Turner's Public Spirit, November 26, 1921
A look back in time to a century ago
By Bob Oliphant
“Center. Misses S. C., L. B. and M. Atwood went last Saturday for their annual winter stay
in Florida, going again to Jacksonville.
“The Sherman H. Fletcher family and the Wayland F. Balch family went to Littleton to the
Edwin H. Curriers for Thanksgiving, making a family group of twelve. [The Balch’s daughter,
Lena, was the wife of Edwin Currier, and Wayland’s wife, Sarah Richardson Balch, was the sister
of Sherman Fletcher’s wife, Mary Richardson Fletcher.]
“Pleasant word comes from E. J. Whitney at Kissimmee, Fla., and being nicely located in a
furnished cottage with all conveniences, including front and back porches. With Mr. Whitney
and Mrs. Bartlett are Mr. and Mrs. Elliot Atwood, of Chelmsford.
“Rev. O. L. Brownsey, whose resignation from the pulpit of the Congregational church took
place on October 15, after a three-year pastorate, has accepted a call to Hill, N.H. He, with Mrs.
Brownsey, moved the first of the week to their new field of labor. They take with them the best
wishes of the Westford friends to their new home.
“The schools are having their usual Thanksgiving recess from Wednesday afternoon until
Monday, and the various out-of-town teachers returned to their homes for that time.
“Under the auspices of Westford Grange a group of eight ladies paid a visitation of
friendliness and good cheer to the soldiers’ convalescent home in Groton on Monday afternoon.
Edward Clement kindly furnished transportation in his Reo barge. They carried with them a fine
box of oranges contributed by the Grange and a handsome box of apples given by O. R. Spalding
and the ladies also carried jellies, candy, etc….
“The annual November supper of the Congregational church took place last Saturday evening
in the town hall. The attendance was good, about 125 enjoying the good menu of meat pies,
mashed potatoes, turnips, celery, relishes, rolls, ice cream, cake and coffee….
“‘The House and Garden’ magazine has been added to those regularly received at the J. V.
Fletcher library.
“The children’s books on exhibition during the children’s book week have been increased by
some recently purchased books. These will be placed on the table in the reading room so that
those who were unable to visit the library before will have a chance to see them. The lists of
children’s books for Christmas presents may still be obtained by those desiring them….
“About Town. At the meeting of the Grange on last week Thursday evening the following
officers were elected for the year 1922: Clifford Johnson, m.; Harry O. Hartford, o.; Fred
Robinson, stew.; Austin Fletcher, asst. stew.; Ruth Johnson, l.a.s.; Frederick A. Hanscom, chap.;
Ruth Sargent, lect.; Mrs. Aurilla Wright, sec.; A. H. Sutherland, treas.; Gladys Ingalls, Flora;
Alice Swanson, Ceres; Marion Fletcher, Pomona; Herbert Shea, g.k.; Frank C. Wright, en.
com….
“The adjourned special town meeting unanimously gathered Monday evening. There was a
large gathering for what proved to be a one article business. W. R. Taylor moved to ‘take from
the table’ the article relating to appropriating more money for schools. There were probably more
than 100 voters present and everyone took hold and helped to lift the article from the table and no
one’s back was lamed by lifting. After the pressure of lifting was over and everybody felt good
natured it was voted to appropriate by transfers from other departments of the town the sum of
$1250 for additional school purposes. It was the most love each other harmony meeting that we
ever recollect attending in town….
“Ninetieth Birthday. Mrs. Lucy Tolles Keyes quietly celebrated her ninetieth birthday on
November 18 at her home on Providence road…. Her mother and father both lived to be ninety-
eight years old and her twin brother lived to be over eighty years old. She married Otis Keyes
and lived in Harvard for six years and then came to Westford. She has always been a most loyal
member of the church and has belonged to the W.C.T.U., the Missionary society and the home
department of the Sunday school….
“Graniteville. The sewing club held their usual fine meeting at Abbot’s hall on Wednesday
evening with a large number in attendance.
“The Abbot Worsted soccer football club defeated the Arlington Mills team in Lawrence last
Saturday afternoon before a large crowd by the score of 2 to 0. This Saturday the Abbots will
meet the fast Gray & Davis club of Cambridge in the third round of the national cup series….
“Part of the mills of the Abbot Worsted Company have been running three evenings a week
during the past two weeks.”
For Westford Wardsman readings see “Bob Oliphant’s Westford Wardsman Podcast” at
youtube.com.
Clifford Johnson, newly elected Master of Westford Grange for 1922, lived at this home at 88 Chamberlin Road. Courtesy Photo / Westford Historical Society.