Woburn City (part 1 of 4)

By George M. Champney

TIER Governor Wiiitlirop and \ nnjority of liis colony left C liarle'^town for the new venule ni Boston, the remaining put of the company, although much weakened for the time, grew to very considerable numbers m the course of a few years, and new territory was called for. On the application of sevi^diiN thi { (luit gianted an extension of four iniles ni a noith and westerly direction, the main purpose of which was, undoubtedly, to secure increased land for cultivation. This grant was called Charlestown Village. The settlers who pushed out in the quarter indicated soon found themselves in need of, or their ambitious craved, a precinct or government of their own. Accordingly, on the 5th of November, 1640, seven men were chosen from the church at Charlestown : namely, Edward Converse, Edward Johnson, Ezekiel Richardson, John Mousall, Thomas Graves, Samuel Richardson, and Thomas Richardson, to proceed witii the formation of a church and township. The numbers, however, who seemed desirous of following the new lead were so great, that tiie parent church began to consider whether it would not be seriously weakened by this spirit of emigration, ki the end of a long discussion it was decided to be a prudent measure to let the enterprise go on. As in like attempts to colonize or open new settlements in a country that had known no civilization, whose forests M'ere unbroken, meadows undrained, and rivers unbridged, these commissioners found many serious obstacles to overcome, and many hardships to eneounter. But the s])irit that led them across (lie Atlantic to lind that rrligioiis freedom denied them at home, siijiported them in these trials, and nerved them to the accomplisliinoiit of their work. Althougli so late in the si'Msnii, the survey of tlic new Irrriliiry was begun at once. On the fourth il:iy aflri' their appointment, November 9, while exploring near the Shawshine River, a heavy snow-storm overtook tliem, in which they lost their way, and were obliged to pass the night under the shelter of some friendly rocks. During the winter the explorations were from time to time carried on. The 2 2d of December was observed as a day of special fasting and prayer for the blessing of God upon their arduous work. About this time a series of meetings was held at the dwellings of the several commissioners at Charlestown, to adopt such measures with regard to the new settlement as their united judgments might approve. Arrangements were made during the winter (1640-41) for the immediate occupation of the new territory. In February, 1641, a bridge was built over the Aberjona^ River, within the present limits of Winchester, and the first dwelling-house was erected " over against it " by Edward Converse, and occupied by himself and family successors for many years. The location of the township by the commissioners took place at the same time. The site selected was on the bank of the Aberjona, on the " east side " of the present town. The Boston and Lowell Railroad runs through nearly the centre of the proposed village. Considerable opposition was at once developed to the site chosen, and upon consultation with prominent men of Charlestown who were not of the emigrating party, the location was abandoned, and one fixed upon something over a mile to the westward. This became the centre of the town, and embraced, then as now, tJie site of the present Common and its immediate surroundings. In (he course of the following spring house-lots were laid out, and several dwellings were built during the season. Heaving carried out their jilaiis thus far, tlie colonists, in conformity h ith their religious convictions, began immediately (o cast about for a suitable minister. Two jiersons were applied to, - Rev. Jonathan Burr and Rev. J. Miller, - both of whom, after much negotiation, declined to ' TliU word has no si'ltkd orthogra|)liy.

accept the call. Mr. Thomas Carter was then urgently requested to become their pastor, amid much discouragement caused by the previous unsuccessful calls, and the faint-heartedness of several who felt that the new enterprise would have to be abandoned ; all of which difficulties are set down in the quaint manner of Edward Johnson in the town record, and in his notable book entitled IFouder- IForking P rovidetice of Zion's Saviour in New England. To the great joy of the colonists, Mr. Carter at length fell in with their desires, and was ordained as the first minister of Woburn, December 2, 1GJ:2. In anticipation of this event those persons who were connected with the church at Charlestown had asked for a dismission from that body, with authority to found a new one. "With some reluctance this was acceded to, and the new church was organized in the previous August. Through the m^e than two centuries which have followed it has had vital and permanent influence in the town and vicinity, and is still known as the First Congregational Church of Woburn. In the interim between the founding of the church and the settlement of the pastor, a petition had been presented to tiie General Court for the incorporation of the town. The court received the petition favorably, and an act was passed at the September session, 1642, couched in the following brief words, which gave to "Woburn its corporate existence : " Charlestown village is called Wooburne." Neither Edward Johnson, who is especially the early chronicler of the town, nor any other person, has given a reason for the adoption of the name. The suggestion of it is probably due to Richard Russell, of Charlestown, who, it is believed, was a relative of the distinguished Russell family in England, to whom had been given the abbey and park at "Woburn, in Bedfordshire, as a place of residence. Tlie desire on the part of Mr. Russell to perpetuate the name of a town so honorably associated witli his noble kinsman was a very natural one, and the disposition of the people to accept it from so prominent and popular a person is an equally })lausible one. The town thus authorized was situated seven miles north and west from Charlestown, and ten miles from Boston. Although the grant specifies a plot " four miles square," without definite bounds, it must have been practically much larger than that. Containing within its limits the present towns of Wilmington, Burlington, and Winchester (or the greater portion of them), the area of the town must have been nearer ten miles square than four. Its surface was pleasantly varied ; the greatest elevations were Horn Pond Mountain, Rag Rock, and Locke Hill. Its principal streams, or rivers, were the Aberjona and the Shawshine; and its water basins were Horn Pond, Wedge Pond, Sandy Pond, etc. In the curtailment of the town by setting off portions to other municipalities, Locke Hill and part of Horn Pond Mountain, Wedge and Sandy ponds, and the Shawshine River were taken from Woburn. The remaining sheet of water, Horn Pond, while supplying facilities for boating, furnishes many thousand tons of ice for shipping and local use, and is a charming feature in its present landscape. It was something more than a year after the town received its title to corporate existence before a meeting of the inhabitants was held. This occurred in November, 1643. Committees were chosen for various purposes, but the first town officers were not elected until the following April. April 1.3, 1614, seven persons were chosen as selectmen, and as they were the leaders in the town, their names are given : namely, Edward Johnson, Edward Converse, John Mousall, William Learned, Ezekiel Richardson, Samuel Richardson, and James Thompson. It was not requisite to choose a town-clerk annually, hence Edward Johnson, who had been originally chosen as clerk of the commissioners, was retained in that office until his death hi 1672, without re-election. The town treasury was managed by the selectmen, with the exception of one year (1695), until 1719. The duties of assessors and school committee were also discharged by the selectmen. The town having now an organization, there were many things to be done to make the situation of the people as comfortable as possible. House-lots were to be laid out and streets opened, and the "common lands" (of which there were four hundred acres) were to be divided among the inhabitants. A house for the minister was also to be provided, as well as a meeting-house for public worship.

Another matter of much interest required early attention, namely, the settlement of the boundary between Charlestown and Woburn. This had never been defined. Negotiations were opened from time to time, the initiative always being taken by Woburn until 1650, when the lines were finally established and entered upon the records of Charlesto\\Ti. A'early coeval with the settlement of Rev. T. Carter as minister, the first meeting-house was built. Of this structure little or nothing is known. Johnson, in his history, alludes to it as standing in a " small plain wliere four streets meet." The location is with good reason believed to have been at the easterly end of the Common, near where the soldiers' monument now stands. The house could not have been otherwise than a very plain affair, witliout tower or steeple. Humble as it was, it served the purpose of a place of public worship for about thirty years. A new one was voted by the town in 1671 and completed in 1673. It stood on the sharp spur east of the Common wliich is still known as Mceting-iiouse Hill. It was never dedicated, as tiie Puritan methods were in o])position to all rites and ceremonies in religious matters. This meeting-house was not divided into pews, as became the fashion in after years, - only tlie minister's and the deacons' wives having the privilege of pews allowed them. Thirty or forty years subsecpiently special permission was given to a newcomer from Boston to build a pew at his own cost. This led to requests of the same sort from other persons aristocratically inclined, which being granted, caused such an outbreak of feeling as to induce tiie town autiiorities to revoke tiie order. A committee was appointed to "seat the ])eople," and each person was assigned a regular place. In doing tiiis, reference was to be had to " estate, office, and age." Privilege was, therefore, recognized in the matter of position, if not in the form of pews. This meetinghouse, with one or two enlargements, served the religious uses of the town for eighty years, or until 1753. Rev. Thomas Carter occupied its pulpit for a few years, though for the larger part of his ministry he had preached in the one built about the time of his ordination. In 1678 his growing age and infirmities led the tf)Wii to consider the matter of providing iiim a colleague. An invitation Avas given to the Rev. Jabez Fox to become his associate. Tliis was accepted, and the two clergymen labored together harmoniously and satisfactorily to their people for six years, wlien Rev. Mr. Carter died, in the seventy-fourth year of his age and the forty-second of his ministry. Mr. Carter was born in England, and received his degree at St. Jolin's College, Cambridge. He was emiiientiv a good paslor, sound in doetriiie, and ready witli tender consolal ion and sympathizing words to meet the sjiiritual needs of his people. In illustralion of one of the customs of the town, now hap])ilv remitlcd lo the darkest corners of socici v, I he lolliiuing bill, I'liuiid on the town records, niiling u, th,'

Rev. Jabez Fox, associate pastor, now became the sole minister of the church. He continued in his position for twenty-four years, laboring successfully to promote the general interests of the parish. During the ministry of Rev. Mr. Carter, or from 1613 to 1675, Woburn had steadily increased in population, the land had been partially subdued, good crops were gathered, a better class of houses than those built at first had been erected, and some of those industries started which have since made the town so well known. The number of inhabitants cannot be given with accuracy, as no recorded census was taken till nearly a century later; but from the rates levied by the county, and the laws respecting the establishment of grammar schools, it is probable that the population was not far from 500. But this general prosperity Avas soon to receive a serious check on account of the outbreak of the Indian wars. King Philip, who had heretofore been in accord with the colonists, and had agreed by solemn treaty to live with them on amicable terms, now became restive under the restraints imposed by the compact, as well as moved by an ambition to rid the land of an alien race which seemed likely soon to become its sole possessors. He brought into combination his own and two or three other powerful tribes, and began a murderous assault upon all the exposed frontiers. Woburn was too near the central towns of the colony to receive much harm by the direct invasion of the wily enemy. Small raiding parties appeared in two or three instances in the town or its immediate vicinity, and although little loss was incurred by the burning of dwellings or destruction of crops, four persons were killed. This, however, was but a small portion of the suffering and Iiardship that befell Woburn in common with all tiie towns of New England. To carry on a vigorous and successful w'ar, the taxes of the people were enormously increased.

The year before the war broke oiit Woburn's share of llu' colonial tax was but £50 ; before its close il had grown to the laiirc amount of i(!.".:i. Thor hravy drams upon the 'proplr nnu'll

The first order from the court for service required thirteen men and five horses to be provided for the forces being raised. Fifteen liorses and three men were shortly after added to the requirement. These, however, were no more tiian a tliird "of the men who became soldiers in the war. From various sources it has been ascertained tliat fortyfive others were subsequently engaged in the service. The number of men from Woburn who took part in the fight at Narragansett, in December, 1675, is not certainly known, but it may be safely estimated at from forty to fifty. The whole number from Massachusetts was five hundred and twenty-seven. Of the Woburn soldiers engaged in tlie action, eight were either killed or wounded. On the deatli of Philip, in the August following, the war, so far as active hostilities were concerned, was closed ; but the depredations of the Indians in small parties and against isolated settlements were continued with much loss and cruelty to the people exposed.

But another adversity followed in tlie wake of tiie Indian war. Small-pox was introduced into tlie town from Boston, which caused very general alarm. Great efforts were made to prevent the spread of the disease, but the cases were numerous and many of them fatal. Stringent orders were issued by the selectmen forbidding persons who had been sick to appear in the meeting-liouse for several weeks, or, if there, to be seated in a place apart from the others, and to return home without speaking to or mingling with the people. Tlie distress and alarm from this source continued for more than a year, when the scourge abated.

The people of Woburn, as well as those of the colony in general, iiad enjoyed from the beginning all the freedom under their original charter which they desired. They managed their affairs in their own way, elected their own officers, from the governor downward to the most unimportant positions in each town. They held a firm allegiance to the king, and considered themselves bound to further the interests of the crown as against all other nations. They had that strong feeling of loyalty which lias ever been characteristic of Englishmen, and which took many years of indignities and oppressions to cancel in the colonies. After the Restoration in England, and when Charles II. had become firmly seated on the throne, there was a growing disposition on the part of the defenders of the king's prerogatives to withdraw the charters under which the New England colonies were planted, and substitute others shorn of many privileges they enjoyed. Tiiese attempts to interfere with the people of New England were met with a bold and resolute spirit, and it was not till the accession of James II. that the charter of Massachusetts was declared vacated. Then Sir Edmund Andros appeared in Boston as governor appointed by the king. This act caused great commotion throughout New England. There was not for some time any open resistance to the power of the new magistrate, but many obstructions were made to the arbitrary laws passed by the council, and a general spirit of insubordination everywhere prevailed. Woburn felt the indignity cast upon the people as keenly as Boston. The order passed forbidding town-meetings to be held but once in a year, and then to be called by justices of the county rather than the selectmen, was treated with rude contempt.

In 1687 the people assembled in town-meeting, as w^as customary, and chose the usual officers. This election was declared void by the governor, and a new meeting was ordered. The order was obeyed, but the inhabitants displayed their independent spirit by electing the same men to office who had been previously chosen. In 1688 the same proceedings were repeated. The town, in defiance of the king's creatures, met and elected its officers; again its acts were annulled. Andros was growing desperate, and fines or imprisonment were expected soon to follow these contumacious doings. It appears that Woburn at length yielded somewhat to the threatening attitude of the authorities. Mr. Johnson, who had been first selectman for several years, now declined to serve, and another person was chosen in his place. This is supposed to have been to this extent a reversal of the bold position the tow-n had taken. The following year (1689) there is no record of a town-meeting being held, and it is probable that the old oificers held over.

But the tyrannous proceedings of Sir Edmund Andros were suddenly closed. News came that James II. was dethroned, whereupon the people of Boston and neighboring towns rose in arms, captured and imprisoned Andros and some of his most obnoxious adherents, and replaced the old magistrates in office. There is no known account or record of the part Woburn played in this revolution, but its near vicinity to Boston, and its spirited en-

Soon after this a new charter was granted by William and Mary to Massachusetts, which combined the two colonies of Plymouth and Massachusetts, and was generally acceptable.

One of tlie matters that excited much interest in the early days of the town was the support of Mystic Bridge, on Mystic Itiver, in Medford. This bridge, which was an important one in connection with the main avenue from Charlestown, was maintained for a long fiiiie by the towns of Medford, Charlestown, Woburn, UMm, and Eeading. Woburn was restive under the cost of iier portion of the repairs, and inclined if possible to tiirow it off. In 1691 the town voted "to withstand allowing anything more to the repairing of Mystic Bridge," and paid nothing for more than two years. But the court interfered, and indicted the town for neglect of duty. Great excitement followed. The town appeared in defence, and denied its liability ; but the court ordered the towns named, including Woburn, to continue to support the bridge upon " paine and penalty of five pounds fine." Woburn reluctantly complied with the decision of the court, but always with a protest, until 17111, when the town was released from further taxation on account of the bridge, for the present payment of ^;J00 Old Tenor ; and the controversy was thus permanently settled.

As tiie end of the century approached, Woburn, in common with other towns of tlie colonies, was growing ])oorer ratiier than richer. Much difficulty was found in collecting and paying the salary of tlie Eev. Jabez Fox, wiiich was £80 per year. The most severe measures were adopted for tlie purpose, even to "collecting it by distress." During the ministry of Eev. Mr. Carter, and the earlier years of that of Mr. Fox, the ministerial salary had been easily and promptly raised, and many gratuities in addition to the legal amount were annually bestowed. But now there was an absolute want, on the part of a great many, of the means to jiay. The depressin"; effects of the tnuil.l.s and d'is;,>t,Ts nf the last Iweiitv-tlve \r;u-s M,IT now ni.iiv tull) rrall/cl tlliin 'ever. Jii'fore tlie renewal of jirosperous times \{v\. Mr. Fox died suddeidy, in Boston, of small-pox. Like iiis predecessor, ]w was not widely known as a preaclKT, but lie to have been a faithful and accei)table mini>ter, who received from his

In looking back over the years that had now elapsed since the settlement of the town, it may be well to recall some of the men who had been prominent in its affairs. The committee of thirteen appointed by the town of Charlestown in 1610 to explore the new territory, as well as thtf seven commissioners selected by the church for a similar purpose, had all pei'formed the work allotted to them : they had laid out the town, begun its settlement, formed a church, organized a municipal body to administer civil affairs, and had continued to aid, foster, and support the community that had grown up around them, with energy, prudence, and industry. These were now all dead : Edward Converse, Edward Johnson, John Mousall, Thomas Graves, Ezekiel Richardson, Samuel Richardson, Thomas Richardson, and John Russell. Each of these men had marked and solid traits of character. Edward Converse was a deacon of the church, and for many years one of the local justices, or "commissioner to end small causes," giving evidence through his life of integrity, fairness, and self-control. Edward Johnson was one of the striking characters of that period. With an education suited to the calibre of his mind, he would have left a record in the early annals of New England second to none of its chief scholars. His Wonder-Working Proeidciice of Zioii's Saviour in New England bears evidence of strong intellectual power and a fertile imagination. Its structure may be faulty, but the book has much originality and quaintness, and sufficient force and vitality to give it a permanent and honored place among the early literature of Massachusetts. Mr. Johnson was also an excellent man of business, and had great perseverance and fortitude. To him, more than any other one of the original settlers, is Woburn indebted for its early and successful planting. Thomas Graves had a strong and ardent nature. He resided iti the town oidy for a short time. He returned to his former occupation as a ship-master, and commanded the first ship built at Boston, named the Trial. lie is next heard of as capturing in the English Channel a Dutch jirivatecr, under circumstances (hat called for great resolution and bravery. For this act he received a silver cup from his owners, and was raised to the rank of rear-admiral by Cromwell. He died in Charlestown. The Richardsous, of whom there were three brothers, were all men of probity and judgment. Their residences were near to each other in the southerly part of the town, and for two hundred years the road on which they stood has been called Richardson's Row. John Russell was a connection of Richard Russell of Charlestown, from whom the town is supposed to have received its name. Resolute in will and decided in his convictions, he seceded from his connection with the cliurch in Woburn, and adopted the views of the Anabaptists, who had about 1665 made their appearance in Boston. For this act of heresy he, with several other persons of the church, was summoned before the Court of Assistants for reprimand and indictment. Tiiis course intimidated many, but John Russell and his son, John, Jr., both united with the Baptist Church in Boston. The former soon became a leader and an elder among them, and for his obstinacy in adhering to the obnoxious tenets was imprisoned in Boston for several months. His son John entered the Baptist ministry, and was highly esteemed among them as a preacher of unusual gifts.

For three or four years the church in Woburn was much troubled by these defections from the standards of the Puritans, or Congregationalists. But after the Russells left Woburn, and the other members of the church tainted witii the Baptist heresy had returned again to its fellowship, the schism was healed, and no further mention is made of religious dissensions until the reappearance of the Baptists in 1790.

Of the second generation of men that followed the settlement of Woburn there are two or three who deserve mention for their administrative ability, integrity of character, and the good influence tiiey exerted in the town and colony. Prominent among these was Mr. Johnson's son, Captain E. Johnson. He succeeded his father in the office of town-clerk, which position was held by the two for the unusually long term of forty-eight years. Besides occupying this post, he was chosen to the General Court for several years, and was a member of the Assistants, which was not oidy a legislative body, but the highest court in the colony. His zeal for the preservation of the old charter was so ardent that he was appointed on the " Council for the safety of the people," at the time when Andros appeared in Boston.

Samuel Walker was another of tlie leading men of the second period. Like Mi". Johnson, he was warmly attached to the old Massachusetts charter, and was a member of the colonial convention held

There were several other men of note in tiie town at this time, but two only of these will be mentioned here, namely, James Converse and his son, J. Converse, Jr. The first was the son of Edward Converse, one of the first proprietors. Without having attained the higher honors of colonial office, he was thoroughly fitted for the duties that he was called upon to perform by his fellow-citizens ; and he served the town honorably and faithfully in all the stations it had in its power to confer. The son, James Converse, Jr., was born in Woburn, soon after its incorporation. He became prominent in town affairs at an early age, succeeding to the trusts reposed in his father, and as worthily filling them. His reputation is, however, ciiiefly fouiuled on his military services. Pie was captain of a company in the troops sent into Maine during the war with the French and Indians, which continued with more or less fighting for the ten years from 1688 to 1698. In'iegi he was placed in command of the garrison at Wells, Maine, in the house of Lieutenant Storer, which was fortified for the protection of the settlers. The number of men in the garrison did not exceed thirty-five. The meagre force thus left to defeud an important post induced the Indians under ^loxas to attemi)t its capture. He appeared before the house wit1i two hundred Indians, and opened a fierce assault ; but Captain Converse gave them such a warm reception that Moxas retreated.

This repulse led another sachem to boast, " IMy brother Moxas has missed it, but I will go myself and have the dog Converse out of his hole." Shortly after, the chief appeared before the little garrison with a force of three hundred to five hundred men. He made a fierce attack upon it, but was met with such a hot fire that he quickly drew off" his forces. But the next morning the assault was renewed with increased vigor, which led one or two of Captain Converse's men to suggest a surrender, to which Converse replied " that he would lay the man dead who should utter that word again." Tlie charge was met with perfect coolness, the garrison waiting until the enemy was in close range before delivering their fire. The execution was so great that the Indians were thro-mi into disorder. Rallying again, they returned to the fight, but another destructive fire checked their ardor, and, finding the garrison still undaunted, they at length drew off. A flag of truce was then sent demanding a surrender, under the threat, if this was not complied with, "We'll cut you as small as tobacco before to-morrow morning." Captain Converse's answer was to come on, for he wanted work. The invitation was not accepted, and in a few hours the baffled chief retired from the contest, leaving the brave garrison victors in the unequal fight. For this act of courage and intrepidity Captain Converse was promoted by Governor Phips to the rank of major, and made commander of all the Massachusetts forces in that quarter.

Twenty-five years later Woburn was again involved in the struggles with the Eastern Indians. It took a prominent part in the celebrated Lovewell's Fight. Of the thirty-four men engaged in that coiirtict six were from Woburn, one of whom was killed early in the action, and three were wounded. Setli Wyman, of AVoburn, was ensign of the company, and its command fell upon him after the death of Captain Lovewell and the disabling of Lieutenants Wyman and Farwell. He restored the flagging spirits of the company, and kept up the fight till near niglit. The Indians first left the field, but the number of dead being great, and the wounded requiring medical treatment, a retreat was begun early in the night for the fort near Ossipee Pond, which had been built as a place of rendezvous in case of need. This retreat was a sad and suffering one. The fort was found abandoned, those left in charge having received a false report of the fight. The men divided themselves into three parties, and after several days of extreme hardship arrived at the frontier settlements. Isaac Johnson, the grandson of Captain Edward Johnson, was the Woburn soldier who was killed. Three others were severely wounded. The conduct of Ensign Wyman was greatly commended by the colonial authorities. He was promoted to the rank of captain, and presented with a sword as a mark of public esteem for his steadiness and bravery.

Tiie death of Rev. Jabe/, Fox has been previously mentioned as having occurred in 1702. His son, Mr. Joiin Fox, was then keeping the grammar school in Woburn. His position and attainments gave him favor among his townsmen, and he was invited to preach three months on probation. His efforts were so satisfactory that lie was chosen as ])crniani'nt ])astor, and ordained in November, 17l);i. 'i'he salary voted him was 1 10 in money and £-10 in provisions, at money price. "A piece of land " was also given to him adjoining his own estate. At the opening of his ministry Mr. Fox appears to have desired a restatement of the belief of the church. About this time some heresies were creeping into the established doctrines which greatly alarmed those who held steadfastly to the faith of the fathers. These were the adoption of the practice of admitting personsto the communion who had not given evidence of full regeneration, and the adhesion of some (at least secretly) to the views of the Anabaptists, who had been crushed out in Woburn thirty years before. Mr. Fox was anxious to clear up these points by a restatement of doctrines. Accordingly a paper was drawn up which heartily reaffirmed the confession of faith adopted at Cambridge in 16i8, which was substantially that of the Westminster Assembly of 1652. Mr. Fox, being thus sustained in his views of evangelical truth, went on with his mhiistry successfully and happily for many years. There were, however, other causes for disagreement and wrangling in the town, or parish (they being for a long period substantially one), besides those arising from differing theological sentiments. One of these was the disposition of certain lands which had been granted to the town in 166-1. This grant consisted of 2,000 acres, wliich the town had the right to select from any unappropriated lauds within the colony. But it was fifty years before the selection was made. A committee was then chosen to take up the land, who pitched upon a tract called Turkey Hill, lying within the limits of the present town of Lunenburg. The land was surveyed, and the town took possession. Nothing was done with it for several years. At length, it was voted to sell it in one lot to the highest bidder. The purchaser was Israel Reed, of Woburn, who paid for it £3,000 in provincial bonds, which was then equivalent to $3,666. The interest of this sum was used by the town for some time in its annual expenditures or in discharge of the province tax. In a few years, however, the fund proved to be more of a curse than a blessing, for it led to serious contention as to its custody, perpetual wrangling at town-meetings, and finally to its utter extinction through bad management.

Contemporary with this period, troubles and embarrassments fell upon the people through the loans granted to the towns by the General Court. Monev was scarce, and poverty laid ils hand uj)on nearly all the colonists. To remedy tliis evil a demand was made upon the government to issue bills of credit. The clamor was gratified, and £50,000 were issued; Woburn's share under this rule was £634. This sum was received in instalments, and placed in the hands of three persons nominated by the town, with authority to re-loan it to such citizens as could give security for its payment. Tiiis was in 1731. The scheme was apparently successful, for it is believed that all the money was returned, on call of the government, from the citizens to the town, and from that to the state treasury. Having felt the use of tliis money in its stimulus to a su])posed prosperity, a demand sprung up for a new loan of a like character, but larger in amount. Again the General Court fell in with the popular call, and in 1728 authorized the issue of £60,000, to be distributed in like maimer as the first. The allotment to Woburn was about £750, though the exact sum is not given in tlie records. This amount was treated in the same way as the former loan, and placed in the hands of trustees, to be let to citizens on the same terms. The matter ran along for half a dozen years in a quiet way, when the people began to think of tlie town's responsibility, and required tlie trustees to report on the condition and safety of the funds. Nothing seems to iiave come of this, for two years later, in 1738, a committee was appointed to proceed and collect the money in the hands of the trustees, and report at tlie general town-meeting to be held a few months hence. In the mean time the colonial authorities called for a portion of the loan (about one third) to be refunded. The money was, however, distributed about, and could not be summarily collected, and the treasurer of the province being imperative, the town was obliged to resort to a special tax to meet the emergency. Accordingly a rate was laid for the sum of £250 Is. 6d. This was a severe burden for the general inhabitants to bear, as only a small number had realized any benefit from the loan. But the money was not easily collected from tlie trustees or their constituents, for in 1730, in 1711, and again in 1712, new and increased efforts were made by the town to recover the amount ; for the debtors were to be " prosecuted in law to the final judgment if need be." Presumably the whole sum was eventually paid by those who held it, altliough the town records do not anywhere state the fact. But the uneasiness produced by the town's responsibility, the uncertainty of receiving the whole amount from the parties who had borrowed it, and the strain of extra taxation to make good the demand of the province, were a combination of evils quite as hard to bear as were those induced by the poverty the loan was made to alleviate.

Sckuols. - Among the varied interests to which the early attention of the colonists was called, was that of education. Tiie leaders were for tlie most part graduates of English colleges, and they saw the importance, in a state such as they proposed to establish, of providing for the general education of children at the public expense. The people of Woburn do not appear to have taken this view very earnestly, for it is not until 1673 that any record is found for tlie payment of money for school purposes. In that year and the few following ones small sums were paid to different persons for this service. Ten shillings was the common annual amount given to the teacher. From this it is very apparent that tlie advantages of common schools were not held in high estimation. But that education in its higher forms for a select number of persons was regarded of great importance, is shown by the liberal donations made to Harvard College. On two several occasions, 1655 and 1669, the contributions of Woburn - one for its general support, and the other to build a new college - were greater than those of any other town in the colony but five. The necessity of an educated ministry was the stimulant to this liberality. The instruction of youth for the common walks of life was deemed of much less importance. It was fortunate that the ministers and the cultured people generally were in favor of universal and compulsory schooling. Hence laws were early passed, requiring schools of the lower grades to be kept in all the towns, and when a population reached to one hundred families a grammar-school was to be maintained, for neglect of which a heavy penalty was to be exacted. One point in vindication of the people may be made from the fairly presumed fact that in many families the children were taught by the parents, and in others the minister or some educated person was employed. In 1685 Woburn had gained the number of families (one hundred) required to support a grammar school. Mr. Samuel Carter, a son of the minister, was appointed as its first teacher, but not a scholar came forward to receive his instructions. His £5 salary was easily earned. The town, however, felt its superfluous payment, and reduced the salary to 30*. if no pupils appeared, though £5 were to be paid if the school was kept up. Matters went on in this way for several years. The primary scliool was partially successful, but the grammar school was almost a total failure. At length the town neglected to provide a teacher. Tliis was brought to the attention of the court, and an indictment was threatened. To avoid this, a new teacher was chosen. The person selected was John Fox, a son of the minister. His salary at first was £9 per year, but was soon raised to £18, with the expectation that a portion of it was to be paid by private subscriptions; but these never came.

Mr. Fox being called to succeed his father in the ministry, Mr. Dudley Bradstrcet of Andover was appointed to fill ills place, and was required to be in AYoburn " during the term of Charlestown court." The reason for requiring a teacher to keep school especially at "Court tiaie" was to avoid being indicted for a breach of the law. At all other periods of the year the town authorities were quite indifl'erent "whether school kept or not," or in fact preferred to save their money to maintaining tlie school. Numerous teachers followed Mr. Bradstreet as grammar masters, who were hired on the principle of evading the law as far as possible. The town pretended to have a grammar school in conformity to the statute, but in all engagements with its teachers took care to signify that he was to be at his post at " Court time," even if he shut the school-house door as soon as it adjourned. There is no period in tiie history of New England wlien the feeling for general education was at so low an ebb as during the later years of the seventeenth and the first thirty years of the eighteenth century. Woburn was not alone in its disregard of this important matter. Many other towns were imjjlicated in similar neglect, and resorted to the same shuffling proceedings to escape prosecution. The scarcity of teachers had sometliing to do with the neglect in providing them. For many years previous to the Revolution tiie grammar school was supported regularly. Due of the most noted teacliers during tlie period was John Fowle, who held tlie ])ost for twelve years. He had (he honor of giving instruction in their youth 1() liciijainin Thompson (Count Rumford) and Colniii'l Lo;urniii Haldwin. The first house especially fillid up I'or the use of the grammar school was in J7(t(); and the lirst building erected exclusively for liiat purpose was in 1712. I'revious to that time a room in some private dwelling was tlie place for leaching. About 17G(), primary schools were opened in (lie outlying, parts of tiie town.

Thereafter it was regulariy voted that a portion of the school money should be expended in the " extreme parts " of the town. The grammar school, which had been to some extent an itinerant institution, was now established in the Centre, and was continued, with some irregularities, until 1793, when a new departure in the school system was taken. In that year a strong committee was appointed, with Colonel Baldwin at its head, who reported an entire change in the school government and the method of instruction. To effect this, in the course of the next two years nine new schoolhouses were built in as many newly arranged schooldistricts, and £300 was appropriated to pay for their cost. This sura proving insufficient, the next year (1795) another £300 was voted to complete the payment. Unfortunately for the town, its enthusiasm iiad expended itself entirely in schoolhouses, and left the schools unprovided for. This brought a presentment from the grand jurj', which was probably disposed of without penalty, as the records make no mention of the town being defaulted. The following year £ 150 was raised for the support of schools, and from that time until 1830 there was no marked change in the school methods, and but slight yearly additions to tlie appropriations. In the year last named, $800 was raised, which in 1837 was enlarged to $1,000; with the addition of interest on the town's share of the "surplus revenue." This sura was doubled in 1839, when §2,000 was appropriated, and even then the complaint was made that the money was insufficient, and the school season was too short. For the next few years the appropriations were but slightly increased. At this point of time 'Woburn stood low in the tables comparing tiie appropriations made for schooling in the different towns in the state. In a list of three hundred and seven towns made in 1840 the position occupied by Woburn was Number 253. Tiiis was radically ciianged by 184-8, when on a similar list of towns "Woburn had risen to the rank of 43. By the revised statutes high schools were required to be supported in towns having 4,000 inhabitants. Although containing tiie requisite ])opulation, Woburn took no steps towards cstablisiiing one till 1852, when a liigli school was organized and began its sessions. For tiie first four years it occupied rooms leased for tlie purpose. Then a commodious wooden house was built, at a cost of nearly $12,000. In 1873-74 the house was materially enlarged, and fitted up with laboratories and cabinets to render it an efficient agent in tiie instruction of the pupils attending it. The expense of the alterations was % 31,563. This school, under tiie superintendence of three successive principals, Messrs. W. A. Stone, Thomas Emerson, and James I. Hanson, has enjoyed a high reputation for the thoroughness of its teaching, and the excellent moral influence exerted upon the scholars. At the opening of the school in 1853 the number of pupils was thirty-one. These had increased in 1879 to 143. The whole number of graduates to 1879 was 358. In 1866 the increasing number and work of the sciiools led to the a])pointment of a general superintendent. The value of such an ofRcial in bringing uniformity and method into the school system was very soon apparent, and the town has annually elected a person fo fill that position to the present time. Several new grammarschool houses, with rooms for intermediate and lower grades, were built between 1860 and 1875. By far the most elaborate and costly of these was the Cummings Scliool-house, situated on the southerly slope of Academy Hill. It was erected in 1874- 75, at a cost (including furnishing) of nearly ^60,000. It was named for tlie Hon. John Cummings of Woburn, as a compliment to his zeal and activity in the cause of education. In 1800 the number of teachers employed in the schools was five, the number of pupils estimated at two hundred, and the appropriation $350. In 1879 the teachers had increased to 48, the pupils to 2,238, and the appropriation to $28,000. Among the educational influences and advantages with which Woburn has been favored, those which have proceeded from Warren Academy should receive honorable mention. This institution was founded and endowed in 1827, by Isaac Warren, Esq., of Charlestown, who gave $5,000 for that purpose, on condition that §5,000 more should be raised by other persons. This last sum was principally contributed by citizens of Woburn. A building was erected on an eminence near the centre of the town in 1828, which was then a wood-lot, but has since been known as Academy Hill. In its earlier years the academy was widely known for its excellent teachers and the scholarly standing of its graduates. The improvement in the grammar schools of the town, and especially the founding of the high school, W'herein the higher branches of education were introduced, had an unfavorable influence upon the academy for several years, and at length entirely superseded it. In 1873 the building was remodelled, and arranged witli apparatus suitable to the pursuit of studies in natural science, and was made an adjunct of the Boston School of Technology.

The Town Library was organized in 1856. Eff'orts to create a public opinion in favor of such an institution had been made by several citizens since 1S50. In 1854 Hon. J. B. Winn off'ered to give % 300 to found a library, provided the town would raise as much more. The proposal was accepted, and with subsequent subscriptions by many citizens a sufficient amount was furnished to open a library of 1,700 volumes, which event took place in August, 1856. In 1865 the volumes numbered 3,298, and the yearly circulation was 12,266. From that time the library grew more rapidly. The appropriations for its support were increased, and when the tax on dogs was laid, the money from that source was added to its income. By the will of Charles B. Winn, son of the Hon. J. B. Winn, who died in 1875, there was devised to the town $140,000 for library purposes. The town was also made one of the residuary legatees, which added to the donation more than $60,000, making the gift upwards of $200,000. This munificent bequest was accepted by the town, and placed in the hands of three trustees to carry out the generous wishes of Mr. Winn. These gentlemen, John Johnson, Edward D. Hayden, and Parker L. Converse, proceeded to purchase a site and erect a building, in conformity with the wishes of the donor. The situation selected for the library building was the family estate which had been occupied by Hon. J. B. Winn for twenty-five years. An adjoining lot was also purchased, to give ample room for the contemplated structure. Several architects contributed designs for the new building, from among which that offered by Gam brill and Richardson was chosen. Work was immediately commenced (1877), and the building completed in the winter of 1878- 79. The design is a composition from medieval architecture, and is as exquisite as it is unique, as well in its general outlines as in its details. The material of the building is a mixture of Longmeadow and Ohio stone, the former predominating. The dimensions of the ground-floor are 70 X 165 feet. The west wing is the book-room of the library. Its length is 68 feet, and breadth 30 feet. It is divided into twenty-four spacious alcoves, of which twelve are on the main floor and twelve form a balcony above them. These are reached by flights of steps from either side. The centre of the building is occupied by the read- ing-room, a spncious apartment 22 X 60 feet, and finished in a rich and tasteful manner. Adjoining this is tlie art-gallery, or picture-room, which is entered immediately from the vestibule. The easterly portion of the building is octagonal in form, with a conical roof. It is intended for a museum, or depository of specimens in natural history, and other objects of local or historic interest. The building was opened to the public May 1. On the shelves of the alcoves and in the reading-room are placed and classified nearly 17,000 volumes; a portion of these were bought from the "Wiim fund. On tlie walls of the picture-gallery are hung fiftyfive oil-paintings of varying size and quality (which Mere also the gift of Mr. Winn), but all of them attractive in subject and of more than average merit. Division ofilic Town. - The original territory of Woburn, as has before been stated, comprised not oidy its present limits, but the towns of Burlington and Wuichester, and a large portion of Wilmington. During the first fifty or sixty years of its existence the population was largely centred about the meeting-house, which was located on the blutf or hill east of the present Common, or public square. In 1700 the number of persons taxed by the province was 187, but in 1725 the number had increased to 305, showing a gain of more than one third in twenty-five years. This increase was quite largely in the northerly direction, and new centres were formed, which received the names of Shawshine and Goshen. The latter place had become of so much importance, and its distance from the centre so inconvenient for many purposes, that in 1721 the town was petitioned either to remove the meeting-house fartiier to the north or allow that section to be set off as a new town. The petition was decidedly refused. But the people of Goshen were in earnest, and one or two rebuffs could not silence them. They continued tiieir petitions for several years before their end was attained. Tlie repeated denials of the town led them to seek a separation by authority of the General Court. The prayer of the first petition was to be made into a precinct only. This was rejected by the court in 1729. It was renewed, however, shortly after, with the request tliat Goshen be made into a sej)aratc town. Tlie burden of the petition was "the diflicullics tlu'v arc under by reason of their remoteness I'niiu the ])]ace of public Morshi])." While tlic niurl was considering the jii'tition in behalf of G,, shell, the people of .Shawshin.' wre making similar cllorls to scriire a si'paralion or be made into a legal precinct. At the first hearing the petition of Shawshine was joined to that of Goshen. A court committee was appointed to meet the agents of the town, which took place in the summer of 1730. The committee reported in favor of granting the petitions of both Goshen and Shawshine; the first to be created into an independent township by the name of Wilmington, and the latter to be made a precinct, or second parish. In thus dividing the town the court's committee say " they are of opinion that the charge of supporting a minister in the First Parish at Woburn will still be a very easy matter to the inhabitants of that parish." The truth is, however, that this extended clipping of the town was a great disadvantage to its prosperity for many years. The number of taxable persons was reduced from three hundred and twelve to one hundred and eighty-seven. Such a reduction of taxable force could not fail to make the support of preaching in the old parish a severe burden. The ministers were settled for life, their salaries fixed on a scale commensurate with the taxable resources of the parish, and there was no escape from the responsibility of the situation. Increased taxation for the remaining members was the only alternative. Rev. Mr. Fox was now declining in health. Assistant preachers had been employed to relicNe him; but, his infirmities increasing, it was considered necessary to supply him with a pennanent colleague. The candidate for the position was Mr. Edward Jackson, of Newton, a graduate of Harvard College in 1719. He preached for some time on probation, and was ordained as colleague August 1, 1729. But Mr. Fox was never reconciled to the choice. Mr. Jackson was to receive £250 settlement and £120 salary per year in bills of credit, " as the money now is." The ordination was accompanied with a most sumptuous entertainment, of which the principal report left is a bill of Jonathan Poole for supplying it. Of what neighboring ministers or others the council and officiating ministers consisted no record is ])reserved ; but that the visiting pastors and their retinue were numerous, and that the citizens of the town very generally partook of the ordination repast, may be fairly inferred when it is stated that said Poole provided for four hundred aiul thirty-three dinners and one hundred and scvi-iily-eigiit breakfasts and suppers, which, with liorse-keeping, eider, wine, brandy, rum, sugar, and pipes, amounted to £S3 9.v. (w/. I'mui lliis free expenditure of money for a single clay's religious celebration no one would draw the conclusion that money was scarce, or that the parisii and town taxes were hard to meet. It sliould be remembered, however, that in those days holidays were not in every month in the calendar, and that in these religious gatherings (few and far between) were found the best opportunities for displaying the natural love of the people for excitement and feasting : for, while the elders were attending divine service and its gastronomic perorations, the youth were engaged in the " manly exercise " of squareball, quoits, and fisticuffs to so noisy a degree that the " outsiders " gave tone and character to the day. The dissensions between Mr. Fox and his colleague increased with time, and it is reported they did not recognize each other when in the same pulpit. The division between the pastors naturally led to parties among the jjeople. Mr. Jackson, being the younger man, gathered the larger number to his standard. Difficulties now arose respecting their salaries. Mr. Fox, being the unpopular invalid, was indifferently provided for. He received notliing iti 1731-32. Besides, his £80 salary, voted to him on settlement, was now worth no more than £40, owing to the depreciation of the currency! Mr. Fox at length took legal measures to secure his rights. He sued the town, not only for the salary unpaid, but for the difference between the currencies at the time of his settlement in 1702 and the depreciated value of 1732. Judgment was finally obtained in his favor. It was at this time that the divorce took place between tiie parish and the town. Heretofore every action in relation to the settlement and support of tiie minister had devolved upon the town equally with the church or parish. This relation was now dissolved, and parish and municipal affairs were conducted on a separate basis. The salary problems coiniected with the First Parish were not, liowever, wholly solved. For several years they continued to exert their troublesome and depressing influences. At length the feuds and alienations led to the establishment of a third parish in 174(5. Mr. Fox and his friends first moved for a separation, and asked to be set off as a distinct society, and relieved from paying taxes for the support of Mr. Jackson. The petition was denied, but a vote was passed " to build a new meeting-house." This, it was believed, would efTectually check the desire for a division ; but the friends of Mr. Fox were not to be thus silenced. They applied to the General Court for redress.

That body reported favorably upon their petition, and gave permission for a new precinct, or third parish, to be formed. The seceders numbered about two fifths of the whole parish. Rev. Mr. Fox being too old and feeble to take charge of the new church, the Rev. Josiah Cotton was called to be the pastor, and was installed July 15, 1747. The Third Parish never had a meeting-house of its own, but used for its place of worship a large room in a then unfinished building on Main Street, not far from opposite tlie present high-school house. The First Parish did not forget its vote to build a new meeting-house, but appointed a committee to present plans and estimates. A division of opinion was at once revealed as to its site. Many were in favor of placing the new house on the level ground west of Meeting-house Hill, where the one then in use was situated, and that site was finally selected. It was a part of the present Common, near the soldiers' monument. The raising of tiie meeting-ho\ise (the third built since the settlement of the town) took jilace in December, 1748. To support the impulses which led to the undertaking, twenty gallons of rum, twenty-five pounds of sugar, and two barrels of cider were provided by the parish. Tiie house was completed in 1752, but never dedicated.

Two years after this Rev. Mr. Jackson, the pastor, died, at tlie age of fifty-five, and in tiie twentysixth year of his ministry. His senior. Rev. Mr. Fox, was still living at an advanced age, but blind, and entirely incapacitated for labor. Tiie pastorate of Mr. Jackson, however earnest and sincere might have been liis efforts, was only partially successful. The disaffection between himself and his colleague must have produced great personal discomfort, and the long struggle with the parish for tlie maintenance of his rigiits was no doubt the cause of much uneasiness and vexation. With tlie friends who sustained iiim he was popular, and highly esteemed as a graceful pul[)it orator and as a man of good culture and capacity.

A successor to Rev. Mr. Jackson was soon found in the per.son of Mr. Josiah Sherman. He was ordained in 1756. Just at this time tlie death of Rev. John Fox took place. He was ordained in 1703, and consequently had been at the head of the parish fifty-three years. His supporters being now without a leader, and Rev. Mr. Sherman having many attractive qualities both in the pulpit and out, an effort was made to recall the Third Parish back to a union with the First. An agreement was soon come to, and Rev. Mr. Cotton, the minister of the Tiiird Parish, asked a dismission, which was readily granted, and thus the two bodies were again merged in one, which has continued intact ever since. The new meeting-house was now too small for the large accession of numbers, and its enlargement was at once undertaken. Twenty new pews were added, which, with the purchase of a " new bell for the tower," caused a general good feeling among the people, and peace and prosperity for a time prevailed.

The next great public event with which Woburn became associated - as did all New England - was the old French War. This war, which was so costly in men and money to the colonists, began in 17o.5. The contest was confined for the most part to the Canadian borders and to Nova Scotia, but it absorbed a large number of the able-bodied men of New England. It also increased the taxation to a burdensome degree. Th« taxes of Woburn were raised from £139 9«. 5;^/. in 1755 to £518 9*. 9^;. in 1763, the year in which peace was declared. The number of men sent from Woburn to the front in course of the struggle was not far from one hundred and fifty, the population at that time being estimated at about 1,500. In the first year alone fifty-four men were enlisted and attached to the expeditions against Nova Scotia and Crown Point. Tlie war developed no military leader from Woburn. Lieutenant Thompson was the most prominent of its soldiers. He left a journal of the campaign in which he was engaged, which is an interesting memorial of the period.

Rev. Mr. Sherman had not been many years over the parish before new troubles arose, similar to those which had been a source of vexation in previous pastorates. Their foundation was the money question. Mr. Sherman was not apparently a close financier, and became embarrassed in many ways. His salary was too small, as he believed, though he made no public complaint for several years. In 1774 he asked for " proper relief." The purish debated the matter for a year without doing aiiytliiiig, when, in June, 1775, lie asked to be dismissed from his pastoral relations. This was granted in March of the same year, at the close of many altercations and stormy discussions. Mr. Sherman was undoubtedly one of the ablest ministers that liiul occu|)ird tlie piilpil of the First Parish. He WHS a bnillicr of itiigcr SluTiMan, a signer of the Declaration of IiidcprndciuT, :,ih1 hiHl'lhr reputation of being an wnusually fc r\i(l and eloquent preacher. After leaving Woburn he settled in Connecticut, and died at Woodbridge, in that state, in November, 1789.

Woburn is now brought to the advent of the American Revolution. She had done noble service in the many and exhausting wars with the Indians, and had been ardent and loyal in the contest that gave to England the supremacy in Canada and along the lakes and rivers of the West. She was now to show her love of liberty to be a superior motive to her devotion to king and crown. The excitement caused by the aggressive movements of the British government was as fully shared by the people of Woburn as those of the neighboring towns. They instructed their representative to the General Court to allow no damages to Governor Hutchinson for his loss in the Stamp Act, and sent delegates to tlie convention in Boston in 1768 to consider the state of public afl'airs. The most decided movement in favor of the stand taken by the people of New England against the arbitrary enactments of parliament was made in 1773, when a town-meeting was held, and a series of vigorous resolutions were passed. While these resolutions still maintained the authority of the crown, and expressed the prevailing loyalty to tlie king, they asserted in the most positive manner their rights under the British Constitution, and specified in strong language the grievances of which they had so much reason to complain. At the same meeting a committee of correspondence was chosen to maintain communication with Boston and other towns in the colony. A powder-house was built, and stored with such ammunition as couldbe procured. A delegate, Samuel Wyman, was chosen to the Provincial Congress in January, 1775, and the province tax of that year was paid to the agent of the congress instead of the regularly constituted treasurer. A large committee was also appointed to enforce the decrees of the Continental Congress with regard to the use of imported articles. Two days before the opening of the struggle (April 17, 1775) a company of fifty minute-men was raised, to be organized and disciplined for whatever service the Provincial or Continental Congress might require. This rally of fighting men was none too soon. On the morning of the 19tli the alarm reached the town, wliicli was started from tlie tower of the old Nortli Clinreh, and accomplished by the midnight ride of Paul Uevcre. A large number of men caught up Ihcii- arms, and li:i>lciicd lo Lexington to meet the invaders. Mr. Svlvanus Wood was in season to be enrolled in Captain Parker's company on Lexington Coinmoii, and stood witii it to receive the charge of the British column^ and with others, in return,

"Fired tlie shot lieard round tlie world." Mr. Wood always claimed that later in the day he captured a straggler of the enemy and had the honor of taking the first prisoner of war. Tiiis claim was recognized by Congress in IS^i, and a pension granted for the act. Of the minute-men from Woburn who followed and harassed the British troops two men were killed, Asahel Porter and Daniel Thompson, both of whom were young men of enterprise and reputation. The evening before the march to Lexington, John Hancock and Samuel Adams had left Concord for a place of greater safety. They came to Woburn Precinct (now Burlington), early the next morning, and took shelter in the house of Madam Jones. While dinner was preparing a new alarm was given, and the distinguished guests were hurried otf to a retired residence in Bedford, with the loss of the dinner of fresh salmon which good Mrs. Jones was preparing for them. The war for independence, or for the constitutional rights of the colonists, being now begun, Woburn engaged in it with all the zeal and patriotism that inspired New England in that day of trial. Her soldiers flocked to the places of rendezvous, and were employed in guarding the lines at Cambridge, Boston, and Roxbury. No doubt, many of them were present at the battle of Bunker Hill. During the years 1775 and 1776 one hundred and eighty of the citizens were engaged in the service in the neigliborliood of Boston, or were sent to New York, New Jersey, Canada, or Ticonderoga. In 1775 the number of persons subject to the provincial tax was but 311. The proportion of those who served in some military capacity must consequently have been very large. The first considerable sum of money raised for the war was in December, 1776, when £1,500 \vas voted to pay existing bills and such charges as might arise in enlisting men " for the defence of the American colonies." The amount voted for such purpose during the war was nearly £50,000 in currency, or £5,283 in coin, - which was a large sum for the times, and drew upon the resources of the town with a heavy hand. But money and men were not the only things wanted. There were no stores of grain, meat, and other commissary requirements, to be found in the markets of that day. Hence Woburn was assessed for beef and clothing to a large amount. The first item exceeded $8,000 ; and the shirts, blankets, and shoes swelled that sum fully one half more. The whole amount of taxes - town, province, and continental - assessed between 1775 and 1783 exceeded £28,000, lawful money, or more than §90,000. Tliis was drawn from a population of 1,500 or 1,600 persons. The same ratio of tax to-day would produce more than a half-million dollars. The evils of depreciation became so desperate that an attempt was made to remedy them by public action. A convention was held at Concord in 1779 for this purpose. The delegate from Woburn was Samuel Thompson. This convention established prices for the leading articles used in the Gommuuity. The list included in its necessities of life " flip or toddy " at 12*. per bowl, and New England rum at 10*. per mug. The people of Woburn accepted the prices voted by the convention, and appointed a committee to see that there was no violation of its behests. Experience, however, soon proved that the natural laws of currency and trade were too strong to be defied or changed by resolutions and conventions. The attempt at regulation was soon given up. The first enlistments for the war were made by draft from the three military compaines then existing in the town. At a later period men were " hired into the war " by bounties, and at last by a resort to classes, each class being responsible for its man or number of men. Tiie whole number of men who were for a longer or shorter period engaged in the war was three hundred and seventy-six, which number does not include forty-six other persons who were enlisted by the town from other localities. This shows that the number of enlisted men during the seven years of the war was greater than the actual male population liable to military duty in any one year during that time. Li the midst of the trying events of the war the state of Massachusetts had formed a new constitution, embracing features more in conformity with its position as a leader in the movement for indepeiulence and reform. In 1778 the legislature sent the new instrument for the approval of the town, but it was unanimously rejected. The great objection to it appears to have been that it was framed by the legislature, and not by a convention of delegates elected for the purpose.

In 1779 a convention was held at Cambridge, and a new constitution was adopted. This was presented to the people of Woburn in 1780, and accepted, though not unanimously. The property qualification for votes was disapproved, and a resolution passed excludinf:r ordained ministers and attoriievs-at-law from membersliip to the legislature. A few years later, when the Federal Constitution was before the people of Massachusetts for consideration, the delegates to the state convention from Woburn were Timothy Winn and James Fowle, Jr. Deacon Winn opposed the adoption of the Constitution without amendments. The speech prepared in defence of his views was lost to the convention in consequence of his absence at the time certain amendments were under debate, though subsequently printed in the Boston Independent Chronicle. It is well known that the Constitution was adopted only by a small majority in the convention of about 350 delegates.

Soon after the war there was considerable public excitement on the question of what should be done with the tories and refugees who had played a hostile part against the Hevolution. At a townmeeting held in May, 1783, very severe resolutions were passed against all such persons, and an act prohibiting their return to the town or state urged upon the legislature. It was said, " Our Canaan will enjoy no rest while the Philistines are suffered to dwell among us." These bitter feelings survived for many years. But many who had continued their allegiance to the British crown during the war, at its close accepted the situation, and became earnest and patriotic citizens of the new republic.

The oidy person from Woburn who held any considerable position in the Continental Army was Colonel Loanimi Baldwin. He enlisted as a private in April, 1775, but was soon advanced to superior positions, and in August following was appointed colonel of the 38th regiment. He was stationed about Boston until the beginning of 1776, when his regiment was ordered to New \ ork, where he remained until its evacuation by Washington in September. WitJi him he crossed the Delaware December 8, and recrossed December 25, and participated in the gallant fight at Trenton. Colonel Baldwin had many qualifications as a military leader; but, his health faihng a \v\\ months later, he was honorably discharged from the aniiy, ;nid never again returned to it. His hnig and useful life was spent in W^oburn, and he was in many respects the most able and trusted of all her public men. He was the first high shcriir of Middlesex County after tlie organization of the new government, an office which he filled with great acceptance for many years. He was elected several times as a delegate to the General Court, and exercised through his life a large and healthy influence in public affairs. To him is the community indebted if not for originating, certainly for making known and propagating, the celebrated Baldwin apple. He was one of the principal projectors as well as one of the most active superintendents of the construction of the Middlesex Canal. This much noted and valuable water-course from the Merrimack to the Charles was a principal feature in Woburn for about forty years, and added much to its business facilities and prosperity. It was wholly superseded by the building of the Lowell Railroad, and the site of it through the town is no longer easily traced.

At the close of tlie Eevolutionary War Woburn was left in an impoverished state. Besides the constant drain upon its purse, annually paid out, it had borrowed $1,000 to §5,000, for which it was still ill debt. The depression caused by this state of things led the town into the declaration of unpatriotic sentiments when the Shays Rebellion took place, in 1786-87. Being called upon to raise a force to aid in its suppression, it voted " not to give any encouragement to the expedition," and similar votes were passed respecting the payment of those persons who enlisted for that purpose. Still, a strong protest was at the time entered against those votes, and they were afterward reconsidered. They could never have been sanctioned at all but for the great evils that followed the war, and the excitement growing out of them.

The next important epoch in the annals of Woburn was the separation from it of the precinct of Shawshme, or the Second Parish. It has already been stated that this parish was formed in 1730, at the time Goshen was made a distinct town by the name of Wilmington. Attempts were made by the people, in 1733 - 31, in 1774, and in 1782, to form a separate township, but were unsuccessful. In 1797 the subject was again renewed. A petition was presented to the General Court asking for tiie division. A town committee was ciiosen to oppose it, but the project was actively pushed by the Second Parish before the legislature, and in spite of the formidable opposition and the apparently small reason for the division, the court decided to grant the petition, and the Second Parish became a distinct township under the name of Burlington. This took place February 28, 1799.

The dismemberment caused a heavy loss to the old town in population and wealth. By the first United States census, 1790, Woburn contained 1,727 inhabitants; at the second census, in ISOO, it had only 1,228. The territorial loss was 7,118 acres, and of the taxable property more than one fourth. For the nest ten years the growth of Woburn was scarcely perceptible in any respect, and in population there was a decrease of nine, the census of 1810 giving but 1,219 persons. During this period there was little or no manufacturing business in the town. Tlie community was made up almost exclusively of agriculturists, the only exceptions being the tanner, the blacksmith, the miller, the shoemaker, and trader, who supplied the people with the necessities belonging to their respective vocations. Tlie establishment of a tannery on a more extensive scale did not take place until the next decade, of whicli more will be said in noticing the manufacturing interests of tiie town.

For twenty-five years, including and following the Revolution, the scliools were continued in a rather desultory manner. The war disorganized every other interest to a greater or less extent, to which the education of children w-as no exception. In 1790 a new feeling was aroused on the subject, which in 1792 assumed definite form, and a committee was appointed to revise the school system, and establish one more comprehensive and uniform. The report of this committee, of which Loammi Baldwin was chairman, was a carefully written and dignified document, in which the needs and methods of education were clearly set forth. The town was divided into convenient districts for local schools, while the grammar school was to be retained near the centre of eacli parish. Within the next three years £600 were raised for school-houses, each of the new districts having one built for its use. Under this new system, and the stimulus derived from it, the schools of tiie town were greatly improved, and no important change took place for more than fifty years.

After the dismissal of Mr. Sherman as pastor of the first church, in 1775, there was no one settled in his place for nearly ten years. In December, 1784, Mr. Samuel Sargent was invited to the parish. The call was accepted, and Mr. Sargent was ordained in March, 1785. But he was scarcely warm in his pulpit before dissension and opposition began to manifest themselves, and these continued through the entire period of his ministry, about fourteen vears. His orisjinal settlement monev had not been paid in 1790, and the parish was sued for the amount. It had no defence, and was defaulted. Tiie parish was also sued about this time by the Baptist Society at West Cambridge for tiie taxes of those persons who had withdrawn from it. This suit was successful after a protracted litigation. Several years more of contention in the parish followed, when, in 1798, an agreement was made to call a mutual council to dispose of the quarrel if possible. The council unanimously recommended the dissolution of the relations between pastor and people, which took place in April, 1799. Rev. Mr. Sargent removed from Woburn to Chester, Vermont, where he preached on agreement from time to time, but was never again a settled pastor. His death took place at Chester in 1818, at the age of sixty-three. From the dismissal of Mr. Sargent to the settlement of his successor there was an interval of four years. In December, 1803, Mr. Joseph Chickering was invited by both church and parish to become their pastor, which was accepted. The terms of settlement agreed upon were § 800 to be paid within a year, and an annual salary of §650 and fifteen cords of wood. The ordination took place in March, 1804. For several years the ministry of Rev. Mr. Chickering was marked with unusual success. The jieople were united, and tiie accessions to the church were large. In 1820 he asked for a dismissal, which was approved by council. Mr. Ciiickering was graduated at Harvard College in 1799. From Woburn he removed to Phillipston, Massachusetts, where he preached until 18;3o, when he retired from the ministry on account of infirm health, and died in that town in 1844. In 1808, during the pastorate of Rev. Mr. Chickering, the third meetinghouse, which was built in. 1752, on tiie easterly side of the Common, was burnt to tlie ground. Before the fire the question of repairing the house or building a new one had been discussed in the parish. The decision had now been made. Two days after the fire a town-meeting was held, and it was voted to rebuild the meeting-house at once. The site selected was on the nortlierly side of the Common, and nearly identical with that now occupied by the First Unitarian Church. It was dedicated June 28, 1809. The pews were appraised, and the choice sold by auction. The proceeds of the sale amounted to more than $-3,000 over the cost of the building. This sum was funded for the support of the ministry of the society, and remained thus invested until 1861, when the amount was merged in the con- structioii fund of the present meeting-house. Mr. Joseph Bennett became the next pastor of the society, and liis ordination took place January 1, 1822. Eev. Mr. Bennett proved to be an active, energetic minister. Tlie accessions to the church were larger than under any previous pastorate.

In 1832 the Lowell Railroad was built, which ran through tlie south and east portions of the town. A village sprung up not far from the spot where the first house was built. In 1840 the people of this village, called Soutli Woburn, formed a churcli and society, and asked to be set off. A new meeting-house was built, and in December of that year the house was dedicated, and the new cliurch and society was formed. A few months previous to the organization of the South Woburn churcli, the fourth meeting-house, built in 1809, was found to be in such bad condition as to re- (juire extension and repairs or entire reconstruction. The latter course was determined on, and the fifth meeting-house was erected on the same site. The dedication took place December 31, 1810. Mr. Bennett continued as pastor of the society until 1817, when, during a period of mental depression to which he was subject, he took his own life. This unexpected event caused much sorrow and excitement, as he was held in high esteem by the people to whom he ministered, as well as by the congregational body to wliich he was attached. In the spring of 1818 the parish made choice of Mr. Jonathan Edwards as its pastor. He continued iiis connection with tlie society for eight years, giving entire satisfaction to his people and rendering many important services to the educational and social interests of the town. He was dismissed at his own request in 18o6. In August of the same year Rev. Daniel March was called to the pulpit of the parish, and installed in October. The many gifts of Rev. Mr. March as a speaker, writer, and educator made him one of the most po])ular and useful pastors the society iiad ever enjoyed. He resigned in 1862, much to the regret of tlie citizens of tile town at large as well as liis own people.

The successor of Rev. Mr. March was Rev. J. C. Bodwell, D. D., who was installed as pastor in October, 1862. Dr. Bodwell was a preacher of unusual power. His sermons were models of construction and sustained force, clothed in language and rhetoric of the ])urest types. Receiving an invitation to l)(;coine the head of a theological institute at Itartlnnl, Coniu'.-tirut, Iw asked ;uh1 received a disinisMoii I'miu tlic pastorale In Aui^iist,

1866. The meeting-house on the north side of tlie Common, built in 1840, was so far outgrown in 1860 by the increase of the society, that an enlargement or a new building became necessary. As the land for enlargement could not be easily obtained, it was voted to erect a new house of very much larger dimensions, and on the opposite side of the Common. The building was completed, and dedicated in October, 1861. Thcchurch is one of the largest and best-appointed houses of worship in the country. Its total cost was about §62,000. The audience-room is capable of seating fifteen hundred persons, and is beautiful both in form and decoration. After tiie resignation of Rev. Mr. Bodwell an invitation to the pastorate was extended to Rev. S. E. Dennen, who accepted, and was installed in 1868. Mr. Dennen was noted for his pulpit services, his sermons having those logical and compact qualities which are always attractive to the thinking part of every congregation. Mr. Dennen resigned in 1872. Rev. H. S. Kelsey was installed in his place. Occupying the pulpit three years, he retired from the position, and the pastorate was again offered to Rev. Daniel March, who had so acceptably ministered to the congregation some fifteen years before. Rev. Mr. March still retains his connection with the parisii. In 1846 the people of North Woburn felt the need of a church and society in that locality. At first the Sunday services were held in the school-house, under charge of Rev. Samuel Sewall. The society increasing, a meeting-house was built in 1849, and a church formed, consisting mostly of persons who transferred their membership from the First Parish. Rev. Samuel Sewall continued as pastor till 1852, when he resigned. His successor was Rev. George T. Dole, who remained three years. Rev. Swift Byington and Rev. M. G. Wheeler followed. The present pastor. Rev. W. C. Anderson, was settled in 1873.

Biiplitt Siwifti/. - It has been previously stated that several leading men of the First Parish had become converts to the Baptist faith about 1670. The two Russells, John and John, Jr., maintained tJM'ir connection witii tliat sect to the end of life, and were ])niniinent in tiieir elforls to spread its (loetrines. Of the otliers, who for a time sympathized with tiieni, it is not known that any of them continued to supjjort tlie obnoxious tenets, as they soon returned to their connection with the First Parish. For more than a century there was little or no indiciition (if the prevalence of Baptist senti- ments among the people, although one or two families had associated themselves with the Baptists of West Cambridge (now Arlington), where, in 1781, a society had been organized. The difficulties in the First Parish respecting Eev. Mr. Sargent led many persons to withdraw from it. Most of these attached themselves to the West Cambridge church, which was under the pastoral care of Kcv. Mr. Green. Their numbers increasing, Mr. Green was invited to preach a part of the time in Woburn. These persons were regularly taxed for the support of the First Parish. Tiiis was resisted, and a suit was brought to recover taxes already paid. Tlie suit was gained, and the money refunded. Not long after Rev. Mr. Green divided his time between the two societies, giving one half to each. Mr. Green left this vicinity in 1793, when the society was successfully established. In its early history the pastorates of the society were short. Over it were settled Elder Snow, Elder Peak, Rev. Elias Smith, Elder Nelson, Elder Stone, Elder Wydown, Rev. T. Waterman, Rev. H. ]\Iarshall, Rev. G. Phippen. Rev. A. Judson, Eev. J. N. Seaman, Rev. S. Mallory, Rev. B. C. Wade, Rev. T B. Ripley, Rev. N. Hooper, Rev. S. B. Randall, Rev. J. C. Stockbridge, Rev. J. Ricker, Rev. B. F. Bronson, Rev. J. S. Kennard, Rev. H. C. Townley, Rev. William Young. The present minister (1879), Rev. E. C. Mills, has occupied the place for about four years. The first meetings of the society were held in private houses. A meeting-house was built in 1794-, which was situated on the Main Street, near where the present Episcopal Chapel is located. The growth of the society requiring more room, a new house was built in 18£7. The same house continues in use by the society, although it has undergone two considerable changes and embellishments since that period. The last of these (including a partial removal of the building) added greatly to the beauty of the structure and to the convenience of the society in its manifold religious and social life.

Unitarian Society. - The first Unitarian Society in Woburn was preceded by two organizations of Universalists. The first of these was begun in 1828. The society built a meeting-house on the southwest side of the Common. Rev. 0. A. Skinner was the first pastor. Three others succeeded him, when preaching was suspended, and the house was sold to the town for use as a town-hall. In 1841 a new society was formed, which built, in 1845, a new meeting-house on Main Street, and occupied it, with Rev. W. B. Randolph as pastor, until

1847, when it passed into the hands of the Unitarian Society, which for the last two or three years had been forming, and holding meetings in the townhall. Rev. Henry F. Edes Avas installed as pastor in 1848. Resigning in 1850, the society was without a settled minister till 1853, when Rev. J. M. Marsters was installed. Ill health obliging him to retire in 1856, Rev. R. P. Stebbins, D. D., was settled as his successor in 1857. He resigned after a successful ministry of nearly seven years. Rev. Eli Fay succeeded him in 1864. In that year it was decided to purchase the meeting-house which had been vacated two years before by the First Congregational Parish, and remodel it. This was effected in the course of the year, and the present fine church edifice was the result. The improvement to the public square by removing the house thirty feet from the street, and presenting to it the handsome facade of the new building, was one of the most signal and satisfactory that has occurred in its history. Rev. Mr. Fay terminated his pastorate in 1868, on account of impaired health. Rev. W. S. Barnes was called to the parish in 1869. He resigned in April, 1879. His ministry was the most active and successful, as well as the longest, with which the society has been favored. Rev. George H. Young is now pastor, having been installed in October, 1879.

Methodist Society. - No special efforts were made to found a Methodist church in Woburn until 1850. An organization was eff'ected in 1851, and preachers have been regularly assigned to the church from that period. Its growth has been rapid, and its congregation is now one of the largest in the town. The first meeting-house was a small building of very slight cost. In 1864 the society purchased of the Unitarian Parish the meeting-house which it had recently vacated, and made several important changes in the interior. This house was completely destroyed by fire in 1872. A new and commodious edifice was erected on the same site, in tiie basement story of which are the Woburn postoffice and two stores occu])ied for trade. The society is an energetic and flourishing one, and has a wide influence in its sphere of activity.

Episcopal Church. - Adherents of the Church of England first appeared in Woburn in the Second Parish (Shawshine) , about 1750. Some twelve or fifteen persons withdrew from it at that time, and adopted in their religious worship the English liturgy, which was read to them by one of their number in a private house. Occasionally a rector from Cambridge or Boston was present. The society gained but slowly in numbers, and at the breaking out of the Eevolution was quite overborne by the feeling against English ecclesiasticism, wliich was considered as a part of the system of royalty. Several persons, however, continued tlieir sympatliy with the church, but were too few in number to sustain an organization. In 1865 a successful attempt was made to revive tlie Episcopal service. Meetings of those interested were at first held in Lyceum Hall. Increasing numbers led to the building of a small church, or chapel, in 1867. Since that time the growth of the parisli has been steady, and, with tiie band of earnest workers it contains, it seems likely to gain a permanent position among the religious societies of the town. It has had several reeldrs, among whom have been Rev. J. AV. I'l.rier, ie'v. S. U. Shearman, and Rev. J. Frank Wineklcy, who is the present incumbent.

Roman CaUioli.c Churdt. - There were many members of the Romish communion in town some time before an attempt was made to gather them in cliarge of one of the priestly fathers of tlie cliurcli. In 1847 the accessions had become sufficient to establish regular meetings, which were held in the town-liall. Tliis continued to be tlie place of worship until 1852, wlien a plain but commodious cliurch edifice was built. The society rapidly increased from year to year, and in 1865 the liouse had become mucli too small for the accommodation of the large congregation. In the following year the present stately cluircli was projected, and, through the untiring efforts of Father Quealy and a few leading members of the society, was completed and dedicated in 1869. Tlie building is conveniently located on the corner of Main and Summer streets, and is one of the finest structures in town. Father Quealy still continues to be the presiding priest of the parish, but has been ably sustained by assistants, noteworthy among whom was Father McClure, who left a few months ago as a mission worker in Essex County. His present aids are Fathers Murphy and McDonald.

Wohiini ill the Chnl War. - In the great uprising which followed the attack nu Fort Sumter, AVoburn was as picunpt tn exliibil her spirit and ])atriotisin as any Iduii in the Slate. She bore her part in the long struggle which followed with wellsustained zeal, and contributed her full share in men and money to bring about its successful issue. On the evening' ..f Apnl IX, ISlU, u pulilie meeting w;,s held m Luvmn II;dl, uliieh was hirgein numbers and enthusiastic in its expression of resistance to rebellion and loyalty to the Union. Adjourned meetings were held on the 20tli and 21st of the same month, where the same spirit prevailed as at the first. As the result of these meetings, more than one hundred men offered themselves for their country's service, and nearly S 8,000 were pledged by individuals, in sums from § 1 to f 500, to aid in their outfit and to furnish assistance to their families in their absence. These events took place wliile as yet no systematic measures had been taken for enlistments either by the state or national governments.