The Westford Wardsman, December, 1912
Saturday, December 7, 1912
A Biographical Sketch. The earliest records of the Fletcher family place the family in Burgundy about the twelfth century, and at the close of the fourteenth century they appeared in Yorkshire, England, where they took a prominent part in public affairs, many of their members having titles of nobility conferred upon them.
Robert Fletcher came from England in 1630, and was one of the original proprietors of the town of Concord. He took a leading part in the affairs of the town and became a man of wealth and influence. He died in Concord on April 3, 1677, at the age of eighty-five years. He had a family of a wife and five children—Luke, William, Samuel, Francis and Cary, or Caroline, the three eldest born in England.
Luke had no family. William married Lydia Bates and settled in Chelmsford Center. His house is still standing in that village. His farm was a large tract in that vicinity. Of their family of eight children, Joshua, the eldest son, married Sarah Willey, settled in Westford, then Chelmsford, where the late Melbourne Hutchins lived. Of their eight children, Joseph, their second son, married Sarah Adams, of Concord. They settled on the Decatur farm, next place to S. L. Taylor’s on the Stony Brook road to Westford Center. This farm was owned by the family for 150 years.
Of their ten children, Timothy, the third son, succeeded his father and married Bridget Richardson, of Chelmsford, and raised a family of six children. Elijah, the eldest son, became a Congregational minister, and married Rebecca Chamberlin, of Westford. Their daughter Grace became the wife of the Hon. Daniel Webster, who was so long in both state and national public life.
Bridget, the third daughter, married Isaac Parker, who removed to Cavendish, Vt. Of their family, Betsey married Jabez Proctor, son of Leonard Proctor, who removed from Westford to Cavendish, Vt., in 1786, where the village of Proctorville is located.
Jabez and Betsey Proctor had a son Redfield, born in Cavendish, who became lieutenant-governor of Vermont from 1876 to 1878, and governor from 1878 to 1880. The Proctor family’s home in Westford was in Parker Village, and is known as the Hutchins place.
Redfield Proctor married Emily Dutton, great-granddaughter of Salmon Dutton, son of Joseph Dutton, whose home was the Colburn place in Westford. Salmon Dutton founded the village of Duttonville in Cavendish, Vt. Redfield and Emily Dutton Proctor had a son, Fletcher Dutton Proctor, who became governor of Vermont from 1906 to 1908, and a native of Cavendish.
Jesse Fletcher, youngest son of Timothy and Bridget, married, in 1782, Lucy Keyes, of Westford. They removed in 1783, to Ludlow, Vt. From that time until his death in 1831, he resided on the same farm in Ludlow. His house that he built in 1784 is still standing in good condition and owned by his grandson. Of his family of fifteen children, the youngest, a son, Stoughton A., born in 1808, settled in Indianapolis, Indiana, and married Julia Bullard. He became a banker and a man of great wealth.
Their fourth son, Allen M., born in Indianapolis in 1853, grew up and inherited his father’s business. He married Mary E. Bruce, retired from the banking business, and removed to Vermont and settled in Cavendish fifteen years ago. He became a farmer and cultivates his grandfather’s farm in Ludlow. He served two terms in the Vermont legislature as a representative of Cavendish. This year, 1912, he was the candidate of the republican party for governor at the state election. There was no election by the people, as the law of Vermont requires a majority vote on all officers, but he was chosen governor by joint ballot by the legislature, making the third governor of Vermont descending from the old Fletcher home, the Decatur place in Westford.
Robert Fletcher, of Concord, had another son Samuel, who settled in Parker Village, where his son William, and grandson William, lived in Westford. The Henry A. Hildreth place, the house built by William, grandson of Samuel, 180 years ago, was burned in the summer of 1912.
Samuel, son of Robert, married Margaret Hailston. Their fifth child and youngest son, William, married Mary Richardson, and lived where his father had. Of their eight children, William, the eldest son, succeeded his father and built the house burned, 180 years old. He married Elizabeth Remington, of Rowley.
Of their eleven children, Asaph, the youngest son, became a doctor, married Sally Green, of Chelsea, and lived in Westford Center, in a house removed and still standing nearby. That was on the spot where the late J. Henry Read lived. A family by the name of Richardson are living there now. He was a surgeon in the revolutionary war, and removed to Cavendish, Vt., in 1786, before Vermont was admitted to the Union. He was frequently a member of the legislature and was a judge of the county court and a member of the state council. He died in 1839, aged ninety-two years.
His eldest daughter, Sarah, married Salmon Dutton, jr., and was grandmother of Mrs. Redfield Proctor. His son Richard was a judge in the Massachusetts supreme court from 1848 to 1853. Another son, Horace, became an eminent Baptist minister. His youngest son, Ryland Fletcher, born in 1799, was a farmer. The youngest child of the nine children, he was early in town office as well as county, and in 1854, he was elected as Vermont’s first republican lieutenant-governor with Gov. Stephen Royce, of Berkshire, as Vermont’s first republican governor. In 1856 and 1857, he was elected governor of Vermont. He married Mary Ann May.
Of their three children, Henry Addison lived on the farm of his father, and was elected to public office often. In 1890 to 1892, he was lieutenant-governor of Vermont with (Calfskin) Gov. Carrol S. Page, now United States senator from Vermont.
The above could not be duplicated in any state—four governors of one state and three lieutenant-governors of one state, and all from the same town, all descended from one town in another state, and all relatives of one another.
Gov. Allen M. Fletcher, of Vermont, is the fourteenth governor elected by the legislature since 1778, when Vermont became a state. The last democratic governor was John S. Robinson, of Bennington. He resigned one year.
Vermont has five cases of father and son being governor—Thomas Chittenden and Martin Chittenden, Erastus Fairbanks and Horace Fairbanks, John Gregory Smith and Edward C. Smith, Paul Dillingham and William P. Dillingham, Redfield Proctor and Fletcher Dutton Proctor.
Jonas Galusha, governor for nine years, was a son-in-law of Gov. Thomas Chittenden. That family held the office for twenty-nine years. Moses Robinson, governor in 1789, was grandfather of Gov. John S. Robinson, governor in 1853. Hiland Hall, governor from 1858 to 1860, was grandfather of Mrs. John G. McCullough, governor from 1902 to 1904. Paul Brigham, of Norwich, Vt., was lieutenant-governor of Vermont for twenty-two years, never was elected governor. Benjamin Swan, of Woodstock, was state treasurer from 1800 to 1833. In 1835, Vermont failed to elect a governor either by the popular vote or by the legislature, and the lieutenant-governor, Silas H. Jennison, of Shoreham, served as governor.
–William H. Lynds, Lowell.
Center. Mrs. Ida M. Gould is visiting friends in Boston and vicinity.
Word comes from Miss Jennie M. Chandler that she is convalescing nicely from her recent serious illness at the Corey Hill hospital, Brookline.
Mr. and Mrs. William Sutherland received an interesting present from their son, E. E. Sutherland, in San Jose, Cal., last week. This was a large framed picture of himself and wife and their ten children. The children are from three years old up to twenty. To the most casual observer it is a most attractive looking group, and the fond grandparents are fully justified in feeling proud and pleased with it. Mr. and Mrs. William Sutherland have had nine children themselves, and there are other grandchildren as well as this California group. They recently observed their golden wedding anniversary.
Rev. C. L. Fowler occupied the pulpit morning and evening at the Congregational church last Sunday in the absence of the pastor. He proved himself a frank and an interesting speaker, speaking in the morning on “Opportunities,” and in the evening on “Influence.”
The Misses Atwood start this Saturday for Florida, where they go to spend the winter. They go by boat to Savannah, and from there to Jacksonville. They will be much missed by the home friends, but who, at the same time, wish them a pleasant sojourn.
Mr. and Mrs. Wallace returned from West Hartford, Vt., the first of the week, where they had been summoned by the serious illness of Mrs. Wallace’s mother.
The Edward M. Abbot hose company held their regular monthly meeting at their headquarters on Boston road on Tuesday evening. At the business session a committee was appointed for the annual ball, consisting of J. Herbert Fletcher, Robert Prescott and Edward Clement, to be given full discretionary powers. This event will probably take place early in the new year.
A committee meeting to complete plans for the coming Board of Trade smoke talk and entertainment was held at the town hall on Tuesday evening. An attractive event is being planned for the men, probably to take place the second week in January.
Dr. Snedden was the guest, while in town, of Miss Ella F. Hildreth, vice president of the Tadmuck club.
Tadmuck Club. The meeting for the Tadmuck club this week took the form of a lecture in the evening at the Congregational church. This lecture was by Dr. Snedden, state commissioner of education, on “Vocational training.” There was a good attendance of members and guests present. Frank H. Hill, superintendent of school, was present and introduced Dr. Snedden in well chosen words. Dr. Snedden proved himself a close student of his subject and held the close attention of his audience as he depicted this age of changing standards and ideals in the educational world, and the attitude of instructors and students thereto.
Preceding the lecture, Miss Loker, the president, gave an excellent recognition sketch of Ellen H. Richards and her life work, whose natal day is December 3, on which date the lecture took place. This recognition took place in many of the schools and colleges on that day. Mrs. Richards’ early life in Dunstable, Westford and Littleton makes her work in after life all the more real in this locality, and her service to this club particularly, is cherished when out of her busy life she came at two different times previous to her death and gave addresses relative to her work.
The next meeting, December 17, will be a Christmas afternoon, with Mrs. David L. Greig and Mrs. Perley E. Wright as hostesses. Further notice of the program will be given next week.
About Town. Foxes are unusually plenty in the Stony Brook valley, and are extensively busy in the poultry business regardless of high prices of eggs and their environment.
The open season of the West Chelmsford Debating society will commence on Tuesday evening, December 10, at Historical hall, when the following question will be discussed: Resolved, “That we should have a sane downward revision of the tariff,” Fred A. Snow, Anthony Anderson, aff.; James Peck, Frank Mooney, neg.
Westford Branch Alliance of the First Parish church will hold its next meeting on Thursday, December 12, at West Somerville, at the home of Rev. and Mrs. Lyman B. Weeks. This is a special invitation, an all-day invitation and an all everybody invitation.
At a meeting of the directors of the Westford Board of Trade at the selectmen’s room on Tuesday evening, it was voted to give a humorous entertainment in early January at the Troop F. Cavalry building on the Boston road. It will be smoke talk humor. Every member of the Board of Trade can invite a friend, but the friend cannot be a suffragette.
Lewis Walker, youngest son of Rev. Seth H. Walker, died in New Bedford on November 20, of peritonitis, aged one year and five months. He was a grandson of the old Walker homestead on Main street, Westford.
George F. Snow, George O. Spaulding and Henry B. Read have been appointed appraisers of the estate of George W. Bussey at Brookside.
Charles E. Walker was at the Thanksgiving turkey reunion at the home of his sister, Mrs. Clara Walker Littlefield, at the farm residence in Fitchburg.
Members of the grange are rehearsing a play for home consumption to be given at the grange at the next meeting, December 19.
The W.C.T.U. held their monthly meeting at the Old Oaken Bucket farm on Wednesday afternoon with seventeen members and three visitors present. The weather was spring-like and the character and conduct of the gathering had much in it that was of a spring-like nature, although there was nothing more foamy than the old oaken bucket.
The writer acknowledges with grateful remembrance, postal photographs of former residents of the Stony Brook valley, who are happy eating home grown watermelons on their farm in Roseville, Cal., and the question is asked: “Can you beat this on the ‘Old Oaken Bucket farm?’” No not in raising watermelons except moonlight nights.
Herbert McMaster is ill with scarlet fever at the home of his brother in Lowell.
Seth W. Banister of the “Banister,” and Herbert E. Walkden of the “Wheelwright,” were home from Amherst college to take samples of Thanksgiving dinner and youthful friendships.
Mrs. Clough is ill at her home with Mr. and Mrs. John McMaster on the Chamberlin road.
Mrs. Boynton, just northerly of the Chamberlin blacksmith shop, is recovering from a recent illness.
Mrs. John J. Dunn is ill at the farm home on the easterly slope of Francis hill. Mr. Dunn will be remembered as a former resident of Westford, but the recent years have assigned him “selectman of Chelmsford.”
Mr. and Mrs. Fred A. Snow and family expended some go-ahead energy at the Thanksgiving dinner in behalf of the Old Oaken Bucket farm.
Graniteville. Sunday being the first Sunday of advent, two masses were celebrated by Rev. Edward C. Mitchell, who spoke at length on matters pertaining to the pastoral letter recently issued by Cardinal O’Connell, and that was read in every parish of the diocese on last Sunday. The cardinal in his letter urged industrial peace and dwells at length on the relationship between employer and employee. The full text of the letter was ably explained by Mr. Mitchell, who also announced that he would meet the children for instruction on next Saturday afternoon at two o’clock.
Word has been recently received here of the death of George A. Leland, who died at the home of his son, Allen G., in Limerick, Me., November 29, after a lingering illness. He has been a resident of this village practically all his life. He leaves a wife [nee Mary Griffin]; one daughter, Mrs. Ellery Darling [nee Katherine Teresa Leland], of Hyde Park, and three sons—Allen G. and Henry, now of Limerick, Me., and Fred, of Hyde Park; also, one sister in Tyngsboro, and two brothers, L. B. Leland, of Lowell, and Hiram, of Westford. He was a member of Court Graniteville, F. of A., of this village. The funeral took place on Monday and burial was in St. Patrick’s cemetery, Lowell. The bearers were Thomas Hughes, Timothy D. Riney, John Casey and E. V. Darling.
Mr. and Mrs. Charles McLenna, of Norton, have been recent visitors here.
The illustrated lecture that was given in the M.E. church on last Sunday evening by the pastor, Rev. U. H. Layton, was largely attended. The subject at that time was the Passion Play and the views were unusually good. The subject on next Sunday evening will be “The other wise man,” and all are cordially invited to attend.
Mr. and Mrs. J. B. Carmichael have recently returned from a brief visit spent with friends in Wilton, N.H.
The members of the M.E. church choir have already begun rehearsals on the special music that will be sung at Christmas. St. Catherine’s church choir also has the musical program for Christmas well under way. The churches will soon commence rehearsals for the Christmas tree exercises, and it is needless to say that the Sunday school membership will greatly increase during the next few weeks.
The members of the A. R. Choate hose company held their regular meeting in Healy’s hall on last Monday night. Business of a routine order was transacted, and the matter of getting new outfits for the firemen was freely discussed. After the meeting a social hour was enjoyed.
Miss Mary A. Dunn, teacher in the Sargent school has been absent from duty a few days this week owing to the illness of her mother. During her absence the school has been in charge of Mrs. Braddon, of Lowell.
Although the open season for deer is a thing of the past this year, there is still some good hunting for other game to be found in this vicinity. A young man of this village went out hunting recently and shot two rabbits in less than an hour and only about half a mile from his house at that.
Forge Village. Thanksgiving day was passed quietly here this year. The snowstorm which lasted about all day delighted the young people, who enjoyed sledding, snowballing and the like.
Mr. and Mrs. William Burnett spent the holiday with their daughter, Mrs. Ernest Longbottom, of East Lexington.
A wedding of much interest took place on Thanksgiving eve from the home of Mr. and Mrs. Dupont, of Bradford street, when their daughter, Miss Lucinda, became the bride of William Orange at St. John’s parish house at North Chelmsford. The ceremony was performed by the pastor, Rev. Edmund T. Schofield, and the witnesses were John Cavanaugh and Mr. Dupont. The bride wore a blue traveling suit and a white beaver hat. After the ceremony the happy couple left on a short honeymoon, and upon their return will reside on Bradford street. They have the well wishes of their many friends in their new life.
Mr. and Mrs. Samuel Blodgett and family, of Groton road, ate their Thanksgiving dinner at the home of their daughter and son-in-law, Mr. and Mrs. Aaron Tuttle, of Lowell.
On Wednesday, Mrs. Charles Blodgett and little daughter Florence, together with Mrs. Samuel Blodgett and Mrs. Stubbs, of Lowell, visited Mrs. Fawbert, of Methuen. Mrs. Fawbert was formerly Miss Annie Haslam, of this village.
Mr. and Mrs. Chester Blodgett, of Groton road, entertained Mr. and Mrs. Charles Blodgett and Mr. and Mrs. William Blodgett and families on last week Thursday.
Congratulations are being extended to Mr. and Mrs. Edward Hyde, of Ayer, on the birth of a little son on last Sunday morning at the Nashua hospital. Mrs. Hyde will be remembered as Miss Eva Leclerc, formerly of this village.
At the invitation of the teachers of the Cameron school many parents and friends visited the school on last Wednesday and enjoyed a most pleasant afternoon. The regular routine of work in the regular sessions was carried through, thus enabling all to see and understand just what the children were accomplishing during school hours. A cordial invitation is extended to all to visit the school at all times and such a visit will certainly reward one for the time spent.
The remodeling of the store formerly occupied by Victor Pigeon is being remodeled into an up-to-date tenement. P. H. Harrington is the contractor.
On Sunday evening prayer will be held at St. Andrew’s mission at 7:30 o’clock. Rev. A. L. Bumpus will officiate.
The Sunday school children are rehearsing under the direction of Misses Sarah Precious and Emily Collins for a Christmas play to be given on December 16, when Santa Claus makes his annual visit to the mission.
On Wednesday evening, the regular meeting of the John Edwards hose company was held at their rooms in the firehouse, this meeting being the last of the year.
Mr. and Mrs. August Meyer and children, of Boston, have returned home after a pleasant visit with relatives here.
The cottage recently vacated by Mrs. Lucretia Reed is now occupied by Mr. and Mrs. John Roberts and two children, of Lowell.
Alvin S. Bennett is now well on the road to recovery after suffering from an injury received about two weeks ago.
Mr. and Mrs. Walter Mountain, of Ware, who were married on last Monday, spent Thanksgiving at the home of Mr. and Mrs. Ernest Mountain.
Mrs. Miller is entertaining her brother from the west.
Saturday, December 14, 1912
Center. On Friday, December 20, the pupils of the Frost school and their teachers will hold a Christmas entertainment in the lower town hall, the exercises to take place from one to 2:30. This will be followed by a cake and candy sale from 2:30 to four o’clock, the proceeds to be used to purchase material for the sewing and basketry classes. This is a worthy object and it is hoped friends of the school will show their interest by their presence and patronage.
Mr. and Mrs. Albert P. Warren are having their household goods moved to their new home this week by auto truck. Mr. and Mrs. Warren go soon to spend the winter in Florida, and are making their new home comparatively ready for occupancy on their return in the spring.
Mr. and Mrs. William E. Wright have welcomed a little son into their home which they have named [William] Kenneth [born Dec. 7].
Mrs. J. Henry Colburn and son Clarence are visiting relatives in New York.
Miss Sarah W. Loker was called to Mattapan on Wednesday to attend the funeral of a former teaching friend.
The meeting of the Tadmuck club will take place on next Tuesday afternoon at 2:30 in the Congregational vestry. This will be a Christmas program with Mrs. David L. Greig and Mrs. Perley E. Wright as hostesses. Refreshments will be served and an attractive e program is being planned, to which the membership are cordially expected to respond.
William E. Wright is reported to have bought the Mrs. Mary O. Blood farm [39 Flagg Road], with plans for occupancy. Henry Kuhn and family, who have lived on the place for some years, are moving to New Berlin, N.Y., where Mr. Kuhn has bought a farm.
There will be a Christmas entertainment at the grange on next week Thursday evening. A play called “Christmas at Skeeter’s Corners” will be given. This is in charge of Mr. and Mrs. Sutherland, and promises plenty of fun. There will also be a Christmas tree in charge of Mr. and Mrs. Colburn, and it is hoped that the members will make this a good time by a mutual interchange of small gifts.
Grange. The members of Westford grange at their annual election of officers on last week Thursday evening showed their loyal appreciation of the present staff by largely re-electing them. The list of officers for the following year is as follows: William R. Taylor, m.; John P. Wright, o.; Miss Grace Lumbert, lec.; Perley E. Wright, stew.; Mrs. J. Willard Fletcher, chap.; L. W. Wheeler, treas.; Mrs. Frank C. Wright, sec.; Miss Edith Hickey, Ceres; Miss Smith, Pomona; Miss Lillian Sutherland, Flora; Mrs. Jennie A. Hartford, l.a.s.; S. L. Taylor, ex. com. 3 yrs. The members voted to have this grange represented at the state grange by the master-elect W. R. Taylor. It was also voted to hold a Farmers’ Institute here during the winter season, and Mrs. J. E. Knight was chosen to have charge of arrangements.
Ladies’ Aid Society. The newly organized Ladies’ Aid society had their first regular meeting at the vestry of the Congregational church on Wednesday afternoon. There was a good degree of interest manifested and the new organization starts out in a promising way. It has a membership list of twenty-four and others are expecting to join. The following outline for the winter’s socials has been planned as follows: January, in charge of the men; February, Mrs. J. E. Knight, chairman; March, Mrs. Clara E. Greig and Mrs. Eva F. Wright; April, Mrs. Jennie A. Hartford, chairman; May, teachers’ social. General supper committee for the season to assist special committees as needed: Mrs. Taylor, Mrs. Greig, Mrs. Merritt, Mrs. MacMasters and Mrs. Lumbert. General social committee to assist on entertainments, Mrs. Hartford, chairman, Miss Grace Lumbert, Mrs. Eva F. Wright and Mrs. A. E. Nelson.
At the meeting on Wednesday afternoon, Mrs. Wallace presided. Mrs. Blaney sang a solo and Mrs. Eva F. Wright read a poem. The report of the secretary was read and accepted, and at the business meeting that followed, it was decided that meetings be held in the vestry unless it was decided at any time to accept a special invitation. The regular time of meeting is to be the second Wednesday in each month.
The following directresses to take charge of work were chosen: Miss L. B. Atwood, Mrs. L. W. Wheeler, Mrs. John P. Wright, Mrs. W. J. Merritt; also, the following calling committee: Mrs. Annie Kimball, Mrs. Taylor, Mrs. Banister, Mrs. Burnham, Mrs. Eva F. Wright and Mrs. Wallace.
At the close of the meeting cake and cocoa was served and a pleasant social hour enjoyed.
About Town. John J. Walker, of Natick, was a passenger at his old home, “The Walker,” on Main street on Sunday. He was one of the boys at the old Stony Brook school in the bye-gone days. The writer has had many a school bout in collar and elbow exercise with him in the school yard on the northerly slope of Francis hill. Each was his own referee, which usually resulted in a tie. The master would sometimes untie, which frequently resulted in a cry.
Miss Luanna Decatur was home for Saturday, Sunday and the church harvest supper on Friday evening, returning to the Salem Normal school on Monday.
The West Chelmsford Debating society sent off the first skyrocket of the season on Tuesday evening, when the following question was discussed in a manner to light up Washington: Resolved, “That there should be a sane revision of the tariff downward.” Now let everybody look out for lower prices.
In his recent Sunday evening temperance address, Rev. L. B. Weeks was decidedly original and warmly eloquent, and advocated “Free rum the sooner it will be done.” Let the government disentangle itself from the internal taxes derived from this wickedness. Cease to take the regulation money of this business and then cry it as an evil. Put “free rum” on trial as a business for what it can do for humanity. If it proves unendurable it will perish by the law of its own fall. The folly part of this business seems to be well developed already, but the “perish” part of the “formula” for curing seems to survive equally as well as “the survival of the fittest.” But judgments disagree. Some staunch temperance workers who heard the address said it was the best address they had ever listened to on temperance. It certainly was courageous, honest and eloquent.
Dr. Hildreth, of Cambridge, was a visitor in town on Sunday and attended the Unitarian church. Dr. Hildreth is a brother of Willis Hildreth and a cousin of Miss Ella Hildreth.
Master-elect W. R. Taylor, and Miss Grace Lumbert, lecturer-elect, and Mrs. Sidney Wright attended the annual meeting of the state grange held at Springfield this week.
William P. Proctor, of Dunstable home life, and North Chelmsford business life, is cutting the pine forests on the Plain road east of Hillside cemetery, and hauling them by horse transportation to his saw mill and extensive lumber yard at North Chelmsford.
Before the morning stars had finished lighting the night on Monday morning, an incendiary spark from an engine on the Stony Brook road set fire to the meadow land of S. L. Taylor [70 Lowell Road]. Owing to the natural protective bounds of this land the fire was obliged to go out of business before covering a large area for want of something to do, the land being hemmed around by Stony brook, Stony Brook road, Stony Brook railroad and a sand bar running from Stony brook to Stony Brook railroad at the boundary line of George C. Moore.
Mayor-elect George M. Wright, of Worcester, is a son of George Wright and grandson of Ephraim Wright, well and favorably known to the older residents of Westford, where they lived many years. By the relationship of cousin, he is related to Harwood L. Wright, of the treasury department of Westford, citizen John P. Wright and Henry M. Wright, of Quincy, of the Boston Latin school. Worcester is to be congratulated on so much that is Wright.
The William Whitney family, living on the Lowell road, are making preparations to remove to Lowell, he having secured a position with the Forest & Pratt lumber company.
A collection will be solicited in the Unitarian church on Sunday morning for the good will of a Christmas tree entertainment.
Mrs. Sidney Whitney, who has been ill for over a year, is fast failing with a complication of new symptoms that recently developed.
A Pleasant Evening. The gentlemen furnished a harvest supper entertainment at the vestry of the Unitarian church on last week Friday evening. There were several surprises: That the gathering should be so large on an “eleventh hour” decision to have the entertainment; that the supper should be so laden with good intentional temptations, considering that the men folks thought that they did everything and were it; that the realm of thought should be so interestingly descriptive of life in all degrees of development.
Rev. Lyman B. Weeks presided at the toastmaster exercises and introduced himself in a humorous vein in his experiences with the “Unlucky Friday,” and the “Unlucky number 13.” It is evident that he is “Friday number 13” all right. He introduced as the first sweet singer on the list, the sweet-keyed voice of Mrs. Blaney. It was the same effective expression that led in the choir and solo singing at the Unitarian church recently. Abiel J. Abbot was then introduced to speak on “My trip around the world.” This was another of the surprises of the evening, as he camped and tramped around the world with his audience, sailed the seas and climbed the mountains, sniffed the bouquet life of the tropics and sweetened and sharpened the palate with its fruit, sped with the auto over the graded road tooting the horn, “look out for the elephant trunks or over the embankment you surely will bank,” or camping at night “look out for the venomous snake,” morning bathing “beware of the wide open crocodile mouths, he is fond of that kind of steak.”
Mr. Abbot’s entertaining description was to the listener the nearest to being a part of the active trip that words and distance would permit. He evidently does not belong to that class that see but do not observe, and hear but cannot report. After we had landed safely in Boston harbor, Hon. Edward Fisher came forward and thanked Mr. Abbot for his generosity in allowing us to go with him in “His trip around the world.”
The Honorable then proceeded to deliver himself of a new and humorous stay and some sensible and much needed and hoped to be heeded advice along the lines of reciprocity. Neither Canada nor tariff revision were planks in this new day reciprocity, but “love one another” was the chief cornerstone. He then proceeded in a humorous vein to introduce as a soloist, but less alone in the world than formerly, John Sumner Greig, him of the recently “new relations.” John was not so overwhelmingly “newly related,” but what he could be entertainly related to his song. The audience thought so too, and spoke with their hands, “Another one John.” He confirmed this decree and handed down another song. Smith, organist at the Unitarian church last Sunday, was ill, and Miss Hazel Hartford played the keys and will collect the bill.
Club Meeting. The Fortnightly club carried out an overflow program at its gathering on last week Friday evening. This little rural band is doing something to be reckoned with in the realm of thought and self improvement. The following was liberated for edification: Song, Stephen Gardell; reading, Ernest Wright; dialogue, “Sunshine and shadow,” Anna Wyman, Grace and Ethel Ingalls; reading, Horace Gould; recitation, Ethel Ingalls; tableau, “The match boys,” Lawrence Ingalls and Anna Wyman; music, violin and organ, Walter Steele and Gladys Fletcher; reading, Edwin H. Gould; recitation, Mrs. Harry Ingalls; reading, J. Everett Woods; recitation, Miss Lillian Wright. The club will hold its next meeting on next week Friday evening. This meeting will be a Christmas gathering and festival, Christmas tree and all that such trees yield. All good behaved people are invited to come and taste of these exercises.
Death. Mary Foster Herrick, widow of Joshua D. Dodge, of Arlington, and daughter of the late Henry and Elizabeth (Prescott) Herrick, died at her home in Arlington on December 4, at the age of eighty-four years. She leaves two sons, Joshua Eric Dodge, justice of the supreme court of Wisconsin and former assistant attorney general of the United States for four years under President Cleveland, and Samuel D. Dodge, civil engineer, and former assistant engineer for the Metropolitan Water and Sewerage Board; also, one daughter, Mrs. Mabel Prescott Cumston, of Brookline, and a granddaughter, Charlotte Cumston. One son, David H. Dodge, died young.
The Dodge family, when a part of the town, added inspiring variety to the village life by their clearly defined personalities. They were neither beggars nor borrowers in the realm of thought; but home production outside of the realm of that universal law of indebtedness to the post. “Their dust endears the soil.”
Forge Village. Rev. A. L. Bumpus conducted the evening services held at St. Andrew’s mission on last Sunday and announced that Santa Claus will make his annual visit to the Sunday school children on Monday evening, December 16. A Christmas tree will be in readiness and each child will be remembered with gifts. The children of the Sunday school are rehearsing an operetta entitled “Santa Claus at home,” to be given at the arrival of the old gentleman. The public is cordially invited to attend.
There will be a Christmas sale of useful and fancy articles as well as dressed dolls held in Recreation hall on Saturday afternoon under the auspices of the Ladies’ Sewing Circle. There will also be on sale sandwiches, cake and coffee. This will give opportunity for all to purchase gifts as well as to help the mission. Doors will be open at three o’clock.
The choir of St. Andrew’s mission went to Ayer on Tuesday evening and heard Donald B. MacMillan’s lecture given under the auspices of the Middlesex Country club. Mr. MacMillan was with Peary on his polar expedition. A most pleasant evening was spent through the kindness of Rev. Endicott Peabody, of Groton, who provided the tickets.
Mrs. Bridget Miller is entertaining her brother, Thomas Moffatt, of California.
Miss Alice L. Prescott, of Rowley, spent Saturday and Sunday with her parents, Mr. and Mrs. Nelson Prescott. She had as her guest, Miss Glade Bridges, also of Rowley.
Miss May Lord, of South Framingham, spent the weekend as a guest of her parents, Mr. and Mrs. David Lord.
The Ladies’ Sewing Circle held their regular meeting in Recreation hall on Thursday afternoon.
Club Play. On last week Friday evening, Abbot hall was the scene of a large gathering to witness the performance of “The mishaps of Minerva,” a two-act farce by Bertha Currier Porter, given under the auspices of the Y.L.S.C. The stage was well furnished and the play certainly deserved all the applause it received. All the participants acted their respective parts in an excellent manner and merited the hearty encores. A large attendance from the surrounding towns was present and the affair was greatly enjoyed by all. Dancing followed the entertainment.
The stage decorations were in charge of Miss Emily Collins. The genial manager, though living in New Jersey, sent a sum of money as her offering to the cause. The affair was held for the benefit of the new bathhouse, and with the close of this entertainment, the club is glad to announce that the buildings are now entirely free of dept.
Graniteville. At the morning service in the M.E. church on Sunday, the pastor, U. H. Layton, gave a very interesting sermon on “Unity.” Mr. Layton was very sincere in his remarks and explained everything so clearly that there was no doubt left [as] to the meaning of unity when he had finished. In the evening the third of the series of illustrated lectures was given and was well attended. The subject, “The other wise man,” proved to be a very interesting study.
The Ladies’ Aid society of the M.E. church met with Mrs. Charles Eaton on Thursday afternoon and discussed plans for the coming Christmas season.
Monday was the coldest of the season here so far, the thermometer registering from two to four degrees above zero.
Workmen from the New England Telephone and Telegraph Company are now doing considerable repair work here.
The subject of the next stereopticon lecture to be given in the M.E. church on Sunday evening is “The crusades.” This lecture will be forty-five minutes in length and will be illuminated with exactly eighty-two slides of the finest quality. It is hoped that everybody will avail themselves of the rare privilege of this most beautiful and educational lecture. The usual silver collection will be taken up. Our friends in Graniteville, Westford and Forge Village are most cordially invited. The doors are open at 6:45. The lecture begins at seven o’clock.
Michael Subosky has started the foundation for a new house that he will build at the north end of Main street. P. Henry Harrington has the contract.
Sunday was the second Sunday of Advent and was also the feast of the immaculate conception. Two masses were celebrated in St. Catherine’s church by the pastor Edward T. Schofield, who also gave a short sermon on the gospel of the day. Devotions were also held in the evening and were conducted by Rev. Edward C. Mitchell. The services consisted of the recital of the rosary, after which Mr. Mitchell gave a strong and instructive sermon, taking his text from the words: “Thou are Peter and upon this rock I will build my church.” [Matthew 16:18 (KJV)] His remarks were followed by the benediction of the blessed sacrament. The regular choir was in attendance.
Saturday, December 21, 1912
Center. One of the leading Boston dailies gives a recent sketch of the public library at Cotuit, calling it one of the most artistic libraries on the Cape, and giving a graphic account of its development from a small library in an old schoolhouse to its present fine building designed by Guy Lowell, the well-known architect. The cooperation between the summer people and the year-round residents have made it a social center and one of the best governed of public libraries. This is of interest to our readers from the fact that Miss Alice Howard, one of our Westford girls who took the special librarian’s course at Simmons college, is the librarian at Cotuit, and the article quoted from speaks highly of her successful work there.
Miss Julia H. Fletcher remains very seriously ill at her home.
Miss Grace Lumbert is again serving the Congregational church as organist during Miss Atwood’s absence.
Westford friends have received letters from the Misses Atwood in Jacksonville, Fla., saying they have found pleasant apartments and are enjoying their new environment. Unfortunately, they report a rough sea trip going down the coast.
The little three-week-old baby of Mr. and Mrs. Ernest Dane died last week of pneumonia and the funeral service was held on Friday, Rev. David Wallace being the officiating clergyman. [George D. Dane died Dec. 11, 1912, aged 19 days.]
Mrs. David Wallace has gone again to West Hartford, Vt., where her mother still remains very ill from paralysis.
Principal William E. Roudenbush was called to his home at Clifton Springs, N.Y., by the death of his wife’s mother. Mrs. Roudenbush had been caring for her mother who had been seriously ill for a long time. Misses Smith and Hickey conducted the remaining sessions at the academy until Friday, when the school closed for the Christmas vacation.
The milk route which Henry M. Kuhn, who recently removed from town, has driven so long has been taken in charge of Henry Shorey.
Mrs. Wayland Balch is again seriously ill at her home on [24] Boston road.
Boy Scouts. The Boy Scouts held a most successful supper and reunion at the Congregational vestry last week Friday evening. Supper was served at 6:30 by Misses Hazel Hartford, Marjory Seavey, Pauline Wallace and the Misses Sullivan. It was bountiful and appetizing and it was done the justice to that healthy boyish appetites know how to render. After supper there was speaking by Mr. Wallace, John P. Wright, Edward Blodgett and Alfred Tuttle. Great credit is due this last speaker for the faithful work he has done in holding the organization together in helpful interest. The evening was further supplemented with an entertainment of songs and recitations and a Boy Scout drill.
Missionary Meeting. The Ladies’ Missionary society met with the president, Miss Sarah W. Loker, Wednesday afternoon, with a good attendance. Mrs. Goldsmith H. Conant was a special guest of the afternoon and gave a resumé of the book, “Mary Anton,” Light refreshments were served by the hostess and busy fingers with needlework made the gathering pleasantly informal and social.
Recital. The first in the academy course of entertainments took place on Wednesday evening at the town hall and proved a genuine treat to the good-sized audience. Edward Brigham of New York, a dramatic reader and singer of real ability, gave an evening’s entertainment. His groups of songs and readings were from the best composers and authors and covered a wide range from grave to gay, and in every instance were interpreted with the sympathetic insight of the real artist. His group of old ballads, his adaptation from Tennyson’s “Enoch Arden,” with music by Strauss, and his rendering of “Phil Blood’s leap,” a story of Texas gold seekers, were especially fine.
Westford people should feel particularly grateful to Principal Roudenbush for securing Mr. Brigham for this course. The only regrettable circumstance was the rainy night and quite a few who had secured tickets felt obliged to stay home. Also, that Mr. Roudenbush, who is at Clifton Springs, N.Y., on account of a death in the family, could not be present.
Tadmuck Club. The Christmas meeting of the Tadmuck club took place under very pleasant circumstances on Tuesday afternoon of this week. Mrs. David L. Greig and Mrs. Perley E. Wright were the hostesses of the afternoon and they arranged a most attractive program. The pretty decorations were ropes of evergreen and a quantity of red alder berries; also Christmas wreaths and bells. Mrs. Wright gave a paper on “Christmas,” its origin and many interesting customs and legends relating to its observance. The remainder of the program was as follows: Piano duet, Misses Grace Lumbert and Hazel Hartford; welcome song, Miss Hazel Pond; piano trio, Master Austin Fletcher and Misses Marion and Mildred Fletcher; duet, Mrs. H. M. Seavey and Mrs. C. A. Blaney, Miss Lumbert accompanist; piano solo, Miss Gladys Fletcher.
At the conclusion of the program refreshments of fruit punch, cake, wafers and home-made candies were served and a pleasant social hour enjoyed. The meeting took place in the vestry of the Congregational church.
Clipping. Rev. Charles P. Marshall’s former Westford friends, as well as in the Middlesex Association of Congregational churches, will be interested in the following well deserved tribute in the Congregationalist:
“Rev. Charles P. Marshall is the new pastor of Pilgrimage, Plymouth. His departure from Washington street, Quincy, has called forth expressions of deep regret from the citizens of Quincy. It is not usual for any pastor to gain such a place in the community in the short pastorate of his, less than three years, but in that time Mr. Marshall has grown steadily in the esteem of the people. His work among the men of the Fore River Ship Building Company has been very successful. His deep sympathy with the struggles and aspirations of men, and the practical application of the evangel to the conditions of life, has drawn to his ministry a body of intelligent men who, with the pastor, have made the church a power in all departments of life. In all his work he has had the able and helpful cooperation of his wife. His service to the city has extended far beyond the limit of the parish, and his appointment by Mayor Stone to the board of trustees to the public library was a recognition of his useful and unselfish citizenship. His departure leaves a splendid opportunity for some broad-mined, devoted man to work with a united, earnest people.”
A fine likeness of Mr. Marshall accompanied this article.
About Town. The first of a series of Farmers’ Institutes for the winter under the direction of Middlesex-North Agricultural society, will be held on Monday, December 23, at Tewksbury Center. The morning address will be given by Prof. F. C. Sears, of Amherst Agricultural college; subject, “Renovating,” and demonstration. In the afternoon, “Demonstration of apple packing,” by the same speaker. Cars leave Merrimack square fifteen minutes of and fifteen minutes past the hour. Dinner at 12:30 by the ladies of Tewksbury grange.
Christmas tree exercises will be held at the Unitarian church on Monday evening.
Rev. Lyman B. Weeks will speak on Sunday morning on “The message of Eastertide to the twentieth century.
The Sidney Whitney house on the Lowell road is now vacant. Mr. and Mrs. Whitney moved to Brookside on Tuesday and are living in the family of Mathew Smith, and the William Whitney family moved to Lowell on Saturday. Guy R. Decatur held the reins for the Lowell moving and Mathew Smith and Amos Polly were contributors towards the Brookside acquisition.
Mrs. Carrie Taylor Carr and daughter Hazel, of Woodsville, N.H., were recent visitors at the Fred A. Snow residence of West Chelmsford. They met with a warm reception, but the Snow did not disappear.
Fred L. Snow is cutting off his pine forest on the Overlook farm near Long-Sought-for pond. The lumber is being hauled to the William P. Proctor saw mill at North Chelmsford.
Oscar R. Spalding is cutting off the large pine lot surrounding Burgess pond near Westford station.
Daniel H. Sheehan has a large contract for sawing in contemplation under his hat for Capt. Wilson, of Carlisle.
George D. Dane, infant son of Mr. and Mrs. Ernest Dane, was buried in Fairview last week Friday. Rev. David Wallace conducted the services at the home.
Henry Kuhn, who has been living on the N. B. Blood farm for a few years, and recently collecting milk for the Boston market, will sell at auction his personal property, including nineteen cows and other homogenous creatures, implements and food ware.
The West Chelmsford Debating society will hold the next rally of tongues in debate on Tuesday evening, December 24. Everybody having a new idea are requested to come and bring it with them. Everybody having an old idea, who can remodel it to make a progressive hit, are requested to come and hit and be it. At the time of writing the question for debate has not been published to the world, but as some of us are prone to wander when we start, and when we stop and wander mid-way between start and stop, it may have been thought advisable to debate first and announce the subject afterwards.
The adult class in the Unitarian Sunday school will consider on Sunday “Lessons from Brook farm experiments,” and Edward Everett Hale’s motto, “Together.”
The Westford Board of Trade will hold their annual smoke talk entertainment on Wednesday evening, January 8, at the Cavalry Association building on the Boston road. A full program of humorous variations will be advertised in season for everyone to get a scramble on for seats.
Willis Hildreth has been ill at his home on Main street. He is now gathering himself back to his duties at Sunny Slope farm, where he has made sunny success in poultry specialty.
Mark K. Morrison is ill at his home at the junction of Groton and Millstone roads. Mrs. John Warren Day has been secured as nurse. Mr. Morrison is well advanced in years and his chances have the appearance of being hopeless.
Mr. and Mrs. George Howard, of South Bound Brook, N.J., are planning to spread the Christmas tree at the Old Oaken Bucket farm.
Mrs. Eben Prescott attended the annual meeting of the New Hampshire state grange held at Nashua this week, and partook of the sixth degree.
Past Master W. M. Wright has been engaged to install the officers of four subordinate granges in the closeby towns.
Seth W. Banister, of Amherst Agricultural college, is resting Christmas vacation under the Christmas tree at the Banister.
All Day Meeting. The Ladies’ Sewing Circle and Branch Alliance of the First Parish church, by invitation of Rev. and Mrs. Lyman B. Weeks, had an all-day meeting on Thursday at their home in Somerville with an address at eleven o’clock by Mrs. Duryea, of Boston, on “Peace.” Lunch and business directly after the address. One of the delights of the meeting was the personal greetings of Mrs. B. H. Bailey, so well remembered in connection with the First Parish church of Westford in recent years. She was elected an honorary member of the Alliance and gave an entertaining talk of the work of the Alliance in Jamaica Plain, where they have 160 members with meetings once a month. Fifteen members and six guests were entertained by Mrs. Weeks with generous hospitality. The Alliance hold their monthly meetings on the second Thursday in the month.
Forge Village. The benefit dance which was held in Abbot hall on Saturday evening proved to be a most successful affair, and a large sum was netted as a result. The musical program was most enjoyed by all and won hearty applause. Songs were rendered by Miss Sadie Smith, James May, Robert McCarthy and James Byrnes, and all were encored as also were the selections by the quartet composed of Joseph Riney, James May, James Byrnes and Robert McCarthy. Dancing followed to the music of the Precious orchestra and was enjoyed until a late hour. There were guests from Graniteville, Lawrence, Westford, Groton, Lowell, Andover and Methuen. The affair was held for the benefit of a worthy young lady of Lowell, whose friends are anxious to see on the road to recovery soon.
A most interesting stereopticon lecture was given by Rev. A. L. Bumpus at St. Andrew’s mission on Sunday evening before a large audience in Recreation hall. The lecture was on missionary work.
On last Saturday afternoon the members of the Ladies’ Sewing Circle held a Christmas sale in Recreation hall. The sale proved a success in every way and was well attended. Mrs. Richard D. Prescott and Mrs. David Lord were in charge of the apron table and also of all fancy articles, and did a good business. The dressed doll table was under the direction of Mrs. Bert Comey and proved quite an attraction. Mrs. Nelson Prescott and Mrs. Henry Catchpole were kept busy selling sandwiches, cake and coffee, which had a ready sale. The proceeds of this sale will be used for the benefit of St. Andrew’s mission.
Miss Ruth Furbush, of Graniteville, substituted at Cameron school this week during the absence of Miss Mary Garvey, whose grandmother’s death occurred the first of the week.
Mrs. Lynch and Misses Mary and Agnes Moran, of Lowell, were entertained over Sunday at the home of Mr. and Mrs. Charles Smith. Mr. and Mrs. Smith also entertained at the week-end Richard Nolan and Harry Carncroft, of Andover.
Matthew Elliott met with a very painful accident while engaged at work in the Abbot Worsted Company’s mill this week. His hand became caught in the card machine and was badly lacerated. A physician was called and is now attending the injured member.
Mrs. Sarah Proctor and daughter, Miss Annie, arrived from Keighley, England, on the SS. Arabic on Friday afternoon after a fairly good voyage, considering the lateness of the season. They are staying at the home of Mr. and Mrs. James May.
Thomas Norton of East Boston spent Saturday and Sunday at the home of Patrick May.
Thomas Melia of Andover was the guest of Mr. and Mrs. James May for the weekend.
Mr. and Mrs. James Kelley entertained Saturday and Sunday at their home Miss Susanna Kane and Mrs. Patrick Melia of Lawrence.
Miss Bee McNulty of Lawrence and Miss Foley of Canton were recent guests at the home of Mr. and Mrs. John O’Neil.
James Moffatt of Andover spent Sunday at the home of Mrs. Bridget Miller.
Mr. and Mrs. Charles Blodgett of Groton Ridges quietly celebrated the fifth anniversary of their marriage on Wednesday, December 18.
Wedding. A very pretty wedding occurred on Wednesday afternoon at St. Andrew’s mission when Miss Della Drake and Charles Flanagan, both well known young people of this village, were joined in the holy bonds of matrimony by the vicar, Rev. A. L. Bumpus. The bride was attended by Miss Rachael Cherry and Wm. DeRoehn was best man. The bride wore a blue traveling suit and a white beaver hat. The bridesmaid also wore a blue suit.
Immediately after the ceremony the bridal party left by automobile for Lowell, after which they took the train for Ellsworth, Me., the home of the bride’s mother, where they will spend their honeymoon. On their return Mr. and Mrs. Flanagan will make their home in Prescott’s block, Central street. They have the well wishes of their many friends in their new life.
Christmas Festivities. The annual Christmas tree festivities were held in St. Andrew’s mission Monday evening and proved to be enjoyable. Recreation hall, where the big tree stood, was prettily decorated and was packed to its utmost capacity, many being obliged to stand during the exercises. Special pains had been made this year to entertain Santa Claus on his visit and the children and teachers are to be congratulated as a result of their efforts. The opening number was an operetta in three acts, entitled “Santa Claus at home,” and was given by the younger children. The first act represented the care of Santa Claus and his little imps—his helpers, who were busily engaged making gifts for good children.
During their work they are visited by the Queen of Fairies and her staff, who come to make a report of good Sunday school children. Santa and the fairy queen are heard in a duet and are joined by the imps and fairies in chorus. This act won hearty applause and certainly merited it. In the last act a grand march takes place of all the imps, fairies and Santa Claus, who is given three cheers as they march off the stage. This act they were obliged to repeat, as the applause was so great. The acting and singing of this opening number were excellent and the Sunday school teachers were well rewarded for their labors. Misses Sarah Precious and Emily Collins had charge.
The following is the list of characters: Santa Claus, Wm. DeRoehn; queen of fairies, Caroline Precious; fairies, Ethel Collins, Lillian Baker, Mildred Precious; imps, Gladys Baker, Gertrude Baker, Adelaide Hosmer, Alice Hosmer, Dorothy Mountain, Margaret Orr.
Then followed a varied program, under the direction of Miss Theresa Lowther, given by the older members of the Sunday school: Piano trio, Mary Cherry, Edith Spinner, Lottie Parrott; readings, Beatrice Hosmer, Albert Mountain, Eva Mountain, Robert Spinner, Elmer DeRoehn, Annie Orr; piano and violin duet, Edith Spinner and Wm. Davis.
The Christmas tree decorations were in charge of Miss Lowther and Emily Collins, assisted by Mr. Bemis of Groton School. Santa Claus then distributed presents to each member of the Sunday school, the gifts being donated by the Groton School teachers.
Graniteville. Sunday being the third Sunday of Advent, two masses were celebrated in St. Catherine’s church by Rev. Edward C. Mitchell, who delivered a stirring sermon on the gospel of the day, interspersed with other timely topics, which were of deep interest to the large congregations at both masses. Mr. Mitchell also announced that the Christmas tree exercises would be held in the church on Monday evening, December 23. The children of the Sunday school are now looking forward with keen anticipation to this event, and Miss Catherine Conley, who has general charge of this affair, is now drilling the children in their parts, and that means that the exercises will be up to the usual high standard.
The illustrated lecture “The crusades,” which was given in the M. E. church vestry on Sunday evening, attracted the usual large number of people. The lecture was very instructive from an educational standpoint, as well as unusually interesting.
The change from cold to warmer weather has sent the small boys’ chances for skating a-glimmering once more. Some of the small boys have had great fun with a few days’ skating on the small “Blacksmith” pond on Bridge street.
The members of St. Catherine’s Temperance society held a well attended and interesting meeting in their rooms on Monday night. Considerable business of importance was transacted, and during the meeting the following officers were duly elected for the year: Thomas Hughes, pres.; Alfred Hughes, v.p.; Henry LeDuc, fin. sec.; Alfred Gagnon, rec. sec.; J. A. Healy, treas.; W. L. Wall, Ralph Tonsignant, John Healy, trus. This organization is now progressing rapidly, and new names are constantly being added to the roster.
The Christmas exercises in the M. E. church will be held on Tuesday evening, December 24, and the committee in charge are now busy preparing an elaborate program for this pleasing event.
Mrs. Annie Murray, an old and highly respected resident of this village, died at the home of Mr. and Mrs. Peter Healy on Monday night, December 16, after a long illness, due principally to her advanced years. She was eighty-three years old. She was the sister of the late Mrs. Bridget Healy, who passed away here nearly a year ago. She leaves many relatives in Graniteville, Lowell and Lynn to mourn her loss. The deceased was a great lover of children and many the boy and girl that have now grown to manhood and womanhood will look back with tender memory to the kind and careful guiding hand of Mrs. Murray.
Business here appears to be good in all branches. The machine shop of C. G. Sargent’s Sons Corp. is now running on full time with lots of orders.
The choirs in the different churches are now busy rehearsing their special music for Christmas.
Your correspondent extends all the compliments of the season and a merry Christmas to all.
Saturday, December 28, 1912
Center. Mr. and Mrs. William Sawyer, of Plymouth, N.H., were guests over Christmas at Mr. and Mrs. A. H. Sutherland’s.
The first snow storm of the season, coming the day before the twenty-fifth, gave a beautiful white Christmas, although it was not good weather for belated shoppers. The branch line electrics made their regular trips, thanks to the persevering efforts of the faithful crew.
Mr. and Mrs. A. J. Abbot and Miss Abbot spent Christmas at Newburyport.
The Oscar R. Spaldings and the J. Herbert Fletchers were among those entertaining large family groups for Christmas.
After patient waiting, Westford Center people are enjoying the, to them, new car, the purchase of which was recently voted for at a special town meeting. It is larger than the old car and runs much more smoothly. Motorman Sherlock finds the front vestibule windows set too low for his height, but it is expected this can be remedied. It is to be regretted that the before Christmas travel was somewhat affected by the scarlet fever epidemic in Lowell.
The children’s Christmas tree exercise at the Congregational vestry was decidedly affected by the storm. However, a good group got out to enjoy the entertainment provided. There were about fifty at the supper served at 5:30, after which came the tree with distribution of gifts. Santa Claus was in attendance at this feature with a voice somewhat resembling Otis Day’s. The recitations and songs in charge of Miss Edith Wright were depleted by absence, but Miss Wright carried through her program very creditably.
The Christmas work at the local postoffice this year was unusually heavy and Postmaster Fletcher and his assistants and the R.F.D. men put through some strenuous work. It was especially hard for Mr. Fletcher, coming at the same time with his daughter’s very serious illness. The R.F.D. men also had their first really heavy travelling on their long routes owing to the storm.
Several residents along the main streets have had the sidewalks graveled in front of their property, they bearing half of the expense and the town one-half, as voted at the March town meeting. This raises the sidewalks several inches and will alleviate disagreeable conditions with spring mud later in the year. The frontage of H. V. Hildreth, Mrs. M. J. Wheeler, John C. Abbot and A. J. Abbot have had this work completed.
There will be no mail delivered on either of the R.F.D. routes on Wednesday, January 1, that day being a holiday for the carriers instead of Christmas day.
Miss Loker and Miss Bunce spent the holiday with the Chelmsford relatives.
The last meeting of the Tadmuck club for the old year will be held on Tuesday afternoon at Library hall at 2:30, when Dexter E. Coggshall is expected to be present and address the club on “The Boy Scouts movement.” It is hoped a good audience of old friends will be present and greet Mr. Coggshall.
A neat new swinging sign has been suspended in front of the new central telephone exchange [58 Main St.].
Miss May Day is at home from her teaching at West Springfield, N.Y., for the Christmas vacation.
A Christmas wedding of interest is that of Miss Edith Bicknell to Calvin [Clayton Sprague] Wilcox of Royalston [Dec. 16 in Winchendon, Mass.]. Miss Bicknell, who has taught several years in Royalston, became acquainted there with her future husband, who is reported as a prosperous young farmer. Her many Westford friends extend their sincere good wishes for her future happiness and prosperity.
Among young people home for the Christmas holiday are Miss Gertrude Hamlin from Wellesley, Miss Evelyn Hamlin from Wheaton seminary, Alister MacDougall, Seth Banister and Herbert Walkden, all from Amherst Agricultural college, the last three [two?] as students and Mr. MacDougall as an instructor.
Miss Hazel B. Hartford spent Christmas with Melrose cousins.
A recent announcement of interest to the Westford friends is the marriage of Mrs. Emma Abbot Kebler of Brookline to Mr. [William Edwin] Atwood [on Nov. 4 in Boston]. Directly following the marriage Mr. and Mrs. Atwood went abroad for travel in Southern Europe.
On Sunday at the Congregational church Rev. Mr. Wallace gave a good Christmas message upon the star that is within, of peace and hope. Miss Edna Ferguson sang a finely rendered Christmas anthem. In the evening a service of song and readings was given as follows: “The Christmas names,” Mrs. L. W. Wheeler; Mrs. Perley E. Wright was present and by special request gave the paper prepared for the last meeting of the Tadmuck club on “Christmas customs”; reading, “The star—a Christmas mystery,” Mrs. Wallace; reading, “A Christmas carol” by Dean Farrar, Miss Mary P. Bunce; reading, “A Christmas legend,” Miss Sarah W. Loker.
The Edward Fishers spent Christmas at Swampscott, the H. V. Hildreths at Malden. Mr. and Mrs. Perley E. Wright met at East Merrimack, N.H., for the day.
Successful Affair. The concert and sale by the pupils of the Frost school, under the direction of their teachers and which constituted the closing exercises previous to the Christmas vacation, was a most successful affair. This was held in the lower town hall last week Friday afternoon and called out a large number of interested parents and friends. Recitations and music formed the first part of the afternoon’s program and the sale that followed was a splendid manifestation of the skill of the pupils in basketry, sewing, cake and candy making and various other useful articles. Basketry and raffia work, also sewing classes, have been recently conducted at the Frost school, the Tadmuck club defraying the cost of materials and the results obtained are surely gratifying, a credit to teachers and pupils alike. The proceeds of this sale are for procuring materials for further work.
Grange. The last meeting of the old year for Westford grange proved a most enjoyable affair and a credit to the committee in charge. Excellent reports of the state grange session at Springfield were given by W. R. Taylor, worthy master. The lecturer-elect, Miss Grace Lumbert, also reported [on] the lecturer’s conference, after which an open session was in order and the following program given:
Vocal solo, Miss Rachael Wall; reading, “The man who could not laugh” and a play, “Christmas at Skeeter’s corners.” This was after the plan of the well-known “Deestrict Skule,” and gave plenty of chance for much individual acting. The costumes worn by both the men and women transformed every-day familiar friends into people of a bygone day. All took their several parts with much spirit and no school committee could be quite as original as those gentlemen who in every-day life are S. L. Taylor, John P. Wright and J. Henry Colburn, the latter being the silent member.
Following is the cast of characters: Teacher, Miss Edith Hickey; Mrs. Grump, Mrs. A. H. Sutherland; Johnny Grump, Mrs. Grump’s delicate son, Wm. R. Taylor; scholars—Silas, Edward Clement; Rebecca, Beatrice Sutherland; Minnie, Miss Crocker; Sally, Lillian Sutherland; Eliza, Hilda Isles; Johnnie Jones, Bertram Sutherland; Maria, Miss Smith; Hiram, Alfred Sutherland.
After the play a Christmas tree with gifts and bags of candy for all was in order. Mr. and Mrs. A. H. Sutherland had charge of the play and Mr. and Mrs. J. Henry Colburn of the tree.
About Town. L. W. Wheeler and S. L. Taylor represented Westford grange, the farmers and themselves at the Farmers’ Institute at Tewksbury on Monday. The next Institute will be held in Dracut in January, and the next in Westford, in February.
Santa Claus Christmas gave his usual entertainment at the vestry of the Unitarian church on Monday evening. Songs and recitations were the opening prelude. This was followed by J. Willard Fletcher as impersonator and distributing agent of the firm of Santa Claus. Everybody appreciated his unstinted generosity in dealing with other people’s goods. Long may he continue to be good with other’s goods in doing good.
The choir of the Unitarian church was much improved in size and song on last Sunday by the youthful melodious voices of Edward Blodgett, Leon Hildreth and Grace Bennett.
Daniel H. Sheehan has purchased a new portable saw mill and has a contract for sawing 300,000 feet of lumber for Capt. Wilson in Carlisle. He also has a contract for pumps soon to be filled. This with his farm of 700 acres in Virginia makes him think often of the “strenuous life.”
The officers of Westford grange will be installed on Thursday evening, January 2, if a competent installing officer can be secured. “Would like to do it, but am engaged,” has been the unanimous answer so far. The one last asked, James B. Tuttle, of Acton (that name sounds familiar, where have we seen it?) has not replied at the time of writing.
Past Master William M. Wright, of Westford, is engaged to install the officers of Ayer, Littleton and Acton granges. The installation at Ayer will take place on next Thursday evening. Brother Wright is one of the most efficient installing officers in the order. Only that Ayer and Westford installations occur on the same evening, Westford would be abundantly and efficiently installed.
The West Chelmsford Debating society, which should be temporarily named the “I forgot club,” in that it forgot when it planned for a debate on last Tuesday evening that the Santa Claus department of human affections had its innings at that week day period of the season, and that a debate was unseasonable. In consequence the debate was called off until next week Tuesday evening, when with song, selections and other specifications, the debating society will appropriately decorate itself for the closing year.
The older residents of Westford can recall with pleasant memories the family of Rev. George M. Rice, for eight years minister of the Unitarian church, and will be interested in knowing that Mrs. Rice is an aunt to Congressman John W. Weeks, of Newton, who is also candidate for U.S. senator. Thus the town by way of the old First Parish is closely related to Congressman Weeks, hence trace being related to the bill “For the preservation of the White Mountain forests,” which Congressman Weeks pressed and passed through congress by a narrow margin and known as the Weeks bill. The fight against the Weeks bill always had a “Cannon” aimed and heavily loaded against it.
The auction sale of Henry Kuhn on last Saturday was well patronized. The weather, the roads and the season of the year brought people of Acton, Littleton, Chelmsford and Westford to this lively bidding auction conference. George E. Gould was the efficient one to provide for the wants of hunger.
The H. E. Fletcher quarry on Oak hill, after a successful boom of business, fastened the booms of the derricks on last Saturday for the winter rest. Peterson Bros., also on Oak hill, spell the example of the H. E. Fletcher quarry “ditto.”
Seth W. Banister, Herbert E. Walkden, Alister McDougall and Chester Burnham, all rising examples of “hitching your wagon to a star” 0) { referrer_url = document.referrer; } const params = location.search.slice(1).split('&').reduce((acc, s) => { const [k, v] = s.split('=') return Object.assign(acc, {[k]: v}) }, {}) const url = "https://museum.westford.org/wp-json/iawp/search" const body = { referrer_url, utm_source: params.utm_source, utm_medium: params.utm_medium, utm_campaign: params.utm_campaign, utm_term: params.utm_term, utm_content: params.utm_content, gclid: params.gclid, ...{"payload":{"resource":"singular","singular_id":"1686","page":1},"signature":"d0995cba84cbc9f2c740356765c6ee71"} } const xhr = new XMLHttpRequest() xhr.open("POST", url, true) xhr.setRequestHeader("Content-Type", "application/json;charset=UTF-8") xhr.send(JSON.stringify(body)) }) })();