Class. T^ Rook .WgsIB^ PRESK.NTED BY TWENTY YEARS OF THE ^r^*/x Westborough Historical Society AN ADDRESS BY THE President, Rev. S. I. Briant, October 27, 1909. WKSfBOROUGH, MASS. ChronoType Printing Company 1909. -m {Fttt:,'.-. MAY 28 1910 The Address The agreement for forming the So- ciety was signed January 10, 1889, by twenty-three persons. The first meet ing was held with Judge Forbes on February first. Two days later the of- ficers were chosen. President, Mr. J. A. Fayerweather Vice President, Mr. B. B. Nourse. Secretary and Treasurer, Mr. C. S. Henry. Directors, Judge W. T. Forbes, Mr. F. C. Bates, Mrs. A. F. Judd. The Society was incorporated Feb- ruary 28, 1889. Historical Addreses. The attention of the Society was at first given to matters of local interest, as we shall see later, But before long addresses were provided in order to awaken an interest in historical events. The first of these was given in De* cember, 1893, by Rev. A. Titus of Na- tick on "The Days of the N. E. Primer," with an exhibition of old manuscripts. The next March Hon. A. S. Roe of Worcester, lectured on "The abolition of Fast Day and the observance of the nineteenth of April as a legal holiday." In April, a paper was read on "African Slavery in N. F.," by Mr. A. F. Brown of Bedford, with photographs and pa- pers. In November, there was an es- say on "Our Grandmothers' Thanks- giving," by Mrs. M. A. Fletcher of Bedford. In March, 1895, Mr. R. Janney pre- sented the subject of "Quakerism." He showed a certificate of his mother's marriage signed by sixty of those present. In May, Senator G. F. Hoar gave an address on "The opening of the North West." In November the address was on "The Scotch Irish in America" by lyibrarian S. S. Green of Worcester. In December, 1896, Rev. A. E. Hylan lectured on "Christian I^ife as por- trayed in the Catacombs." In 1897, the January address was on "Footprints of the Nipmucks," by Mr. J. C. Crane of Millbury. Specimens of their handiwork were exhibited. In Februarj' the address was on "Some Scenes in Pilgrim History," by Hon. A. T. Ivord of Plymouth. In March, Mr. A. K. Brown told us of "A missing- link in the history of the Old South Church, Boston." In April, Mr. F. B. Sanborn of Concord, gave an address on "John Brown, his purpose, trial. and the sequel in Concord." In January, 1898, an address was given on "The Behring Sea and its wonderful and valuable seal inhabi- tants," by Dr. Mendenhall, president of the Worcester Polytechnic Institute. It was illustrated by the stereopticon. In February, there was a lecture on '•An outline of the year 1861," by Mr. J. H. Merriam of South Framingham. In March, "The Po.wer of History," was the theme treated by Ex-Gov. D. H. Chamberlain, of South Carolina, a former resident here, several of whose ancestors were buried in Memorial Cemetery. The lecture in January, 1899, was on "The war with Spain chiefly in the Santiago Campaign," by Major H. B. Fairbanks. In February, " The battle of Lexington in America and Eng- land," was set forth by Rev. A. C. Staples of Lexington. In May, Mr.C. M. Fay related his war experiences and described a map of Andersonville prison which he presented to the Society. In November, Miss S. D. Spurr r^ad a paper on "Heraldry." Mrs. Metcalf illustrated the subjects with readings and Mr. Eittlefield with heraldic drawings. In April, 1901, Rev. A. D. Smith of Northborough spoke of "The Metta Katta Indians of Alaska." Mr. H. Butterworth addressed us in January, 1902, on "Over the Andes.''' On March 17, Rev. J. J. Walker gave an address on "The early missionary of Ireland. St. Patrick," and Rev. A. E. Hylan gave select readings. In April, Rev. O. S. Davis of Newton told the story of "The Separatists in Eng- land and Holland." In January, 1903, Mr. F. B. Sanborn addressed us on "The relation of Mass- achusetts to New Hampshire and Maine in the seventeenth century." In April, Rev. C. Stebbins of Framing- ham gaye an address on "The Louisi- ana Purchase." In October we lis- tened to an interesting paper by Mrs, Judd, on "Old Deerfield, its arts and crafts." In February, 1904, Hon. A. S. Roe again spoke to us; this time on "The Governors of Massachusetts." In February, 1905, Mr. Butterworth again visited us and gave a talk on "The old Court End of Boston. In April Dr. C. D. Wright of Clark Uni- versity lectured on "Romantic Social- ism." In February, 190G, Mr. J. R. Ander- son, a Scotchman, gave an address on "Robert Burns, Poet," reading several of Burns' poems. In April, there was an illustrated talk on "Traveling and Shooting in Asia," by Dr. W. Smith of Worcester. In February, 1907, "Tales of Boston Harbor" was the subject of an illus- trated lecture by Mr. Hasseltine of Boston. In March Rev. R. W. Wal- lace of Boston lectured on "The Story of Jamestown." The address in April was by Rev. A. Titus of Boston on "The time of the Old Bay Province, 169;^^ to 1775." In November, Mrs. Bates gave a talk on "Ancestry" and exhibited a copy of a genealogical, register. In February, 1909, Rev. Mr, Wheeler of Woodville spoke of his personal re- lations with the army as chaplain of the 18th colored regiment and of his recollections of President Lincoln. In March, Miss Spurr read a paper on "A backward g-lance at the 19th cen- tury with a glimpse of the country doctor." Travei, Tai with Mr. F. W. Forbes and "Atlanta and the Exposition," with Mr. B. A. Nourse In April, 1898, Mr, W. J. H. Nourse of Worcester took us with him on "The Expedition up the Nile for the Relief of General Gordon," and related many personal experiences. In March, 1899, Rev. F. Nichols gave an account of "A Tramp Through Ireland," showing many articles of interest. In April, President Walker told of "A tour through Egypt," with the exhibition of many mementos. In December there was a talk on "Reminiscences of a tour in Europe," by Rev. S, Perry of Boston, illustrated with photographs. In February, 1900, Mr, J. E, Brigliam took us with him on "A trip to Cuba and the Windward Isles," showing many articles he had collected. The next January Mr, Brigham gave a graphic account of his journey to Jerusalem, the holy sepulchre, the Dead Sea, to Madeira, the Nile, the Pyramids, Cairo and to Gibralter, il- lustrated with many photographs. In February we saw "The Cathedrals of Europe" as portrayed by Rev, Mr. Nichols, In December, 1904, Vice President Walker told an interesting story of his journeyings in Japan, In January, 1908. the Thursday Club met with us and we listened to Judge and Mrs, Forbes on their "Observa- tions Abroad," Entertainments, We have also shared in other gather- ings of a more social character. In October, 1897, Rev, Mr. Weeks read an original story entitled "Cindy," In January, 1898, Dr, Corej' gave a stereopticon exhibition of pictures of "Yellowstone Park." At a social in December, 1890, many dressed in old style garments. It closed with an old folks dance, Dr, Barrett manager. Dr. Corey the next March presented through his stereopticon, pictures of "The mission buildings in California and great events in early N, E," In April there was a costume party at President Walker's, Some garments worn were two hundred years old. In May, we met in Grange Hall, where Dr. Corey exhibited "Westborough Past and Present." On December 31. 1900,there was held "The End of the Century Sociable," The President spoke of the great changes in the century past. Superin- tendent Waldron read from Whittier's Centennial. The Vice-President read the 90th Psalm. " Auld Lang Syne " was sung and just as the century closed all joined in singing, the doxol- ogy, "Praise God from whom all bless- ings flow." In March, 1901, at Grange Hall, Rev. A. T. Kempton of Fitchburg. told, with the aid of the stereopticon, "The Story of Evangeline." At a social in Decem- ber, many ancient articles were con- sidered and their uses explained. In February, 1902, a band of min- strels visited us and entertained us with solos, choruses and various or- chestral music. The next February, a musicale was held. In March, in the Town Hall, Rev, Mr. Kempton gave a second illus- trated lecture on "The Courtship of Miles Standish" with readings from lyongfellow's poem. In January, 1904, a paper on " Early National Music" was read by Miss G. E. Clark and several musical selections were rendered. In March, " The Cranford Play " was given in Grange Hall. In January, 1905, there was a musi- cale by Miss A. F. Goddard. In March, an entertainment in Grange Hall, entitled " L,end me five shillings." In February, 1906, was presented the play "The Kleptomaniac." In December, 1907, Miss Goddard read a paper on"01d Songs Illustrated' ' accompanied with several musical se- lections. Field Days. The field days of the Society call for separate mention. The first of these occurred in October, 1889, when there was held with Judge Forbes, "A Park- man Day." Mrs. Forbes read a paper on the revered first pastor, from whose diary she had read on the day of the incorporation of the Society. Mrs. Lrcach presented a sketch of the Park- man Family, of whom many distin- guished representatives were present. A drive was taken to nine sites once familiar to Mr. Parkman. Dr. Corey also read a poem on "The Philosophj' of Tom Cook." In October, 1891, was the next field day, at which "The Rice Family" waa considered in a paper by Judge Forbes. In June, 1893, the Society entertained some sixty guests from the Worcester Society of Antiquity, in a drive about town in four barges, visiting places of historic interest. At the field day in June, 1894, fifty-six members braved the heat and drove over to Grafton where they were joined by friends from Worcester and visited various points of interest. In June the next year, fifty-six went to Shrewsbury and visited the Old Pease Tavern, and the Ward house, where among many articles an auto- graphic letter from General Wash- ington to General Ward was shown. Sheriff Ward's old yellow gig with its white horse surrounded by members of the Society was photographed. We also visited the old Sumner parsonage with its beautiful old furniture. After dinner we went to the cemetery where were the graves of the Ward family. We also visited the famous balanced rock. The field day in 1896, was passed in South Natick, sixty present. We visit- ed "The Sam L,awson Hou.se," the fa- mous Eliot Oak, five hundred years old, and the Historical Society Rooms in the Public Library. At dinner, speeches were made by Judge Forbes, Revs. Daniels and Dudley and Presi- dent Smith. We came home by way of the Hunnewell Gardens. The next June, we went to Boston, to Faneuil Hall, the Old State House, Old Granary Burying Ground, the Cemetery at King's Chapel, the Old North Church, to the Agassiz Museum at Cambridge, Memorial Hall and the Fogg Art Museum. In 1898, the outing was in Lancaster. Some forty went. Mr. Nourse, the town historian, conducted the parly to the Unitarian church, of which Dr. Bartol had been pastor for fifty years, and to the Town Library. Afterwards there was a drive about town and about Clinton. The next year fifty-three went to Worcester, We visited the Society of Antiquity, where Hon. A. S. Roe and Major Dodge addressed us, the U. S. Envelope Factory, the old Salisbury mansion, the American Antiquarian Society, the new Art Museum, the Isaiah Thomas house and the Probate Court room, where Judge Forbes ex- hibited several ancient manuscripts. June 20, 1902, was field day in old Concord, where we visited the histori- cal grounds and the places sacred to the memory of the greatest names in American literature. September 5, 1904, was a notable da}'. A tablet in memory of the Rice Boys, who were captured August 8, 1704, by Indians, was set up at the Northwest corner of the Bartlett meadow, with an address later, on "The Rice ]Joys," by Judge Forbes. The Fli Whitney tablet was dedica- ted at his birthplace. Hon. Mr. Roe gave the address. At the lunch in the orchard, Vice-President Walker pre- sided. Mr. Newcomb described his model of the cotton gin. I^etters were read from the inventor's grandson and granddaughter and from others. Mr. R. Bowman, a centenarian, was elec- ted to membership. There were 250 present. In the afternoon a company climbed the adjacent pasture hill. The next field day was on July 15, 1905, when some sixt}' persons gather- ed on Whitney Hill. Addresses were given by the President, Revs. Schuh and Walker and Mr. Newcomb. In June, 1906, fifty members went to Wachusett Dam and Reservoir and to the Holder Memorial Building in Clin- ton. After lunch, in which we were royally aided by the society there. Dr. Corey spoke of his new residence in California and Judge Forbes of " The Forbes Homestead" and some newly discovered Parkman manuscripts. In August, 1907, several members re- sponded to the invitation of the North- borough Society and attended the public addresses at their town hall and at the placing of a tablet to mark the site of the Samuel Goodnow house on the Marlborough road. IvOCAi, History. The chief interest of a historical so- ciety must gather around its local his- tory. We find that steps were taken at the first meeting of our Society to examine old deeds and records in order to determine the names to be given to the hills of the town. Committees were then and later appointed to copy the inscriptions on the grave stones of our two oldest cemeteries. A cabinet of oak was made by Mr. B. B. Nourse from the timbers of the Old Arcade. In May, 1890, a paper was read on "The old village church as it was in 1826." In June, 1893, Mr. Fayerweather re- lated many interesting stories of his boyhood days and in October many members told of their early school days. When, in June, 1894, the Society en- tered its room in Post Office block, open house was held and many gifts were presented. At a house warming in October the record reads, "Many brought not frankincense and myrrh but what was to them more precious by association, books whcse well worn pages had been lovingly scanned by dear old grandmothers and grandfath- ers." Besides these, pictures and other i-elics were given. In November a col- lection of Alaskan curios was bought. The January meeting in 1895 was devoted to Horace Maynard. Papers were read which had been prepared by his son Commander W. Maynard and by his neighbor Capt. W. Rule. In October, 1896, Judge Forbes gave a delightful talk on "The first church of Westborough," with curious inci- dents, methods of church discipline and government in those early days. In December, 1903, the topic was "L,ocal Historical Ivandmarks." Judge Forbes spoke of the noted men of the town; Mrs. Forbes, of marking the birthplace of Eli Whitney and the sites of the two first church buildings; Mr- Bates, of Eli Whitney and especially of his invention of the "Uniformity sys- tem in making firearms"; Mrs. Bates, of marking the graves of the old Revo- lutionary soldiers and the site of the first Baptist church; Mr, Reilly, of a letter received by the selectmen rela- tive to erecting a monument to Eli Whitney in the public square; Mr. G. B. Howe of Northborough, of the copy- ing of the town records by the N. E. Historic Genealogical Society. A committee was appointed on marking historic sites. In December, 1903, "The Forbes Family" was presented in a paper by Miss E. E. Forbes and "The Rice Family," by Judge Forbes. September 20, 1905, the Society was represented by the President at the dedication of the Holder Memorial Building by the Clinton Society, He also attended, November 16, the setting up of a tablet to the minute men of the Revolution by the Shrewsbury Society. In De- cember, there were addresses on mat- ters of local interest by Revs. Schuh and Jacobs and Vice President Walker. In January, 1906, Mrs. Forbes read a paper on "Stephen Maynard and his house." In March a paper on "The Forbush Tavern" was read by Miss M. L. Fisher. "The old residents of Piety Hill" were described by Mrs, Bates. "Character sketches of old citizens" were given by the Vice Presi- dent. A committee was appointed to mark the graves of Revolutionary sol- diers. On April 19, the room was opened to the members of the County C. E. Convention, of whom some three hundred visited us. A souvenir card had been presented to each member at their meeting, contain- ing ten lines from Rev. Mr. Park- man's diary of April 19, 1775. At a special meeting in May, Mrs, Gould presented papers on "The Breck Parkman Shop" and on "The Park- man Diaries." She also sent a letter offering the use of the Parkman man- uscripts in her possession to the So- ciety and ultimately the manuscripts themselves. They cover over six years. In October, Mrs, E. M. Brittan read a paper on "The Haskell House." Mrs. Bates gave interesting extracts from the Parkman diary of 1773. In December Mrs. E. M. Howell of Worcester read a paper on "The Thomas Whitney House" and present- ed an original deed of land and also her father's sword. In January, 1907, the pastors of the several churches presented items on "Eocal church history." On April 9, the President attended a meeting of the Bostonian Society at which Dr. Jeffries presented the original records of a Harvard College Graduate Club of 1723. They were in the handwriting of young Parkman, the secretary. In February, Mr. J. D. Estabrook of Northborough read a sketch of " The Governor Davis House and the Davis Family." Miss Spurr presented a paper on "The Cobb House and Familj'." In January, 1909, we met in Masonic Hall. Nearly two hundred were present. The topic was " The Fa.y Fajnily.' There was a large chart with the dif- ferent branches of the family on it from 1648 to 1909. Various papers and addresses were given by Mr. Herbert Fay and Judge Forbes of Worcester, Mr. A. P. Wilson, Mrs. C. M. Fay, Mrs. Bates, and Miss Jennie L. Fay. Letters were read from Revs. S. P. Faj' and C. S. Pease, Messrs. A. B Fay and C. F. Fay, and other members of the family. Library. Another line of the Society's work has been in maintaining a library. There have been several purchases of books, and certain exchanges have been made. But largely the accessions have been from gifts. We have now some 1200 bound volumes that have been classified and catalogued with some hundreds of unbound volumes. There are in all thirteen volumes of the transcribed copies of the Parkman Diary, covering a little over eight years. There are several scrap books containing obituary notices, war en- velopes, articles on Indian subjects, church items and the like. The manu- scripts of sermons, addresses, deeds and records must number between one and two hundred. There are also several valuable albums of photo- graphs of persons and places of local interest. Publications. The use that the Society has made of the printing press is worthy of no- tice. In 1895 it published Rev. Mr, Weeks' four articles given at the meet- ing in February in book form with il- lustrations under the title of "The Tin Kitchen," at the cost of S35, and at a profit of §15. Here we may mention also that in 1897, china plates with cups and other articles were prepared with prints of Fli Whitney and objects of local inter- est, at a cost of $75 and sold at a profit of $57. In 1899, "The Story of the Cotton Gin," written by Mr. E. C. Bates, was reprinted from the N. F. Maga- zine, at a cost of §42 and sold at a pro- fit of $18 with 350 copies on hand. In 1906, "The Story of the Rice Boys," as written by Mr, Parkman in 1769, was printed at an expense of $8 and the sales have covered expenses with 112 copies on hand. Halftone cuts of the Whitne3' and Rice Boys tablets were prepared at a cost of |14 and the sale of the prints has met this expense with 200 copies on hand or in books. The card of invitation to the C. F. Convention was printed at cost of $4, and the expense met by gift. In 1898 it was voted to obtain the Journal of Rev. Mr, Parkman in pos- session of Mrs. E. Tuckerman, with a view of copying the same for publica- tion, Mrs. Forbes kindly ofl"ered to do the work, and also edited the same with most valuable notes. It was pub- lished at an expense of S|647. There have been received from sales and special gifts !5564, leaving a net ex- pense to the Society of S83, with 112 bound copies and 500 copies in sheets on hand. The copies of the Calendar of 1906 were sold at a profit of §39 and those of the Calendar for 1908 netted §5. The edition of "Some Old Houses,'' cost $53, and has been sold at a small profit with 75 copies on hand. The edition of "Mote Old Houses." cost $103 and stands the Society about $50 cost, with 89 copies on hand. The total profit of ten of these pub- lications has been $134.52, and the cost of two of them has been $133.40, a net profit on all of $1.13 with the stock on hand including two volumes of the Town History valued at over $300. AR'rici