1880; 5,137 words in this source stream.

Stow Town

This territory, being deserted daring the war by the inhabitants, became a famous retidezvous for the savages, whence they made raids upon the neighboring towns. Tradition says that the Indians once held a consultation upon Pompasittacutt Hill, overlooking Concord and Sudbui;y, relative to which place they should destroy. S'udbury was decided u|)on, because one of the leading warriors said, " We no prosper, if we bum Concord. The Great Spirit love tbat people. He tell us not to go there. They have a great man there. He gresit pray.'' This allusion was to Bev. Edward Bulkley, the Concord minister. Tliey feared his influence with the Great Spirit. Hence Concord was saved, and Sudbury suflered. Indians resided upon this territory for years after its settlement and incorporation, and some of the inhabitants now have deeds of land given by the aborigines to their ancestors. Soon after tlie incor]K>ratiou of the town a rate was made to pay Ben Bowhugh, or Piphugh, and James Spceue and others, for lands purchased of them.

Who was the first settler in Stow after Philip's War is unknown. In IGSl we find a list of .the twelve allotments of land. Lot number one was set apart for the first minister. The other eleven lots were probably taken up in 1678 or 1679, and were assigned to Boaz BroiKH, Gershom Heale, JohnButtrick,Ephraim lleldreth, Thomas Stevens, Stephen Hall, Samuel Buttrick, Joseph Freeman, Joseph Daby, Thomas Gates, and Sydrack Hapgood. Sub$e<iuently, and before the middle of March, 1686, house-lots were granted to twentythree other persons. The inhabitants Iiaving so increased in numl)ers as to be able to look after their own affairs, the prudential committee, on the 11th of October, 1681, a])])ointed Thomas Stevens, Ikxiz Brown, Thomas Gates, and Stephen Hall, to takechai^ of the plantation; and they were invested with the powers of selectmen " for the carrying on of such affaires as shall relate to the good settlement of the place,^' subject, however, to instructions from the committee. Tliis committee, April 24, 1682, a])poitited John Hay ward, of Boston, plantation clerk. In the early part of 16S3 the inhabitants became an\i(ms to take their place among the towns of the colony, and made known their wishes to the prudential committee, who on the 9th of April chose Thomas Stevens, of the plantation, as clerk, and directed the iiiliabitants to meet, and choose five selectmen '^ to order and manage their Towne affaires, and a Constable for y* year Ensueing.*' The meeting was held on the 19th of April, 1683, and Sergeant Benjamin Bozworth, Tliomas Stevens, Stephen Hall, Boaz Brown, and Joseph Freeman were chosen selectmen, and Thomas Gates constable. Early in the following May the citizens met, and pre* pared a petition to tlie General Court, asking to be made a town with *' some suttable comly Eng* lish name,'* and to be Treed " from Country publick Cliarges & Bates a while Longer,'' on account of the great ex[)ense they would be at in supporting a minister, making bridges, and '* otlier unavoidable heavye secular matters, y* will sorely pinch a poore people in soe yong a pbntation, where they can not yet Baisc comjietent ordinary food & K4iyment.'' On the 16th of May, 1688, the Geneml Court granted their prayer, and ordered them to be a town by the name of Stow, ajid freed them " from ye Country Rates for three yeares.*'

The town, thus constituted, was of very irregular shape, extending from the ancient bounds of Sudbury to what is now Lunenbui^. But portions of it have been taken from time to time to form the towns of Harvard, Boxborough, Shirley, Hudson, and Maynard. It now comprises only aboftt one tliird of its original area, and is bounded north by Boxborough and Acton, east by Maynard, south bv Hudson, and west bv Bolton and Har\'ard. It lias three villages, - the Lower Village,*where tlic first meeting-house Mas erected, about a mile easterly of the Centre, and Bock Bottom, in the souther^ ])art. Tlie principal stream is the Assabet Biver, in the southeasterly part. Assabet Brook is the next largest stream. The two noted hills, Pompasittacutt and Shabbukin, are now respectively within the limits of Maynard and Harvard. But there are beautiful views from Sphidle, Birch, and Marble hills. In 1875 tJhe population was 1,022.

EcclesMslical Affain, - As many of the eariy settlers were from Concord, we presume that Bcv. Mr. Bulkley of that place preached to them occasionally. But the first allusion on the records to ministerial matters was in June, 1683, when a rate of five pounds was made to pay Mr. Greene, wlio had preached previous to that date. He probably remained but a few months. June 5, 1685, a rate "was made to pay Mr. Parris "for his pains amongst us." Tliis was Bev. Samuel Parris, subsequently so noted in connection with the Salem witclicraft delusion. His stav was short. James Minot (H. C. 1675), of Concord, preached about one year, commencing in the autumn of 1685. At a meeting, November 15, 1686, Mr.' William Wood^ rop was invited to settle, and he accepted the call the same day. His salary \ifas to be £40 a year, *^ one halfe money, y* other half in come and graine/' Immediately measures were taken to build a parsonage. But the following spring Mr. Woodrop asled to be released from his enga^ment, 'Mie having intelligence from his wiffe, as he saitli, y^ sbee can not come to him, concluded his call was to goe to her,^ in England. He left the country soon after. Tlie last of May, 1687, & committee was sent to induce Mr. Minot of Concord to return, and assume the ministerial duties. They were not successful. About the 1st of August, 1687, a Mr. Overton supplied the pulpit, and probably received a call, as in the fall of that year measures were taken to build him a house, to be finished " liy y« first of Aprill, 1688." He, however; took his departure in the spring. In the eady part of 1689 Mr. John Winbom commenced preaching, and was soon called to the pastoral office^ which he accepted previous to August 19, 1689, #hei) an agreement wais entered into between him and the town, relative to his settlement. His salary was fixed at £4-0 per year, '^ ten pounds in money, ten pounds as money, k twenty in pay/' He was to have the use of the minister's house and lot, and if he remained their pastor for five years from tliat date, the house and land were to be freely given him, but if he died within five years, his widow was to haVe the *' Liberty of one end of the house for two years.'' It does not appear that he was ever ordained or installed. After a residence of about six vears, difficulties arose tliat led to his retirement from the pulpit. At a townmeeting, June 24-, 1693, "y* i)eople being generally dissattisfied with some matt' of great offence at home, besides y* noises & scandall abroad . . . . desired to have faire Treatv with Mr. Winbom -. . . . but hee refused to attend ye meeting though sent to & aquaintcd therof." What was the cause of the trouble, we know not. Mr. Winbom, having remained the full five years as the minister of the town, claimed the parsonage and lands. A lawsuit ensued, in whicli the tovi*n was probably beaten, and appears to have subsequently bought the house and lot of Mr. Winbom^s son.

In January, 1693-96 an attempt wns made to settle Mr. John Woodward (H. C. 1693), of Dedham, but it failed. Mr. Joseph Mors (II. C. 1695), also of Dedhnm, soon after took the supply of the pulpit, ami January 18, 1696-97 Mas called to the pastoral diarge. He declined it, but oontin^ ued to preach. At the end of six montiis the call was unanimously renewed, and -again- ' declined. Application was then made in the autumn of 1697 to Rev. Samuel Parris, a former ]ireacher, and recently dismissed from Salem Village, to take up once more the ministerial work with tliem. It is su|)posed he would not come for the salary of-^ fered. The General Court was asked for help, and ten pounds were granted. This induced Mr. IVir-» ris to remain. Yet after the expiration of a year's' service the town were unable to agree with him relative to his further continuance, and he retiretL: Another call was then extended to Joseph Mors, March 27, 1699, but without avail. A new candidate soon entered the arena. On tlie 24-th of July, 1699, Rev. John Eveleth (H. C. 1689), pre^ viously settled at Manchester, was unanimously called. The town voted him '' forty pounds Sallery p^ Anna," and if he should settle, and *' Caiy on y* worke of y* ministry & Live & Dye with y*," then he was to have the " ministry house & all y* Land & meadow alotcd for y* ministry." It was subsequently voted to get him thirty cords of firewood yearly, and to help clear up and fence his lands. In May, 1700, a long agreement rela-^ tive to his settlement was signed by thirty-two of tlie inhabitants and Mr. Eveleth, from which it appears that he had then accepted the call. He was not, however, installed until about the 1st of December, 1702; the exact date is unknown. Tlie church was probably gathered at the time of the installation. Thus the town, after years of trial, secured a permanent pastor, and all things appear to have been prosperous until 1717, when some trouble arose, say the records, '^ in referanoe to Mr. Eveteth's miscarriage of late amongst us," which led to the calling of tu-o councils, and the dismissal of the minister near tlie close of- that year. Tradition says that Mr. Eveleth's " miscarriage" was intem))erauce. He afterwards taught school in town, and in 1719, ''uix>n v* manifestation of his Repentance, was Restored to Church fellowship & Communion." He subsequently preached in l^fnine, and finally became an Episcopalian, and died in or near Kittery, Augusti -1, 1734, at the age of sixty-five. He married; December 2, 1692, Mary Bowman, and had Joseph and Francis, and probably other children. His wife died December 2, 1747, at about the age of seventy^-five. In the spring of 17 IS Mr. John Gardner (H. C. 1715), who was the Stow schoolmaster the pievions year, appeared as a candidate, and was called to the pastoral office June 17 of that year. He was offered a salary of £70, to be gmdaally raised to £80, with £100 in money or laiids as a settlement. He accepted the invitation about the 1st of August, and was ordained November 26, 1718. The church at that time consisted of fifteen males and about as many females. After a faithful, and in the main ])eaceful pastorate of over fifty-. six years, lie died January 10, 1775, in the eightieth year of his age« For some time previous to his death he was quite feeble, and preached but little. He was probably a strict Calvinist, and ''was strenuously opposed to the Whitfieldian movement'^ ; and is represented to have been very stem in his demeanor, so that the children lived in constant fear of him, but was '' of good intellectual abilities, and sound in his principles of religion.'' During his ministry 209 persons were admitted to the church, and 1,94-6 were baptized. He married Mary Baxter (daughter of Eev. Joseph B.), of Medfield, April 14, 1720, and tliey had five sons and four daughters. She died December 30, 1784, in her eighty-fourth year. The question of an assistant was mooted during the last three years of Mr. Gardner's pastorate, and November 29, 1773, the church invited Mr. John Marrett (H. C. 1763), who had supplied the pulpit much of the time for two years, to become "Colege Pastur,'' but the town refused to concur.

Mr. Jonathan Newell (H. C. 1770) came as a candidate in March, 1774, and received a call " by a very great majority ,*' on the 20th of June following. His salary was placed at £53 6*. 8/1, during the lifetime of Mr. Gardner ; and thereafter it was to be £80. He accei)te<l the proposals in September. It was voted that his ordination be '* as private as possible," and six pounds were granted to entertain the ordaining council. He was inducted into office October 11, 1774, and the venerable Mr. Gardner gave the chanre to his young colleague. The ministrv of Mr. Newell was harmonious and prosperous. The only serious difficulty that occurred during his ])nstorate was caused by dogs. -In 1 796 a committee was chosen by the town " to kill all the Dogs that come into the meetinghouse on the Sabbath Day, if they can't keep them of without." On the' 1st of December, 1S2S, Mr. Newell asked the town to provide a preacher in his stead, and he would then relinquish '' all further .support from them as a minister.'^ His proix)sitioii was accepted on tlie 22d of tliat month, and tlie town voted to '' hold in lasting remembrance and veneration the Kev. Mr. Newell . . - - for the deep interest lie has ever manifested in their welfare collectively and individually .'' He lived less than two years after this, dying October 4, 1830^ being not quite eighty -one years of age, and lacking just one week of fifty-six years from his ordination. During his ministry 140 i)er9ons were admitted to the church, about 1,100 were baptized, and 837 couples ; were married. He was more liberal, theologically, than Mr. Gardner, .but he continued to exchange with both wings of the Coiigregationalists till the close of his ministry. He M'as« man of great prudence, kindness, and benevcH lence, - ;was simple, unobtrusive, and grave in de« portment, yet without austerity. He was a large, vigorous man, and of great physical strength, fond of a joke, and a lover of children. He was a good farmer, and of quite a scientific mind', having invented, among other things, a nail-cutting jnachiiie^ which with some modifications is still in use.. He. married first, Samli Fisk, of Waterto\i'n, a beautiful young woman, November 24, 1774; she died^3ep* tember 14, 1776. His second wife, married October 11, 17S1, just seven years after his ordination, was Lucy Bogers (daughter of Rev. Daniel B.), of Littleton. She died June 26, 1846, at the age of ninety. They had five sons. Mr. Newell preaclied a centennial sermon May 10, 1783, which was printed, and also a sermon at the close of fi(tjr years from his ordination, which was published.

Mr. Jolm L. Sibley (H. C. 1825) commenced preacliing as a candidate^ January 17, 1829. The to\iii asked him to settle, February 16, and offered him §600 salary, with twelve cords of wood yearly, and §500 as a settlement. He accepted the invitation, and was ordained the 14th of May following. At his request he was dismissed from the pastoral office March 29, 1833. He was of the liberal school of theolog}'. During his paston^te, June 6, 1830, tlie first Sundav school in the town was organized, with Jacob Caldwell as sui)erintendent. Mr. Sibley was for manv vears afterwards the libranan of Han-ard College. Up to tlie close of his ministrv all the ecclesiastical affairs had been manaj^ed by the town, but in the latter ])art of 1S33 the members of the relijjious society of which lie had been the pastor organized as the First Parish, and the town ceased its suiiervision. At this time the theological sentiment of the town was much divided, and no minister was settled for several yean, though the pulpit was supplied most of the time.

' Bei. William H. Kinsley was installed December 25, 1839, and closed his labors the bst of March, 1846. He died aC Mendon, September 7, 1851. Eev. Beuben Bates (H. C. 18£9) was installed June 18, 1846, and on account of feeble health resigned September 24, 1859. He died December 1, 1862. Kev. Geoi^ P. Clark received a call January 20, 1862, Tins installed April 23, of that year, and resigned in April, 1867. The subsequent pastors have been Kev. F. W. Webber, Bev. John F. Locke, and Kev. David P. Muzzdy. . Tlie first meeting-house ivas probably erected in 1685, but not finished for two or three years. It'liad four windows of three lights each, two double doors, and was '^ filled between y* wall tiiiib" & studs from y* cills to y* goule peices with chiy." A new house of worship, ''40 foot long and 32 wide, and 20 foot between joynts,'' was built in 1713, and occupied about the 1st of May,' 1714;^ After two or three years of controversy another house (probably raised August 27, 1753) was erected. It was 50 X 40 feet, and' twentythree feet high. The pew-ground was sold, Januiary 27, 1755, for £91 14«. 10//., and it was soon after occupied for religious services. The fourth house, after a five-years contest, was built in 18^ by a committee who were given the old house, and were to pay the surplus of expenses, should there be any arising from the sale of the pews, into the town treasury. This house, dedicated October 1, 1827, was burned November 9, 1847. The present house of worship was erected in 1848, and dedicated August 30 of tliat year.

OrtJkodox. - The Evangelical Church was organized May 11; 1839, consisting of six males atid fifteen females. They were a branch of the Hillside Church, in the westerly part of Bolton. Rev. £. Porter Dyer was ordained pastor, September 25, 1839. A chapel was soon erected, and was dedicated July 8, 1840. Mr. Dyer was dismissed January 29, 1846, and Theodore Cook was ordained pastor, June 9, 1847. In 1850 seven prominent members withdre^v to form a church at Assabet Village (now Maynard). The place of worship was transferred, April 1^ 1851, to Union Hall, in Rock Bottom Village. Rev. Mr. Cook was dismissed ^Iny 2, 1853. Public worship was suspended about that time, and the society became extinct.

MelhadUU. - Tlie Methodist Church in Bock Bottom is an offslioot from the old Methodbt so^ ciety of Mariborouglt« About the 1st of January, 1853, the Old Brick Church iu Marlborough Imving been burned, the society commenced worshi|>- ping in a hall at Rock Bottom. A portion of. the members from Marlborough soon withdrew. Tlie conier-stone of a meeting-house was bid July 4, 1853, and tlie building was dedicated tlie following December, Rev. L. D. Barrows preaching the sermon. Rev. T. B. Treadwell had charge of the society iu 1853 and 1854. The subsequent )xistors have been Rev. Mr; Pool, Rev. William Pentecost, Rev. W. T. Lacount, Rev. J. W. Lewis, Rev. A. Gould, Rev. J. W. Hambleton, Rev. Augustus Caldwell, Rev. B. Judd, Rev. N. A. Soule, Bev. J. L. Laske, Rev. N. Bemis, and Rev. O. Bent

EducationaL - The first reference to schools was January 11, 1715-16, when John Whitman was chosen schoolmaster for one quarter. The town frequently chose the teacher, tliough sometimes it was done through a committee. The wages at first were about thirty shillings per month. The schools were kept in private houses in the different parts of the town. The jirote to build the first sdiool-house was in January, 1731-32, and three were ordered to be erected in August, 1733; yet it appears^ that there was but one house in 1734, and only two in 1742. A '^ school-dame *' was employed for six mouths in 1750, and £40, Old Tenor, was raised to pay her. It was voted in 1752 not to have a grammar school, and a year or two later tlie town was iivdieted for this neglect. It was voted, March 14, 1763, to build a school-house eighteeu feet square, near the meeting-house, and that all families living within a mile and a half should send tlieir children there ; the others to decide where their school should be kept. Three other houses were voted for in 1 766, but probably did not go up immediately. In 1789 the town was divided into four districts. For some years previous and subsequent to 1810 three scliool committee were chosen by the town in each district. In 1811 there were seven districts, and seven persons, ^iith Rev. Mr. Newell, were chosen to visit the schools at the opening and close of the terms. From 1819 to 1826 a committee of three was usually chosen. Since then, with one or two: exceptions, a superintending committee has annually been cliosen. For many years the town chose a prudential committee for each district, but in 1842, and until 1868, when the district system waa

October 13, 1823, twenty-seven citizens of the town formed an association for the estabh'shment of an academy. A building, erected for that purpose, M'as dedicated May 31, 1824, Bev. Mr. Newell, the resident clergyman, gi\'ing the address ; and ' tlie school was immediately opened under the care of John M. Cheney. Tlie institution was very prosperous during its early history, having students from six or eight different states, and from Canada. It was discontinued after about twenty years.

Hie town, April 19, 1852, made an appropriation for a high school to be kept a portion of the year; and in like manner it was sustained for a few years. In the spring of 1871 Colonel Elijah Hale proix>sed to give the town $5,000 as a permanent fund, the interest thereof to be used towards tiie support of a high school, provided that the town would appropriate an equal amount. Two other persons offered to contribute Sl>100 additional. The town accepted the donations May 24, 1871, and cliose seven trustees to take charge of the fund. It also set a])art the old academy building and grounds for the use of the Hale High School^ which was opened about the 1st of September following.

MilUary Affau'9. - Of necessity the early settlers had a quasi mihtary organization. All were prepared to defend themselves from the prowling savages. Begular military companies were formed as soon as possible. Sometimes, wlien met for drill, and es))ecially when about to depart on some hostile expedition, religious exercises were^ held. The town records are almost totally silent relative to early military operations. From 1755 to 1760, during the French and Indian War, soldiers from Stow were in the army at Crown Point, Fort "William Henry, Nova Scotia, and doubtless at other places. For many years succeeding 1693 towns were required to keep a stock of ]X)wder and ammunition, and other military stores, for any \mlooked-for emergency. These materials of war were sometimes deposited in the loft of the meeting-house, and aftcr^vards a 8|)ecial building was erected for them. The Stamp Act of 1765 roused the people, and October 21, 1766, a town committee prepared instructions to their representative to the General Court, giving reasons why taxes or duties should not be levied u|X)n them, and urged the greatest vigilance to prevent all unconstitutional draughts u]K)n the public treasury. The town, March 7, 1768, declared in favor of economy and industry, against the importation of all '' foreign superfluities,'^ and agreed to '^ do any thing proper towards supplying the paper mills, at Milton, with materials for carrying on said manufactures.? January 25, 1773, they approved of what the Bostonians did November 20, 1772, relative to the state of affairs, and chose a committee to consider what more .should be done^ The committee reported the importance of preserving their civil and religious privileges, expressed their concern at the action of parliament, and noticed witli uneasiness the unreasonable extension of the power of the vice-admiralty courts, etc. Further measures were taken, in 1774, to protect their ''rights as British subjects, men, and Christians.'^ The town decided in January, 1775, to ''do wliatthey can, in accordance with the constitution, to carry into execution the agreements of the Continental Congress, and the several resolves of the Provincial Congress relating thereto." They also requested the constable to pay the taxes to Henry Gardner, recently appointed province treasurer, and not to Harrison Gray, the old treasurer. The opening act of the Bevolution, at Lexington and Concord, soon followed. Antici|)ating the raid of.British troops, a lai^e quantity of military stores and some cannon were sent from Concord to Stow and concealed near the residence of Henry Gardner. Some of the citizens were in the fight at Coiicond* and Daniel Conant was wounded. The " two military com])anies, under Captains Hapgood and Whit- Comb, marched for Concord at noon, passed. the North Bridge, and arrived at Cambridge at sunset/' During the war the town was active in furnishing the men and meaiis needed for its successful prosecution. They purchased hay and beef for the army, provided fire-arms for those unable to provide for themselves, supplied the soldiers with clothing, and ordered the selectmen to provide for their families when needy. In the course of the contest thirty-five men were funiished for three years' service, and some three hundred more for different i)eriods, varying from one to eight months, who went to Cambridge, New York, Canada, Nantucket, Dorchester, Providence, Stillwater, Fishkill, etc., at an exi)ense to the town of £4,880. Some prisoners were brought. to town in 1779, and tlie town asked the honorable council what should be done with them; and in September voted that

^the Dutchmen^ the Britons, and the Scotchmen, should be sworn." None of the soldiers from town were killed in battle, in the French and Indian or Bevolutionary War, but some died of disease.

Only a few items have been gleaned relative to the war of 1812 - 14. There was voted in jS^ay, 1812, to each volunteer two dollars do\ni, and three dollars when called into service ; and with what the government ]Miid to make his wages ten dollars a month. In September following it was agreed to make the inonthly jxiy of the three soldiers drafted twentv dollars. In this war it is believed Itone of the town's soldiers were killed in battle. - During the Rebellion of 1861-63 the town contributed to the Union army one hundred and forty*three men, whose term of service varied from one hundred days to three years. Several of the soldiers gave their lives on the battle-field. Besides the hii^e bounty paid the men, the Ladies' Aid Society contributed to the sanitary commission and to some of the town's soldiers more tliau $1,000 in necessaries and money.

In 1730 the town opposed the taking of a portion of its territory to form the town of Harvard, giving to the General Court these reasons : That the great part of the land was unimprovable ; that it would take away one seventh of the i)opulation ; that 'they were so poor as to be liaidly able to support tlieir muiister, and could not bear the country chains without the others. But their plea was unavailing. Tlie incorporation of Harvard in 1732 left a little strip of land west of the Nashua River belonging to the old town, which for many years was called Stow Leg; but in 1764 it iTas annexed to and forms a part of Shirley.' Between 1773 and 1780 the town four times opi)osed the incorporation of a part of her territory into the district of Boxborough. No particular opposition was made to the taking of a small slice in 1866 to help form the town of Hudson, or to the larger i)ortion taken in 1871 to form the town of Maynard.

Tlie town voted, July 1, 1776, in favor of a government inde|)endent of Great Britain. January 23, 1778, a committee re)X)rted in favor of a confederation of the states '' as soon as convenient.'' May 25, 1778, they voted agsiinst the form of state government. Tlic next year they voted again to do nothing about such a measure. But May 29, 1 780, the several articles of the state constitution were accepted by a vote of from thirty-nine to fifty-five yeas ; nays not given.

other farm products, 104,000 gallons of milk, worth $ 18,250, about four tons of butter, worth nearly $2,000, and some §8,000 worth of apples are annually produced.

At Rock Bottom, about 1813, the manufacture of cotton goods was commenced in a small way by Silas Jewell. Some years later the works were purchased by Messrs. Cranston and Hale, and woollen goods hsxt since been ^produced. < Tlie mill is now o])erated by Hon. B. W. Gleasoi^ ami Sons, employing seventy-five hands, using 400,000 pounds of wool, and making nearly two hundred thousand dolkirs' worth of all-wool flaimels yeady.

One of the niost noted residents of the town was Mr. John Greene, who was of great ability, and in high favor with Oliver Cromwell during the ^Protectorate, being a captain of the dock-yard at Deptford, and clerk of the Exchequer. Upon the death of Cromwell be came to New EngUmd, and finally, with his sister and her husband, settled in Stow, i^-here he died and lies buried.

Probably the most distinguished native of the town was Hon. Henry Gardner (H. C. 1750), son of Kev. John Gardner, bom November 14, 1731. He represented Stow, in the General Court, most of the time from 1757 to 1775, and was a member of the Provincial Congress that met at Salem, October 7, 1774, and was chosen treasurer of the province by tliat body on the 28th of the same month, whi^li position he held until the adoption of the state constitution in 1780, when he was elected the first treasurer of the commonwealth, and continued in that office during his lifetime. He was also a member of the Provincial Congress that m^t at Cambridge, February 1, 1775, and at Watertowii, May 31, the same year. He xiiis chosen councillor May 30, 1776, and was re-elected until the new constitution rendered him ineligible. He was a justice of the peace throughout the state for some years, and one of the judges of the Court of Common Pleas, for Middlesex County, and One of the original members of the American Academy 6f Arts and Sciences. In announcing his death, tlie jpepers of that day s))oke of him as '^ a courageous, uniform, industrious patriot, and a discreet, humane, and upright judge.'' He removed from Stow a few years previous to his death, which took place October 7, 1782, in the fifty-first year of his age. He married, September 21, 1778, Hannah Clapp, of Dorchester, and was the grandfather of ex-Govenior Henry J. Gardner.