The Westford Wardsman, December 16, 1916
Center. Electric lights are being installed in the downstairs room of the Unitarian church. The work is expected to be finished and in readiness for the Christmas festivities.
Rev. Oscar Wells, of Rochester, Vt., has been visiting his brother, Dr. O. V. Wells, this week.
Mr. and Mrs. Walter J. Merritt are preparing to move to Bedford, having sold the farm where they have lived for eight years, earlier in the season.
Catherine A. Sullivan, aged twenty-three years, died Monday at her home on Boston road. She had been in failing health for a long time from tuberculosis, her illness covering a period of two years. She is survived by a sister, several brothers and her parents, who mourn her untimely death. The deceased was a graduate of Westford academy and of the Lowell Commercial college. The funeral was held from St. Catherine’s church, Graniteville, Wednesday morning, with interment in the catholic cemetery.
The regular meeting of the Tadmuck club will take place on next Tuesday afternoon at the Unitarian church. It will be in charge of the committee on industrial and social conditions and a good address will be given. Mrs. Louis H. Buckshorn is the hostess of the afternoon and a Christmas tea will be served.
All interested in the Christmas carols will meet for rehearsal on Monday evening at the Congregational vestry. These carols will be sung on the common Christmas eve and will be a pleasant feature of the Christmas-tide. Books containing the music can be obtained of Mrs. W. R. Taylor for a nominal sum.
The first snow of the season, coming after the especially fine weather, was not especially welcome. However, it was not severe enough to affect the schedule of the branch line electrics.
The development of the dreaded infantile paralysis in our midst causes much apprehension, especially to parents, particularly as the wide-spread trouble with it during the summer and autumn had abated.
The committee in charge are busy with their preparations for the junior class drama of the academy to take place at the town hall, Friday evening, December 15. Hibbard’s orchestra will furnish music for the dancing.
Everett Miller of this town and Miss Edna Smith of Ayer were married at Ayer December 2. The ceremony was performed by Rev. J. S. Strong, pastor of the Federated church, at his residence. Mr. Miller was accompanied by his brother, Charles Miller, and the bride by an intimate girl friend. The young couple will reside in Ayer, where Mr. Miller is employed by a local express company.
A good delegation of Westford Grangers were in attendance at the meeting of Littleton Grange December 6, when the third and fourth degrees were conferred upon a good-sized class, followed by the harvest supper.
Rev. L. H. Buckshorn gave a valuable talk on good reading at the Frost school December 6. This was given to the pupils in the upper grades and Mr. Buckshorn was well qualified to address young people as this subject was appropriate to Library week being observed at this time. Mr. Buckshorn also gave a delightful rending of one of Joel Chandler Harris’ “Uncle Remus” stories.
Reception. A reception to welcome Rev. and Mrs. Howard A. Lincoln into the church and community was held at the Congregational church on Tuesday evening. The first snowstorm of the season coming on Tuesday necessarily affected the attendance, but aside from that the affair was very much a success and reflected much credit upon the committee in charge and their assistants. This committee was the one in charge for December and consisted of Mrs. Joseph E. Knight, Mrs. Frank C. Bannister, Mrs. Samuel L. Taylor and Mrs. Phonsie Isles. Those who assisted Mr. and Mrs. Lincoln in receiving were Deacon and Mrs. Arthur E. Day, Deacon Houghton G. Osgood and Miss Sarah W. Loker. The ushers were Harwood L. Wright, William R. Taylor, Seth W. Bannister and Fred C. Meyer.
A program of readings and music was given during the evening, readings by Mrs. Perley E. Wright; violin solos, Miss Lottie L. Dunn; vocal solos Mrs. Charles D. Colburn, accompanied by her daughter, Miss Elinor Colburn. Refreshments were served later in the evening. Mrs. Frank C. Bannister and Miss Ella F. Hildreth presided at the tea and coffee urns. There were decorations of carnations, ferns and other greenery.
Mr. Lincoln starts his new pastorate most auspiciously, bringing to the work a good equipment of ability, experience and personality, and a sympathetic cooperation between pastor and people seems assured.
Death. The community was inexpressibly shocked and saddened this week to hear of the death of John Fletcher Abbot, which came Wednesday evening after a short and severe struggle with the dreaded infantile paralysis. Fletcher, as he has always been called, was stricken the first of the week and his seizure assumed very serious aspects from the first and all the skill of his local physician, trained nurses and the specialists summoned was called into requisition to alleviate his sufferings and save his life. But this proved beyond human power and death came late Wednesday evening.
John Fletcher Abbot was the oldest son of Mr. and Mrs. John Cameron Abbot. He was born on November 29, 1898, which made him but recently pass his eighteenth birthday, just at the beginning of young manhood. He is survived besides his parents by his younger brother, Robert Abbot, and represented the fifth generation to bear the name of John Abbot, descending from one of Westford’s old and respected families. His mother was before her marriage, Miss Anna Munroe Fletcher, daughter of J. Henry Fletcher, of Belmont, and granddaughter of J. Varnum Fletcher, donor of our public library.
Fletcher had recently entered the Abbot Worsted Company at Graniteville, and planned under his father’s direction to learn the mill business and had been greatly interested in his work. His tragic and untimely death has cast a gloom over the community and the sincerest and most heartfelt sympathy goes out to the bereaved father, mother, brother and to the grandparents, uncles, aunts and cousins.
About Town. Westford Grange was at its best on last week Thursday evening. It was a sort of postponed neighbors’ night and some besides. The good traveling and pleasant evening brought a large number out, West Chelmsford Grange coming in auto barge and presenting “Precious pickle,” which has been in pickle ever since the rain blockade of several weeks ago, and was much enjoyed. Miss Lila Cole delighted those present with songs to the extent of recall, and Walter O’Neil and Julius Woessner, from Lowell, made a hit with piano and violin. Miss Ruth Turner, from the same city, gave a clever exemplification of recitation. She was new to Westford audiences, but it is hoped she will not remain so long away again. A supper was served by Westford Grange. The abiding thanks of the Grange are due Miss Grace Robinson and Miss Beatrice Sutherland for the efficiency of this evening and program.
Mr. and Mrs. Fred Wayne and daughter, of Jersey City, spent Thanksgiving with his father, John Wayne, at the old farm on the Boston road, near Nashobah hill. This is the first Thanksgiving in town for thirty years. He is an engineer on the Erie railroad, a position he has held for twenty-five years.
Christmas exercises for the children of the Unitarian Sunday school will be held at the vestry of the church on Saturday afternoon, December 23, at four o’clock. Plays, games, social chats and supper, all leading up to the Christmas tree at six o’clock. Everybody is welcome, young and old.
Amos Polley, of the Prairie farm, has developed a new type of dove, which he has named “Night Eyes,” on account of its proneness to travel nights and return for rest at daylight.
The next meeting of the Grange will be held at the town hall on next week Thursday evening. The meeting will be in charge of Joseph Wall deputy game warden. An address on game laws and fish laws, and game and fish protection will be given by Deputy Wall or some other state authority.
Mrs. Campbell, of Hudson, N.H., is visiting her father, Joseph E. Knight, and was present at the reception on Tuesday evening to Rev. and Mrs. Howard A. Lincoln.
Farm Bureau Formed. Amidst the rain-snowstorm about 200 interested people gathered at the town hall in old historic Concord on Tuesday afternoon in the interest of forming a farm bureau for Middlesex county. S. R. Parker, of Amherst Agricultural college, gave a detailed outline of its objects and expectations. This started cross-examination questions from various parts of the county, all being answered satisfactorily. A committee was nominated from the residents of the floor to bring in a list of two directors from each town and city in the county, of whom [one] shall belong to that other humanity known as female humanity. The following were appointed the searching committee for directors: John M. Keyes of Concord, Mrs. J. W. Belcher of Melrose, Joseph W. Ames of Littleton, Mrs. Leon P. Richardson of Pepperell, Mrs. C. L. Knapp of Stoneham, S. H. Tenney of Acton and S. L. Taylor of Westford; at the adjournment the committee chose S. L. Taylor as chairman and John M. Keyes of Concord as secretary. The next meeting of this committee will be held in the town hall in Concord on Saturday afternoon, December 30, at one o’clock. During this vacation the committee are open to receive suggestions and proposals for directors.
The next meeting of the farm bureau organization will be held in early January at the old stand in Concord, date to be given out. The fee for joining is $1, and the annual assessment is $1. The bureau includes household economics. Among those prominent in this movement is Mrs. James J. Storrow, of Boston, who was present and gave of her advice.
W.C.T.U. The W.C.T.U. stirred up interest against the liquor sale industry on Friday evening of last week by prize speaking at the town hall. There were six contestants. They were full of their subject, which was to prevent that fullness, “A destruction that wasteth at noonday,” or any other time of day or night. The silver medal was awarded to Miss Adelaide Hosmer, of Forge Village. The other contestants who received gold pins, inscribed “M.C.,” were Misses Elva Judd, Alice Wright, Helen Burland, Ruth Sargent, Rachel Kimball. The medals were presented by Rev. L. H. Buckshorn in an emphatic protest against the demoralization of rum and rural village hard cider selling. Mr. and Mrs. A. B. Carr, of Long-Sought pond, entertained with piano and violin to all shades of delight. Mrs. Janet Wright, the president of the union, presided with introductory remarks setting forth the efforts of the W.C.T.U. The judges were Rev. Howard A. Lincoln, Miss Alice Howard and Fred A. Snow.
The W.C.T.U. sent to the Settlement work in Boston the largest donation yet of vegetables and fruit for Thanksgiving. By the generosity of Perley E. Wright it was delivered in Boston free.
Forge Village. The Ladies’ Sewing circle held a successful supper and sale on Friday evening, December 8, followed by Balopticon views on the present war. Rev. W. M. Ford had charge of the entertainment.
The Ladies’ Sewing circle will meet on Thursday afternoon at the usual time. The Social club will meet in the evening.
Mr. and Mrs. Alvah Bicknell, of Somerville, and Mr. and Mrs. Thomas Fisher, of Lowell, were recent visitors here.
Mrs. Walter Brooks, of Brockton, is the guest of Mrs. H. Randall.
Miss Hilda Rose, of Millbury, has been the guest of the Misses Ward for the past few days.
Mr. and Mrs. George N. Goode have closed their camp [on Forge Pond] and are to spend the winter in New York.
Mrs. Chester Blodgett, of the Ridges, has been a recent visitor here.
A daughter was born on Monday to Mr. and Mrs. William Kelley.
W. H. Fernald, of Knopp’s farm, [Boston Rd., Groton,] received a telegram on last Sunday announcing the death of his oldest son, Anthony, in California.
The Stinchen family, Orchard street, have moved to Lowell.
Graniteville. The Ladies’ Aid society of the M.E. church met with Mrs. C. E. Eaton on Thursday after-noon.
M. J. Rafferty, of Cambridge, has been a recent visitor here.
Timothy Sullivan, with his two daughters, Misses Lillian and Nora, of Marlboro, have been recent guests of Mr. and Mrs. J. A. Healy.
Edward Buckingham, a well-known young man of this village, and Miss Hazel Moss, of Ayer, were united in marriage in Ayer on last Sunday afternoon at a brilliant church wedding that was attended by a large number of relatives and friends. After a brief honeymoon trip Mr. and Mrs. Buckingham will reside in Ayer.
The Epworth league of the Methodist church held a business meeting last Sunday evening and elected the following officers for the ensuing six months: Percy Barnes, pres.; Albert Day, Misses Lottie York, Lena Wilson and Alice Mae Gilson, vice pres.; Fred Smith, sec. and treas.
The Junior league held its prize attendance on last Sunday afternoon. Miss York is mobilizing the younger folks in the organization of bible study. Thirty-eight were present.
The Christmas tree entertainment will be held this year on Saturday evening, December 23, at the M.E. church.
Mrs. Maria Wall and Miss Rachel Wall have recently returned from a brief visit spent with friends in Fitchburg.
Mrs. James B. Healy, with her two children, Mary and Robert, are visiting with Mrs. Healy’s parents in Groton, to remain until after the holidays.
Both masses in St. Catherine’s church last Sunday morning were celebrated by Rev. Henry L. Scott, who gave interesting sermons appropriate to the day. At the first mass the members of the Holy Name society received holy communion in a body. In the afternoon, at three o’clock, about 150 women met in the church for the purpose of forming a ladies’ sodality. The meeting was addressed by the pastor, Rev. Charles P. Heaney, who gave an instructive sermon dwelling on the advantages of joining an organization of this kind, particularly the young people. All present signified their willingness to become members. The meeting was followed by the benediction of the blessed sacrament, the services being conducted by Rev. C. P. Heaney.
Clipping. The following is taken from the Manchester (N.H.) Union of recent date and may interest the readers of this column:
The home of Mr. and Mrs. Thomas Exley Taylor of Pine street presented this afternoon and evening (November 28) a splendid demonstration of good old New England hospitality, cheer and good fellowship, the occasion being the fiftieth wedding anniversary of Mr. and Mrs. Taylor.
As Mr. Taylor’s health during the past year has not been the best it did not seem expedient to set any special hour for the gathering and so instead they kept “open house.” All the afternoon and evening a steady stream of guests paid their respects to the jolly couple, extending their congratulations and best wishes for the future. Light refreshments were served and each one registered in the guest book before departing. Mr. and Mrs. Fred A. Carr, son-in-law and daughter, and Samuel L. Taylor, of Westford, Mass., brother of Mr. Taylor, assisted in the receiving. The couple were married November 28, 1866, in Lowell, Mass., where they resided for about ten years, going from there to Suncook. After living there but a short time they moved to North Haverhill, living there until twenty-two years ago, when they made Woodsville their home. They have had two children, James William, who met death by drowning at the age of fourteen years, and Mrs. Carrie M. Carr, with whom they make their home. They also have one granddaughter, Hazel Carr, now in training for a nurse in the Woman’s hospital at Concord.
Thomas Exley Taylor, or “Uncle Tommy,” as he is generally known, was born in Lowell, Mass., November 23, 1843, the fifth of a family of six children of William and Mary Exley Taylor, and is the only one living of the six. Of the three children by a second wife, but one survives, Samuel Law Taylor, of Westford, Mass., who was present at his brother’s celebration today. The father was a native of Scotland, and the mother of England. Mr. Taylor is a carpenter by trade, having been employed in the bridge department of the Boston and Maine railroad from 1884 to within about a year ago. He served nearly two years in the civil war, enlisting with the United States Signal Corps, Department of the Gulf, from Massachusetts.
He is a past post commander of the G.A.R., having served three years as post commander. He is a member of the Moosehillock, I.O.O.F. lodge, being a past noble grand, and has served as chaplain for the last ten years. He is a true Christian gentleman, and is an active member in the Woodsville Methodist church and Sabbath school.
Mrs. Taylor was born in Haverhill, in 1850, she being formerly Miss Mary Alice Glazier; her parents were James G. and Almira F. (Elliott) Glazier. Of the four children, two beside Mrs. Taylor are still living, Rev. B. J. Glazier of Northwood Narrows, N.H., and Mrs. Fred Aldrich of Center Haverhill, the latter being one of the guests today. Mrs. Taylor is an active and energetic worker in the Methodist Episcopal church, is a past president of the Ladies’ Aid society, and at present a member of the committee in charge of the parsonage. Primarily she is a home-maker, yet her beautiful and artistic work with embroidery needle and paint brush has won for her a reputation of somewhat more than local extent.
Although “no presents” was stipulated in the general invitation issued by Mr. and Mrs. Taylor, yet they were the recipients of a number of gifts which will be pleasant reminders of the day.
About Town. Hen thieves are still around and about at the Walker homestead on East Main street, as another donation of probation.
Samuel H. Balch has been appointed janitor of the Unitarian church.
Mr. and Mrs. Elmer Trull, of Westford Corner, residing at present in Lowell, are to build a home on the vacant lot next to the village church in West Chelmsford.
Albert E. Prescott, of Westford and Boston, has aroused the townspeople to sympathetic service in behalf of the French wounded soldiers. In the list of aids knitted together in town are 260 surgical dressings, 41 trench caps, 10 pairs of stockings, 7 mufflers to be sent to the New England Branch [of the Red Cross]. The work is still being industriously carried on. In money contributions, $46 was contributed. Of this sum Miss Keyes, of Concord, gave her lecture [fee] before the Tadmuck club, $5, and out of the treasury of the club $5 additional was given. Through the usual generosity of the Abbot Worsted Company, Julian A. Cameron, manager, they contributed thirty pounds of yarn and various sums were contributed by individuals. Aside from this Mrs. John C. Abbot is working for the Canadian soldiers, and has many assistants in Westford and Forge Village.
Ayer
Wedding. Miss Hazel Edrie Moss, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. William H. Moss, and Edward Counter Buckingham, of Graniteville, were married in St. Andrew’s church at 2:30 o’clock last Sunday afternoon by Rev. Williston M. Ford, the vicar, in the presence of a large number of relatives and friends. Miss Marion E. Young, of Ayer, acted as maid of honor, and Orril P. Moss, a brother of the bride, was best man. The double ring service was used. The bride was given away by her father.
The bride wore a blue traveling suit with a black picture hat and carried white roses. The maid of honor wore a blue traveling suit and red picture hat. She carried white roses. The ushers were Everett J. Fowler, Moyle James, Eugene Flagg, and Percy Fowler.
A reception was held at the home of the bride after the ceremony, during which refreshments were served.
The bride is a well-known young lady of this town, a graduate of the high school in the class of 1914. She later attended a Lowell Commercial school. After finishing her course she accepted a position as stenographer with the Sargent Machine Shop Company in Graniteville. The groom is foreman for the firm.
After a short wedding trip they will make their home with the bride’s parents on Faulkner street.