Winchester Town (part 1 of 2)

Winchester Town

free choice. This act is the more to be praised, as it was not demanded by the law of the commonwealth, the population never having exceeded the requisite number. Although acted on each year, the vote estabhshing the school is still sustained, and a good high-school is in successful operation. Besides the high school, which is accommodated

The eminent men born in Wilmington are Timothy Walker, LL. D., celebrated as a jurist, who settled at Cincinnati, Oliio, and his brotlier. Sears Cook Walker, the distinguished mathematician and astronomer.

Winchester By Edwin

HE town of Winchester is in the easterly section of Middlesex County, eight miles northwest of Boston by the Boston and Lowell Railroad, whicii here sends off branches to Woburn and Stoneham. Its form is triangular, and it is bounded on the north and northwest by Woburn, on the east by Stoneham and Medford, on the south by Medford and Arlington, and southwest by Lexington.

All of this territory was a part of a grant of land made to Charlestown in the year 1&\Q by the General Court of Massachusetts. The portion formerly callfed South Woburn was ceded to Woburn with the remainder of that town in 1642. It was in this quarter probably that the first dwellinghouse in the town of Woburn was erected by Deacon Edward Convers. He came over from England to this country in 1630, settled in Charlestown, and removed to Woburn in 1643. His place of business was at the mill called by his name (near Whitney's), and there and in that vicinity several of his numerous posterity continued to dwell for many years. He was quite a prominent man in public affairs, and deacon of the First Congregational Cliurch in Woburn until his death, August 10, 1663, at the age of seventy-three years. Among his descendants there have been and still are individuals highly honored and respected.

Eev. Zeehariah Symmes, the progenitor of those who write their names in the manner indicated, came over to this country with his wife and seven children in September, 1634, from Bedfordshire, fourteen miles northwest from London. He settled in Charlestown, and was the minister there from 1634 until his death in 1671. During his lifetime the town of Charlestown voted to give to him a tract of three hundred acres of land extending from the north end of Medford Pond to the borders of Woburn.

Captain William Symmes, a son of Zeehariah, occupied a portion of this land at an early period. On a plan of his land which was drawn up in 1705 appears his house, which is there designated as the old house, indicating that it must have been built some time prior to that date. The old house was located not far from the present Centre railroad station in this town, about opposite the railroad freight-yard, and the railroad now passes over the spot where the cellar of the house then stood.

This Captain Symmes was a clotliier, or employed in fuUiug cloth, and had a small dye-house near his residence, which he used principally in connection with his business. He afterwards built a house in what is now termed Baconville, between the two houses now located there. Tliis house was long since taken down, and other structures put up near by. The original grant of land to Zeehariah Symmes was ceded to Medford with the rest of the town at an early date, and afterwards became a part of this town. Durable memorials of the occupancy of a large jrortion of this ' territory by Indians have been shown in numerous implements, tools, etc., used by them, which have been occasionally dug up from the ground.

The river running through the town was named by the Indians Aba-jona,from two Indian lovers who are said to have sacrificed their lives in its waters.

Before the building of the Boston and Lowell Railroad, in 1835, the centre part of the village was about where the Gifford School-house now stands, where a country store was located - and much frequented. For a succession of years the settlement here was quite slow, and the inhabitants few and scattering. But from tlie operation of various causes, especially the location of the railroad to Lowell, through the centre, the population and business rapidly increased between the years 1833 and 1839.

Black Horse Tavern, as it was termed, on Main Street (now occupied by J. F. Stone, "Esq.), was a noted resort for stage-coaches and teams j)assing through the village, and the yard at night was generally full of vehicles, while the spacious rooms were occupied by the drivers. On the same street, on the corner of tlie house formerly occupied by Deacon Lamson, stood the original Baldwin appletree from which numerous scions were taken at various times. It was taken down several years ago, at a good old age. At Symmes' Corner is a house (now occupied by Marsliall Symmes) which is over one hundred and fifty years old, and was the birthplace and early home of Governor Brooks. A portion of tlie land was sold to defray his college e\])enses. The elm-tree which overhangs the street in front of the house is over one hundred years old.

By the year 1840 quite a village had been gathered within wliat are now the limits of the town. The Congregiitioual Churcii was built in that year. Main, Washington, Church, and Bacon streets were then laid out as town highways. Where now is Pleasant Street was only a foot-bridge.

Quite a large manufacturing business was carried on at or near Convers Mill, by S. S. Richardson, of doors, sashes, blinds, etc. Wliittcmore's dyeliouse was also located tliere. B. F. Thompson's tannery was carried on in the same locality (now Waldmyer's) ; also Cutter and Clark's Mill for sawing maiiogany and fancy woods, a little way towards Woburn Centre ; and the locality lias ever since been designated as Cutter Village on account of tlie families of that name residing tliere. Furtlier towards Woburn Centre was Ciiurch and Lane's piano-forte factory, now carried on by Cowdry, Cobb, & Co. Carriage-building in all its branches was carried on at Symmes Corner by Joiin Symmes. Quite an extensive business Wiw carried on by Mr. llolierl Bacon in tlie vicinity of his residence (now Raeonviile), in the manufacture of hat bodies, etc. He purciiased a large portion of land

Such is a brief description of the village as it appeared before and at the time it became a distinct municipality. The declaration of independence as a town, the acceptance of the town charter, bears date May 7, 1850. The territory which it embraces was so compact and well defined, so singularly picturesque and beautiful, that it seemed to have been marked out and set apart for individual corporate existence by the hand of Nature herself.

The first public movement in regard to the town was made November 26, 1848, when a meeting of the inhabitants of South Woburn and vicinity was held in the vestry of the Congregational Church, " to take into consideration the subject of petitioning the legislature for an act of incorporation into a separate town, or do anything in relation to the same." At that meeting John A. Bolles, Esq., was the moderator, and a committee was chosen, representing the different sections of the proposed town to investigate the propriety and practicability of a separate town organization.

December 3, 1849, the committee reported favorably upon the plan, their report was accepted, and a committee chosen to draft a petition to the legislature. December 7, 1849, the committee reported the draft of a petition, which was accepted, and another committee chosen to obtain signers thereto. Samuel S. Richardson, Oliver R. Clark, and John A. Bolles were chosen a committee to take the necessary stejis to secure a town charter, and they employed Hon. Albert H. Nelson, of Woburn, as tiieir counsel. December 24, 1849, a committee, of which Hon. F. O. Prince was chairman, Avas chosen to select a name for the town and insert tlie same in the petition, which had received one hundred and seventy-six names. A great deal of difficulty was experienced in settling upon the name to be given to the new cliild, but finally it was decided to christen it Winchester, in lionor of Colonel William P. Winchester, a wellknown and public-spirited citizen of Boston, who thus became its godfather. The petition was presented to the legislature, January 19, 1850, and referred to the committee on towns. While it was pending in the committee, remonstrances were ])resented and referred to said committee from Luke Wyman and ciglity-nine others, of West Cambridge (now Arlington), and the selectmen and one hundred and three others, of Medford. At a townmeeting, held inWoburn, February 7, 1850, it was " Voted, That tlie town is willing that the prayer of tlie petition should be granted on just and equitable terms, to be agreed upon by a committee from each part of the town."

Tiierewas a long and protracted hearing before the committee of the legislature, and the committee went out and viewed the site of the proposed town from the hill in the rear of J. F. Stone's present residence on Main Street. The hill was then crowned with a summer-house, owned by and on the premises of Charles Mclntier. It required but one visit to satisfy the committee that the town ought to be incorporated, and it soon after reported a bill to that effect. Additional petitions and remonstrances in regard to the matter were introduced and laid on the table after the bill was reported to the house, and the town records say, *' There probably never has been a case of the kind accompanied by such constant, earnest, and wholesale lobbying " in opposition to the measure. The bill was vigorously opposed in the house by representatives Hoar of Concord, Hopkins of Northampton, and Gray of Boston. The town records further say : " The town should never forget the services of S. N. GifFord, the chairman of the committee on towns on the part of the house, or Mr. Plimpton, of the same committee, in support of the bill." The bill finally passed both branches, and was signed by the governor, April 30, 1850.

One remarkable feature of this act of incorporation was that not a dollar was spent to influence legislation, except the employment of eminent counsel to argue the cause.

May 7, 1850, the first town-meeting was held, and Nathan B. Johnson, Loring Emerson, and John Symmes were chosen selectmen. Mr. Symmes declined, and Charles Mclntier was chosen in his place; David Youngman was chosen town-clerk; Samuel B. "White, treasurer; John M. Steele, Charles Goddard, and Frederick O. Prince, school committee.

At a town-meeting, May 27, 1850, a letter was received from Colonel W. P. Winchester, enclosing his check for three thousand dollars, in token of his appreciation of the honor conferred upon his family name, which sum was to be appropriated towards the erection of a town-hall, or any other proper object of municipal expenditure. The gift was accepted, and placed in the hands of trustees for investment until some disposition of it should be determined upon.

The death of Colonel Winchester occurred xVugust 6, 1850, at the age of forty-nine years, and appropriate resolutions in relation to it were afterwards adopted by the town and entered upon its records. From the numerous tributes which the decease of Colonel Winchester called forth, the following extracts from one written by a well-known literary gentleman is selected, to show somewhat of the character of the man whose name the town bears : - -

" Seldom are the same rare qualities united in any one person which shone so conspicuously in every feature of his character and in every act of his widely extended career. With large means of usefulness, the first and most constant thought of his life was to make others happy.

" As a husband and father he was the idol of the domestic circle, where the genial and affectionate qualities of his disposition were manifested in the most striking manner. Kind and indulgent to the utmost degree, he was the centre around which the sweetest and most tender ties of home were all united.

" In his business relations he was, of course, more widely known. Gifted with a foresight and sagacity which never failed to see results in their causes, his opinions were always sought with interest, and received with deference and respect. Rarely did he fail to anticipate the more important fluctuations of mercantile affairs, and to predict not only the cause of the crisis, but its continuance and its cure. And the untiring industry which he brought to the conduct of his own widely extended aff'airs, added to the firmness and self-reliance of his character, enabled him through many years to conduct with perfect success a business second in importance to none of those which have so extended the wealth and elevated the social influence of Boston.

" As a friend he was most ^videly known and most universally beloved. Warm in liis attachments, unremitting in his kindness, and thoughtful even in the smallest acts of attention, none were ever admitted to his iiitimacy without placing him first on the list of those who were felt to be most valued and cherished from their own intrinsic worth and virtue. In his own house his hospitality was unbounded, and not less cordial and graceful than constant and profuse. At all times he appeared not to think of his own accommodation, or to value his own repose, in comparison with the welfare and comfort of his friends. This uniform benevolence of disposition shone tlirougli the smallest acts of his daily life, - and especially in his constant liberality to the poor wiio had any claims, however slight, to his consideration.

" He was an accomplished sciiolar in the French, Spanish, and Italian languages, - two of whicli he spoke with ease and fluency. He was a discriminating judge, no less than a liberal patron of the fine arts, and delighted to surround himself at all times with the elegances of art, and to enjoy that approbation of his refined taste which those persons who were best cjualified to judge rarely failed to express to him. As he lived universally beloved, so he died universally lamented."

Fopidai'wn. - "When the towii was incorporated the population numbered 1,353. The growth of the town has not been as rapid as some others, yet its progress in this direction has been a healthy one. In the year 1855 the population had increased to 1,801; in 1860, to 1,937; in 1865, to 1,968; in 1870, to 2,645; in 1875, to 3,099; of the latter, 1,476 were males and 1,623 females. In the same year there were 506 native voters and 125 naturalized voters.

The inhabitants are actively engaged in agricultural, mercantile, and mechanical pursuits. Large quantities of fruit and vegetables are produced for the Boston market. A great many of the citizens transact business in Boston.

At the present time there are 606 houses in the town, of which 72 belong to non-residents; 245 citizens liable to do military duty ; 283 horses, 244 carriages, 4 oxen, 173 cows, 11 heifers, 379 swine, 165 dogs.

The following manufacturing business is carried on at the present time in the town; three tanneries, four currier-shops, one shoe-stiffener (inner soles and lieels), one machine-shop for making machinery of all kinds, one shop for making knives for splitting leather, two shops for making pianoforte actions, one shop for making gold rings, one shop for making piano-forte cases, one saw-mill for mahogany and fancy woods, one watch-hand factory, one felting and wool-wadding factory, - having in all a capital invested of some $100,000.

As but a few streets were laid out at the incorporation of the town, and those were in an imperfect condition, the growth of the population has necessitated the laying out of many new highways, and the repairing and altering of old ones. The present number of accepted streets is forty-four, many of which are fine avenues and are frequent resorts for walks and rides.

The town is partially surrounded by several hills, or wooded eminences, which are named Mount Pisgah, Horn Pond Mountain, and Zion's Hill, located on the north and west, and Taylor's Mountain in the eastern section near the reservoir. Tlie underlying rock is sienite and dolerite, in wiiich occurs a bed of copper ore. Through the centre of the town flows in a devious current tiie Aba-jona River, whicli, starting from Wilmington, empties into the Medford Pond, one quarter of the latter being located in tiiis (own. Cutter's Brook is one of its brandies, and (lie ondet (o AVedge Pond. "Wedge Pond, in the c(n(re, is no(ed for tiie abun- dauce of water-lilies, whose white blossoms cover its surface in the summer season. It is said that the swallow makes its earliest appearance on the borders of this lake. An attempt was made in 1860 to change the name of Wedge Pond, and after much deliberation it was christened Echo Lake in September of that year, with appropriate ceremonies. The new name was short-lived, as it was not generally satisfactory. It is now known by its original name, and is quite a noted place of resort for boating and sailing during the summer season, and for skating in the whiter. Several of the prominent citizens have their residences on its borders, among whom is Admiral Henry Knox Thacher, a distinguished officer in the naval service, now upon the retired list.

When the town was incorjwrated Alvin Taylor the postmaster for South Woburn, and he was continued in the office under the new town. He was followed by Horace Holt, Josiah Hovey, J. A. Coolidge, and the present incumbent, George P. Brown. The business of the office has greatly increased, having nearly doubled within the last six years, so that the number of mails now sent and received daily is thirteen.

Lyceum Building was erected soon after the incorporation of the town, by private enterprise, and the large hall has been used for religious services, lectures, concerts, and entertaiiunents of all kinds, it being the only large hall suitable for such purposes. The lower part of the building is occupied by stores ; the upper stories are used for various purposes.

Masonic Hall is in the upper story of Brown and Stanton's building, on the corner of Main and Pleasant streets, and is very handsomely furnished.

Livingstone Hall, opposite Lyceum Building, was formerly called Union Hall, and is now occupied by the Grand Army Post and the Eeform Club as their regular place of meeting.

The Knights of Honor Hall is in the upper story of Richardson and Tyler's building on Main Street, and is appropriately fitted up for their uses.

At the opening of the Boston and Lowell Railroad, in 1835, a depot was established opposite Lyceum Building (then iu South Woburn). The depot remained in that location until 1872, when the present one was erected some distance further south. The location of the station in this place gave rise to long and earnest discussions, protests

Convenient station-houses on the line of the railroad are established in the southerly and northerly sections of the town, - the former being named Mystic, and the latter the Highlands.

The railroad facilities have kept pace with the jjrogress of the town, and now some thirty-six passenger trains stop daily at the centre station, and a less number at the branch stations. There are two hundred and thirty-eight season-ticket passengers to and from the several depots.

A branch railroad, to connect with the Boston and Maine Railroad at Medford and run through this town to Stoneham, was laid out several years ago, but after being partially built was abandoned, and the land given by the owners for this purpose was taken back by them. It made an ugly scar upon the land, without accomplishing any good results. Since then a branch has been built which extends to Stoneham, and connects with tlie Boston and Lowell Railroad at the Highlands.

The Mystic Valley Railroad is partially constructed, and passes through the westerly section of the town. It will give additional facihties for transportation of freight and passengers, and bring within easy reach of the city quite an area of desirable land for dwellings and farms.

In May, 1855, the town received five hundred dollars in an anonymous letter, to purchase a town clock to be placed on the Congregational Church edifice, and to be the property of the town. It has recently transpired that the gift was from Ebenezer Smith, then a resident of the town, but since deceased.

In March, 1860, ground was broken for the laying of pipes by the West Cambridge (now Arlington) Gaslight Company, and the principal streets were piped, and gas introduced about September of that year.

A savings-bank was opened August 28, 1871, and has continued in successful operation to the present time. It has about five hundred and fifty depositors, and is carefully and prudently managed.

At a town-meeting, April 7, 1851, a committee of ten was appointed to purchase a lot of land for a cemetery, not exceeding ten acres, to make out a plan of the same, with the estimated cost, and report to the town. At a town-meeting, September 15, 1851, the committee reported that they had purchased a lot of land containing about ten acres, situated west of the canal, and over against

Wedge Pond, at an expense of two thousand dollars, and that to fence the same and prepare it so far as needed for use would require an additional thousand dollars. The committee further recommended that the money presented to the town by Colonel Winchester be appropriated to the purchase and laying out of the land described for the cemetery ; that the town sell its interest in the old cemetery, and apply the proceeds to the improvement of tlie new cemetery, the repayment of the Winchester fund, and for such other use as the town may dictate. The report and recommendations were adopted, and the committee authorized to carry out the same.

The cemetery was designed, and laid out in lots, under the direction of the committee, by Amasa Farrier, of Stoneham. The spot selected contains ten and a half acres, and is well adapted to the purpose, being thickly covered with pine and forest trees, interspersed with hill and dale. At the consecration an address was delivered by Rev. R. H. Neale, D. D., with other appropriate services. Four hundred and sixty-nine lots have been laid out, of wliich two hundred and ninety-seven lots have been sold, leaving one hundred and seventytwo unsold. Tlie cemetery is under tlie charge of a committee of five, chosen by tiie town, and an appropriation is annually made, of a sufficient amount to keep the grounds in proper condition, which amount has averaged % 38;1.77 per year. The cemetery fund, February 28, 1880, amounted to $5,386..56.

Fire Department. - In the year 1850 the town bought a hand fire-engine and apparatus at a cost of some fourteen hundred dollars. It was located in a house near tlie Congregational Church, and was manned by volunteers for several years ; afterwards the company received a small compensation for tlieir services. At the town-meeting in March, 1870, it was voted, on motion of C. O. Billings, Esq., to purchase a chemical engine called the Babcock Village Machine. Its cost was seven hundred dollars, and it was named tlie J.F. Dwiiiell, in honor of a well-known and prominent townsman. This town was almost, if not the first, lo bring this machine into use, and although at first it was ridiculed by many, and look(;<I upon with little favor, yet it steadily gained in the public estimation after its introduction, and no city or town can now well afford to be without it. In 1873 the town bought a steam fire-engine and fixtures at a cost of some S.'),K)0. It was named Alex. Mosciv, in honor of a prominent gentleman. At the same time there was purchased a horse hose-carriage at a cost of SI, 000, which was named in honor of P. Waldmyer.

July 10, 1874, the following vote was passed by the town : " That the selectmen and engineers be and are hereby instructed to supply on the present steam fire-engine lot such additional accommodations as will house the town horses and all the fire apparatus in a style in keeping with the present building, and that the horses be there stabled." In pursuance with the foregoing vote an excellent house was erected, containing all the accommodations necessary to a large fire department, at a cost of §5,400. The old building which the steamer had occupied was altered into a commodious stable, at a cost of $375. In 1874 the town sold the hand-engine, purchased four hose-carriages, which, with the hose and the houses for them, located in different parts of the town, cost some $4,000. In 1875 a hook-and-ladder truck was bought, at a cost of §650, and named J. W. Huse, in honor of a worthy townsman who died in November, 1878. The number of men connected with the department is sixty-seven ; annual expense, about $3,000, $1,000 of which is for the use of water. The expense of the fire department for the past thirty years has been $ 53,453. 6;i. The value of the fire apparatus, including houses, is §21,847.

The first public action taken in regard to the introduction of water for domestic purposes into the town is in the record of the town-meeting held November 8, 1870, when a committee of nine was appointed to consider the subject, consisting of the selectmen and six others. This committee made a partial report at the town-meeting held November 27, 1871, and asked to be, and was, discharged. At the same meeting 0. R. Clark, D. N. Skillings, M. A. Hcrrick, T. P. Ayer, and J. F. Dwinell were appointed a committee to investigate and report as soon as practicable the question of supplying the town witii water, and were empowered to employ assistance, and make examinations at the expense of the town.

After further consideration of several projects for water-supplv, at a town-meeting, August 2, 1872, U. N. Skillings, M. A. llerrick, J. F. Dwinell, T. P. Ayer, and Asa Fletciier were appointed a committee to further investigate the whole subject and cost of construction, and report to the town ; and said committee was authorized to procure the necessary surveys.

At a town-meeting, held April 21, 1873, the committee made a partial report; and at another, held June 20, 1873, tlie committee made a supplemental report, which was accepted. It was then decided to accept Chapter 277 of the Acts of the Legislature of 1873 by a vote of one hundred and twenty in the affirmative to none ii\ the negative. Tiiis act allowed the town " to collect the water of and on the territory lying along the easterly side of the town of "Winchester, being in the towns of Winchester, Medford, and Stonehara, extending eiglity rods south of the north line of said town of Medford and including all tlie natural water-shed of that territory, by means of dams, aqueducts, pipes, pumps, reservoirs, or such other structures as may be necessary and convenient for tlie preservation and purity of said water, and may convey the said water from said territory by any convenient route, and distribute the same in the manner and upon tlie condition and terms set forth in said act; provided, that none of the water tributary to Spot Pond be taken by virtue hereof."

This act embraced the plan recommended by the committee for the supply of water, and at a townmeeting, held July 7, 1873, it was accepted and adopted by the town as the most feasible and proper method of supplying the town with pure water. It appeared in the report of the committee that the North Meadow gathering-ground, where the reservoir is located, has an area of four hundred and fifty-two acres, which will give a daily supply of 676,050 gallons of water, or forty gallons a day to more than 16,000 people, or more than four times the present number of inhabitants. The territory includes the westerly slope of the Bear Hill range, and the whole of Dike's Meadow, so called. If the time should arrive that more water would be required, a dam can be built at the outlet of t!ie South Meadow, which has an area nearly the same as the North Meadow, and the water added to that of the North Meadow. The two basins, when united, would give a supply of 1,363,650 gallons per day, or forty gallons per day to 34,000 people.

The first work at the reservoir was done July 15, 1873, by N. Fitzgerald; C. Linehan becajne the contractor, September 6, 1873 ; work began, September 8, 1873 ; began storing water, December 5, 1873. "Water was let into the pipes, September 20,

1874. Total length of the dam, 675 feet, including overflow; length of overflow, 34 feet; greatest height of dam, 30| feet ; area of full reservoir, 60 acres; length, 4,400 feet; greatest width, 1,450 feet ; greatest depth, 23 feet ; total capacity, 259,000,000 gallons. Total length of street mains laid to March 1, 1878, 74,679 feet.

"Walter H. Sears was the constructing engineer, and George H. Norman the contractor for furnishing and putting in place all the necessary pipes, hydrants, gates, and other appurtenances constituting the system of distribution. The pipe laid is what is known as the wrought-iron and cement-lhied water-pipe. The total cost of construction of works, pipes, etc., necessary to the introduction of water to March 1, 1880, is $168,800.72 ; for the maintenance of the water-works to the same date, $8,785.33. The debt incurred on account of the introduction of water is in water bonds to the amount of $160,000, held mostly by the state of Massachusetts, and payable in difTerent sums and at intervals, from the year 1884 to 1895 inclusive. The whole number of services, March 1, 1880, is 463; the whole number of water-takers is 571; amount of water-rates for the year ending March 1, 1880, $7,700.66.

Since its introduction the inhabitants have continued to receive an abundant supply of water of an excellent quality, and the system of distribution has continued to answer its design.

Military. - The town, under the calls of the president, in 1861 and 1862, furnished for three years sixty-two men, at an average cost of $43 per man, town bounty; in 1862, sixty men for nine months, at an average cost of §82 per man as town bounty, and an average subscription bounty of $12 per man; in 1863, 1864, and 1865 the town furnished one hundred and ten men for three years and twelve men for one year, at an average town bounty of $115.70, and an average subscription bounty of $58 per man, - the two hundred and forty-four men costing, in all, $29,497.40, or an average cost of §120.90 per man.

This sum was raised as follows : by money hired for a term of years, $7,810.05; by taxation, $13,891.35; by subscription, $7,796. All was raised and expended, and tlie men obtained without any expense to the town, no town officer or other person having received any pay for the time and expense incurred in raising the men or performing any of the work incidental to raising volunteers, neither did any subscriber ask to have his subscrip- tion refunded; and so promptly was the moue}' forthcoming that the town always filled its (piota promptly, and was never at any time behindhand. The war expenses for five years amounted to tlie sum of 142,771.39.

Out of the two hundred and forty-four men, fourteen were substitutes, three from the state enlistments for the South, twenty-two nnie-months men were from Reading, fifteen from the state at large, twelve re-enlistmeuts, and one hundred and seventy-eight from this town. Of these last named, ten died in the service of their country. The roll of honor is as follows : George AV. L. Sanborn, Aaron D. Weld, Josiali Stratton, Francis A. Hatch, John Fitzgerald, Joshua T. I^awrence, Francis B. Bedell, John Gordon, Jefferson Ford, and Ira Johonnott.

Eihiciiliiiiiiil. - No school-house appears to have been bnilt in wliat are now the limits of the town before the yearl7yO,and though a public school was some years appointed to be kept, it could be accommodated only in some private house, and then only for a few weeks in the course of the season. Other years the children who attended school had to be provided with a private one at the cost of the parents, or travel to the centre of Woburn and Medford, some two miles distant. At the incorporation of the town there were only two schoolhouses within its limits, - one in the Centre (formerly South "Woburn), and the other on the Medford road, near Symmcs Corner (formerly Medford).

The town at its first meeting cliose 0. R. Clark, Charles Kimball, and AVilliam A. Dodge a committee to build five scliool-houses. These houses were built during the ensuing year, and were resjiectively called : the Hill, from its location; the Wyinan, from an honored townsman of that name ; the Rumford, from Count Rumford, a native of Woburn; the Washington, from tiie street of that name; and tlic Giirnrd, from S. X. ( nllord, who was so active in Mi-ming the incovpur.ilidii nf the town. The whole ,-(,st of Ihrsc houses, exclusive orfuniituiv, u:,s about S(l,.-,(l(). These five houses, logelher wuh Ihe two first lueul ioue,!, eoiiiprised all tiic school accommodations of tlial day. A high school was established at Ihe oulsel in the old school-house in the Cenlre, ahhougli ihe ninuber of iniiabitants did not then and has no! sinee required it.

scheme, including every grade, and managed not by districts and district committees, but by the whole town. In 1S53 the Mystic School-house, on Bacon Street, was built to take the place of the old one in that locality, at an expense of some -$l,yOO. In 1854 a primary school-room was fitted up in the Giff'ord School-house, at an expense of SSOO. In 1857 the Adams School-house was erected, at an expense of §2,000. In 1863 this school-house was enlarged by the addition of an upper room, at an expense of ^700.

In 1865 a new high-school house was erected on Dix Street, near the old one, which had become unsuitable for the purpose. The total cost of the building, land, furniture, etc., was about $17,000. Tin's 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 Gifford School-house, which had been removed to a locality on Main Street. This house, with the land and furnishing, cost about $16,000. The house was dedicated November 5, 18G5. 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 $12,000. It was named the Chapin, 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 $ 1,500. There are fourteen schools, all keeping ten months in tlie 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 ending March 1, 1880, was 530. The ten school-houses now in use are valued at $57,500. Tlie amount expended upon the schools for the past thirty years, or to March 1, 1880, is $208,672.20; anil "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, sjiecial allusion should be made to Dr. Alonzo Chapin, whose term of service exceeded tliat of any ..ther, and wlu) was also a trustee of tlie towii lilirar\ for several years, and took an aeti\e inlerest in all towu affairs. Dr. Chapin was born in Springfield, Massachusetts, in February, 1805, and graduated at Amherst. He was mission phj'sician to the Sandwich Islands from 1834 to 18:37. Eeturning to America, he continued in the practice of his profession, and settled in this towu 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 work 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 all 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 xissociation 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 supported by the voluntary contributions of its members. The Association voted, February 19, 1859, to offer the library, containing one thousand volumes, to the town, as the nucleus of a public town library, upon certain conditions. At the annual townmeeting, March 28, 1859, the town voted to accept the ofi'er 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 papers 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, consi'sting 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 the end of the first year it appeared there were 396 borrowers, who had taken out 4,400 books. Since then the town has from 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 borrowers and 21,445 books taken out. The library now numbers 4,532 volumes, and is located in the second story of the brick building on Main Street, near the Centre, owned by Richardson and Tyler. The amount expended upon the library since its establishment in 1859 is ^ 10,469.24.

The following named citizens of the town have served as senators in the state senate from the district of which this town was a part : Frederick 0. Prince in the year 1854; Oliver R. Clark in 1861 and 1864 ; Abraham B. Coffin, in 1877 and 1878 ; and as representatives to the General Court, Frederick 0. Prince in the years 1851, 1852; Zachariah Richardson, 1853; Joseph Stone, 1854; Cephas Church, 1855; Aaron D. Weld, 1856; 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 R. Clark of Winchester in 1859; Joseph Burrage of West Cambridge in 1860; Charles Hey wood of Winchester in 1861 ; Albert Wiini of West Cambridge in 1862 ; Frederick 0. Prince of Winchester in 1863; Samuel Butterfield of West Cambridge in 1864; Charles Goddard of Winchester in 1865; Joseph S. Potter of Arlington in 1866, 1867, 1868 ; Salem Wilder of Winchester 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 Arlhigton 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; William G. Peck of Arlington in 1878 and 1880; Josiah F. Stone of Winchester in 1879.

Religious. - After frequent meetings between March, 1839, and May, 1840, and much discussion, a general meeting of prominent citizens residing in what was then South Woburn was held May 12, 1840, at which it was decided to organize the South Woburn Congregational Society. June 1, 1840, a society bearing this name was organized under due form of law, and a building committee consisthig of Benjamin F. Thompson, Harrison Parker, Stephen Swan, Henry Cutter, Marshall Wyman, Nathan B. Johnson, and Sumner Richardson were cliosen 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 27, 1840. The church edifice was completed, and dedicated December 30, 1840; the sermon on the occasion being preaclied by the Rev. Daniel Crosby, of Charlestown. One hundred members of the present church in Woburn withdrew from that church November 2, 1840, and formed a 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 valuable organ just placed in it, and other furniture, was entirely destroyed by fire.

The corner-stone of the present edifice, which occupies a commanding position fronting on Church Street, the Common, and the railroad depot, was laid September 5, 1853, and the house was dedicated October 11, 1854. The corporate name of the society was changed, March 11, 1856, to the First Congregational Society. The pastors who have been settled over this society are as follows : Rev. George P. Smith, ordained June 17, 1841, and dismissed March 11, 1 M5 ; Rev. Wdliam T. Eustis, Jr., installed April 8, 1846, dismissed January 27, 1848; Rev. John M. Steele, ordained August 10, 1848, dismissed February 11, 1852; Reuben T. Robinson, ordained October 27, 1852, died in the service August 24, 1871 ; Rev. Edwin C. Bissell, installed November 1, 187»1, dismissed September 2, 1873 ; Rev. Alfred B. Dascomb, installed March 4, 1874, resigned, and resignation took effect July 15, 1878; Rev. Charles R. Seymour, installed October 30, 1879, is the present pastor. The Sunday school was organized January 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. R. Clark was its sui)erintcndent for fifteen years. The present membiTslii]) is about three hundred and fifty. Benjamin F. Thonijjson, Nathan B. Johnson, and Marshall Wymau were the first deacons, and served twelve years in that capacity. After tliese, Zebediah Abbott served twenty-two years ; Joseph Iluse, eighteen years : Lutlier Ricliardson, nineteen years ; Oliver R. Clark, eighteen years. On the 5th of .[uly, 1872, a by-law was adopted, liniiling the term of service of \\\v iliacniis lo four years. The present luuuber of cliiiicli-iiiriiibers is about four hundred.

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

Benjamin Franklin Thompson was born in Woburn, January 18, 1799. He was brought up in a plain New England home, and enjoyed to a limited extent the advantages of the town schools. Early called upon to carve out his own fortune, he 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 lay aside a handsome competence. He was a model business man, and preferred tiie activity which a business life required. He was a true friend, neighbor, and citizen, and to the sick, suffering, 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 Rebellion.

He held the office of superintendent of the Sunday school connected with the Woburn church for several years, and in April, 1836, was chosen deacon, which latter office he resigned in December, 1840. He removed to this place, then South Woburn, 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 meeting was held at his house. He was the first clerk and treasurer, and one of the 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 dencon, February, 1852. As a Christian he was faitiiful to all his religious engagements, and remained connected with the Sunday school to the time of his death, which occurred in July, ISCi.).

Hiijilisl Clnirrli. - Some time during the year 1819 a few individuals connected with tlie Maptist dcnoniinali.m assembled for worship in Union Hall, in what was ihen W.ibuni, and continued to meet in th.it place until the erec- tion of Lyceum Hall. During this time Rev. N. A. Eeed acted as their 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 3, 1852. Tiie successive pastorates have been : Eev. N. A. Eeed, from August 18, 1852, to August 1, 1854 ; Eev. Edwin B. Eddy, from December 1, 1855, to June 1, 1860; Eev. J. D. Meeson, from May, 1861, to February, 1862; Eev. Henry Hinckley, from September 1, 1862, to November, 1866; Eev. Samuel J. Bronson, from February 19, 1867, to May, 1869; Eev. L. G. Barrett, from January, 1870, to January, 1874.; Eev. H. F. Barnes, the present pastor, from March 15, 1874.

In 1864 a meeting-house was completed by the society at the corner of "Washington and Mount Vernon streets. It is built of wood, and is of the Gothic style of architecture. Tlie main house is 75x45 feet, with an 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 furnishing was about §10,000. The present membership of the church is one hundred and sixty-four. The Sunday school uumbers about one hundred -and forty.

Aaron D. Weld, who was active among the early efforts put forth by the exponents of Baptist views, was born 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 Baptist 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 knowledge, he was eminently useful in the Sunday school and church. He was brought up in the religious behef of the Congregationalists, but was afterwards led by study and research to embrace Baptist sentiments. In his business he was enterprising and shrewd, and withal eminent for his straightforwardness and 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 was warm-hearted, generous, and noble. He entered into the service of his country in January, 1862, as acting paymaster attached to the United States steamer J. P. Jackson, and was in the naval engagement at New Orleans, and in several other conflicts with the enemy. June 3 he was taken sick with remittent fever, and died, June 11, 1862, on board the Ocean Queen, while on her way to New York, about one hundred miles below New Orleans.

Unilarian Society. - About the year 1853 a Sunday school was organized by the friends of liberal Christianity, and met in the ^lystie Sclioolhouse 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 witii 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 Eev. S. E. Calthrop came to spend a Sunday with his friends in this town. About twent^^-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, wiiich 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 Society had its first religious service December 3, 1865, some one hundred persons being present. A Sunday school was formed in the afternoon of that day, with some fifty scholars, and Cliarles J. Bishop, Esq., as its superintendent.

The pulpit for the first six months was occupied by different clergymen. May 18, 1866, Eev. Eichard Metcalf, the present pastor, was called, ^id on June 14, 1866, was duly installed. After occupying Lyceum Hall for several years, it was found to be insufficient for the purposes of the society, and in 1869 the incipient steps were taken towards the purchase of land and tlie erection of a house of worship. Thomas P. Ayer and Franklin W. Perry were tiie building committee. A lot of land, pleasantly located near the centre of the town, fronting on Main Street, the rear overlooking Winchester Park, was purchased of Francis Johnson and others in May, 1869. August 25, 1869, tlie corner-stone of the present clmrch edifice was laid, with appropriate ceremonies, and the building completed, and dedicated March 17, 1870. The architect was Thomas W. Silloway of Boston. The house is forty-si.x feet wide in front, and fortytwo in the rear, the extreme length behig eightyone feet. A tower on the front right-hand corner is one hundred and teu feet high. The auditorium contains seventy-tno pews, with seats for three hundred and eighty 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 tlie first meeting, November 19, 1855. The Sunday 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 tJie parent society. The Good-Will Club has been, in existence eight years. Its object is "to do good and get good." Through 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 free evening-school for instruction in the elementary brauehi's 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 taugiit 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 Roman Catholics here; but with the increase in tlic number of houses there began to be more people desiring church privileges. At first they were obliged to go to Woburn or Mcdford to attend church, - a distance of two or three miles. Some five or six years ago, feeling Ihcniselvcs to be sufficient in numbers and ;il)iliiy lo h;i\(; services of llicir own faith in the town, I'hey, uiih (Iu-mssi-liuiee of friends in IIm; other ileii(iiniii:ili(iii'^, raised the neeessarv nionev, and .Tceled an.l furnished the present' Ileal a'nd edifice on Washington Mreet, niAV (leeiipied bx

Methodist Episcopal Society. - Up to February, 1872, no attempt had been made to organize a Methodist society in this town, but during 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 Rev. 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 regular pastor appointed by the Annual Conference was the Rev. D. S. Coles, who began his labors April 19,1874, and continued for two years. On the morning of October 20, 1875, ground was broken for a church edifice by Cyrus Houghton, 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 architecture, 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-tower, at the front right corner. A basement, making the 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 to the needs of this young and prosperous society. The clmrch edifice was dedicated June 1, 1876, and up to the present time two pastors Jiave served, namely. Rev. J. E. Jubb one year, and Rev. 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.

Rising Star Division, No. 52, Sons of Temperance, was instituted September 9, 1858, and after flourishing for a little more than two years, during wJiicli lime it had numbered some sevenlv members, an,l as many lady visitors, and (Km'e nuieh good in tlie conimnnily, surrendered its cliarter in ISlill. It mnnbered some twenty at its decease, and its properly, including a handsome banner, was sdid (() a division in Somerville, wiiicii assumed

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 other times.

As auxiliary to the Reform Club, 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, botli of which had lectures, debates, and entertainments, and were very successful in this way.

At the present time some of the religious societies have 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 Y'oung 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 Hterary and dramatic entertainments at stated intervals. The Back-Log Club meets in tlie Kindergarten School-house, in Rangley Place, and the Adelphians meet in Lyceum Hall.

Masonic. - In the month of January, 1864, at the invitation of Abijah Thompson, 3d, several masons residing in this town, among whom were Dr. William Ingalls, A. K. P. Joy, D. N. SkiUings, 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 organized as Wdliam Parkman Lodge, May 10, 1864, in Masonic Hall, in the upper part of Lyceum Building, whicli had been fitted up for these purposes. A. K. P. Joy was the master, Josiah F. Stone, senior warden, and Abijah Thompson, 3d, junior warden, of the new lodge under the dispensation. At the expiration of a year a charter was granted, June 16, 1865, and a lodge under the same organized in due and ancient form, June 22, 1865. A complete set of oificer's jewels was presented to the lodge by Mr. Parkman, in recognition of the honor

HENRY F. JOHNSON. SAMUEL J. ELDER. EDWIN A. WADLEIGH. JOHN T. WILSON. JAMES A. DUPEE. J. F. DWINELL. J. C. MASON. G. AV. T. RILEY. STEPHEN H. CUTTER. STEPHEN A. HOLT.

Source changes here: from History of Middlesex County, Massachusetts, by Drake, Samuel Adams, published 1880; 11,725 words in this source stream.

Bt Edwin A. Vadlbioh

HE town of "Winchester is iii the easterly section of Middlesex County, eight miles northwest of Boston by the Boston and liOwell Bail road, wliicli here sends off branches to Wobum and Stoneham. Its form is triangular, and it is bounded on the north and northwest by "Wobuni, on the east by Stoneham and Medfonf, on tlie south by Medford and Arlington, and souUiwest by Lexington.

All of this terriloiy was a pnit of a grant of land made to Charlestown in the year 1640 by the General Court of Massachusetts. The portion formerly called South Wobum was ceded to Wobum with the remainder of thnt town in 1642. It was in this quarter probably that the first dwellinghouse in the town of ^Vobum was erected by Deacon Edward Convers. Became over from England to this country in 1630, settled in Charlestown, and removed to Wobum in 164i. His place of business was at the mill called by his name (notr Whitiiey's), and there and in that vicinity several of his numerous posterity continued to dwell for many years. He was quite a prominent man in public affairs, and deacon of the First Congregational Church in Wobum until his death, August 10, 1663, at the age of seventy-three years. Among his' descendants there liave been and still are individuats highly honored and respected.

Bev. J^hnriah Syinmes, the progenitor of those who write their names in the manner indicated, came over to this country with his wife and seven children' in Sejiteniber, 1634, from 'Bedfordshire, fourteen miles northwest from London. He wb* tied in Charlestown, and was the minister there from 1634 until bis death in 1671. Daring bia lifetime the town of Charlestown voted to give to him a tract of three hundred acres of land extcad* ing from the north end of Medford' Fond to (lie borders of Wobom. '

Captain William Symmes, a son of Zcchariab, occupied a portion of this land at an early period. On a plan of bis land which was dravm up in 1705 appears his house, which is there designated as the old house, indicating that it must have been built some time prior to that date. The old house was located not far from the present Centre railroad station in this town, about opposite the nilroad freight-yard, and the railroad now passes over the spot where the cellar of the house then stood.

This Captain Symmes was a clothier, at employed in fulling cloth, and had a small dye-hgoie near his residence, which he used principally in connection with his business. He afterwards bu3t k house in what is now termed Baconville, betweea the two houses now located there. This hoosevaa long since taken don-n, and other structures put ap near by. The original grant of bud to Zecbariah Symmes was ceded to Medford with the rest of tbe toirn at BU early date, and afterwards became* part of this town. Durable memorials of tbe occupancy of a large portion of this territory by Indians have been shown in numerous imjdements, tools, etc., used by them, which have been occasibnally dug up from the ground.

The river runuing through the town was named hy the Indians Aba-jona,from two Indian lovers who are' said to have sacrificed their lives tn its vateia.

Before the building of the Boston and Lowell Bailroad, in 1835^ the centre part of the village was about where the Gifford School-house now stands, where a country store was located and much frequented. For a succession of years the settlement bene was quite slow, and the inhabitants few and seattering. But from the operation of various causes, especially the location of the railroad to Lowell, through the centre, the {)opulation and business rapidly increased between the years J 833 and 1839.

Black Horse Tavern, as it was termed, on l^faiu Street (now occupied by J. F. Stone, Esq.), was a noted resort for stage-coaches and teams passing through the vilhige, and the yard at night was generally full of vehicles, while the siMicious rooms were occupied by the drivers. On the same street, on the comer of the house formerly occupied by Deacon Lamson, stood the original Baldwin appletree from which numerous scions were taken at times. It was taken down several years ago, at a good old age. At Symmes^ Comer is a house (now occupied by Marshall Symmes) which is >over one hundred and fifty years old, and was the birthplace and early home of Governor Brooks. A portioii of the land was sold to defray his college expenses. The elm-tree which overhangs tlie street in front of the house is over one hundred years old.

By the year 1840 quite a village liad been gathered within what are now the limits of the town. Tlie Congregational Church tras built in that year. Main, Washington, Church, and Bacon streets were then laid out as town highways. Where now is Pleasant Street was only a fodt-bridge.

Quite a large manufacturing business was carried on at or near Convers Mill, by S. S. Richardson, of doors> sashes, blinds, etc. Whittemore's dyehouse' was also located there. B. F. Thompson's tannery was carried on in the same locality (now Waldmyer's) ; also Cutter and Clark's Mill for sawing mahogany and fancy woods, a little way towards Wobum Centre ; and the locality has ever since been designated as Cutter Village on account of the families of that name residing there. Further towards Wobum Centre was Church and Lane's piano-forte factory, now carried on by Cowdry, Cobb, & Co. Carriage-building in all its branches was carried on at Symmes Comer by John Symmes. Quite an extensive business was carried on by Mr. Hobert Bacon in the vicinity of his residence (now Baconville), in the manufacture of hat bodies, etc. He purchased a large portion of land

'Such is a brief description of the village as it appeared before and at the time it became a distinct municipality. The declaration of indepen* dence as a town, the acceptance of llie town* charter, bears- date May 7, 1850. The territory which it embraces was so comiiact and well defined, so singularly picturesque and beautiful, that it seemed to have been marked out and set apart for individual coqK)rate existence by the hand of Nature herself.

Tlie first public movement in regard to the fown was made November 26, 1848, when a meeting of the inhabitants of South Wobum and viciuity was held in the vestry of the Congregational Church, '^ to take into consideration the subject of petitioning the legisbture for an act of incorporation into a separate town, or do anything in relation to the same.'' At that meeting John A. Bolles, Esq., was the moderator, and a committee was chosen, representing the different sections of the proposed town to investigate the propriety and prae^ ticability of a separate town organization.

December 3, 1849, the committee repoit<Sd favorably upon the .plan, their report was accepted, and a committee chosen to draft a petition to the legislature. December 7, 1849, the committee reported the draft of a {jetition, which was accepted, and another committee chosen to obtain signers thereto. Samuel S. Richardson, Oliver S. Clark, and John A. Bolles were chosen a committee to take the necessary steps to secure a town charter, and they employed Hon. Albert H. Nelson, of Wobum, as their counsel. December 24, 1849, a committee, of which Hon. F. O. Prince was chairman, was chosen to select a name for the town and insert the same in the petition, which had received one hundred and seventy-six names. A great deal of difiiculty wais experienced in setthng upon the name to be given to the new child, but finally it was decided to christen it Winchester, in honor of Colonel William P. Winchester, a wellknown and public-spirited citizen of Boston, who thus became its godfather. The petition was presented to the legislature, January 19, 1850, aud referred to the committee on towns. ^Vhile it was pending in the committee, remonstrances wete presented and referred to said committee from Luke Wyraan and eighty-nine others, of West Cambridge (now Arlington), and the selectmeu and one hundred and three others, of Medford. At a townmeeting, held in Woburn, February 7, 1850, it was *'ri>^<rrf, That the town is willing that the prayer of the petition should be granted on just and equitable terms, to be agreed upon by a committee from each part of the town/'

There was a long and protracted hearing before the committee of the legislature, and the committee went out and viewed the site of tlie proposed to^-n from the hill in the rear of J. F. Stone's present residence on Main Street. The hill was then crowned with a summer-house, own^d by and on the premises of Charles Mclntier. It required but one visit to satisfy the committee that the town ought to be incorporated, and it soon after reported a bill to that effect. Additional petitions and remonstrances in regard to the matter were intrcduced and laid on the table after the bill was reported to the house, and tlie town records say, " There probably never has been a case of the kind accompanied by such constant, earnest, and wholesale lobbying " in opposition to tlie measure. The bill was vigorously opposed in the house by representatires Hoar of Concord, Hopkins of Northampton, and Gray of Boston. The town records further say : *' The town should never forget the services of. S. N. GifTord, the chairman of the committee on towns t on the part of the house, or Mr. Plimpton, of the same committee, in support of the bill." The bill finally passed both branches, and was signed by the governor, April 80, 1830.

One remarkable feature of this act of incorporation was that not a dollar was sjient to influence legislation, except the employment of eminent counsel to argue the cause.

May 7, 1850, the first town-meeting was held, and Nathan B. Johnson, Loring Emerson, and John Svrames were chosen selectmen. Mr. Svmmes declined, and Charles Mclntier was chosen in his place ; David Youngman was chosen town-clerk ; Samuel B. AVhite, treasurer ; John M. Steele, Charles Goddard, and Frederick 0. Prince, school committee.

At a town-meeting, ^lay 27, 1850, a letter was recoived from Colonel AV. P. Winchester, enclosing his check for thn*e thousand dollars, in token of his appreciation of the honor conferred upon his family name, which sum was to be appropriated towards the erection of a town-hall, or any other proper object of wtmicipal expenditure. The gift was accepted, and placed in the hands of trustee^ for investment until some disposition of it should be determined upon. i>

Tlie death of Colonel Winchester occurred Au->. gust 6, 1850, at the age of forty-nine years, and appropriate resolutions in relation to it were afterwards adopted by the town and entered upon its records. From the numerous tributes which the decease of Colonel Winchester called forth, the following extracts from one written by a well-known literary gentleman is selected, to show somewhat of the character of the man whose name the town bears : -r - .: - .

'^ Seldom are the same rare qualities united in any one person which shone so conspicuously in every feature of his character and in every act of his widely extended career. With lai^ means of usefulness, the first and most constant thought of his life was to make others happy.

^* As a husband and father he was the idol of the domestic circle, where the genial and affectionate qualities of his disposition were manifested in the most striking manner. Kind and indulgent to the utmost degree, he was the centre around which . the sweetest and most tender ties of home were all united.

''In his business relations he was, of course, more widely known. Gifted with a foresight and sagacity which never failed to see results in their causes, his opinions were always souglit with interest, and received with deference and respect Barely did he fail to anticipate the more important* fluctuations of mercantile affairs, and to predict not onlv the cause of the crisis, but its continuance and its cure. And the untiring industry which lie brought to the conduct of his own widely extended affairs, added to the firmness and self-reliance of his character, enabled him through many years^ to conduct with perfect success a business second in importance to none of those which have so extended the wealth and elevated the social influence of Boston.

'' As a friend he was most widely known and most universally beloved. Warm in his attach* ments, unremitting in his kindness, and thoughtful* even in the smallest acts of attention, none were ever admitted to his intimacy without placing him first on the list of those who were felt to be most valued and cherished from their own intrinsic worth and virtue. In his own house his hospitality was unbounded, and not less cordial and graceful than* constant and profuse. At all times he appeared not to think of his own accommodation, or .

to valaehif own repose, in comparison with the wel&re and comfort of his friends. This uniform benevolence of disposition shone through the smallest acts of his daily life, - and especially in his constant liberality to the poor who had any claims, however slight, to his consideration*

" He was. an accomplislied scholar in the French, Spanish, and Italian languages, - two of which he 9poke with ease and fluency. Fie was a discrimii^ting judge, no less than a, liberal, patron x>f the fin^arts, and delighted to surround himself at all times with the elegances of art, and to enjoy that -approbation of his refined taste which those persons who were best qualified to judge rarely failed to express to him. As he lived universally beloved, 80 he.died universally lamented." , SMuticM. - The assessors for the first year reported the valuation of real and personal estates to be $874,259; \Qo house?, of which 18 were owned jby non-residents; 366 poll taxes; 202 children between five and -fifteen years of age; rate of taxation that year, §2.88 per §1,000; amount of tax levied, §^,001.96. The valuation of real and personal estates was tlie highest in 1874, when it ^was 94,758,890. The last valuation (in 1879) was : personal, 8801,407; r^l, §2,746,635; or a total of $3,548,0;i2. The rate of taxation iucrea3ed after the firstyear up to 817.30 per S 1,000 in the year 1865, when it reached its highest point ; in 1875 it was S16; in 1876,815.50; in 1877, $18; in 1878, §12.50; in 1879, 812.30 per 81,000. Tlie expenditures for the first year, or to -iMarch 1, 1851, were : for schools, 81,253.20 ; for building and repairing school-houses, 81,540.91; sapportof poor, §112.98 ; town ofiicers, 8636.50; incidental expenses, § 572.95 ; total expenditures, 84,116.63. The expenditures for the year ending February 28, 1880, were: for schools, 810,9q9.2.8; repairs of school-bouses and improvement of grounds, 8929.34; highways and bridges, 86,416.99; fire department, §3,232.83; support of poor, §2,361.50 ; library, 81,201,85 ; cemetery, §721.27; miscellaneous, 84,699.37; construction of water-works, 82,799.18 ; maintenance of waterworks, §1,505.12; interest,S14,590.72; state and county tax, §3,068.13 ; total, §52,485.58. The total indebtedness of the town, February 2$, 1880, is 8215,850. .The percentage of the whole debt to the valuation is six and eight hundredths ; tlie water d^bt only is four and fifty-one hundredths, and the other jnunicipal debt is one and fifty-seven hundredths.

Papulation. - When the town was incorporated the population numbered 1^353. The growth of the town has not been as rapid as some others, yet its progress in this direction has been a heahhj one. In the year 1855 tiie population had increased to 1,801 ; in 1860, to 1,937 ; ia 1865, to 1,968; in 1870^ to 2,645; in 1875, to 3,099; of the latter, 1,476 were males and 1,623 females. In the same year there were 506 native voters and 125 naturalized voters. i

The inhabitants are actively engaged in agricultural, mercantilje, and mechanical pursuits. Lai^ge quantities of fruit and vegetables are produced for the Boston market. A great many of the citizens transact business in Boston.

At the present time there are 606 hooses in the town, of which 72 belong to pon-residei^ts ; 245 cij^ns liable to do military duty; 283 horses, £44 carriages, 4 oxen, 173 cows, IL heifers, 379 swine, 165 dogs. ;

The following manufacturing business is carried on at the present time in the town; three tanneries, four currierrshops, one shoe-stiffener (inper soles ^nd. heels), one machine-shop for making machinery of all kuids, one shop for making km?es for splitting leather, two shops for making pianoforte actipns, pne shop for making gold rings, one shop for making piaoo-forte cases, one saw- mill for mahogany and fancy woods, one watch-hand factory, one felting and wool-\?adding factory, - having in all a capital invested of some §100,000.

As but a few streets were laid out at the incorporation of the town, and those were in an imperfect condition, the growth of the population has necessitated the laying out of many new highways, and the repairing and altering of old ones. The present number of accepted streets is forty-foar, many of which are fine avenues and are frequent resorts for walks and rides.

. The town is partially surrounded by several hills, or wooded eminences, which are named Mount Pisgah, Horn Pond Mountain, and Zion's Hill, located on the north and west, and Taylor's Mountain in the eastern section near the reservoir. The underlying rock is sienite and dolerite, in which occurs a bed of copper ore. Through the centre of the town fiows in a devious current the Aba-jona River, which, stirting from Wilmington, empties into the Medford Pond, one quarter. of the latter being located in this town. Cutter^s Brook is one of its brandies, and the outlet to Wedge Pond. Wedge Pond, in the centre, ia noted for the.abuu-

Winchx8Ter

' dauoe of water-lilies, whose white blossoms cover its surface in the summer season. It is said that the swallow makes its earliest appearance on the borders of this lake. An attempt was made in 18G0 to change the name of Wedge Pond, and after much deliberation it was christened Echo Lake in September of that year, with appropriate ceremonies. The new name was short-lived, as it was not generally satisfactory. It is now known by its original name, and is quite a noted place of resort for boating and sailing during the summer season, and for skating in the winter. Several of the prominent citizens iiave their residences on its borders, among whom is Admiral Henry Knox Thacher, a distinguished officer in the naval service, now upon the retired list.

When the town was incoqx)rated Alvin Taylor was the postmaster for South Wobum, and he was continued in the office under the new town. He was followed by Horace Holt, Josiah Hovey, J. A. Coolidge, and the present incumbent, George P. Brown. The business of the office has greatly increased, having nearly doubled within the last six years, so that the number of mails now sent and received daily is thirteen.

Lyceum Building was erected soon afler the incorporation of the town, by private enterprise, and the large hall has been used for religious services, lectures, concerts, and entertainments of all' kinds, it being the only large hall suitable for such purposes. The lower part of the building is occupied by stores ; the upper stories are used for various pur]X)ses.

Masonic Hall is in the upper story of Brown and Stanton's building, on the corner of Main and Pleasant streets, and is very handsomely furnished.

Livingstone Hall, opposite Lyceum Building, Mas fonncrly called Union Hall, and is now occupied by the Grand xVrmy Post and the Beform Club ^s their regular place of meeting.

Tlie Knifchts of Honor Hall is in the upper story of Richardson and Tyler's building on Main Street, and is appropriately fitted up for their uses.

At the opening of the Boston and Lowell Bailroad, in 1833, a depot was established opposite Lyceurii Building (then in South Wobum). The depot remained in that location until 1872, when the present one was erected some distance further south. The location of the station in this place gave rise to long and earnest discussions, protests

Convenient station-houses on the line of the railroad are established in the southerly and northerly sections of the town, - the former being named Mystic, and the latter the Highlands.

The railroad facilities have kept pee' with the progress of the town, and now some thirty-nx passenger trains stop daily at the centre station, and a less number at the branch stations.' Tliere are two hundred and thirty-eight season-ticket passengers to and from the several depots.

A branch railroad, to connect with the Boston and Maine Railroad at Medford and run throagli this town to Stoneham, was laid out several years ago, but after being {lartially built was abandoned, and the land given by the owners for this purpose was taken back by tliem. It made an ugly sbar upon the land, without accomplishing afiy good results. Since then a branch lias been built which extends to Stoneham, and connects with the Buston and Lowell Railroad at the Highlands.

The Mystic Valley Railroad is partially constructed, and passes througli the westerly section of the town. It will give additional faciUti^ f6r transportation of freight and passengers, and bring within easy reach of the city quite an area of desirable land for dwellings and farms.

In May, 1855, the town received five hundred dollars in an anonymous letter, to purchase a town clock to be placed on the Congregational Church edifice, and to be the property of the town. It has recently transpired that the gift was from Ebenezer Smith, then a resident of the town, but since' de^ ceased.

In March, 1860, ground was broken for the laying of pii)es by the West Cambridge (now Arlington) Gaslight Company, and the priVicipBil streets w^re piped, and gas introduced about September of that year.

A sa\ings-bank was opened August 28, 1871, and has continued in successful operation to the present time. It has about five hundred and fifty depositors, and is carefully and prudently managed.

At a town-meeting, April 7, 1851, a committee of ten was ap]X)]ntcd to purchase a lot of land for a cemetery, not exceeding itn acres, to make out a plan of the same, with the estimated cost, and report to the town. At a town-meeting, September 15, 1851, the committee reported that* they had purchased a lot of land containing about ten acres, situated west of tlie canal, and over against

Wedge Pond, at an expense of two thousand^ dollars, and tl^it tp fence the same and preimre it so &r as needed for use would require an additional thousand dollars. The committee further recommended tliat the money presented to the town by (J!oloneI Winchester be appropriatec^ to the purcluise and laying out of the land described for the cemetery ; that the town sell its interest in the old cemetery, and apply tlie proceeds to the improvement pf the new cemetery, the repayment of the Winchester fund, and for such otiier use as tlie town may dictate. I^he report and recommendations were adopted, {and the committee authorized to carry out the same.

Tlie cemetery was designed, and laid out in lots, mider the direction of the committee, by Amasa Farrier, of Stoneham. The spot selected contains ten and a half acres, and is well adapted to the .purpose, being thickly covered with pine and forest - trees, interspersed with hill and dale. At the con- .secration an address was delivered by Bev. B. H. Neale, D. D., with other appropriate services. : Four hundred and sixty-nine lots lutve been laid out, of which two hundred and ninetv-seven lots have been sold, leaving one hundred and seventytwo unsold. The cemetery is under the charge of a committee of five, chosen by the town, and an appropriation is annually made, of a sufficient amount to keep the grounds in proper condition, which amount has averaged $ 38^.77 per year. Tlie ^cemetery. if und, February 28, 1880, amounted to f 5,i86.56.

, Fire Department. - In the year 1850 the town .bought a liand fire-engine and apparatus at a cost of som^ fourteen hundred dolhirs. It was located in a house near the Congregational Church, and .was manned by volunteer^ for several years ; after- . wards the company received a small compensation for their services. At the town-meeting in March, 1870, it was voted, on motion of C. O. Billings, Esq., to purchase a chemical engine called the Babcock Yilkge Machine. Its cost was seven hundred dolbrs, and it was named the J.F. Dwinell, in honor of a well-known and prominent townsman. This town was almost, if not the first, to bring this machine into use, and although at first it was ridiculed by many, and looked upon with little favor, yet it steadily gained in tlie public estimation after its introduction, and no city or town can now well afford to be without it. In 1873 the town bought a steam fire-engine and fixtures at a cost of some $5,400. It was named Alex. Moselv, in honor of a prominent gentleman. At the same time there wis purchased a horse hose-carriage at a cost of 81,000, which was named in honor of P. Waldmyer.

July 10, 1874, the following vote was passed by the town : " Tliat the selectmen and engineen be and are hereby instructed to supply on the present steam fire-engine lot such additional accommodations as will house the town horses and all the fire apparatus in a style in keeping with the present building, and that the horses be there stabled.'* In, pursuance with the foregoing vote an excellent house was erected, containing all the accommodations necessary to a brge fire department, at a cost of §5,400. The old buiUii^ which the steamer liad occupied was altered into a commodious stable, at a cost of 8375. ' In 1S74 the town sold the hand-engine, purchased fear hose-carriages, which, with the hose and the booses for them, located in different parts of the town, cost some 84,000. In 1875 a hook-and-Udder truck was bought, at a cost of $650, and named J. W. Huse, in honor of a worthy townsman who died in November, 1878. The number of men conneciked with the department is sixty-seven; annual expense, aboiit 83,000, 81,000 of which is for the use of water. The expense of the fire department for the past thirty years has been $52,453.62. The value of the fire apparatus, including houses, is $21,847.

The first public action taken in regard to the introduction of water for domestic purposes into the town is in the record of the town-meeting held November 8, 1870, when a committee of nine was apiK)inted to consider tlie subject, Cfmsisting of the selectmen and six others. This committee made a partial report at the touii-meeting held November 27, 1871, and asked to be, and was, discharged. At the same meeting 0. B. Clark, D. N. Skillings, M. A. Herrick, T. P. Ayer, and J. F. Dwinell were appointed a committee to investigate and report as soon as practicable the question of supplying the town with water, and were empowered to employ assistance, and make examinations at the expense of the town.

After further consideration of several projects for water-supplv, at a town-meeting, August 2, 1872, D. N. Skfllings, M. A. Herrick, J. P. Dwinell, T. P. Ayer, and Asa Fletcher were appointed a committee to further invesrigate the whole subject and cost of construction, and report to the town ; and said committee was authonzed to procure the necessary surveys.

At a town-meeting,, held April 21, ,1878, the committee made a partial report; and at another, held June 20, 1873, the committee made a supplemental report, which was accepted. It was then decided to accept Chapter 277 of the Acts of the Legislature of 1873 by a vote of one hundred and twenty in the affirmative to none in the negative. ,This act allowed the town "to collect the water of and on the territory lying along the easterly side of the town of Winchester, being in the towns of Winchester, Medford, and Stoneham, extending eighty rods south of the north line of said town of Medford and including all the natural water-shed of that territory, by means of dams, aqueducts, pipes, pumps, reservoirs, or such other structures as may be necessary and convenient for the preservation and purity of said water, and may convey the said water from said territory by any convenient route, and distribute the same in the manner and u]X)n the condition and terms set forth in said act; provided, that none of the water tributary to Spot Pond be taken by virtue hereof.'*

This act embraced the plan recommended by the committee for the supply of water, and at a to\nimeeting, held July 7, 1873, it was accepted and adopted by . tlie .town as the mosi feasible and proper method of supplying the town with pure water. It appeared in the report of the committee that the NortJi Meadow gathering-ground, where the reservoir is located, has an area of four hundred and fifty-two acres, which will give a daily supply of 676,050 gallons of water, or forty gallons .a day to more than 16,000 people, or more than four times the present number of inhabitants. The territory includes the westerly slope of the Bear Hill range, and the whole of Dike's Meadow, so called.. If the time should arrive that more water would be required, a dam can be built at the outlet of the South Meadow, which has an area nearly the same as the North ^f eadow, and the water added to that of the North Meadow. The two basins, when united, would give a supply of 1,363,650 gallons per day, or forty gallons per day to 34,000 people.

The first work at the reservoir was done July 15, 1873, by N. Fitzgerald ; C. Linehan became the contractor, September 6, 1873 ; work began, September 8, 1873 ; began storing water, December 5, 1873. Water was let into the pipes, September 30,

1874. Total length of the dam, 675 feet, includii^ overflow; length of overflow, Z\ feet; greatest height of dam, 80 1^ feet ; area of full reservoir, 60 acres; length, 4,400 feet; greatest width, 1,450 feet ; greatest depth, 23 feet ; total capacity, 259,000,000 gallons. Total length'of street mains hiid to Maith 1, 1878, 74,679 feet;

Walter H. Sears was the constructing engineer, and George H. Norman the contractor for furhish* ing and putting in place all the necessary pipes, hy* drants, ^tes, and other appiittenances constituting the system of distribution. The pipe laid is what is known as the wrought^ron and cement-Ihdl water-pipe. The total cost of construction of works, pipes, etc., necessary to the 'introduction of water to March 1, 1880, is 8168,800.72; for the maintenunce of the water-works to the same date, $8,785.3$. The debt incurred on iaccount of the introduction of water is in water bonds to the amount of $160,000, held mostly by the state of Massachusetts, and payable in different sums and at intervals, from the year 1884 to 1895 inclusive. The whole number of services, March 1, 1880, is 463; the whole number of water-takers is 671; amount of water-rates for the year ending Matdh^l, 1880, §7,700.66.

Since its introduction the inhabitants have continued to receive an abundant supply of water of an excellent quality, and the system of distribution has continued to answer its design.

Military. -^liht town, under the calls of the president, in 1861 and 1862, furnished for thjfee years sixty-two men, at an average cost of $48 per man, town bounty ; in 1862, sixty men for n^e months, at an average cost of §82 per man as town bounty, and an average subscription bounty of $12 per man; in 1863, 1864, and 1865 the town furnished one hundred and ten men for three years and twelve men for one year, at an average town bounty of 8115.70, and an average subscription bounty of $58 per man, - the two hundred and forty-four men costing, in all, $29,497;40, or an average cost of §120.90 per man.

This sum was raised as follows : by money hired for a term of years, $7,810.05; by taxation, 813,891.35; by subscriiition, $7,796. All was raised and expended, and the men obtained without any exjwnse to the town, no town officer or other person having received any pay for the time and exi)ense incurred in raising the men or performing any of the work incidental to raising volunteers, neither did any subscriber ask to haVe his sabscrip- tion refunded; and so promptly was the money forthcoming tliat the town always filled its quota promptly, and was never at any time behindliand. The war expenses for five years amounted to the turn of $42,771.39.

Out of the two hlindred and* forty-four men, fourteen were substitutes, three from the state enlistments for the South, twenty-two nine-months, men were from Beading, fifteen from the state at Ia^j twelve re-enlistments, and one hundred i^id seventy-eight from this town. Of these last uaiued, ten died in the service of their countrjr. ^Tlie roll of honor is as follows : George IV. ii. Sanborn, Aaron D. AYeld, Josiah Stratton, Francis A. Hatch, John Fitzgerald, Joshua T. Lawrence, Francis B. BedcU, Jolm Gordon, Jefferson Ford, and Ira Johonnott.

EducaiionaL - No school-house appears to have been built in what are now the limits of the town before the year 17 90, and though a public school was some years appointed to be kept, it could be accommodated only in sotne private house, and then only for a few weeks in the course of the season. Otheir years \ht children who attended school had to be provided with a private one at the cost of the pa'rents, or travel to the centre of Wobum and Hedford, some two miles distant. At the incorporation of the town there were ouly two schoolbouses within its limits, - one in the Centre (formerly South Wobum), and the other on the Medford road, near Symmes Corner (form^riy Medford).

The town at its first meeting chose O. B. Clark, Charles Kimball, and William A. Dodge a committee to build five school-houses. These houses were built during the ensuing year, and were respectively called : the Hill, from its location ; the Wyman, from an honored townsinan of that name ; the Bumford, from Count Bumford, a native of Wobum; the Washington, from the street of that name; and the Giffonl, from S. N. Giffordi who was so active in securing the incorporation of the town. Tlie whole cost of these houses, exclusive of furniture, was about 86,500. These five houses, together with the two first mentioned, comprised all the school accommodations of that day. A high school was established at the outset in the old scheme, including every grade, and managed not by districts' and district committees, but by tlw whole towli. In 1853 the Alystic School-house, on Bacon Street, was built to take the place of the old one in that locality, at an expense of some $1,800. In 1854 a primary school-room was fitted up in the Gifibrd School-house, at an expense of 3800. In 1857 the Adams School-house was erected, at an expense of $2,000. In 1863 this school-house was euhrged by the addition of an up|)cr room, at an expense of §700.