Wilmington Town

Wilmington Town

ILMINGTON is situated in the northeast part of JMiddlesex County, and is bounded south b> Woburn and Burlington, M I st by Billerica and Tewksl)lu^, north by Andover, and ( 1st b\ Reading and North Eeaduig It is sixteen miles north troin Boston, and the same distince west from Salem. The population in 1S7j wis ciglit hundred and s( \enty-iiine.

The surface of Wilmington is not remarkably level, but presents several level plains which pleasantly contrast with some hills of prominence and bi'aiity. And tlie placid Silver Lake should not he passed liy. The stranger who visits it in summer cannot fail to admire its natural beauty. It is situated in the northwest part of the town, and contains some tliirty-five acres. The character of the soil is not very generally celebrated for its productions; yet a large portion will well reward judii-ious rulti\ation.

wilderness, and to plant and uphold the princijiles of the heroic little colony. Each new addition to their number must have been hailed with peculiar joy, as affording strength and material protection to the settlement in all perils and dangers which surrounded tliiaii. The wild and unexplored condition of the country called for work and activity; the great obstacles to be met with were so constantly menacing iu their nature as to give .scope to the exercise of both courage and prudence.

To tills territory was added a narrow strip of land lying on the westerly side of Reading, which was also early open to settlement. The names given to particular localities as earlv as 1()5S are still retaine.l. - as Coslieii, Xod, .Maple-meadow Brook, Lebanon, an,IJ.a(lder-l'ole. The two last are extcaisive cedar swamps which still maintain their early signilii'ai ion and value. JIaplc-meadow Brook is the main blanch of Ipswich River, wliich takes its rise iu Burlington, and after entering Wilmington takes a northeasterly course for about five miles, when it enters A'orth Reading. There are also li\c brooks whose waters flow into this one from the west side; four of which each operate a mill for a portion of the year.

The town, from its earliest settlement, has been a farming eoininunity. Indian com, rye, and oats were the staple crops, and were raised for the market and home consumption. These continued the farm products, year after year, from 16G0, the date of some of the earliest pennaneiit settlers, for nearly a century.

of llie road fi-inn S;iniucl (nnvin-'s to the centre of Wilmin-lon. The land is uou owned bv William r.ranl, and the old cellar and well may be still

The attack was made in the night, ^Ir. Hariulcn himself being absent, having k4't his wife and eight children at home. The Indians forced an entrance into tiie house, and killed iMrs. Harnden and three of the cliildren. The others hid behind a large rock near by, which is now known as Indian Eock. It is said tliese children were found and carried away, but were recovered by a pursuing party of whites.

It is claimed that the provocation for the above brutal massacre was as follows : A man with his team was coming up the main roiid fimn Woljiiin, which winds its way between twn high hills, whti:, in the darkness of the evening, lie drove oMr a drunken scpww, wjio was in the road. In the morning she was found dead. The Indians then attempted to pursue the track for some distance, and finally, through a mistake, made the assault upon an innoccTit and unsuspecting family, - hence the name of Squaw I'cinil.

In these and numerous nlhir hardships during the period we are cousidering, it is refreshing to notice the courage and heroism which enabled the people to surmount obstacles, and secure tiiac degree of prosperity which induced them to put forth eflbrts in an orderly manner for seeming to tiiemselves and posterity invaluable prixileges.

In like manner the tyranny of the mother country, which brought on the Revolutionary War, was met and resisted with patriotic ardor and determination. AYilmingtou in that struggle was up to the exigency of the hour, and honorably took her share of the burden. A company of men was here enlisted, under the command of Captain John Harnden, whose name was a guaranty of valor and success. Colonel Henry Harnden, a descendant from a branch of the captain's family, and a native of Wilmington, rendered distinguished service at the head of a Wisconsin regiment iu the War of the Rebellion.

The people living in the northerly part of Woburn, feeling the great inconvenience in attending public worship, especially in winter, they being situated nearly or quite seven miles from the meeting-house, in 17:Jo began to seek a remedy, and after repeated efforts and defeats succeeded in attaining their object.

November 26, 1729, was presented to the General Court the petition of Daniel Peirce, Benjamin Harnden, and Samuel Walker, - a committee ap- ])ointed by sundry inhabitants of the north part of Woburn and the westerly part of Reading, - setting forth the difficulties they were under by reason of their remoteness from the places of public worship in their respective towns, and praying that they might be set off and constituted a distinct township.

This petition met with a favorable reception, and after previous notice to all parties in interest, the committee personally viewed the lands described, and reported, " Tiiat it is highly reasonable that the Prayer of the petitioners be granted."

The act of incorporation, passed September 17, 17o0, defines the boundaries, and declares the lanils (leseribed to be a separate town by the name of \\ ilnnngton. It also contains the following requirement: "And the Inhabitants of the said Town of Wilmington are hereby required within the space of three years from the publication of this act, to procure & settle a Learned Orthodox Minister of good conversation, and make provision for his comfortable & honorable support, & also with convenient speed erect & furnish a suitable & convenient house for the Publick Worship of God in said Town ; and the said Town of Wilmington is hereby accordingly endowed & vested with all the Powers, Privileges, Immunities & Advantages which other Towns in tlie Province by Law have & enjoy."

In compliance with the foregoing, the inhabitants of the new town erected their first meetinghouse in 1732. The church was organized with seventeen male members, October Si, 1733, and Mr. James Varney was ordained its pastor on the same day. Mr. Varney was born at Boston, August 8, 1706, graduated at Harvard College in 172.5, and was dismissed April 5, 1739, on account of infirm heaUh. The next minister, Eev. Isaac Morrill, was ordained May 20, 1741, and continued here in the relation of pastor until his death, which occurred August 17, 1793, at tlie age of seventysix years. It is evident that he was a man devoted to his high calling, and labored to promote the spiritual and temporal good of his people. Tliere was scarcely a year during his long ministry that did not bring in additions to the church. He actively identified himself with the interests of the ])eo])le, in times of war and peace. In the French War of 1758 he served as chaplaui with such patriotic devotion as to make his example strongly felt, frequently preaching two sermons on the Sabbath, as we learn from the diary of a soldier in that expedition. There were several men from Wilmington who served iu that war, but the numoO>^ ber is not known. In the same diary it is stated tluat Captain Ebenezer Jones, from "Wilmington, with fourteen other soldiers, was killed in an engagement; and the writer adds, "They were all hurried in one grave and Mr. Marrill made a prayer, and it was a Bo\mn fun e red." IMr. Morrill, having been paid in silver dollars on his return, caused a sufficient number of them to be wrought into a tankard, which was used at the communion service of his church for many years.

This ministry of more than half a century was marked with great changes to the town and country. The savage beasts disappeared. The last wild bear killed in this vicinity was shot by Ephraim Buck in August, 1760, from beneath the branches of an ancient oak, now standing near the road leading from Centre to the east part of the town, at the edge of the meadow. This event took place on an estate which has been held in the Buck family since 1685, and is now owned by Mr. Benjamin Buck, a grandson of Ephraim, who still has the identical gun that did so good execution in the hand of his grandfather.

The next minister was Kev. Freegrace Raynolds, who came to Wilmington when a young man, representing the " Emmons school of theology." The first council called to examine and, if deemed expedient, to ordain him, was equally divided, six voting in favor and six against it. It was then dissolved, but he was ordained by a secoud council, October 29, 1795. His ministry was marked by an earnest faith which endeared him to the church and secured the general respect of the people. The next year there were nine members added to the cliiirch. In 1813 a new meeting-house was -erected, after the style of architecture of that day. Mr. iiaynolils was greatly interested in the education of tile young, and in favor of progressive movements. It may be stated that he was one of the few clergymen who wen^ present at the preliminary ni(vli]ii.r^ |i,.|,l in Aiidovcr for deliberation on what ati(i-\\;ird dcvridprd iiihj \\\v American Board of r(iiiwiii,-.si()Mers for Foreign Missions. His pastoral nlaiicin with his church terminated June 9, 18:30. lb' ((inliiined to ])rcach for several years, his last lirld service being in i.cvcrcit, Masswlmsctts. At Um- rlns,. nf Ins minislry thrrrh,' rclunird lo |

In 18-10 a new religious interest was commenced under the direction of the Free-will Baptist denomination, with such encouragement as led to the organization of a church and the building of a meeting-house in 1841. This church for several years was principally under the care of Elder John M. Durgin. He was a genial man, and earnestly engaged in his work, and was instrumental in doing much good to his people ; but removals, deaths, and other causes so diminished their number that the organization was given up, and the meeting-house sold to the town. It is now used for town purposes.

Tlie fifth minister, Eev. Barnabas M. Fay, was installed April 23, 1815, and was dismissed July 30, 1850. Tile sixth. Rev. Joseph E. Swallow^ was histalled March 26, 1851, and was dismissed January 1, 1856.

In 1854 a convenient and approved parsonage was bought by private subscri]5tion and donated to the society for the use of the pastor. ]\Ir. Swallow was succeeded by Rev. Samuel H. Tolman, who was ordained August 1-1, 1856, and was dismissed June 7, 1870. The burning of the meeting-house occurred during his temporary absence in February, 1864. His labors, incident to the rebuilding and furnishing of the present house of worship, when considered in connection with the purpose and spirit of his ministry, will keep his memory in grateful remembrance. Tlie eiglith minister was Rev. Benjamin A. Robie, who was installed April 13, 1871, dismissed April 9, 1874, and is now at Groton. Rev. S. S. Mathews was ordained October 23, 1874, dismissed October 29, 1875, and is now settled at Jamaica Plain.

The present and tenth pastor. Rev. Daniel P. Noyes, was installed October 11, 1877. The jiart that AVihnington was permitted to take in the hour of the country's peril, in 1861, shows the same s])irit that characterized the cities and towns of Massachusetts, especially those of old Middlesex County. The number of men fnrnishctl from all sources was ninetv. From the luiniber of her own honored mrl a s.-ldirr's death.

Ill the earl) times a tan-yard was established in tlie north ])art of the town, where the farmers were accustomed to take the skins of their slaughtered animals to be converted into leatiierfor their own use. Anil when tliis was done, the shoemaker was invited to make his annual visit, and bring his tools for the purpose of " shoeing the family." If an exact " fit " was not obtained, it was compensated for by a durability that might instruct the present age. From the hand-looms were furnished the articles of clothing.

In 176-i a mill was owned and used by Samuel Jaques for the purpose of crushing cornstalks and pressing out the juice, which was converted into sugar. How far this was successful we have no means of knowing. This early enterprise is characteristic of Jaques' numerous descendants, among whom may be mentioned the late Samuel Jaques, of Somerville, who was a native of Wilmington. He was for many years an inspector of hops, also a distinguished breeder of horses and cattle. He owned and lived during tlie latter part of his life on the well-known Ten Hills Farm, in Somerville.

During the last fifty years of the past century the cultivation of hops began to engage the attention of the people here, and was soon so perfected as to demonstrate that, with requisite care, they could be successfully grown in Wilmington. As the demand for this production increased, the growers prospered to such an extent that there was scarcely a farmer in the town who had not a hop-yard, to which he gave attention as being his principal source of income and ultimate wealth.

The high prices and ready money received for hops soon attracted general notice, and the hopfever became epidemic. The people of the neighboring towns were soon applying here for hoproots, which for a time was another source of profit to the producers. Tiie business was continued, and carried on to such an extent here that the place was long called Hoptown. At length the culture became so extensively introduced into the New England States and New York that the production greatly- exceeded the demand, and the price went down from twenty-five to four cents per pound, so that for the last fifty years this business has been almost entirely given up.

We have alluded to the extensive meadows in Wilmington. Some of them have long been celebrated for their spontaneous production of cranberries, which had little or no market value previous to 1790, as we learn by an article from the pen of James Walker, of Fryeburg, Maine, who was born in Wilmington, January 3, 1772. He speaks of some experienced marketmen of North Woburn, who in 1785 carried some six bushels of tlie tempting fruit to Boston, but could find no one to buy.

After trying in vain until sundown the berry merchants went quietly down to the dock, threw their berries into the water, and went home. He also relates that when a lad he took half a bushel with him to Boston, and ottered the berries for sale, but no one would buy, until at length he went into a shop kept by a woman, who oft'ered eightpence in barter.

Mr. Walker's article continues : " In 1790 I had two brothers living in Duxbury who were interested in Navigation ; they owned a sloop of some sixty tons burden, and chartered her for Baltimore. Tiie Captain was from some town on Cape Cod, a middleaged man who seemed to understand his business, and learning that there were cranberries in Wilmington, applied to us to buy the fruit. Having a brother older than myself at home, we gave out word that we would buy cranberries at twenty cents per bushel. The people thought- it rather low, but they gathered and brought them in at that price, until we were obliged to stop buying. And when they were ready to take them on board, we had two four-ox teams fully loaded with cranberries. The vessel went, and made a good voyage of it. And from this single shipment grew the immense trade and culture of cranberries."

The planting and rearing of apple-trees of the native kind received attention during the last century, for the purpose maiidy of making cider. If we can rely on the testimony that comes down to us, the trees of that period were not only greater bearers, but vastly more hardy and long-lived than any we have known for the last fifty years. It is also well known that in this natural fruit there was found a great variety in respect to flavor, size, and quality. The celebrated Baldwin apple furnishes an instance. The original tree was found and stood on land owned by James Butters, in the south part of Wilmington, and early attracted some attention, - so much so that it was given the distinct name of Woodpecker, by reason of its being much visited by birds of that species. Colonel Loammi Baldwin, of Woburn, who owned land near this tree, fortunately became interested in the propagation of this variety of fruit, for which purpose he frequently cut scions from this tree, with such success as to prefix his name to the Baldwin apple.

In 1798 Captain Joseph Bond, a practical baker, came to Wilmington and established a bakery. All tiie surrounding towns and country were open to him for a market. The business was successfully pursued, in a way that secured public favor and patronage. After some time his son, Joseph Bond, Jr., took the business, the father still continuing to oversee the bakery. This largely extended the business, and made lively work for teams and bread-drivers. When Mr. Bond was ready to retire from business, it must have been gratifying to him to know that his sons were able to carry it forward, and take a personal interest in maintaining the high reputation that " Bond's crackers " had attained through the exertions of their father and grandfatiier. The business, thus descended to the third generation, was carried on and greatly extended by the introduction of improved machinery, so that the magnitude of the establishment in all business relations made its destruction by fire, in February, 1864, and the removal of the business to Boston, a heavy blow to Wilmington.

Messrs. Perry, Cutler, and Company erected at North Wilmington a spacious tannery, which went into operation in July, 1873. Both tanning and currying are successfully carried on. The establishment employs forty-five men.

Within a few years the Boston Union Ice Company have utilized Silver Lake by erecting spacious houses for the storage of ice, which enables them to transport annually large quantities to Boston by the Boston and Lowell Railroad.

The old Middlesex Caiuil, comjjleted in 1803, was the great public enterprise of its day. It was favorably located as respects Wilmington, entering the western border of the town and passing one mile west of the Centre, to where it entered Woburn, a distance of about five miles. It had two locks in the town, about one mile apart. Each liad a commodious house for tiie entertainment of boatmen. It was of much advantage to the people in transporting wood and lumber to Boston, and gave to the town a business-like appearance. Its greatest drawback was its leakage, whereby a large area of meadow and swamp lands were greatly injured by excess of flowage.

The Boston and Lowell Railroad went into operation in 1835. Four and a half miles of its line are within the limits of the town. The station is one mile south from the centre of the town. The Lawrence branch railroad runs for two and one half miles in Wilmington, connecting with the Lowell line at the above-named station.

The people of Wilmhigton enjoy the benefit of a well-selected library of one thousand volumes. In 187-4 there was formed a Farmers' and Mechanics' Club, which now more than maintains its origij nal vigor and interest. The town has two postofiices, one near the station of the Boston and Lowell Railroad, and one at the Boston and Maine Railroad station.

Wilmington, in the outset of her career as a town, had the school-house, the schoolmaster, and such books and appliances as those early times demanded and supplied, in use.

Whilst the too meagre records of that day do not give those details which grow more and more valuable, it is evident that in the earlier days of Wilmington she had four schools. The north, called Nod, the east, called City, the south, known as Butters Row, the west, as Goshen, are names retained to this day.

In the summer the mistress bore rule in these schools ; in winter the master, " born to rule," held sway. Here the undergraduate of Harvard was glad to teach, and later the teachers' department of Phillips Academy sent from its ranks several "to pour fresh instruction " o'er the minds of the youth of Wilmington. Of those native to the town we find the Blanchards, the Bucks, the Burnaps, the Carters, the Eameses, the Jaqueses, the Thompsons, the Walkers, and others.

If the amount raised for education has been less, pro rata, in this town, than in some others in Old Middlesex, it is at least safe to say that in none of them has the expenditure yielded better returns than in Wilmington. .

Though never having had academic advantages, Wilmington has done that which, in some respects, brings broader culture ; she has sent out her sons and daughters freely (means and luinibers considered) to other places where these ])rivil('ges existed.

Source changes here: from History of Middlesex County, Massachusetts, by Drake, Samuel Adams, published 1880; 3,937 words in this source stream.

Wilmington Town

] ILMINGTON is sitaatwJ is the nortlieast lurt of ^^iddle^ex County, and is bounded south by 'Wobum and Burtin^oii, west by Billerica and Tenks* bury, north by Andover, and east by Beading and N'ortli Beading. It is sixteen milea north from Boston, and the

The surface of 'Wilmington ia not remarkably level, bat presents several level plains which pleasantly contrast with some hills of prominence and beaaty. - And the placid Silver I^ke should not be pused by. Tlie stranger who visits it in summer cannot ful to admire its oatural beauty. It it situated in the northwest part of the town, and contains some tliirty-five acres. Tlie character of the soil is not very generally celebrated for its productions ; yet a large portion will well reward judicious cultivation.

Hie territory of Wilmington was nearly all originally inclnded'in the grant by the General Court to Charlestown, and was callal " Chartestovn Vilbge."

The purpose seemed to be to encourage agricultural pursuits ; and thus be the better able to induce settlers of like faith and courage with the Massachusetts Colony to establish here a home for themselves and children. And it is interesting to notice how soon this enterprise took such form as to induce the people in two years to apply to the General Court for a change of name from Charlestown Village to that of a township called Wobum, which change was successfully accomplished in 1G42. Thus there was a town government and a church organized to the s-itisfac* ti(m of those directly interested. We cniniot fail to comprehend something of the adiantngos, in those early times, of a speedy increase of settlen irhoM common purpose was to subdue the howling wilderness, and to plant and U)Aold the principles of the heroic little colony. Each new addition to their number must have be«t hailed with pecuiiir joy, as affording strength and material ptoteclion to the settlement in all perils and dnngers which surrounded tliem. The wild and unexploted condition of the conntty called for work and activity; the great obstacles to be met with were m constantly menadiig iu their nature as to givci scope to the exercbe of both coarage and pro. dence.

To this territory was added a nAnbw strip of land lying on the westerly side of Blading, whirb was also early open to settlement.' The names given to particular localities as early as 1658 sn stilt retained, - as Goshen, Nod, ilnple-meadov Brook, Lebanon, and Ladder-Pole. Tlie two lastarc extensive cedar swamps which still maintain tbelr early signification and value. Klaple-meadow Brook is the main branch of Ipswich Biver, which takes its rise iu Burlington, and after entering Wilmington takes a northeasterly course for about fh'e miles, when it enters North Rending. There iR also five brooks whose waters flow into this one from the west side; four of which each operate i mill for a portion of the year.

Tlie town, from its earliest settlement, has hern a farming community. Indian com, lye, uid oats were the staple crops, and were raised for the market and home consumption. These continued tlie farm products, year after year, from 1660, the date of some of the eariiest permanent settlers, for nearly a century.

In the year 1706 five Indians from a party who had attacked Dunstable ventured down to tliii town and attacked the family of John Haindeii, who occupied a small cottage in the northwestcrl; part of Reading, now in the limits of Wilmington. Tlie house stood in a pasture some sixty rods souili of the road from Samuel Gowing's to the ceOIre of Wilmington. The land is now owned by William Beard, and the old cellar and well may be still

The attack was made in the night, Mr. Hamden himself being absent, having left his wife and eight children at home. The Indians forced an entrance into the hoase, and killed Mrs. Hamden and three of the cluldren. The others hid behind a lai^ rock near by, which is now known as Indian Bock. It is said these children were found and carried away, but were recovered by a pursuing party of whites.

It \% claimed that the provocation for the above brutal massacre was as follows: A man with his team was coming up the main rood from Wobuni, which winds its way between two high hills, when, in tlie darkness of the evening, he drove over a drunken squaw, wlio wns in the road. In the morning she was found dead. The Indians then attempted to pursue the track for some distance, and finally, through a mistake, made the assault upon an innocent and unsuspecting family, - hence the name of Squaw Pond.

In these and numerous other hardships di;ring the period we are considering, it is refreshing to notice the courage and heroism which enabled the people to surmount obstacles, and secure that degree of prosperity which induced them to put forth efforts in an orderly manner for securing to themselves and posterity invaluable privileges.

In like manneif the tyranny of the mother country, which brought on. the Revolutionary War, was met and resisted with patriotic ardor and determination. Wilmington in that struggle was up to the exigency of the hour, and honorably took her sliare of the burden. A company of men was here enlisted, under the command of Captain John Hamden, whose name was. a guaranty of valor and success. Colonel Henry Hamden, a descendant from a branch of the captain's family, and a native of Wilmington, rendered distinguished service at the head of a Wisconsin regiment in the War of the BebellioQ.

The pQople living in the northerly part of Wobum, feeling the great inconvenience in attending public worship, especially in winter, they being situated nearly or quite seven miles from tlie meeting-house, in 1725 began to seek a remedy, and after rei)eated , efforts and defeats succeeded in attaining Hieir object.

November 26, 1729, was presented to the General Court the petition of Daniel Peirce, Benjamin Hamden, and Samuel Walker, - a committee appointed by sundry inhabitants of the north part of Wobum and the westerly part of Beading, - set- ; ting forth the difficulties tliey were under by reason of their remoteness from the places of public worship in their respective towns, and praying that they might be set off and constituted a distinct township.

This petition met with a favorable reception, and after previous notice to all parties in interest^ the committee personally viewed the lands described, and reported, '* That it is higlily reasonable that the Prayer of tlie petitioners be granted.''

The act of incorporation, passed September 17, 1730, defines the boundaries, and declares the lands described to be a separate to\ni by the name of Wilmington. It also contains the following requirement : ** And the Inhabitants of the said To\ni of Wilmington are hereby required within the space of three years from the publication of this act, to procure & settle a Learned Orthodox Minister of good conversation, and make provision for his comfortable & honorable support, & also with convenient speed erect & furnish a suitable & convenient house for the Publick Worship of God in said Town ; and the said Town of Wilmington is hereby accordingly endowed & vested with all tlie Powers, Privileges, Immunitieit & Advantages which other Towns in the Province by Law have & enjoy."

In compliance with the foregoing, the inhabitants of the new town erected their first meetinghouse in 1732. Tlie chureh was organized with seventeen male members, October 24, 1733, and Mr. James Vaniey was ordained its pastor on the same day. Mr. Vamey was bom at Boston, August 8, 1706, graduated at Harvard College in 1 725, and was dismissed April 5, 1739, on account of infirm health. The next minister, Kev. Isaac Morrill, was ordained May 20, 1741, and continued here in the relation of ])astor until his death, which occurred August 17, 1793, at the age of seventysix vears. It is evident that he was a man devoted to liis high calling, and labored to promote the spiritual mid temporal good of his people. There was scarcely a year during his long ministry that did not bring in additions to the^ chureh. He actively identified himself with the interests pf the ])eo])le, in times of war and jieace. In the French War of 1758 he served as diaplain with such patriotic devotion as to make his example strongly felt, frequently preaching two sermons on the Sabbath, as we leara from tlie diar}* of a soldier in that expedition. Tliere were several men from Wilmington who served in that war, but tfaenum- ber 18 not known. In the same diarj it is stated that Captain Ebenezer Jones, from Wilmington, with fourteen other soldiers, was killed in an engagement ; and the writer add^, ** They were all hurried in one grave and Mr. Marrill made a prayelr, and it was a 9o]m\\ fHneruL*^ Mr. Morrill, having been paid in silver dolhrs on his return, caused a sufficient number of them to be wrought into a tankard, which was used at the communion service of his church for many years. *.This ministry of more than half a century was ntarked with great clianges to the town and country. The savage beasts disappeared. The last wild bear killed in this vicinity was shot by Ephraim Buck in August, 1760, from beneath the branches of an ancient oak, now standing near the road leading from Wilmington Centre to the east part of the town, at the edge of the meadow. This event took place on an estate which has been held in the Buck family since 1685, and is now owned by Mr. Benjamin Buck, a grandson of Ephraim^ who still has the identical gun that did so good execution in the liand of his grandfather.

Tile next minister was Bev. Freegrace Baynolds, who came to Wilmington when a young man, representing the '' Emmons scliool of theology.'' The first council called to examine and, if deemed expedient, to ordain him, was equally divided, six voting in favor and six against it. It was then dissolved, but he was ordained by a second council, October 29, 1795. His ministry was marked by an earnest faith which endeared him to the church and secured the general respect of the people. The next year there were nine members added to the church. In 1813 a new meeting-house was erected, after the style of architecture of that day. Mr. Baynolds was greatly interested in the education of the young, and in favor of progressive movements. It may be stated that he was one of the few clergymen who were present at the preliminary meetings held in Andover for deliberation on wliat afterward developed into the American Board of Commissioners for Foreign Missions. His pastoral relation with his church terminated June 9, 1830. He continued to. preach for several years, his last field of service being in Leverett, Massachusetts. At the close of his ministry there he returned to Wilmington, and remained here to the time of his death, which occurred December 6, 1835, at the age of eighty-eight years.

Tlie fourth minister, Rev. Francis Norwood, was installed May 18, 1831, and was dismissed October 25, 1842. Hb ministry tended greatly to the enbrgement of the church.

In 1840 a new religious interest was commenoed under the direction of the Free-will Baptist denomination, with such encouragement as led to the organization of a church and the building of a meeting-house in 1841. This church for several years was principally under the care of Elder John M. Durgin. He was a genial man, and earnestly engaged in his work, and was instmmeDtal in doing much good to his people; but removals, deaths, and other causes so diminished their number that the organization was given .up, and the meeting-house soki to the town. It is now used for town purposes.

The fifth minister, Bev. Barnabas M. Fay, ms installed April 23, 1845, and was dismissed July 30, 1850. Tlie sixth, Bev. Joseph E. Swallow, vas installed March 26, 1851, and was dismissed January 1, 1856.

In 1854 a convenient and approved parsonage was bought by private subscription and donstel to the society for the use of the pastor. Mr. Swallow was succeeded by Bev. Samuel H. Tolmsn, who was ordained August 14, 1856, and was dismissed June 7, 1870. The burning of the me^ ing-house occurred during bis temporary absence in February, 1864. His Libprs, incident to the rebuilding and furnishing of the present house of worship, when considered in connection with the purpose and spirit of his ministry, will keep his memory in grateful remembrance. The eighth minister was Bev. Benjamin A. Bobie, who was installed April 13, 1871, dismissed April .9, 1874, and is now at Groton. Bev. S. S. Mathews was ordained October 23, 1874, dismissed October 29^ 1875, and is now settled at Jamaica Plain.

The present and tenth pastor, Bev. Daniel P. Noyes, was installed October 11, 1877. The port that Wilmington was permitted to take in the hour of the country's peril, in 1861, shows the same spirit that characterized the cities and towns of Massachusetts, especially those of old Middlesex County. The number of men furnished from all sources was ninety. From the number of. her ovn honored citizens, eight met a soldier's death.

In the early times a tan-yard was established io the north part of the town, where the fanners were accustomed to take the skins of their slaughtered animals to be converted into leatlier for their own use. And when this was done, the shoemaker was invited to make his annual visit, and bring his toob for the purpose of " shoeing the family.'' If an exact " fit '' was not obtained, it was compensated for by a durability that might instruct the present age. From the hand-looms were famished the articles of clothing.

In 1764 a mill was owned and used by Samuel Jaques for the purpose of crushing cornstalks and pressing o^t the juice, which was converted into sugar. How far this was successful we have no means of kndwing. This early eiiterpriseis characteristic of Jaques^ numerous descendants, among whom may be mentioned the late Samuel Jaques, of Somerville, who was a native of Wilmington. He was for many years an inspector of hops, also a distinguished breeder of horses and cattle. He owned and lived during the latter part of his life on the well-known Ten Hills Farm, in Somerville.

During the last fifty years of the past century the cultivation of hops began to engage the attention of the people here, and was soon so perfected as to demonstrate that, with requisite care, they could be successfully grown in Wilmington. As the demand for this production increased, the growers prospered to such an extent that there was scarcely a faritier in the town who had not a hop-yard, to which he gave attention as being his principal source of income and ultimate wealth.

The high prices and ready money received for liops soon attracted general notice, and the hopfever became epidemic. The people of the neighboring towns were soon applying here for hoproots, which for a time was another source of profit to the producers. The business was continued, and carried on to such an extent here that the phce was long called Hoptown. At length the culture beciime so extens^ivelv introduced into the Xew Enijland States and New York that the production greatly exceeded the demand, and the price Went down from twenty-five to four cents per pound, so that for the last fifty years this business ha^ been almost entirely given up.

We have alluded to the extensive meadows in Wilihini^on. Some of them have long been celebrated for thi'ir spontaneous production of cranberries, which had little* or no market value previous to 1790, as we Icarn by an article from the pen of James W.I Ike r, of Frveburg, ^^aine, who was bom in Wilmington, January 3, 1772. He s|)eaks of some Experienced market men of North Wobum, who in 17^5 carried some six bushels of the tempting fruit to Boston, but could find no one to buy.

After trying'in vain until sundown the beny merchants went quietly down to the dock, tlirew their berries into the water, and went home. He also rebtes tliat when a lad he took half a bushel with him to Boston^ and offere4 the berries for sale, bu( no one would buy, until at length he went into, a shop kept by a woman, who oflered eightpenoe iu barter. » .

Mr. Walker's article continues : ''In 1790 Iliad two brothers living in Duxbury who were interested in Navigation ; they owned .a sloop of some sixty tons burden, and chartered her for Baltimore. Tl^e Captain was from some town on Ca})e Cod, a middle* aged man who seemed to. understand his business, and learning that there were cranberries in Wilmington, applied to us to buy the fruit. Havjng a brother older than myself at home, we ga.ve aat word that we would buy cranberries at twenty cents per bushel. The people thought it rather low, but they gathered and brought them in at tbfit price, until we were obliged to stop buying. And when they were ready to take them on board, wc had two four-ox teams fully loaded with cranberries. The vessel went, and made a good voyage of it. And from this single shipment grew the immense trade and culture of cranberries." , .

The planting wid rearing of apple-trees of the native kind received attention during tlie last century, for the purpose maiidy of making cider.. If we can rely on the testimony that comes dowu 4o us, the trees of that period were not only greater bearers, but vastly more hardy and long-lived than any we have known for the last fifty years. Jt, is also well known that in this natural fruit there was found a great variety in resj)ect to fiavor, size, and quality. The celebrated Baldwin apple ^furnishes an instance. The original tree was found and stood on land owned by James Butters, in the south part of Wilmington, and early attracted some attention, t - so much so that it was given the distinct name of Woodpecker, by reason of its being much visited by binls of that si)ecies. Colonel lioammi Baldwin, of Wobum, who owned land near this tree, fortunately became interested in the pro|)agation of this variety of fruit, for which pur- |)ose he frequently cut sqions from thi? tree, inith such success as to prefix his name- to the Baldwin

In 1798 Captain Joseph Bond, a practical baker, came to Wilmington and established a bakery. All tlie surrounding towns and country were* open to him for a market. The business was successfully pQTSuedy in a way thai ^ecared public favor and patronage. After some time \m son, Joseph Bond^ Jr., took the business, the father still continuing to oversee the bakery. Tliis lai^ly extended the business, and made lively work for teams and bread-drivers. When TAu Bond was ready to retire from business, it must have been gratifying to him to know that his sons were able to carry it forward, and take a personal interest in maintaining the high reputation that '^ Bond's crackers'' had attained through the exertions of their father and gcandGsither. The business, thus descended to the third generation, was carried on and greatly extended by the introduction of improved madiiilery, 80 that the magnitude of the establishment in all business relations made its destruction by fire, in February, 1864, and tlie removal of the business to Boston, a heavy blow to Wilmington.

Messrs. Perry, Cutler, and Company erected at North Wilmington a spacious tannery, which went into operation in July, 1872. Both tanning and eurrying are successfully carried on. The establishment employs forty-five men.

Within a few years the Boston Union Ice Company have utilized Silver Lake by erecting spacious houses for the storage of ice, which enables them to transport annually lai^ quantities to Boston by the Boston and Lowell Railroad.

The old Middlesex Canal, completed in 1803, was the great public enterprise of its day. It was &vorably located as respects Wilmington, entering the western border of the town and passing one mile west of the Centre, to where it entered Wobum, a distance of about five miles. It had two locks in the town, about one mile apart. Each had a commodious house for the entertainment of boatmen. It was of much advantage to the people in transporting wood and lumber to Boston, and gave to the town a business-like appearance. Its greatest drawback was its leakage, whereby a lai^ Area of meadow and swamp lauds were greatly injured by excess of fiowage.

The Boston and Lowell Bailrood went into operation in 1835. Four and a half miles of its line are within tlie limits of the town. The station is one mile south from the centre of tlie town. The Lawrence branch railroad runs for two and one half miles in Wilmington, connecting with the Lowell line at the above-named station.

The people of Wilmington enjoy the benefit of a well-selected library of one thousand volumes. In 1874 there was formed a Farmers^ and Ikfecluuiics' Club, which now more tluin maintains its original vigor and interest. The town has two postoffices, one near the station of the Boston and Lowell Bailroad, and one at the Boston and Maine Bailroad station.

Wilmington, in the outset of her career as a town, had the school-house, the schoolmaster, and such books and appliances as those early times demanded and supplied, in use«

Whilst the too meagre records of that day do not give those detaib which grow more and more valuable, it is evident that in the earlier days of Wilmington she had four schools. The north, called Nod, the east, called City, the south, known as Butters Bow, the west, as Goshen, are names retained to this day.

In the sun^mer the mistress bore rule in these schools ; in winter the master, '^ bom to rule," held sway. Here the undergraduate of Haratni was glad to teach, and later the teachers* department of Phillips Academy sent from its ranks several " to pour fresh instruction '' o'er the minds of the youth of Wilmington. Of those native to the town we find the Blanchards, the Bucks, the Bumaps, the Carters, the Eameses, the Jaqueses^ the Thompsons, the Walkers, and others.

If the amount raised for education has been leu^ pro rata, in this town, than in some others in Old Middlesex, it is at least safe to say timt in none of them has the expenditure yielded better returns than in Wilmington.

Though never having had academic advantages, Wilmington has done that which, in some respects, brings broader culture ; she has sent out her sons and daughters freely (means and numbers considered) to other places where these privileges existed.

free choice. This set is the more to be pnised, as it voa not demanded bj' the Uw of the common^ wealth, the population never having, exceeded the requisite number. Although acted OQ each jear, the vote establishing the school is still sustained, and a good high-school is in successful operation. ' Besides the high school, which is accommodated

Tlie emineut men bom in Wilmington cie Timothy Walker, LL. D., celebrated as a jurist, who settled at Cincinnati, Ohio, and his brother, Sean Cook Walkerj the distinguisbed Fi°th*'"?*i'''f'^ aod

Source changes here: from History of Middlesex County, Massachusetts, with Biographical Sketches of Many of Its Pioneers and Prominent Men, by Hurd, D. Hamilton (Duane Hamilton) Ed, published 1890; 6,144 words in this source stream.

Wilmington Town

Law School. In 18G3 Mr. Aldrich was admitted to the bar and commenced practice at Marlborough. Since 1874 he has kept an office in Boston, though retaining his residence at Marlborough, living in Boaton during the winter. In the public alf'airs of Marlborough Mr. Aldrich has been prominent, was lor nine years a member of the School Committee, also for four years on the Board of Selectmen, officiating as chairman of both. He has been a director of the People's National Bank at Marlborough, president of the Marlborough Board of Trade, president of the Framingham & Lowell Railroad, (now a portion of the Old Colony system), and president of the Central Massachusetts Railroad.

In 1879 Mr. Aldrioh was elected to the State Senate, where he served as chairman of the committee on bills in the third reading, and on the committee on constitutional amendments. In 1880 he was ag.ain a member of the State Senate. In 1888 he was a member of the House and served on thejudiciary committee.

In March, 1887, Mr. Aldrich was appointed by President Cleveland the assistant trea.surer of the United States at Boston, which position he resigned in November, 1890, to accept the presidency of State National Bank.

Besides this, he is a member of the Suffolk Bar, is in the practice of his profession, and is still president of the Central Massachusetts Railroad.

Hon. Obadiah W. Albee was the son of Moses Albee, and was born in Milford, Massachusetts, March 24, 1808. His father wiis a farmer of limited means ; he had an excellent reputation and w.as an honest man. Obadiah W. attended the district school and mafle good progress, and at eighteen years of age entered Milford Academy, and there fitted for college. He entered Brown University in 1828 and graduated in 1832. In college he was a member of the United Brothers Society, and in 1846 was chosen a member of the Phi Beta Kappa Society. He worked his way through college, having only twenty-five dollars to start with. His gr.aduation theme was the "Prospects of Liberty in Kurope." He came to Marlborough in the spring of 183.8. In politics he acted with the Whigs (thinking them the most antislavery) till the Mexican War convinced him of their pro-slavery i)roclivities. He then acted partially with the old Liberty party, but used his beat efforts, both by pen and speech, to form the Free Soil party which should unite the old Liberty men and the conscientious Whigs. In the session of 1849 he represented the town of Marlborough in the Legislature. Early in 1850 he sailed for California, going by the way of Cape Horn, returning by the Isthmus in October, 1850. On arriving home he was returned to the House of Representatives, where he served through the memorable session in which Charles Sumner was first elected to the United States Senate. Mr. Albee was elected to the Massachusetts Senate for ]8.'j.'3 and 1857 as a Republican. In 1849 he was a - member of the committc on elections. In 1855 he was the chairman of the committee on federal relations and public lands, also one of the library committee. His most extended legislative efforts, in speech-making, were the following: In 1849, on the anti-slavery resolutions; in which debate Mr. Upliam, the presiding officer of the Senate, borea distinguished part. In 1851, on the proposition for a liquor law; and in 1855, on the Loring address and personal liberty bill. Mr. Albee married Miss Margaret Chipman, and they had six children. He died in July, 1866.

David Goodai

David Qoodall was born April 1, 1791, married Millieent, daughter of Thaddeua and Lucy Warren. He was engaged in early life as a school teacher. He was a man of decided talents, entergetic in character and prominent in both church and town atfairs. Ho held the ofiJce of Deacon and filled from time to time the principal offices in the town. He was a representative to the General Court and a justice of the peace. He died Oct. 17, 1858.

Chapter Lxiv Ii V William T. Davis

Soon after the settlemcntofCharleatown the people feeling the need of more agricultural land applied to the (ieneral Court for the same and received a grant of territory four miles square which wjis called Charlestown village. On the 17th of September, 1642, it wa.s ordered by the court that " Charlestown village be called Wooburne."

In September 1(;39 the inhabitants of Lynn petitioned the Ueneral Court " for a jilace for an inland plantation at the head of their bounds." Incompliance with the petition a tract of land four miles square was granted with the condition "that the petitioners shall within two years make some godd proceeding in planting so as it may be a village fit to contain a convenient number of inliabitant.s whiclimay in due time have a church there." This tract of land was called " Linn village," and on the 29th of May, 1644, it was ordered by the court" that Linn village at the request of the inhabitante thereof shall be called Redding."

History Of Middlesex Counts, Massachusetts

The territory of the town of Wilmington is nearly all within the limits of the old Charlestown village, only a narrow strip being a part of the old Lynn village. In 1724, the people liviug in that partof the town of Woburn which was called Goshen, asked the town either to remove the meeting-house to a spot more convenient to them or to allow them to be set off as a new town. Their request having been refused they applied to the General Court in 1729 for the establishment of a separate precinct and their application was rejected. In 1730 another application was made to be incorporated as a distinct town, and a committee of the General Court was appointed to meet the agents of the town, and consider the matter. The result was that on the 25th of September 1730, the Generiil Court passed the following act incorporating parts of the territories of Woburu and Reading into a town with the name of Wilmington.

" Whereas the inhabitants of the north-easterly part of the town of Woburn, and the westerly part of the town of Reading, in the county of Middlesex are 80 situated as to be very remote from the place of the publi'ck worship of God,'in either of tlxe said towns, many of them living near seven miles' distance therefrom, who also labour under other great difficulties and inconveniences on several accounts and have thereupon addressed this Court that they may be set off and erected into a separate and distinct township, -

"Be it therefore enacted by His Excellency the Governour, Council and Representives in General Court assembled, and by the authority of the same.

" Sect. 1. That all the lauds lying and being within the north-easterly part of Woburn, and westerly part of Reading aforesaid be and hereby are, set off and constituted a separate and distinct township by the name of Wilmington, according to the metes and bounds following, viz.: beginning at the South-easterly part of the Land of Nod, so called, so to extend to Andover line ; thence to Billerica line, and so upon said line, including Abraham Jaques his farm, and so to run from thence on Billerica line oue hundred rods further ; and from thence to extend to the Stone bridge, called the Cold Spring Bridge, near the tree called the Figure of Four Tree ; thence on a Hue to the South-easterly corner of John Townsend's land, lately and now in the possession of Timothy Townseod, about sixty-four rods easterly from Woburn line, including said Townsend's land ; thence on a straight line to the south-east part of the land of Joel Jenkins ; and from theuco to extend to the iirst-mentioned bounds.

"Sect. 2. That the inhabitants of the said town of Wilmington shtill be liable nevertheless, and subject to pay their just proportion of tlieir past dues to all province, county and town rates, for this present year, in the towns to which they respectively belonged, and shall be accordingly assessed in such town in the same manner as they would have been if this act had not been made.

"Sect, a. And the inhabitants of the said town of Wilmington are hereby req\iired, within the siiace of three years from the publication of this act, to procure and settle a learned orthodox minister of good conversation, and make provision for his comfortable and honourable support ; and also with all convenient speed erect and finish a suitable and convenient house for the publick worship of God in said town.

"Sect. -i. And tbo said town of Wilmington is hereby accordingly en. dowod and vested with all powers, privileges, immuuitica and advantages, which other towns in this province by law have and enjoy." (Passed and published ut Cambridge Sept. 'Jfi, 17au).

The territory included within the limits of the new town was small and its population was scattered. The lands were good for agricultural purposes and the people occupying tbeiu were almost exclusively farmers. Like other scattered settlements, that in the out-lying districts of Woburn had suffered from

Indian depredations, but at the time of the formation of the new town, comparative peace prevailed, only to be disturbed by the French and Indian Wars, which, a few years later, again threatened it.

In obedience to the requirements of the act of incorporation, a meeting-house was erected in Wilmington in 1732, and a church with seventeen male members was organized October 24, 1733. Wilmington was one of the few towns incorporated at an early period, in which a separate precinct did not anticipate a new municipal organization. It would, however, have been no exception to the general rule had its repeated requests to the town of Woburn and to the General Court been listened to and granted. It was an outlying village of its mother-town, as its mother-town had been an outlying village of Charlestown, and the General Court believed that any substantial arguments in favor of a new precinct were quite as strong in favor of the incorporation of a new town.

On the day of the' formation of the church Kev. James Varney was ordained as its pa.stor. Mr. Varney was a native of Boston, where he was born August 8, 1706, and graduated at Harvard in 1725 in the class with Rev. Mather Byles and Rev. Benjamin Bradstreet. In the Harvard catalogue of the period when names were inserted in the order of their social family rank, the name of Mr. Varney is the thirtythird in a class of forty-five. Mr. Varney was dismissed April 6, 1739, on account of ill health and was succeeded by Rev. Isaac Morrill, who was ordained May 20, 1741. Mr. Morrill graduated at Harvard in 1737 in the class with Peter Oliver, Rev. Peter Thacher, Rev. Andrew Eliot and Ebenezer Gay. In the social order Peter Oliver stood at the head of the class, with John Eliot second and Mr. Morrill the twenty-fourth in a list of thirty-four. Mr. Morrill continued in the pastorate until his death, which occurred August 17, 1793, at the age of seventy-six. During his pastorate he served a-s chaplain in the French Wars, in which also were a number of his parishioners aa soldiers, of whom Capt. Ebenezer Jones and fourteen others are known to have been killed.

Mr. Morrill was succeeded Ijy Rev. Freegrace Reynolds, who was ordained October 29, 1795, and remained until June 9, 1830. He afterwards preached in Leverett in Franklin County, Massachusetts, and other places, and finally returned to Wilmington, where he resided until his death, December (i, 185;"), at the age of eighty-eight years. During his pastorate in 1813 a new meeting-house was erected, to take the place of the old one built in 1732.

Rev. Barnabas M. Fay succeeded Mr. Norwood and was installed April 23, 1845. He remained until ,Iuly 30, 1850, and was followed by Rev. Josejih E. Swallow on the 26th of March, 1851. Mr. Swallow was dismissed January 1, 1856, and was succeeded by- Rev. Samuel H. Tolman, who was ordained August 14, 1856, and was dismissed June 7, 1870. During the pastorate of Mr. Tolman, in February, 1864, the meeting-house of the society was burned and the present house of worship was erected.

Rev. Benjamin A. Robie was installed April 13, 1871, and dismissed April 9, 1874. Rev. S. S. Mathews succeeded Mr. Robie October 28, 1874, and after his dismissal, which occurred October 29, 1875, Rev. Daniel F. Noyes was installed October 11, 1877. Mr. Noyes was succeeded by Rev. Elijah Harmon, the present pastor.

In 1882, a Methodist Society was organized, and a church erected near the centre of the town. The Rev. William Thurston is its present pastor.

In 1840, a Free Will Baptist Society was organized, and in 1841, a meeting-house was erected._ The society was, for a few years, under the care of Elder John M. Durgin, but was finally dissolved, and its meetinghouse sold to the town for town purposes, to which it is still devoted.

The early occupation of farming has always been continued up to the present time ; according to the census of 1885, its products annually were as follows:

Among the products, the chief items were milk, *16,540 ; egg8, .-f3528 ; fuel, $.3858 ; apples, .f 1630 ; cranberries, $5537 ; English hay, $9060 ; fresh hay, $3594; pork, $1904; beef, $1439; and potatoes $3939. The cultivation of cranberries has increased since the above census was taken, and the probable product of that article at the present time is about three thou- .sand barrels, valued in the Boston market at twentyfour thousand dollars. The town has opportunities for a .still further increase of this product, which cannot fail to aid its growth in population and wealth. The demand for cranberries is yet in its infancy, and wherever they can be grown, there is no tear that the supply will exceed it. There is no industry which circulates money with a more far-reaching hand than the cranberry industry, or one which promises better results ill towns where it can be conducted. In the first place, at the very time when woodland has sunk in value to its lowest point, the swamps and shallowponds scattered through it, before valueles.s, are converted into properties worth a thousand dollars an acre, and then in the annual management of these properties, there are to be paid for in cash, care, and superintendence, barrels, and their cooperage; carting, picking and packing, all distributing money to men, women and children in every needy family, and actually furnishing means of better living, which could in no other way be secured.

It is not many years since considerable attention was paid to raising apples, but with the exception, perhaps, of Mr. Henry Sheldon, one of the prominent men of Wilmington, none of the farmers of the town aave either planted new orchards of any importance, or even done much to revive the old ones. It is well known that the Baldwin apple originated in Wilmington, the first tree of that variety having grown on the farm of James Butters, which became known to Loammi Baldwin, of Woburn, who cut scions from it, and gave it both its reputation and name.

Besides the farming interests, there is little to give occupation to the people of the town. At the present lime the shoe business is not carried on, though it is expected that an establishment will be soon located there. The tannery of Perry, Converse & Co., at North Wilmington, the Merrimack Chemical Works and the ice business are the only industries worthy of mention. The time cannot be far distant, however, when activity and prosperity will prevail. The location of the town is about sixteen miles from Boston, and between that city and Lowell, about the same distance from Salem, and not far from Lawrence, and with the Boston and Lowell, the Boston and Maine, the Salem and Lowell, and the Lawrence Branch Railroads traversing its territory, it certainly seems favorably situated for business and growth. But whether or not it shall ever have any large increase of local industries, it is apparent that the overflow of population from Boston must, in time, reach and flow into it. Its population which in 1880 had only increased to 933 from 879 in 1875, has increased to 1250 in 1890, as is shown by the census of this year.

The schools of Wilmington reflect credit on a town with so small a population and valuation. With a population of 1250, and a valuation of $761,762, and 186 children between the ages of five and fifteen, one high-school, one grammar and six schools of a lower grade are maintained at a cost in 1889, of $3,225.94. That a town so far from the point in population where the law requires the establishment of a High School, should have voluntarily burdened itself with the needed taxation for its maintenance, shows the high character of the people and their appreciation of the benefits to be derived from a more thorough education than the common schools can furnish. The course of study in the High School embraces Geometry, Khetoric, Civil Government, Latin, French, Composition, Drawing, Algebra, Physics, Physiology, United States History, English History and Music. The School Committee for 1889 were, Charles W. Swain, Frank Carter and Richard L. Folkins.

The item of a public well in the above list indicates that the town has no system of water-works. Its inhabitants are supplied with water from wells. It would be interesting if some compari.son could be made of the death-rates in those towns supplied with water from wells with those in towns supplied from ponds or streams, and an analysis of the prevailing diseases in the two classes of towns. The writer has no data at hand for such a comparison, except so far as his own town (Plymouth) is concerned, which has water-works, and where, in 1889, the number of deaths was one and a half percent, of the population against one and eight-tenths in Wilmington. So far as the caiilfees of death are concerned, it is to be remarked that while in the lists of deaths throughout the State, about fourteen per cent, are caused by consumption, in Wilmington, in 1889, only one in twenty-two died of that disease. There may be a suggestion here worth following up, in order to discover, if possible, the remarkable exemption from a disease which commits such terrible ravages in'the"" population of the Northern' States of our nation

In the War of the Rebellion the town of Wilmington performed its full share in rescuing our Union from dissolution. It is stated that the quota of the town was ninety and that the number was filled. The writer finds on the books of the adjutant-general the names of fifty-six credited to the town, but to these are t^) be added those who entered the naval service and the share belonging to the town of that large number of negroes and others who were credited to the State and divided among the towns. The following is a list of those whose names appear in the report of the adjutant-general with their rank and with the company and regiment to which they were attached and the term for which they enlisted :

Among the eminent men born in Wilmington may be mentioned Timothy Walker, and his brother Sears Cook Walker. Timothy Walker was born December 1, 1802, and graduated at Harvard, in 182C. After leaving college he taught three years in the Round Hill School at Northampton, and in 1829 entered the Dane Law School at Cambridge, where he remained one year. In 1830, he continued his studies in Cin- cinnati, and was admitted to the bar in 1831. In 1833, in connection with Judge John C. Wright, he established a law-school in Cincinnati, whicb in 1835 was united with the college there. He continued a professor in the college until 1814. He was at one time Judge of the Hamilton County Court of Common Pleas, and Editor of the Western Law Journal. He was author of " Introduction to American Law," a " Treatise on Geometry," and other works. He died iu Cincinnati, January 15, 1856.

Sears Cook Walker, was born March 28, 1805, and graduated at Harvard, in 1825. After graduating, he taught school in Boston and Philadelphia, to which latter place he removed in 1827. In 1831, he prepared parallactic tables for use in computing phases of an occultation, and iu 1837, drew up a plan for the organization of an observatory in connection with the Philadelphia High School. From 1810 to 1852, he published observations and investigations made by himself, and in 1841, published a memoir of the periodical meteors of August and November. In 1845, he was placed in the Washington observatory where he made valuable observations and discoveries. While Alexander Dallas Bache, had charge of the coast survey, Mr. Walker in connection with him carried out the method of telegraphic longitude determinations, and introduced the chronographic method of recording observations. He died in Cincinnati, January 30, 1853.

Among the citizens of Wilmington during the present and last generation who have been prominent in town affairs may be mentioned William Henry Carter, W. J. S. Marsh, Otis Carter, Edward A. Carter and Henry Sheldon among the living, and Dr. Henry Hiller, Samuel Nichols, Cyrus L. Carter, Henry Ames and Joseph Ames among the dead.

Twelve or fifteen years ago a Public Library was established in the town which has well served to supplement the public schools and to enable the graduates of those schools to keep alive their thirst for knowledge, and constantly add to its store. According to the report for 1889, the number of books in the library at the end of the year was 1590, and the number taken out during the year, 2027. The payments by the treasurer on account of the library during the year were: for new books, $99.91; covering and repairing books, $4.45; salary of librarian, $25; and sundry items, 10.93.

The Board of Selectmen for the year 1890 consists of Edward A. Carter, chairman ; Howard Eames and James Kelley ; Henry Blancbard, Jr., is treiwurer, and Edward M. Nichols, town clerk.

Herbert N. Buck, Edward M. Nichols, Josiah 0. Jaqueth, public weighers. James A. Baxter, pound keeper. James E. Kelley, measurer of leather.

Jonathan Carter, Dr. D. T. Uussoll, Charles W. Swain, Henry Anies, Otis Gowing, Edgar N. Eames, trustees of Public Library. Edward M. Nichols, sealer of weights and measures. Arthur N. Fezette, superintendent of alms-house. Edward M. Nichols, undertaker.

The town publishes once in ten years a list in detail of the real and personal estates taxed, with the assessed valuation. The foHowing is a recapitulation of the valuation for 1890:

By John Livekmore

The history and description of bridges connecting Cambridge and Boston over the Charles River is not complete without some notice of the Harvard Bridge just finished, although not yet opened for public travel, owing to an unfortunate disagreement between the two cities as to the manner of crossing the track of the Grand Junction Railroad, over which the bridge must cross, either at grade, or by an overhead bridge, and as the question is still undecided, and is a subject of much bitter feeling, no opinion will be given on the general merits of the question, but only the hope that the controversy will be settled soon to the satisfaction of all the parties concerned.

In order to a right understanding of the causes and necessities that led to the building of this structure at the present time, and the reasons for its location where it is, we must go back for more than fifty years and see how step by step the present result has been reached.

Jn the year 1828 the Legislature of Massachusetts considered the subject of purchasing all the bridges over Charles River for the purpose of freeing them before their charters would legally expire, which led to a prolonged controversy in which the relations between the public and the rights of corporations received essential modifications ; but no action was taken on the subject until 1830, when a charter was granted to the " Hancoch Free Brhlge Corporation " to enable them to build a bridge over Charles River at some point between Cragies and West Boston Bridge or to purchase one or both bridges for the purpose of making them free, but owing to the pecuniary distress which prevailed in 1836 and 1837, the money could not be raised to conclude the purchase. The scheme failed for the time, but in 1846 they received a second charter enabling them to not only purchase the two bridges, but to maintain them as toll bridgesuntil a fund of $150,000 should be raised to keep them in repair and then they were to be free forever, and so the question of a new bridge was postponed for the time.

For more than twenty-five years the necessity of a new route from Cambridgeport to Boston had been agitated and discussed, but from various causes noth- 8U-1 ing was done until the year 1887, when the Legislature passed a compulsory act apportioning the cost equally between the two cities. From the first Boston was reluctant to proceed with the work and did not enter into the enterprise with either zeal or spirit, but apparently with regret that they were legally bound to do their part. The work, however, was commenced and the mayors of the two cities and Leander Greely (a practical artisan) were appointed.commisdoners to superintend the building thereof, which they have done.

The new avenue could be opened for travel as soon as the question is definitely settled about the crossing of the track of the Boston and Albany Railroad.

The question of the locality of the bridge was settled without much ditiiculty and amicably at last. When the question was before the public, when it was first agitated, no one would have thought of locating it so far south; but since that time the business and population of Boston has been rapidly tending towards the "South End," and that part of Cambridgeport now known as Ward Four has been developed, and is fast becoming the most populous portion of the city, and there were not found wanting citizens who advanced a still more southerly location.

As has been stated the bridge, was built by special act of the Legislature, which was a compulsory act, and apportioned the cost equally between the two cities of Boston and Cambridge, and $500,000 was set apart for its construction. The bridge is 2157 feet in length, 70 feet wide, and 14 feet above mean high water ; the draw is 135 feet long and 60 feet wide, and is located in the centre of the structure. It is to be operated by an electric motor. There are ten spans to the bridge, on each side of the draw alternating regularly between 105 and 75 feet in width. The piers support girders 105 feet long, between every two of which hangs a 75 foot girder loosely linked to the other one at each end, so as to provide for the natural expansion. There are also two spans 90 feet in length on either side adjoining the draw, and an extra span at the Cambridge end. The iron girders were constructed by the Boston Bridge Works, thedifterent sections being brought from the works on Sixth Street, Cambridgeport, upon huge drays drawn by six yokes of oxen to the water-side, and there put together and towed to the bridge by lighters.

Appendix

The contract of the Boston Bridge Company was i $161,900, while the masonry piers built by Shields & Carroll, of Toronto, Canada, were contracted for at $122,820, the masonry abutments by W. H. Ward $15,900, the draw foundations and pier by Boynton ! Brothers $26,875, the spruce lumber by Wm. G. Barker, the wooden flooring by W. H. Keys & Company, the spruce posts by Miller & Shaw, the roadway sheathing by Alexander Mclnnis and the iron railing by the Manley Manufacturing Company, of Dalton, i Ga.

When this new avenue is once opened to the public and the several approaches to it improved, and put in order, it will without doubt be the finest and most attractive avenue from the city to the suburban towns in the vici nity, the direct route to the University , Mount Auburn, the Washington or Longfellow Mansion, Elmwood, the home of Lowell, and other residences of distinguished persons, and it is also the great highway to Lexington and Concord - places of great historic interest, so much visited by strangers from all parts of the world.

Errata

Abner Hosmer's hunt, i, 257 Rev. J. T. Woodbury's speech, i, 2.57 Capt. Isaac Davis, i, 261 Eevolutionary War, i, 262 French and Indian War, i, 264 The second meeting-house, i, 264 The great Are, i, 268 West Acton, i, 269 Names from Historical Map of Acton,

Index

(Unitarian), i, 66 University Church, i, 65 Christ Church, i, 66 St. Peter's Church, i, 67 St. Philip's Chuich, I, 67 Church of the Ascension, i, 67 St. James Parish, i, 67 The Episcopal Theological School, i,

Divinity School, i, 104, 140 The Peabody Museum of American Archaeology and Ethnology, i, lo-l The Bussey Institution, i, li>4 The Dental School, i, 1115 The Botanic Garden, i, l>>6 The Astronomical Observatory, I, 105 The Lawrence Scientific School, i, U>5 Progress of education, 1, 105 Student life, i, 112 Commons, i, 112 and Massachusetts, ii, 28S The Dark Day, ii, 288 Pawtucket Bridge, ii, 289 Old Bunt, ii, 290 Ecclesiastical, ii, 290 Educational, ii, 298 The Revolutionary War, ii, 300 Shays' Rebellion, ii, 306 Miscellaneous, ii, 307 Fac-simile of the oath of allegiance, 1783,

Origin of name, ii, 857 Indian troubles, ii, 857 Grant of Naahobah, ii, 861 Kobbins and Lawrence tract, ii, 862 Bulltley and Henchman purchase, ii, 8 First records of town-meetiug, ii, 865 First minister, ii, 866 First meeting-house, ii, 866 French War, ii, 869 The Revolution, ii, 871 War of 1812, ii, 875 Ecclesiastical, ii, 875 -

Educational, ii, 876 The Littleton Lyceum, ii, »78 War of the Kebellion, ii, 87a Libraries, ii, 880 Manufacturere, ii, 881 Population, ii, 881 State Senator, ii, 881 Taverns, ii, 881 Cemeteries, ii, 882 Biographical, ii, 882 Livermore,John,i. 190, I'JS, 201,211. iii. Ml Livermore, George, i, lul, 19» Livermore, Isaac, i, 211 Livermore, Thomas, iii, 696 (ill.) Livingston, William, ii, 32 (ill.) Lowell, ii, 1

President Jackson's visit, ii, 21 Boston & Lowell R. R., ii, 26 City of Lowell, ii, 26 Lowell water-works, ii, 41 The Colwell Motor, ii, 46 Mayors, ii, 50 Politics, ii, 68 Municipal officers, ii, G3 Banks, ii, 64

Merrimack Mfg. Co., ii, 71 The Hamilton Mfg. Co., ii,73 The Appleton Co., ii, 74 The Lowell Mfg. Co., ii, 75 The Middlesex Co., ii, 76 The Suffolk Mfg. Co., ii, 77 The Lawrence Mfg. Co., ii, 78 The Lowell Bleachery, ii, "9 The Boott Cotton-Mills, il, 79 The Massachusetts Cotton-Hills The Lowell Machine Shops, ii. Minor mfra., ii, 84 ii, 119 Franklin and Highland, ii, 120 Butler, Pawtucket and Mann, ii, 1'20 Washington, Adams, PriiuHry mid Catholic Parochial, ii, 121 Ecclesiastical history, il, 126 St. Anne's Church, ii, 126 The House of Prayer, ii, 129 St. John's Parish, ii, 129 Pawtucket Church, ii, 130 First Congregational, ii, 132 John St. Church, ii, 134 High St. Church, ii, 135 Highland Congregational, ii, 136 Third Congregational, ii, 136 ^ The French Protestant, ii, 130 Swedish Evangelical Lutheran, ii, Kl" Swedish Evangelical Mission, ii, 137 The First Presbyterian, ii, 137 Westminster Presbyterian, ii, 137 First Baptist, ii, 137 Worthen St, Baptist, ii, 139 Baptist French Mission, ii, 140 Blanch St. Baptist, ii, 141 Fifth St. Baptist, ii, 141 Highland Baptist, ii. 141 St. Paul's Methodist, ii, 141 Worthen St. Methodist, ii, 143 Central Methodist, ii, 143 Ceutralville Methodist, ii, 144 The Berean Primitive Methodist, ii,

The First Primitive Methodist, ii, 1 14 Highland Methoili.t Episcopal, ii, n4 South Congregational, ii, 145 Second Unitarian, ii, 146 The Ministry at Large, ii, 146 First Univewalist, ii, 146 Shattuck St. Universalist, ii, 147 Paige St. Free Will Baptist, ii, 118 Mount Vernon Free Baptist, ii, l-l'l Chelmsford St. Free Baptist, ii, 149 Advent Christian, ii, M'.l St. Patrick's, ii, 1.51) (ill.) St. Peter's, ii, 178 St. Joseph's, ii, 178 Immaculate Conception, ii, 178 St. Michael's, Ii, 178 Church of the Sacred Heart, ii, 179

Early history, iii, 456 Indians, iii, 458 Incorporation, iii, 460 Name, iii, 461 Early settlers, iii, 461 Boundaries enlarged, iii, 467 Schools, iii, 468 Public Library, iii, 470 Military, iii, 470 iii, 32 Chestnut Hill Chapel, iii, 32 St. Andrew's Episcopal Church, Chestnut Hill, iii, 32 Thompsonville Chapel, iii, 32 The First Baptist Church of West

Newton, iii, 32 First Unitarian, West Newton, iii, 32 The Myrtle Baptist (colored), iii, 32 The Church of Yahveh (Second Advent), iii, 32 Slavery, iii, 32 Temperance, iii, 33 Fire Department, iii, 33 Alms-houses, iii, 34 The Home for Orphans and Destitute Girls, of Missionaries, iii, 34 Missionary Home in Newton Centre, iii, 34 Singing-school, iii, 35 Sunday-school Union, iii, 35 Natural History Society, iii, 3o The Claflin Guard, iii, 35 Water-works, iii, 35

Conduits of the Boston Water-worlis passing through Newton, iii, 30 The Sudbury River Conduit, iii, 36 Cottage Hospital, iii, 36 Woodland Park Hotel, iii, 37 Newton becomes a city, iii, 37 List of mayors, iii, 38 Worcester Railroad, iii, 38 The Newton Journal, iii, 38 The Newton Graphic, iii, 3S Post-oflices, iii, 38 Lafayette at Newton, iii, 38

Charles Dickens at Newton Centre, iii, 40 Goody Davis, of Oak Hill, iii, 40 Circuit Railroad, iii, 40 Educational, iii, 49 Yearly appropriation for schools to 1800, iii, 53 Statistics of 1890, iii, 61 The Fuller Academy, iii, 65 Setb Davis' Private School, iii, 65 State Normal School, iii, 65 Boarding-school of Martha S. Rice, iii, 67 Moses Burbank's school, iii, 67 Academy at Newton Centre, iii, 67 Other private schools, iii, 68 Private schools in successful operation in 1890, iii, 69 La Salle Seminary, Auburndale, iii, 69 West Newton English and Classical

Eliot Memorial Association, iii, 112 The Newton Cottage Hospital, iii, 113 The Newton Athcnieum, iii, 114 The Newton Club, iii, 114 Civil Service Reform Association, ill

Club, iii, 119 "The Players," iii, 119 The Monday Evening Club, iii, 120 Newton Congregatioual Club, iii, 120 The Newton Boat Club, iii, 121 The Wesleyan Home, iii, 121 The Newton Fanciers' Club, iii, V22 Quinobequin Association, iii, 122 Grand Army of the Republic, iii, 122 Newton Centre Improvement Associa-

Clianning Council, No. 76, iii, 125 Triton Council, No. '647, iii, 120 Echo Bridge Council, No. 843, iii, United Order of the Golden Cross, iii, V25 Crescent Commandery, No. Hti, iii, Order of tbe Iron Hall, iii, 12S Branch No. 392, iii, 125 Branch No. 395, ill, 125 Sisterhood Branch, iii, 125 Royal Society of Good Fellows, iii, I2S Newton Assembly, No. 39, iii. 125 Auburn Assembly, No. 142. iii, 125 Knights of Honor, iii, 125

Crystal Lake Lodge, No. 2235, iii, Independent Order of Good Templars, iii, 125 Loyalty Lodge, No. ir,4, iii, 125 American Legion of Honor, iii, 125

Newton Council, No. 869, iii, 125 Ancient Order of United Workmen, iii 12S Newton Lodge, No. 21, 111, 125 Massachusetts Catholic Order of Foresters, ill, 126 8t. Bernard Court, No. 44, Hi, 1'25 United Order of Pilgrim Falhem, ill,

Biographical, iii, 155 Nesmeth, John, ii, 38 (ill.) Nesmeth, Thomas, ii, 38 (ill.) Needliam, Daniel, i, xlviii (ill.) North Reading, ii, 808

Parochial and ecclesiastical. Early settlement, iii, 220 Petition for town, iii, 220 Incorporation, iii, 2iiO Firsttownnieetiug, iii, 220 First meeting-liouse, iii, 221 Subsequent church history, iii, 22: Municipal and militant, iii, 220 The Kivolution, iii, 230 The Rebellion, iii, 2:i4 The " Ilorseshed War," iii 236 Population and valuation, iii, 230 Olticials, iii, 236 Educational, iii, 230 Public Library, iii, 241 Industrial pursuits, iii, 241 Biographical, iii, 240

The French War, i, 459 The Revolution, i, 40i.) Shays' Insurrection, i, 461 War of the Rebellion, i, 462 Manufactures, i, 463 Schools, i, 471 Public Library, i, 475 £cclesiastical history, i, 475 The First Parish, i, 476 The Siiuker Community, i, 478 Universalist Society, i, 480 Tint Congregational Church, i, (irtbudox Congregatioual Chui

Early history, iii, 859 Ecclesiastical, iii, 860 Statistics, iii, 861 Schools, iii, 862 War of the Rebellion, iii, 862 Public Library, iii, 863 Woburn, i, .334

Roman Catholic Church, i, 442 Trinity Church and antecedents, i, 441 New Jerusalem Church, i, 445 All Saints' Chapel, i, 445 Scandinavian Society, i, 445 St- John Baptist Church, i, 416 The Salvation Army, i, 446 Biographical, i, 446