Westford Town (part 1 of 2)

Westford Town

: onginniiy tlic of Chelmsford, nch was settled by persons AVoburn and Concord in 1()5;3. The General Court, in \~ll^, gave the people leave til be a separate religious so- (icty; and in 17^7 they were icLognized as a precinct. Tiic -t niggle for separation from lh( (lid iiiuiibigiM 111 171o, and lasted fourteen jears. The act ot incorporation was granted September 23, 1729, and was signed by Lieutenant- Govcrnoi 'William Duminer, then acting governor. This was seventy-four years after the incorporation of Chelmsford. The old town gave to the new one its proportion of the ministerial land and of the stock of ammunition. The act of incorporation defines its boundaries in general terms, but the area was enlarged in 1730 on petition of Jonas Prescott, Ebenezer Prescott, Abner Kent, and EbenezerTownsend, inhabitants of Groton, whose estates were, in September of that year, annexed to "VVestford.

By this addition the valuable water-power in Porge Tillage fell within the limits of this town. According to a survey made in IS.J.j, 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; its boundary line on the east side is nearly straight, but other lines are more or less divergent.

The first town-meeting was held March 2, 1730, at whieli time Deacon John Comings was chosen moderator ; Joshua Fletcher, town-clerk ; Joshua Fletcher, John Comings, Samuel Chamberlin, Joseph Keyes, and Thomas Bead, selectmen ; and Samuel Fassett, town-treasurer. Of these, Fletcher, Chamberlin, and Keyes had held the same office in Chelmsford in 1726.

were assessed in the aggregate £125. The number of the names shows that there were iiearlv one hundred families in town at the date of incorporation. The tax-l!st was made in two parts, one including the south and tlie other the north part, and was given to two constables for collection. The assessment of the south ])art was £59 13-s. WcL; that of the north part was £65 6.s. 1 il. The names of a few men are given, which represent families of longstanding in the town. These are Chamberlin, Fletcher, Cummings, Parker, Hildreth, Read, Prescott, and Keyes. Of these the Fletchers were from Concord, the Parkers from AVoburn, and the Prescotts from Groton.

Westford is bounded north by Tyiigsborongli, east by Chelmsford, south by Carlisle and Acton, and west by Littleton and Groton. It is distant twenty-six miles from Boston, and eiglit miles from Lowell.

The surface of the town is broken by numerous hills, the highest of which is Prospect Hill, about tJiree hundred feet above the level of Stony Brook. Others are known as Francis, Providence, Tadmuck, Bear, Sparks, Rattlesnake, Kissacook, Snake- Meadow, Conscience, Flushing, Oak, and Blake's, none of thein of any considerable ])rominence. The pretty little stream that meanders though the town is worthy of a more characteristic name than Stony Brook. Its charming valley below Westford Station appeals to the sense of beauty in every beholder. Several ponds in the north part sparkle in the sunlight of the long summer day. The largest, Nebunnussuck, half a mile from Brookside, has an area of 123 acres. It is much frequented by excursion parties from Lowell and elsewhere. Long-souglit-for Pond comes next, with an area of 107 acres; then Keyes, 40 acres; Bulge's, 25 acres; Flushing, 20 acres. That part of Forge Pond which lies in Westford comprises an area of 104 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 eminence, from which in clear weather a fine view can be had of the distant mountains, Wachusett, AVatatic, Monadnock, and Kearsarge. The White 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 Middlesex. For more than one hundred and fifty years it has been the home of a frugal, industrious people.

The original families, bearing the name of Adams, Barret, Bates, Bixby, Boyntoii, Burge, Butterfield, Chandler, Cleaveland, Craft, Button, Passet, Heald, Proctor, Spaulding, Temple, To wnsend, 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 tilling the ground, and there were few startling events in their history. How much they were disturljed 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 the colonies during that conflict, it is not easy to determine. But as they were ready to resist tlie usurpations of the mother country at a later period, it is fair to presume that they were not indift'erent or inactive in the struggle with the savage foe.

The attitude of the town when the Revolutionary struggle was impending showed a patriotism and love of liberty of whicii no son, born within its borders, ever need be ashamed. As early as 1765 the people gave utterance to tlieir sentiments on the 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 lirilain, and declare they will not procure goods (if any pi'fsuns who have .souglit to counterac't th;it agnvnicnl. In 177:5, soon after file I'mston pamphlrt uas issued, llie p.nplr d.rhurd Ihrjr syinpatliy willi thi'ir " Txistim brethren," and vdleil In choose a committee " to eorresponil uilh lliislon, or any other town, as occasion ni;iv ri'ipiire." This commillee consisted of the live' lollownig g.'nilemen : Mr. Samuel (lardner, Caplain .Jonathan Minot, Deacon .lohn Abbot, Dr. Asaph Fletcher, and Mr. Nathaniel Boynton.

This was the first committee of correspondence appointed by the town. Some of the best citizens 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 March, 1774', the town adopted a stirring patriotic paper, drawn up by Dr. Fletcher, in which they say : " In faithfulness 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 this people, or every attempt to annihilate our freedom, the price of which was no less than 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 homes to drive back the British troops from Concord. In the fight at the North Bridge, April 19, Colonel John Robinson, of this town, stood by the side of Davis and Buttrick when the British advanced upon the Americans, and the first shot sent a ball under Colonel Robinson's arm. Dr. Ripley says that a company from Westford had just entered the bounds of Concord when the fight took place. The state archives 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 Timothy 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 JiJly 4, 1775. In Colonel Swett's list of companies in Colonel Prescott's regiment at tiie battle of Bunker Hill are the names of Joshua Parker, captain ; Amaziah Fassett, first lieutenant ; Thomas Rogers, second lieutenant. These were Westford men. This shows that the town jiarticipated in the first battle of the Revolution. One of her citizens, Joseph Minot, gave up his life in that battle.

In 1780, when the bill of riglits and the constitution of tliis state were presented to tiie people, this town, at a meeting held Alay 25, voted to accept the first article of the bill, and also the second, with tlie exception of the last clause. At an adjourned meeting, live days later, the town, " hav- irig taken under consideration the several articles of the constitution, article by article, tiie whole of which was accepted, voted the following amendment : That the former clause of tlie sixteentii article of the Declaration of Rights be amended as follows : the Liberty of the press and of speech are essential to the security of Freedom in a State." Their most emphatic objection was levelled against tlie third article of the Bill of Eights, whicli has since been amended so as to release the state from tlie obligation to require tlie ])eople to support public worsliip. In this matter they showed a degree of wisdom not everywhere apparent among the men of those times.

Voted for councillors and senators as follows : Josiah Stone, of Franiingham, -Vl votes ; Abraham Fuller, of Newton, 3^ votes; Xathaniel Gorham, of Charlestown, 31 votes; James Prescott, of Groton, 28 votes; Eleazer Brooks, of Lincoln, 28 votes : Loammi Baldwin, of Woburn, 4 votes.

March 5, 1781, the committee of correspondence and safety consisted of Francis Leighton, Captain Zaccheus Wright, Joshua Read, Captain Pelatiah Fletcher, and Dr. Asajih Fletcher, all new men except Dr. Fletcher. Dr. Fletcher was one of the most ardent patriots in the town during the period of the Revolution. He was a man of vigorous purpose, large intelligence, and strict integrity. After the war was over he removed, and settled in Cavendish, Vermont, in 1787. He was the father of Hon. Richard Fletcher, late of Boston, and of ex-Governor Eyland Fletcher, of Vermont.

Captain Joseph Read was the first representative from Westford in the General Court under the new constitution. He was often elected to this office, having held it, in all, twenty-one times. He was called to serve the town in other capacities, and was a distinguished public man.

April 7, 1783, Mr. Francis Leighton was chosen representative, and a committee chosen for the purpose gave him the following instructions in behalf of the town : " That our said representative be instructed to exert his utmost influence in the General Assembly to oppose and exclude the declared enemies and traitors of this country, who have at or since the commencement of the late war, from an inimical disposition to tiie rights and liberties of their native country, taken shelter and protection under the British government, from returning among us."

In 1787 Deacon Samuel Fletcher was chosen representative. His instructions contain these words : " That you use your influence that the General Court be removed out of Boston to some convenient place in the country ; that agriculture, manufactures, and exportation of our own manufactures be encouraged as much as possible, and the importation of foreign superfluities be discouraged by an earnest recommendation to omit the use of such of them as are not necessary. That the tender act be continued until there be sufficient currency for the commerce of the people. That peace and harmony may be restored to the people of this commonwealth, you are directed to use your influence that the disqualifying act be repealed and that the peaceable citizens be restored to their former privileges. That you use your influence that all pensions and gratuities be curtailed as far as justice will allow."

These instructions were given only a few months after the breaking out of the Shays Rebellion, so called, and they doubtless reflect the sentiment of the people at that time. After the Revolutionary War and the establishment of the state and national governments, there are few materials for history to be gleaned from the town records. The people were a quiet, hard-working class, earning their living by steady industry. The accumulation of wealth was difficult, and only a few obtained it. Yet the majority had enough for present wants, and the degree of poverty was small. Not till the present century was well advanced did the people begin to be interested in manufactures or railroads. Here, as in very many New England towns, agriculture has declined within the last fifty years. Wood is growing on large tracts once cultivated. In the business of market-gardening, however, and in the raising of small fruits, there has been a marked increase within ten years. Large orchards j'ield abundanceof apples,and there are several mills for the manufacture of cider. The raising of breadstufl's has almost wholly gone by ; and the supjily of grain now comes from the broad prairies of the West.

In the War of the Rebellion tlie men of Westford were prompt and determined in their efforts to repel the enemies of tiie nation. The town sent one liundred and thirty-five men to tiie batlle-field, many of whom gave up their lives for their country. In the town-iiall is a marble tablet, bearing the names of thirty-two men who died on the field or from wounds or disease contracted in tlie war. Many members of Company F, Massachusetts Volunteer Cavalry, belong here ; indeed, this company is in part a Westford institution, and deserves notice as a band of soldierly men to whom, when liberty is imperilled, war is no pastime, but a stern duty.

In the management of its internal affairs the town is generally harmonious. The debt, which is only $£0,000, is funded at a low rate of interest, with the privilege of paying $£,000 each year; at this rate it will soon be extinguished.

The virtue and intelligence of the people, their culture and social refinement, and their regard for education and all humanizing influences, will insure for them the praise of every honorable mind and the esteem of the good. Rising every year to a higher grade of morality and piety, they will take the sure road to a genuine prosperity ; and, milking the closing century a happy introduction to Ihe arlni:vciiicnts of the next, they will gain for theiiischrs the i^HMtiUule of the coming generations.

AVrA'.v;,/A7/Vv//. - The first church in Westford was formed November 15, 17£7. It was then called the Second Church in Chelmsford, being in the West Precinct of that town. It was composed of " members of several of the neighboring churches, but chiefly of the First Church iti this place." The covenant was signed by Willard Hall, John Comings, William Fletcher, Joseph Underwoo,), Joshua Flftcher, Jonas Preseott, Jonathan Ilildreth, Andrew Spniildiiig, .laeob Wright, Samuel Cliamberlin, Sairmrl I'lclchcr, Aaron Parker, John Proctor, Jonas FIclcher, Nathaniel Boynton, Heiijamin Robbins, and Josiah Whitney.

to enter into covenant with God and another; so here, a covenant being drawn, they who had gotten their dismissions from the churches they belonged to, set their hands to it." " They, uniting together, after the proper preliminaries to settling a gospel minister, unaniniously called Rev. Willard Hall to take the pastoral care of them ; and he accepting the call was accordingly ordained their pastor and teacher by the reverend elders following, namely: Samson Stoddard, who preached and gave the charge ; Benjamin Shattuck, who made the ordaining prayer after sermon ; Nathaniel Prentice, who made the first prayer, and gave the right hand of fellowship; and Thnmas Parker, who gathered and formed tlic elmreli. This first ordination was solemnized NuM'iiilii'r l."j, 17:i7."

Of the members of the council. Rev. Samson Stoddard was of Chelmsford, Rev. Benjamin Shattuck of Littleton, Rev. Nathaniel Prentice of Dunstable, and Rev. Thomas Parker of Dracut.

The first pastor. Rev. Willard Hall, was born in Medford, Massachusetts, March 11, 170:3. He was the son of Stephen and Grace (Willis) Hall, and grandson of John Hall, who was of Concord in 1658. He graduated at Harvard ( 'olh'ge in 1 7:2£, in the class of Richard ami William Ellery. He married Abigail Cotton, of Portsmouth, New Hampshire. Mr. and Mrs. Hall were the parents of eleven children, four sons and seven d;ntghtcrs. One of the daughters died young; the other children lived to mature age. The oldest son, ^Villard, was born in Portsmouth, Jtine 12, 1730. All the others were born in Westford.

bearing plums^ apricots, peaches, pears, and apples; and his garden, orchards; and fiekls, years after his death, bore witness to his skill and industry. Tradition says he lived on the place now (1S7'J) owned by Rev. 'w. F. Wheeler.

When the Eevolutionary War broke out he remained firm in his allegiance to George III., saying that as he had once sworn fidelity to the king as a justice of the peace, he could not and would not break his oath. In consequence of this his people would not suffer him to preach, and he was shut up or kept in surveillance in his own house during the last two years of his life. He died IMarch 19, 1779, at the age of seventy-six, and in the fiftysecond year of his ministry. His widow died October -20, 1789, at the age of eighty-four years.

Rev. Matthew Scribner was the second pastor. He was the second son of Matthew and Martha (Smith) Scribuei-, and was born in Norwalk, Connecticut, February 7, 1746. He graduated at Yale College in 1775, and received the degree of A. M. in 1783. His call by the town or parish was given May 21, 1779, and he was ordained September 23, 1778. His wife was Sarah Porter, of Topsfield, Massachusetts, born March 21, 174.2. They were married in Topsfield, December 16, 1779. Their children were ten in number, six. sons and four daughters.

It is said that Mr. Scribner was never very popular in his parish; that his pastorate was tumultuous and stormy ; and that for these reasons it was brief, lasting only ten years, while that of his predecessor continued more than half a century. He was dismissed November 10, 1789. At the close of his ministry here he removed to Tyngsborough, where he took up a lot of wild land, just over the line from Westford. This he began to clear up and cultivate ; and there he tried an experiment in raising Merino sheep, having imported a few animals at almost fabulous prices. The experiment faded, but he continued to reside on the farm until his death, which occurred in 1813, at the age of sixty-seven years.

Rev. Caleb Blake, the third pastor, was born in Wrentham, Massachusetts, ilay 1, 1762, and graduated at Harvard College in 1784. He was ordained February 29, 1792. He continued in office thirty-four years, and was dismissed February 28, 1826. He belonged to that class of theologians called Hopkinsians, and when the Unitarian controversy waxed warm he took a decided stand in opposition to the Unitarians. But being ill fitted and less disposed for controversy, he resigned, and betook himself to a farm. Afterwards he removed to Bedford, Massachusetts, where he resided several years, and then returned to Westford, and purchased what was formerly known asthe Bixby farm, on which he sjient the remainder of his days. After his return he was chosen to represent the town one term in the legislature. He was not a close student, a fluent speaker, or an easy writer. He published only one sermon, delivered before the Ladies' Charitable Association in the year 1812 or 1813. He was fond of farming, and attributed his good health in a great measure to that occupation; but his chief pleasure was in reading. He married Martha Mosely, of Hampton, Connecticut, who was born in 1775, and was a sister of the Hon. Ebenezer Mosely, lately of Newburyport. They had five children who lived to adult age, two sons and three daughters. He died May 11, 1847, aged eighty-five years.

Rev. Epliraim Randall, the fourth pastor, was born in Easton, Massachusetts, November 29, 1785. He graduated at Harvard University in 1812, and was ordained in New Bedford, Massachusetts, August 26, 1814. He was afterwards histalled at Saugus, Massachusetts, October 3, 1826, and dismissed August 7, 1827. April 30, 1829, he was installed in Westford, and after two years his connection with the church ceased, Mav 1, 1831.

After Mr. Randall's dismission Rev. Epliraim Abbot was acting pastor, and continued to act as such until April 3, 1834. In the summer of 1835 Rev. Jonathan Farr preached for the society, and after him Rev. Epliraim Abbot " supplied the desk until April, 1836." Rev. Luther Wilson then preached until April, 1839, assisted for several months, on account of Mr. Wilson's ill health, by Rev. Epliraim Abbot.

Rev. Claudius Bradford preached awhile in 1840, and Mr. Abbot again in 1841 till the month of April. Mr. Thurston, Mr. Coolidge, and Mr. Buckingham preached as candidates between April and October, 1841, when Rev. Ephraim Abbot took charge, and served the church and society until April, 1845.

In July, 1845, Rev. Edward Capen came and preached for about one year, declining a call to settle at the close of his service. From July, 1846, to

History Of Middlesex Couxty

January, 1847, the society was cugag-fd in repairing its house of worship, which was re-dedicated January 7, 1847. Then came Eev. Herman Snow, and preached for the society one year, ending February 7, 1848. From that time to March 19, 1848, different persons occupied the pulpit. Soon after this Rev. John 13. AA'ilhird was chosen pastor, and ordained May 24, 1848. Mr. Willard was born in New York City, April 1, 18:22. His parents, Lutlier and Mary (Davis) WiUard, were born in Harvard, Massachusetts. He graduated at Brown University in 1842, then studied law three years, partly in Syracuse, New Yoik, and partly in Boston, but never entered the legal profession. He studied theology with Eev. Washington Gilbert, then of Harvard. He dissolved his connection with the church liere December 1, 18.30. After leaving Westford he was employed by the Unitarian Society of Windsor, Vermont, which society he served at intervals until 1856, when ill health obliged him to relinquish his charge. He has since preached for short periods in Lowell, Barnstable, Lunenburg, Warwick, and A'orton, Massachusetts. He now resides in the village of Still River, Harvard, Massachusetts.

After the retirement of Mr. Willard various persons, namely, Rev. Mr. Maynard, Rev. Jacob Caldwell, Rev. J. B. W^illard, Rev. E. Abbot, and Rev. Timothy Elliot, supplied the pulpit until 185."5, when Rev. Stilhnan Clark came and preached until March 29, 1857.

On the 7th of August, 1866, the church "voted unanimously that Mr. George H. Y'oung be invited to become the pastor of the first church of Christ in Westford." Mr. Young was ordained October 17, 1866. He continued in office nearly six years, and resigned in April, 1872. He was afterward pastor of the Unitarian Church in Troy, New York, and of a church in Santa Barbara, California.

Mr. Young was succeeded by Rev. William A. Cram, who came in A])ril, 1872, and was acting pastor until April, 1877, a period of five years. Tlie present jDastor is Rev. Joseph Sidney Moulton (D. C. 1873), who began his labors in 1876.

The Union Congregational Church was organized December 25, 1828. It was composed of members of the First Church, who withdrew on account of doctrinal differences, and a few others who were members of churches in other towns, but residents here. The number at the organization was fiftynine. Two persons were received by profession - of their faith, the others by letter. The first pastor was Rev. Leonard Luce, born May 14, 1799, in that part of Rochester now Marion, Massachusetts. He graduated at Brown University in 1 82-1-, and at Andover Theological Seminary in 1828. He was ordained April 8, 1829. The church and society having no house of worship, the exercises of ordination were held at the house of Mr. John Davis, in the south part of the town. Mr. Luce continued to be the pastor for more than twentythree years, and was dismissed July 8, 1852. Rev. Thomas Wilson was the second pastor. He was insialled over this church May 4, 1853, and was dismissed Februarv 13, 1856. The church was then supplied bv l!ev. Davi.l 0. Allen and Rev. John Wlnlney'nnld May 1, 1859. Rev. Edwin R. Hodgman became acting pastor June 26, 1859, and contiiuied five years, closing his term of service Jnly 3, 1864. Rev. George F. Stanton then succeeded "him for three months', and llev. E. A. Speiiee lor two years. The latter was ordained here as an evanir.list in 1866.

church to become its pastor, and he was ordained September 11, 1873. He graduated at Amherst College in 1868, and at Uuion Theological Seminary, New York City, in 187 1 . He remained pastor almost five years, and was dismissed Jime -Ih, 1877.

Preliminary steps were taken for the organization of the Methodist Episcopal Society in 1869. Subscriptions for the purpose of erecting a church edifice were started .July 5. The paper was headed by Mr. Charles G. Sargent, who subscribed two thousand dollars, and gave the site for the proposed building. This sum was increased by smaller subscriptions to three thousand dollars on the same day. A class was formetl, July 30, and Arthur Wright appointed class-leader.

The site given by Mr. Sargent was conveyed by deed ; a design by S. S. AYoodcock, architect, was adopted, and a contract for building the house was formed with Messrs. Mead, Mason & Co., of Conecrd. New Hampshire, to erect the edifice above the foundation for S8,900. The church edifice was finished, and dedicated March 33, 1871. The sermon on that occasion was preached by Rev. J. M. Buckley, of Stamford, Connecticut. The total cost of the house and its furnishings was §10,786, of which $6,.58.'5 were paid or pledged, and a debt incurred of .|-1,303. It is of wood, one hundred feet long and forty-three feet wide. The auditorium is fifty-two feet long and forty-two feet wide, with sittings for three hundred and forty-two persons. The chapel in the rear is forty-two feet long and twenty-nine wide. It is in the form of a transept, with a neat tower and spire intersecting with the main building. The style is Gothic.

Rev. Miner H. A. Evans was the first pastor, and remained two years. Rev. Nathaniel B. Fisk began his labors April 9, 1871, and continued three full years. Mr. Fisk's ministry was very successful, and at its close " the official members passed a resolution highly complimentary to the pastor."

Rev. James F. Mears was the next pastor. His ministry began April 14, 1874, and lasted two years. Rev. M. H. A. Evans was again pastor, from Aprd 4, 1876, to April, 1879, when Rev. A. Wood was sent to the field.

The death of Charles G. Sargent, in 1878, took from the society its originator and chief financial patron. The official board passed the following preamble and resolution : -

"Resoli-ef!, Tliat tlie official boai'd expresses its profound esteem I'oi' tlie life and character of Mr. Sargent, and its sympathy with the family and the society, which have lost a devutcil friend and taithlul counsellor."

Eihicaiional History. - The people of Westford have always supported the cause of popular education with commendable liberality. Schools were first kept in private houses, and for oidy one term in the year. At a later date there were two terms each year, but these were short. The town was early divided into school squadrons, of which there were four, - the Centre ; the South, corresponding to Parkerville ; the West, corresponding to Forge Village; and the North, including the region about Long-sought-for Pond. For a long time the selectmen seem to have had the entire control of the schools. They made all the contracts with the teachers, and gave the orders to the towntreasurer for the payment of their wages. In those halcyon days that long-suffering body of men, now known as the school-committee, had no existence.

The first school-teacher in town, so far as can be ascertained from the records, was Joseph Underwood, .Jr., who was employed in 17-34. "May 3S, 1735, the selectmen voted to pay to Mr. Joseph Underwood, Jr., for his keeping school in this town in 1734, the sum of £13, to be in full for said service."

Of those who taught in our schools in the last century we notice a few who were prominent or who taught for a long period. In 1739 William Bowen appears. This man had more or less to do with our schools from 1740 to 177-5, a period of thirty-five years. He was a retired clergyman, and lived on Francis' Hill, in the east part of the town.

Penuel Bowen, who was a teacher here in 1763, is supposed to be his son. The following persons, who were probably graduates of Harvard, were teachers in this town during the last century. The date of their teaching is given : - was Mrs. Edward Bates, in Hip years 1740-174-3. Deacon Andrew Spaulding was a teacher in 1739, 1742, and 1754. John Abbot first appears iu this vocation in 1747, and continued in it for many years.

In 1741 the town voted to raise £100, Old Tenor, - £40 for schools, and the remainder for town debts and charges. Tiiis was a very liberal proportion for schools. Under the law of 1647 every town having one hundred families was required to maintain a grammar school in which the teacher should be competent to fit young men for the university. On the first ta.v-list of 1730 are the names of eighty-seven tax-payers ; hence there were less than one hundred families at that time. But this number was soon reached, for in 1748 the number of tax-payers was one hundred and forty, and the town was under obligation to have a grammar school. December iJ5, 17uO, the town paid Thomas Read, Esq. "for what nuiiiey he expended in going to court to answer to tiie ])resentment against tiie town for not having a grammar school last summer." It does not appear from the records, however, that any grammar school was maintained until 1752, when Mr. Azariah Faxon was employed. Mr. Faxon taught in the first part, or centre, and in the fourtii part, or squadron. He was a graduate of Harvard College in 1752, and was probably the first grammar-scliool teacher in Westford.

From this time forward the records occasionally mention the gr.ammar-school master, and it is fair to infer that the school was sustained according to law. It ajjpears also that the town gave a hearty and generous support to all tlic pulilic seliools. In 1787 the town voted to build .-clidol-liouses. Previous to this time the schools were kept in jirivatc ronnis. One was lan-dit in llic old -;ii-rison- in the subject of education, and are ready to applaud their generosity and wisdom. But not merely in the support of common schools did the people show their ajipreciation of sound learning. Some of them, near the close of the last century, began to see the need of a school of higher grade, and by their efforts and liberality Westford Academy was called into existence.

"In 1792 several gentlemen of Westford met together, and agreed to form themselves into a society by the name of the Westford Academy. Articles of siili>eri|)lion and agreement were then drawn up, and ^in-iicd by fifty-four individuals. At the iiead of the list stand the names of Zaccheus Wright, John Abbot, and Abel Boynton, each of whom subscribed £30, and at its close comes the subscription of the town of Westford by its committee - Joseph Keyes, Francis Leighton, and Joshua Read - for £120. In addition to the above, Zaccheus Wright gave the sum of £300 in real estate, the conveyance of which was to be made to the trustees of the academy as soon as an act of incorporation should be obtained. These several subseripticnis amounted to £978. It should be iuliled that the money subscribed by individuals was raised by a subscription of shares, each share being valued at $20.

On the of April, 1792, the subscribers met, and org.iiii/rd by the choice of Zaccheus Wrighl as pivMili'iit, .laini's i'rescott as vice-president, and Kev.Cal.l) lilake, Ibm. Ebenczer Bridge, Rev. Ezra Il,ij)ley, Rev. Moses Adams, Hon. Joseph Bradley Varnum, Sampson Tuttle, Esq., James Prescott, Jr., Mr. John Abbot, Dr. Charles Proctor, and Mr. Jonathan Carver, trustees.

The subscribers, or proprietors, as they were afterwards styled in the records of the academy, held nu'etiiiii;s from time to time to urge on the work they ha<l undertaken. Measures^ were adopird for ]inrehasing a site and erecting thereon a building for the use of the school. A committee was also a])pointed to ])rocure an act of incorporation. August 3, 1792, the proprietors adopted a body of rules and by-laws for the regulation and governance of the school ; in whieb, among other things, it was provided, " that the Ihiglish, Latin, and Greek lanuuages, toi,n'tlier with writing, arillinictie, and the aii of speaking, should be taught,

The act of incorporation was ])asspd September 28, 1793. It recites that over £1,000 had been given by various parties for the establishment of the academy, but the records of the early meetings of the subscribers specify only the gifts above mentioned. In May, 1797, a committee of the trustees was appointed to attend to and investigate the interest of the corporation in a late grant of land in the district of Maine. This grant consisted of half a townsliip of hind, wiiich was sold not long after for S.5,81U, as appears by the report of the committee. It contained, as stated in their report, 11,.5;10 acres, and was sold for fifty cents per acre.

The first meeting of the trustees under the act of incorporation was held on the 3d of April, 1794, at the house of ilr. Joel Abbot. At this meeting the arrangements appeared to liave been completed, or nearly so, for the orderly working of the institution. James Prescott, .Ir., was chosen secretary of the board, and was re-eleeted fm- several successive years. Tiie Rev. Closes Adams of Acton was chosen president pro lein, and the Rev. Edmund Foster of Littleton and the Rev. Hezekiali Packard of Chelmsford Avere cliosen tnisti<'s in addition to those before named. John Abbut, Sr., was clioseu treasurer, and served one year, being succeeded in that office by Jonatiian Carver. At this meeting Mr. Levi Hedge was requested to have a public exhibition on the 4th of July. Tliis is the first notice or intimation on record of liis connection with tiie school as teacher or preceptor. Such public exiiibitions seem to liave continued many years, and tradition says that they were attended with great eclat. Academies and higli schools being rare, tlie attendance of scholars from other towns and from long distances was much larger tlian it is now.

In tracing the history of the academy the names of several gentlemen occur who were more or less prominent in public life, and especially in their coiniection with this scliool, and a brief notice of their lives and characters very justly forms a ])art of this history. First anioiig tlic r.nly friends and promoters of this iustitutimi .^tanils tlie name of Zacclieus Wriglit, Esq. His interest in it is evinced by the bberality of his gifts; and the estimation in which he was held is apparent from the fact that he was elected tiie first president of tlie board of trustees, and was annually re-elected to that office till 1808, when he declined further service. He was the son of Ebenezer and Deliverance (Stevens) AV right, and was born in Westford, October -11, 17;38. He died in 1811, at the age of seventy-two years, highly respected by his fellowcitizens, whom he long and often served in various capacities. Long after his decease his name continued to be mentioned with respect as one of the best and most public-spirited men that Westford had produced.

Next, perhaps, in prominence stands the name of James Prescott, Jr. He was the youngest son of Colonel James Prescott, of G roton, and was born there, April 19, 1766. He was a graduate of Harvard College in the class of 1788; read law and commenced the practice of his profession in Westford, where he was residing at the time the academy was started, and Avhere he spent about ten years. He filled the office of secretary of the board of trustees for many years, and was succeeded by Rev. Caleb Blake. He was the president of the board from 1815 to 1837.

Levi Hedge, the first preceptor of the academy, graduated at Cambridge in 1793. It appears from the records that he had previously been a teacher in Westford; for, February 6, 1793, he was paid £6 1.5*. "for keeping school nine weeks in the middle school squadron." Probably he taught the grammar school then required by law. He was a distinguished member in a distinguished class. He came to Westford with a high reputation as a sciiolar, and left after two years with an equally high reputation as a teacher. He returned to Cambridge to take the jjlace of a tutor in the college, and after several years was promoted to a professorship of Logic and Metaphysics. His interest in the academy never waned. He was chosen a trustee in 1803, and resigned in 1844 in consequence of growing infirmities. He died the same year.

John Abbot, eldest son of John Abbot, one of the original corporators of the academy, was born in Westford, January 37, 1777, and died here, April 30, 18.54. He graduated at Harvard University in 1798, in a class distinguished for talent, in which he took a high collegiate rank. He immediately became preceptor of this academy, and held that place for two years. He then studied law, and opened an office in Westford ; and about tlie same time was chosen a trustee, and, on the decease of Jonathan Carver, in 1805, he was chosen treasurer, which office he held by successive annual elections until his death, a period of nearly fifty years. To his careful management and foresiglit the institution is chiefly indebted for. its present funds. During his long administration they increased nearly or quite threefold. The academy had no wealthy patrons like its neighbor and rival institution at Groton, but depended for the increase of its means on small but carefully husbanded accumulations. It was the aim of the treasurer to save something from the annual interest of the funds to be added to the principal, and almost every year's report showed some increase in their amount. The trustees had implicit confidence in his integrity, fidelity and skill, and rarely, if ever, interfered with his plans. During tiiis long period his services were rendered gratuitously to the institution, whose welfare he had so much at heart, and he will always be remembered as one of its stanchest friends.

He was succeeded in the office of treasurer by his sou, Hon. John W. P. Abbot, who held it till his death, in 187£. The latter, like his father, gave his services gratuitously, being animated by the same desire to further its prosperity. He was born, April 37, 1806, iu Hampton, Connecticut, was chiefly fitted for college at this academy, and graduated at Cambridge in 18:J7. After studying law he entered his fatiier's office, the business of which was not long after transferred to hiin. He was a member of the House of Representatives iu 18G2, and of the State Senate in 1866; was often chosen to town offices, and was jiarticularly interested in and intrusted with the management of the First Parish iu Westford. In all these relations he was trusted as an able and faithful counsellor and public servant ; and he was universally regaidi'd with esleem and affection for his urbanity, benevolence, and generosity.

trustees, was employed, her instructions being confined solely to the female classes. She was justly regarded as an accomplished teacher, but she held that position in the school only two successive summer seasons.

John Wright, Esq., was a native of Westford, a sou of Mr. Nathan Wright, born in 1797. He fitted for college at Phillips' Academy, Andover, and graduated at Cambridge in 1833. He came to Westford, and took the place of the late Judge Charles P. Huntington, who had been preceptor for 1833 -2.J. After two years' service he went to Groton, studied law, and practised a few years, tiien became agent of the Sufi'olk 3\Iills, in Lowell. He died in 1869.

We can only allude to one more of the past teachers,- - Hon. Juliii D. Long of Hingham, now governor of this state. After graduating from Harvard University, in 1857, he came at once to Westford, where he remained two years. Quitting this vocation, he studied law in Boston, and commenced its practice there. He is now president of the board of trustees.

Among the female teachers Miss Harriet B. Bogers, born in Billerica, deserves special notice. Her term of service was the longest, and she was always regarded as a teacher of remarkable tact and energy. Since leaving Westford she has won a far wider and a well-merited reputation as the head of a school for deaf mutes at Northampton, Massachusetts, where, by a system first introduced in this country by her, she is teaching the employment of spoken language, instead of signs as heretofore. Nor should Miss Margaret F. Foley be passed unnoticed. She was a resident of Lowell while einphived as a teacher, and all the while her thdiin-hts and lier spare time were given to the study and prarhVe of the art of scul])ture. After leaving "West lord she went abroad, and spent much time at Rome. Her death occurred not long since, and she will be remembered as one who fell a j)remature sacrifice in the pursuit of her favorite vocation. Her early death was lamented by numerous friends who had hoped for a long and prosperous career. She was an exhibitor in our Cenlennial Kxhibitiou, and her work received high encomium.

The place of prece|)lor is now lillcd by William K, I'rosl, A. M., a gradnale of linvvdoin in 18711. He is the tiiirly-sixlli in ihc line ot iiivecplors, and is a very successful disciplinarian and most excelhnt teacher. He began his work in 1S73, and under his care the school lias been uniformly prosperous.

At the present time (1879) there are eleven public schools in the town, and ten school-houses. These, with one exception, have been built since tlie repeal in 1869 of the law relating to schooldistricts.

The schools are kept for eight months in the year. The number of scholars between five and fifteen years of age, May 1, 1878, was three hundred and nine. The amount of money raised for the support of schools, March, 1879, was §3,000.

Manufacture.^. - The leading industry from the beginning has been agriculture. In the early years little else was done ; but gradually, as the people made progress, they gave attention to the manufacturing of such articles as they needed. The abundant water-power in tlie town gave them facilities which they carefully used. The chief stream is the Stony Brook, the outlet of Forge Pond, which runs through the town from the southwest to the northeast. The descent from the mouth of the pond to the point where it empties into the Merrimack is nearly one hundred feet. At Forge Village the fall is fourteen feet, at Graniteville twenty, at Westford Station eight feet, and at Brookside it is about ten feet. In Allen's Hhtory of Chelimforcl there is no mention of any mill on Stony Brook except at its mouth. It is probable, however, that the water-power at Brookside was improved at an early date. In the first tax-list, 1730, the name of William Chandler appears, who, it is probable, was the first to establish the business of dressing cloth. His mill stood at Brookside, and the work was carried on by successive proprietors until 1863, when the building was used for the manufacture of woollen yarn.

Hon. Caleb Butler, in his History of Groton, says : " After King Philip's War and the re-settlement of the town, Jonas Prescott built a mill at Stony Brook near its issue from Forge Pond, now in Westford." This is the first account we have of the improvement of the water-power at that place. " Previous to the erection of Prescott's mills," continues Mr. Butler, " an Indian by the name of Andrew sold his weir at Stony Brook, as appears by the following record : ' The twenty shillings due to Andrew, the Indian, from the town for his tcarre at Stony Brook, assigned by said Indian to Richard Blood, the said Richard Blood assigns it over to Lieutenant James Parker.' " The date of the grant to Jonas Prescott by the town of Groton was June 15, 1680. The territory which tlieu belonged to Groton was annexed to Westford in

1730. But prior to the last date Jonas Prescott had " greatly enlarged and improved the works on Stony Brook, by erecting forges for manufacturing iron from the ore, as well as other purposes."

It is difficult to fix the precise date of the building of the forges, but it was probably as early as 1700 ; for the language of Butler implies that the works were set up before Captain Prescott enlarged them. He was born in 1678, and was "of age" in 1699. It is just, therefore, to suppose that his active business life began as early as 1710. This enterprise of working iron was the third or fourth of the kind established in this country. The business was carried on until the year 1865, wlien the Forge Company ceased to exist. During this long period of one hundred and sixty or seventy years the Prescotts, descendants of Jonas, of Groton, helda controlling interest in the company, and managed its aftairs, except during the last few years of its existence. Jonas, who died in 1870, five years after the forging ceased, was the owner of forty shares in 1863, and was the last of the name who worked at the business.

January 5, 1865, the Forge Village Horse Nail Company was formed. It succeeded to the franchise of the forge company, used the waterpower and the buildings of that company, and put in machinery for making nails. The capital stock was .? 30,000, with the right to increase it to §100,000. The officers were: John T.Daly, president ; John F. Haskins, secretary ; and Alexander H. Caryl, treasurer. The capital was increased to $100,000 in 1868. For a few years the business was prosperous, but it gradually declined until 1877, when it came to an end.

In 1854 Charles G. Sargent came to Graniteville and entered into partnership with Francis A. Calvert, under the firm name of Calvert and Sargent. They bought of Solomon Richardson his farm, and his saw and grist mill. These buildings were converted into shops for the manufacture of woollen machinery. They were burned in December, 1855, and then what is now Mill No. 1 - a two-story building, 185x52 feet, with a connecting L, 32 X 40 feet - was erected. Trto years later tiiey built Mill No. 2, of the same dimensions. A partnership was formed in 1857, with John W. P. Abbot, for the manufacture of worsted yarns ; but being unable to attend to so much business, Mr. Sargent sold his interest to Allan Cameron in 1857. In 1862 Mr. Sargent bought his partner's interest, and continued the business in his own name. He invented a number of important machines pertaining to his branch of manufacture. Among them are a burr-picker, a wool-drying maciiine, a patent atomizer for oiling wool, and a metallic waste-card for reducing yarn, til read- waste, and soft flannels to wool.

In the census of 1875 Sargent's mill is said to have one establishment for the manufacture of woollen machinery: capital, $37,5:12; value of goods manufactured in that year, $46,011. To Mr. Sargent belongs the credit of building up the village of Graniteville. When he came there in 1854 there were only five or six houses, and only a saw and grist mill upon the stream. In 1875 there were eighty-nine families, and these have since increased to a hundred at least. There are now in that village a machine-shop, a worsted-mill, hosiery, two stores, milliner's shop, post-office, and the Methodist Church, all of wiiich have come into existence since 1854; and all tlie leading enterprises have sprung up under Mr. Sargent's fostering care. The growth of that village is an illustration of New England thrift and industry. Mr. Sargent was born in Hillsborough, New Hampshire, July 17, 1818, and died July 16, 1878. The business is now conducted by his sons.

The Chauncy ilills were established in Graniteville, August, 1874. There is one set of machinery for the making of Shaker socks. One hundred pounds of wool are used, and fifty or si.\ty dozen ])airs of socks are made eacli day. Thirty persons arc employed in the mill, and work is given to many more out of it. M. H. A. Evans is proprietor, Jolin Murpliy superintendent, and Jerry Murpiiy foreman.

The Al,l)ot Worsted Mills began business in IS.-).'), witli John W. Abbot as mauagin-' partner, and Joini W. 1*. Abbot and Charhs '(!. Sargent as special partners. At first lliey manufaehircd fine worsted yarns for (lie making (if l)raiils and upholstery goods, cmpldung abdut Iwcniy liands. In 1S57 Mr. Sargee.t retired IVom tiie iirm, and Mr. Allan CaiiKM-on became an active partner. In January, I.S.-)S, their works, as well as those of Mr. Sargent, were entirely dcslroyrd by lire; but in January, 185!t, llicv a^ain hr-an Ihihiuss in ,,nc occupy to the present time, with frequent additions to give increased facilities of production. When they started anew they began the manufacture of carded yarns, used in making carpets. In 1878 Abbot and Company leased the part of the mill formerly occupied by Sargent and Sons, and also built a stone addition to the mill occupied by themselves, sixty feet long and two stories high, and proceeded to fill it with machinery, thus nearly doubling their former productive capacity. Finding this still insufficient to meet the growing wants of their customers, they purchased, in October, 1879, the buildings and water-power at Forge Village, formerly occupied by the Forge Village Horse Nail Company, and filled the buildings with improved machinery. Abbot and Company employ in their difi'erent mills one hundred and eii^htyfive hands, using each week about thirty tliousand pounds of clean wool, and producing twenty-four thousand pounds of yarn per week.

In 1875 the valuation of the town was: real estate, §897,232; personal, §212,532 ; total, §1,109,764. Rate of taxation, §1.48 per hundred dollars; number of polls, 529. Total value of manufaclunil piodnris, S l'.)l,.j61; products of agneultniv and (|nanyiiig, Sl'.)((,120; total products, .SCSI, CM.

There are four principal villages, - the Centre, Forge Village, (iranifeville, and Brookside; the three last nanuxl being on the line of the Stony Brook llailroad.

but in that year the town voted that " John Abbot and otliers may build a fence around the common, provided the town be put to no expense on account of the same." Tlie next year (1841) the fence was built, and the trees planted ; and the expense incurred was met by voluntary contributions. These trees have grown rapidly, and the Park is now one of the loveliest features of the village. On the northwest side of it stands the church edifice of the First Parish (Unitarian) Society, built in 1794, and remodelled in 1S08. It is built after the style which prevailed a century ago. The church edifice of the Union Congregational Society stands on the east side of the Park. It is an unpretending structure, built in 18£9, and dedicated October 8. On the south side of the Park is the academy, a small building embowered among trees. The residences of John W. Abbot, Allan Cameron, and J. Henry Read are the finest on Main Street. The Westford Ornamental Tree Association was formed in 1871. Its name has been changed to the Village Improvement Association. It has done a good work by constructing sidewalks and planting trees. It has an annual work-day in the spring, when the members work, dine together, and listen to an address.

Fiihlic Lihrary. - In 1797 a respectable number of tlie citizens of Westford agreed to form a shareholders' library, the number of shares not being less than fifty ; the price of each share was two dollars. With commendable spirit they took from one to four shares each, and with the money resulting therefrom the first ]iurchase of books was made. In 1859 the shareholders surrendered their interest to the town, which consented to pay all expenses connected with the library, and appropriate not less than thirty dollars a year for the purchase of new books. In this way Westford was one of the earliest towns to establish a free public library. The number of volumes in the library (June, 1879) is 3,427.

The establishment of the academy here eightysix years ago has fostered a taste for literary pursuits among the people. When the Hon. John D. Long was preceptor of the academy, in 1858-59, a literary society was formed which lived several years. Hon. AVillard Hall was born in Westford, December 24, 1780. He was the son of Willis and Mehitable (Pool) Hall, and grandson of Rev. Willard Hall, the first minister of the town. He was fitted for college in 1794, at Westford Academy, entered Harvard in 1795, and graduated in 1799.

He studied law at Groton, in Judge Dana's office, was admitted to the bar in 18():i, and the same year settled in Dover, Delaware. In 1811 he was appointed secretary of state for Delaware, and held the office for three years. In 1816 he was chosen representative in Congress from that state, and was re-elected in 1818. In 1821 he was again secretary of state, and May 6, 1823, he was appointed district judge of the United States for the Delaware district. In 1828 he revised the statutory laws of Delawa

Source changes here: from History of Middlesex County, Massachusetts, by Drake, Samuel Adams, published 1880; 8,502 words in this source stream.

Westford Town

ing taken under consideration the several articles of the constitution, article by article, the whole of which was accepted, voted the following amendment: That the former clause of the sixteenth article of the Declaration of Bights be amended as follows: the Liberty of the press and of speech are essential to the security of Freedom in a State/' Their most emphatic objection was lev-, elled Against the third article of the Bill of Bights, which has since been amended so as to release the state from the obligation to require the ])eople to support public worship. In this matter they showed a degree of wisdom not everywhere apparent among the men of those times.

" For John Perkins to be Lieut. Governor by 48 votes.'' ^ Voted for councillors and senators as follows : Josiah Stone, of Fnirhingham, 32 votes ; Abraham Fuller, of Newton, 82 votes; Nathaniel Gorham, of Charlestown, 81 votes ; James Prescott, of Groton, 28 votes; Elea'zer Brooks, of Lincoln, 28 votes: Loammi Baldwin, of AVobum, 4 votes.

March 5, 1781, the committee of correspondence and safety consisted of Francis Leighton, Captain Zaceheus Wright, Joshua Read^ Captain Pelatiah Fletcher, and Dr. Asaph Fletcher, all new men except Dr. Fletcher. Dr. Fletcher was one of the most ardent jiatriots in the town during the period of the Revolution. He was a man of vigorous purpose, large intelligence, and strict integrity. After the war was over he removed, and settled in Cavendish, Vermont, in 1787. He was the father of Hon. Richard Fletcher, late of Boston, and of ex-Governor Ryland Fletcher, of Vermont.

Captain Joseph Read was the first representative from Westford in the General Court under the new coristitution. He was often elected to this office, having held it, in all, twenty-one times. He was called to serve the town in other capacities, and was a distinguished public man.

April 7, 1783, Mr. Francis Leighton was chosen representative, and a committee chosen for the purpose gave him the following instructions in behalf of the toivn : ^'Tliat our said representative be in* structed to exert Ids ntmost influence in the Goieral Assembly to oppose and exclude the dedaied enemies and traitors of this countrv, who have at or since the commencement of the late war, from an inimical disposition to the rights and liberties of their native country, taken shelter and protection under the British government, from letoming among us.''

Li 1787 Deacon Samuel Fletcher was chosen representative. His instructions contain these words : '^ That you use your influence that the General Court be removed out of Boston to some convenient place in the country ; that agricultQi^e, manufactures, and exportation of our own loannfactures be encouraged as much as possible, and the importation of foreign superfluities be discouraged by an earnest recommendation to omit the use of such of them as are Jiot necessary. : That the tender act be continued until there be sufficient currency for the commerce of the people. That peace and harmony may be restored to the people of this commonwealth, you are directed to use yoor influence that the disqualifying act be repealed and that the peaceable citizens be restored to their former privileges. That you use your influence that all pensions and gratuities be curtailed as {b^ bb justice will allow."

These instructions were given only a few months after the breaking out of the Shays Rebellion, so called, and thev doubtless reflect the sentiment of the people at that time. After the Revolutionary War and the establishment of the state and national governments, th^re are few materials for history to be gleaned from the town records. Tlie people were a quiet, hard-working class, earning their livins bv steadv indnstrv. The accumulation of wealth was difficult, and only a few obtained it. Yet the majority had enough for present wants, and the degree of poverty was small. Not till the present century was well advanced did the people begin to be interested in manufactures or railroads. Here, as in very many New England towns, agriculture has declined within the last fifty years. Wood is growing on large tracts once cultivated. In the business of market-gardening, howr ever, and in the niising of small fruits, there has been a marked increase within ten years. Large orchards vield abundance of apples^and there arc several mills for the manufacture of cider. Hie raising of breadstufls has almost wholly gone by ; and the supply of grain now comes from the broad prairies of the West.

In the War of the Bebellion the men of Westford were prompt and determined in tlieir efforts to repel the enemies of the nation. The town sent one hundred and thirty-five men to the battle-field, many of whom gave up their lives for tlieir countrj. In tiie town-liall is a marble tablet, bearing the names of thirty-two men who died on the field or from wounds or disease contracted in the war. Many mc|9ibers of Company F, Afassnchusetts Volunteer Or^valry, belong here ; indeed, this company is in part a Westford institution, and deserves notice as a band of soldierly men to whom, when liberty is imperilled, war is no pastime, but a stem duty.

In the management of its internal affairs tlie town ^s generally harmonious. Tlie debt, which is only $20,000, is funded at a low rate of interest, with the privilege of paying 8^,000 each year; at this rate it will soon be extinguished.

The virtue and intelligence of the people, their culture and social refinement, and their regard for education and all humanizing influences, will insure for them the praise of every honorable mind and the esteem of the good. Bising every year to a higher grade of morality and piety, they will take the sure road to a genuine prosperity ; and, making the closing century a happy introduction to the achievements of the next, they will gain for themselves the gratitude of the coming generations.

Ecclesiasiical. - The first church in Westford was formed November 15, 1727. It was then called the Second Church in Chelmsford, being in the West Precinct of that town. It was composed of/' members of several of the neighboring churches, but chiefly of the First Church in this place. '^ Tlie covenant was signed by Willard Hall, John Comings, William Fletcher, Joseph Underwood, Joshua Fletcher, Jonas Prescott, Jonathan Hildreth, Andrew Spaulding, Jacob Wright, Samuel Chamberlin, Samuel Fletclier, Aaron Parker, John Proctor, Jonas Fletcher, Nathaniel Boynton, Benjamin Bobbins, and Josiah Whitney.

These seventeen are the names of men, and it does not appear, on the records tliat any women were among the original members of the church. It may be fair to presume that they were, however, members, although they did not sign the covenant.

The account of the oi^anization of the church is very brief. It simply recites, that " as the custom is, where a number of persons in full communion, desire, for allowable reasons, to separate from their respective churches, and become a distinct organized church by themselves, for them explicitly

I to enter into covenant with God and anot|ier; so here, a covenant being drawn, they who liad gotten their dismissions from the church^- they belonged to, set their hands to it.*'. " They, uniting together, after the proper preliminaries to settling a gospel minister, unanimously called Bev. Willard Hall to take the pastoral care of them ; and he accepting the call was acbonlingly ordained their pastor and teacher by the reverend elders following, namely: Samson Stoddard, who preached and gave the charge ; Benjamin Shottuck, who made the ordaining prayer after sermon ; Natlianiel Prentice, who made the firat prayer, and gave the right hand of fellowship ; and Thomas Parker, who gathered and formed the church, lliis first ordination was solemnized November 15, 1727.'*

Of the members of the council, Ber; Samson Stoddard was of Chelmsford, Bev. Benjamin Shattuck of Littleton, Btev. Nathaniel Prentice of Dunstable, and Bev. Tliomas Parker of Dracut.

The first pastor, Bev. Willard Hall, was botn in Medford, Massachusetts, March 11, 1708. He was the son of Stephen and Grace (Willis) Hall, and grandson of John Hall, who was of Concoid in 1668. He graduated at Harvard College in 1722, in the class of Bichard Saltohstall and William EUery. He married Abigail Cotton, of Portsmouth. New Hampshire. Mr. and Mrs. Hall were the parents of eleven children, four sons and seven daughters. One of the daughters died young; the other children lived to mature age. The oldest son, Willard, was bom in Portsmouth, June 12, 1730. AH the others were bom in Westford.

Mr. Hall, who belonged to a distinguished family in Medford, was regarded as a tmly pious and useful minister. Dr. Payson, pastor in Chelsea, spoke in strong terms of the pleasure of having an acquaintance with him, and mentioned as remarkable the clearness and strength of his mind. He united the offices of pastor and physician, thus, in the condition of society at the time, greatly extending his influence and usefulness. He was a strenuous supporter of education for all. The town, on one occasion, considering itself excused by special emergency from levying the required school-tax, he complained to the General Court, and arraigned his own cliarge before that tribunal. In this he offended, as he knew he would, many t>f his people ; but he would make no compromise with delinquency in this matter. He was devoted to agriculture, liad a good fiarm, cultivated fruit-trees.

bearing plums, apricots, peaches, pears, and apples; and bis garden, orchards, and. fields, years after his death, bore witness to his skill and indastry. Tradition saTshe lived on the place now (1879) owned by Eev. W. F. Wheeler.

When the Bevolutioiiary War broke out he remained firm iu his allegiance to George lU., saying that as he had once sworn fidelity to the king as a justice of the peace, he could not and would not break his oath. In consequence of this his i)eople would not suffer him to preach, and he was shut up or kept in sur\'eillance in his own house during the last two vears of his life. He died March 19, 1779, at the age of seventy-six, and in the fiftysecond year of his ministry. His widow died October 20, 1789, at the age of eighty-four years.

Bev. ^Matthew Scribner was the sec,ond pastor. He was the second son of Matthew and Martha (Smith) Scribner, and was born in Norwalk, Connecticut, February 7, 1746. He graduated at Yale College in 1775, and received the degree of A. M. in 1783. His call by the town or parish was; given May 21, 1779, and he was ordained September 23, 1778. His wife was Sarali Porter, of Topsfield, Massachusetts^ born March 21, 1742. They were married in Topsfield, December 16, 1779. Their children were ten in number, six sous and four daughters.

It is said that Mr. Scribner was never very popular in his parish ; that his pastorate was tumultuous and stormy; and that for these reasons it was brief, lasting only ten years, while that of his predecessor continued more tlian hdf a century. He was dismissed November 10, 1789. At the close of his ministry here he removed to Tyngsfaorough, where he took up a lot of wild land, just over the hue from Westford. This he began to clear up and cultivate.; and there he tried an experiment in raising Merino sheep, having imported a few animals at almost fabulous prices. The experiment failed, but he contiimed to reside on the larm until his death, which occurnnl iu 1813, at the age of sixty-seven years.

Kev. Caleb Blake, the third pastor, was bom in Wrentham, Massachusetts, May 1,1762, and ffraduated at Harvard CoUeirc in 1784. He was ordained February 29, 1792. He continued in office thirtv-four vears, and was dismissed February 28, 1826. He belonged to that class of theologians called Hopkinsians, aiul when the Unitarian controversy waxed warm he took a decided stand in o])i)osition to the Unitarians. But being ill fitted and less disposed for controversy, he resigned^ and betook himself to a farm. Afterwards he removed to Bedford, Massachusetts, where he iib» sided several years, and then returned to Westford, and purchased what was formerly known as the Bixby farm, on which he spent the remainder of his days. After his return he was chosen to represent the town one term in the l^slature. He was not a close student, a fluent speaker, or an easy writer. He published only one sermon, delivered before the Ladies^ Charitable Association iu the year 1812 or 1813, He was fond of farming, and attributed his good health in a great measure to that occupation ; but his chief pleasure was in reading. He married Martha Mosely, of Hampton, Connecticut, who was bom in 1775, and. was a sister of the Hon. Ebenezer Mosely, lately of Newburypok. They liad five children who lived to adult age, two. sons and three daughters. He died May .11, 1847, aged eighty-five years. ,-

Bev. Ephraim Baiidall, tlie fourth pastor, wias bom in Easton, Massachusetts, November 29, 1785. He graduated at Harvard University iu 1812, and wa^ ordained in New Bedford, Massa* chusetts, August 26, 1814. He was afterwards installed at Saugus, Massachusetts, October 3, 1826, and dismissed August 7, 1827. April 30, 1829, he was installed in Westford, and after two years his connection with the church ceased. May 1, 1831.

After Mr. Randall's dismission Jtev. Ephraim Abbot was acting pastor, and continued to act as such until April 3, 1834. In the summer of 1835 Rev. Jonathan Farr preached for the society, and after him Rev. Ephraim Abbot '^ supplied the desk until April, 1836.'' Rev. Luther Wilson then preached until April, 1839, assisted for several months, on account of Mr. Wikou's ill health, by Rev. Ephraim Abbot. .

Rev. Claudius Bradford preached awhfle in 1840, and Mr. Abbot again in 1841 till the month of April. Mr. Thurston, Mr. Coolidge, and Mr. Buckingham preached as candidates between AprQ and October, 1841, when Rev. Ephraim Abbot took chat^, and served the church and society until April, 1845.

In July, 1845, Rev. Edward Capen came and preached for about one year, declining a call to settle at the close of his servipe^ FromjTuly, 1846, to

Jbuubtj, 1847, the society itas engaged in repairing" its house of vorsliip, which was re-dedicated January 7, 1847. Then came Rev. Herman Snow, and preached for the society one year, ending Febnuny' 7, 1848. From that time to March 19, 1848, different persons occupied the pulpit. Soon after this Rev. John B. WilLird was chosen pastor, and ordained Mdy 24, 1848. Mr. Willard was bom in New York City, April 1, 1822. His parents, Luther and Mary (Davi:*) Willard, were bom in Harvard,' Massachu:j«tts. He graduated at Brown University in 1842, then studied law three years, partly in Syracuse, New York, and partly in Boston, but never entered the legal profession. He studied theology with Rev. Washiugtoti Gilbert, then of Harvard. He dissolved his connection with the church herb December 1, 1850. After leaving Westford he was employed by the Unitarian Society of Windsor, Vermont, which society he served at intervab until 1856, whenf ill health obliged him to relinquish his charge. He has since preached for short periods in Lowell, Bamstable, Lunenburg, Warwick, ' and Norton, Massachusetts. He now resides in the village of Still Biver, Harvard, Massachusetts.

After the retirement of Mr. Willard various persons, namely, Bev. Mr. MaynanI, Bev. Jacob Caldwell, Bev. J. B. Willard^ Bev. E. Abbot, and Bev. Timothy Elliot, supplied the pulpit until 18S3, when Bev. ' Stillinan Clark came and preached until March 29, 1857.

In June, 1858, Bev. George M. Bice was invited to preach one year. He continued his ministry for iiearly ei^it years. George Matthias Bice was bom in Danvers, Massachusetts, June 28, 1814. His parents were residents of Salem, but as war then existed, and Salem was threatened with an attack from the British fleet, they retired to Danvers for the summer. Mr. Bice was fitted for college in the schools of Salem, especially in the grammar schools under the tuition of those renowned masters, Ames and H. K. Oliver. He was intended for Cambridge, but his father having removed to Geneva, New York, he entered Geneva (now Hobart) College in 1829, and graduated in 1882. He then pursued his studies in the Cambridge Divinity School, from whicli he graduated in 1835. He was ordained as an evangelist at Watertown, Massachusetts, in 1840, being at that time tlie acting pastor of the First Congregational Church in Lexington. Afterwards he had pastoral charge of the Unitarian churches in Lunenburg,

On the 7th of August, 1866, the church ** voted unanimously tliat Mr. Geoi^ H. Young be invited to become the pastor of the first church of Christ in Westford.*' Mr. Young was ordained October 17, 1866. He continued in office nearly six years, and resigned in April, 1872. He was afterward pastor of the Unitarian Church in Troy, New York, and of a church in Santa Barban, California.

Mr. Young was succeeded by Bev. William A. Cram, who Ciime in April, 1872, and was acting pastor until April, 1877, a period of five yeais. The present pastor is Bev. Joseph Sidney Moulton (D. C. 1873), who began his hbors in 1876.

The Union Congregational Church was organized ' December 25, 1828. It was composed of members of the First Church, who withdrew on account of doctrinal differences, and a few others who were members of churches in other towns, but residents here. The number at the organization was fiftynine. Two persons were received by profession of their faith, the others by letter. Tlie first pastor was Bev. Leonard Luce, born May 14, 1799, in that part of Bochester now Marion, Massachusetts. He graduated at Brown University in 1824, and at Andover Theological Seminary in 1828. He was ordained April 8, 1829. The church and society having no house of worship, the exerci^ of ordination were held at the house of Mr. John Davis, in the south part of the town. Mr. Luce continued to be the pastor for more than twentythree years, and was dismissed July 8, 1852. Bev. lliomas Wilson was the second pastor. He was installed over this church May 4, 1853, and was dismissed Februarv 13, 1856. The church was then supplied by Bev. David O. Allen and Bev. John Whitney until May 1, 1859. Bev. Edwin B. Hodgmai] became acting pastor June 26, 1859, and continued five years, closing his term of service July 3, 1864. Bev. Greorge F. Stanton then succeeded him for three months, and Bev. E. A. Spence for two years. The latter was ordained here as an evangelist in 1866.

Bev. Henry D. Woodworth was installed ])astor October 2, 1867. The ministry of Mr. Woodworth was brief, lasting only two years, and closing by his dismission, July 18, 1869. After Mr. Woodworth left Bev. Nathan B. Nichols supplied the pulpit about two years. May 7, 1872, Bev. Henrv H. Hamilton received a call from the church to become its pastor, and he was ordained September 11, 1872. He graduated at Amherst College in 1868, and at Union Theological Seminary, New York City, in 1871 . He remained pastor almost five years, and was dismissed June 25, 1877.

Preliminary steps were taken for the organization of the Methodist Episcopal Society in 1869. Subscriptions for the purpose of erecting a church edifice were started July 5. The paper was headed by Mr. Charles G. Sai^ent, who subscribed two thousand dollars, and gave the site for the proposed building. This sum was increased by smaller subscriptions to three thousand dollars on the same day. A class was formed, July 20, and Arthur Wright appointed class-leader.

The site given by ilr. Sargent was conveyed by deed ; a design by S. S. Woodcock, architect, was adopted, and a contract for building the house was formed with Messrs. )Iead, Mason & Co., of Con^ cord. New Hamphire^ to erect the edifice above the foundation for S3,900. The church edifice was finished, and dedicated March 23, 1871. The sermon on that occasion was preached by Rev. J. M. Bucklev, of Stamford, Connecticut. The total cost of the house and its furnishings was §'10,786, of which 86,583 were paid or pledged, and a debt incurred of $4,202. It is of wood, one hundred feet long and forty-three feet wide. The auditorium is fifty-two feet long and forty-two feet wide, with sittings for three hundred and forty-two persons.- The chapel in the rear is forty-two feet long and twenty-nine wide. It is in the form of a transept, with a neat tower and spire intersecting with tlie main building. The style is Gothic.

Bev. Miner H. A. Evans was tlie first pastor, and remained two years. Bev. Nathaniel B. Fisk^began his labors April 9, 1871, and continued three full years. Mr. Fisk's ministry was very successful, and at its close '' the official members passed a resolution highly complimeutary to the pastor."

Bev. James F. Mears was the next pastor. His ministry began April 14, 1874, and lasted two years. Bev. M. H. A. Evans was again pastor, from April 4, 1876, to April, 1879, when Itev. A. Wood was sent to the field.

The death of Charles G. Sargent, in 1878, took from the societv its orisrinator and chief financial, patron. The official board passed the following preamble and resolution : -

^'Retolvedy Ttiat the official board expresses its profound esteem for the life and cliaracter of Mr. Sargent, and ita symfMithy with tlie family and the society, which hate loal a devoted frieod and faithful counsellor."

Edncational Hutory, - The people of Westford have always supported the cause of popular education with commendable liberality. Schools wcire first kept in private houses, and for only one term in the year. At a later date there were two terms each year, but these were short. The town was early divided into school squadrons, of which there were four, - the Centre ; the South, corresponding to Parkerville ; the West, corresponding to Forge Village j and the North, including the region about Loug-sought-for Pond. For a long time the selectmen seem to have had the entire control of the schools. They made all the contracts with the teachers, and gave the orders to the town^ treasurer for the payment of their wages. In those halcyon days that long-suffering body of men, now known as the school-committee, had no existence.

The first school-teacher in town, so far as can be ascertained from the records, was Joseph Underwood, Jr., who was employed in 1734. " Maj 28, 1735, the. selectmen voted to pay ta Mr. Joseph Uuderwood, Jr., for his keeping school in this town in 1734, the sum of £13> to be in full for said service.'*

Of those who taught in our schools in the last century we notice a few who were prominent or who taught for a long period. In 1739 Wil« Ham Bowen appears. This man had more or less to do with our schools from 1740 to 1775, a period of thirty-five years. He was a retired clergyman, and lived on Francis* Hill, in the east part of the town.

Penuel Bowen, who was a teacher here in'1762, is supposed to be his son. The following persons, who were probably graduates of Harvard, were teachers in this town during the last century. The date of their teaching is given : - was Mrs. Edward Bates, in the years 1740-1743. Deacon Andrew Spaulding was a teacher in 1739, 1742, and 1754. John Abbot first appears in this vocation in. 1747jand continued in it for many years.

In 1741 the town Voted to raise £ 100, Old Tenor, - £40 for schools, arid the remainder for town debts and charges. Tiiis was a very liberal proportion for schools. Under tlie law of 1G47 every town having one hundred families was required to maintain a grammar school in which the teacher should be competent to fit young men for the university. On the first tax-list 6f 1730 are the names of eighty-seven tax-payers ; hence there were less than one hundred families at that time. But this number was soon reached, for in 1748 the number of tax-payers was one hundred and forty, and the town was under obligation to have a grammar school. December 23, 1750, the town paid Tliomas Bicad, Esq. ''for what money he expended in going to court to answer to the presentment against the town for not having a gramn^ar scliool last summer.'' It does not appear from the records, however, that any grammar school was tnaintained until 1752, when Mr. Azariah Faxon was employed. Mr. Faxon taught in the first part, or centre, and in the fourth part, or squadron. He was a graduate of Harvard College in 17d2, and was probably the first grammar-school teacher in Westford.

From this time forward the records occasionally mention the grammar-school master, and it is fair to infer that the school was sustained according to law. 'It appears also that the town gave a hearty and generous support to all the public schools. In 1787 the town voted to build school-houses. Previous to this time the schools were kept in private rooms. One was taught in the old garrisonhouse in Forge Village, occupied not very long since by Jonatlian Prescott It was burned in 1876, being the last of its class to disappear. The school-district system in Massachusetts went into operation in 1789, and was abolished in 1869, after a trial of eigiity years. Tlie several squadrons were* then converted into districts with numbers attached. The sum appropriated for schools in those early days will not suffer in point of liberality when compared with the amount now granted for that purpose. When we recall the fact that wealth had not then accumulated, and that to many of the people it was a hard struggle to live ^ all, we wonder at the measure of their interest in the subject of education, and aie 'ready to applaud their generosity and wisdom. But ml merely in the support of common schools did tiie people show their appreciation of sound lemuog. Some of them, near tlie close of the List centoiy, began to see the need of a school of higher gride, and by their efforts and liberality Westford Acidemy was called into existence.

''In 179£ several gentlemen of Westford met together, and agreed to form themselves into a society by the name of the Westford Academy. Articles of subscription and agreement were then drawn up, and signed by fifty-four individuals. At the head of the list stand tlie names of Zaccbeiis Wright, John Abbot, and Abel Boynton, each of whom subscribed £30, and at its close comei the subscription of tlie town ot Westford by its committee - Joseph Keyes, Francis Leighton, and Joshua Bead - for £120. In addition to the above, Zaccheus Wright gave the sum: of £300 ii real estate, the conveyance of which was to be made to the trustees of the academy as soon as sn act of incorporation should be obtained. The» several subscriiitions amounted to £978. It should be added that the money subscribed b; individuals was raised by a subscription ^of shares^ each share being valued at SSO.

On the SOth of April, 1792, the rabscriben met, and organized by the choice of Zaccheus Wright as president, James Prescott as vice-presKi dent, and Bev. Caleb Bkke, Hon. Ebenezer Bridge, Bev. Ezra Bipley, Bev. Moses Adams, Hon. Joseph Bradley Yamum, Sampson Tuttle, Esq., James Prescott, Jr., Mr. John Abbot, Dr. Charles Proctor, and Mr. Jonathan Carver, trustees.

The subscribers, or proprietors, as they were aftenvards styled in the records of the academy, held meetings from time to time to urge^ oa the work they liad undertaken. Measures weie adopted for pureliasing a site and erecting thereoa a building for the use of the school. A committee* was also appointed to procure an act of incorporation. August 3, 1792, the proprietors adopted a body of rules and by-hiws for the r^pilation and governance of the school ; in which, among other things, it was provided, ** that the English, Latin, and Greek languages, together with writing, arithmetic, and the art of speaking, should be taught, and, if desired, practical geometry, logic, geogra* phy, and music ; that the said school should be free to any nation, age, or sex, provided that no one should be admitted a member of the school i The act of incorporation was passed September dS, 1793. It recites tliat over £1,000 liad been given by various parties for the establishmeut of the academy, but the records of the early meetings of the subscribers specify only the gifts above mentioned. In May, 1797, a committee of the trustees was appointed to attend to and investigate the interest of the corporation in a Lite grant of land in the district of Maine. This grant consisted of half a township of land, which was sold not long after for 85,810, as api)ears by the report of the committee. It contained, as stated in their report, 11,520 acres, and was sold for fifty cents per acre.

Hie first meeting of the trustees under the act of incorporation was held on the 2d of April, 1794, at the house of Mr. Joel Abbot. At this meeting the arrangements appeared to have been completed, or nearly so> for the orderly working of the institution. James Prescott, Jr., was chosen secretary of the board, and was re-elected for several successive years. The Rev. Moses Adams of Acton was chosen president pro iem, and the Rev. Edmund Foster of Littleton and the Rev. Hezekiah Packard of Chelmsford were clwsen trustees in addition to those before named. John Abbot, Sr., was chosen treasurer, and served one year, being succeeded in that office by Jonathan Carver. At this meeting Mr. Levi Hedge was requested to have a public exhibition on the 4tli of July. This is the first notice or intimation on record of his connection with the school) as teacher or preceptor. Such public exhibitions seem to have continued many vears, and tradition savs that thev were attended with great ^clat. Academies and high schools being rar&, the attendance of scholars from other towns and from long distances was much larger tlian it is now.

In tracing the history of the academy the names of several gentlemen occur who were piore or less prominent in public life^ and es])ecially in their connection with this school, and a brief notice of their lives and characters ver}- jnstly forms a part of this history. First amon^ the earlv friends and promoters of this institution stands the name of Ziicclieus "Wright, Es(|. His interest in it is evinced by the liberality of his pifts ; and the estimation in which he was held is appnrent from the fact that he was elected the first president of the board of trustees, and was MMiually ren^lectetl to that office till 1808, when he. declined further service. He was the son of Ebeuezer and Deliverance (Stevens) Wright, and was bom in Westford, October 27, 1738. He died iu 1811, at tlie age of seventy-two years, highly respected by his fellowcitizens, whom he long and often served in various capacities. Long after his decease his name continued to be mentioned with respect as one of the best and most public-spirited men that Westford had produced.

-Next, perhaps, in prominence, stands the name of James Prescott, Jr. He was the youngest son of Colonel James Prescott, of Groton, aud was bom there, April 19, 1766. He was a graduate of Harvard College in the class of 1788; read law and commenced the practice of his profession in . Westford, where he was residing at the time tha academy was started, and where he spent about ten years. He filled the office of secretary of tlie board of trustees for many years, and was succeeded by Eev. Caleb Blake. He was the president of the board from 181 5\o 1827.

Levi Hedge, the first preceptor of the academy^ graduated at Cambridge in 1792. It appears from the records that he had previously been a teacher in Westford; for, Pebmary 6, 1792, he was paid £6 \o9, ''for keeping school nine weeks iu the middle school squadron.^' Probably he taught the grammar school then required by law. He was a distinguished member in a distinguished class. He came to Westford with a high reputation as a scholar, and left after two years with an equally high reputation as a teacher. He returned to Cambridge to take the place of a tutor in the college, and after several years was promoted to a pro-, fessorship of Logic and Metaphysics. His interest in the academv never waned. He was chosen a trustee in 1802, and resigned in 1844 in consequence of growing infirmities. He died the same year^

John Abbot, eldest son of John Abbot, one of the original corporators of the academy, was bora in AVe^tford, January 27, 1777, and died here, April 30, 1854. He graduated at Harvard University in 1798, in a class distinguished for talent, in which he took a high collegiate rank. He immediately became preceptor of this academy, and held that place for two years. He then studied lawj and opened an office in Westford ; and about the same time was chosen a tmstee, and, on the decease of Jonathan Can*er, in 1805, he was chosen treasurer, which office he held bv successive annual elections until his death, a period of nearly fiftj yean. To his caiefal management and foresight the institution is chiefly indebted for its present funds. During his long' adminiiitrtition they increased nearly or quite threefold. Tiie academy had no wealthy patrons like its neighbor and rival institution at Groton, but depended for the increase of its means on small but carefully husbanded accumulations. It was the aim of the treasurer to save something from the annual interest of the funds to be added to the principal^ an4 ^most every year's report showed some in* create in their amount. The trustees had implicit confidence in his integrity, fidelity and skill, and larely, if ever, interfered with his pkns. During this long period his services were rendered gratuitously to the institution, whose welfare he had so much at heart, and he will*always be remembered as jone of its stanchest friends.

He was succeeded in the ofifice of treasurer by his son, Hon. Jfohn W. P. Abbot, who held it till his death, in 1872. The latter, like his father, gave his services gratuitously, being animated by the same desire to further its prosperity. He was bom, April 27^ I8U6, in Hampton, Connecticut, was chiefly fitted for college at this academy, and graduated at Cambridge in 1827. After studying law he entered his father's office, the business of which was not long after transferred to him. He was a member of the House of Bepresentatives iu 1862, and of the State Senate in 1866; was often chosen to town offices, and was particularly interested in and intrusted with the management of tlie First Parish in Westford. In all these rehttions he was trusted as an able and faithful counsellor and public servant; and he was universally regarded with esteem and affection for his urbanity, benevolence, and generosity.

We must not overlook, iu passing, that preceptor whose term of service was longest in the whole liiie of teachers ; we mean Nahum H. Groce. He was bom in Sterling, Massachusetts, in 1781, but early removed with the family to Salem. He graduated at Cambridge iu 1808, and came immediately to Westford as principal of the academy (the eleventh in succession), and remained in office till 1822, when he resigned, and became a farmer in Westford, where he died in 1856. He had a high and well-deserved reputation as an instmctor, and his school was almost alwavs full. It was not until 1818 or 1819 that Mr. Groce had any regular assistant. About that time Miss Susan Prescott, daughter of Hon. James Prescott, president of the trustees, was employed, her instractions being ooofined solely to the female cksses. She was justly r^prded as an accomplished teacher, but she beU tluit position in the school only two suooesrive summer seasons.

Jolm Wright, Esq., was a native of Westford, a sou of Mr. Nathan Wright, bora in 1797. He fitted for college at Phillips' Academy, Andover, and graduated at Cambridge in 1823. He came to Westfbrd, and took the place of the late Judge Charles P. Huntington, who had been preceptor for 1822-23. After two years' service he went to Groton, studied law, and practised a few yean, then became agent of the Suffolk Mills, in LowelL He died in 1869.

We can only allude to one more of the pist teachers, - Hon. Jolm D. Long of Hingham, nov governor of this state. After graduating from Harvard University, in 1837, he came at once to Westford, where he remained two years. Quitting tliis vocation, he studied law in Boston, and commenced its practice there. He is now president of the board of tmstees.

Among the female teachers Miss Harriet & Bbgers, born in Billerica, deserves special notice; Her term of service was the longest, and she vas always regarded as a teacher of remarkable tact and enei^y. Since leaving Westford she Ims won t far wider and a well-merited reputation as the head of a school for deaf mutes at Northampton, Massachusetts, where, by a system first introduced in this country by her, she is teaching the employment of spoken language, instead of signs as heretofore. Nor should Miss Margaret P. Foley be passed unnoticed. She was a resident of Lowell while employed as a teacher, and all the while her thoughts and her spare time were given to the study and practice of the art of sculpture. After leaving Westford she went abroad, and spent much time at Borne. Her death occurred not long since, and she will be remembered as one who fell a prema* ture sacrifice in the pursuit of her favorite vocation. Her early death was lamented by numerous friends who had hoped for a long and prosperous career. She was an exhibitor in our Centennial Exhibition, and her work received high encomium.

The place of preceptor is now filled by William £. Fro!^, A. M., a graduate of Bowdoin in 1870. He is the thirty-sixth in the line of preceptors, and is a very successful disciplinarian and most excellent teacher. He began his work in 1872, and under his care t|lft school has been uniformly prosperous.

p At the pr^Qt time (1879) there are eleveu p public schools in the town^ and ten school-houses. J ThesCi with one exception, have been built since m the repeal in 1869 of the law relating to scliooldistricts.

The schools are kept for eight months in the year. The mumber of scholars between five and fifteen years of age, May 1, 1878, was three hundred and nine. The amount of money raised for the support of schools, Alarch, 1879, was §3,000. Jlanufacturei. - The leading industry from the bc^nniug has been agriculture. In the early years little else was done; but gradually, as the people made progress, they gave attention to the manufacturing of such articles as they needed. The abundant water-power in tlie town gave them facilities 'vi'bich they carefully used. The chief stream is the Stony Brook, the outlet of Forge Pond, which runs through the iox^rx from the southwest to the northeast. The descent from the mouth of the pond to the point where it empties into the Merrimack is nearly one hundred feet. At Forge Village the fall is fourteen feet, at Graniteville twenty, at Westford' Station eight feet, and at Brooksi^e it is about ten feet. In Allen^s HUiory of Chelmiford there is no mention of any mill on Stony Brook except at its mouth. It is ])robable, however, that tlie water-power at Brookside was improved at an earlv date» In the first tax-list, 1730, the name of William Chandler appears, who, it is probable, was the first to establish the business of dressing cloth. His mill stood at Brookside, and the work was carried ou by successive proprietors until 1S63, when the building was used for the manufacture of woollen yam«