Winchester Town (part 2 of 2)

In 1865 a new high-school liduse was erected on Dix Street, near the old one, which had become unsuitable for the purpose. The total cost of the building, land, fumiture, etc., was about 817,000. This house was dedicated November 4, 1865. In the same year a new grammar-school house was erected on Washington Street, on the site of the Gifibrd School-house, which had been removed to a locality on Main Street. Tliis house, with the land and furnishing, cost about 816,000. ' Tlie house was dedicated November 5, 1865. In 1875 the Adams School-house, being found insufficient for the accommodation of the children in that section of the town, was sold, and a new one erected on Swanton Street, at an expense of about 812,000. It was named the Cliapin, in honor of Dr. Chapin, who for eleven years served upon the school board.

In 1878 a new school-house was built upon land belonging to the town, on Highland Avenue, to accommodate the children living in that neighborhood. It cost, complete, about 8 1,500. There are fourteen schools, aU keeping ten mouths in the year, and nineteen teachers. The number of children in the town between five and fifteen years of age, May 1, 1879, was 580. The average number of scholars in all the schools for the year endhig March 1, 1880, was 530. The ten school-houses now in use are valued at 857,500. Tlie amount expended upon the schools for the past thirty years, or to March 1, 1880, is 8208,672.20; and for new school-houses, §66,272.20, or a total' of §274,944.40, - nearly three quarters of a million dollars. Up to the year 1867 the committee received no pay for their services, but since then they have received a small stipend. Of those who have rendered valuable service upon the school board, special allusion should be made to Dr. Alonzo Chnpin, whose term of service exceeded that of any other, and who was also a trustee of the town library for several years, and took an active interest in all town affairs. Dr. Chapin was bom in Springfieldy Massachasetts^ in Februaiy, 1805, and graduated at Amherst. He was mission physician to the Sandwich Islands from 1834 to 1837. Betuming to America, he continued in the practice of his profession^ and settled in this town in 1850. It was while upon the school board, in December, 1876, at the age of nearly seventy-two years, that he was suddenly stricken down, and called from the w;ork he so much enjoyed, and in which he had so many cheering words for teachers, and children and for his co-workers, to another and better sphere of usefulness. He devoted to the interests of the schools ail the knowledge and experience of his ripened years, and the memory of his good words and works will long linger in the history of the town.

Public Library. - The Winchester Library Association was organized March 20, 1848. It was formed with a view ^' to increase the general morality, intelligence, and happiness," by the establishment of a public library. It was first located in the store of Dr. Youngman, and supi)orted by the voluntary contributions of its members. The Association voted, February 19, 1859, to offer the library, containing one tho^sj^nd volumes, to the town, as the .nucleus of a public town library, ,i^pon certain conditions. At the annual townmeeting, March 28, 1859, the town voted to accept the offer on the conditions specified.

The Winchester Agricultural Library Association was formed March 26, 1857, "for the purpose of procuring and maintaining a library of agricultural pai)ers and such other works as may tend to the improvement of agriculture." No meeting of the association was held after April 9, 1857, and nearly all the shareholders signed a paper relinquishing their right to the library, and presenting the same to the town to be incorporated into the public town library. A board of trustees was, chosen in March, 1859, consisting of three gentlemen, who at once caused the books to be examined,, arranged in proper order, catalogued, and under proper restrictions thrown open to the use of the residents of the town. An appropriation of two hundred dollars was made for its expenses the first year. At tlie end of the first it apjKjared there were 396 borrowers, who liad taken out 4,400 books. Since then tlie town has frpm year to year made liberal appropriations, for the expense of carrying on the library and for the purchase of new books. For the year ending

February 28, 1880, there were 1,029 bonowem and 21,445 books taken out. The library jnow numbers 4,532 volumes, and is located in. the second story of the brick building on Main Street, near the Centre, owned by Eichardson and Tyler. The amount expended upon the library since its establishment in 1859 is $10,469.24.

The following named citizens. o| the town have served as senators in the state senate from the'diatrict of which this town was a part : Frederick O. Prince in the year 1854; Oliver E. Clark in 1801 and 1864; Abraham B. Coffin, in 1877 and.l87|d; and as representatives to the General Court, Frederick 0. Prince in the years 1^51, 1852; Z^hariah Bichardson, 1853; Joseph Stone, 1854.; Cephas Church, 1855; Aaron Jk Weld, 1866; Alvin Taylor, 1857.

In 1857 a change was made in the basis of representation, and this town was joined with Arlington as a representative district. Since then the district has been represented as follows: Moses Proctor of West Cambridge in 1858 ; Oliver B. Clark of Winchester in 1859 ; Joseph Burrage of West Cambridge in 1860; Charles Hey wood of Winchester in 1861 ; Albert Winn of West Cambridge in 1862 ; Frederick 0. Pnoce of Winchester in 1863; Samuel Butterfidd of West Cambridge in 1864; Charles Goddard of Winchester in 1865; Joseph S. Potter of Arlington in 1866, 1867, 1868 ; Salem Wilder of Win- Chester in 1869; Jesse Bacon of Arlington in 1870 ; Samuel W. Twombly of Winchester in 1871 ; David N. Skillings of Winchester in 1872; J. W. Pierce of Arlington in 1873; John ,T. Manny of Winchester in 1874; A. B. Coffin of Winchester in 1875^ S. D. Hicks of Arlington in 1876 ; William H. Kinsman of Winchester in 1877; WiUiam G. Peck of Arlington in 1878.and 1880 ; Josiah P. Stone of Winchester in 1879.

RdigiouM. - After frequent meetings betweoi March, 1839, and May, 1840, and much discussion, a general meeting of prominent citizens resid* ing in what was then South Wobum was held May 12, 1840, at which it was decided to organize the South Wobum Congregational Society. June 1, 1840, a society bearing this name was organized under due form of law, and a building committee consisting of Benjamin F. Thompson, Harrison Parker, Stephen Swan, Henry Cutter, Marshall Wyman, Nathan B. Johnson, and Sumner Richardson were chosen to purchase a site, and erect a house of worship. The site selected was the one now occupied by it. The corner-stone was laid July VI, 1840. The church edifice was completed^ and dedicated December 30, 1840; the sennon on the occasion being preached by the Bev. Daniel Crosby, of Charlestown. One hundred members of the present church in Wobum withdrew from that church November 2, 1840, and fpinned n church here. During the summer of 1849 the church edifice was enlarged and thoroughly repaired, but on the morning of the 20th of March, 1853, the building, with a new and Ta}uable organ just placed in it, and other fumitoif , was entirely destroyed by fire.

The comer-stone of the present edifice, which occupies a commanding position fronting on Cliurch Street, the Common, and the railroad depot, was laid September 5, 1853, and the house was dedicated October 11, 1854. The corporate name of tlfie society was changed, March 11, 1856, to the First Congregational Society. The pastors who luiye.been settled oyer this society are as follows: Bev. George P. Smith, ordained June 17, 1841, and dbmissed March 11, 1845 ; Eev. William T. Ettstis, Jr., installed April 8, 1846, dismissed January 27, 1848; Eev. John M. Steele, ordained August 10, 1848, dismissed February ,11, 1852; Beuben T. Bobinson, ordained October 27, 1852, died in the service August 24, 1871 ; Eev. Edwin G. Bissell, installed November 1, 1871, dismissed September 2, 1873 ; Eev. Alfred B. Dascomb, installed March 4, 1874, resigned, and resignation took eflect July 15, 1878; Eev. Charles E. SeymouTi installed October 30, 1879, is the present pastor. The Sunday school was organized Jannary 3, 1841, with Deacon B. F. Thompson as its superintendent. The school has been, from the first, prosperous and progressive, its membership, as well as its charitable contributions, increasing from year to year by a steady growth. Deacon O. E. Clark was its superintendent for fifteen years. The present membership is about three hundred and fifty. Benjamin F. Thompson, Nathan B. Johnson, and Marshall Wyman were the first deacons, and served twelve years in that capacity. After these, Zebediah Abbott served twenty-two years ; Joseph Huse, eighteen years ; Luther Eichardson, nineteen years; Oliver E. Clark, eighteen years. On the 5th of July, 1872, a by-law was adopted, limitihg the term of service of the deacons to four years. The present number of church-members is about four hundred.

In connection with the history of the Congregational Society, a sketch of one who was intimatelj connected with its early history will not be out d place here.

Benjamin Franklin Thompson was bom in Wobum, January 18, 1799. He was brought up in a plain New England home, and enjoyed to a limited extent the advantages of tlie town schools. Early called upon to carve out his own fortune, be became an apprentice to his elder brother, with whom he afterwards became associated in business. On entering upon business for himself he was very successful, and continued so for many years, and thus was enabled to hiy aside a handsome competence. He was a model business man,^ and preferred the activity which a business life required. He was a true friend, neighbor, and citizen, and to the sick, sufiering, and needy cheerfully contributed the means at his command. He lent himself to every good word and work. The cause of temperance and antislavery found in- him an earnest supporter. In the last national struggle he was deeply interested, and was ready in all ways to aid in the suppression of the Eebellion.

He held the office of superintendent of the Sunday school connected with the Wobum church for several years, and in April, 1836, was chosen deacon, which latter office he resigned in December, 1840. He removed to this phice, then South Wobum, in 1839. Shortly after his removal here he agitated the subject of another church in this locality, and may be said to be the father and founder of this church and society. He was the chairman of the committee of the, petitioners for the purpose of forming a new church. He was the chairman of the sub-committee to obtain the first minister, and also of that to draw up the church covenant, and the first church meethig was lield at his house. He was the first clerk and treasurer, and one of tlie deacons in 1850. He was chairman of the committee on the building of the first church here, and of that for selling and letting pews. He was a member of the committee for building the present church edifice. He resigned the office of deacon, February, 1852. As a Christian he was faithful to all his religious engagements, and remained connected with the Sunday school to the * time of his death, which occurred in July, 1863. First BaptUi Chnrek. - Some time during the year 1849 a few individuals connected with the Baptist denomination assembled for worship in Union Hall, in what was then South Wobum, and continued to meet in that pUoe until the erec- .

Winchester

tion of Lyceum Hall. During this time Bev. N. A. Eeed acted as tlieir pastor. For three years they thus maintained the services of the sanctuary, sustaining a Sabbath school and social meetings without any church organization.

The First Baptist Church of Winchester was constituted August 11, 1852, with eighteen members, and recognized by council September 2, 1852. The successive pastorates have been : Bev. K. A. Beed, from August 18, 1852, to August 1, 1854 j Bev. Ed^nn B. Eddy, from December 1, 1855, to June 1, 1860; Bev. J. D. Meeson, from May, 1861, to February, 1862; Bev. Henry Hinckley, from September 1, 1862, to November, 1866 ; Bev. Samuel J. Bronson, from February 19, 1867, to May, 1869 ; Bev. L. G. Barrett, from January, 1870, to January, 1874; Bev. H. F. Barnes, the present pastor, from March 15, 1874.

In 1864 a meeting-house was completed by the society at the comer of Washington and Mount Yenion streets. It is built of wood, and is of the Gothic style of architecture. Tlie main house is 75x45 feet, with au addition 58x31* feet, containing two vestries. The house contains seventyeight pews, and will seat about four hundred persons. The cost of the house, land, and Turnishing was about $10,000. Tlie present membership of the church is one hundred and sixty-four. Tlie Sunday school numbers about one hundred and forty.

Aaron D. Weld, who Mas active among the early efforts put forth by the exponents of Baptist views, was bom in Sturbridge, Massachusetts, in the year 1821, and bred a farmer. By his own exertions he secured an education, and was fitted for college; but the want of funds turned him aside into business, which he prosecuted jointly in Boston and St. Louis with success and untarnished honor. In 1850 he removed to this town, and with a few others, and for years before a Riptist church could be formed, sustained a Sunday school and regular preaching. The cost was considerable, often several hundred dollars a year; but having the means, and believing that he was a steward, the opportunity of honoring his Lord was eagerly improved. Of studious habits and tastes, and with a large and increasing fund of doctrinal and biblical knowUMlge, he ycvLS eminently useful in the Sundav school and church. He was brought^ up in the religious belief of the Congregationalists, but was afterwards led by study and research to embrace Baptist sentiments. In his business he was enterprisitig aud shrewd, and withal eminent for his straightfonrardnessand honesty. As a citizen he was universally esteemed, and frequently honored by his townsmen with the charge of their public affairs. As a friend he Vas warm-hearted, generous, and nobb. He entered into the senice of his country in January, 1862, as acting paymaster attached to the United States steamer J. P. Jackson, and was in the naival engagement at New Orleans, and in several other conflicts with the enemy. June 3 he was taken sick with remittent fever, and died, June li, 1862, on board the Ocean Queen, while On Her way to New York, about one hundred miles beloir New Orleans. * "

Unitarian Sociefy. - About the year 1858 a Sunday school was organized by the friends ot liberal Christianity, and met in the Mystic Schoolhouse and other places ; but after four years' continuance it was disbanded ' for want of a suitable place for its meetings, and of sufficient interest. In connection with the school during that period quite a number of the parents and friends had church services at which clergymen from the neighboring towns officiated. Eight years elapsed, when' Bev. Si £. Cahhrop came to spend a Sunday with his friends in this town. About twenty-five people who heard of his coming met in the parlors of Dr. F. 'Winsor's house, and there, on November 19, 1865, listened to a sermon on inspiration, which inspired them with a determination to hear more of the same gospel. Another service was held in the lower Lyceum Hall on the following Sunday, at which some eighty people were present. As the interest increased, a meeting was held on November 29, 1865, to secure a permanent organization. Lyceum Hall was engaged, and the Unitarian So^ ciety had its first religious sernce December 8, 1865, some one hundred persons being present. A Sunday school was formed in the afternoon of that day, with some fifty scholars, and Charles J. Bishop, Esq., as its superintendent.

Tlie pulpit for the first six months was occupied by different clergjmen. May l6, 1866, Bev. Bichard Metcalf, the present pastor, was called, and on June 14, ISGG, was duly installed. After occupying Lyceum Hall for several years, it was found to be insufficient for the purposes of the society, and in 1 S69 the incipient stejw were taken towards the purchase of land and the erection of a house of worship. Thomas P. Ayer and Franklin W. Perry were the building committee. A lot of laud, pleasantly located near the centre of the town, fronting on Main Street, the rear oyerlooking ^Winchester Park, was purchased of Francis Johnson and others in May, 1869. August 25, 1869, tlie comer-stone of the present cliurch edifice was kid, with appropriate ceremonies, and the building completed, and dedicated March 17, 1870. The architeqt was Thomas W. Silloway of Boston. The house is forty*six feet wide in front, and fortytwo in the rear, the extreme length beuig eighty- ^one feeL A tower on the front right-haud corner is oiie hundred and ten feet high. The auditorium contains seventy-two pews, with seats for three hundred and eiglity persons, and room in the gallery for fourteen pews. The cost of the building and furniture was about $23,000. The Sunday services have been continued without interruption ever since the first meeting, November 19, 1855. Tlie Sundav school numbers about one hundred and fifty, and since the settlement of the pastor it has been under his superintendence. Outside of the Sunday services the operations of the society are chiefly carried on by the Ladies' Friendly Society and the Good- Will Club. The Ladies' Friendly Society has contributed largely to the finances of the parent society. The Good- Will Club has been in existence eight years.. Its object is ''to do good and get good.'' Tlirough its literary, musical, and dramatic committees it has from time to time afforded instruction and entertainment, and contributed over one thousand dollars towards the society, the Sunday school, and the charitable work of the club. It continued for a while a f reie evening-school for instruction in the elementary branches of study, and also, from its formation to the present time, has supported and carried on a school every winter for the poor children in the town, who are taught to sew, and are afterwards presented with the garments manufactured by them.

Roman Catholic. - At the formation of the town and for several years after there were but few Boman Catholics here; but with the increase in the number of houses there began to be more people desiring church privileges. At first they were obliged to go to Wobum or Medford to attend church, - a distance of two or three miles. Some five or six years ago, feeling themselves to be sufficient in numbers and ability to have services of their own faith in the town, they, with the assistance of friends in the other denominations, raised the necessary money, and erected and furnished the present neat and commodious church edifice on Washington Street, now occupied by

MetkodUt Epiicopal Socieijf. - Up to Febraary, 1872, no attempt had been made to organise a Methodist society in this town, but daring that month a meeting was called for this purpose, and held at the residence of John C. Mason. On the morning of March 3, 1872, the first regular service was entered upon, the Bev. C. W. Drees, of the seminary, taking charge of the service, the number of worshippers then being about sixty, - membership six. For two years the ^society was supplied with preachers from the seminary. ' The first regukr pastor appointed by the Ajinual Ccinference was the Rev. D. S. Coles, who began bis bbors April 19,1874, and continued for two year?. On the morning of October 20, 1875, ground was broken for a church edifice by Cyrus Uoagbton, the oldest man in the society, and for more than forty years a member of the Methodist Church, removing the .first shovelful of earth. The church edifice is built on Pleasant Street, near the centre of the town, and is a neat wooden structure in the Romanesque style of arcbitectoFe, from designs of T. W. Silloway of Boston. It is sixty-three feet long and forty feet wide, and is finished with a neat campanile, or bell-toi^er, at the front right comer. A basement, making tbe first story, contains the large lecture-room, with other modern conveniences, such as class-rooms, kitchen, etc. Although not of large dimensions, having a seating capacity for but three hundred persons, yet it is a very tasteful edifice, and well adapted to the needs of this young and prosperous society. The church edifice was dedicated June 1, 1876, and up to the present time two pastors have served, namely, Eev. J. £. Jubb one year, and Eev. George H. Cheney, the present pastor. The present number of worshippers is about one hundred, with a church membership of seventy-five. Average attendance at the Sunday school, sixtyeight.

£ising Star Division, No. 52, Sons of Temperance, was instituted September 9, 1858, and after flourishing for a little more than two years, during which time it had numbered some seventy members, and as many lady visitors, and done much good in the community, surrendered its charter in 1860. It numbered some twenty at its decease, and its property, including a handsome banner, was sold to a division in SomerviUe, which assumed the same name.

The Reform Club was organized May 6, 1876, and is now in the field, having supplemented all the other temperance organizations in carrying on the temperance reform. The present membership is three hundred and twenty, and the club meets in Livingstone Hall on Sunday afternoons and at

As auxiliary to the Beform Gub, the Women's Christian Temperance Union was formed May 26, 1876, with a membership of eighty-one. It now numbers eighty-five.

Societies, etc, - During the existence of the town there have been several literary associations organized, which flourished for several years. Among them were the Young Men's Literary Association and the Winchester Lyceum, both of which had lectures, debates, and entertainments, and were very successful in this way.

At the present time some of the religious societies \i?L\t organizations within their bodies which give more or less attention to literary matters and outside of these are the Young Men's Association, the Adelphian Club/and the Back-Log Club.

The Young Men's Association has been in existence for several years, and has a room in Lyceum Building neatly furnished. It is composed of a number of the prominent young men, who make this room their headquarters for social intercourse, literary improvement, and recreation. The clubs mentioned have members from both sexes, and have literary and dramatic entertainments at stated intervals. The Back-Log Club meets in the Kindergarten Scliool-house, in Rangley Place, and the Adelphians meet in Lyceum Hall.

Masonic. - In the month of January, 1864, at the invitation of Abijah Tliompson, 3d, several masons residing in this town, among whom were Dr. William Ingalls, A. K. P. Joy, D. X. Skillings, and J. F. Stone, met at his house on Walnut Street, to consider what action could betaken to promote the cause of masonry. After an interchange of opinions, it was decided to call a meeting of the brethren living in the town at No. 4 Lyceum Hall, which was held; and at a subsequent meeting, held on March 4, 1864, it was voted to apply for a dispensation.

A dispensation was duly granted. May 9, 1864, by William Parkman, then grand master, and the lodge duly oi^nizcd as AA^illiam Parkman Ldd(^, May 10, 1864, in Masonic Hall, in the upper part of Lyceum Building, which had been fitted up for these purposes. A. K. P. Joy was the master, Josiah F. Stone, senior warden, and Abijah Tliompson, *Sd, junior warden, of the new lodge under the dispensation. At the expiratfon of a year a charter was granted, June 16, 1S63, and a lodge under the same organized in due and ancient form, June 22, 1865. A complete set of officer's jewels was presented to the lodge by Mr. Parkman, in recc^giiition of the honor conferred upon him in taking his name for that of the lodge. The ladies of the Masonic brethren united in the presentation, on June 17, 1867, of an elegant banner. The lodge numbers eighty-three members.

Winchester Lodge, No. 556, Knights of Honor, was instituted March 31, 1877, with eleven cliarter members, and lias fifty-eight members. Tlie order of the Xnights of Honor is bi^nized for mutual assistance, both moral and pecuniary. It also pays an insurance of two thousand dollars to the widow or orphan of any deceasied meiuber. It has contributed for that purpose since its institution in 1874 over §725,000 to the families of members, and Winchester Lodge has contributed ^ 766 as its share of that amount.

The Winchester Union was organized August 1, 1871, and is a union of ladies from the different religious societies in the town. Its object is concisely stated in its constitution to be, ''to aid poor, sick, or suffering persons by work, instruction, advice, or sympathy, as the case may require.*' It holds its meetings once a month, in one of the roonas in the liigh-school house.

Prominent Citizens, - John Symmes, a descendant in the sixth generation from the Bev. Zechariah Symmes, was bom in 1781, in the old house at Baconville built by Captain William Svmmes, and afterwards built and lived in a house at the locality termed Svmmes' Comer, now occupied by his son, Luther R. Symmes. He was a good man, just and upright, and useful in his day. In addition to the cultivation of a valuable farm, part of which he inherited from his early ancestors, he carried on during many years the business' of a wheelwright, as his father had done before him.

He aettlcd many es.tates of deceased persons, and held at different times most of the offices of trust in the town and parish. He attended public worship in Medford, and was a stanch supporter of civil and religious order. He was deacon of the Congregational Church in that town from about the year 1818 until his death, February 15, 1860, at the age of seventy-nine years.

Among the earliest settlers in the town was Bobert Bacon, who in the year 1846 settled in tliat part of the town afterwards teri^d Baconville. The site where he located was possessed of excel* lent water privileges, which he and his sons improved for many years in carrying on their business. He also owned a large quantity of meadow-land adjoining, which afforded quite a revenue. The taking of a large portion of this meadow-hind as a part of the water-shed of the Mystic "Water- Works destroyed the water privileges which Jie had so long enjoyed, and compelled him to use^iteam-power in carrying on his business. After several years qf success he gave up the business t^ji^is sons, by soqne of whom it was continued f^t^manyyears. The. business is now carried on bj( a grandson (C. ^^^ Bacon), near ti^ sjkkpe locality. Mr. {iacon wW prominently identified, witii the earRhis|ory ^f tl^ town, and contributed materially to its advance^, ment and prosperity. Ue took a deep interest iii town affairs, and was nearly always present at the town-meetings, encouraging by his presence and vote whatever was best calculated^ to promote the prosperity of the town. He was tnie of the oldest members of the Universalist denomination, and took an active interest in it. He died June 4, 1861, at the age of eiglity-three years. His daughter occupies the old homestead.

John A. BoUes was one of those prominent in the early history of the town, and took an active interest in its affairs during the many years that he was a resident therein. He was a Lvwyer by profession, and secretary of the commonwealth under the administration of Governor Marcus Morton. During the War of the B^bellion he was upon the staff of General' John A. Dix^' and afterwards he was appointed naval solicitor, connected with the Navy Department at Washington. He held this office for several years, and died while holding the same, about two years ago.

Samuel B. White died November 9, 1873, at the age of seventy-five years. He was bom in Boston in 1803, and removed to tliat part of Woburu now Winchester in 1823. He was the first treasurer of the toJ|i after its incorporation, and was the station-agent here for several years. He also held many other offices of trust, and was highly esteemed, in the community. In early life he was connected, with the militia of Middlesex County, and at one time commanded the old 4th regiment. He was abo one of the original members of the once celebrated Wobum Pliahmx, and its first captain.

% Among those resident in the town at its incorporation was the Hon. Frederick O. Prince, the preset mayor of Boston. He purchased, in 184S, a residence on the borders of Wedge Pond, on tbe brow of a commanding oak knoll overlooking this beaufiful sheet of water. He continued a resident

.tof the town for many years, and took an active part in its early history. He served for three years upon the first school board, wliich gave such excellent shape and direction to the educational interests of the town. He was also a representative to the General Court for the years 1851, 1852, and 1863, and a senator for the year 185-1. He removed, several yeai% sin^, to Boston, but still continues to

In alluding to spmm^of the prominent citizens, mentipn sl\ould[ be mfd^, of one who, although a privaW individmil, was, in a certain sense, a public character for the last tliirty years of his hfe.

I Solomdh **l>wrence Fletcher died February 23, ;l880, at the age of seventy-nine years and two months. At his fmieral the following, among other tributes, were paid to his memory : *' Mr. Fletcher had two traits of character to which I, who have known him for nearlv fourteen vears, wish to bear testimony. First, he had a love for music, poetry, flowers, and everything beautiful This love entered into his life so deeply that it refined his whole nature. It added to that fine courtesy of his, with wliich he was ready to meet friend devoted himself to the happiness of others. How full of sympathy he was for the sick and suffering ! How much he planned for the children's enjoyment ! We call a man of wealth a man of meant, and it is a good use of words ; but this man, without any wealth, found means enough to carry sunshine and joy wherever he went. How many iu our community have made more hearts happy than he ? . . . . Let us lay this tribute upon his bier as we meet here to-day. With a kind, loving, generous heart, he lived more for others than himself, and iu all our endeavors to make the commanity hapc^T-^c^ct^ Old ^77%-i^ <

This history of the town would be incomplete without a brief record of one of its most honored and prominent citizens, who passed away from earth while these pages were being revised for publication.

David Nelson Skillings died March 10, 1880, at tlie age of sixty-two years. Mr. Skillings was born in Portland, Maine, March 7, 1818, coming to Boston at the age of twenty, with only his hands and i)ersoual skill to depend upon. He worked as a journeyman carpenter for four or five years, after which he set up for himself, having attracted the attention of the late Eben Francis, who employed him to build some houses on Beacon Street. A few years afterward he formed a partnership with the late Albert Yinal, and the firm carried on the wood and coal business in Cambridgeport and Boston, having a wharf at the foot of Poplar Street, since filled up. He subsequently formed a business connection with Mr. C. F. Jones in the same business, at Bartlett's wharf, at the North End. After some time Mr. SkilHngs withdrew from this firm, and devoted his attention to the lumber business, associating himself with Messrs. Ijawrence Barnes of Burlington, Vermont, Charles Whitney of Boston, and David Whitney, Jr., of Detroit, Michigan, under the firm name of Skillings and Whitney Brothers. Two years ago a corporation was formed, under the name of the Skillings, Whitney, and Banies Lumber Company, which is probably the largest lumber conceni in New England.

Mr. Skillings was a very prominent man among the mercantile community of Boston, where his business capacity was thorouglity appreciated. He liad twice been chosen by the legislature as a state director in the Boston and Albany Bailroad, and his last term of service would have expired in 1S8I ; and he had also ably represented the town of Winchester in the lower branch of the legislature. He was a director in the Eliot Bank and in

Mr. Skillings was always an active temperance worker, having been for several years a member of tlie executive committee of the Massachusetts Temperance Alliance, to which organization he was a liberal giver, and was tiie Prohibition candidate for state treasurer for four years consecutively, beginning with 1876. He was a resident of Winchester for almost the entire period of its history, and always took a leading part in all public matters, having been largely instrumental in the introduction of water into the town. 'He has been upon the board of selectmen, chairman of the water board for several years, and at the time of his death was president of the savings-bank. He was a prominent member of the First Congregational Church, in which he held the ofSce of deacon. He was a liberal but unostentatious giver to all worthy objects, and many a poor person has been cheered and comforted through his private benefactions. No one