Wayland Town (part 2 of 2)

A similar record can be made of service in the hst French and Indian war, 1 754 - 1763. Twenty-five men were out in the Crown Point expeditions of 1755. A larger number served in the campaigns of 1756. By a return dated April, 1757, it appears that there were on the Alarm List fortyseven men, and on the Active List seventy-four men, living on the east side of the river. To this is to be added the Troopers. Most of these men turned out on the "Alarm about Fort William Henry" in August. Lieutenant Samuel Curtis and eighteen men joined Captain Samuel Dakin'a company, which marched on the Canada expedition May 24, 1758. Both these officers were killed at Half- way Brook, July 20 ; William Grout, Jonathan Patterson, and Nathaniel Moulton were reported missing ; Samuel Abbot died October 2. Nine of our men were with Captain John Nixon in the invasion of Canada, under General Amherst^ in 1759.

The Revolution. - In March, 1775, the. active militia of Sudbury was organized into the North Company, Captain Aaron Haynes, sixty men (west side); the, East Company, Captain Joseph Smith, seventy-five men (east side); the Lanham Company, Captain Moses Stone, ninety-two men (both sides of the river); the Troop, Captain Isaac Loker, twenty -one men (both sides); the East Company of minute-men. Captain Nathaniel Cudworth, forty men ; the West Company of Minute-men, Captain John Nixon, fifty-four men. All these companies marched to Concord on the memorable 19th of

Aprils and all took part in the stirriiig events of tlu^ daj. The Troop and Captain Smith's company were out three days; Captain Stone's and Qij^h Hajnies* companies were out four days ; the t^ minute companies were out five days^

'Many of the officers and men immediately enlisted into the Contiueiital service. Captain Nixon at once took. out beating papers^ and raised a regiment. Captain Nathaniel Cud worth was promoted to be major in Colonel Jonathan Brewer's regiment, his commission bearitig date April ii. Lieutenant Thaddeus Russell, of Cudwortli's company, secured the re-eidistment of almost the entire East Sudbuiy company, Vas chosen captain, and reported for duty April 24, with forty-nine men ; his lieutenant wa^ Nathaniel Maynard, his ensign was Nathaniel Beeves. Captain Aaron Haynes raised a company of forty-four men, and went into service May 3. Lieutenant David Moore, of Nixon's company, enlisted a company of fifty-two men, and was choten captain. He was attached to Colonel Nixon's foment. All of these companies enlisted for the eight months' service of 1773 ; all of them took part in the battle of Bunker Hill, June 17; most of them- remained in service, either continuously or with brief respites, through the various campaigns of the war.

March 3, 1777, the town voted " to give to each man that will enlist into the Continental army for three years, or during the war a bounty of £20."

In 1778 four companies were in the service: Captain Jonathan Bice's and Captain Asahel Wheeler's west-side men, and Captain Nathaniel Maynard's and Captain Liaac Cutting's east-side men, aggregating in all three hundred and twentyseven men.

Under the first call of December, 1776, for troops to serve for three years, or during the war, fift^n men enlisted during the war, and fifty-seven for three years. Thirty of these were from the east side of the river. Under the second call for three years' men, in 1780> thirty men enli:»ted, of whom eleven hailed fmm the east side.

The difficulty of raising men at this late date in the war is seen from the following pnper : ** In obedience to the resolve of the General Court of Dec. 2 last, for supplying the deficiency of the state's quota for the Continental army, we the subscribers do certify that the following persons have been enlisted and marched, and they: have been paid as follows : To John Dalrymple, Wm. Dunn, John Buck, Nahum Uayn)», Zacfaariah Bobinson, and Oliver Bobinson, each 9U0 pounds in money ; also a note signed by the Treasurer for IS head of homed cattle which are to be calves this spring, and to be kept for and delivered to each of the above-named at the time of tlieir being regulariy discharged, or a sum of money equal to said cattle : Also there has been paid to Isaac Underwood and Jonas Underwood each .the sum of SO pounds liard money, and an obligation signed by -the Treasurer for 60 pounds in bard money, onelialf to be paid in one year, the other half in two years from date." June 18, 1781. Signed by the selectmen.

The total population of the town was 2,160, which would give about five hundred ratable polls. The number of different men in actual service at some time during die war was not less than four hundred.

At the first town-meeting held in East Sudbuiy, April 24, 1780, the following officers were elected : Joseph Curtis, town clerk and treasurer ; Captain Bicliard Heard, Joseph Curtis, Phinehas Glezen, Jacob Beeves, Captain Isaac * Loker, . selectmen ; Joseph Curtis, William Baldwin, Lieutenant Thomas Brintnall, assessors; Captain John Noyes, Mr. Isaac Damon, collectors; William Baldwin, Lieutenant John Wliitney, Captain Isaac Loker, Lieutenant Jonathan Hoar, highway surveyors ; Phinehas Glezen, Lieutenant Joseph Dudley, ti thing-men ; William Barker, William Dudley, fence-viewers; Ezekiel Bice, fish-reeve ; Samuel Griffin, Nathaniel Beeves, field-drivers; William Bevis, hog-reeve; Lieuteimnt Samuel Bussell, sealer of leather. Captain Bichard Heard was chosen representative. *' Fated, To pay Bev. Mr. Bridge for six montlis' salary 37 pounds in silver money, or in common necessaries, 1,774 jwunds. Granted 1,500 pounds for support of the poor; 1,500 pounds for the sup- ])ort of the Grammar school for the year ensuing; 1,000 ]X)unds for tl>e support of a reading and writing school the present year.'*

In 1785, the town ordered a new pair of stocks to be built for the punishment of criminals. These were pbced near the meeting-house. (Tlie last stocks, on the west side of the river, stood in the meeting-house porch.)

In 1797, on petition of William Bracket and others, leave was given by the town to have ''a baasviolin played in the meeting-honse to assist in

In 1800 the old burying-ground was enlarged by the purchase of land of Nathan and Luther Glezen; and in 1833 kud was bought of TVilliam Koyes' heirs, "to unite the cemetery with the old Indian Buryiug-Ground.^' Also^ on the same date^ land was purchased of Joseph Bullard for a cemetery, south of the meeting-house. . In 187L the cemetery at Cochituate Village was laid out.

The road from the centre to the Zacliariah Heard house was laid out. It was built bv the residents on the farm, and was to be kept in good repair by them for ten years, they being exempted from highway taxes levied by the town during that time.

A *^ bridle-way " from Nathaniel Eeeves' bam to Bridle Point was this vear established. This had heretofore been the travelled way from the Centre to the farm, diverging to the left nearly opposite the Bussell house, and passing thence to the Old Farm Bridge.

Bev. Joel Foster, the sixth pastor, was installed September 7, 1803. He was born at Stafford, Connecticut, April 8, 1755; graduated at Dartmouth College, 1777 ; ordained at New Salem, Massachusetts, June 9, 1779 ; dismissed January 21, 1802; died September 24, 1812.

In 1804 the old training- field, established in 1640, was sold to Nathan Glezen. It comprised about nine acres, now in the central part of Abel Glezen's farm.

The fifth meeting-house, now standing, was raided June 1, 1814, completed January 19, and dedicated Jannarv 24, 1815. And on. the same day the Bev. John B. Wight, seventh pastor, was ordained. He was bom at Bristol, Rliode Island, May 7, 1790; graduated at Brown University,- 1808, at the age of eighteen, with the highest honors of his class ; studied tlieolocrv with Dr. Emmons of Franklin, and after a successful ministry of twentythree years, resigned in 18.*35. He now resides in town, honon»d and beloved* by all, blessing by his cheerful presence and words of pious hope the preseiit, as he has the two preceding generations.

September 28, 1836; dismissed Septemhei:, 1888; died 1847. Rev. Edmund II. Sears, bom at Saudisfield, 1810; graduated at Union College, 1884, Harvard Divinity School, 1837 ; ordained February 2iJ, 1839 ; instidled at Lancaster, December 23, 1840; returned to Wayland in 1847, preaching until 1865; died at Weston, January 16, 1876.

Rev. Samuel D. Robbins, Harvard Divinity School, 1833; ordained at Lynn, November 13, 1833 ; dismissed, ]^Iay, 1839 ; installed at Chelsea, 1839; dismissed, 1848; installed at Framingham, 1854, dismissed February, 1867; at Wayland from May, 1867, to May, 1873.

Tlie Evangelical Congregational Church was organized May 21, 1828, and the chapel dedicated at the same time. The number of members at the start was eighteen ; two hundred and ninety-seven have since been added; present number, ninetynine. The meeting-houise was dedicated July 22, 1835. The pastors have been Rev. Levi Smith, Yale, 1818 ; ordained, January 21, 1829 ; dismissed, November 26, 1832 ; died at East Windsor, Connecticut, January 15, 1854, aged sixtyfour. Rev. Lavius Hyde, Williams College, 1813; installed, July 22, 1835 ; dismissed, 'April 15> 1841 ; died at Vernon^ Connecticut, April 2, 1866. Rev. John W. Allen, Bowdoin, 1834; installed, December 29, 1841 ; dismissed, April 16, 1849. Rev. Henry Allen, Dartmouth, 1849; ordained, September 30, 1852 ; dismissed, September 14, 1857. Rev. Adin H. Fletcher, installed, February 2, 1860; dismissed, January 21, 1862. Rev. Henry Bullard, Amherst, 1860 ; ordained, Octo*> ber 1, 1803 ; dismissed, September 1, 1868. Rev. Ellis R. Drake, Bowdoin, 1862 ; onlained, November 10, 1S6S ; dismissed, July, 1871. Rev. Truman A. Merrill, Bangor Theplogical Semuiary, 1855 ; installed, July 30, 1873.

Cochituate, - The first starting of this now flourishing village, which lies at the extreme southem border of tlie town, was about the year 1830, when Messrs. William and J^M. Bent commenced in a small ^aj the'manufEU^tttre of shoes. This film have continued to the present time^ and are the leading business house. Messrs. Thomas Bryant, and T. A. and H. C. Dean, are extensive manu^ &ctiners. llie steady growth of business is indicated by the following statistics : In 1837 the number of pairs of shoes manufactured was S9,660; Talueii822,419 ; males employed, 31 ; females, 15. In 1865, capital invested, 3 1 7,850 ; value of manufactured goods, 8£82,7H0 ; males employed, 182; females^ 29. 'In 18-75 the number of establishmeifts. was nine; capital invested, $51,500; valtfe of manufactured goods, 81,799,175; males employed, 431'; females, 60.

A Wesleyan Methodist Church was erected here in 1850. ' A Methodist Episcopal society has since been organized. A new grammar-school house was built in 1773; attendance in 1878, forty-five. A system of water-supply, from Rice's Pond, has just been completed at an expense of 325,000.

In 1841 the Wayhmd Academy, a private institution, was opened, with Bev. Leonard P. Frost, principal ; Josiah Butter, A. B., teacher of ancient languages ; Miss Anna P. Frost, preceptress ; Eewis Smith, teacher of vocal music ; F. F. Heard, teacher of instrumental music. Number of pupils in the fall term: girls, thirty-six; boys, seventy-one; total, one hundred and seven.

Town Library. - This town has the honor of establishing the first free public library in Massachusetts. Francis Wayland, D. D., president of Brown University, for whom the town was named, proposed to give 3500 to his namesake, on condition that the town should appropriate an equal sum, the whole to be expended in founding a library, which should be free for the use and benefit of all the inhabitants. At a meeting in 184-8 the town accepted the gift oil the terms proposed, and voted to raise the required amount. But as there was doubt about the right of the town to raise money by tax for such a purpose, a larger sum was raised by citizen subscriptions, and presented to the town for that object. In 1851 the town instructed its representative, Bev. John B. Wight, to ask for a special law to meet their case. But his active mind took a wider and, as the result hns shown, more beneficent view ; and he secured the enactment of a general law, under which free libraries have been largely established through the state.

was opened for tlie delivery of books August 7, 1850. In 1863 Deacon James Draper gave $500 to the town us a permanent fund for the benefit of the library. Tlie number of volumes now in the library is 7,485. A social library was established here soon after the Revolution, through the influence 6f Rer. Mr. Bridge. It contained over one hundred volumes of the best books then published^ and for many years diffused useful information and mental cultivation among the proprietors. The remains of this library were transferred to the new free library.

JFar o/* 1812. - Volunteers who served three months in Boston Harbor: Abel Heard, James Draper, Rufus Goodnow. Drafted men : Reuben Sherman, Daniel Iloven, John Palmer; the last two procured substitutes, namely, Cephas Moore and Jonas Abbot.

JFar of the Rebellion. - Total number of men furnished to fill the town's quotas, one hundred, and twenty-nine. Of this number seventy were residents, most of them natives, of the town. Of the above, twelve were killed in battle or died in the service. Two natives of the town enlisted from other places. Total amount raised by the town in its corporate capacity for recruiting purposes, §18,000. The Soldiers' Aid Society and the Soldiers' Relief Society contributed largely of clothing, medicines, etc.

The Massachusetts Central Railroad was chartered in 1869. This town subscribed for three hundred and twenty-five shares of the stock. This road, soon to be completed, passes through the centre village, and will place within easy reach of business men in Boston new and extensive territory for country residences, of surpassing scenic beautv.

No mention is made of any resident physician in the early records. Dr. Alcock of Roxbury, and Sui^eon Avery of Dedham, were sent for in difficult cases^ the latter as late as 1673. Hie wife of John Loker, who was here in 1640^ acted as midwife, and prescribed for common complaints ; and the wife of Matthew Gibbs performed tlie same offices after 1655. It is believed that Hev. James Sherman . had pursued medical studies and prescribed for bodily diseases.

Ebenezer Bobie (now written Boby), M. D., bom at Boston in 1701, graduated at Harvard in 1719, commenced practice here in 17£5, and continued till his death in 1772. He studied M'ith the celebrated Dr. Boerhaave, and was eminent in his profession, as well as in general scholarship and Biblical criticism..

Dr. Ebenezer Boby, Jr., practised with his father, and till his death in 1786. Dr. Joseph Boby (son of Ebenezer, Jr.) was in practice here till 1801. Dr. Nathan Bice, bom at Framinghnm, settled in. town in 1800, and continued in practice till his death in 1814. Dr. Ebenezer Ames, born at Marlborough, came to town in 1814, and was in practice, till his death in 1861. Dr. Edward Frost, bom at Framingham, graduated at Harvanl in 1822, was in practice here from 1830 till his death in 1838. Dr. Charles W. Barnes, born at lilarlborough, was in practice here from 1860 to 1864. Dr. John McL. Hay ward, born at Boston, graduated at Harvard Medical School in 1858, settled in town in 1874. Dr. Charles H. Boodey settled at Cochituate Yilhige in 1876.

In the early times of the province men were appointed by the General Court, in the several towns, to perform specific duties combining the powers of counsel, judge, and jury. October 7, 1640, Mr. Peter Noves, Walter Havue, and John Parmenter were appointed to end small causes at Sudbury, under twenty shillings. Mr. Noyes was reappointed in ion, 1643, and 1645, and in 1646 he was authorized to join ]>eople in marriage. Edmund Goodnow and Edmund Bice were ap]K)inted to end small causes in 1641, 1646, and 1648. Hugh Griffin was chosen clerk of the writs in 1645.

Among the early justices of tlie peace were AVilliam Jennison, from 1700 to 1731, afterwards judge of the court of common ])Ieas, John Noyes, William Baldwin, John ^laynard, Jacob Beeves.

Edward Mellen (B. U. 1823), from 1830 to hia. deati). May 31, 1S75. Escjuire Mellen was bora . at West borough, September 26, 1802, and came to Wayland, November, 1830* As a maa be wasj distinguished for his geniality and public spirit. -; He took a leading interest in the public schools of the town, and in the public library. As a lawyer < he was distinguished for his thorough knowledge * of the principles of law, and . familiarity with the decisions of the courts. In 1847 he was made justice of tlie court of common pleas, and in. 1855' was raised to the office of chief justice of the same court. In 1854 lie received from his Alma Mater the degree of LL. D. After retiring from ' the judgeship he opened an office in Worcester, but retained his home in Wayland. «

David Lee Child settled in town in 1853>and remained till his death in 1874. He was bora at Boylston in 1794 ; graduated at Harvard in 1817 ; was distinguished in his profession, and as an earnest, consistent advocate of the cause of auti* slavery.

Oustavus A. Somerby was bom at Exeter, New Hampshire, November 2, 1821. His parents removed to Boston when he was two years old. He attended school for a time at the academy in Hol« liston. Becoming an inmate of tlie home of Lnther Glezen of Wayland, he was encouraged and assisted by Mr. Glezen to enter* on the study of law with Esquire Mellen. An indefatigable student and reader of general literature, he early gave promise of the brilliant future tliat awaited him. On the apiK)intment of Mr. Mellen as judge he occupied his office in this town for a few years, when he removed to Waltham, and was associated with Josiah Butter, Esq. Subsequently he opened an office in Boston, where lie continued till his death, July H, 1879. He fell a victim to overwork in his muchlovod profession. . ,

College Gradnafei, - Samuel Jennison (H. XT. 1720), teacher; died unmarried in 1729. Jude Damon (H. U. 1776), clergyman; died in 1828. Aaron Smith (H. U. 1777), teacher. Ephnim

Smith (H. IT. 1777), merchant; died in 1795. Phinehas Johnson (B. U. 1799) studied theology, and was ordained; studied law; died in 1870; Joseph Adams (H. U. 180o), lawyer in Jilaine; died in 1850. Gardner Rice (Wesleyan Uinversity, 1834), Methodist clergyman; teacher of Holliston Academy ten years, Shrewsbury Adadcmy eight years, New Salem Academy four years. Fred M. Stone (Wesleyan University), left at close of Junior year; lawyer. David Damon (H. U. 1811), clergyman; scfttled in 1843, died in 1843. Seth Damon (H. U. 1811), clergy, man. Josiah Rutter (H. U. 1 833) , hiwyer at Waltliam; died in 1877. Norwood Damon (H. U. 1833), clergj-man. Elbridge Smith (B. U. 1841), teacher; resides in Dorchester. Abner Rice (Y. C. 1844), teacher; resides in Lee, Massachu- Mtts: Franklin F. Heard (H. U. 1848), hiwyer; resides in Boston. Benjamin D. Frost (Coll. of N: J. ), civil engineer; distinguished as chief in the construction of the Hoosac TunneL Edward Frost (H. U. 1850), civil engineer iii chai^ of building the ^lassatchusetts Central Riiilroad, etc. Edwin H. Heard (B. U. 1851), died while studying laWi Joseph R. Drajier (W. C. 1851), physician ; ' resides at South Boston. Jared M. Heard (B. U. 1853), clergyman ; ordained at Clinton, Massiichusetts, August 25, 1858 ; settled at Fitchburg in 1863; died March 2£, 1861.. Edward T. Damon (H. U. 1857), died in 1859 while a student at the Harvard Medical School. Prank W. Draper (B. U. 1862), physician; resides in Boston ; medical examiner for Suffolk County. Joshua Mcllen (B. U. 1862), merchant ; resides in Boston. Arthur Q. Bennett (W. C. 1869), merchant;* resides in Boston. Among the natives of this town not included in the foregoing lists, who deserve honorable mention, are Captain Ephraim Curtis and General l^Iicah M. Rutter.

Captain Curtis was the son of Henry, an original grantee. He was by trade a carpenter, but developed early a taste for military pursuits, and skill in following Indian trails. On the breaking out of King Philip's War he M-as employed by the c6loniaI authorities to lead some perilous expeditions which required coolness, coumge, knowledge of the country, and knowledge of the Indian character. Early in July, 1675, he commanded a squad of men sent '* to conduct Uncas, the Mohegan Sachem, and his six men homewanls as far as Wabaquassec; and also to make a perfect discovery of the motions of the Nipmog or TTestem In- 'dians.'' His relation of this adventure, which was successfully performed, is preserved in the state archives. Tlie next week he was sent bv the govenior and council " to the Lidians at Meminimesset with letters and a message.'' His relation of this adventure is preserved. Tlie following week he was employed as a guide to Captnin Hutchinson's and Wheeler's expedition to treat with the Nipnets at Qimboag, and took part in tiie tragic events which make this expedition .rocflBorable. From this time till the close of the war lie was in command of various scouting parties oeaier home. There are at hand materials for an iitfcN esting biography.

General Rutter was a descendant of John, wlio came over in the ship Confidence in the spiiiig of 1638. This ancestor belonged to Penton, in County Hants, England; was a carpenter; built the first meeting-house in town,. and rei;eived threp acres of meadow as an acknowledgment of soioe public service rendered the town.

Micah M* was bom in 1779, and died in 1837. He was a man of great energy of character and public spirit, and was identified with all movements to promote the social, educational, and religious interests of his native phce. He was sheriff for many years, passed through the various grades of military promotion, and was. commissioned as major-general by Governor Lincoln. Yet with all the distracting responsibiHties of public life he maintained a private character of great simplicity and devoutness of purjiose. A short time before his death he remarked to the writer, at his own fireside, ^' My mother taught me the cradle hymn, * Now I lay me,' when I was a child, and I have never failed, throughout a somewhat busy Ufe, to repeat it on retiring to rest at night."

Aaron Smith Willington learned the trade of a printer; settled in Charleston, South Carolina, where he became publisher and editor of tin Courier^ a newspaper which, under his management, became the leading news journal of the South, as it was the leading organ of conservative sentiment in politics and civil affairs. In his early life James Gordon Bennet was an employee in Mr. Willington's office, and here learned the methods, of gathering foreign and domestic news, and those secrets of management, in the use of which he afterwards made The New York Herald the leading newspaiier of the country.

By Edwim R. Hodqmak, Assisted Bt Julus Abbott

nniS towii was originaUv the western part of Clielmsford, wliicli WHS settled by persons from Wiibum niiil Concord in 16>J Hie General Court, in 17 Or, giive tire people leave tu be n separate reliitious societ* , mid in 1727 tliey were recognized as a precinct. The "t niggle for separntioR from the old town bogm m 1713, nnd lusted fourteen years. The act of incor|K)ration was gmnted September i'-i, 1 Ji'J, and was nigtied by Lieutenant- Governor ^Villiam Dumincr, tlien acting governor. Tliis was seventy-four years after the hicorpomtion of Chelmsford. The old town gave to the new one its proportion of the ministeri^il Inid and of the stock of ammunition. Tlie act of incorporation defines its boundaries in general term!!, but the area was en- * laTgcil in 1730 on petition of Jonas Prcscott, Ebenezer Prescolt, Abner Kent, and Ebcnezer Townsend, inhabitants of Groton, whose estates were, in September of tliat year, annexed to Westford,

By this addition the valuable water-power in Foi^ Village fell within the limits of this (own. According to a survey made in 1855, the township contains 19,937 acres, or thirty-one square miles. Its extreme length from north to south is eight miles, and its average width about four miles. Its shape is irregular; it.i boundary line on the east side is nearly straight, but other lines are more or less divei^iit.

The first town-meeliiig was hold March 2, 1730, at which time Deacon John Comings was chosen moderator; Joshua Fletcher, town-clerk; Joshua Fletcher, John Comings, S;imnel Chaniberlin, Jui^ph Keyes, and Thomas liead, si-Iectmen ; and Siimuel Fassett, town-treasnrer. Of these, Fletcher, Chamberlin, and Keyes had held the same nJHce in Clielmsford in 1726.

were assessed in the n^r^te£125. Thennmber of the names shows that there were nearijr one hundred families in town at the date of incorporation. 11ie tax-list was made in tiro parts, one including the south and the other the north part, and was given to two constables foi collection, Tlieasscssment of thesouthpartwas£5913«. 11(/.; that of the nortli part was LGa 6t. 1 rl. Tlie names of a few men are given, which represent' families .of longstanding in the town. These are Chamberlin,- Fletcher, Cummings, Parker, Hildreth, Bead, Frescott, and Keyes. Of these the Fletchers were from. Concord, the Parkers from AVobum, and the Pieacotts from Groton.

AVestford is bounded north by Tyngsborot^, east by Chelmsford, south by Carlisle and Acton, and west by Littleton and Groton. It is distant twenty-six miles from Boston, and eight miles from Lowell.

Tlie surface of the ton-n is broken by numeront hills, the Itighest of which is Prospect Hill, about three hundred feet above the level of Stony Brook, Others rtre knowR as Francis, Providence, Tadmuck; Bear, Sparks, Ilattlesnnke, Kissacook, Snake- Meadow, Conscience, Flushing, Oak, and Blake's, none of them of any considerable prominence. Tlie pretty little stream that meanders thoBgb the town is worthy of a more characteristic name than Stony Brook. Its charming valley below AVestfonl Station api)eals to the sense of beaaty in every beholder. Several ponds in the north part sparkle in the sunlight of the long summer day. The lai^csl, Kcbnnuussuck, half a mile from Brookside, Ilis an area of 123 acres. It is much frequented by excursion parties from Lowell and ^Isewhete. Long-sought-for Pond comes next, with an orea of 107 acres; then Keyes, 4-0 acres; Burge's, 25 acres; Flushing, 20 acres. Tliat part of Forge Pond which lies in A7estford comprises ai) area of 101 acres. The soil- in the south and east parts of the town is good ; in the north part it is sandy.

The central village is beautifully situated on a commanding eitiinence, from which in clear weather a fine view can be had of the distant mountains, Waclhusett, Watatic, Monadnock, and Kearsarge. The Wliite Hills of New Hampshire may be seen in favorable times. Its geographical position and picturesque scenery entitle this to rank among the' loveliest towns of northern Middlese3L For more' than one hundred ahd fifty years it has been the home- of a frugal, industrious people.

Hie original families, bearing the name of Adamsy Barret, Bates, Bixby, Boyntou, Bui^, Butterfieid, Chandler, Cleaveland, Craft, Dutton, Fasset, Heald, Pioctor, Spaulding, Temple, Townseud, Underwood, and others, have entirely disappeared.

Little can be learned from the records of the civil or political history of the town for the first forty years. The people were almost exclusively occupied in tilHng the ground, and there were few startling events in their history. How much they were disturbed by the French and Indian war, which made so heavy a draft upon the resources of the New England colonies, and how much, if anything, they contributed to the defence of tlie colonies dur-> ing that conflict, it is not easy to determine. But as they were ready to resist the usurpations of the mother country at a later period, it is fair to presume that they were not indifferent or inactive in the struggle with the savage foe.

The attitude of the town when the Bevolutionary struggle was impending showed a patriotism and love of liberty of which no son, bom within its borders, ever need be ashamed. As early as 1765 the people gave utterance to their sentiments on tbe obnoxious Stamp Act in terms so explicit that they could not be misunderstood.

Again, in 1770, they express sympathy with the merchants of Boston and Charlestown in their purpose not to import goods from Great Britain, and declare they will not procure goods of any persons who have sought to counteract that agreement. In 1773, soon after the Bostdn pamphlet was issued, the people declared their sympathy with their "Boston brethren,*' and voted to choose a committee " to correspond with Boston, or any other town, as occasion may require.'* This committee consisted of the five following gentlemen : Mr. Samuel Gardner, Captain Jonathan Minot, Deacon John Abbot, Dr. Asaph Fletcher, and Mr. Nathaniel Boynton. .

Tliis was the first committee of correspondence appointed by the town. Some of the best eitizens were members of it from time to time, and it was the medium, of communication with other patriotic men in the province for several years. In ^farch, 1774, the town adopted a stirring patriotic paper, drown up by Dr. Fletcher, in which they say : t ^' Li faithf uhiess to our country, ourselves, and posterity, we hold ourselves obligated according to the utmost of our abilities to make repeated oppositions against repeated attempts to extinguish the just rights and liberties of thi« people, or every attem^it to annihilate our freedom, tbe price of which was no less tlian the price of blood, even the precious blood of our worthy ancestors.^

When the struggle came, in .1775, the people of this town were among the first to leave their hosoes to drive back the British troops from Concord. Li the fight at the North Bridge, April 19, Colonel John Bobinson, of this town, stood by the side of Davis and Butt rick when the British advanced, upon the Americans, and the first shot sent a ball under Colonel Bobinson's arm. Dr. Ripley says that a company from West ford had just entered tbe bounds of Concord when the fight took place. The state arciuves in Boston show that two companies left Westford that morning for Concord, and although not present at the first skirmish, they joined in pursuit of the retreating foe> and did good service. The first company consisted of fifty-eight men, and was led by Captain 'Hmothy Underwood. The other consisted of thirty-six men under Captain Oliver Bates. It is stated on good authority that Captain Bates received a wound that day from which he did not recover, but died July 4, 1775. In Colonel Swett's list of companies in Colonel Prescott's regiment at tbe battle of Bunker Hill are the names of Jpshna Parker, captain; Amaziah Fassett, first lieutenant; Thomas Ilogers, second lieutenant. These were West ford men. This shows that the town participated in the first battle of the Bevolution. One of her citizens, Joseph Minot, gave up his life in that battle.

In 1780, when the bill of rights and the constitution of this state were presented to the people, this town, at a meeting held May 25, voted to accept the first article of the bill, and also the second, with the exception of the last clause. At an adjourned meeting, five days later, the town, ** hav-