Waltham City (part 4 of 5)

Theodore Kittredge, M.D., was one in the long line of physicians of this name. The family line both in the number of generations and individuals seems of sufficient interest to be in part recorded here. It will be easier to follow the genealogy by numbering the generations.

2d. Dr. John Kittredge, the first in the line of physicians, was born in Billerica in 1666. He appears to have passed his life there and died in 1714.

4th. John Kittredge, born in 1709, appears not to have been a physician, but the hereditary tendency asserts itself directly with increased force for his son.

5th. Dr. Benjamin Kittredge, born 1741, died 1776, leaving eight sons, every one of whom became physicans. They were named and located as follows:

6th. Benjamin, Exeter, N. H. ; Henry, Tewksbury, Mass. ; John, Framingham, Mass. ; Jacob, Billerica, Mass., removed to Gallipolis, Ohio, in 1815, and died there in 1824; Rufus, Portsmouth, N. H.

cSth. Dr. Theodore Kittredge, son of George, was born in Epping, N. H., in 1801. He graduated from the Harvard Medical School in 1823. He seems to have practiced medicine in his native town till 1832, when he removed to Waltham. He married Harriet Winslow, daughter of the distinguished Rev. George Pickering, one of the founders of Methodism in this country, and among the first to preach it in Massachusetts. Dr. Kittredge was a man of much energy of character. He liad a large practice in Waltham, and, from his prominence and extended acquaintance in the Methodist denomination, was often called to surrounding towns. He was a devoted member of the then new sect, a class leader for many years. With the exception of one year spent in Bath, Maine, the remainder of his life from 1832 to 1879 was passed in Waltham, making, with his Epping labors fifty-six years of continuous and active practice. He died in Waltham in 1879. He had two brothers, one of whom, Dr. George Kittredge settled at Newmarket, N. H. He was at one time a member of Congress from New Hampshire. The other brother, Charles, was a druggist.

9th. Dr. Frank Rufus Caleb Kittredge was born in Epping, N. H., in 1828. He graduated from Harvard Medical School in 1853. Most of his life was passed in Waltham. He was a man of much natural ability, well educated in his profession and otherwise. His pecuniary necessities never compelled labor, and he failed to take so prominent position in his profession as under other circumstances, his abilities natural and acquired, would have commanded. He died in 1888. It will be noticed that only the direct line - although two hundred and twenty-five years in length - has been followed from the first Dr. Kittredge to the Waltham branch. There has been and are many other doctors in and from other branches. It may well be doubted if any other name in this or any other country has furnished so many generations or so large a number of physicans as has that of Kittredge.

Royal S. Warren, M.D., was born in Alstead, N. H., in 1822, and received his degree from Harvard in 1846. He settled in Waltham in 1847, and commanded a large practice, till, in 1865, he met with a railroad accident from no fault of his. While crossing the Fitchburg Railroad at Moody Street he was run into and terribly injured. He was confined to his house for about a year, and barely escaped with his life. He was permanently disabled. In 1868 and 1869 he represented Waltham in the Legislature. He also served on the School Committee. He removed to Colorado Springs, Colorado, in 1880, where he has since resided.

Charles Dowse, M.D., was born in Brighton, Mass., in 1813. He was educated at Wesleyan University and Harvard Medical School, where he took his degree. For the last six years of his life he practiced in Waltham, where he died in 1860. His widow, a sister of Hon. Wm. Baldwin, of Boston, survives him.

Wayland. - Among the older physicians of Wayland, or East Sudbury, as it was then called, was Ebenezer Roby, born in Boston in 1701, graduated at Harvard in 1719. He settled in Wayland about 1720, visited England, from whence his father came, in 1723, and traveled on the Continent. In 1730 he married Sarah, daughter of Rev. John Swift, of Framt ngham.

One of the wedding presents from the father to his daughter was a negro slave. The house in which he lived was burned quite recently. He continued in the practice of medicine to the time of his death, which occurred in 1772. His tombstone, now standing, testifies to the high esteem in which he was held as a man and physician.

Dr. Nathan Rice appears to have been next in the order of succession. He was born in Framingham in 1769, commenced the practice of medicine in Wayland in 1796, and died there in 1814. His father, David, and grandfather, Bezaleel Rice, M.D., were of Framingham.

A grandson is the present Watson E. Rice, M.D., of North Grafton, and two of his granddaughters are the wives respectively of Alvah Hovey, D.D., president of Newton (Baptist) Theological Institution, and John W. Willis, M. D., of Waltham. A third granddaughter is the widow of Rev. Carpenter, and is a

Dr. Ebenezer Ames succeeded Dr. Rice in 1814. He was born in Marlboro', 1788, graduated in medicine from Harvard, and spent the whole of his professional life in Wayland, where he died in 1861. Dr. Ames through his long career was much respected as a citizen and for his professional ability.

Waltham Hospital. - The " Waltham Hospital " was chartered in 1886. No definite steps towards active organization were taken till 1888, when the promoters of a small private hospital, which was now becoming able to serve the purpose for which the Waltham Hospital was incorporated, were elected to membership in the latter, thus giving to the hospital de facto the advantage of being de let/is a corporation capable of receiving gifts large or small.

Waltham Training-School ior Nurse.s - The physicians of Waltham, like many others of their professional brethren, had long felt the need of better nursing service. The great majority of the old-time nurses - although with many notable and honorable exceptions - had taken up their business simply because they did not know what else to do with themselves. Considerations of fitness or preparation for their work had small place.

Up to this time training-schools for nurses only existed in connection with hospitals, and the service of a trained graduate nurse was difficult and expensive to obtain. Consequently only the wealthy outside of hospitals could command it. Considerations like these impelled the members of the Massachusetts Medical Society, resident in Waltham, and working harmoniously together, to attempt the establishment of such a school without the aid of a hospital.

Such a thing had not before been done, but that had little deterring influence. Had not Waltham been the first to take cotton in its natural state from the field, and, under one roof, by machinery, produce cotton cloth ? Had not the American Waltham Watch Company produced the first watch ever made by machinery? The foundation ideas were that nurses could be trained in private practice, that in many respects would be better prepared for their subsequent work than those who had merely hospital training, and while receiving such training could render excellent nursing service under their instructors.

The plan was acted upon in February, 1885. Public interest was easily aroused, for the public as well as the doctors had felt the need. A small guaranty fund was readily subscribed. A committee of three ladies, in connection with the doctors, undertook the business management. A class of seven young women was formed, for a pupilage of two years, who were to receive their board, a portion of their wardrobe, about one hundred dollars for the first, and one hundred and fifty for their second year, instruction by lectures and at the bedside from their medical teachers, and at the end of two years a certificate or diploma of graduation. The scheme was a success from the start. It almost immediately became selfsustaining ; the guarantors were called on for very little. Constantly larger classes have been formed each succeeding year, and the demand for service of graduates of the school is greater than the supply.'

HoMCEOPATHic PHYSICIANS. - George EuBsell, M.D., Harvard Medical College, commenced to practice here about 1840. In 1848 removed to Boston, but still retained a good share of his business here. He was succeeded by Thomas Wales, M.D., Harvard Medical College, who remained here but about a year; and was followed in 1853 by Charles F. Adams, M.D. (place of graduation unknown). He continued here until 1858, and was succeeded by Charles F. Saunders, M.D. (place of graduation unknown). He remained until 1860, and was succeeded by Edward Worcester, M.D., University of New York, who is still in practice.

Chapter Xlviii By Alexander Starbuck

Churches. - A by no means to be overlooked cause of Waltham's secession from the parent town was the location of the meeting-house. In olden times, when the meeting-house might be an extra three or four miles ofl'and attendance at service a not to be defeiredduty, the location was a matter of serious importance. The first site was selected with a view to accommodate those by whom it was to be used. In a large township, such as Watertown originally was, the centre of population was liable to change to a very marked degree, and the meeting-house, which on'ce was centrally located, prove on the outskirts of population. A readjustment was sought, and if satisfaction was not obtained a new meeting-house would often be authorized with a new centre of population, which often proved the nucleus of another town. So it was with the Farmers' Precinct, or Weston, and so it was with the Middle, afterwards the West Precinct, or Waltham.

In 1692 the old meeting-house was located opposite the old graveyard, just southwest of Mount Auburn. An effort was made to remove it where it would be more convenient for the people. After much ill-feeling a new building was put considerably farther west, at a locality known as Commodore's Corner. The pastor, Rev. Henry Gibbs, refused to recognize the new order of things and continued to preach in the old building and Rev. Samuel Angier was called to the pastorate of the new society. Mh Angler's church, being the

November 4, 1712, the General Court ordered that as the ministers of the Middle Precinct had been supported by voluntary subscription it was voted that each congregation bear the charges for its minister and repairs of its meeting-house. Furthermore, that both precincts bear the expense of removing the middle meeting-house to such a site as that precinct should determine. The majority of the town treated this order with contempt.

May 13, 1715, the town voted to "build a meetinghouse for the accommodation of the inhabitants of the most westerly part of the town." This was the present Waltham, Weston or the Farmers' Precinct having been previously set off. This vote was never carried out. In 1719 Rev. Mr. Angier died and was buried in the burial-ground set off to the precinct, now Grove Hill Cemetery.

In November, 1720, inhabitants of both precincts prayed for a division line in order that assessments might be properly apportioned in accordance with the order of the Court of November 4, 1712. The line was laid out starting from the Charles River, running "on a north course forty-nine degrees east," and ending at the southwestern bounds of what is now Arlington. The report of the committee of the General Court further recommended the removal of the West Meeting-house within two years to a spot about twenty rods west of Nathaniel Livermore's house, and that the old meeting- house be removed or a new one built on School-house Hill, the West Precinct to bear its part of the expense of the removal or rebuilding of the east house. This report was concurred in by the Court, and April 24, 1721, the town voted to comply with the recommendations. This practically settled the ecclesiastical differences, but gave nuclei around which could cluster the inhabitants, who were ultimately to form two townships.

After the death of Mr. Angier no pastor was regularly settled for quite a period. Rev. Hezekiah Gold, Rev. Timothy Minuet and Rev. Mr. Gibson were among those who preached to the people. Mr. Francis names Robert Sturgeon also as one of the pastors, but this must be an error, since the General Court, in November, 1722, accuses him of having been privately ordained to a "pretended middle church." The report says he had been rebuked by two councils and recommends that he be prosecuted by the Attorney-General if he persists in his course. This report, which also recommends the demolition of the Middle meeting-house when the new West one was built, was agreed to. Rev. Warham Williams was finally ordained pastor June 11, 1723.

At the time of Waltham's incorporation the people were worshiping in a meeting-house which stood near the present entrance to the Lyman estate. Rev. Warham Williams died in 1751, and in 1752 Rev. Jacob Gushing, of Shrewsbury, was ordained as pastor. In

1767 the old church was abandoned and a new church built on the triangular lot nearly opposite the entrance to the Lyman estate. This building stood until it was torn down in 1741. Mr. Gushing died in 1809, and was succeded by Rev. Samuel Ripley. During the War of 1812 some of the society not approving the anti-war stand adopted by Mr. Ripley, engaged Rev. Elisha Williams to preach for them in a school-house then situated east of the old buryingground, and afterwards in the hall of the Kimball tavern. The society reunited again after the war, but in 1820 fresh trouble arose and the Second Religious Society was formed.

The first society continued under Mr. Ripley's charge 'until 1841, and then became extinct. The other societies receive attention under their respective heads.

Christ Church, Episcopal. - This church was organized A. D. 1848, under the ministry of the Bev. A. C. Patterson, who was then officiating in the vicinity of Boston, for the purpose of planting the Episcopal Church in places where it had not been established. Services were first held in Rumford Hall, which continued to be used by the parish as their place of worship for about one year. In the mean time the present church, on Central Street, was erected. The Rev. Thomas F. Fales was called to be the first rector, and entered upon his duties in November, 1849. In 1890 Mr. Fales retired, and was made pastor Emeritus. Rev. H. N. Cunningham, of Watertown, Conn., has accepted a call to the pastorate. The church has been once enlarged since its erection, adding about one-third to the number of its sittings.

Methodist Episcopal Church. - About the year 1820 the nucleus of the Methodist Episcopal Church began to form in the shape of class- meetings, a class of twenty-four being gathered, with Charles Barnes as leader. The class met regularly until 1825, when, a majority of the members removing to Lowell, it was discontinued. Circuit-preaching was occasionally bad and small appropriations were allowed for its support.

Between 1828 and 1830 class-meetings were resumed, Marshall Livermore being leader, succeeded by Marshal Jones, and he (in 1833) by Dr. Theodore Kittredge. Services were occasionally held in the factory school-house on Elm Street, Smith's Academy on School Street and the Masonic Hall on Main Street. In March, 1837, regular services were commenced at Masonic Hall, Rev. Ziba B. Dunham, pastor. The next year the church then owned by the Second Society and standing on the Common was purchased, and in June, 1838, a regular organization was formed with about forty members. Between 1838 and 1843 Waltham and Watertown were united in one conference, the following pastors being resident here: 1838, Rev. T. Pickering; 1889, Rev. Edward A. Lyon ; 1840, Rev. H. G. Barrus ; 1841, Rev. G. W. Frost; 1842, Rev. B.K.Pierce. In 1843 Waltham was separated from Watertown. Since then the following pastors have been assigned to this society: 1843, Rev. David Kilburn ; 1845, Rev. John Paulson; 1846, Rev. Moses Webster ; 1848, Rev. Jacob Sanborn, (under Mr. Sanborn the church was raised and a vestry put in); 1850, Rev. G. W. Bates (Mr. Bates died while in charge) ; 1851, Rev. N. J. Merrill ; 1853, Rev. Luman Boyden ; 1854, Rev. J. 8. Barrows ; 1856, Rev. T. W. Lewis; 1858, Rev. E. A. Manning (in the fall of 1859 the church was moved to the site of the present one, remodeled and dedicated January 25, 1860, the society in the mean time meeting in Rumford Hall. On Sunday night. May 27, 1860, the edifice was entirely destroyed by fire, and again Rumford Hall was called into requisition. The new church was completed and dedicated March 13, 1861). 1861, Rev. S. Kelley ; 1863, Rev. D. K. Merrill ; 1865, Rev. C. L. Eastman ; 1868, Rev. D. E. Chapin ; 1870, Rev. L. J. Hall ; 1872, Rev. J. Wagner; 1875, Rev. W. A. Braman; 1876, Rev. W. W. Colburn ; 1879, Rev. G. H. Mansfield; 1880, Rev. I. H. Packard ; 1883, Rev. G. F. Eaton ; 1886, Rev. J. M. Avann ; 1889, Rev. Charles Tilton. During Mr. Avann's pastorate a branch organization was formed on the south side of the river and in 1888 a church building was erected. In 1890 a separate church organization was created for the South Side body, and it was incorporated as the Immanu-El Church. Rev. W. A. Wood has been pastor of the new society since its organization.

Trinitarian Congregational Church. - Sixty-five years ago the only meeting-house in Waltham was located on the triangular lot of land formed by the three roads near the residence of the late Geo. W. Lyman, Esq. To meet the wants of the growing village, and particularly the operatives of the Boston Manufacturing Company, all of whom in that day were Protestants, the "Second Religious Society '' was formed in 1820. It was agreed that the denominational relations of the church which should be formed should be determined by a majority of the subscribers lo the new society. Accordingly it was voted that the church should be Congregational. It was organized in the Congregational way, September 28, 1820. Its original members were eighteen in number. The society built its meetiDg-hou.se on Church Street, on the spot now used as the Catholic Cemetery, dedicating it January 16, 1821. Four years later there were found to be great ditterences in their views of doctrinal truth between " the Church and the Society." A separation took place. The church unanimously in April, 1825, adhering to their pastor. Rev. Mr. Harding, then took the name of the Trinitarian Congregational Church. A new " Society " was organized and a house of worsliip was built on Main Street, near Lyman Street. Here the church continued to worship till within twenty years. Their present edifice was dedicated in 1871. The pastors of this church have been :

The Catholic Soriely. - The Catholic Society was instituted in Waltham in 1830. At the time the building occupied by the Second Society on Church Street was burned, the sheds belonging to it were saved. The Catholics purchased the lot and these sheds with it, and fitted up a section of the sheds for a church. They used this temporarily, however, and shortly after built a wooden building for this purpose. This was destroyed by fire in June, 1848. Up to 1839 there was no settled pastor, clergymen from Boston conducting the services from time to time. In 1839 Rev. T. Fitzsimmons was appointed pastor. He was succeeded by Rev. M. Lynch, and he in turn by Rev. Luther Strain. Mr. Strain continued pastor until 1847, at Which time Rev. Patrick Flood was appointed to succeed him. During the pastorate of Mr. Flood, which continued until his death, in December, 1863, the large brick church on School Street was erected. The building was occupied in 1860 and dedicated in 1877. Upon the death of Rev. Patrick Flood, Rev. Bernard Flood, a nephew, was appointed. He also died, as it were, in the harness, in December, 1876, from sickness brought on by his labor and exposure in superintending the remodeling of the church. Rev. Timothy Brosnahan, his successor and the present pastor, was appointed early in 1877, and under his pastorate the church edifice has been completed and furnished, the grounds laid out and beautified, and the present parochial residence built (in 1884). So heavy were the labors in this parish, one of the largest in the vicinity of Boston, that it was necessary to have an assistant, and Rev. J. J. Murphy was given that position in 1876. On his appointment to a parish in' Weymouth, Massachusetts, Rev. J. S. McKone was appointed to the place. He in turn was transferred to a church in East Boston, and was replaced by Rev. Frs. J. J. Mahoney and J. Lally. Fr. Lally died in 1888. Fr. Mahoney was promoted to his position and Rev. John A. Daily was appointed.

Fir at Parish. - The church in which this society holds its services was dedicated February 9, 1839, and Rev. George F. Simmons was installed as pastor October 27, 1841, Rev. Samuel Ripley being " associate pastor." Mr. Simmons closed his ministry here, on account of ill health, in April, 1843. Mr. Ripley resigned his pastorate April 6, 1846, on his removal from town.

During the first thirty years which elapsed after the resignation of Mr. Simmons the parish had but four pastors. Of these the Rev. Thomas Hill was longest settled, having been fifteen years minister of the parish, returning here after eight years' absence and remaining until 1873. The dates of the beginning and

Ordination of Rev. Thomas Hill, December 24, 1845. Resignation January, 1860. Ordination of Rev. J. C. Parsons, June 6, 1860. Resignation, May, 1864. Installation of Rev. C. McCauley, December 29, 1869. Resignation, December, 1872.

The church edifice was thoroughly repaired and remodeled in the year 1867, under the superintendence of Mr. Henry W. Hartwell, to whose skill its present attractive appearance does great credit. Rev. Edward C. Guild was installed June 7, 1873, and resigning after about five years' service, was succeeded by the present pastor. Rev. Edward J. Young.

Baptist Society. - The First Baptist Church in Waltham was organized November 4, 1852, with a constituent membership of twenty-one - eleven females and ten males. During the first three years of its existence it sustained Sabbath services in Rumford Hall, holding its weekly prayer-meetings at the private residences of its members. At the expiration of three years its present house of worship was erected, and dedicated February 14, 1855; Rev. Baron Stow, of Boston, preaching the sermon, and Rev. M. B. Anderson, of Roxbury, offering the dedicatory prayer.

The first pastor was Rev. M. L. Bickford, whose pastorate extended from August, 1853, to June, 1863. The pastoral office was then filled successively by Rev. E. B. Eddy, Rev. A. M. Bacon, Rev. W. H. Shedd, Rev. W. H. Barrows, 1872, and Rev. F. D. Bland, 1875, ivho retired in 1879. Rev. J. V. Stratton was in.sialled in 1880.

During his pastorate a division occurred in the church, and a new society, the Beth Eden, was organized on the south side of the river, in 1887. The meetings of the new society were begun in the building used for a skating rink, and were afterwards held in Endecott Hall. A new church edifice, begun in 1889, is in process of erection. Rev. George W. Gardner was installed pastor of the new society in November, 1888. On account of ill health he has been compelled to resign his pastorate, his resignation to take effect in November, 1890. Mr. Stratton's pastorate ended in 1887, and the following year he was succeeded by Rev. William M. Mick, the present pastor.

VniversalUt Society. - In the spring of 1837 the Universalists in Waltham set up a meeting in the hall of the Waltham Bank building, on Main Street, for regular public worship, and in August of that year Rev. William C. Hanscom, a young man of uncommon promise, became their preacher; but rapidlyfailing health soon caused him to relinquish his work, and after struggling with that fatal disease, consumption, until May, 1838, he passed quietly away in the triumphs of the faith he had so fondly cherished. A humble marble monument marks the resting-place of his remains upon thesummit of our Grove Hill Ceme- tery. The late Rev. Syl vanus Cobb, D.D., in the spring of 18S8, succeeded him as preacher to that people. Being straitened for room, they obtained permission from the town and removed from the Bank Hall into the Town Hall, in the old grammar-school building on Lexington Street. But the accommodations afforded them in this place, though somewhat better than those they had left, were found to be still insufficient. About this period the First Parish Society erected their present church edifice on Church Street, and it was by invitation of those members of that parish who declined to accompany the main body into their new place of worship, that the Universalists removed from the Town Hall into the old parish meetinghouse, then standing near the residence of George W. Lyman, Esq. Up to this time the body had existed only as a voluntary association, but on the 6th of March, 1839, they organized in legal form into a religious society, and took measures to secure an act of incorporation, by the name of the " First Universalist Society in Waltham." Encouraged by the proffered assistance of the late Theodore Lyman, Esq., the society proceeded to erect a house of worship upon a lot presented to them by Mr. Lyman, on the corner of Lyman and Summer Streets.

In the spring of 1840, Rev. Mr. Cobb relinquished his charge, and in the autumn of the same year was succeeded by Rev. Edwin A. Eaton, who ministered to the society about three years ; and in the spring of 1844 he was succeeded by Rev. T. G. Farnsworth. He retired from the pastorate in 1848, but continuing his residence in the town, he continued his membership also in the society during its existence. From 1848 to 1855 the society had no settled pastor, but by temporary supplies continued, with little interruption, to maintain regular public worship. In 1854 they sold their lot on Lyman Street, and removed their meeting-house to the corner of Main and Spring Streets. Rev. Massena Goodrich was their pastor from the spring of 1855 to 1857. He was succeeded in the fall of 1857 by Rev. Henry A. Eaton, whose ministry with them continued between one and two years, during which time a serious dissension arose in the society, the result of which was, the meetinghouse passed out of their hands, and they ceased to exercise the functions of a religious organization. From an early period of its existence there was within the society a church organization and a flourishing Sunday-school.

A new society was organized in September, 1865, by the name of " The Universalist Society of Waltham," and established regular public worship in Rumford Hall. Rev. Benton Smith, through whose labors, as the missionary of the Massachusetts Universalist Convention, the body was gathered, ministered to the society some four years. Rev. Mrs. P. A. Hanaford supplied their desk for one year; and in September, 1871, Rev. M. R. Leonard entered upon the duties of his charge. Mr. Leonard was succeeded

Waltham Society of the New Jerusalem Church. - li is now more than sixty years since the Heavenly Doctrines, drawn from the Sacred Scriptures and revealed through the writings of Emanuel Swedenborg, found interested readers and receivers in Waltham.

Meetings were held at first at the residence of Captain John Clark, and were continued in, private rooms until the need of more ample accommodations ibr the increasing numbers was .sensibly felt. This want was fully supplied about thirty years ago by the building of a stone chapel on Lexington Street, in a section of the city known of old as "Piety Comer," and since that time Benj. Worcester has led in public worship. A part of the building was also used for the " Waltham New Church School," which was removed to the more commodious quarters it now occupies in the brick building nearby, built in 1864, expressly for its accommodation.

In December, 1869, nearly everything perishable of the chapel was destroyed by fire, the walls alone standing to mark the spot hallowed by many pleasant and sacred associations. In one year from the time of the fire a larger and more beautiful church had arisen on the same site, in which religious service has since been regularly held.

On Sunday, July 4, 1869, a distinct society of the church was formally organized, the membership numbering twenty-four, to which there have since been some additions. The total number of church-members resident here, however, is considerably larger than the society represents, many retaining their connection with other societies.

Ascension Church. - The Episcops^lians were the first society to erect a church edifice on the South Side of the river, and much of the honor of this work belongs to Rev. Thomas F. Fales, pastor of Christ Church. In 1882 the society was organized and in 1882 the present edifice was erected. Rev. H. S. Nash was installed its first pastor, a position he occupied until 1885, when he resigned and the place was supplied by Rev. Carlton P. Mills. Mr. Mills wag succeeded in 1888 by Rev. Mylton Maury, and he in 1889 by Rev. A. B. Shields, the present rector.

Banks. - In the spriug of 1836 a petition by Luke "Fiske, George Miller and Nathaniel Maynard, for au act of incorporation under the title of the Waltham Bank, wa.s granted by the (Jeneral Court, and the company wiia incorporated with a capital of $100,000. A meeting was held at the Massasoit House, then standing at the corner of Main and Linden Streets, to accept the act of incorporation. Ephraim Allen was elected moderator and Luke Fiske was chosen president of the corporation. The act was accepted and by-laws adopted. Luke Fiske, Ephraim Allen,

Willard Adams, Nathaniel Stearns, William Hobbs and Jonas Clark, of Waltham, and Benjamin Dana, of Watertown, were chosen directors. At a meeting held May 30th, it was voted to add five directors to the list, and James Draper, of Wayland, Marshall Jones, of Weston, William Porter and George Miller, of Waltham, and William Brigham, of Boston were elected to the board. June 2d a committee was appointed to consider the question of a banking-house- June 9th the committee recommended the erection of a brick building thirty-six feet by twenty-six feet and two stories high. July 5th it was determined to build on the lot where the bank building now stands. At the same meeting Nathaniel Maynard was elected cashier. The first meeting in the new building was held October 1, 1836, and the fact that stock had been paid for to the amount of $50,000 in gold and silver was sworn to. October 24, 1836, the first emission of bills, amounting to $64,500, was authorized, and November 7th a further emisssion of $44,300 was directed. The capital was subsequently increased to 1200,000, but in 1864-65, in consequence of losses, it was reduced to $150,000, at which point it now stands. In December, 1864, the bank was chartered as a national bank, and on April 1, 1865, commenced business under its new charter. The law passed by the Legislature, coinpelling the separation of deposit and savings banks, made it necessary to build a wing on the westerly side.

The Savings Bank was incorporated March 18, 1853, and the act was accepted April 15, 1853. On the acceptance of the act the following oflScers were elected : Horatio Moore, president ; Eliphalet Pearson, vice-president ; D. A. Kimball, secretary and treasurer ; Horatio Moore, Ebenezer Hobbs, E. Pearson, J. H. Priest, R. P. Davis, Gillum Barnes, George Bigelow, Leonard P. Frost, Phineas Upham, Thomas Page, Samuel B. Whitney and D. A. Kimball, trustees. The other original members were : Nathan Hagar and Nathaniel L. Sibley, of Weston ; Jonathan S. Parker, of Lexington ; Asahel Wheeler and Galen Merriam, of West Newton ; D. T. Huckins, T. Livermore, Seth Bemis and H. Cooper, of Watertown ; Wm. F. Wheeler and Wm. Foster, of Lincoln ; Wm. Mills and Thos. Rice, Jr., of TSTewton Lower Falls; Horace Heard, of Wayland ; Thomas Barnes, George W. Frost, John Roberts, Amory Moore and Daniel C. Stratton, of Waltham.

The old building was demolished in 1888, the two banks occupying quarters temporarily in the J. W. Parmenter building on Moody Street. The new building was completed in September, 1889, at a cost of $50,000, and on September 30th of the same year was first occupied for business.

Chapter Xlix By Alexander Starbuck

Schools. - Waltham's separation from the parent town of Watertown appears to have been principally due to three causes : first, the early separation into military precincts ; second, the location of the church ; third, educational interests. As early as April 7, 1729, a meeting of the inhabitants of the West Precinct was held to consider, among other things, a location for a .school-house. Allen Flagg agreed to donate to the precinct a suitable strip of land at the north end of his orchard for the purpose, and it was voted to accept the offer. February 4, 1729-30, Zachariah Smith, Allen Flagg, Thomas Harrington, Thomas Bigelow, Jonas Smith, John Childs and John Cutting were delegated to see the selectmen and have inserted in the warrant for the next town-meeting an article providing for an appropriation to build on the land of Mr. Flagg a school-house. The town declined the gift and refused to grant the money, greatly to the disappointment of the petitioners. That action was taken in March. In May a committee was appointed at a meeting of the people of the West Precinct to endeavor to have that district setofi'asa separate town, "and take Effectual care that the same may be Established that Learning may be Advanced among us or some other proper methods whereby to obtain the same." A petition representing the sentiment of the people of the precinct was forwarded to the General Court, which ordered the town served with a copy and cited it to show cause why the petition should not be granted. April 19, 1731, a committee was chosen by the town to oppose the division. Nevertheless the Court recommended, among other things, that the town provide two schoolhouses, with two duly qualified schoolmasters, - one for each precinct. The town (August 16, 1731 ) refused to accept the recommendations and the assessors of the West Precinct, - Nathaniel Harris and Deacon William Brown, - feeling that the East Precinct was unjust to them, refused to assess the grant made by the town for the support of schooLs. .Again, in March, 1732-33, an attempt was made for separation and again it was unsuccessful.

June 28, 1736, Nathaniel Harris, William Brown and Daniel Benjamin, in behalf of the people of the West Precinct, and against the resolute opposition of the East Precinct people, obtained permission from the General Court to set off land from the common lauds devoted to highways, sufficient to raise a sum of £1500, which was to be invested and the interest used for the support of schools. So bitter was the feeling growing out of this act that it culminated in a meeting of the inhabitants of the West

Precinct, December 7, 1737, at which a vote was passed to petition the General Court for separation. The prayer was granted, and January 4, 1737-38, the town of Waltham was incorporated.

In July, 1738, the selectmen appointed two of their number to secure a schoolmaster. In August they reported that they had agreed on Daniel Harrington, and he was employed. There were three school districts. The principal school at that time was in the location known as " Piety Corner." Salary of Mr. Harrington, £20 per quarter.

January, 1739-40, Adam Boardman was schoolteacher. January 25, 1741-42, Joseph Roberts was engaged to teach at £5 per month, and on March 10th of the same year it was voted to have a " moving" school. In May John Cams agreed to keep the school for two months in the district where John Dix lived, at the north part of the town, at £5 per month^ with an allowance of 19s. per week if he boarded himself. In September the " movable " school was discontinued ; £10 was appropriated to repair the school-house, and £80 to support the school.

In November the selectmen agreed with William Lawrence to teach the school for eight months, dating from the previous July, the pay to be £6, old tenor and his board. Mr. Lawrence was succeeded in 1745 by Elisha Harding. In March, 1746-47, a " moving " school was again established, and Deacon William Brown was chosen to teach the North District. March, 1747-48, Samuel Livermore, Jr., was appointed to teach the West, Centre and North Districts. January, 1748-49, Caleb Upham was appointed a schoolteacher. In September, 1751, a discussion arose as to whether the teacher should be a male or a female. It was finally decided in favor of the former; and in November of the same year it was voted to spend the town's money to support the school in the schoolhouse, and that the teacher should be "a grammarschool master."

1752, Jonas Clark and Samuel Livermore, schoolmasters. Mr. Livermore continued to teach until 1751). He was succeeded by Isaac Livermore, who taught until some time in 1758. Leonard Williams taught in the latter part of 1758 and the early part of 1759. In March, 1760, the town appropriated £2 to carry on a children's reading-school in the southwest part of the town. Deacon Isaac Stearns was appointed by the selectmen to engage a school-mistress for the northerly portion of the town, and it was agreed to have a grammar school-mastci- teach one quarter in the school-house. Mrs. George Lawrence was selected by Deacon Stearns, and we may safely conclude that she was the first female teacher regularly engaged by the town. In 1761 Jonathan Livermore, Samuel Williams and John Wyeth were paid for teaching school. In 1762 Samuel Williams and a Mrs. Clark performed the same service ; in 1763 Mrs. Lawrence, a daughter of William Coolidge, a daughter of Lois Fiske and Mr. Williams were selected. In

May, 1764, payment was ordered for the followingnamed school-teachers : Thomas Fisk's daughter, Joseph Hagar, Jr.'s wife, Joseph Bemis' wife, George Lawrence's wife, Hopestill Bent's daughter-in-law, Jonathan Sanderson, Jr.'s wife, John Dix's daughter, Ebenezer Brown's son and Samuel Williams. In March, 1765, it was voted that the grammar school should be a " moving " school during the remainder of the year. Leonard Williams and Elijah Brown were appointed to teach it. The town granted £41 for educational purposes in September, of which £12 were for the women's schools.

In 1769 Jonas Dix, Jr., was appointed teacher of the grammar school, and continued in the office until 1772, when he resigned on account of ill health. The town voted in the same year to build a new school-house near the old one, but took no further action towards carrying out its vote. In 1770, however, a committee was appointed to carry the vote into execution and to repair the old building.

In 1771 a son of Josiah Brown was one of the five teachers employed by the town. In 1772 William Fisk succeeded Jonas Dix, Jr. Miss Ruth Russell and a daughter of Jonathan Hammond were also teachers. In March, 1774, the town voted to build a new schoolhouse near the meeting-house. By the report of the committee having the matter in charge, made in September, it appears that the work was done at an expense of £81 5.?. 3rf. In November of the same year the town voted to take down the old school-house and build one in the northwest section of the town.

In 1777 Jonas Dix, Jr., and William Fisk are recorded as teachers. In 1779 Samuel Kendall, Mr. Morse, Mr. Bridge and Eunice Mixer were paid for teaching. In June, 1780, the appropriation for schools was refused, probably because of the financial pressure of the Revolution. October llth the town again refused an appropriation, but November 29th it granted £3360. The currency of the time was in a sad state, as may be inferred from the fact that £12,000 was appropriated for the purchase of 7200 pounds of beef. The teachers for that year were Eunice Miser, Samuel Kendall, Mr. Boardman, Ruhamah Wellington and Mr. Bridge.

In 1781 Jonas Dix, Jr., and Mr. Bridge appear to be the instructors. The selectmen voted in December of that year to engage Ebenezer Bowman to keep the school " near the meeting-house." Mr. Bowman continued to teach the following year. In 1782 Nathaniel Bridge's name also appears on the list of teachers. In September, 17.S3, John Remington was hired to teach the school near the meeting-house, and Joseph Jackson that at the foot of the hill. In the following year Benjamin Green, Jr., was paid for teaching and he was again engaged to teach the grammar school in 1785. Septembers, 1785, the town wasdivided into four school districts - Pond End, Trapelow, the southwest part of the town above Mixer's Lane (Bacon Street) and the Middle District, which included the balance.

In February, 1786, Joaas Dix was engaged to teach the grammar school for one year. In March John Remington was paid for teaching and Abijah Bigelow was engaged to teach at the new school-house at the west end of the plain, as long as the appropriation lasted, he to keep " two schools a day " after April Ist. Mr. Jackson, Nathan Underwood and John Child also appear to have been teachers during the year. Capt. Samuel Bigelow appears to be one of four teacher.-i employed in 1787. In 1790 Messrs. Bridge, Dix and Mead were paid for teaching. The school grant of December, 1790, was thus apportioned to the several school-houses : Upper end of Plain, £25 (3«. 8d.; Foot of Hills, £22 2.').; near the meeting-house, £30 5s. Sd.; Trapelow, £18 3«. lOrf.,- proprietors of new school-house (probably at the Lower Plain), £4 2s 3d. In 1791 it was voted to buy the school-house at the Upper Plain and Trapelow, they having been pronounced suitable and the proprietors being willing to sell. An appropriation of £77 lis. was made for the one at the Upper Plain, the amount being divided among twenty- one proprietors, all residing on upper Main and on South Streets ; £50 18(t. lOd. were paid for the one at Trapelow. The house near the Widow Barnard's was not accepted. In the selectmen's records for 1791 appears an order appropriating 3s. 6d. to pay for a horse and chaise " to bring the school mistress from Framingham.''

In April, 1792, a vote was passed to remove the school-house near the meeting-house to a point just below the present cemetery on Main Street. In September, 1795, the town appropriated £50 to purchase stoves and shutters for the schools and make some repairs, and chose a special committee of three from each school district to attend to the expenditure of school appropriations. They probably acted as a school committee, and the organization was continued from year to year, as we lose sight of special appropriations for teachers. In 1797 the schools taught by males are styled " men's " schools and those taught by females " women's " schools. In this year the town appropriated $25 to establish a singing-school. In 1801 a School Committee of ten was elected, and this arrangement appeared to work so satisfactorily that it was continued voluntarily until the statute law made it mandatory. In 1803 the town appropriated .$120 for a teacher of music. In 1813 the Factory Village (Bleachery) was set ofl'.as a separate school district. In 1817 the town voted to set off the Boston Manufacturing Co.'s estates for a school district and to discontinue the one at the Bleachery. In this connection it is well to note that for many years the Boston Manufacturing Co. sustained schools of its own for the instruction of the children of its employees.

Rev. Mr. Ripley appears about 1819-20 to have caused considerable trouble in his flock by using a portion of his time in teaching school, and it was made a matter for town interference, an effort being made to appoint u committee to interview him and induce him to quit teaching, but his friends were too numerous and the project was abandoned. In 1829 the town voted to exclude needle-work from the morning session of the summer schools, allowing it in the afternoon, and in 1830 a small sum was appropriated to procure medals to be given the most deserving scholars.

In spite of the law of 1789 in regard to the establishment of grammar schools, no effort was made to comply with it until 1820. In 1821 the town was sued for non-compliance with the act, but little heed was paid to the suit. The attempt to establish such a school was unsuccessfully repeated year after year. In 1832, however, the town appropriated $1200 to build a grammar school-house and town-house on the old meeting-house common. Subsequently a vote was passed to erect the building on the "gore of land" owned by Mr. Lyman, that gentleman offering to give the land and $200 to assist the work. This did not seem to suit, and after vote upon vote the town purchased of Mr. T. R. Plympton the land now occupied by the North Grammar School, increased the appropriation sumewhat and erected the building there. When the present structure was put up, the old building was sold and removed to the corner of School and Exchange Slreets, where it was remodeled into a tenement-house. In 1833 the town appropriated $300 to enable the School Committee to hire a school-master and establish a High School, and directed the committee to commence such a school at the earliest possible day. The first principal of this school was Franklin Hardy. After him came Josiah Rutter (1835), William H. Ropes (1838), E. A. W. Harlow (1841), Charles F. Simmons (1842), Daniel French (1842), William H. Ropes (1844), Leonard P. Frost (1847). During Mr. Frost's term of service the town gave up the hall in the upper story, changed it to make it suitable for school uses and established a High School there distinct from the grammar school, Mr. Frost taking charge of the former and his brother, George W., of the latter. In 1859 L. P. Frost succeeded his brother George ; after him came William E. Sheldon (1869), Alonzo Meserve (January, 1871), John I. Prince (September, 1871), John S. Hayes (1879), John I. Prince (1879), Bradford W. Drake (1879), who is now teaching. In 1868 the town established a grammar school on the south side of the river and Arthur P. Smith was elected principal, a position he still retains. In the High School the principals succeeding L. P. Frost are Timothy W. Bancroft (1859), Andrew J. Lathrop (1864), James C. Parsons (1865), Minton Warren (1874), William E. Bunten (1876), Ruel B. Clark (1877), Charles W. Parmenter (1878), Eugene D. Russell (1889). There are at present fourteen school buildings, about 2400 scholars and seventy teachers.

The present High and North Grammar School buildings were erected in 1867 ; the South Grammar building in 1876; the West, 1876; Heard Street,

1880 ; Prospect Street, Orange Street and Bacon Street, 1883; Grove Street, 1887; the High Street Primary remodeled 1890. The Newton Street building was erected in 1833, but bears no semblance to the original structure.

In 1864 the advocates of the New Church faith erected the school building used by them and have maintained a school there which receives pupils from all over the United Slates. In 1888 the St. Joseph Parochial (Roman Catholic) School was established and the building was completed lor school purposes.

Newspapers. - The newspaper life of Waliham, so far as can be ascertained, commenced with the publication of The Hive, the first number of which appeared under date of March 2, 1833. It was an eight-page periodical, priuced in magazine style with a page form eight and a half inches by five inches. Ii was edited and published by S. B. Emmons, who for many years kept an apothecary store on Main Street, in the building west of the Townscnd Block. It was for many months printed at the office of James

B. Dow, then located at No. 122 Washington Street, Boston. By its first editorial we learn that it was " de. voted to the publication of Original and Select Tales, Essays, Music, Biography, Travels, Original and Select Poetry, Amusing Miscellany, Humorous Anecdotes, etc., etc." It was published on alternate Saturdays, at one dollar per year. For some reason, which does not appear through a perusal of its columns, publication was suspended from May 25, 1833, until February 14,1835, the numbering both in issues and pages proceeding at the latter time as though there had been no interregnum. When its publication was revived it was printed by " Dill and Sanborn, Music, Book and Job Printers, 43VVa3hington Street, Boston." September 5, 1835, it was printed in Waltham for the first time by W. C. George, who had just established himself in Waltham as a book and job printer. January 10, 1836, the last number of The Hive appeared. In his valedictory editor Emmons said : " This number of the Hive completes the present volume. It will be succeeded shortly by a paper of a larger size, to be published every week."

On the 7th of May, 1836, the first number of the Waltham Star, the paper probably alluded to by Mr. Emmons, appeared. It was published by Willard

C. George. The second number appeared under date of June 4, 1836, and the third June 11th. Its life was a brief one and its publication was soon suspended for want of patronage. The Middlesex Reporter was published in Waltham about one year commencing in 1841. Nathaniel P. Banks, Jr., was its editor. It appears that two other attempts were made to establish newspapers in Waltham between 1836 and 1848, but names and dates are not at hand. The Waltham Mirror made its opening bow on July 6th of the latter year. It was a quarto, with a page form twelve and one-half inches by nine and one-half inches. It was published semimonthly by V. S. Williams, who kept a periodical and general goods store in Wellington's building, just west of the bank, and was edited by H. B. Skinner, M.D., who had a Boston office at 60* Cornhill. The Mirror lived about a year and then went the way of its predecessors.

Between 1849 and 1856 two more unsuccessful attempts were made to convince the people of Waltham that they needed a newspaper. May 18, 1850, D. Farnham commenced the publication of the Ramford Journal. Like its predecessors its life was brief. In April, 1852, appeared the first number of the MassasoU Balance and Waltham Advocate, published in Rumford Building by Kelley & Co. It also soon died.

Apparently undismayed by the failures of the preceding twenty-three years, Josiah Hastings, in 1856, launched the Waltham Sentinel on the sea of journalism. Mr. Hastings had previously published a twopage advertising sheet which was distributed free. On the 15th of February, 1856, he issued the first number of Walthara's first successful newspaper. The currents and the winds seemed propitious, and for twenty years the Sentinel paid its weekly visits to hundreds of Waltham firesides. It was edited by " an association of gentlemen." Its end was melancholy, even to the verge of the tragic. In 1876 the elder Mr. Hastings, his son William, who for many years had assisted his fiUher in the conduct of the paper, and three grandchildren, the son and two daughters of William, died within the brief period of a few weeks. There was no one of the family left whose training was in the direction of newspaper work, and in 1877, the Sentinel was sold. It was purchased by George Phinney, proprietor of the Waltham Free Press, and became merged in that paper.

In February, 1863, George Phinney, who had had previous journalistic experience.in Bridgewater, commenced the publication of the Waltham Free Press. At that time there was no distinctively Republican paper in Walthau*. The Free Press early became the Waltham organ of that party, and has continued the exponent of Republican ideas to the present time. In the fall of 1884 Mr. Phinney disposed of the paper to Robert B. Somers, at that time a compositor in the office of the Waliham Daily Tribune. Alexander Starbuck was requested to take the position of editor, and did so. In the fall of 1885 Mr. Starbuck purchased a half-interest in the paper, and in November of that year the office, which up to that time had been located on the north side of the river, was removed' to its present location, on the south side. March, 1888, Somers & Starbuck commenced the i)ublicati<)n of a daily edition, which continues in successful operation at the present time. October 1, 18S9, the newspaper and job-printing business, which, up to that time, had been run jointly, were divided, and the partnership dissolved, Mr. Somers assuming the job-print- ing and Mr. Starbuck taking the newspapers. In its early life the Free Press passed through a varied experience. It was started in the second story of a building in the rear of Central (then Miller's) Block, which' was previously used for sleeping apartments for the hotel in the upper stories of the block, but which has since been turned quarter round and moved to the line of Lexington Street. While located here it passed the ordeal of fire. It was then moved to a stone building back of Townsend's Block, and for a second time encountered fire. No serious accident, however, has since befallen it.

The next newspaper to be established in Waltham was the Waltham Record, which was started in 1876 by Barry & Berry. After a few months' experience Mr. Berry retired from the firm, and Mr. Barry[carried on the business until 1885, when he disposed of the i?«corrf to Pratt Brothers, of Marlboro'. The paper was transferred to that town and merged with a large number of publications issued from the Marlboro' office. While in Mr. Barry's charge it was exceedingly well conducted. During the latter portion of its publication in Waltham it was issued semi-weekly.

The Waltham Daily Tribune was first published October 2, 1882, under the management of Eaton & Reeli. It was first issued in Hovey's building on Moody Street, just south of the railroad. Mr. Reed subsequently disposed of his interest to Mr. Eaton. Mr. Eaton continued in possession and retained the position he held from the first as editor, until March 1888. He then sold out to a company of gentlemen who formed a corporation under the name of " The Waltham Tribune Company." For several months the paper was under the management of E. G. Bond. Late in the fall of 1888 he was succeeded by H. E. Browne, the present editor and manager. The company was incorporated in 1888 with a capital of $14,000.

On May 5, 1886, E. G. Bond published the first number of the Charles River Laborer, a weekly newspaper issued, according to its prospectus, in the interest of the workingmen particularly. It was printed by. Rice & Drake, at their office, on Pine IStreet, near Moody. It lived a little more than a year.

October 16, 1886, the Waltham Times, a daily newspaper, published by Rice & Drake and edited by T. P. James, made its appearance. It lived about a year, and suspended publication.

Several amateur periodicals have appeared from time to time, lived a few months and then quietly died out, but as they were not designed to enter the professional field, no attempt is made to give them in detail.

A single attempt has been made in Waltham to establish a magazine. In March, 1836, Willard C. George published the first number of the Repertory, a monthly magazine of twenty-six pages, published at

$1.00 a year. Mr. George must have received but little encouragement, as it is said that the second number of the periodical never appeared.

The Christian Freeman and Family Visitor, edited by Rev. Sylvanus Cobb, was printed by Josiah Hastings about two years, beginning in the spring of 1839. The office was then removed to Boston, the paper being some years after merged into The Trumpet, which in turn was merged in The Christian Leader.

Chapter The American Waltham Watch Company

The projector of the enterprise of systematic watchmaking, which has become an industry of no small [)roportions in America, was Aaron L. Dennison.

He was a typical Yankee youth, born in Freeport, Maine, in the year 1812. As he early evinced a taste for mechanical pursuits he was apprenticed to a watchmaker. After serving in that capacity about three years, in Brunswick, Maine, he went to Boston, where he obtained a situation with Messrs. Currier & Trott, where he endeavored to perfect himself as a journeyman.

The varieties of style in the construction of Swiss and English watches, and the diversified jobs which naturally come into the hands of the watch repairer, would tend to stimulate ingenuity and develop thought in one who was interested in his work.

Mr. Dennison certainly seems to have been possessed of progressive tendencies, so that it very naturally occurred to him that there might possibly be some improvement in the methods of watch-making, especially in the direction of a greater unifoanity in sizes of corresponding parts in watches of the same make. Visiting the United States Armory at Springfield, Massachusetts, he became greatly interested in the machinery used in the manufacture of muskets on the " interchangeable plan," and very naturally the idea of applying the same system to the manufacture of watches presented itself to him; and the more he contemplated it the more firmly was he convinced that the general sj-stem or method which was evidently such a success in the making of firearms, might, and without doubt would, in time be employed in the performance of the required operations on the .smaller and more delicate parts of pocket timepieces.

Having become possessed with this general idea, Mr. Dennison devoted many hours of his spare time to the study of the numerous details involved in the adaptation of such a scheme.

With the earnest and very natural desire to see in tangible form some results from his long-continued study, Mr. Dennison endeavored to impart to capitalists some of the enthusiasm which his long contemplation of the scheme had aroused in himself.

It is quite probable, however, that capital at that time was even more conservative than it now is; so that it is not surprising that several years should elapse before any one was found bold enough to risk his money in an enterprise the success of which was at least problematical.

But in 1819 Mr. Dennison had an interview with Mr. Edward Howard, who seems to have been filled with an enthusiasm equal to his own, but with quite a different scheme for its object. At that time Mr. Howard was, in company with Mr. D. P. Davis, engaged in the manufacture of clocks and scales, and also standard weights and measures, for which they had a contract from the State of Massachusetts. They had also done something in the way of making fireengines ; and at that time Mr. Howard was greatly interested in a scheme for building locomotives on an extensive scale.

Mr. Dennison succeeded not only in dissuading Mr. Howard from any attempt to engage in the locomotive business, but made him a convert to his own project for watch-making. Having then obtained an ally, who soon became quite as enthusiastic as himself, Mr. Dennison's own courage and confidence increased, and the two men began their search for a capitalist, who would be able, by the aid of their prophetic vision, to discern a profitable return for an investment in their novel undertaking. This individual they found in the person of Mr. Samuel Curtis, of Boston, 'who consented to invest the sum of $20,000 in the enterprise. The undertaking having been definitely decided upon, the next thing to be determined was as to the nature of the first practical action.

Without doubt Mr. Dennison had long before planned in his own mind very many details, and was prepared to submit a definite course of procedure. His suggestion was that a personal visit of inspection and investigation be made to the watch-making districts of England, and, at the same time, arrangements for the purchase of needful supplies which could not be readily procured in American markets, such as enamels, jewels, etc.

This recommendation of Mr. Dennison's was adopted ; and accordingly he soon went to England, where he spent several months in gathering information as to the systems and methods in use by the English watch-makers ; his observation only serving to confirm him in his belief that Americans could readily compete with them, especially in view of the fact of the extreme conservatism of the English, which prevented their ready adoption of new. methods.

In a letter written by Mr. Dennison, while in Europe, he says, " I found that the party setting up as manufacturer of watches bought his Lancashire movements, - a conglomeration of rough materials, - and gave them out to A. B. C. and D. to have them finished ; and how A. B. C. D. gave out the different jobs of pivoting certain wheels of the train to E. certain other parts to P., and the fusee cutting to G. - dial-making, jeweling, gilding, motioning, etc., to others, down almost the entire length of the alphabet. . . . Finding things in this condition, as a matter of course, my theory of Americans not finding any difficulty in competing with the English, especially if the interchangeable system and manufacturing in large quantities was adopted, may be accepted as reasonable."

During the absence of Mr. Dennison the other parties in the enterprise were not idle, so that after his return, work was commenced on a model watch, and some machinery and tools. Work was commenced on a factory building in October. 1850, and it was completed in the following January. It was located on Hamden Street, in Roxbury, - now a part of the city of Boston, - and designated as the Highland District. At that time the business was conducted under the name of " The American Horologe Company," and the capital invested consisted principally of the $20,000 furnished by Mr. Curtis, together with the practical manufacturing experience of Messrs. Howard & Davis, and the enthusiasm and confidence of Mr. Dennison. Of this combination, the dollars gradually but surely and forever disappeared ; the manufacturing experience was considerably enlarged ; and the enthusiasm probably remained unchanged.

Of course, in commencing the business of watchmaking, one of the primary matters to be decided was the form of watch to be adopted, which involved the construction of a model from which to work in the building of the tools and machines required. A small room was partitioned off in the Howard A Davis clock factory, and two men were detailed to begin this work. They were the brothers Oliver and David Marsh. They were soon joined by Mr. Charles S. Moseley, whose name is familiar in many of the watch factories of the country, and to whom is due the credit of designing many machines now in use in all American watch factories. Among others who were engaged on the original watches and machines, it is proper to mention here Mr. James Baker, who afterward became a foreman of one of the departments of the Waltham factory, which he left in 1874, to engage in mercantile business, returning, however, after a few years' absence, and is still industriously at work.

Mr. Nelson P. Stratton also soon became employed in the new enterprise ; and very naturally, for he was a watchmaker by trade, having been engaged with the brothers James & Henry Pitkin, who in 1838 attempted to establish a watch factory at Hartford,

Believing that Mr. Stratton's experience in the Pitkins' factory would be of great value, Mr. Dennison persuaded him to give up his position with Messrs. McKay, Spear & Brown, jewelers, on Washington Street, Boston, and cast in his lot with the promoters of the new industry.

In taking this action no mistake was made, for Mr. Slratton soon became prominent in the mauagement of the busine-ss ; but of him more will be said hereafter. Of the other workmen who were employed at an early date, mention should be made of Mr. James T. Shepard, a brother-in-law of Mr. Stratton, who left the Springfield Armory to contribute his labor and skill to the new undertaking. He early became the head of one of the departments of the work, and still continues in the same position in the Walthr.m factory.

Among others who, early entering the service of the company, naturally came to occupy responsible positions, were Mr. John .1. Lynch, who was foreman of the jeweling department, until his death in September, 1885, and Mr. Albert T. Bacon, who was for many years the general superintendent of the Waltham factory.

In the summer of the next year (1851) a model watch was completed. In size it corre.sponded with the 18 size movement as made at the present time by all American factories, but it is said to have been radically different, however, in that it was designed to run eight day.s with one winding, instead of about thirty-six hours, as does the ordinary watch. But it was soon found tKat such a form of watch was impracticable, and itwasabandoned fortheone-day watch.

Before ayy watches had been completed, the name of the company was changed to the Warren Manufacturing Company (probably in honor of Gen. Joseph Warren, whose birth-place was not far from the Koxbury factory), and the first hundred movements produced bore this name. These were completed and placed on the market in 1853. The next few hundred were named Samuel Curtis. But it was soon realized that the company uame was not sufficiently suggestive of its business and it was changed to the Boston Watch Company.

The two or three years' experience at the Roxbury factory seems to have convinced the managers that the location was in many respects an unfavorable one, inasmuch as it was extremely dusty in the summer months, and it was also felt that in planning for the future growth of the business, no slight regard should be had for the requirements of the employes, and provisions be made for their happiness and comfort in the direction of homes.

Influenced by this feeling, Mr. Dennison began to search for a new and more favorable location. In his explorations among th* suburban towns within a reasonable distance from Boston, he fou?id a most charming spot which seemed to possess all the desired qualifications. This location was at Stony Brook, at the extreme eastern boundary of the town of Weston, and about eleven miles from Boston, on the line oi the Fitchburg Railroad. But the owner of the desired land, Mr. N. L. Siblej', not having the enthusiastic faith in the future magnitude of the watchmaking industry which possessed Mr. Dennison, could not be made to realize the very great pecuniary advantage which would accrue to him from the establishment of such a factory.

Failing to agree with Mr. Sibley on terms of purchase, that location was given up, and search was made for some available site, which was soon found in the " Bemis Farm," which was situated on the south side of the Charles River, about three-quarters of a mile from the centre of the village of Waltham, and only ten miles from Boston.

Having then found a satisfactory location for the factory, the next thing was to make it evident to the employes that country life wiis a thing to be very greatly desired. Accordingly, Mr. Dennison used to plan excursions into the country, the objective-point, of course, being a certain pasture on the south bank of the Charles River. And then he would endeavor to awaken in his companions a little of the enthusiasm which seems always to have possessed him, by pointing out to them some of the very charming locations on which to build houses. It is related that, on one of these outing days, Mr. Dennison mounted a stone wall, and waving his long arms toward the adjoining field, he exclaimed to his companions, " Somewhere about there, gentlemen, there is going to be a watch factory." The factory was subsequently built on the spot then designated ; and moreover, some of the men actually located their homes on the very lots chosen for them.

The establishment of an industry so novel and, in the opinion of its projectors, so promising as watchmaking, naturally set in motion other schemes for money-making, which should be more or less dependent upon or co-operative with the new factory.

The Waltham Improvement Company was incorporated in March, 1854, with a capital of $100,000. They purchased most of the land in the vicinity of the watch factory site, amounting to several hundred acres, and laid it out into building lots, with main thoroughfares and intersecting streets.

Work was soon commenced on the new factory buildings, and prosecuted so vigorously that by October of that year they were ready for the reception of the machinery and tools. An engine and the

This factory was built in the form of two parallel wings running towards the river, with a square building connecting the two in front, in which were located the various offices.

The material used in the construction of these original buildings was found on the spot, in the form of the gravel which constitutes the bulk of the soil of that region. This gravel was mixed with lime mortar, and the compound poured into a mould of planV, which was constructed in the form of a section of the building. After a section of this "concrete" had stood a sufficient time to become hardened, another section was built upon it in like manner, and so the process was continued, till the desired height was attained.

This method of construction was so successful that it was proposed to continue it, and one or two smaller buildings were made in the same manner; but when, after partly completing a building designed for use as a boarding-house, a rain-storm washed it nearly all down, confidence in that form of construction seems to have suffered a fatal shock ; for it was not again attempted. Of these original buildings, the last one was demolished in 1879.

For some time after entering the new factory about fifty hands were employed, but few, if any, watches were produced. This necessitated a continual draft upon the very limited capital of the company, relieved by little, if any income, so that it was but a question of time when financial trouble would be inevitable. And in less than two years matters had become not only serious but desperate. All the money which could be obtained had been absorbed, the product was small, and, with a natural prejudice against a new watch, the sales were slow ; and by the spring of 1857 the end ot the second stage was reached, and the company made an assignment.

The property was offered for sale by the assignee, and, on one rainy day in May, there was a gathering in the open court between the buildings, and in a short time the factory, with all its equipments, together with what unfinished product it contained, passed from the ownership of the men who had toiled so hopefully for it.

Mr. Royal E. Robbins, of New York City, who had for some years been in the watch importing business, bid in the property, for himself and the firm of Tracy & Baker, who were to quite an amount creditors of the unfortunate watch company ; the price being $56,000.

The new firm-name was Tracy, Baker & Co. ; but as this factory was so far distant from the watch-case business of Messrs. Tracy & Baker, which was located in Philadelphia, those men soon disposed of their interest to Mr. Robbins, who associated with him Mr. James Appleton and Mr. E. Tracy, and conducted the business from September 1, 1857, under the firm-name of Appleton, Tracy & Co.

Almost immediately the great commercial and financial crisis of that year occurred, and for about a year it was necessary to carry on the works without returns from sales. With the aid of the New York firm of Robbins & Appleton, and of some friendly bankers in Boston, means were found to keep the factory running until, in the autumn of 1858, better times appeared, and a market for the product was gradually made. But it was a severe struggle, and a great trial to the faith and patience of Mr. Robbins. His capital beingall involved, and his ability to carry through to success such a novel and risky enterprise being a good deal questioned, he was reduced to straits for money, which, in view of the subsequent history of the concern, presents a great contrast of conditions.

Many a time Mr. Robbins deposited with his own hands in Boston banks large boxes of watches, as collateral security for his notes, discounted at eighteen per cent, by capitalists to whom he had been introduced.

The co-operation of the workmen was secured, and many concessions on their part, of both time and wages, were considerately contributed to tlie maintenance of operations throughout this disastrous period. It was difficult enough, as many business men will remember, for the best and longest estabiished concerns to borrow in that year, and it may well be believed that the effort to revive a bankrupted watchmaking business found very little favor amongst the few who had money to lend.

However, in 1858 the clouds began to break. The factory had by hard experience learned how to make watches by machinery, and to make them well, at a comparatively low cost. The future began to look very promising, but more capital was needed. In these circumstances Mr. Robbins proposed to the Waltham Improvement Company, that, inasmuch as the prosperity of that company was in a great measure dependent upon the success of the watch firm, their mutual interests would be best promoted by a union of properties in one company, whose capital should be made large enough for their objects. This proposal was so evidently wise that it met with acceptance, and " The Waltham Improvement Company, at a shareholders' meeting, held August 20, 1858, voted to buy the wat<!h factory property, real and personal, excepting the stock of finished goods then owned by Royal E. Robbins, forthe sum of $100,000 and a bonus of $20,000 ; and tlierefore voted to increase the capital stock of the company to $200,000." Mr. Robbins immediately subscribed the additional capital.

Dr. Horatio Adams was president of this company, Mr. W. H. Keith was clerk, and Mr. Robbins was elected treasurer and general business manager, which position he has continuously held during the thirty-two succeeding years.

With this consolidation the firm-name of Appleton, Tracy & Co. disappeared, and the business was owned and conducted by the Waltham Improvement Company ; but on Feb. 8, 1859, tlie name was, by act of the Legslature, changed to the American Watch Company, and under that name its products achieved a worldwide reputation. On March 31, 1859, the officers of the Improvement Company were formally chosen to similar positions in the American Watch Company.

Dr. Adams continued to hold the office of president till February 16, 18G1, when he resigned on account of ill health, and was succeeded on March 28th by Mr. W. H. Keith.

Until 1860 nothing was realized from the business in the shape of dividends, but in that year a five per cent, dividend was declared - the first profitable return obtained from watch-making in America.

The productive capacity of the factory was gradually increased by the duplication of existing machines and also by the designing and constructing of new ones. Mention has already been made of Mr. Moseley, as having been somewhat prominent in this line. Another mechanic of special inventive ability was obtained in the person of Mr. Charles Vanderwoerd, of whom more will be said hereafter.

In further search for competent mechanics, Mr. Dennison seems to have had the United States Armory still in his mind, and Mr. Ambrose Webster was brought on from Springfield, and installed in the machine- shop.

Mr. Webster was able to contribute to the factory quite an essential element. He possessed, either by nature or by virtue of the training and discipline of an apprenticeship in the United States Armory [then under military superintendence], an appreciation of the value of thorough system, and his help in this direction was of very great service, especially at that time, when it seemed evident that the business was destined to live, and when it was important to so plan the methods of manufacturing that the product .should be reliable, both as to quantity and quality. Mr. Webster coniinued at the head of the machinery department till 1872, when he took the position of assistant superintendent; but during the six or more years immediately preceding that time his sphere of duties had so enlarged as to require an assistant, who had direct charge of the machine-shop.

The first person who acted in that capacity was Mr. George Hunter, who later went to Elgin, Illinois, and aided in starting the watch- factory there. In that factory he took at first the position of machine-shop foreman, but is now, and for the past fifteen years has been the general superintendent.

Watch Company was increased to $300,000. Hardly had the newly re-organized company caught a glimpse of daylight ahead, after the gloom of failure and struggle, when the Civil War broke out, and all business came to a stand-still.

With little or no hope of being able to find a market for their product, unless that product should be so small as to be made at an actual loss, it was decided to reduce the expenses to the lowest point, but at the same time to keep the factory in operation so ae to hold the leading operatives.

To this end the machine-shop was provided with work at building a few small lathes, for which a market was found ; the hours of work were reduced, and most of the workmen who did not enlist in the army were discharged. A few hands were kept at work making machinery and in the production of watch movements and cases.

But the very events from which so much was feared were directly the means of great prosperity to this young industry, for almost immediately a demand for watches for soldiers sprang up, which lasted throughout the war.

This sudden and unlooked-for demand for watches was, fortunately, not an exacting one, save for number. Had the demand been for watches of such a degree of excellence as is now required, for accuracy and finish, it could not have been met; for the simple reason that few trained and experienced workmen were then available. But, using such facilities as were obtainable, in the way of workmen, machines and tools, vigorous efforts were put forth to supply the welcome demand.

In common with everything else at that period, the prices of all watches were high - perhaps relatively higher than at any other time in the history of this company. So that it is not a matter of surprise that the profits of the business at that time were very large indeed. Aa a result of that season of piosperity a Urge surplus was accumulated, and in 1865 the capital was increased to $750,000, the stock being distributed among the stockholders in the form of a special dividend.

In 1862 the company bought out the plant and property of the Nas-hua Watch Company ; and, as they were at once incorporated with the Waltham works, it may be interesting to give a brief sketch of the history of the rise and fall of that establishment.

About 1857 or 1858 Mr. B. D. Bingham, of Nashua, N. H., who had been a maker of clocks and regulators, entered the employ of the Waltham Company, that he might learn the various processes by which watches were being made by machinery.

At that time Mr. Stratton was assistant superintendent of the factory. He had invented an improved main-spring barrel and obtained apatent upon it, and also a hair-spring stud, both of which had been adopted by the company.

ambitious, and, in the belief that the problems of successful watch-making had been practically solved, they began to lay plans for the establishment of a similar enterprise.

In the confidence that capitalists could be induced to invest in the undertaking, these two men visited Nashua, N. H., in 1859, and did succeed in the formation of a company, with a capital of $100,000. Returning to Waltham, they enlisted the services of several of the best men employed by the old company, among whom were Mr. Moseley, Mr. Vanderwoerd and some others.

A building was secured in Nashua, and fitted up so as to adapt it to the requirements of the work to be done. Mr. Stratton's desire was to make a watch of a higher grade than the Waltham Company had at that time undertaken, and with that purpose, work was at once commenced on the required machinery and tools. Mr. Moseley served as the master mechanic, and, in connection with Mr. Vanderwoerd, constructed a number of excellent machijjes.

But here the old story was quickly repeated, for in 1862 the money had all vanished; and, although about a thousand watches had been well-advanced toward completion, the stockholders declined to put in any additional money, and matters of necessity came to a standstill.

There being no hope of further money, the only thing remaining was to save as much as possible from the wreck - for such the enterprise begun with so much confidence had then become. It is not a matter of surprise that, with the knowledge of two failures in this industry, it was a difficult matter to find parties ready to invest in the purchase of this property- But Mr. Stratton finally succeeded in effecting a sale to the American Watch Company, the price paid being about oiie-half the original cost of the plant. The Waltham Company paid $53,000 for the entire property, which, in addition to the machinery, included the watches then approaching completion, which were made in both what are known .as sixteen and twenty size.

The Nashua factory was kept in operation while the addition of buildings needful for accommodating its machinery was being made to the Waltham factory, Mr. Charles W. Fogg being sent from Waltham to superintend the work, until the fall of 1862, when the property was removed to Waltham.

For several years these tools were kept by themselves, a new department being created, and put under the general charge of Mr. Fogg, with Mr. Vanderwoerd in charge of the mechanical part of the work.

Mr. Fogg retained his position till about 1877, when he retired from active life. The "Nashua Department" was maintained till July, 1878, when a portion of the work was consolidated with similar work of the original factory; and in 1884 the other parts of the work were distributed among the several departments where they appropriately belonged.

The Nashua watches were of the form of construction designated as '- three-quarter plate," and, by virtue of their form, and also the excellence of their workmanship, as made at Waltham, took the highest rank among American watches, but were not for many years a source of direct profit to the company.

Having very briefly reviewed the history of the Nashua Watch Factory, and seen how in that instance, as in the case of the original venture of Mr. Dennison, the fondest and most confident anticipations of success were doomed to disappointment, it may be appropriate to make mention of the peculiar fascination which has seemed to be connected with the enterprise of watch-making in America.

When, on the sale of the property of the bankrupt Boston Watch Company to Mr. Robbins, in 1857, Mr. Howard retired, he took with him a confident assurance that watch-making could be made profitable, and, attempting to demonstrate the fact, he again emb.arked in the business at the original place in Roxbury, where the business has since that time been conducted, but with what measure of financial success it is not our province to indicate.

Not disheartened nor intimidated by the failure of the Nashua enterprise, several of the prominent men of the Waltham factory (including some who were engaged in the Nashua scheme), believing that the rapidly-growing part of the country in the West would prove favorable for the establishment of a factory patterned after the one at Waltham, visited Chicago, and so succeeded in interesting capitalists that the building of the Elgin, III, factory resulted.

The fact that the principal owners of the Elgin factory were men of wealth, and thus able to replenish their frequently exhausted treasury, alone prevented the repetition there of the unfortunate experiences of the earlier Waltham and Nashua factories. But notwithstanding the fact that ten years passed before the Elgin Company began to realize anything in the way of dividends, and with the struggles and disasters of the New England companies well known, there has ever seemed to be a fascination in the idea of organizing watch factories which has caused to be brought into existence a multitude of such establishments, to the financial ruin of many a too confident investor, and the heavy losses of very many more. -

As has already been said, the original factory buildings were constructed of "concrete;" but when future enlargements took place, another form of construction was adopted. Following the building of the additions made needful by the absorption of the Nashua concern, several new wings were added, the years of 1864 and 1865 being particularly busy ones in this direction.

giiding department, and the upper one to the work of fitting the "trains." Further additions were made by constructing other wings parellel with the street, the original two-story flat roof corridor building giving place to one of brick, with an additional story, which was used as a finishing-room. A second corridor building was built, also of brick. This was located about a hundred feet south of the first, and the two connected by a two-story workshoj) ; another similar wing extended about eighty feet to the south of this second corridor, and in it was established a portion of the Nashua machinery. In addition to these, the machine-shop wing was extended toward the river, and two wings parallel with the front, but between it and the river, were built. Besides these, a second engine-house and boiler-house were built and equipped. With the exception of the two corridor buildings, and the engine and boiler-houses, all of these buildings were constructed with wooden frames filled in solid with brick.

This period of extensive building seems to mark an epoch in the history of the enterprise, which may perhaps be designated as the fourth stage. While the business was located at Roxbury it may be said to have been in the ideal stage. And after removal to Waltham, up to the year 1857, came the period of experiment and failure. Following that, and lasting till 1861, came a period of suspense, succeeded by the four years which we have just considered, and which may properly be regarded as a period of achievement and firm establishment.

The fifth stage, commencing about 1866 and reaching to the present time, has been one of continued enlargement, of which more will be said hereafter. Still further additions are definitely planned, and will doubtless be completed in due time.

A large number of dwellings were erected within a convenient distance of the factory. These were planned in a variety of styles, and of varying sizes, so as to accommodate the operatives with larger or smaller families.

In many cases money was advanced to employees who desired to build houses for themselves. The streets were also adorned with young shade-trees, which at this time are assuming Tine proportions.

The character, and consequent reputation, of the watches made by this company had been steadily gaining, and as a consequence were in demand, and found ready sale. But the attempts of foreign makers to retain their market in America, and the competition resulting from the multiplication of watch factories, has had the effect to continually reduce the prices, and so compelling a corresponding reduction in the cost of manufacture, either at the sacrifice of quality, reduction in wages, or in greatly increased production.

Manifestly the first of these plans could only result in eventual failure ; but even if it could be otherwise, a concern which had by the labor of years gained a high place in the estimation of the watch trade would realize the value of what had cost them so much, and endeavor by all means to retain their good reputation by adhering to their high standard of quality.

The increased sales of watches also madenecesssary the corresponding increase of means for their production ; and, while the tools which had been in use up to the period of which we are writing (1865) had probably never been equaled, it was by no means certain that very great improvements might not be made, both in capability and accuracy. It was natural that in the beginning of tbe enterprise the idea should obtain that accuracy of operation would be secured by delicacy of construction, and therefore the machinery of those earlier years was made very light, and with resulting sensitivenesss, which involved a corresponding delicacy of manipulation on the part of the operative, which could only be acquired by a period of education, and with results depending largely upon individual ability.

But the experience of years had demonstrated that delicacy of machinery did not insure uniformity of result; and from about this time the theory of machine-building has been materially modified in the direction of increased strength and solidity. But while obtaining a very marked improvement in strength, and consequent uniformity of operation, no radical departure was made in the principles of the machines, the increase of factory capacity being secured by the multiplication of existing machines. There were occasional exceptions however, in the direction of semiautomatic machines, serving to foreshadow what might be done when the proper time should come.

But without doubt the policy pursued in this matter was the wisest for that time. Moreover, it may be doubted if the peculiar mechanical or inventive talent required for the production of automatic machines had then been developed to any considerable extent; although there was not lacking evidence of no mean order of ability in machine construction.

The era of automatic machine construction commenced a few years later, and Mr. Vanderwoerd was probably more prominent in his achievements in that direction than any other individual. The most interesting and valuable of his inventions was a machine lor making the delicate screws which are so indispensable in the structure of watches. This machine is able to accomplish the work of three men, and is, moreover, so arranged that but little attention is required, so that one man can easily attend to as many as six machines.

When the United States Government called for volunteer soldiers to aid in putting down the Rebellion, and all through the loyal North men were leaving home and business, and enrolling themselves in the ranks of the soldiery, the managers of the watch factory were active and earnest in endeavors to raise needed recruits. Men who were valuable to the compauy by reason of their skill and experience were not on that account dissuaded from offering their services to their country in its hour of peril and need ; but were urged to enlist in tht army, with the promise of employment on their return.

Of the numbers who went to the front, some returned in safety, some were honorably discharged in consequence of wounds, others came home maimed, leaving perhaps some of their limbs to mingle with the soil of the sunny South ; and some gave up their lives on the field of battle.

A stranger would be impressed in observing the employees as they leave the factory, by the number of persons walking by the aid of canes, others needing crutches, still others having but one arm ; and it might seem that they were engaged in a business which was especially dangerous. Quite the contrary is the fact, however, for, among the tens of thousands of persons who have been employed during the existence of the company, there has not a single fatality occurred, the most serious accidents resulting in the loss of one or two fingers, in almost or quite every instance the result of individual carelessness.

The unusual number of lame and halt who are here gathered is explained by the fact that many veterans of the war are still employed, and that the nature of the work is such that bodily infirmities, which in many other industries would prove serious obstacles, do not prevent the performance of certain kinds of work which is essentia!. So, too, there are many individuals who are not in the enjoyment of vigorous health, and who are yet compelled to labor, who here find work which is within their ability.

But notwithstanding the fact that so many persons in delicate health, and a larger number by no means robust, are here employed, it has been a matter of surprise to those who have investigated the subject, to find that the death rate is remarkably low.

In 1888 Mr. John Swinton spent some weeks in studying the social life of Waltham, as connected with the watch factory, and, in an article written by him, he says, "One of the facts which has surprised me most, in studying the state of things in the watch factory, is the extraordinarily low rate of mortality among the operatives. I find, by the carefully kept records of each of the departments, that it is below a half of one per cent, per annum.