The Westford Wardsman, July, 1912
Saturday, July 6, 1912
Center. The tax rate this year is $15.10 on a thousand dollars, against $14.20 for last year. This increase is on account of the larger state tax and an increase in appropriations.
While Mrs. John M. Fletcher was at work in her flower garden one day this week, and in the act of filling a flower pot with soil, she unearthed an old-fashioned half-cent piece dated 1800. This 112-year old coin was in a very good state of preservation.
Edward Clement has been unable to work and under the doctor’s care for some time suffering with blood poisoning in his right hand.
Mrs. Etta Garvin Lewis is at the Andrew Wright homestead for July.
J. Herbert Fletcher has been having town water installed in his house this week.
Mrs. Charles D. Colburn is sick at her home, suffering with pneumonia.
The catalogue of past trustees, teachers and students of Westford academy, which Mrs. George T. Day has been so long at work upon, was completed and on sale at the reunion last week. The book also contains a complete account of the 100th anniversary celebration of 1892. The volume contains the names of students, teachers and trustees from 1792 to the year 1895, with many sketches concerning the same. It is a most interesting record and a splendid tribute to Mrs. Day’s long, industrious and capable research.
An important real estate transfer is the sale of the large William L. Woods farm [the Dr. Benjamin Osgood House and farm at 53 Main St., now the site of the Westford Center Fire Station] to Frank Walker, of Waltham. Mr. Walker holds a responsible position in the Waltham watch factory. He expects to take possession at once. Mr. Woods bought this place of A. H. Foss, some over a year and a half ago, and in addition to the large amount of small fruits on the place has set out much more; also setting out a large amount of young trees, mostly apple, and brought the place up in every way. The large and attractive buildings have recently been freshly painted and the new owner and his family certainly take possession of one of the most attractive village fruit farms in this region. Mr. Woods has many friends who sincerely regret the change of ownership.
Mrs. Jaques and daughter Dorothy, of Malden, are at the parental home.
Allister MacDougall, who has recently completed a three-years’ course at the Massachusetts Agricultural college, writes interesting letters to the home people from Heart’s Delight farm in Chasy, N.Y. This is an 8000 stock farm bordering on Lake Champlain and Allister has a responsible position in the horse depart-ment.
The Westford A.A. ball team scored a sweeping victory over the Tyngsboro team last Saturday afternoon to the tune of 21 to 1.
A June wedding of interest to many Westford people was that on June 25 of Miss Gertrude E. Bartlett and Rodney M. Wilson at Kingston, N.H. Their future home will be in New Rochelle, N.Y. Miss Bartlett was one of our former popular teachers at the academy.
Our readers will be pleased to learn that Mrs. George T. Day’s historical paper read at the banquet last week, and also Miss Miranda Luce’s original poem, will be printed in these columns. Owing to the holiday coming this week, they will appear in next week’s issue.
Children’s Day. A very pleasant day, pretty decorations and the many bright-faced children made children’s day last Sunday at the Congregational church an interesting event. Miss Edith A. Wright had charge of the children in their recitation and exercises, assisted by Mr. Osgood. Mr. Wallace, Miss Atwood and Miss Crosby and Miss Grace Lumbert had charge of the music.
Four little children received the rites of baptism as follows: Warren David Sherman, Leslie Gertrude Sherman, Ruby Smith Richardson, Gladys Elizabeth Richardson. The offering was for the Sunday School and Publishing society.
Following was the program rendered:
March and chorus No. 1, recitations, Gladys Richardson and Ruth Johnson; responsive reading, prayer, pastor; response, Pauline Wallace; exercises and song, “Buttercups,” first primary; recitation, Elliott F. Humiston; duet, Ida Trask and Sadie McMasters; recitation, Clarence Colburn; exercise, “We are a part,” five little boys; exercise, “Pansies,” three little girls; recitations, Alice Johnson and George Perkins; solo, Elinor Colburn; recitation, Frances Wright; solo, Florence Wilson; recitation, Theodore Pollock; duet, “Sing aloud,” Althea Symmes and Elizabeth Kimball; exercise, “What will you do?” five little boys; recitation, Alice Wright; song, Mrs. Lumbert’s class; exercise, “Victory”; duet, Pauline Wallace and Elizabeth Kimball; recitation, Henry Kuhn; wreath drill, first and second junior girls; collection poem, William Pond; solo, Althea Symmes; exercise, “Birthday pennies,” Warren Baker; address, pastor.
Graduation. The graduating exercises of Westford academy took place last week Friday morning at the town hall at ten o’clock under very pleasant conditions. There was a large audience of interested parents and friends to see the diplomas conferred upon the class of eleven—seven girls and four boys. The platform was banked with green and cut flowers, while overhead was suspended in class colors of turquoise blue and gold, the class motto, “Not to hold, but to share.” The color scheme was further carried out with a central arrangement of blue larkspur.
The program opened with a selection by the Germania orchestra, of three pieces, followed by prayer, offered by Rev. David Wallace. Herbert Halden Walkden gave the valedictory essay, “Socialism in theory and practice,” and was most clearly and ably presented. The three other essays given were “The chestnut blight,” by Chester Arthur Burnham, “The Red Cross,” by Evelyn Cortelyou Hamlin, and “The Hague conference,” by E. Lillian Sutherland. Nellie M. Healey received creditable mention for her essay, “The history of Westford.” All the subjects proved timely and interesting and reflected the greatest credit upon the young people and their teachers.
Under the direction of Miss Mildred Brennan, the school gave three musical selections, “Sweet Genivieve,” by Tucker; “Spring song,” by Mendelssohn, and “The beautiful blue Danube,” by Strauss.
The address of the day was by H. S. Cowell, principal of Cushing academy, and was one of the best ever given at an affair of this kind. Mr. Cowell took for his subject, “Education and life,” and he gave a splendid, practical presentation of the trained powers of the education worth while, deploring much of what he chose to call some of the short-cut lightning express methods too much in vogue. The speaker brought to his hearers’ minds the truth that the old fable of Ponce de Leon and the fountain of youth was no myth in these modern days, being exemplified each year in the young people being graduated from our schools, a veritable fountain of youth and hope and aspirations.
Hon. Herbert E. Fletcher conferred the diplomas with fitting words upon the following class: Chester Arthur Burnham, Albert Chester Collins, Mary Agnes Donnelly, Evelyn Cortelyou Hamlin, Nellie M. Healey [sic], Lawrence William Holbrook, Catherine Agnes Sullivan, Margaret Beatrice Sullivan, Beatrice May Sutherland, Etta Lillian Sutherland, Herbert Halden Walkden.
Alumni Reunion and Dinner. The alumni reunion and dinner, the arrangements for which have been in preparation for some time, took place on last week Friday afternoon and reflected the greatest credit upon the executive committee, Mrs. H. V. Hildreth, Seth C. Bannister and Arthur G. Hildreth. The weather conditions for the day were perfect and the affair was quite an old home day for old Westford, so many absent sons and daughters did she welcome for the day.
Fully eight hundred and fifty circular letters had been issued by the faithful secretary, Miss A. Mabel Drew, and she was the recipient of many pleasant letters from loyal academy graduates.
At 12:30 an informal reception and reunion took place at the academy preceded by a short business meeting. Mrs. Helen K. Frost provided a pleasant feature at this meeting by loaning a collection of photographs of former students owned by the late Prof. Frost, and presented to him by the various classes.
The dinner was served at 1:30, by the D. L. Page Co., to about two hundred people in the lower town hall. A highly satisfactory menu and good service made this part of the program fully appreciated, after which the toastmaster and president of the Alumni association, Judge Frederic A. Fisher, called to order and introduced the following program, all given by former students; Mrs. George T. Day gave a historical sketch of the academy, its teachers and pupils. Mrs. Day has lived in the atmosphere of the academy and its associations all her life, and her paper was of great interest, full of information and able research.
A letter of greetings was next read from Miss Harriet B. Rogers, a former teacher, after which a duet was given by Albert E. Prescott and Miss Gertrude Day Fletcher, with Miss Julia Heywood Fletcher at the piano. Their renderings of “When the wind bloweth in from the sea,” by Stewart, and “O, lovely night,” from “Tales of Hoffman,” were splendidly rendered.
Miss Miranda G. Luce, with a happy gift of telling things in verse, came next with chronicles of former days of the old academy. These verses were very cleverly written and were enthusiastically received.
Hon. Herbert E. Fletcher responded for the board of trustees; Charles O. Prescott for the school committee; Principal Dexter Coggshall for the work of the school, as did also Frank H. Hill, superintendent of schools. John Adams Taylor responded with happy and felicitous reminiscences for the class of ’97.
Miss Mary P. Bunce read a poem written by her aunt, Miss Maria Bunce, entitled, “Jane Johnson’s beau,” a contribution for the famous “Literary Gatherer,” of by-gone academy days.
Prof. Arthur T. Butterfield, of Worcester, responded for the class of ’88 and other speakers were S. H. Fletcher and Prof. Charles Emerson Dean, of Dartmouth college, after which the exercises were brought to a close with the late Prof. Frost’s time-honored custom of the singing of “America.”
In the evening a dance was given by the juniors to the graduates, and was well attended. Music for the occasion was furnished by the Colonial orchestra, of Lowell. Dancing was from eight to twelve o’clock. The grand march was lead [sic] by Miss Edith Lawrence and Harold W. Hildreth [who would be married Nov. 1, 1913], followed by about sixty couples.
The matrons for the evening were Mrs. A. W. Hartford, Mrs. Homer M. Seavey and Mrs. David Wallace.
About Town. The Augustus Bunce farm on Providence road has been sold to a Boston lawyer for a summer home.
Rev. L. B. Weeks conducted the services at Long-Sought chapel last Sunday afternoon.
C. R. P., Decatur, who has been ill with a complication of troubles for a long time, and as a result of this long, continued struggle against the tyranny of disease, the mental powers have begun to show strong symptoms of the struggle. He is yet strong physically, but during periods of hallucinations the services of several persons are required to manage him. His children are all with him except Edward, who is in California. Miss Luanna is home from her school in Everett for the summer vacation.
Miss Floss Read is at the Read farm for a few days and is visiting those who were formerly part of her active associates and friends.
William R. Taylor has been commissioned notary public by the late presidential candidate of Boston.,
At a meeting of the Cavalry association held on June 15, a committee, Capt. H. W. Wilson, Capt. John J. Monahan, Royal S. Ripley, Charles E. Bartlett, Caleb L. Smith, was chosen to arrange for time and place for holding the annual reunion. This committee will report at a special meeting to be held at the association building on Saturday afternoon, at 3:30. Every member of the association [is] invited to be present and bring an opinion, as discussion will follow the report.
The H. E. Fletcher quarry closed down on Wednesday at the close of work until Monday. This made a nice long Fourth of July. This opening for rest gave the quarry help and their friends to plan an excursion in Revere Beach on Friday, which was more than a Fourth of July success.
Amos Polley planted potatoes on the Fourth of July as part of his celebration. In doing this he expects to get a rear flank movement on the dry weather, as his very early planted potatoes was too much of a front flank movement and got pinched.
Gerald Decatur, who has been a successful teacher in Porto [sic] Rico, has returned to the old homestead on the Lowell road for his summer vacation and become assistant in general usefulness for his father, C. R. P. Decatur, whose illness still compels retirement from field work.
Pilgrim Commandery of Knight Templars, of Lowell, by special excursion, accompanied by the Salem Cadet band, were the guests of brethren in Biddeford, Me., last week Monday. Those from town on the trip were Hon. Herbert E. Fletcher, Jas. M. Sargent, Harwood L. Wright, Walter C. Wright, William L. Woods and William R. Taylor.
Lester Prescott has been placed on the retired list without compensation through the influence of a bad cold.
Hazel Fletcher graduated from the Lowell grammar school and Ralph Fletcher from the Lowell high on last week Wednesday. Oak hill and the Hon. Herbert E. Fletcher family are landing something somewhere all the time. Success is for courageous knowing.
Graniteville. Both masses in St. Catherine’s church last Sunday morning were celebrated by Rev. Edward C. Mitchell, who has recently been transferred from the Immaculate Conception parish, Malden, and made assistant to Rev. Edmund T. Schofield, pastor of St. Catherine’s church. Large congregations greeted Mr. Mitchell at both masses and the new assistant to Mr. Schofield made a very good impression. Rev. Michael S. Doherty, who has been Mr. Schofield’s assistant for the past few years, and formed many warm friendships in this parish, has been recently appointed assistant to Rev. P. B. Murphy, pastor of Our Lady of the Holy Rosary parish, South Boston, and took charge of his new duties last Saturday.
James B. Healey has recently returned from a brief visit spent with friends in Marlboro.
The A. R. Choate hose company held their regular meeting in their rooms on Monday night with Capt. J. A. Healey in the chair. Much business of a routine order was transacted and after the meeting had closed a social hour was enjoyed.
Many people from this village attended the Foresters’ picnic at Nabnassett grove on last Saturday after-noon and evening, and all had a very enjoyable time.
Miss Engla Mattson, who has been spending the last few weeks with friends in Hancock, N.H., is now at her home here.
Baseball. The Graniteville baseball club met the South Ends of Lowell at the outing held under the auspices of Court Middlesex, F. of A., of Lowell, at Lake Nabnassett on last Saturday afternoon and were defeated by the Lowell team by the score of 6 to 1. The game was lost through bad fielding errors in the Graniteville infield, the team going up in the air in the third inning, when the South Enders scored four runs with only one safe hit, the runs being the result of loose playing, Graniteville scored one run in their half of the third, but the rest of the game was a pitchers’ battle between Curry and Spinner, the Graniteville twirler having a trifle the better part of the argument with nine strikeouts against Curry’s five. Each pitcher gave only one base on balls. Batteries: Curry and McGreevey for the South Ends, “Jack” and “Dick” Spinner for Graniteville.
The White Sox baseball club, of the Suburban league, were on the home grounds here last Saturday waiting for the Mystics of North Chelmsford, but the latter club failed to show up, so the local club wins by forfeit. The White Sox are scheduled to play the Cubs of North Chelmsford on Saturday, July 6, and although the Cubs have much older players than the White Sox, and it is rumored that a couple of their fielders are married men with families, the Graniteville boys will play them to a finish, win or lose, and trust to the league officials to straighten whatever tangle may arise.
Forge Village. Mrs. Ernest Longbottom and son, William A., of Arlington, have been guests of her parents, Mr. and Mrs. William Burnett.
Mrs. Harriet E. Randall had for guests on last Tuesday and Wednesday Mr. and Mrs. Christian Gutschow, of Rochester, N.Y.; Mr. and Mrs. Archibald S. Bennett, of Boston; Mrs. Annie Proctor, of Montello, and Mrs. Walter Brooks, of Whitman. Mrs. Brooks remained for a longer visit.
Mrs. Joseph Mason and two children, Raymond and Clayton, of Lowell, visited her father, Henry Catchpole, on Wednesday.
Mr. and Mrs. Fennimore Morton have welcomed a little daughter into their home, and have named it Emma Eliza [born June 22, 1912].
Mr. and Mrs. Willis Holt and children, William and Elizabeth, of Lowell, have opened their cottage at Forge pond.
A most delightful surprise party was tendered to Mrs. Arthur Burrington, of Lowell, at her camp at Knopp’s pond, Groton, by her friends on last week Wednesday afternoon. About sixteen gathered at her little cottage and Mrs. Wiley Johnson, in behalf of the party, presented Mrs. Burrington with a most beautiful silver mesh bag. Mrs. Burrington, although completely overcome, responded in her usual bright manner. In the middle of the afternoon a bountiful salad supper was served, which was most enjoyable. The table was a bower of mountain laurel and presented a beautiful appearance. The rest of the day was spent in music by some, while bathing and boating on the pond were enjoyed by others. Guests were present from Groton, Lowell and Ayer.
Mrs. Fletcher Morton and daughter Olo, of Bridgeport, Conn., are visiting relatives and friends here.
Miss Rachael Cherry and Edwin Cherry spent the weekend with friends in Worcester.
The gardens of amateur farmers, as well as the Cameron school children’s gardens, are suffering for the want of rain. The crops are all doing finely, as artificial means give them water, but in many instances where no water is to be had gardens are drying up fast.
Mrs. William Weaver fell a few days ago at her home and as a result is suffering from a sprained shoulder.
Rev. Thomas L. Fisher, of Leominster, formerly vicar of St. Andrew’s parish, occupied the pulpit at the mission last Sunday. The chapel was especially decorated and a fine program was sung by the vested choir. After the services Mr. Fisher was given a warm greeting by all former parishioners and was afterwards entertained at tea at the home of Mr. and Mrs. William Burnett.
John Sullivan, fireman for the Abbot Worsted Co., has resigned his position and is taking a well-earned rest at his home.
Saturday, July 13, 1912
Center. Mr. and Mrs. Henry M. Wright are making their customary July sojourn at H. L. Wright’s. Livingston Wright is in camp up in Vermont the same as last season.
The sign of the Blue Bell, which indicates it as a public pay station, has recently been placed outside the new telephone exchange [58 Main St.].
Wilbur Hosmer, of Wakefield, was a week-end guest of his cousin, Mrs. W. J. Merritt, this last week.
Warrant E. Carkin and William Sutherland have been busy these warm, dry days placing some new planks at the different electric railroad crossings in the village.
On last Saturday one of the pair of horses on the Standard Oil team was taken sick and when the team arrived at the village the horse was taken out and given treatment, and later the company sent out a veterinary [sic] from Lowell to attend him. With care the animal improved and returned to Lowell. He was a very handsome, large chestnut, a young horse, and was suffering with distemper, aggravated by the extreme heat.
Mr. and Mrs. Charles Howard and little son [John Adams Howard], of Concord, N.H., have been visiting at Mr. and Mrs. Calvin Howard’s.
It must have been hard for those householders who have been moving in the heat and drought this week. For our quiet village there were quite a number. William L. Woods has moved his household goods and family into Alec Fisher’s house. Mr. Walker and family, the new owner of the Woods farm, has moved his family from Waltham this week, his goods coming by auto truck. Henry Colburn and family have moved into their new home which is not wholly finished, but quite livable for the warm weather and will be finished by degrees. Mrs. Gilmer Stone expects to move into the house vacated by the Colburns. Mrs. Lewis, at the Andrew Wright homestead, is picking up, preparatory to a change. Miss Loker and Miss Bunce are moving this week to their pleasant new village home.
Miss Jennie Ferguson is spending vacation days with an aunt in Canton.
Miss Gertrude Fletcher has been spending a vacation at York Beach.
Mr. and Mrs. Edward Fisher’s little daughter is ill with the whooping cough.
Master Wesley Hawkes, of Melrose, is visiting his Westford relatives.
The following strawberry story sounds good in this time of drought. Charles H. Wright, from a quarter acre, two-years-old bed, has marketed 126 crates of fine quality berries, and at this time is still picking for market. The berries have all been fine, first-quality fruit.
Death. Mrs. Mary J. Perkins died on last week Wednesday at her home after a ten-days illness with pneumonia. She is survived by her husband, Joseph Perkins, two sons, Joseph and Thomas, and two daughters, Mrs. John Doucette and Mrs. John Ellison. Mrs. Perkins was an estimable woman and her death is a great blow to her family circle and other friends.
The funeral took place from her late home on last week Friday afternoon at two o’clock, Rev. David Wallace being the officiating clergyman, and Miss Edna Ferguson sang two beautiful solos, “Sometime, we’ll understand,” and “Pass me not.” Interment was in Fairview cemetery.
The floral offerings were very beautiful and were as follows: Pillow, from husband; wreaths, Mr. and Mrs. John Doucette, Mr. and Mrs. John Ellison; cut flowers, Mr. and Mrs. Joseph Perkins, Mrs. S. H. Balch; sprays, Thomas Perkins, Mr. and Mrs. Thomas Rafferty, Mr. and Mrs. L. Hannon, Mrs. Martha McGee, Mr. and Mrs. William Perkins, Mr. and Mrs. James Harrington; bouquets, Mrs. Sadie Jones, and a friend.
The bearers were Ralph Bridgeford, Emory J. Whitney, William Graves and L. Hannon.
July Fourth. Westford Center did not go without a suitable observance of the glorious Fourth, thanks to the members of the Athletic association coming to the front and arranging a very creditable program which was mostly athletic in character. Two ball games at Whitney park took place, the opponents of the Westford A.A., both morning and afternoon, being the Graniteville team, the laurels going to the latter both times, the first score being 6 to 3, and the second 4 to 3. Both sides contested closely for the honors.
A list of sports were run off in the early afternoon as follows: 100 yd. dash, George Gower 1st, Henry Toohey 2nd; half-mile run, Fred Stewart 1st, Edward Blodgett 2nd; 100 yd. dash for boys, Edward DeRoehn 1st, William Pratt, 2nd; hop, skip and jump, Gaudette 1st, Gower 2nd; throwing the ball, William Buckingham 1st, William Wright, 2nd.
A hurdy-gurdy was engaged for the day and dispensed plenty of lively music. The A.A. members conducted a refreshment booth during the day and did a fine business, taking in some $163.
The Boy Scouts gathered money for and arranged a display of fireworks for the evening. The young people were out the night before and some restraint had to be used in regard to bell ringing, etc., on account of those households where there is sickness.
Fire. An alarm of fire came in the early morning hours last week Friday [July 5, 1912] which proved to be the old Henry Hildreth [Henry Albert Hildreth (1823-1902) was a son-in-law of John Davis, the previous owner] house on the Littleton [now 120 Concord] road. Mr. [Mrs.?] Isles, at the new central exchange, did good work in rallying the fire fighters and a good number from the village went down, but the extreme drought and the buildings being old, the fire had gained such headway there was very little they could do except to keep the fire from spreading. A small amount of household furniture was saved. There was a partial insurance on the buildings. The cause of the fire is unknown.
The homeless family, consisting of Mrs. Murray and four children, have found temporary homes. Mrs. Murray and the youngest child is staying with Mrs. Blodgett. The two boys, eleven and twelve, are with Mr. and Mrs. Barnes at the town farm, and the girl is with Mrs. Frank Wright. The house burned was one of the oldest in Westford and in its earliest days was the William Fletcher farm, and later for many years, the [John] Davis farm.
Wedding. A very pretty wedding that did not get chronicled last week was that of Miss Mabel J. McDonald, second daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Angus McDonald, and Morris L. Quinlan, of Everett. The marriage ceremony took place at the parochial residence of Rev. Edmund T. Schofield at North Chelmsford. The wedding party went by automobile and were attended by Miss Alice McDonald, a sister of the bride who acted as bridesmaid, and Daniel A. Quinlan, the best man.
The bride was beautifully gowned in white silk, with lace garniture and carried a bouquet of white bride roses. The bridesmaid wore a gown of pink silk and carried pink roses.
After the ceremony the wedding party returned to the bride’s home, where a very pretty wedding reception was held. There was a large gathering of relatives and friends. A most attractive wedding supper was served, after which the bride and groom took their departure amid showers of confetti and good wishes. They were the recipients of many useful and beautiful wedding presents and will make their future home in Everett.
About Town. The next regular meeting of the grange will be held on next Thursday evening. The program reads: “Grange picnic in charge of the master.” Come everybody and get a picnic move on you.
At the game of lawn tennis on the J. C. Abbot court on the Fourth between Abbot, Cameron and Taylor brothers, the former won after being alarmed by narrow escapes throughout the game.
The State lookout station for fires, located on Robbins hill, South Chelmsford, sounded the alarm for a forest fire in Westford, north of Long-Sought pond near Ward’s quarry on the Fourth. The fire was near the Tyngsboro line and the station at Robbins hill sent the alarm to Westford, Tyngsboro and Chelmsford as several houses were in danger. The celebration at Tyngsboro was interfered with by the response to the alarm. John A. Healy, forest fire warden of Westford, responded promptly, but found difficulty in rally the “usual” help on account of the “unusual” day. The fire had the advantage of “the day we celebrate” and the weather, and covered about two hundred acres of timber and woodland.
The old adage “Make hay when the sun shines” The same year, Abram Fuller Hull [1786-1814], son of Gen. William Hull [1753-1825], attended. He became captain of the 9th U.S. regiment, and was killed at Lundy’s Lane, [Niagara, Ontario,] Upper Canada, in [July 25,] 1814.
In 1795, Amos Crosby [1761-1836], Harvard university, 1786, being preceptor, Loammi Baldwin [1780-1838], of Woburn, with his brothers, Benjamin [1777-1821] and James [1782-1862], was a scholar. He has been called “the father of civil engineering in America.” He proposed piercing the Green Mountain range, almost exactly at the location of the present Hosaac [sic] tunnel. he was promoted to lieutenant, and congress voted him a handsome sword. In 1838, he was promoted, serving in the various foreign squadrons, and from 1839 to 1842, was commander at Charlestown navy yard. In 1852, he commanded the Macedonian in the Japan expedition, succeeding Com. [Matthew Calbraith ] Perry [1794-1858] as flag officer of the squadron. He personally superintended the placing of buoys and a lightship in the harbor of Shanghai, which for the first time had its channels and sailing courses properly defined. He died at Hong Kong, China, December 14, 1855.
It has been learned that in 1820, there were eight students fitting for college. Six graduated from Harvard university in 1826, the seventh died in his freshman year, and the eighth went to Yale college. One of them, William Lambert Russell [1799-1899], of Carlisle, later physician at Barre, wrote me, when ninety-four years old, that while fitting for college, in addition to attending Westford academy most of the time for two years, he studied some of the time at home, going on foot from Carlisle to Westford at irregular times, without regard to terms. He also wrote as follows:
“It is in vain for me to try to remember the names of those who occupied seats in the building in study hours. I got my lessons in my room where I boarded and recited them at a fixed hour, going directly to stand in the teacher’s desk until my lesson was through, then going right out, without stopping to notice how many or what sex occupied those seats. We that were fitting for college were not intimate with those who occupied seats in the building, were never with them at recess and seldom met them anywhere. [Edward] Jarvis [1803-1884, of Concord], [George W.] Hosmer [1803-1881, of Concord] and myself [all graduates of Harvard in 1826] boarded together for awhile, I forget how long, in a three-story square house on Main street [24 Main St. built c. 1820, per New Old Houses of Westford], a little distance west of the branch street which led down by Parson [Caleb] Blake’s [1762-1847]. I think the house was built by Julian Abbot’s father [Abel Abbot (1781-1810)]. Read was our landlord.”
The house was recently occupied by H. B. [Harrison Belding] Hall [1838-1921].
“Jones [given name unknown], whose father kept a tavern in Lincoln, on the main road from Leominster and Princeton to Boston, boarded in the house next west from Read’s, west on the same side of street.”
This was probably Levi Parker’s as he occupied the house where Mrs. Isaac Day [nee Lucy Dutton, 1768-1860] formerly lived [16 Main St., the house now at 20 Main St. not being built until about 1880]. Mrs. Day’s famous trustee dinners are still remembered.
“[Addison] Brown [1799-1872, of New Ipswich, N.H.], Parker (Willard) [1800-1884], of Chelmsford], Cabaniss [given name unknown, died at Harvard 1822] and [Abram] Randall boarded in the first house from the common on the road from Westford to Carlisle.”
This was the Hamlin house [probably the Fletcher Tavern at 2 Hildreth St., but possibly 1 Hildreth St.], no doubt. Dr. Russell lived to be nearly one hundred years old, lacking only a few months. The General Catalogue contains a short sketch of several of those mentioned by Dr. Russell.
In 1824, Joseph A. Willard [1816-1904], of Cambridge, attended the academy. He was chief clerk of the superior court of Suffolk county for thirty years, and died in 1904. He published “Fifty years with judges and lawyers.”
It was a great mistake that the trustees did not make a law requiring each preceptor to keep a list of scholars under his instruction, which the trustees should hold. If the list of those attending the first six or seven years had not been found and the record kept by Allen Putnam [1802-1887, preceptor 1825-1827] and Rev. Ephraim Abbot [1779-1870, preceptor 1828-1837] had not been given, the General Catalogue could only have contained the names of those attending from 1839 to 1895, as during that time the preceptor kept a continuous record for the trustees. The record kept by Rev. Ephraim Abbot has been of the greatest assistance in preparing the General Catalogue, as he not only gave the name of the scholar, the year attending, but the last birthday and also the name of the father, which served to identify the scholar when there were more than one of the same name.
In 1845, Adams Sherman Hill [1833-1910], of Boston, was a scholar. He was Boylston professor of rhetoric and oratory in Harvard university from 1876 to 1904. His work on rhetoric of liberal mind, and true,
Accompanied by many from this, our town,
To the legislature hied him down.
In just one year, they were given the right
To run Westford academy with all their might,
Of their success, just look round and see,
There are very many more beside you and me.
Mrs. Day has told you how they did it.
I was not here, so I wasn’t in it.
She’s told you the dates, the facts, and the names.
She studied it all and knows the same.
The boys and the girls came from all around
To get an education they surely were bound.
One, Abbot, Abel, I think was his name,
Built a big house, just to board the same.
A very big hall he built up on high,
That the boys might sleep to the sky so nigh.
The builder is gone, but the house still stands,
Though now it has gone into stranger hands.
They come of a race of teachers too.
I feel they’ll have an interest, now, don’t you?
Of teachers then, they had more than a score,
I think you’ll be glad there were not any more.
First Hedge LL. D., that’s his title you know,
Then Thatcher, with not an LL. D. to show.
Ames,
With Crosby, Abbot, Stone, Putnam and
I really can tell you no more of their names,
There were many more, whom I cannot name.
They were all good teachers just the same.
Now don’t object if we skip some years,
When we entered the academy, midst our hopes and our fears.
A very small girl older sisters did lead,
Their care and protection she surely did need.
Mr. Folsom, Miss Cram, we remember well,
But of school life then, we little can tell.
Luther Shepherd came next, Miss Foley as well.
She was later an artist, of whom you’ve heard tell.
Mr. Shepherd taught us Latin and drilled it in.
Not his fault if we all did not win;
Miss Rogers came soon, we have her still,
And by a little effort we can see her at will.
About that time a new schoolroom we had.
The one down stairs had become too bad,
Then what was once the hall, upstairs,
Was fitted up new, then we put on airs.
The new desks were polished until they shone,
You could see your face in them alone.
New black boards, the blackest of all that was black,
While of chalk there really was never a lack.
One memory we have of that same old hall,
A party we had, a Levee, so-called,
I was allowed to go till the clock struck nine,
‘Twas the home going hour for me and mine.
No lights were allowed in the building at all,
Lest fire might damage that ancient hall,
So with lanterns hidden, not quite out of sight,
We had one good time in the hall that night.
The big boys passed baskets of oranges sweet.
With nuts and other good things to eat,
Well that was the last of good times as a hall
To a schoolroom it was made, and that was all.
Then to the school there came John D. Long,
While Miss Rogers, beloved, still continued along.
I wish I could tell you of those happy days,
Of the friendships, there formed and continued always.
Of the honors that have come to our Gov. Long,
We must allude, surely, it cannot be wrong.
You’ll forgive our pride, as his graduate class,
But we are only a few, just now, alas.
Mr. Long will appreciate, we know he will,
If we pledge our faith a little more still.
His class of graduates are faithful to the last.
They’ll never forget those happy days past.
In those halcyon days there were scholars galore,
Some terms there were really more than three score.
From Chelmsford there came the very best cream
Of its boys and girls, it really did seem.
Some of them renown have won,
And fame has come to more than one.
One is dean of a college you know,
While a badge of the Grand Army others can show.
Of the boys and girls of Westford we are proud as we can be.
Just look at all the list and the why you will see.
This academy has doctors, teachers, business men of all kinds,
Professors and lawyers, even one judge if you mind.
In electrical work in mills of our state
You’ll find our boys there at any rate.
Some have made homes in the Golden Land,
Where the flowers bloom on every hand.
Our girls have done as well as the boys.
They’ve never contented themselves with toys.
Some have found place in the far, far west.
Where they’ve made of their life the very best.
Right here in Westford Mrs. Day has written a book.
Mr. Whitman earned fame in his own special line,
While Dr. Stevens just gone, earned fame as fine.
Of the long, faithful service of Mr. Frost here,
There’s no need to speak with pupils so near.
They do not forget his work or his care.
Their memories with you, they gladly will share.
The new Frost school will his name keep in mind
For long years to come, you surely will find,
While the long roll of pupils sent out from his care
We hope bless the world, wherever they fare.
And now dear friends we must end our song.
We trust that to you it has not seemed long.
There were very many more we could not name,
Thought they have deserved it just the same.
We trust you’ll excuse all omissions of ours,
To have named nearly all would have filled all the hours,
Would have spoiled your pleasure, your patience, your fun,
And you’d wish long ago we only were done.
Miranda G. Luce.
Alumni association banquet, Westford, June 28, 1912.
Saturday, July 20, 1912
Center. Warren Carkin and William Sutherland keep right on in their role of capable and useful factotums of the village. This week they are shingling Alec Fisher’s barn; also, the house owned by him and occupied by Edmund Baker.
Master Bertram Sutherland is on the sick list with threatened phthisis and for the last week or ten days, through the advice of his physician, has been established in a tent in the yard.
Mrs. Josephine Barnard still continues incapacitated from life’s capable activities on account of frail health.
Mrs. Elizabeth Carter and daughter, Miss Adrith, are enjoying a month’s stay at St. Johnsbury, Vt., with Mrs. Carter’s other daughter, Mrs. Carl Merrill [nee H. Evelyn Carter], and family.
The J. V. Fletcher library is closed on Sundays during July and August as usual.
Mr. and Mrs. Douglas and little son are staying at Mrs. Gertrude Skidmore’s summer home.
John Noyes, of Eureka, Cal., is visiting his sister, Mrs. William Symmes [nee Laura Elizabeth Noyes], this being his first visit back east for a long period of years. Amos Noyes, of Waltham, another brother, was also an over Sunday visitor this last week.
Wesley Wells, a student at the University of Vermont, Burlington, is spending vacation days at his brother’s, Dr. O. V. Wells.
H. L. Wright joined the Henry M. Wrights at Wolfboro, N.H., for several days this week.
Mr. and Mrs. Edward Hamlin welcomed a baby daughter into their home on Tuesday, July 16. The little stranger is named Edna May Hamlin.
Mrs. Oscar R. Spalding is enjoying a sojourn at her camp at Forge pond, and Miss Charlotte Prescott is spending her vacation with her.
Mrs. J. Herbert Fletcher and son John are at Francistown, N.H., for a few weeks.
Mrs. L. W. Wheeler entertained the members of the Thimble club and a few additional guests on Tuesday afternoon. This was an out-door gathering and took place at Whitney park in one of the pleasantly shaded spots. A social good time, some games of croquet and refreshments of ice cream and cake and fruit punch made up the afternoon’s enjoyment. Guests present from out-of-town were Mrs. Fred A. Snow and Mrs. Elliot F. Humiston, of West Chelmsford, and Mrs. Willard D. Pratt, of Lowell.
The annual Sunday school picnic of the Congregational church took place on Thursday of last week, and in many ways was a pleasant affair. There was a large attendance, the party taking the 7:45 electric car from Brookside to Lakeview. The various attractions of the place were fully enjoyed; also, a picnic dinner at noon. The day was pretty warm, and in the afternoon a heavy shower broke which, while very much needed, did not prove especially agreeable for the picnic party. After getting as far as North Chelmsford the power gave out and all the electric cars were put out of commission. Getting home was a problem solved in various ways. A few were quick enough to get the last train, and others came by team and barge which had been sent for them from home.
Notwithstanding the faithful spraying of the shade trees in the village done by Tree Warden Nesmith and his men with the large and powerful sprayer, the trees are pretty badly affected. The elm tree beetle has been at work on the elm trees so badly that the ground in places is covered with dead leaves, looking like fall instead of mid-summer.
Mrs. G. H. Tarleton and little son Grafton are making their annual summer visit with Mrs. Tarleton’s sister, Mrs. Wallace, at the parsonage.
Services will be held tomorrow and next Sunday at the Congregational church, after which the annual vacation of three Sundays will take place.
About Town. While operating a mowing machine on his farm on the Texas road in Parkerville last week, Richard M. Yarnold was thrown from the machine on a rough piece of land. The knives severed the cords on the right foot and the bones of the foot were badly mangled. Dr. Sherman, of Graniteville, was called by telephone and he called by auto.
The new bridge on the Stony Brook railroad spanning Stony Brook highway, laid in late spring, is already in for repairs of painting which workmen are busy at and catching hornpouts at the noon hour out of the waters of the close-by Stony Brook.
Albert Greenwood is searching for water at his bungalow at the junction of the Groton and West Chelmsford roads. He has searched twelve feet deep but has not found it yet.
At the H. E. Fletcher Oak hill quarry, while work is suspended on account of too much sun pressure, many cars are being loaded with sea wall stone and thence by rail to Boston and thence by Atlantic salt water transportation to New York, where they are laid to prevent there being too much sea and too little land.
William Wyman, engineer at the H. E. Fletcher quarry, while on a fishing trip to Boston last week, when out about fifteen miles a man named Brooks fell overboard and sunk. Wyman joined hands with friends and slipped into the water. After several attempts Wyman managed to get his foot under his arm as he rose the second time and with the aid of a hook he was pulled on board. Brooks claims to have been a sparring partner of Sam Langford. 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":1703,"page":1},"signature":"c2fb5e0c603ebdc86ee88c50a6cca512"} } const xhr = new XMLHttpRequest() xhr.open("POST", url, true) xhr.setRequestHeader("Content-Type", "application/json;charset=UTF-8") xhr.send(JSON.stringify(body)) }) })();