Watertown City (part 5 of 5)

Mr. Barker prints several ])eriodicals, employs nine ]iersons on his miscellaneous work. Having taken up printing as a recreation, when a boy in school, he has constantly increased his facilities and his skill, until his office has acquired a reputation for excellent work.

Gas and Electric Light. - The Newton and Watertown Gas Light Company has one of the best gas and electric light plants in this State. It is situated on Water Street, Watertown. The company was organized March 18, 1854, with a capital of .$200,000. The officers of the company are : President, Joseph N. JJacon ; treasurer and clerk, Francis Murdock; directors, Joseph N. Bacon, George C. Lord, William Claflin, Francis Murdock, C. C. Walworth, Charles M. Seaver, John K. Stickney, H. L. Hovey, Abraham Avery ; general superintendent, Waldo A. Learned. The office of the company is located at No. 421 Centre Street, Newton, and both Watertown and Newton are well supplied with light.

They now consume about 4000 tons of coal, in place of the 400 of the first year, have about sixty miles of pipe, produce about 44,000,000 feet of gas, and are rapidly extending their means of lighting by arc and incandescent electric lights.

Express Business. - T. P. Emerson bought out the express business of the three throughout Lexington, and the minute-men were assembling on the Common. at first four men and six horses. He now employs nine men and twenty-six honses.

There are also Allen's Railroad Express, Kenney's Express and Nally's Express. The heavy business of the town requires large freighting and teaming facilities, which are at hand.

Livery Stables. - Horses for driving can be had in almost any number, of Briggs E. Potter, who bought out G. B. Stockwell in 1885, and by purchasing and enlarging his buildings, has increased his number of horses, from eleven of his own with eight boarders, to twenty-three of his own with thirty boarders. Gentlemen are finding that through him a kind of cooperative horse-keeping is both more economical and more convenient than having a stable on their own premises. Telephones make it as easy to order one's horse from Potter's stable, as from his own in his back yard, where its presence is sometimes not desirable.

F. K. Hubbard a few years since bought out Mr. Kelley, and manages his business in a way to win the confidence of the public. An attractive line of carriages tempt people to drive, and his prices are reasonable for the teams furnished. The interests of the community are conserved by this centralization of this industry to a single location.

Empire Laundry Machinery Company, machine shops for their own use and their own repairs in the Walker Pratt Manufacturing Company's works, and in the large paper-mills of the Hollingsworth & Whitney Paper Company, and also within the grounds of the .Etna Mills Corporation, where Mr. Mayall's inventive and ingenious mind finds scope in the frequent changes and adaptations required in that factory. So, of course there are machine-shops within the arsenal grounds. The public, however, have recourse to only one machine-shop for general work in this place. This was started in 1886 on Patten Street, near the railroad, by Matthew Pryor. His principal business is the manufacture of small hardware and small novelties, steam fittings, and general jobbing, door-stops, saw sharpeners for carpenters, parts of electric clocks and the like. General repairs of lawn-mowers, sewingmachines, bicycles, in fact, almost anything which an ingenious man or boy can make, will not be turned away. This shop, although small, has quite a variety of machine tools, for it is crowded with machinery which is propelled by a small steam-engine on the premises. Mr. Pryor has gradually increased his business as his ingenuity and good nature have come to be appreciated ; his shop is always a good industrial school for boys wishing to learn, and, if your historian is able to judge, is worthy of much larger patronage, a larger shop, with more extensive business.

Ross' Carriage and Wagon Factory. - On Spring Street, near Main Street, is now located the carriage factory of John Ross, which is known for its thorough and substantial work. Heavy express wagons or the lightest pleasure vehicles have been m.ade. Dr. Hosmer's carriage, fitted for protection in bad weather, was made here. So was Dr. Mead's. Mr. Ross does both the iron-work and also the woodwork and the painting and finishing at his shop. He employs four men. Mr. Ross bought out Mr. George Finneley in 1867. Mr. Ross made for the town the hook-and-ladder truck which has seen some service, and promises to do much more. In contrast with this may be mentioned a buggy which he built, that, when complete and ready for use, weighed only thirty-seven pounds.

Boots and Shoes. - Shoe Mfanufaciure. - No large manufactories have ever been carried on in town. Little but custom work and repairs have been attempted here. Among those engaged in this business should be mentioned Mr. A. D. Drew, who generally supplies foot-wear for any customer who has the means and the courage to once give him his measure. Although he expects more pay for his boots and shoes at the start, it has been found in the end by some of our shrewdest investors to cost less in the end to be kept whole-footed.

Mr. Drew began in 1849, on the corner of Pleasant and Galen Streets. He was alone for one year, then moved into the upper part of a building that stood where the post-office now is, where he had three men for three years. Then he occupied a building where Lunt & Co.'s dry-goods store now is. About 1856 he moved into the building on the corner of Galen ami Mt. Auburn Streets, where he employed five men. He had also at the same time a small shop in Newton. In 1801 he moved across Galen Street to the opposite corner, where Mr. Sheridan was his apprentice. During the war he moved up-stairs, and employed seven men. Here he did the largest business of his life, too large to be entirely profitable, although it included such jobs as, for instance, thirty-three pairs ol cavalry boots at $30 per pair ; and boots for nearly every man in Company K,juat before the close of the war. He, himself, enlisted in May, 180.5, but did not have occasion to leave Camp White, which wa.s pitched on Main Street, just beyond the West Schoolhouse.

He has done good work enough for the preservation and safety of our homes, for temperance and good order, to say nothing of the stores of good boots and shoes which he has made, to merit an old age of honor and repose.

Painters. - Among the active business men of the past fifty years may be mentioned Henry Russell, painter. He began in Brighton, but became established in this town in 1847. He employed in hi^^ business of painting, glazing and papering houses, sometimes as many as thirty men. Many in all the surrounding towns were familiar with his work, which was done according to agreement, with energy and faithfulness. He was chairman of the parish committee of the Fir.-tt Parish for many years, serving with equal energy and faithfulness till his death, in 1889.

John Page has for many years followed with credit the same business which his son George A. Page now follows, occupying the old Barrett building on Beacon Scjuare.

Chapter Xxxv

FiiuE.\iAsoNRY IN Watertown.' - The first Masonic body organized in Watertown was Meridian Lodge, chartered Dec. 11,1797, having a jurisdiction embracing towns between Boston and Concord, and concerning the early history of which little is posi- tively known. The late Leonard Whitney, sr., of this town, was a member, and related that in the troublous times of Masonry it was customary to vary the place of meetings from town to town, members driving to the appointed place, carrying guns with them to ward ofl' possible danger. Mr. Whitney at that time resided near the Acton Powder-mill. He, with Asa Stone, Asa Pratt, Mr. Dana, and others who were early members of Pequossette Lodge, used to delight in talking over the experiences of the Anti-Masonic period. Meridian Lodge lost its original charter and lodge furnishings by fire, and after several removals became established permanently in Natick, where it has fine lodge-rooms and a large membership, being at the present timeoneof the leading and best-working lodges of the State.

For many years Watertown had no Masonic lodge prior to the coming of William Webster, as principal of the High School, from Lexington. He had recently taken the degrees in Pettee's Lodge (so-called becau.se its meetings were held in Worshipful Brother Pettee's house), in West Cambridge, and with the assistance of old-time Masons obtained a charter for Pequossette Lodge. He left Watertown several years later, taught school in Rye, New York, and died in that State four or five years ago. He was the firet Master of Pequossette Lodge, and the first one of its Past-Masters to die. The original otficers and members of Pequossette Lodge were as follows: William Webster, W. M. ; Daniel H. Marshall, S. W. ; Jo.seph B. Keyes, J. W.; Henry Derby, Treas. ; Warren J. Lindley, Sec. ; Henry C. Vose, Chaplain ; George Marsh, Marshal ; Isaac Waits, S. D. ; George K. Hooper, J. D. ; Alfred Howes, S. S. ; Adolph Lewando, J. S. ; Asa Stone, Tyler. Members - Asa Pratt, Daniel Howard, Charles VV'ilkins, Sewall Iliscock, J. H. Clarke, Robert Murray, David B. Horn, Samuel Richardson, Daniel Marshall, George Hill, William Nichols, Horace Clark, William B. Fowle, Jr., Leonard Whitney and George A. Hicks.

The preliminary meeting was held in Constitution Hall, Dana Block, December 17, 185(5. At the next meeting, January 13, J 857, the name was changed to Masonic Hall, and the Grand Lodge dispensation was received and accepted.

The first initiates were George W. Harrington, Luke Perkins and Miles Pratt, February 13, 1857. At the next meeting William W. Russell and Johu K. Stickney were the first admitted members. The latter is now an honorary member.

May 8, 1857, Robert L. Davis and James W. Magee were given the third degree. Mr. Davis has retained active membership and a lively interest in the lodge ever since, and has contributed more than any other individual member to the success of the lodge.

After working one year under dispensation, in accordance with Masonic custom, Pequossette Lodge was duly constituted, December 23, 1857, with impressive ceremonies, by Grand Master JohnT. Heard, and at the close about sixty members and guests were provided with a "bountiful and luxurious" repast, as the records state, at the Spring Hotel, Samuel Batchelder, mine host, being ii member of the lodge.

The first death was that of Daniel Marshall, who was buried with Masonic honors, September 3, 1858. The first public installation was held December 29, 1858. October 14, 1864, the lodge attended the laying of the corner-stone of the new Masonic Temple, Boston. December 23, 1864, a public installation was held in the town hall.

The first meeting in the new hall, Noyes' Block, was held September 8, 1870, aud the hall was dedicated October 5, 1870, an address being delivered in the town hall by Wor. Bro. John B. Goodrich.

January 9, 1890, the lodge occupied, for the first time, its new and spacious rooms in the Otis building, of which it holds a ten years' lease. These quarters have been dedicated to Freemasonry, and were ar ranged especially to meet the needs of Pequossettt Lodge.

The total membership has exceeded 300. The present membership is about 140. The largest number of members admitted in one year was 24, in 1863. Of the early members, Robert L. Davis is now alone, out of 33 admitted to January, 1858 ; and of the 151 admitted during the first ten years, less than .30 remain. Among those taking membership or degrees were Rev. Dr. Luther T. Townsend, of Watertowu ; the late Rev. Bradford K. Peirce, of Newton, editor ol Zion's Herald ; James S. Allison, Jonas Chenery, of Belmont ; George K. Snow, Joseph Crafts, George Sleeper, and a large number of the active business men and influential citizens of the town.

The officers at present are as follows : Herbert H. Sawyer, W. M.; Frederick E. Critchett, S. W. ; Benjamin W. Brown, J. W. ; Charles W. Stone, Treasurer ; George F. Robinson, Secretary; Rev. William H. Savage, Chaplain ; Robert L. Davis, Marshal ; Charles F. Bustin, S. D. ; John M. .lohnson, J. D. ; James H. Fraser, I. S. ; Freeman H. Edgcomb, Tyler. The Treasurer has held the office for twenty years, and the Tyler for twenty-five years.

While Pequossette Lodge has been established only thirty-three years, it is older than any other .secret society of this town, although at present there are a dozen or more of these, founded mainly as insurance organizations. The Masonic Lodge has held a steady, even tenor, and is to-day better situated and enjoying a greater degree of prosperity than ever before. Its record is naturally of an individualized character, representing the social and fraternal phase of men who have left, or are making, their imprint on our growing community. Its regular meeting is held the second Thursday in each month, and there are Saturday evening gatherings of a distinctively social nature in the lodge apartments.

Odd-Fellows.' - ia/aye«e Lodge, No. 31, Independent Order of Odd-Fellows, was instituted ana charter granted the 26lh of January, 1844. The lodge prospered until 1850, and in 1852 the charter was surrendered. Nothing was done until April 1, 1863, when the charter was returned and the lodge reinstated, since which time it has continually prospered, and has met with considerable success, the membership now being 138. There have been and are now enrolled upon the books the names of men who have been prominent and closely connected with Watertown. It has initiated over 400 men into its ranks, and has the honor of being the mother of three lodges. Of its work little can be said, as the order of Odd-Fellows is a secret organization. But suffice it to say that in all its history there has never been a brother injured or harmed by it, but, on the contrary, many have been benefited by it, and that must mean that it has helped to make better men, better citizens and a better town. Upon the roli-books are the names of Thomas L. French, just deceased, aud William H. Ingraham, who have the honor of being members for over forty years, a record which all Odd- Fellows feel proud of The objects of the order are clearly defined and embodied in these k'n words, viz. : To visit the sick, to relieve the distressed, to bury the dead and to educate the orphan. This, so far as he can, every Odd-Fellow tries to perform. Oflicers for 1890 : H. H. Powell, N. G. ; J. W. Newcomb, Per. Sec.

The Young Men's Christian Association.-' - The Young Men's Christian Association of Watertown was organized in March, 1887, having for its object the promotion of the spiritual, social, intellectual and physical welfare of young men.

The rooms were opened, in a fitting[manner, on September 3d, of the same year, with a consecration service in the morning, after which they were open to inspection of the public. At 12 m. an address was delivered in the Town Hall by Rev. L. W. Blunhall, D.D., and a reception to the public in the evening, when refreshments were served to 800 people.

Mr. George S. Turner was elected the first president of the association, and served three years. Fred. G. Barker was elected in 1890. The president has been ably supported by an earnest corps of young men, and the Association has prospered, and been the means, by the blessing of God, of doing much good for the young men of the town.

Mr. H. L. Peabody, of Haverhill, Mass., was the first general secretary, and since January 20, 1890, Mr. J. E. Norcross, of Watertown, has been the general secretary. The Executive Committee, alive to the needs of the young men, rented new quarters in the Otis Block and moved into them July 1, 1890.

The four rooms thus secured are a reading-room, where may be found a choice collection of reading matter, open to young men from 9.30 A.M. to 9.30 P.M. ; a lecture room, with an office for the General Secretary, in which are held the various services of the Association, also lectures and practical talks; a small room to be used as a study and library ; and a room to be devoted to boys' work.

The Association has a flourishing Ladies' Auxiliary connected with it, under the leadership of its president, Mrs. Alfred Turner; also an orchestra, which contributes a great deal to the attractiveness of the Association's services and socials.

The membership of the Association is, October, 1890, 2.')0; and the ofticers at present are as follows: President, Fred. G. Barker ; Vice-Presidents, F. G. Barker, H. S. Wood, T. G. Banks ; Rec. Secretary, B. M. Shaw; Cor. Secretary, W. L. Rockwell; Treasurer, S. Henry Coombs ; Gen'l Secretary, Jas. E. Norcross.

"The Society for the Relief of the Sick'' was organized in the year 1816, during the pastorate of the Rev. Richard Roscwcll Eliot, when all the towns-people worshipped in one meeting-house. A severe epidemic had visited the town, after which it was thought wise to have articles on hand for loaning in cases of sickness and also to have a fund which could be drawn upon in cases of need. P'or those days this was a new departure, and deserves the merit of originality. The following was its first appeal: " Uonations in money, old garments, bedding, articles suitable to be made up for children, nourishment for the sick, and fuel, will be gratefully received by the directors and appropriated according to their best judgment." Us oflicers for the years 181G-1817 were: Mrs. Eliakim Morse, president; Miss Caroline Howard, vice-president; Miss Martha Robbins, secretary ; Mrs. N. Bemis, jr., treasurer.

During the years that have passed since, many have j made substantial gifts to the society, and some of the older inhabitants at their deaths have left small legacies to be added to its funds. Among these gifts we may mention that of Lydia Maria Child, which is a pieasant reminder of her tender memory for the people among whom she passed a portion of her earlier life with her brother, Dr. Francis.

Thus this society has grown steadily, down to the present time, doing its work quietly, but efiiciently. It assists all deserving poor, irrespective of creed or race, and loans its articles ot use for the sick to any who wish them.

Its meetings are monthly, in the afternoon, at the houses of its members. Donations of any amount are always welcomed and will be well applied.

Its present officers are: Ruth A. Bradford, president ; Emily Robbins, vice-president ; Margaret V. Kendall, secretary ; Abby V. Barry, treasurer.

The Women's Christian Temperance Union of Watertown was the result of prayer and an earnest awakening on the part of Christian women to the sin of the drink habit, and its terribleeft'ectsupon the individual and the home.

The first general officers were Mrs. D. A. Tainter, Mrs. Abbott, wife of Rev. Granville Abbott, who was then pastor of the Baptist Church, Mrs. Joseph Barker, and Mrs. John Hall.

The first year's membership was ninety-nine. The first work was to help the Reform Club, visit the saloon-keepers, and assist the family of theiinebriate.

Very soon it was found that preventive work must be done, and eilorts were directed towards the formation of a better public sentiment in regard to the social and medicinal use of alcoholic liquors, and concerning the traffic which makes the inebriate.

With this end in view the Union has given great prominence to the distribution of literature showing the eflTects of alcoholic poisons upon the system, the extent of the drink traffic, and the iniquitous jiower of the saloon. Many petitions have been circulated, and able speakers have been secured from time to time to present various phases of the Temperance question.

The Union is gratified in having been an instrument in removing wine from the C'ommuniou Table of the Methodist, the Congregational and the Baptist Churches; in obtaining hundreds of signatures to the pledge, and the introduction of Scientific Temperance Instruction in the Public Schools. By persistent effort of the Union, Watertown was one of the first six towns of the State to place in the hands of the pupils of the Public Schools text-books giving such instruction.

Among other departments of their work which have received attention from the Union, are Sabbath Observance, Evangelistic work, Police Station and the Almshouse Franchise and Flower Missions.

The Young Men'.s Assembly. - Several gentlemen called an informal meeting in May, 1888, in the hall of the Grand Army, to consider the formation of a society which should have for its object the business and social upbuilding of the town. The invitations to this meeting were given by L. S. Cleveland and Chester Sprague, seconded by the young men who belonged to a Bible class in the Methodist Episcopal Sunday-school, and others to whom they made known their object. The first suggestions of such an organization were perhaps made to this class, known as the Young Men's Assembly of the Methodist Episcopal Church, of which Mr. Cleveland was president. Each member of the class heartily endorsed the proposed plan of enlarged action and agreed to support it earnestly. The plan had also been discussed with others and approved by Samuel S. Gleason, Benj. H. Dow, Chester Sprague, George E. Priest, and Rev. W. G. Richardson, who kindly lent their aid and influence.

By the personal efforts of these and others spoken to, the informal meeting in May proved to be a success, and the organization since known as the Young Men's Assembly was formed with a membership, the first evening, of forty. The first regular meeting was held in June, with a membership limited to sixty. This limit h:is been raised at successive periods till now it stands at one hundred and seventy- five, with a list of names waiting to be added when there are vacancies. Included in the scope and work of this assembly is the creation of a Board of Trade, now consisting of George E. Priest, Samuel S. Gleason, Ward M. Otis, George C. Lunt and Chester Sprague. This organization lias been recognized by the business associations of the State and delegates chosen to represent the same in the State Convention of the Boards of Trade.

This assembly has awakened interest in other towns, for, after visiting this, gentlemen of other towns have formed similar organizations. It was originally proposed to encourage the introduction of matters of business in which any were interested, which seemed important to themselves or to others, or to make suggestions that might prove of value to others, especially to the town. It adopted 27-iii an Idea embodied in the Chase Banquet Association, which had proved eminently successful - " the betterment of its members," from a business standpoint as well as an educational one. Its object is social and business improvement. Its meetings have been held one evening of each month ; they begin with a simple banquet, and an hour spent in social converse, followed by addresses by members or invited guests. So far the spirit most actively developed has been to encourage all kinds of mutual helpfulness both in personal and municipal affairs. It may be too soon to say that the spirit of self-seeking and mutual faultfinding has disappeared from the town, and a habjt of self-denying helpfulness of others has taken its place; but your historian should simply acknowledge that this is true of the leader of this assembly, L. S. Cleveland, now re-elected its president for the third year, by a unanimous and most persistent vote.

The officers for 1890-91 are the same as from the first : L. S. Cleveland, president ; S. S. Gleason and Chester Sprague, vice-presidents ; F. W. Cobb, secretary and treasurer.

Historical Society of Waterlovm, established in 1888. Alfred Hosmer, M.D., president; Rev. K. A. Rand, vice-president; Solon F. Whitney, secretary and treasurer. It has at present fifty-two members.

Sources of inkormation Concerning the Old Town of Watektown, Mass.' - I have endeavored to collect into the foUowjng list the more important sources of information which could be profitably examined by the Historical Society of Watertown, in its study into the history of that ancient township. As a matter of convenience they have been grouped somewhat chronologically, and after the dates of separation, under the he.'idings of Watertown, Waltham and Weston.

The 8i.\ 4to vols, of The Records of the Governor and Company of the Massachusetts Bay in New England, from 1628-86, published by the State in 1853-54, contain much material of the greatest importance. The Massachusetts State Archives on file in the office of the Secretary of State at the State House, contain a mass of original papers, the most of which have never been printed. Here in vol. V, p. 32 of Maps and Plans, is the oldest ' known map of the town. This bears the date of 1720, when the town still included Waltham. It shows the location of all the houses of that time, and gives the names of the occupants of some of (hem. A commission made an e.tlendcd report in print to the State in 1885, upon the nature and present condition of these archives.

The orginal records of Jcihn Hull, treasurer of the Colony, 1675-80, are in the possession of the New England Historic Genealogical Society. Watertown town records, the earliest extant, begin on page 2 of the record-book, with the date of 1634. From Nov. 28, 1643, to Nov. 9, 1647, the transactions of the town are lost. A faithful transcript of the earlier records of the town were made by Mr. .Joseph Crafts. A copy of the records down to 1651, was printed in the Water-

'Thorci U an oldor map of a amnll portion, tho soutliwoBt corner, "calliHl NoniKUcli," which" fixM two of tha thnjo main lines of the old town, liipoaillun and direction, and li In vol. 3, p. I.

The town's earliest extant record-book of births, marriages and deaths appears from its title page to have been opened in 1648, although it has had transcribed into it some records of an earlier date. These latter are also upon the Suffolk County Records and have been printed in the sixth and seventh volumes of the New England Historical and Genealogical Register. In preparing his History of Watertown, Dr. Bond had faithful copies of all these earlier town records taken, which since his death have been deposited with the New England Historic Genealogical Society in Boston. The Society also have his own personal copy of his history, with his collection of errata and addenda thereto, which would make another volume nearly half as large as the published history.

The records of the Watertown church, organized July 28, 1630, and next to that of Salem, the oldest in the Colony of Massachusetts Bay, are not at present known to be extant prior to those of 1686-92, which were kept by the Rev. .John Bailey.

The files of the Suff'olk and Middlesex Court, as well as those of Probate and Registry of Deeds, contain a mass of depositions often containing matter of great historical interest. The original volumes of Records of U. S. District Tax of 1798, which are in the library of the N. E. Historical Society, give all taxable polls.

Rev. 0. Mather's Magnalia, published in 1702, contains many biographies and notes of interest to Watertown, as also Governor John Winthrop's Journal, or History of New England, 1630-49.

Alex. Young's Chronicles of the First Planters of the Colony of IMassachusetts Bay, 1623-36 ; also for reference his (Chronicles of the Pilgrim Fathers of the Colony of Plymouth.

Petition of 1735, to Legislature, to join with neighboring part of Concord and Lexington to form Newton, N. E. Historical and Genealogical Register, 1858.

The discovery of the ancient City of Norumbega. E. N. Horsford. [Edition privately printed and beautifully illustrated. Special copy belonging to the society.]

Physicians. - The information respecting the physicians of Watertown in early times, during the first hundred years, is very scanty, and their number very few. We have not discovered that any of the pastors of Watertown practiced the healing art, which was j not unusual in early times. James Sherman, of Sudbury, son of Rev. John Sherman, of Watertown, was [ a pastor and a physician, and two of his sons, John I and Thomas, were physicians, and were said to be some time of Watertown ; but in 1708 they resided in Springfield.

The earliest notice of any medical practice was March, 1630-31, when "Nicholas Knapp was (by the court) fined £5 for taking upon him to cure the scurvy by a water of no value, which he sold at a very dear rate." Probably his only medical education had been, like that of his numerous followers, to study the credulity of human nature, and how he might most successfully dupe it. Mr. Simon Eire, " chirurgeon," was the first physician of Watertown, where he resided about ten years, 1635 to 1645, when he moved to Boston. As there is no evidence that there was any other physician resident of Watertown for many years afterwards, it is not improbable that he sometimes visited it professionally, as he retained his estate there. But if there were no physicians, their place was supplied by some of the goodwives. Grace, wife of John Livermore, was an obstetrician, and she was sometimes summoned to court as a witne.ss in cases where she had acted i>rofes9ionally.

Daniel Mason, youngest son of Capt. Hugh Mason, graduated at Harvard College in 1666, was a physician, living as late as 1679, but it is not known whether he ever practiced medicine in Watertown. He was captured by an Algerine, and is supposed to have died in Algiers. (Bond's MS. notes to his own history.)

In the County Court files is a petition of the selectmen of Watertown, dated 1690, in which they say that S. G. came from, Cambridge to Watertown, " to the home of Ellis Barron whose wife had skill in matters of surgery."

The next physician after Dr. Eire was Dr. Philip Shattuck, who probably practiced there from about 1670 to 1722. He resided in the northeast part of Waltham.

Dr. Rk'hfird Hooper was a contemporary of Drs. Shattiicic and Wellington, and resided at the east of Mt. Auburn. He died early in 1G90. His son Hmrij was a physician of Watertown a few years, and about 1723 he moved to Newport, Rhode Island.

Jiiinnh Vomers, from Woburn, settled in Watertown probably about the time of the decease of Dr. Shattuck and the removal of D. H. Hooper. We have not ascertained where he resided, but perhaps it was the residence afterwards occupied by his nephew, pupil, legatee and executor. Dr. Marshall Spring. He died in 1774, after a re.sidence probably of nearly fifty years. (Bond, page 1074.)

" To tlio much lioiiorod and respertod memory of JosiAii Convers, Kso., who, by rlivino piiiciiiwiion, resigned his valimhle lift August, 1774, aged 73."

"If real medical abilities, united with every human and social virtue. the most active extensive generosity, universal benevolence and charity, may deserve to outline the Panegyric ol anumldering stone, the envy of the grave and the devouring tooth of time, certainly the Virtues and many excellences which distinguish the character of Dr. Convers are very eminently entitled to such a peculiar tribute from the grateful rnblic.

Dr. Marshall Spring was born in Watertown, Feb. 151, 1741-2, graduated at Harvard College in 1762, and died Jan. 11, 1818, aged seventy-six years. He received great assistance from his materiial uncle, Dr. .Tosiah Convers, with whom he studied medicine, and whose property he afterwards inherited. Francis says, " Dr. Spring became one of the most distinguished physicians in the country ; and perhaps no one can be mentioned in whosejudgment and skill a more unreserved confidence was placed. His practice was very extensive, and his house was the resort of great numbers of patients from the neighboring and from distant towns."

Says Thatcher, " His mind was not tilled by fashionable theories of the day any further than they accorded with his own views of practice. His natural sagacity or force of judgment led him to deep and critical observations into the causes and nature of diseases, and their remedies. .He asked few questions, used his eyes rather than his ears, seemed to gain knowledge of each jiarticular case by intuition. He often etl'ected cures by directing changes of habit, of diet, of regimen. He used little medicine, always giving nature fair play. Though dilfering from his ncighlwrs iiolitically, being a decided Tory at the time of the Revolution, he was early on the ground at Lexitigt<in, skillfully attending the wounded. It was said that he would have been sent out of the country, had not his services been so valuable, so indispensable to his patients.

In 1789 he was a member of the State Convention which adopted the Constitution of the United States, which he opposed, never having believed in the capacity of the people for self-government. He was for several years a member of the Executive Council of Massachusetts, and discharged his duties with talent and fidelity.

Dr. Spring was in his person rather short, but compact and well proportioned ; always a fine-looking man ; after the age of fifty, till the time of his death, he was spoken of as one of the handsomest men of his time. Hi.s habits of living were a model for others. He used food and drink for nourishment, not for gratification of appetite. His meals were frugal, his board, though hospitable, was never spread with luxuries. He was careful in his investments. It is said that he once remarked that real property had always something to show for one's money, while other property might vanish. He built the Spring Hotel for his friend, Col. Richardson, a famous hotel-keeper, whom he wished to retain in town. He left $200,000 or $300,000 to his son, but nothing to religious or charitable institutions.

He was a wit, keen and rpiick at repartee. Chief Justice Parsons delighted to measure weapons with him in the keen encounter of wit. The onsets of the chief justice were rapid, keen and overwhelming. The replies of the doctor were moderate, pungent, successful. Their meetings sometimes happened in the presence of a large company, who remained silent, deliglited to see the giants play."

Walter Ifunnewell, M.D., the subject of this sketch, was probalily descended from Roger Hunnewell, who came to New England not long after the settlement of the Massachusetts Colony. In the early records the name was spelled at various times Hunniwell, Hunnuel, Honywell and Hunnewell. Dr. Hunnewell was born in Cambridge, August 10, 1769, and received his early education in the public schools of that town. Though only six years of age when the Revolutionary War began, he was old enougli before its close to receive impressions which enabled him to remember some of its more important events. He graduated at Harvard in 1787, in the class with .lohn Quincy Adams, William Cianch, Thaddeus Mason Harris James Lloyd and Samuel Putnam. He studied medicine with Dr. Marshall Spring, of Waltham, and settled in Watertown. The medical school of Harvard College hud, at that time, scarcely entered on its career and the offices of leading phj'sicians were the schools of instruction for young men preparing for the practice of medicine. The first graduate from the Harvard Medical School was in 1788, and in that and the three succeeding years the graduating class had but one member, and not until 1813 did it contain more than four members. The life of Dr. Hunnewell was for the most part the usual one of medical men of his day. The town in which he settled was small and his practice was scattered, covering a terrii_.^^ aJ^^^^ y^' tory which included some of the neighboring towns and involving almost incessant rides by day and night and Huremitting labor. Like other medical men, too, of his time, his practice included both medical and surgical cases, and involved the treatment of Ciises of much wider range than are found under the care of a single man to-day since the divorce of surgery from medicine and the division of general practice into specialties. The consequence was that physicians of the period referred to had a more complete medical education than is to be found, especially in the cities a'ud their neighborhood, in our day, and thus Dr. Hunnewell became a thoroughly educated, widely informed and skillful man. In another respect, too, the physician's career of his time ditfered from that of to-day. Not only were medical fees of smaller proportions if paid in money, but many of them in the country towns were satisfied by country pay, eggs and butter and chickens from the farmer, tea and coffee from the grocer, and preaching from the minister.

The practice of Dr. Hunnewell furnished no exception to the general rule and his cellar and larder were largely supplied by means of no other circulating medium than medicine, the tooth-puller and pills. Upon such a practice, however, he thrived, and in such a practice he continued actively at work until he was eighty years of age. He was for many years the only physician in Watertown, and as his reputation widened he became a frequent visitor to the sickbeds of Newton and Cambridge and Waltham. He was a devotee to his profession, permitting himself to take no active part in the public affairs of either town or State. As a Whig in politics he rejoiced in the success of his party ; as a Unitarian in theology he was interested in the welfare of his church ; as a Mason he shared the duties a.s well as the labors of his order. He was a man of unswerving integrity, of commendable liberality, of cultivated tastes, a kind neighbor, a good friend, a thoroughly respected citizen.

Dr. Hunnewell married, May 12, 1800, Susannah Cook, of Newton, and his children were Jane, born June 23, 1801, who married John A. Underwood, and Horatio H(jlli9, born July 27, 1810. The last-named child, Horatio Hollis Hunnewell, as a merchant has had an eminently successful career. At the age of lifteeu he entered the banking-house of Welles & Co., in Paris, France, and there remained until 1839, when he was twenty-nine years of age. Samuel Welles, the head of the firm of Welles & Co., was born in Natick, Massachusetts, April 22, 1778, and graduated at Harvard in 1796. He married, in London, in 1816, Adeline, daughter of John Fowle, of Watertown, Mass., and died in Paris in August, 1841. Arnold Welles, uncle of Samuel, was born in Boston, December 2.5, 1727, and had a son, John, born in September, 1764, who married, in 1794, Abigail Welles, sister of Samuel. The ninth child of John