Class, Bnok. S^3 Kyyo^^^^--^ V/^^^6^^^ DOVER FARMS IN WHICH IS TRACED THE DEVELOPMENT OF THE TERRITORY FROM THE FIRST SET- TLEMENT IN 1640 TO 1900 By frank smith PRESIDENT DOVER HISTORICAL AND NATURAL HISTORY SOCIETY: VICE-PRESIDENT DEDHAM HISTORICAL SOCIETY; VICE- PRESIDENT BAY STATE HISTORICAL LEAGUE DOVER, MASSACHUSETTS PUBLISHED BY THE HISTORICAL AND NATURAL HISTORY SOCIETY 1914 '^L^O^^ PREFACE In these pages the task of "unfolding the scroll of time" has been attempted. Herein are presented many facts with which the present generation is unfamiliar, and unless now recorded would be lost for- ever. While the basis of this work rests upon the records of Norfolk and Suffolk counties, yet the material there obtained has been en- riched by many facts gathered through a period of thirty years from the older people of Dover, together with much of interest which has been accumulated through a wide correspondence with former resi- dents of the town. While the old social intercourse and mutual dependence of the country folks is now mostly gone, yet the suggestion of the life which has been lived here will touch, it is believed, something very deep in many hearts. "The sentiment that makes us linger over old-fashioned things is one of the most powerful in man. It knits the generations to each other, making it certain that the reverence of the young for the old will never die out of the world." From moulding relics and obscure traditions of other times something may be learned which shall not merely gratify curiosity. We believe it is well to have the life of a country town individually told before the change begins which is sure to come in the social and domestic relations of society. Now every settlement can be easily traced on a map of Dover. In recognition of the great debt of gratitude which we owe our forebears for their toil and patient sacrifice in the development of these farms, in making these roads, and in the building of the town's institutions, this volume, which aims to show the life they lived, is dedicated. The obligations of the author are due George E. Chicker- ing, the oldest resident of Dover, who patiently listened to the reading of these pages and whose accurate knowledge has helped to make clear many obscure points in the history of the town; to Walter P. Hender- son who lettered the accompanying map, and to the many residents who have contributed so generously to meet the expense of illustrating this volume. iii It is hoped that the large number of illustrations found in this volume will add to its interest and value. The plan has been to give (a) pictures of the different types of older houses now stand- ing in Dover; (b) a collection of the notable additions that have been made in recent years; (c) things of historical interest, like the town pound and the dam at Charles River; (d) some bits of beautiful scenery in old roads, springs, etc., which add so much to the attractiveness of the town as a place of permanent residence. IV ^ ^'T^ HERE is a quiet about the life of the farmer, and the hope of a 1 serene old age, that no other business or profession can promise. A professional man is doomed some time to iind that his powers are wanting. He is doomed to see younger and stronger men pass him in the race of life. He looks forward to an old age of intel- lectual mediocrity. He will be last where once he was the first. But the farmer goes as it were into partnership with nature — he lives with trees and flowers — he breathes the sweet air of the fields. There is no constant and frightful strain upon his mind. His nights are filled with sleep and rest. He watches his flocks and herds as they feed upon the green and sunny slopes. He hears the pleasant rain falling upon the waving corn, and the trees he planted in youth rustle above him as he plants others for the children yet to be." ^ 4. ^ "No town can have a great to-morrow if it fails to commemorate its yesterdays. We in America are frequently careless of the past. We are thinking of the future, and so frequently allow our children to grow up ignorant of the great personalities and great deeds that have made our towns and our nation. In ancient Rome, when a boy became of age he was carried into the great hall of the house, where stood the statues of his forefathers, and there in the presence of those memorials he was invested with the garments of manhood. I hope our historical societies will be able to carry in coming years hundreds of young men into the presence of great events and great leaders of the past, and thus give them that intelligent devotion to the common good, which will create leaders in coming days." ILLUSTRATIONS Portrait of Frank Smith Frontispiece Facing page The Boiling Spring, Springdale Avenue 2 On the Banks of Charles River. . 3 Residence of James C. Hopkins 8 The Pokanoket Club 9 Residence of Loren G. Du Bois 10 Group of Sassafras Trees, Farm Street 11 Residence of Dr. William T. Porter 12 Residence of Edward W. Grew 13 Residence of Charles F. Lyman 14 Residence of Philip Gardner . . 15 Residence of Ralph B. Williams 16 Residence of Mrs. George D. Everett 17 Cottage of Fred B. Rice 20 Residence of the late Robert S. Minot 21 Residence of Harry L. Rice .... 22 Residence of Walter Channing, Jr 23 Residence of Benjamin H. Dorr 24 Residence of James W. Austin. . 25 Residence of John C. Knowles . . 26 Residence of Irving Colburn ... 27 Residence of Corwin McDowell 30 Residence of Arthur E. Davis . . 31 The McGill House 34 The Smith House, Smith Street 35 Residence of Mrs. Roger N. Allen 40 Residence of Mrs. Allen E. Battelle 41 Residence of Charles S. Damrell 46 Residence of James McGill 47 vii Facing page Residence of Michael W. Comiskey 47 Residence of J. Grant Forbes . . 48 Residence of the late Elbridge L. Mann 49 Residence of Robert K. Rogers 50 Pine Grove, Centre Street 51 Residence of George H. Thomp- son 54 Residence of Allen F. Smith ... 55 Residence of Charles Dickens . . 58 The Josiah Draper House, Centre Street 59 Residence of Winthrop A. Harvey 60 The Norfolk Hunt Club 61 Dover Common 68 Doorway Whiting-Williams Tavern 69 Residence of Miss Juliet B. Higginson 70 Bungalow of Benjamin C. Tower 71 Residence of Augustin H. Parker 72 Residence of Dr. Francis B. Grinnell 7Z Residence of Frederic H. Curtiss 74 Farm of Miss Alice M. Richards 75 Residence of Philip C. Stanwood 76 The Calvin Richards House 1875 77 Residence of Hubbard C. Packard 78 Residence of Charles S. Bean . . 79 Residence of John Parkinson, Jr. 84 Residence of Richard H. Bond. . 85 The Clay Brook Road 88 Residence of Charles M. Belden 89 Residence of the late Benjamin N. Sawin 90 ILLUSTRATIONS Facing page Facing page Residence of Wm. Hewson The Tisdale Homestead, VVal- Baltzell 91 pole Street 113 Residence of Wm. Hewson Farm of Horatio Hathaway, Jr. 118 Baltzell 96 The Town Pound, Springdale Residence of George E. Chickcr- Avenue 119 ing 97 Brooklet, Centre Street 127 Residence of George D. Hall ... 112 Dam near Newell's Bridge 128 Map 152 Vlll DOVER FARMS The country wins me still : I never framed a wish, or formed a plan That flattered me with hope of earthly bliss, But there I laid the scene. — Cow per. HILE the town of Dedham was first settled in 1636, settlements were not generally made outside of the village until after King Philip's War, although a few residents had made their homes in what is now Dover previous to 1675. Much of the Dedham territory was conveyed to individuals in the first settlement of the town and grants of wood- land were made as early as 1644. Only two years later a free clay pit was opened in Dedham, and from the extensive use of this ma- terial by the early settlers one of the Dover brooks, — Clay brook — gets its name. On its banks brick was burned in the early settle- ment of Dover. "Dry herd-houses" where horses and cows not in milk and growing stock could be cared for during the summer, were early established. One of these houses, if we may trust tradition, was located as early as 1659 at Powissct, a location which is first referred to by name in 1662 in grants of land in the vicinity. As the Apostle Eliot tells us, this territory was a peculiar hunting ground of the Indians.* Over the plains and through the river valleys they chased the deer and the rabbit, and for many years arrow heads lost in the chase were turned out of the soil. As the Indians lived by hunting and fishing they did not use much planting ground, but on the plain of Powisset— Hathaway farm — they planted maize, beans, peas, and pumpkins, and on the farms on Charles river, of which the Davis estate on Glen street and the Smith farm on Smith street are good examples, they cured fish for winter use. The Natick •The Bronze Tablet on the Common was' dedicated to the memory of the Indians on January 31, 1912. DOVER FARMS Indians, of whom the Pegans were members, lived along Charles river. Noanet, a local chief, dweU in the beautiful Noanet valley and set his weirs in the water at the mouth of Noanet brook. To this region the Indian long made pilgrimages to gather herbs for medicines which the white settlers had taught him how to use. With increasing herds this territory was used as a pasture field by the Dedham settlers previous to 1650. About this time settlements were made by James Draper (1656) in the west part of the town, Daniel Morse (1656) just across the river in Sherborn, Andrew Dewing (165-) on Charles river, near South Natick, followed later by John Bacon, Thomas Battle, Eleazer Ellis, and Nathaniel Chickering. Enterprising citizens among the Dedham settlers kept extending their borders westward, and early in the development of this territory we read of "David Wight's field," "Ralph Day's field," etc., which were probably the beginning of their family settlements in Dover. In this way farms were cleared in different parts of Dedham. The name, which was later given to this parish, is first spoken of in a grant of land in 1687 to Richard Ellis "at ye place called Spring- field." In 1732 the Dedham tax list was made up by parishes for the first time, and it is assumed that those who were assessed a poll tax in the Springfield Parish were living here at the time. It is deeply interesting to trace the development of Dover, and to locate the past as well as present residents, as each ancient site or dwelling has a story of its own. While many other persons owned land in the Springfield Parish the residents in 1732 were as follows: — Aaron Allen Benjamin Allen Eleazer Allen Hezekiah Allen Jonathan Battle, Jr. Nathaniel Battle John Bacon, Jr. John Bullard Michael Bacon Jonathan Bullard Nathaniel Bullard Elephalet Chickering Nathaniel Chickering Samuel Chickering John Draper, Jr. Joseph Draper Ralph Day Benjamin Ellis Eleazer Ellis Caleb Ellis The Spring, Springdale Avenue, from zvhich nu- Spnngneia Parish took its na?ne ■-l '3 DOVER FARMS Joshua Ellis Josiah Ellis Ebenezer Knapp Samuel Leach Seth Mason Jonathan Mason Seth Morse Ebenezer Robinson David Wight Jonathan Whiting Nathaniel Wilson Josiah Fisher Some of the land was called "common rights land," as the Dedham settlers adopted the Aryan custom of herding on common lands. In summer time cattle were cared for in the Colony by cow keepers, who were appointed for this work. In early transfers of real estate "cow common rights" were frequently spoken of in this parish. These homes were old fashioned New England country home- steads, which from the first settlement were scattered over the entire territory.* A few of these farmsf have remained in the hands of lineal descendants to the present time. Some of the houses still con- tain all those articles of ancient furniture which are so much sought to-day. All of these early homes had what is now so rapidly dis- appearing, the front yard, an idea brought over from Old England. These yards were fenced in and were the special domain of the women, and were kept and tended by them. Flowers were planted on either side of the path, leading up to the front door, which was used only on occasions of more or less ceremony. With the lapse of time many of the ideas and customs of the mother country have passed away, but "Time and distance never lessen the interest of a true child in the flowers that bloom in the garden where his mother walked and his father toiled." Every house had its tall old-fashioned clock, which ticked away the passing time. Many clocks are found in homes to-day, which have struck the hours for a century and a half, and bid fair to do so for as many years to come. ♦Dedham originally had fonr parishes: First Parish, Dedham Centre; Second Parish. Norwood; Third Parish, Westwood; Fourth or Springfield Parish, Dover. tChicltering farm, Haven street; and Wilson farm, Wilsondale street. DOVER FARMS "Like visions in a magic glass, They see the generations pass." We know of no other town where so few houses show "the gnaw- ing tooth of time." Wherever a farm is now found, among the beautiful estates which have been developed in recent years, it is well kept with indications of thrift and prosperity. At first there was no travel save on foot, so the first settlers were literally "footers" who followed Indian trails. So long as the residents of the territory walked from place to place the matter of roads did not bother them, neither was it a serious question so long as they rode on horseback, but when wheeled vehicles came into use the rude cartways had to give place to highways, which made easier traveling than bridle paths and so in the course of time some of these trails and bridle paths were developed into thoroughfares over which the most modern con- veyances, the automobile, the bicycle, and trolley cars now pass. A reference is found in the Dedham Records in 1669 to "the Indian path from Natick to Dedham," which must have passed through Dover. In the history of our roads we trace the development of the town. "All creative action," says Horace Bushnell, "whether in govern- ment, industry, thought or religion, creates roads." Surely it is no idle task to locate and tell the story of these homes for future generations, because they represent so much in the past life of this community; a tale which, if fully told, would touch in many ways the national growth and development of our country. "The old gives place to the new, but something of the charm and value of the new is in the inheritance we derive from the former things." The early settlers were pioneers, and their lot was a hard one, even in Dedham. To build the first shelter in a new country is no easy task even to-day, but much more difficult a hundred and fifty years ago. These settlers were not only farmers but wood cutters as well. Ship timber was in demand and was sold in large quantities at Boston. Labor was incessant from one year's end to the other. With an ox team the farmer broke up the cleared field in the spring, and in the fall hauled away the rocks and stones with which to build stone walls. They were schooled through the hard 4 DOVER FARMS experiences of their daily lives, to improve their condition by un- remitting industry and frugality. Necessity forced them to husband every resource which the farm afforded and led to an intelligent administration of their affairs. Increased prosperity was always marked by the improvement in farm buildings. A successful farmer always had a neat and attractive house. The custom did not prevail here of building small houses and large barns, as it did in the northern New England states. These farmers, in establishing their homes, were often married in homespun with home-knit blue yarn stockings. They brought their wives home on horseback, riding before them on the pillion, as carriage roads were of later develop- ment. The best table cloth and towels had been woven by the hand of the bride from flax grown in her father's garden, while the patch- work quilts and comforters proved her industry with the needle. When, in brown home-spun petticoats, the children had been taught to pick up chips and trained almost from their infancy to some useful work, they had manual training, but nobody called it by that name. What stories the children of past generations used to hear, rivalling those in Whittier's "Snow Bound," of the Indian life on their farm at South Natick; of their hunting, fishing, and attempts at farming; of the roses which bloomed beside their doors and the flowers and plants they grew for medicines. The stories told of the hardships and dangers of their ancestors in King Philip's War and in the French and Indian Wars were of absorbing interest. There were soldiers of the Revolution living to tell stories of that great struggle as they gathered in the Williams tavern, as late as 1837. In the War of 1812 many Dover farmers were engaged in teaming between Boston, New York and Philadelphia, and their experiences on the road were often related around the fireside on long winter evenings. This was an age of sociability, and the farmers frequently met at one another's homes for amusement and social intercourse. In this pioneer life there was little need of money, except in pay- ing taxes, as the farmer got his fuel, food and clothing by his own skill and labor. The few things needed for the household could be had in exchange for butter and eggs at the "West India goods store." The flock of sheep furnished wool for the family, and the garden flax DOVER FARMS tended by the busy housewife provided linen for their wear. Cord- wainers went from house to house and were truly "skilled workmen" in their handicraft. This trade was very common; at the time of the Revolution, there were five or six of the most prominent residents who followed this occupation in connection with farming in the Springfield Parish. Pigs were kept in large numbers in the early settlement of the town, and were always watching for a chance to break out and roam about, rooting up the gardens and pastures, so hogreeves were appointed to see that the pigs were properly yoked and had rings in their noses. In the early times pigs had to be guarded from the bears who were very fond of pig flesh, especially when it was butchered by themselves. The amusing incident is re- called of a hogreeve who one day was making some repairs on the Dover Meeting-house. A pig was roaming at large near by, when a Harvard student, who was said to "feel his oats," chancing to pass by entered a complaint. The hogreeve saw how hopeless it would be for him to attempt to catch the pig alone, and so he pressed the young man into the service as a deputy. Through the heat and dust of a summer day they chased the pig over walls, under fences and through the fields, until the pig was captured through sheer exhaus- tion and the student went his way a wiser man. A little wheat was raised on these early farms, which was highly prized by the family, but the staples were Indian corn, rye, oats and barley. The wheat was ground and sifted into several grades at the nearest mill.* Vegetables were raised with two purposes in view; namely, the family and the cattle. In winter a "beef critter" was slaughtered, and much of the meat was frozen and eaten fresh, while the remainder was salted down for the "biled dinner." A year's supply of salt pork and lard was put in. This food supply was supplemented during the year with the flesh of fowls raised on the farm. Before the build- ing of dams on Charles river there were fording places where farmers gathered in the spring of the year large quantities of salmon, shad and herring. Such a fording place existed in the west part of the town, above Farm bridge, near where Mr. Minot's boat house stands. •South Acton, Mass. DOVER FARMS The Dover farmers were an intelligent, happy, contented class, meet- ing the poet's contention: Happy the man whose wish and care A few paternal acres bound. Content to breathe his native air On his own ground : Whose herds with milk, whose fields with bread, Whose flocks supply him with attire, Whose trees in summer yield him shade, In winter fire. ^ ^ ^ FARM STREET extends from the Medtield line on the south to Springdale park, on the north, and is the second oldest road in town.* This street as at present laid out, forms only a part of the original layout, which followed Indian trails and extended from Medfield to the Indian settlement at South Natick including Farm, Main, and Pleasant streets. In the early time this road went around by the picturesque Polka rock (on the farm of George Battelle) which was called for a man by that name, of whom it is remembered, that amid the superstitions of the age he thought he saw his Satanic Majesty as he was riding on horseback by this secluded spot. The location has long been looked upon as one in which treasures are hid, but why anyone should go so far inland to hide treasures has never been told; however, there has been at times unmistakable evidence of considerable digging in the immediate vicinity of this rock. On the abandoned part of this road James Draper had his estate, which was the beginning of farm settlements in the west part of Dover. This was the first road named in town. More than thirty years ago John Battelle had a board placed on the walnut tree in the Barber pasture, near the junction of Farm and Bridge streets, bearing the name Farm street, which was later adopted by the town. To get a clear idea of the origin and development of Dover roads one must remember that they were primarily developed by the *No attempt has been made to include all houses to date. It Is believed, however, that every settlement previous to 1900, together with a notice of many additions in recent years, has been described in these pages. DOVER FARMS Dedham settlers for the purpose of reaching this territory, and the Indian settlement beyond. The oldest road in town is the one which led from Dedham to South Natick, and was made up wholly or in pa^-t of the following streets: Wilsondale street; Strawberry Hill street; Dedham street; Cross street; Centre street; and the Clay Brook road. When the residents in later years commenced to develop Dover roads it was with an eye singly to Boston, which was the centre of all trade for their .ship timber, bark, wood, charcoal, corn, rye and pork. OBED HARTSHORN'S* farm was settled at the time of his marriage in 1790. The site on which the first house was built is said to have been purchased from James Arcules, a colored man. Obed Hart.shorn married Sarah, daughter of Jonathan Wight, and the larger part of his farm belonged to the Wight estate which origin- ally covered a large area, including much land in Medfield and Dover. Mr. Hartshorn was a blacksmith and carried on this im- portant trade in connection with his farm. The blacksmith shop remained standing until recent years. It stood on the west side of the road south of the barn. In the early days of our country it was the scene of many a neighborhood di.scussion of vital and important questions, as has always been the habit of Yankees wherever as- sembled. With the flight of time new modes of thought, feelings and habits have arisen with the people of the town. The remarkable healthfulness of Dover as a place of permanent residence is illus- trated by the longevityf of this family. Mr. Hartshorn died in his 82nd year, while Mrs. Hartshorn lived to be 99 years, 4 months and 19 days. Of their children,- — who continued to dwell on the ances- tral farm, — Obed lived to be 78 years old, while Sally his sister died in her 85th year. Stillman J. Spear established a printing business here, which he later moved to Medfield. The original house on this *The names of the original settlers on the old farms are given in capitals thi'oughout this work. tOn the Allen farm on Centre street, Mrs. Eleazer Allen, Jr., lived to be 98 years old, while John A. Newell, who lived on an adjoining farm (Harvey- estate), died at the advanced age of 91 years. In every section of the town scores of people have lived to an advanced age. 8 "^ JDOVER FARMS estate, since its purchase by James C. Hopkins, has been moved to Junction street. Mr. Hopkins has erected here, not far from the site of the lirst homestead, a most picturesque and charming house. — Obed Hartshorn, Jr.* JOHN PEPPELOW'S house lot is marked by the noble elms on Mr. Welch's place. The house was very old when removed in 1869. John Peppelow lirst appeared in Dedham in 1761, and the next year sold land on Farm street to John Cheney. It is believed that he soon after built his house here. His name appears in a list of persons who attended Baptist meetings in Mediield in 1771, but there is no evidence that he ever resided in that town. He was living Here as late as 1792. Mr. Peppelow represented a class of men who were very common in the olden time when additional laborers were needed on every farm in the busy season of the year. This irregular employment yielded an uncertain and scant living, which was eked out by the cultivation of a little land and by chopping a little wood. This class entirely disappeared from the town soon after the close of the Civil War, and their little houses have also disappeared. They have escaped, however, "the poverty that waited upon irregular employment and the town is relieved of a class that always was on the verge of destitution." William T. Welch's house was built in 1858 by JOHN W. SHUMWAY, who was a carpenter by trade. He abandoned his trade in 1867 and took a position in the Rhode Island Reform School. Mr. Shumway was a good sportsman and with John Battelle, Albert L. Smith, and Abraham Bigelow, kept his fox hound. These fol- lowers of the hound used to have good hunting in the winter time for foxes and white rabbits. Davis C. Mills of Needham and Orin Wight of Medfield often joined them, and when their dogs packed, as they sometimes would, it was the music of the age. The dogs of 1850 were far superior to the fox hounds of to-day. Abraham Bige- low trapped and shot otters, mink, and musk-rats in the fall and *The names preceded by the dash are of individuals connected with th« history of the town, but not otherwise mentioned. 9 DOVER FARMS winter seasons with great success ; he used to set traps down the river as far as Charles River Village, and it is remembered that one night he caught forty-seven musk-rats. He once killed at one shot two minks and fourteen musk-rats that were sunning on a hassock. Mr. Bigelow was a good shot and the leading hunter in the town. Soon after Mr. Shumway's removal the place went into other hands, and in the years that have passed it has had many owners, most of whom have had but a transient residence here. JOHN SHUMWAY, SENIOR, married in 1813 a daughter of Amos Wight, and the tract of land on which he built (Pokanoket Club)* was originally a part of his father-in-law's estate. He came here from Killingly, Conn., and erected the first buildings on this farm the year of his marriage. Mr Shumway was a descendant of the French Huguenots, and was the first person, not of English descent, to permanently settle in Dover. In the spring of the year the wood pile was always in evidence here. In the winter when the ground was covered with snow Mr. Shumway sledded up, as did other farmers of the town, great piles of wood and logs, which were worked up as spring approached. The oak and hickory, with pine wood for kindlings, were carefully housed for winter use in the adjoin- ing woodshed, while black alder and witch hazel were cut up for summer use. The beetle and wedges were called into frequent use in working up apple-tree and other hard woods which developed the back and muscles of many a country boy. The splitting log and chopping block had seen long service and daily, as soon as the school closed in the spring, had a boy behind each one. The original barn on this farm was moved from the Perry estate in Medfield, but was burned some years since.— Amos W. Shumway, Amos W. Shumway, Jr.f *The Pokanoket Club House is surrounded by extensive grounds of more than a hundred acres, with a tennis court and ball Held. While a goodly number of young men make their permanent home here, the club has drawn others until it has a considerable outside membership. tin the years before the establishment of Beef Trusts there were local butchers in this and surrounding towns who did their own slaughtering. In the years that have passed slaughter houses have been located on the farm* of Amos W Shumway and George Battelle, on Farm street; Draper Smith, 10 ^ ^ ^ -e^i !] O DOVER FARMS WALTER P. HENDERSON built in 1907, for his own occupancy, an attractive cottage, which is located in the northwesterly part of the apple orchard where John Shumway planted his Peck's pleasar>ts, Rhode Island greenings, Williams apples, early and late Sops-ot- wine, and Orange sweetings. Mr. Henderson's house well illustrates what architecture can do in producing inexpensive modern homes. AMOS WIGHT settled in Dover on the farm owned by his great- grandson, George Battelle, at the time of his marriage in 1790. This farm was for many years the scene of much activity. Jonathan Battelle, Jr., had a store here, which supplied the surrounding country with West India goods; he carried on in connection a beef and pork packing business. The set of copper liquid measures used by Mr. Battelle in his store are still in excellent preservation, together with many other home and farm articles which are of great interest to the present generation. Oliver Clifford and Joseph A. Smith succeeded Mr. Battelle in the slaughtering business. Later this activity in business was kept up by George Battelle, who carried on for some years a flourishing trade in grain and farm supplies in connection with his farm. Mr. Battelle started in this business as the purchasing agent of the Dover Grange. John Battelle had here what was so common on early farms, the fenced-in vegetable garden, which was protected from intruding cattle. Here, year after year, asparagus and rhubarb were gathered in the spring, here the low bush bean and the pole bean were planted, here tomatoes, squashes, melons and cucumbers grew, and in carefully prepared beds were sown lettuce, radishes, on Smith street; John Reed, on Dedham street; Hezeklah Allen, on Pegan street; John Chickering, on Haven street; Jabez Baker, on Dedham street; Elbrldge L. Mann, on Main street, and Calvin Richards, on Strawberry hill. Before the decline of this business, butchers' carts were driven Into Dover from Medfield, Natick and Needham, to supply the inhabitants with meat. Aaron Bacon and Benjamin N. Sawin engaged in pig killing, and went, at the call of farmers, from house to house in the slaughtering season. They carried with them the scalding tub and the paraphernalia required by the business. Messrs. Bacon and Sawin were succeeded by John McClure, who engaged in this business for several years. Fish carts irregularly visited the town, as sales depended entirely upon the supply in the market. If fish was high, it did not find a sale among the farmers of the town. Some carts were well supplied, in the season, with pineapples, lemons, cocoanuts and other tropical fruits; in fact this was the only source of supply for these things. 11 DOVER FARMS beets, onions, turnip, peppers, parsnips and strawberry tomatoes. In a corner of the garden grew the fragrant herbs, sage and thyme, which were used for seasoning purposes, while pear and peach trees were planted around the outer edges. Here were grown on enormous cherry trees the luscious black heart cherries which were known to every boy in the neighborhood. The present homestead has been recently divided and the house which was built in 1813 remodeled after the southern colonial style by its present owner, L. G. DuBois, who has named it Westerham. GEORGE BATTELLE has recently built two houses on the northerly part of the original farm, one of which is occupied by him- self and the other by his son, Winfred W. Battelle. The house on the hill, used by farm help, was constructed from the ell of the old house, which was moved to its present position a few years since. The uni- versal law of supply and demand as regulating the price of com- modities is well illustrated by an entry in Amos Wight's ledger made in 1791,* when beef was sold at 2^d. a pound and tallow at 6d. Beef was not largely used, while tallow was in great demand for candles. Dr. William T. Porter's house was built by JOSEPH A. SMITH in 1844. At this time Mr. Smith was in the provision business, with carts on the road, His place of business was located on his father's farm, on Smith street, where a slaughter house and such other build- ings as the business demanded were erected. Here Abraham Bigelow, in the years preceding the Civil War, engaged with his sons in the manufacture of shoes.f A little shop was built which adjoined the ♦The price of different articles at this time, was as follows: Mutton, 3d. a pound; veal, 2i^d.; lamb, 2i4d.; cheese, Ti^d.; potatoes, 14d. a bushel; beans, 6s.; corn, 4s.; cider, 5s. a barrel; sheepskins, 3s.; a day's work, 3s.; oak wood, per cord, 12s.; use of a yoke of oxen per day, Is. 6d.; horse to Boston, 4s. 2d.; horse to Framingham, (12m.), 3s.; horse to Needham, Is. tAmong those who engaged at this time in making shoes In little shops, or improvised quarters, may be mentioned Frederick H. Wight, Leonard Draper, HoUis Mann, Rufus Campbell, David E. Allen. John M. Brown, John Q. A. Nichols, John Adams, Silas Bacon, Harrison Hooker, James Chlcker- ing, Frank Bigelow, George Markham, Henry Goulding, Timothy Guy and Eleazer A. Battelle. 12 ^ V ^ DOVER FARMS barn. The prepared stock was procured from the manfacturers at Natick, where it had been cut out by pattern, the seams closed, and then put out to have the soles pegged on, the heels nailed, and the boot or shoe otherwise finished ready for the market. As Mrs. Abraham Bigelow had reared a large family of children, she was often consulted in cases of family illness, and her timely suggestions and good advice were greatly appreciated by mothers of less experience. Families used a good deal of common sense and some home remedies before driving, perhaps at night in the midst of winter, five miles for the nearest doctor. — George Bigelow. JOSEPH A. COPELAND bought in 1866 the store of Noah A. Fiske, where he sold for many years groceries* and New England rum to the residents of the vicinity. Farmers a hundred and twenty-five years ago were given to barter, as there was but little money in cir- culation. Continental money became valueless and large tracts of real estate were lost to owners through sales in which continental money was received in payment. "Not worth a continental" was a saying that had a deep significance to the people of this town. It is said that Boston was in 1779 "on the verge of starvation; money transac- tions had nearly ceased and business was done by barter." Mr. Cope- land converted the store into a dwelling house. Since its purchase a few years ago by Dr. William T. Porter the house has been greatly improved. EDWARD W. GREW built in 1907, on a tract of land,t which ♦After the establishment, In 1817, of Balch's bakery in Medfleld, bread and cake were on sale at Dover stores. Later a baker's cart passed through the town for many years, on Wednesday and Saturday. Carts from Dedham and Natick also served the centre of the town. With the exten- sion of cooking stoves, the use of prepared yeast, and the cheapne. ■■ -" - i :0 . -^'.■'- ■ /:'■ DOVER FARMS It sometimes happened, however, at this date that the snow banks still lingered against the stone-walls. In the early time one cow in every herd wore a bell, the tinkling of which enabled the farmer to locate his herd; unruly cows wore a poke, which prevented them from breaking down fences. Animals have been greatly changed and improved by breeding. In 1710 Doctor Davenant, a writer on political economy, estimated that the average weight of dressed cattle did not exceed 370 pounds. In 1846 McCullock stated that at present the average weight of cattle is estimated at or about 800 pounds. — Fisher Allen, Noah A. Fiske, Alonzo Went worth. ^ 4" 4* MAIN STREET extends north from Springdale avenue to Dover street. It was in the early time a continuation of Farm street to Pleasant street. Over a part of this road vehicles have rolled for more than a hundred and lifty years. Before 1812, two-wheeled carriages, chaises and chairs were wholly used, and pre- vious to the Revolution, the inventory of many estates contained only "the bridle, saddle and pillion." In the evolution of things the saddle, pillion and chaise gave way to the "carryall," which as its name indicates, was used for the accommodation of the whole family, especially on Sunday, when a succession of carryalls rolled up to the meeting-house door, which not only filled the pews with wor- shipers, but the long rows of sheds with horses and carriages. On pleasant Sundays many teams, failing to find shed accommodation, were hitched to trees. The early Dover farmers, being much on the road in carting wood and timber to Boston, became early patrons of the playhouses which sprung up in Boston, after the Revolution. It is said that there was no serious attempt to have a play in Boston previous to 1750, as there was a strong feeling against having plays performed. The British introduced plays in Boston and presented a play in Faneuil hall entitled "The Blockade in Boston in January, 1776." A burlesque was played on this when the Yankees again got control of the city. In 1794 the Federal Street Theatre was built, which was afterwards called the Boston Theatre, and from that time on the theatre has been a favorite resort for recreation. From the crowded condition of affairs farmers often got into trouble 41 DOVER FARMS around the hay and wood stands, and the Mayor sometimes came round to straighten matters out. On one occasion a Dover farmer accosted the Mayor with "who are you that feels so big, talks so loud and shows so much authority," for which he was brought into court. Main street, at the base of Pegan hill, has several of the most beautiful farms in town. The head of this street was called for many years "Battle row," in honor of the numerous descendents of John Battle* who lived here. JOHN CHENEY owned the farm, now occupied by the heirs of Wm. H. Skimmings, previous to 1748. Mr. Cheney sold this estate in 1762 to Jesse Knapp and moved to Warwick, Mass. Mr Knapp was a blacksmith and followed his trade here. In the years before the day of the telephone and the automobile those who lived on these old farms developed great power of disease resistance; they "were strong and healthy and independent." Before 1790 the people did not have the doctor habit, and it is interesting to note how few doctors' bills appear in adminstrators' accounts. Large families of children were carried through epidemics of scarlet fever, measles and other skin diseases without calling a doctor. The prevailing disease of which people died was "family consumption," which was not inherited but caught from the germs in cracks and walls which remained through the years to infect the occupants. For a few years previous to 1906 the Skimmings family had a little grocery store here. — Ebenezer Wilkinson, Jared Allen. JAMES H. WIGHT built in 1846 the house now owned by Miss Mary Grace. Here Linus Bliss, merchant and cigar manufacturer, lived. There existed in New England for many years a class of traders known as "wholesale peddlers," who travelled over the country with large stock wagons. Soon after the close of the Civil War, commerical travellers, or drummers, appeared, who in time drove this practice entirely off the road. Linus Bliss supported one of these teams, which was engaged in the wholesale cigar busi- ♦This name was spelled both "Battle," "Battell" and "Battelle," by tha first settlers. The present family spelling Is here given. 42 DOVER FARMS ness. He had a fine wagon, neatly painted and shining with varnish, which was drawn by a pair of horses over the surrounding country, but which is not now remembered by those under middle age. — Charles H. Smith. James H. Wight's carpenter's shop, which faced on Springdale avenue, was re-modeled into a store and dwelling house about 1850 for A. L. DERBY. It was later owned by Micajah S. Plum- mer, who continued the grocery business previously established. Later George E. Bliss manufactured cigars here. William Bigelow built a boot shop, which was converted in- to a double dwelling house and occupied for many years by Eleazer Newell and HARRY ORCUTT, the village blacksmith. This tenement was later burned, with other buildings in the vicinity. Here was carried on the manufacture of calf and kip boots by Lawrence Derby, Martin Derby and John Q. A. Nichols, who were in company. In this shop shoes were made in the crude hand way; with awl, bristle, thread, lapstone and hammer, as they had been from time immemorial. Machinery has made the manufacture of shoes one of the most important of the industries of the United States. A single shoe now passes through over a hundred and six different hands and sixty machines in the process of manufacture. Linus Bliss purchased the property now included in Springdale park and moved his cigar shop to this area. He soon raised the blacksmith's shop, which had been converted into a house for WILLIAM BIGELOW, and put a store beneath, where he con- ducted a successful grocery and dry goods business for many years. In the course of time, however, all the buildings located on the area of Springdale park were destroyed by fire. It is an interesting fact that the two centers most thickly settled, and having the largest busi- ness interest in the town, (Bliss' corner, and the manufacturing Note. — Springdale park comprises a triangle on which was located the early blacksmith's shop of Jesse Knapp, Silas Bacon, Ebenezer Wilkinson and Calvin Bigelow; here were also located several shops, stores and houses. 43 DOVER FARMS plants at Charles River*), have both entirely disappeared. The Bacon Brothers, (Albert and Edward Bacon) were the last to occupy this store. The Rev. Allen E. Battelle's farm was originally a part of the estate of Josiah Battelle and was owned by his father, SHERMAN BATTELLE, who built the house here in 1817. Several of the farms at the foot of Pegan hill were deeded by the Indians. The Battelle pasture on Pegan hill was deeded to John Battelle by Eunice Spywood as late as 1763. The Rev. Allen E. Battelle was deeply interested in Dover and took a just pride in his residence. In the adjoining grove, social gatherings in connection with the Springdale Baptist Church were sometimes held. Miss Marietta Bailey's house was built by her grandfather, Sher- man Battelle, in 1849, for his son-in-law the REV. TIMOTHY BAILEY. The place is of interest, as a part of the original John Battle settlement of more than two hundred years ago. Daniel Mann 2nd occupied a house, a part of which once stood where Miss Bailey's house now stands. It belonged to Miss Zellah Allen, a granddaughter of Hezekiah Allen of Pegan hill. Miss Allen never forgot a favor, and it is still remembered of her that no one ever gave her anything without getting something of value in return. Miss Allen believed in fresh air quite in contrast with the prevailing custom, when, even in the hottest summer weather, people slept with clo.sed windows, as it was thought dangerous to breathe "night air." Miss Allen would not allow any plastering in her little house, as she did not want to keep the fresh air out. LEONARD GAY bought this house in 1840, and moved it to its present location. With additions he converted it into a comfortable dwelling house, where he lived for many years. JOHN Q. A. NICHOLS built the house now owned by Frank H. Winchenbach in 1856. Here Mr. Nichols made boots for a time. ♦Formerly called Dover Mills. 44 DOVER FARMS He later moved to Elmira, New York, where he formed a partnership with A. L. Derby, formerly of Dover, and engaged in the manufacture of boots. — Henry J. Winchenbach. Charles S. Damrell's estate, which he has named "Peganhurst," was originally the farm of JOSIAH BATTELLE, JR., who built the house in 1812. The ell of this house is said to have been the original John Battelle house, which was built in 1678. Josiah Battelle, Jr., moved it from his father's place (Farrington farm), on the opposite side of the road, and made it a part of his house. The country dances held in this old kitchen are still talked about. Mr. Battelle was a whip-maker and his little shop is still found in the group of buildings. This land belonged originally to John Battelle's estate, and for beauty of location is unsurpassed in eastern Massachusetts. — Henry Horton. John S. Damrell lived in a house which was built by ALPHEUS H. ELLIS in 1850, for his mother and stepfather, Josiah Battelle. Mr. Battelle was, for many years, a manufacturer of whips and took apprentices into his family, as was the custom of the day, whom he taught his trade in return for their services. At twenty-one years of age he gave each apprentice a hundred dollars and a freedom suit of clothes. The apprentice system, in vogue a century ago, did not pre- vail here to any extent, as there were so few who had trades or engaged in a large way in any kind of manufacturing. William A. McNamara owns the Farrington farm, which is one of the oldest farms in Dover. It originally belonged to JOHN BAT- TELLE, son of Thomas Battelle, the emigrant, who was an early settler on the Clay Brook road. Mr. Battelle settled here in 1678, and gave this farm to his eldest son, John, in 1710. In his will it is spoken of as "near the place called Natick — on the west side of the Great brook, with the house and buildings." The old house on this farm, a good specimen of an early Colonial house, was burned in 1900, and the present house was built in 1910. Astrology had a strong hold on the people in these old homes until the beginning of the nineteenth century, as shown by the books that were hawked about the country 45 DOVER FARMS by book peddlers, which claimed to treat of the "Wisdom of the Ancients." Farmers, as late as the Centennial year — 1876 — consulted the "Man of the Signs" before performing farm surgery on their domestic animals. Each sign of the zodiac was believed to "govern an organ or part of the body, and in selecting a day to treat any ail- ment in man or beast, or even to let blood, it was necessary to know whether the moon was, or was not, in that sign." Farmers were gov- erned by the moon in killing their winter pork or beef, that "it might increase while cooking;" farmers went a-fi.shing when the sign was in the belly; then it was believed fish would bite; firewood was cut by the moon to prevent snapping; wheat was sown in the right quarter to prevent smutting, and bushes were cut at those times when the influ- ence of the moon was most likely to kill them. Quack doctors rode over the country selling their cure-alls; the last of these was Dr. Quinn, who went from house to house selling his family medicines and for some years visited the town every few months. — John Battelle, Josiah Battelle, Benjamin Farrington. RUFUS CAMPBELL settled in Dover more than half a century ago, and built the house in 1849 owned by the late Asa S. Bean. Here the widow of John M. Brown, who died in the army at Yorktown, Va., in 1862, resided with her family for many years. The custom pre- vailed for many years among the farmers of the town of "deaconing" in a moderate way everything that was put up for the market. In packing apples the best fruit was put at the top and bottom of the barrel, while that of less desirable quality found a place in the middle of the barrel. In this way customers found the fruit of desirable quality whether the barrel was opened at the top or bottom. This practice, we believe, has entirely disappeared. ALONZO HOWE lived in Dover for some years, and followed the trade of a carpenter. He purchased, in 1840, twelve acres of land of Hiram W. Jones, on which he built the house occupied by the late Henry R. Stevens. — Stephen Jones. SILAS BACON'S farm is marked by the old house on the Stevens 46 Cj "^ a; ■> 1 ^^^' V'M • i'ij*^ ~, ill ' "■ '"•;■ .. ■ ■■•'^.;'-"".-W ■■'■ '^^^^^n^ ^m 'WS^*' ^--y^. " ' - ■•■•■«~^ ' ^ ,, |-f >l^ v^ ' - DOVER FARMS estate. This farm was settled and the present house built in 1787. Here Aunt Fanny Bacon, the tailoress of the town, who went from house to house, lived in her humble way, and did a fine service. On these old farms in the spring of the year the farmers often made quan- tities of fagots, which in the day of brick ovens, found a ready sale in Boston. This was the home where Francis Bacon lived and reared his family. James G. Mann's house stands on the site of Silas Bacon's black- smith shop. A century ago there was great demand for the services of the blacksmith, and twenty-one shops have been located in different parts of the town.* The blacksmith had quite as many oxen to shoe as horses, and quite as much of the fitting of iron to woodwork, in building wagons and making farming tools as anything else. In the spring the point had to be sharpened for the wooden plow. The first house on this place was built by WILLIAM A. HOWE, and was destroyed by fire some years ago. Here Mr. Howe carried on the business of manufacturing shoe filling for many years, which gave employment to quite a number of persons. MARTIN BACON built in 1845 the house where his son, the late Silas Bacon, lived. The land was originally a part of the Bacon homestead, and as such it is of interest, as the Bacon family was among the early settlers of the town. W. & A. Bacon, the old-time dry goods merchants of Roxbur}% are direct descendants of the Dover family. It is an interesting fact that the Bacon School in Roxbury was named for this family. ♦Blacksmith shops were located as follows: Obed Hartshorn's farm. Farm street; Aaron Bacon farm, Farm street; William King's shop (near William Slavin's house lot), Farm street; Rudman's shop, last occupied by Wm. King, Farm street; Henry Goulding's farm, Smith street; Jesse Knapp's, Springdale park; Silas Bacon's, Main street; Harry Orcutt's, Springdale avenue; Dover Shoeing Forge, Springdale avenue; Dunn farm, Springdale avenue; Eliphalet Chickering's, Walpole street; Nathaniel Chickering's, Walpole street; John Breagy's, Walpole street; Billings Tisdale's, County street; Calvin Richards', Strawberry hill street; Luther Richards', Straw- berry hill; Elijah Dewing's. Dedham street, corner Mill street; Calvin Big- elow's, Dedham street; King farm, Powisset street; Blake's, Willow street; Hill's, Willow street, south of Newell's bridge. 47 DOVER FARMS James McGill's farm was the RICHARD BACON place, and was first settled in 1756. David Cleveland of Natick purchased this farm in 1773, and it remained for many years in the Cleveland family. Here Mrs. William Cleveland had a little store, which was started largely in the interest of millinery sales and work, but was later ex- tended to a variety of domestic articles. Daniel Mann, 2nd, pur- chased the original Bacon house, which has always stood on the east side of the road, in 1843, and remodeled it for his large family. Through recent changes in the erection of the beautiful residence of J. Grant Forbes, the mansion house has been moved by Mr. McGill to the east side of the road. — William Cleveland, George Cleveland, Chas. K. Kirby, Eugene Bachelder. Michael W. Comiskey's farm was the JONATHAN BATTELLE place. This was originally a part of Thomas Battelle's estate, and was probably settled about 1690. Here Capt. Ebenezer Battelle lived when he led the Springfield Parish Company of Minute IMen at the Lexington Alarm, and later engaged with his company in fortifying Dorchester Heights. This farm was purchased in 1811 by John Harding, Capt. Battelle's son-in-law. This place was designed by Miss Ann Harding as a parsonage for the First Parish Church, and was so willed, but dying suddenly, she did not have an opportunity to sign, with witnesses, the instrument, which she had already drawn, and the property was lost to the parish. When the present house was built much of the timber from the original house was used in its con- struction, because Mrs. Harding could not bear the thought of losing the old memories and associations. — Ebenezer Battle, Jr., Fred Dud- ley, Theodore F. Jones. Elbridge L. Mann's farm was at first a part of the Jonathan Bat- telle estate and was of early settlement (1753). The farm was sold in 1761 by EBENEZER BATTELLE to Nathaniel Battelle, who in 1770 sold it to his son, Nathaniel, Jr., and moved to Natick, where he occupied the place now known as the Wiggin estate, near the Dover line. Mr. Mann's farm at one time was owned by John Rice and was known to the people of a past generation as the "Rice farm." Here 48 Residence of the late Elbridg' L. Mann. Farm seltled I7S3 DOVER FARMS James Mann, Jr., and his brother, Lorenzo Mann, established, about 1830, a butcher's business. They had carts on the road, which sup- plied the surrounding country with beef. It was a good thing when the last slaughter-house was closed. While they were not a menace, in the country, to public health or comfort, 3'et they were a nuisance in summer time. More or less beef packing for the Boston market was carried on in these institutions. The recipes— never committed to writing — for curing hams and making sausages, as used by Dover farmers, were unexcelled. The art, however, has entirely disappeared with the removal of the old families, which is a distinct loss to the culinary art. — James Mann, Jr. ^ ^ ^ PLEASANT STREET extends from Main street to the Natick line, and was originally a part of the road leading from Med- field to Natick. It commands a magnificent view of Wellesley Col- lege and the surrounding country on the north, with here and there a beautiful view of the "winding Charles" and the Baker estate on the opposite shore. OLIVE RICKER, wife of Benjamin Ricker, purchased in 1864 three-fourths of an acre of land of Ellis Mann and built the house thereon owned by the late Frank E. Bacon. The question may be asked how the owners of these little farms gained a livelihood? Mr. Bacon worked for many years as a care-taker at South Natick; when, after the erection of the Sanger schoolhouse, the town tried the experi- ment of consolidating schools, he transported the children in the north part of the town to the Sanger school. William Gibbon's little farm on Pegan hill, just off of Pleasant street, was purchased in 1853 by JAMES GIBBON, a shoemaker of Natick, who erected the buildings thereon. This house is located in the immediate vicinity of several early Indian homes, whose cellars can still be traced. It is to be regretted that no Indian songs, music, art-crafts or dances have been preserved to us from our native Indians. Western Indians "to-day are bringing gifts of their own to the civiliza- tion that absorbs them." It is found that they have songs for nearly 49 DOVER FARMS every act of life. Although a resident of Dover, Mr. Gibbon affiliated entirely with Natick, thus reversing the practice of a century ago, when the farmers across the line in Natick were annexed to Dover for parochial purposes. R. K. Rogers' farm was originally a part of Elbridge L. Mann's place. WILDER RICE purchased the land and built the house in 1818. With the discovery of gold in California, Hiram Adams, Tv., son of the owner, was one of the first to go to the gold fields.* We recall how during the period of the Civil War everything had value. There was much thieving around town, and clothes left on the line at night were quite likely to disappear, line and all, before morning. The First Parish Meeting-house was entered and the carpets taken up. This struck dismay to the heart of the members of the Ladies' Benevo- dent Society, but friends came to their aid and carpets were soon laid again by the ladies of the society. — Samuel H. Jenkins, Frank Hawes. Warren Richardson bought his place of EVERETT COLBURN in 1881. The buildings were then unfinished, but were com- pleted by Mr. Richardson the year of his purchase. However small these little places may be, they all spell the sacred name of home. Around it have gathered happy memories and sacred associations. 4* ^ ^ CENTRE STREET extends from Fisher bridge on the north to Medfield line on the south. As first laid out, this street did not follow altogether the present lines. It was the intention of the early settlers to have a direct road to Medfield from Dover centre, as shov.-n by a grant of land to Joseph Chickering, in 1750, which was bounded "west on land left for a way leading from Dea. Joshua Ellis' to j\led- field (Capt. Wotton place)." It was over this road, on the morning of the 19th of April, 1775, that the hurrying messenger, galloping into town from Needham, informed the inhabitants of the movement of the British and then turned and rode into Dedham through what is now Westwood. The cry was taken up, and the farmers hastily gathered *For a list of Dover residents who went to California, see Biographical Sketch of Otis Chickering in Dover Public Library. 50 Pine Grove on Centre Street DOVER FARMS on the village green, and in a short time were in readiness to march toward Lexington. Robert M. Tappan's "Clay Brook farm" is one of the old Dover estates. JONATHAN WHITING purchased the land of Elizabeth Fisher, widow of John Fisher of Needham, in 1755. Mr. Fisher lived on the north side of Charles river and owned an extensive territory in the Springfield Parish. Mr. Whiting cleared the fields, erected the first buildings and developed the farm. A cider-press was located here in the early time which served the surrounding country. Lovers of the good old New England days may rejoice that one relic of the fine and simple flavor of other times still exists in the cattle show and agricultural fair, which, annually given in several counties of the state, furnishes a pleasant social stimulus to rural life. Being an agricultural community, Dover was prominent in the organization of the Norfolk Agricultural Society. Elijah Perry, who settled on this farm in 1840, but later became a resident of Middlesex County, was interested in the project and is believed to have been the first to take that action which led to the incorporation of the Norfolk Society in 1849, of which he was a leading officer. The interest in the society was actively kept up by Calvin Richards, Hiram W. Jones, Henry Goulding, Benjamin N. Sawin, Abner L. Smith, John Battelle, Wil- liam Tisdale, Timothy Allen, Capt. Walter Stowe, Daniel Mann, Joisah Newell, William Cleveland and the Rev. Dr. Ralph Sanger. To the cattle show the farmer brought his best cattle, sheep and swine, which were confined in long rows of pens. Here he competed in the plowing match and in the hauling match with his best matched oxen. Agricultural warehouses had on exhibition a great variey of farm implements which were examined by the farmer with great care and interest. Here was seen the first mowing machine, the Heath mower, which proved to be worthless, but was soon followed by the Ketchum mower, the Buckeye mower, and the Union mower, all of which were good machines. Here was exhibited the first tedder, the first spring- toothed horse rake, the first horse pitchfork, the latest improved plow?, cultivators and horse-hoes, threshing-machines, washing-machines, wringing machines, bed springs, apple parcrs, and numerous house- Si DOVER FARMS hold utensils. Nearly all the implements that have lightened farm labor have been invented since the organization of the Norfolk Agricul- tural Society. In the Horticultural hall were exhibited the choicest apples, pears, peaches and grapes of the county, together with a huge collection of big vegetables. The gardener put on exhibition his choicest flowers in great abundance and variety. The housewife brought her butter, cheese, bread, cake and preserves, with a liberal display of needlework in a variety of quilts and other useful articles. After about 1860 much attention was given to horse racing, and farmers were complaining "that at all the gatherings the supreme interest, which ought to be bestowed upon the merits of cows, sheep, pigs and chickens, was being diverted to the horse race and to the side show." From this time the county agricultural show commenced to decline. No part of the programme was enjoyed more than the Agri- cultural Fair dinner, which was largely attended in the building of the society. The after-dinner speaking was a feature. The Vice- President, the Rev. Dr. Sanger, often presided to the great enjoyment of the company, and some of his witty remarks are recalled to this day. — Dea. Jonathan Battelle, J. D. Sturtevant, Elijah Perry. The Chapel of the Needham and Dover Baptist Church once slood nearly opposite the last described farm, near several beautiful oak trees. After the organization of the Baptist church in Needham the chapel* was moved to Springdale avenue, and incorporated as the Dover Baptist Church. This little church had its part in the great work of separating "the church and state," which was primarily a Baptist idea. We find members of this faith protesting against being taxed for the support of the First Parish Church as early as 1774. To-day we all prize the religious liberty which the Baptists stood for and helped to bring about. Each church has had some special work to do in the development of the town, and in the cultivation of the higher civilization of the community, and we are glad to record the honor which is due this extinct church. Charles W. Plympton's place was originally the JOHN FISHER *Sold to the town in 1911 for a fire engine house. 52 DOVER FARMS farm, and was settled in 1767. The beautiful grove of pines on this farm was grown from seeds sown by W. Mason Richards, and is a place which challenges the attention of all passers-by. This was the first attempt in town at forestr)', which, when rightly understood, is not the planting of trees for ornament or shade, but is the science of raising crops* of trees for profit on land which is too sandy, or rocky, or hilly for cultivation. The pine is one of the best trees for this purpose, as it attains a merchantable size in less time, in this vicinity, than other desirable woods. The pine, by its growth, is said to earn an average net income of three per cent. — George Otis, W. Mason Richards,, Harvey Ambler. ERNEST F. HODGSON built for his own occupancy the house on the right in 1913. This house has the air and light needful for hygienic conditions in family life. Mr. Hodgson is the proprietor of the Wigwam Portable House, which is manufactured in Dover. The late Dr. Edward Everett Hale was much interested in Mr. Hodgson's unique houses, which solve for so many families the important ques- tion of a summer outing. Dr. Hale liked to inspect the houses, and playfully selected one that he would have bought had he been a younger man. THOMAS HODGSON built in 1897 the parsonage of the First Parish Church on land purchased of the heirs of Betsey S. Howe. This land originally belonged to Eleazer Ellis, a pioneer settler in the center of the town. In the one hundred and sixty-six years of its existence this is the first parsonage that the First Parish has owned. Mr. Caryl and Dr. Sanger owned their own homes. JOHN WILLIAMS, who converted a shoe shop into a dwelling house for his son-in-law, Isaac Howe, built the first house on the farm of the late Frederick H. Wight in 1829. The beautiful elms in front of the present house were planted by Mr. Williams. From the first, *It is an interesting fact that tlie world is now planting a million acres to forests each year. In the United States the Rev. Morrell Allen, a native of Dover, who was settled over the First Parish Church in Pembroke, Mass., In 1801, was a pioneer in the planting of forest trees on soil that was poorly adapted to other crops. 53 DOVER FARMS older residents appreciated the founding of the Dedham Institution for Savings and the putting to interest of the pennies and the dimes and the dollars has often resulted in a great blessing in times of need. Twenty-five years ago almost every family in town had a savings bank account. With the birth of a child an account was opened to its credit. Accounts established by fond grandparents, to the amount of a hun- dred dollars, have often accumulated enough to add a thousand dollars to the estate of the persons for whom the account was originally opened. The lack of a savings bank account was everywhere accepted as an evidence of thriftlessness. Boys and girls often deposited their first earned money in a savings bank and so established the habit of thrift. Mr. Williams was one of the first to use and appreciate the savings-bank. — Francis Swan, Rev. George Proctor. Allen F. Smith's place was originally a part of the farm of Eliphalet Chickering, who probably settled here as early as 1730, and perhaps at an earlier date. Mr. Chickering sold this part of his farm in 1758, and it was later added to the Daniel Whiting estate. JOHN REED built a house here in 1783, and is recorded as an inn-holder the same year. John Williams bought the property in 1800, and new buildings were later erected on the present site. Here the Rev. Dr. Ralph Sanger settled at the time of his marriage and the parsonage became, for nearly half a century (until it was burned in 1857), the center of everything calculated to advance the best interests of the town and community. The present house on this estate was built by the late Mrs. Phebe A. Chickering in 1877. John Williams having bought this place in the year 1800, it is a convenient date at which to consider rural con- ditions. At that time the hoe, the scythe, the cradle, the hand cards, the spinning wheel and the loom were in use, as they had been for thousands of years before. Flocks of sheep grazed in the pastures and flax was grown in the fields. The food and clothing of the family were all produced on the farm. The wooden plow* was still used, and it was yet many years before the mowing machine and horse rake •A good specimen of a wooden plow can be seen in the collection of the Dover Historical Society. 54 Residence of Mr. George H. Thompson ^ ^ =< DOVER FARMS were invented. Commerce and travel were confined to the natural waterways and to slow and costly movements along poor roads. About this time there was great interest in turnpikes, and the Hartford Turn- pike was built across the south part of the town. As late as 1810 the people were clad in homespun. In a "Report on American Manufac- tures," made by the Secretary of the Treasury to Congress in 1810, he expressed the opinion that about two-thirds of all the clothing, includ- ing hosiery, and of house and table linen, worn and used by the inhab- itants of the United States, who do not reside in cities,* is the product of family manufactures. In this connection we might refer to the universal habit of borrowing, when it was so easy for the housewife to get out of meal, soap or butter, and the husbandman to want nails or a hammer. With the introduction of farm tools the thrifty farmer was often importuned by his less thrifty neighbor for the use of farm implements, but many a would-be borrower learned, Vv'ith Poor Richard, that "he who goes a borrowing goes a sorrowing." John Williams was the proprietor of the store on Dedham street, and did a limited business in supplying the few articles which could not be had at home. Money at this time was but little used in the ordinary affairs of life. The most profitable trade of all country stores was in spirits, and all — ministers, doctors, farmers and esquires — made use of it in about the same degree. "They habitually ate salted meat, and habitually quenched the resulting thirst with rum." The area on Centre street bounded south by Springdale avenue, and now occupied by the Sanger school-house and the town horse sheds, was once the site of three houses. Rufus Smith, at one time made shoes here, having moved to the spot a shop from the farm of Luther Richards on Strawberry hill. In 1843 WILLIAM FAULK, a shoemaker from London, England, bought this place. Mr. Faulk was a fine workman, and had the patronage of many of the best families in this and surrounding towns. He added to his shop from time to time, and it became not only his workshop but his house as well. ♦The city population of the nation in 1800 was 3 per cent, of the whole. 55 DOVER FARMS Mr. Faulk sold land to MRS. FISHER A VERS, on which she remodeled the building erected by James H. Wight for housing shingles and clapboards kept in connection with his lumber yard, which was located on the town Common. This house stood near the present site of the Sanger shool-house and was later moved to Dedham street, and occupied a site some distance east of the late J. W. Higgins' house, where it was burned in 1902. WILLIAM FAULK built here a large tenement house, which stood between his house and that of Mrs. Ayers, which was removed, when the town purchased the land in 1873 for a school-house, to a site nearly opposite the house of the late Patrick IMcNamara, on Walpole street. This house was often occupied by three or four families, and with one exception was the only tenement house which the town has ever had. Some years after its removal it was torn down. This settlement was long called Faulkville. ITHAMAR WHITING, 1st, who inherited a half interest in his father's farm on Springdale avenue, sold his farm of seventy-three and one-third acres in 1774. While all trace of this place has been lost, it is believed to have been originally set off from his father's farm, and to have included the area opposite the town hall, bounded north by Springdale avenue, and east by W^alpole street. Mr. Whit- ing also sold, in 1774, his interest in his father's farm to his brother, Aaron. Mr. Whiting met with an injury — a very common thing in the age of logging, teaming, and rough farming — which affected his mind. He was a Free Mason, and in his condition the young men tried to induce him to divulge its secrets, but never a word would he say. All trace of him is lost after 1780, when his family ceased to be a part of the life of the community. Angus McDonald occupies a house which belonged to the LINUS BLISS, estate and was built by Mr. Bliss about 1880. This was one of the very first houses built for rent, with little or no land for cultiva- tion, in the history of the town. 56 DOVER FARMS Gustaf Headburg's house was built in 1870 by HORATIO NEWELL, who purchased the land and built the house, as he desired to return to the home of his ancestors, who were early residents of the town. Josiah D. Hammond's place has not been definitely traced to the original settler, but was probably the house-lot of Ithamar Whiting, who established a home in 1765. Here DANIEL GOOKIN lived, and his wife kept a private school in the house more than century ago. He was descended from Daniel Gookin, the friend of Cromwell. Roses grew around these early dwellings, from which the housewife distilled rosewater for flavoring, and yearly made that widely known sweetmeat, "consarve of roses," which is still made on some ancient farms. Here Mrs. Burrage had a weaving shop in connection with her home, where she did weaving for the housewives of the town. Some of these old homes had fine collections of coin and token money. To the mint the residents carried old silver, to be made into bright pine tree shillings and smaller coins. Later Spanish silver was in circulation and used until it was worn so thin that it took an act of Congress to make it a legal tender. Some fine specimens are recalled of the cents and half cents made by an act of the legislature in 1787. At this time it was difficult to roll metal, and so the first rolling mill in America was set up in Dedham for the distinct purpose of rolling the metal used in cutting these coins. — Josiah Knowlton, John Burrage, Richard Kenrich. HEZEKIAH BATTELLE'S farm, settled in 1784, was long ago deserted. The buildings have disappeared, but the ruins of the cellar can still be seen southward from the junction of Pine and Centre streets. The lilac bushes, which still bloom in the spring, are as old as the elms which shade them. Here the spotted tiger lily, said to have been first brought to this country from far-away Cathay, still grows by the door-step. The site of colonial homes, long since decayed, is often marked by the lilac, flowering currant, butter and eggs, and the beautiful lupines, which are uncommon nowadays. Our grandmothers inherited their love for flowers from their Puritan 57 DOVER FARMS ancestors. The life of the early settlers in New England irresistibly points to the tender affection which they had for the homes which they had left behind in old England. This love is in no way more plainly shown than in their flower-gardens, with its succession of flowers, which told and retold the story of the changing seasons by their growth, blossom and decay. The flowers which grow around us illustrate the life and history of our fathers. The "Indian pipe" recalls the council of Indian braves; the moccasin flower, the squaw berry, Indian tobacco and Indian hemp, all remind us of the life of the red men who once lived in these parts. We also find our ancestors' religious experiences and feelings expressed in Jacob's Ladder, the Benjamin Bush, Solomon's Seal, St. John's Wort, the Passion Flower, Life Everlasting, the Dragon's Head, the Judas Tree and Jack-in-the-Pulpit. Again we find in flowers suggestions which touched their daily lives and found expression in the names of com- rades and sweethearts, as Sweet Mar}', Sweet William and Bounc- ing Bet. An intimacy with nature is also found in the wind-flower, Snapdragon, Larkspur, Crane's Bill and Columbine. The blossom of the shad-bush reminds one of the passage of the shad up the stream, while the cranberry ripens at the season of "the crying of the crane," from which it derives its name. This was the birthplace of Dr. Isaac W. Sawin, for many years a leading physician in Providence, Rhode Island. — Joel Sawin. Jereome B. Snow of Sharon purchased in 1845 a part of the Hezekiah Battelle homestead, where his brother, JEDEDIAH H. SNOW, erected in 1847 the house now owned by William Wall. Pine Rock hill was for a time called "Snow hill," for this family, but in recent years the original name has been restored on all town maps. Andrew T. McCoy's place was also a part of Hezekiah Battelle's farm. The house was built by JOEL SAWIN in 1846. Michael Cunningham owned this farm for many years. He came to Dover when a boy, and lived in the family of Mr. Eastman. With the Sullivan Brothers he was one of the first of the Catholic faith to 58 The Josiah Draper House. Farm settled in lySj DOVER FARMS settle in Dover. For years previous to 1875 drovers with steel-yards thrown over their shoulder, passed through the town at irregular intervals, with droves of pigs which they sold to farmers; while in towns more remote from the public market place droves of cattle, which completely filled the road, were driven through the streets for sale to farmers, who usually put in at least a couple of steers to fatten during the winter, and which were sold in the spring to the local butcher. Irvin A. Paine's house was built by his father, JOHN R. PAINE, in 1851. The land was originally a part of the Josiah Draper farm. Here Mr. Paine has carried on for many years the manufacture of straw horse-collars, a very humane article for use in hot weather or in heavy teaming, which have found a ready demand in the Boston market. John McKenzie's farm was the original JOSIAH DRAPER place. Mr. Draper settled here in 1787 and erected the present buildings. He was for many years a prominent resident of the town. Our fore- fathers were much averse to the celebration of Christmas; adults in this town as late as 1875 had in their youth no Christmas presents, or ever saw an observance of the day. All farm work went on as usual; schools were in session, and it was only in the almanac that any reference to the day was found. How in contrast is an English- man's account of Christmas of the same period. Christmastides in my early life were all in the homes. It was just Christmas, but so full of joy for young and old, so warm from the yule-fires and so fragrant with good cheer, that I wonder whether we have not lost track of something even in the great and generous bounty we pour out now — something of the Home Christmas. Benjamin W. Leighton's farm was set off from the Draper estate and was first occupied by MOSES DRAPER in 1819. It passed out of the Draper family in 1887, when it was sold by Leonard Draper, who had here made shoes for many years. Mrs. Draper was one of those who engaged, with other women of the town, in 59 DOVER FARMS making straw bonnets, a home industry by which many women earned from a hundred and fifty to two hundred dollars. The straw braid was put out by the straw works of neighboring towns, especially Medfield. During the winter and spring straw teams visited Dover each week, and during the season took out an enormous quantity of manufactured goods The books of manufacturers show that in some communities, not larger than Dover, the women earned as much as $7,000 in a single season in sewing straw bonnets. R. MURDOCK McKENZIE'S house was buih by himself in 1887, on land which belonged to Miss Ann Harding. ]\Iiss Harding, whose estate came to her through inheritance, was a direct descendant on her maternal side of Thomas Battelle, who settled in Dover as early as 1667. Her family therefore represented nearly two hundred and fifty years of Dover life. In the early sixties photograph albums — introduced into this country from Paris — became popular and were found in every home. Prominent in the collection were the photographs of uniformed soldiers of the family or neighborhood. Every young lady expected a photograph album as a present. JESSE NEWELL settled the farm until lately occupied by Miss Carrie Newell, at the time of his marriage in 1792. Here in the early time was heard the sound of the loom, as Mr. Newell engaged in weaving, as well as farming. This tract of land commands an extensive view and is noted for the beauty of its situation. Winthrop A. Harvey purchased this estate a few years since. He has made extensive changes in the house, but it still retains its original old- time appearance. — John A. Newell. ELEAZER ALLEN'S farm, now owned by the Norfolk Hunt Club, was settled at a very early time, (1712) in the development of the town. Originally the fann included the Jesse Newell place and others in the vicinity. From 1881 to 1891 this farm was used as a branch of the "Experiment School" established in 1848 at South Boston for the teaching and training of feeble-minded youth. The South Boston school was the first state institution established in 60 "^ DOVER FARMS America for the training of this class of individuals. The late Mrs. Kate Gannett Wells, speaking of this work, says: "There is no more interesting phase of psychology than that of the development of the low grade, feeble-minded child into an intelligent, self-guiding person, with due regard for the rights of others." Since the Dover farm proved a pleasant and attractive home to a number of these un- fortunate youth, and helped to demonstrate the importance of per- manently moving the institution to the country, we may be glad that this town had some part in this work, which is of great im- portance and is not as yet fully understood and appreciated. The question still remains, "What is to be done with the adult feeble minded? Shall they be allowed to return to the world to multiply their kind, or shall they be permanently housed and supported by the state?" An estate of 70 acres having been purchased in Waltham and suitable buildings erected, the Dover branch was closed in 1891 and the members moved to that city. This beautiful estate is now owned by the Norfolk Hunt Club. A fine club house is prominent among the Club's group of buildings. — Eleazer Allen, Jr., Jesse Newell, Jr. Note : — The Allen homestead in the north part of Medfield has been in the possession of the family since 1673, and during King Philip's War the house was set on fire. Members of this family owned land which extended through to the Natick line. JOSEPH ALLEN'S farm was divided by the line which separates Dover from Medfield. There is evidence that the first house on this farm, John A. Newell place, Medfield, was located on the Dover side of the line, and is supposed to have been built in 1701. Beside the door of the old house, white daffodils were planted, which have continued to bloom to this day. Mr. Allen died in 1727, and his house was soon after removed and a new one erected on the Medfield side of the line, yet through more than 200 years these beautiful flowers have struggled on, and each succeeding spring gladdened some heart, or perchance reminded someone of this early home planted more than two centuries ago. ^ ^ ^ PINE STREET extends from Centre street to the Medfield line. As a street it is older than Centre street, and for many years was the chief road leading to Medfield. Over this street there rolled in from Medfield, in the years gone by, the picturesque tin pedler's cart, which supplied many household articles not found in the country 61 DOVER FARMS store, and the opportunity thus afforded of svv'apping rags, paper, feathers, and old junk for bright new tinware appealed to the thrifty housewives. We can recall the long, bright red cart, with its rack in the rear for rags, and a row of brooms on either side, with a great variety of baskets, brushes and woodenware. Within the cart, when the lid was lifted, was exhibited an innumerable variety of tinware of all shapes and sizes used in housekeeping, with glass and other wares. The tin trunk, carried on the driver's high seat, contained a wealth of little articles which appealed to the imagination of the chil- dren, and were as eagerly examined as the finest collection would be to-day in a city store. With changed conditions and department stores, the tin pedler's cart has disappeared, yet it fondly lingers in the memory of many individuals. Pack peddlers traveled over this territor}' for many years; the inventory of the stock of a Massachusetts pedler who died in 1711 is on record, and shows what was carried in those days. He had for the women: fans, combs, pins, thimbles, beeswax, thread, buttons, black beads, sewing silk, scissors, shoes, silk, and linen handkerchiefs, round, square, sewing and knitting needles, silk, cambric, calico, linen, muslin, lace, Holland, ribbon, hair, worked and worsted stockings, leather bags, mace and nutmegs; for the men; jack knives, Jew's-harps, penknives, razors, ink horns, shirts, shoes, leather gloves, shoe buckles, saddles, bridles, male pillions, bootjacks and books and ballads. EBENEZER MASON settled the farm which is but a short dis- tance from Pine street, in 1725; while the house is in Medfield, the barn and the larger part of the land is in Dover. The Mason family of Medfield owned a large tract of land in Dover, as well as in Med- field, and this farm was originally a part of the Mason estate. Here Charles Newell lived for many years. He was a very jovial man and a great favorite with his family. Mr. Newell represented a class now entirely extinct in the community, who looked for recreation and social intercourse entirely at home among neighbors and friends. They formed a society of their own as exclusive as Free Masonry, to which were admitted kindred spirits, who revelled ns often as they met in the wit, humor, and story-telling of the company. 62 DOVER FARMS JOSIAH WHITING built a house on Pine street, east of Center street in 1888, (when he retired from his farm and general wood business) which was burned in the winter of 1905. The living of a century and a half ago is well illustrated by the will of Nathaniel Whiting of Dedham, made in 1760, by which he gave his wife the use and improvement of his dwelling-house, household furniture and books, with yard room and a common use of his well of water, also one cow well kept, twelve cords of good fire wood cut fit for use and delivered at her door, ten bushels of good Indian corn, three bushels of good rye, two bushels of good malt, one bushel of good wheat, and a hundred pounds of good pork. This place is now owned by Katherine E. Powers, who was the first to erect a set of buildings in Dover of concrete construction, which illustrates how desirable and practical this method of construction is for country residences. Richard Heard occupies a place which was a part of JOSIAH WHITING'S estate. The house originally formed a part of the Dover poor house, and was moved to its present site and remodeled by Mr. Whiting in 1865. The fact that Dover once had a poorhouse shows that the town had some slovenly farmers where "nothing was kept in order, nothing was preserved. The wagon stood in the sun and rain, and the plow rusted in the field. The crops were destroyed by wandering cattle, or they were put in too late, or too early, or they were blown down, or caught by the frost, or devoured by bugs, or stung by flies, or eaten by worms, or carried away by birds, or washed away by floods, or dried up by the sun, or rotted in the stalk, or heated in the crib, or they all run to vines, or tops, or straw, or cobs," some of the accidents that lie in wait between the plow and the reaper. — Joseph Durocher. Jonathan Whiting's farm has been in the Whiting family for more than a century, having been purchased by his father in 1802. This was the ASA MASON place and was first occupied by him in 1755. Mr. Mason was a cooper and carried on his trade in connection with the farm. On these farms there was, in addition to farm work, the peeling of bark, the cutting of ship timber, the making of oak 63 DOVER FARMS trunnels, the burning of charcoal, and with the introduction of trade with the Azores, the Canaries, Spain, Holland, and the West Indies, the making of hoops and staves, which were shipped in bulk and set up by native coopers largely in the West Indies. Here many of these industries were carried on for many years, especially the making of hoops, the burning of charcoal, and the cutting of cord wood. Josiah Whiting was for many years one of the largest dealers in these prod- ucts in the county. This farm had its peach orchard. In the early time peach trees found a sustaining soil and grew to a large size compared with the short lived, sickly peach trees of to-day. Under a single tree an ox-cart load of luscious peaches was often gathered. It is a tradition that this farm was originally settled by a member of the Chickering family, but the fact is not established by record. — Theodore Newell, Jonathan Whiting, Senior, Josiah Whiting. George McKenzie's place was originally the JOSEPH CHENEY farm and was settled by him in 1782. He later moved to New Hamp- shire and the place was owned for a time by William Bacon. This farm is of interest as it was, at one time, the town poor farm. Here Daniel Whiting manufactured shoes for a time, having learned the trade from Harrison G. O. Hooker, whom he employed to teach him. — Samuel Jones. ^ ^ ^ WILLOW STREET extends from Newell's bridge to Dedham street. While there was much contention about the build- ing of roads in this vicinity the demand was created by the mill interests, the proprietors of which co-operated in the work, and even took the contract for building a part of the road.. JOSIAH NEWELL, JR., settled the Newell homestead on the right in 1797. This estate was called the "Island." The mansion house was built by BENJAMIN NEWELL in 1851; and the ruins of the cellar can still be seen. It was burned in 1894. Josiah Newell's house was located south of the mansion house. This house was moved into Needham in 1868, and is still standing. Newell's 64 DOVER FARMS store and Noanet hall were located south of the homestead. — Edmund B. Otis. HENRY SCHOMAKER of Needham purchased a part of the Newell estate in 1876. Later he moved a section of an addition that had been built to Josiah Newell's store, and made it into the little cottage now standing on the original Newell estate. Mills of various kinds were early established on Charles river, and for many years this was a place of extensive business operations. A store was located here for more than seventy-five years which was first opened by JOSIAH NEWELL, JR. Noanet hall was built in con- nection with the store, and marks a spot of much interest. It was burned in 1884. Here the sessions of the first Sunday-school, organized in 1818, were held. Here, in the days of church fairs, was annually held the festivities of the churches, which were largely attended by the residents of this and surrounding towns. The bed quilt drawn by lottery was a popular feature, and produced much merriment. Erastus Gay, a bachelor from Westwood, who was con- nected for many years with Gay's dry goods store, where Dover resi- dents did their trading, always carried away, if possible, the bed quilt furnished by the ladies for the fair. The hall and the store meant much to this community for nearly a century. The first Post Office at Charles River stood on the left-hand side of the street, nearly opposite the house of Josiah Newell, Jr. For many years there were circulated through the mails to the residents of the town lottery adver- tisements. Now and then an investor was successful, but the lottery exerted a baneful influence everywhere. Even in the text-books used in the schools there were frequent references to lotteries. The diffi- culty in raising money for public purposes early led to this practice among the American Colonists. Lotteries were organized for the erection of churches and the building of educational institutions, the paving of streets, and the building of public markets. A lottery was organized as late as 1806, to raise money to erect a building at Har- vard College. The advertisements of the Louisiana Lottery were especially addressed to residents previous to 1870. 65 DOVER FARMS JEREMIAH MARDEN built in 1826 the house of the late John Quinn. He moved here from Newton. Mr. Marden was a stone- mason by trade, and built the stone walls around the well-known Bussey farm at Roslindale. During the last years of his life he kept a little store in this house. CHARLES MARDEN built the house opposite in 1850. After making several trips to California he settled in Dedham, and the place was owned for many years by William Hill, the proprietor of the paper mill. Mr. Marden was a carpenter by trade, and interested in the native forest products of the town, which furnished white oak for ship timber; white pine for shingles, and clapboards; chestnut for rails and ties; maple for cabinet work and open fires; ash for spokes of wheels, and elm for hubs; hickory for boards and planks; spruce for coverings; cedar for posts; butternut wood for dye stuffs; birch, witch-hazel, and alder for summer fuel; and pitch-pine for kindlings. Mrs. Agnes Davidson's house was built by EDWARD BLAKE. The land comprised in this and the two above-mentioned places was a part of the Lemuel Richards estate on Dedham street. People lived happily in these little homes removed from the bustle of the world. On week days they got out of town by train, but on Sunday they had no communication with the outside world. Religious services were held in Noanet hall, and later in the Charles River School-house. — Ezra Keys. Cornelius Sullivan's farm was the SAMUEL FLOYD place, known for many years as the "peat lot." Mr. Sullivan was the first person of the Celtic race to settle in Dover. With the introduction of air-tight stoves much peat was cut in the meadow lands. This was burned in large pieces in these stoves, which kept a slow, safe fire at night or when the house was deserted by the family in attending church ser- vices on Sunday. Mr. Floyd purchased the land in 1849 and built the house. — John Bums. ^ ^ ^ DEDHAM STREET extends from the railroad station to Ded- ham line, and forms a part of the road which was laid out as far as Noanet's brook in 1687. This road is referred to in 1711 66 DOVER FARMS as leading to Eleazer Ellis's farm, which was one of the first settled in the center of the town. On the right, opposite the depot, is the old oak which is the most conspicuous tree that has escaped the axe, and stands as a historical witness of a time long since past, although the elms in the vicinity are more than a century old. We hope every effort will be made to preserve this tree. People care- lessly admire a tree's beauty and appreciate its shade, and, of course, its latent possibilities as timber, but how few of those who have seen the ease with which a great tree is felled, realize the wonder of its growth, the years and changes that went into its making, and the years and changes required before another like it can tower in its place. This is the best specimen that remains to us of the "monarch of the woods," and has been made the seal of the Tisdale family association of America. We like to think of the thousands who have ridden over these roads in the years that have past, on that great home-coming day. Thanksgiving, when the descendants of the Puri- tans turn with peculiar interest to the old homes and with devotion to those who remained to welcome them. A charm rests upon this festival, whose origin is strictly American, and the nearer one gets to the good old ways of observing it, the more satisfaction there is in its observance. One by one Training days, Fast day, and other days, which were instituted by the fathers, have been dropped, but this festival still remains and holds the hearts of the people. While the day has lost much of its religious significance, it is yet strong in family reunions and out-of-door amusements. With the establishment of this festival, services were held in all meeting houses on Thanksgiv- ing day, and one of the two sermons of the Rev. Benjamin Caryl, which were printed by his people during his ministry here of nearly fifty years, was a Thanksgiving sermon. Few of the hundreds of labor-saving devices of the present day were then in existence. The herbs for the turkey or chicken dressing were grown with great care in the garden. Spices for the pies and pudding all came in the rough and were prepared in the mortar. Even cooking salt was the com- mon rock salt which had to be pulverized. The stoning of raisins, the cutting of citron and orange peel, the boiling of cider, all took time, but added a zest to the festival. Last, but not least, was the 67 DOVER FARMS cooking. The turkey was roasted on the spit before the great fire, while the pudding and the chicken pie were consigned to the brick oven. Pies of every conceivable variety were made by the hundreds and included a supply for the winter's consumption. Among other things, the hou.sewife gave herself to the making of garments, for all those who were to have new dresses must appear in them at Thanks- giving. The same deft fingers which trimmed the bonnet also cut and made the clothes in which the boys appeared at this autumnal festival. COL. DANIEL WHITING built in 1761 the old tavern which was destroyed by fire Jan. 21, 1908. The original building was added to by Newell and Bullen, and later by John Williams. Here John Reed at one time lived, and had a slaughter house, being the first parish butcher. While there was no register for guests, yet the traditions of the old tavern are well preserved, and there are those still living who remember its sanded floors and wooden boxes on which the soldiers and sons of soldiers of three wars sat and discussed the questions of the hour.* The balls at the Williams Tavern were largely patronized. Aaron Miller furnished the music, and his celebrated violin, which was known for miles around, is still in existence. Young people attended these balls in large numbers, and cheerfully paid the charge of five dollars a couple for the ball and supper. The land was once a part of the Ellis estate. Mr. Whiting's barn stood opposite, on ground which was added to the Common a few years since. The cellars of early houses were very small, as shown by the cellar of the tavern, which can still be traced. These cellars were not always warm enough to keep fruit and vegetables from freezing in extreme weather ; even cider froze in barrels in them, so the habit was early established of drying apples in the fall instead of trying to keep the fresh fruit, so apple-paring bees were common among the young folks, which fur- nished the means of much social pleasure. A source of much amuse- ment among young men in the spring of the year was the spearing *The bricks in the chimney of the old tavern were laid in clay, below the ridge-pole, a general custom of the time. The absence of lime rock in the vicinity was a great drawback to the colonists. 68 Doorway Whiting — Williams Tarern, built lydi DOVER FARMS of fish. This was practised at night with a torch in the bow of the boat; while the attention of the fish was caught by the bright light it was speared by the skillful spearman. The fishing tackle found on many Dover farms consisted of a set of small rods, hooks and lines, which were used for minnow fishing; traps and lines for pickerel fishing through the ice ; poles and lines for river fishing and the long- handled spear. These articles in their use, not only furnished much pleasure, but an abundance of fresh fish as well. The small boys snared the rabbit and the partridge, while the trapping of fur-bearing animals, the mink, otter and muskrat, was made a profitable business by some of the small farmers of the town. The coon was hunted in the fall of the year and furnished no small amount of evening amuse- ment. Excursions of young people after the haying season were some- times made to Wachusett and Monadnock, and the mica gathered from the rocks in Fitzwilliam was carefully preserved as a memento of the trip. Others, for a day at the seashore, went to Squantum, where neighborhood picnics were held, or to Rocky Point on Providence bay. Girls brought up to spinning sometimes did no other work in the household, and at marriage had to learn to cook and to do general housework. Often congenial spinners would "join work'' and spin together for a week or two. After two skeins were done, the day was spent in such recreation as pleased them. — Isaac Howe, Reuben Newell. MRS. ABIGAIL MANN purchased the land and built the house in 1843 which now forms the parsonage of the Evangelical Congre- gational Church. The society came into possession of this estate through the bequest of Mrs. Mann, and erected the front part of the present house on gaining possession of the property. The original house forms the ell of the parsonage. Mrs. J. W. Higgins' house was built by MRS. MARIA HASKELL in 1871, who occupied it until her death. — Rev. T. S. Norton. EPHRAIM WILSON owned a house which once stood near the site of the Sanger School house. It was moved to Dedham street in 69 DOVER FARMS 1873, and was burned in 1902. It was used for many years as a tene- ment house. ELEAZER ELLIS, JR., who is believed to have settled here at the time of his marriage in 1718, built where the old parsonage stands. This was originally a part of his father's estate. John Griggs, a weaver, lived here and probably carried on his trade in connection with the farm. The present house was built by the Rev. Benjamin Caryl,* a minister of the First Parish Church, in 1777, and is a good specimen of the colonial house erected at a time when all the material was cut on the place. Oak was used for the frame and covering boards, while a plenty of pine was found for floors and interior finish. The shingles which covered the roof were shaved, and the laths split from trees which grew on the farm. Several generations of those who have been identified with the best interests of the town have lived here. This was the home of Dr. George Caryl, the first, and, until 1912, the only resident physician which the townf had ever had. Miss Sarah Miller, a grand-daughter of Dr. Caryl, was the last one in this vicinity to make the decorative paper work which was so com- mon and highly prized during the period of the Revolution. Her cuttings represented a variety of subjects, and were usually made of white paper. When mounted and framed they adorned many Dover parlors and sitting rooms. A fine specimen of Miss Miller's work is found in the rooms of the Dover Historical Society, a bequest to the society by its President, the late George L. Howe. The Caryl family had many rare and interesting articles, and among others its string of gold beads, which had been worn by the ladies of the family for many generations. It was long believed that gold beads possessed healing qualities, and from time immemorial a string of gold beads worn around the neck has been considered by many people efficacious in all blood diseases. — Timothy Ellis. WILLIAM FISHER purchased in 1773 a tract of land which •The town named in 1911 the new school house the Caryl School In memory of this family. tin 1912 Dr. Arthur B. Emmons, 2nd, became a resident physician. 70 •^ t^ t^ "^ « ^ 0^ DOVER FARMS belonged to the David Wight estate, and cleared a farm which was located south of Dedham street and was reached by the road running between the farms of Rev. Benjamin Caryl and Deacon Ebenezer Smith, which was discontinued by the town in 1862. This farm was located north of the "New Mill," and was long since abandoned. Some of the noble elms planted by Mr. Fisher still remain, and adorn the place. — Jesse Fisher, Joseph Richards, Joseph Fisher, Frederick Barden, Fisher Ayres, James Adams. The New Mill Company organized in 1815 and built a plant at the falls of Noanet. In connection with their mill the company erected a double tenement house* which was occupied by employees of the company. After the failure of the enterprise various poor fam- ilies, who paid no rent, lived here for some years, but by 1850 the house had disappeared. Miss Juliet B. Higginson's "Mill farm" was formerly owned by Michael W. Comiskey and was originally settled by DEACON EBEN- EZER SMITH. Mr. Smith purchased the land of William Fisher, and is believed to have settled here in 1775. In connection with the large wholesale milk business built up by Mr. Comiskey, it is interest- ing to note that Lewis Smith, Jr., established here, many years ago, a retail milk business. He left home in season to deliver his milk each morning to his Roxbury customers. — Daniel Sullivan. Edward K. Dandrow's place was originally the little farm of PATRICK WALL, who purchased the land and erected a house in 1856. Here he reared ten children, several of whom are now success- ful Boston merchants. — Edward James. DAVID WIGHT, who settled in the parish as early as 1716, had a house which was located nearly opposite Mr. Dandrow's. This farm was later owned by Nathaniel Battelle, the first resident of the parish to graduate from college. Mr. Battelle was not a successful farmer. At one time he asked of Capt. Samuel Fisher the privilege of *For the location of this house see Map of Dover published by the town in 1831. 71. DOVER FARMS picking up firewood on his lot. Mr. Fisher humorously replied that "he could not grant the favor, as he had sent two sons to Harvard, both of whom would probably need to pick up the wood themselves." Farmers were careful about contracting debt, as poor debtors for many years could be confined in jail. LEWIS B. PAINE'S house was built by himself in 1891 on land purchased of Daniel Sullivan. It stands not far from the spot on which was built nearly two centuries ago the barn of David Wight. LEMUEL RICHARDS' farm is beautifully situated on Noanet's brook, since made famous by the story of "King Noanett." In early sales of real estate in this vicinity, "Noanet the Indian" is referred to, as he had his home in the vicinity of Noanet brook. This farm has been occupied since 1785, and was originally a part of a larger tract of land, which belonged to Joseph Chickering. In the cultiva- tion of these farms there was as much prejudice against the use of buckwheat as there was iii the Connecticut valley against the eating of shad, both were regarded as food for "poor folks." Consequently there was little buckwheat grown on Dover farms. Corn was the great staple and in lieu of money was often used in the purchase of real estate, as illustrated by a sale made by Lemuel Richards in 1780, of thirty acres of land on Dedham street, for which he received four hundred and forty-four bushels of Indian corn. Augustin H. Par- ker has recently erected on this estate a large brick house of the French manor t>'pe and appropriately retains the name of Noanet farm. — Seth Blake, Lieut. Charles C. J. Spear. LIEUT. LEMUEL RICHARDS in his settlement first built, in 1764, on the farm lately owned by R. J. Gilmore, but later sold it and built on that part of his farm which is now owned by Mr. Parker. Lemuel Richards served in the last French and Indian War, and was a Lieutenant in the Revolution. He had a noted posterity in William F. Draper, a General in the Civil War, an ambassador to Italy, and in Eben S. Draper a former Governor of the Commonwealth. In busi- ness life, both were connected with the great Draper industry at Hope- 72 °< DOVER FARMS dale, Mass. The farmhouse on this place was built by Calvin Bar- den; here Elijah Dewing had a blacksmith's shop. Facing on Mill street Philip C. Stanwood has built an attractive house. — Capt. Geo. Scott. Dr. Francis B. Grinnell owns the place which was converted into a little farm by CALVIN RICHARDS about 1846. The original house, since removed, was the ell of Mr. Richards' house, which he moved to the spot. This homestead was for many years the home of Capt. Gardner C. Whiting. In the sail packet days there was no going abroad for pleasure with the residents of this town. A trip to Europe was an epoch in one's life. With the accommodations, con- veniences and rapidity of steamboat travel came pleasure trips to Eng- land and the Continent. Miss Irene Freeman Sanger, who belongs to the greater Dover, was, as far as known, the first native of the town to go abroad. Mrs. Gardner C. Whiting and daughter Eleanor are be- lieved to have been the first residents of Dover to have gone abroad to make an extended tour for study and pleasure. They have been fol- lowed by a numerous and ever increasing number, so that a trip to Europe is now a common thing among the residents of the town. Dr. Grinnell has built a beautiful house, which is a fine addition to the constantly increasing number of attractive estates for which Dover is now noted. Frederic H. Curtiss' farm was the home of EBENEZER RICH- ARDS. This beautiful farm was taken up by Mr. Richards previous to the Revolution, (1769). He died in 1784 at the age of 40 years and 3 days, and the following statement was made by the Clerk in the records of the town : "The first death since Dover was incorpor- ated." Ebenezer Richards, Jr., being the only heir who had arrived at the age of 21 years, inherited the farm. As he settled in Newton the farm was sold in 1792. The river farms, where residents have protection from encroachment, and can feel the influence of this beauti- ful stream, are appreciated to-day. Here Deacon Calvin Bigelow lived for many years, and had a blacksmith's shop in connection with his farm. The house on this farm, which Mr. Curtiss is endeavoring 73 DOVER FARMS to preserve in its ancient simplicity, has a secret chamber in the chimney which has been made accessible by a flight of stairs. This house thus perpetuates in the secret chamber a custom common during the French and Indian wars. On this farm was carried on a series of domestic manufactures, including the braiding of straw, at which the Bigelow boys worked as well as the girls. — ^William Richards, Calvin Bigelow, Charles A. Bigelow, William F. Humphrey, Eben Smith. Miss Alice Richards of Needham owns the farm which was origin- ally a part of the Ralph Day estate. The present house was built by JOHN DAY, who settled here in 1786, having purchased the land of his father, and the elms in front of the house were planted by his hands. This farm was later owned by Daniel Mann, who lived here with his family for many years. He was a carpenter and master builder and carried on an extensive business in connection with his farm. Mr. Mann was the first Dover agent appointed by the Dedham Fire Insurance Company, and here was the iirst fire insurance agency in town. In connection with this farm there was a foot bridge across Charles river, which was maintained for many years, for the con- venience of those wishing to cross the stream. It was washed away one year by the spring freshet and was never rebuilt. — Luther Rich- ards, John C. Coombs. John H. Brown's farm was long in the Day family. Ralph Day, a mason of Dedham, in his will made in 1677, bequeathed his real estate to his sons, John and Ralph. The home place in Dedham was given to John, who was required to help his brother Ralph to build "as good a house as my said dwelling house is, as speedily as the said Ralph Day shall desire, after my decease, in convenient time, so as may be just." Mr. Day owned land on Charles river, and here his son RALPH DAY settled in 1706. He was a weaver and prob- ably had a "weaving shop" on his farm. In the trying times before the Revolution, Ralph Day was a member of a committee appointed by the town of Dedham, to post notices on the Springfield Parish meet- ing-house, forbidding the use of tea. At this time our grandmothers 74 ?■■ 1 Si ^pgrCiyj 1 "^li^^H^^I E 1 ^1 (^hHHPk^ B 1 jwatcij SE£K M ■■ I l-\!* t ' — ^ nj ^^^^H 1 ^JB ■H^^^ — K^jT -' ''^ m 1 1 ■E HH If J SHh >'if L ^H W%^- i /' , 1 - Vi^H ^ r; i 1 ,,: 1 1 f m i i 1 1 Q ^ "13 'XJ »< DOVER FARMS found in Jersey tea, a substitute for the cup they loved so well, a fact which their great-great-grandchildren read to-day in their school histories, so this town, in common with all the older towns in New England, is rich in institutions and in customs which illustrate and throw light on the early history of our times. Edward Bowers, who once lived on this farm, was a cooper by trade. He carried on his business here and made many casks and staves for the Boston market. The small house in connection with this estate was Ralph Day's carpenter shop, which was converted into a dwelling house by Daniel Mann. On this farm could usually be seen, in the yard under an apple tree, the grindstone which had been used for a century in grinding scythes and edgetools. The scythes used on the farm were hung in summer time from a projecting limb, ready to be taken down and ground when a boy was at hand to turn the heavy grindstone, or leisure could be found. Hops, which were used by every housewife in making yeast, were grown on these old farms. A fresh pole was cut each year, as the hop vine flourishes best on a greenwood pole. — Ralph Day, Ralph Day, Jr., Daniel F. Mann. George D. Burrage's farm was the JONATHAN DAY place. Mr. Day settled here in 1743, but sold the farm in 1781. It was pur- chased by Jabez Baker in 1792, and occupied by his son, Jabez, Jr. This farm has never been sold since, coming to the present owner by inheritance. Jabez Baker, Jr., built the present house. At one time he had a slaughter house in connection with his farm. The first house stood between the present house and the river. On this farm in recent years has been exhibited the best market gardening in the town or vicinity. The variety of soil and consequent diversity of crops found on some eighty-acre Dover farms would astonish a westerner. The best of clay, the finest of sand, several grades of gravel, stoneless plains, rock-ribbed hills and lands for pasturage and the dairy are often found on the same farm In this variety of soil are gravelly knolls adapted to bean culture, lowlands often too wet for cultivated crops but valuable as grass land, with cranberry bogs, and acres here and there of the best of soil for the cultivation of potatoes, com, cab- bages, onions, asparagus, beets, turnips, parsnips, celery, tomatoes; 75 DOVER FARMS with patches devoted to melons, cucumbers, squashes, and pumpkins. Of the cereals, corn, oats, barley, rye, wheat and buckwheat yield a good return; while of fruits the apple, pear, peach, plum, cherry, with the strawberry, blackberry, raspberry, gooseberry, currant and grape flourish. In forestry the white oak, black oak, white pine, pitch pine, birch, walnut, maple, chestnut, ash, alder and witch hazel are native woods. A like variety of soil could not be found in some entire western states, but all existed on the farm where the writer was born and reared in the west part of Dover. While the farmers of the town did not apply scientific methods to their farming and did not know the analysis of the soil, yet they did know from long experience how to cultivate their soil, how to diversify their crops better than many graduates of agricultural colleges. They could judge farm animals as to weight, age and value, with an accuracy that belonged only to the expert. They had a judgment often called "horse sense" that is lacking in many farmers of to-day. Thomas Smith's place was first settled by JESSE AYRES, who bought the land of Enoch Davenport in 1794, and built the house thereon. The place was later owned by Moses Putnam, who kept a little grocery store here for a few years. He was a book binder by trade and soon returned with his family to Boston. The boys on these farms had little spending money; all they earned often went for the purchase of clothes, and boots and shoes. From Thanksgiving to Fast day they often kindled the kitchen fire for a cent a morning. During the winter term of school some boy took care of the district school house and often blew the church organ for five dollars a year. In the fields they picked up stones after the ground had been seeded down in the spring; in the winter the boys shoveled snow on the highway, and at other times drove ox-teams. They snared the part- ridge and trapped the rabbit. In summer the boys picked the farmers' peas and strawberries and later gathered quantities of berries in field and highway. In the fall the gathering of nuts was made a busi- ness, and on the river farms the boys picked cranberries behind the rake, and in the spring gathered "flood cranberries," which found a ready sale. On the day before the Fourth of July, boys gathered pond .76 DOVER FARMS lilies by the hundreds, which Ihey sold on the streets of Boston the next day, and afterwards rode to their hearts' content on the ferry boats which were run free on the Fourth of July. Boys who liked to turn a penny bought fire-crackers by the box and retailed them to their companions. In the fall boys sold the old Farmer's Almanac, mak- ing a house-to-house canvass of the town. There are those still living who, as boys, did all these things on Dover farms entirely independent of the ordinary household and farm work, in which they co-operated from their tenderest years. Boys and girls had to invent and make their own playthings. The girls made dolls with a corn cob for their bodies. The boys made little water wheels which they placed in the brooks. They also made pin boxes out of elder wood, and in the spring they made willow whistles and in the fall trumpets out of the stems of squash leaves. Skating and coasting are the only old-time sports that remain to the boys and girls of to-day. — Thomas L. Smith. Henry Rich bought twenty acres of land of Jabez Baker, east of Chestnut street, in 1871, and built the house which is now standing thereon. Small farmers resorted to various means to gain a livelihood. With the establishment in 1875 of the "Country Week" as a depart- ment of the Boston Young Men's Christian Union, Dover homes were opened and during the summer received parties of Boston cash boys for a ten days' vacation. In this way some thirty boys were enter- tained during the first summer, 1875, in one family. Later other homes were opened, and children in large numbers were boarded in town. This practice was followed by the taking of children as per- manent boarders from Boston institutions, which has been kept up in some families to the pre.'^ent day. About 1885 farmers commenced to take city boarders, and for a number of years prominent Boston fam- ilies, including college professors and the most gifted musicians, spent their summers here, immediately recognizing the beauty of the town and its great natural advantages. George Chamberlain of Westwood built the last house on Dedham street, going east, in 1896. It is one of the few houses for rent in Dover. 77 DOVER FARMS MILL STREET extends from Willow to Dedham street. It furnishes a picturesque walk along the south bank of Charles river. Dedham street, with which it is connected on the south, was long called the "Boston road," because most of the travel between Dover and Boston was over this road. After the building of the Mill dam in 1828, and perhaps earlier, those who drove into Boston through Roxbury paid toll. The writer recalls this old toll road, which was the last one in the vicinity. Farmers who drove over this road on their way to Boston with ship timber, charcoal, wood hoops, hay, and provisions, found that city a century ago a place of less than 25,000 population, or about the size of Gloucester at the present time. The appearance of the old town with its narrow, crooked streets, irregular houses, and cultivated gardens, is said to have resembled the Gloucester of to-day. 4. 4. 4. STRAWBERRY HILL'^ STREET extends from Dedham street to Wilsondale street. Land on this hill was spoken of about the year 1700, as "on the cart road to Natick," and in 1705 it was called a highway. There was a road or path at a ver}' early time, which extended from Strawberry hill to Powisset, where the Dedham settlers turned their young stock and dry cows for pasturage. Along this road the barberry, for which Dover has long been known, grows very common. For many years these berries were gathered with great care and found a ready sale at home and in the Boston market. While this shrub is found in other parts of the town, yet it grows most abundantly here. The barberry is not indigenous to New England, but is a native of northern Europe and also of China. It is thought that the shrub was introduced here by the early settlers. There is, however, a shrub (Berberis canadensis) found growing wild in the states of the middle west, the berries of this plant appearing singly instead of in racemes. The barberry is not associated with the Indian, as some have thought. The bark and root of the Berberis vulgaris have been used in medicine, but not from Indian precedent. Although •Spoken of in a grant of land to Nathaniel Richards In 1697 and previously referred to In 1687. 78 <3 ■a '•o 2J ■^ DOVER FARMS in the settlement of the town "here were old trees, tall oaks and gnarled pines," yet it was not as difficult in the early time to clear the fields as it would be to-day. The growth of timber was heavy and the Indians adopted the custom of annually burning the land over, which practice was kept up by the Dedham settlers; committees being appointed by the town for this purpose. Having felled the trees, and a little later disposed of them by fire, the land yielded easily to culti- vation. Richard W. Hale's farm was the THOMAS RICHARDS place. Members of the Richards family were early owners of real estate here. Edward Richards gave farms to his sons, Thomas and Josiah, both of which were located on Strawberry hill. Thomas Richards settled this farm in 1748, and the place continued in the family for more than a century. This was the farm of Calvin Richards, who was, for many years, and in so many ways, identified with the best in- terests of Dover. An addition was made to this house a few years since through the purchase of the old "Dunmore" house on Baker place, Milton Lower Mills. This house was built in 1785, torn down, and the material shipped to Dover, where it was re-erected as an addition to Mr. Hale's house in 1910. — Calvin Richards, Jeremiah Allen. Hubbard C. Packard's place was the RICHARD RICHARDS farm, which was formerly a part of the estate of his father, Thomas Richards. It was first occupied by Richard Richards, a Revolution- ary Soldier, in 1780. Before the establishment of seed farms, each farmer grew his own seeds and carefully dried and packed them in the "seed box," which was always kept in a dry place. To gather delicate, thinly-covered, vegetable seeds and cure them under unfavor- able climatic conditions was no easy task, yet it was accomplished on every Dover farm year after year. — Luther Richards, Luther Rich- ards, Jr., Arthur F. Dodge. Charles S. Bean's house was built by EDMOND SAWYER in 1872, on land purchased of Calvin Richards. Mr. Sawyer was an organ manufacturer, and came to Dover to engage in that business. Mr. 79 DOVER FARMS Bean's house illustrates the French roof type, which was very common a half century ago; several houses of this construction were built in Dover about 1870. ALPHONSO DAVIS, a locomotive engineer, built a two and a half story house, (which was one of the pleasantest houses on Strawberry hill) west of Mr. Bean's house in 1873. The house was burned in 1875, and the spot now marks an abandoned site. Richard W. Hale owns the house on the right; it was originally a glue factory, and was moved to its present site in the early sixties, and converted into a dwelling house by PEREZ L. FEARING. JOSIAH RICHARDS settled the farm until recently owned by the heirs of the late Miss Mary Bullard. Here Mr. Richards built in 1737. Seven of his sons took part in one or more engagements in the Revolution, for they "were born with courage in their hearts." There was great joy in these homes when peace was declared in the Revolution. Life had been hard. It is recalled in some places that "the women ran from house to house waving their aprons and crying for joy." It seems simple enough to-day, but it was something else in that day to stand by the Declaration of Independence and sup- port the war. As John D. Long has said, "The men who signed the Declaration knew not but they were signing warrants for their own ignominious execution on the gibbet. But it was not only the personal risk; it was risking the home, the commerce, the lives, the prosperity, the honor, the future destiny of 3,000,000 innocent people, men, women, and children. It was defying on behalf of a struggling chain of colonies, clinging to the seaboard, the most imperial power of the world." It was in this important work that almost every Dover home had its part. It is not unusual to find more than one house on an early farm. Such was the case in the estate of Josiah Richards, who had two houses, one of which, "the small house," was occupied by a son. His widow was given by his will the best room in the "mansion house" and the weaving shop adjoining the house. The first school in the east part of the town was kept in a building, perhaps the weav- 80 DOVER FARMS ing shop, which stood in the front yard. Asa and Abijah Richards were coopers and probably carried on their trade here. They owned this farm at different times. It was later purchased by Nathaniel Wilson, who lived here for many years. This place was purchased a few years since by John Parkinson, Jr., who has a beautiful estate. — Asa Richards, Solomon Richards, Michael Gary. Humphrey Clancy's farm was originally a part of the Josiah Rich- ards estate and was separated from the original farm in 1851. Luther Richards purchased the old East school-house, when it was sold by the district, and moved it to this site. It was converted into a dwelling house by MICHAEL McLINE, who purchased the land in 1863, and was used as such for many years The present house was built by Mr. Clancy in 1900. "The small house" on the estate of JOSIAH RICHARDS was located on the north side of the road beyond Humphrey Clancy's, where the ruins of the cellar can still be seen It was occupied by Abijah Richards in 1780. Samuel Wilson, Jr., John Chickering and others lived here. It became a part of the original farm again through purchase by Nathaniel Wilson in 1821. SAMUEL WILSON, father of Samuel, Jr., lived opposite his son's house, as transfers of real estate show, although no trace of a house can be found there to-day. Solomon Richards sold, in 1792, to Samuel Wilson, Jr., housewright, four acres of land, bounded as follows: "beginning at the southwesterly corner of Samuel Wilson's house lot," etc. In case of a failure of water on the land, Mr. Wilson was given "full liberty to pass with cattle to a spring of water near the northwest comer of said land." The spring referred to is found in the next iield at the west, which definitely locates Samuel Wilson's house lot. O home, so desolate and lorn. Did all thy memories die with thee? Were any wed, were any bom, Beneath this low roof-tree? 81 DOVER FARMS Whose axe the wall of forest broke, And let the waiting sunshine through? What good wife sent the earliest smoke Up the great chimney flue? Did rustic lovers hither come? Did maidens, swaying back and forth In rhythmic grace, at wheel and loom. Make light their toil with mirth ? Did child feet patter on the stairs? Did boyhood frolic in the snow? Did gray age, in her elbow chair. Knit, rocking to and fro? The murmuring brook, the sighing breeze. The pine's slow whisper cannot tell. Low mounds beneath the hemlock trees Keep the home secrets well. — Whittier. COL. EBENEZER BATTELLE'S house was reached by continu- ing on the cart road, from the end of the town road to land of the late George D. Everett, where the cellar hole can still be seen. Some time between 1727 and 1735, Ebenezer Battelle bought this tract of land, which belonged to Nathaniel Richards, and built a house. He sold the farm in 1772 to Moses Richards. Col. Battelle was prom- inent in all town affairs leading up to the Revolution. He served on many committees and his name appears on the stone base of the "Pillar of Liberty" erected to William Pitt, which stands on the Dedham Church green. The house on this farm, like many others in town, was con.sumed by fire. It should be remembered that the danger of fire was ever present and always distressing wherever frame build- ings were found. In the early time all chimneys had to be swept once a month in winter and once in two months in summer. Simple pre- cautions were always taken and in every household before retiring 82 DOVER FARMS for the night a bucket of water was left in the kitchen to be at hand in case of accident. Probably no buildings were insured against fire before the year 1800. In 1798 the Massachusetts Mutual Fire Insurance Company was formed, but the rates were so high in the shape of premiums and deposits that insurance among farmers was almost prohibitory. This company issued seven-year policies at fifty-five cents per hundred on single wooden buildings. It was customary to raise money by subscriptions for the partial relief of sufferers; this practice continued until about the close of the Civil war. One of the last subscriptions, which was a most generous one, was raised when Alonzo Wentworth of Bridge street lost his barn by fire in 1867. The story is still told of a witch who visited this house one day, and told the inmates about the cooking of a piece of pork which was "found to be browned to a crust on the outside and frozen inside." As this feat in cooking was actually accomplished here with the old-fashioned fireplace, it was received as a sure proof that the person was a witch. — Moses Richards. -«• THOMAS LARRABEE'S home is marked by a picturesque, though deserted house.* This place was first occupied by Mr. Larrabee soon after the close of the Revolution, and the house was raised by his Revolutionary comrades, who turned out to help him build it in 1778. The men of Strawberry hill were unmistakably patriots, as no' less than twenty farmers took part in the Revolutionary War from this locality alone. Here Deacon Joseph Larrabee lived and willed this little property to the inhabitants of Dover to aid in the support of the worthy poor. Joseph Larrabee used to speak of a service which he attended in December, 1799, in the Meeting house at South Natick, in memory of General Washington. The draping of the pulpit in black greatly impressed him, as he had never before seen anything of the kind. Washington's death was not generally noticed in this vicinity, but the fact that he once visited South Natick may have prompted this observance. It was fitting that Mr. Larrabee should ♦Removed in 1910. 83 DOVER FARMS have been present at this service, as his father, Thomas Larrabee, was a member of Washington's Life Guard in the Continental Army. The executor of the will of Mr. Larrabee, who provided for a slate stone for his grave, found great difficulty in procuring one, at the time of his death, as they had so completely passed out of use. At first field stones were set up to mark the graves of early settlers, followed by slate, which gave place to marble, which in time has been succeeded by granite in a variety of shades and designs. STEPHEN GAY, who served in the Continental Army, had his little farm here which, after his death in 1778, was absorbed by the Larrabee estate. The Balm of Gilead trees (planted before the Revolution) which grow around the ruins of his dwelling, still flourish, and number at present more than fifty. From these trees, residents of Strawberry hill have gathered for many years the aromatic and fragrant buds for their "Balm of Gilead bottle," a panacea for all cuts and wounds. Previous to 1818, when the McLean Asylum was opened there was no public hospital in this country for the care of the insane. As late as 1845 many insane persons were con- fined in the almshouses and jails of the commonwealth. At that time there were men who had been chained for twenty years in out- buildings, sleeping on straw, while young women fared no better. On some of these old Dover farms insane persons, whose names need not be given, were confined for years until death gave them a release. The JAKE place, where the cellar is still well stoned and holds its shape, is reached by continuing at the right, from the end of Strawberry hill street. Jake was a colored man who married a white woman. His wife was a native of Strawberry hill. Objections having been made by her family to a marriage with the man of her choice, she declared in a fit of anger that she would marry the first man who offered himself. Jake, hearing of this rash vow, proposed marriage, and was accepted. SAMUEL WILSON, wLj married Hannah Ingraham, had a home still further south, in the open field, where he settled in 1781. He 84 "^ ^ ^ •^ f^ "13 a< s DOVER FARMS sold the fann in 1791 to John Jepson, a shoemaker, who, on his low bench with lapstone, awl and waxed ends, made and repaired the farmers' shoes. An Indian war club or stone hatchet, which was picked up on this farm, is still recalled, on which Mr. Jepson sharp- ende his awls for many years. The relic was later in the hands of Joseph Larrabee. The farm has long since been abandoned, and the only reference to the Jepson family is now found in the records of the town. Old residents used to say that there was once a little burying ground south of the Jepson place, where some of the first settlers were buried, but recent search has revealed no stones or mounds. On some of these old farms there was the employment of mildly insane and feeble-minded persons, together with the services of the town's poor, who were knocked off to the lowest bidder at the annual town meeting. There was also the little bundle man who traveled through the town for some years to the terror of young chil- dren. He was loaded with innumerable small bundles, too numerous to be carried all at one time, and so he left them by the roadside to be returned for when relieved of his burden further on. Thus it took him all day to cover a few miles, and at night he slept in any bam where darkness overtook him. WILSONDALE STREET extends from Strawberry hill street eastward to the Dedham line. It is a road of great interest, as on it was located the first settlement in Dover. The records relating to roads are very scanty. The Legislature passed a resolve in lj?94, requiring all towns to issue maps. The plan* of the Dis- trict of Dover made under this law and deposited in the archives at the State House, throws but little light on the subject, as only the main thoroughfare is laid down. At first there were Indian trails across the town, followed by bridle paths, which were later developed into farm ways, followed in due time by the highways as they exist to-day; such in brief, is the evolution of Dover roads. Wilsondale ♦Reproduced in "The Founders of the First Parish," published in 1908 by the Dover First Parish Church. 85 DOVER FARMS street furnishes a picturesque drive, under the shadow of large rocks and bending trees, over hills and through valleys, which have been trodden by the foot of man for many centuries, and inhabited by the white man for more than two hundred and fifty years. When we compare the date of settlement, with the growth and development of the United States, we realize the place which the Old Colony occupies in the history of our country. Joshua L. Woodward now owns the original Baker settlement, which was the home of Jabez Baker in 1775. This farm was settled in 1735, and was first owned by DANIEL BOYDEN of Dedham, who sold it to Ebenezer Newell in 1738. The employment of farm labor has always been an interesting and perplexing question. In the development of the town, and in the clearing of farms, the labor was at first largely performed by the settlers themselves, aided by neighborhood help. When the farmer, axe in hand, laid warfare to the giant trees and laid bare acre after acre of the virgin soil, there was a logging bee for the piling of the logs in the clearing. When there was a new house or barn to be put up the neighbors came to do the raising, and when a building was to be moved from one site to another, the farmers turned out with half the oxen of the township to do the moving. Again the whole community gathered when a sick neighbor's crops needed to be harvested and carefully stored them in barn or cellar. The busy housewife in her turn had the quilting party, and in the fall came the husking bee, which was given more for sociability than for profit. — Charles Draper, Clement Bartlett, John Clancy. John A. Sullivan's farm, just off from Wilsondale street, was originally the DAVID FULLER place, and the land was long in the Fuller family. It was settled in 1755, at which time the present house was built, Mrs. Arnold Wight who lived here represented a class of women now wholly extinct, who went out nursing. She cared for many a Dover mother and at the same time did all the house- work and cared for the new-born baby, as well as the other children in the home she had entered. In her day, Mrs. Wight brought peace 86 DOVER FARMS and tranquility to many a farmer's home. In cases of fever and long illnesses the neighbors took turns in "watching" in the sick room. They often showed their good will by preparing "barberry water" to slacken the thirst of the fevered patient. No finer spirit of brotherly kindness could be found than that which was exhibited here for a century and a half, among the plain people of this town. A hundred of Theodore Parker's Miss Kindly have lived in Dover homes. Her hands are thin, her voice feeble; her back is bent; she walks with a staff — the best limb of the three. She wears a cap of antique pat- tern, yet of her own nice make. She has great, round spectacles, and holds her book away off the other side of the candle when she reads. For more than sixty years she has been a special providence to the family. How she used to go forth — the very charity of God — to soothe and heal and bless. How industrious are her hands! how thoughtful and witty that fertile mind. Her heart has gathered power to love, in all the eighty-six years of her toilsome life. When the birth angel came to a related house she was there to be the mother's mother; aye, mother also to the new-born baby's soul. And when the wings of death flapped in the street, and shook a neighbor's door, she smoothed down the pillow for the fainting head; she soothed and cheered the spirit of the waiting man, opening the curtains of heaven that he might look through and see the welcoming face of the dear Infinite Mother; nay, she put the wings of her strong, experienced piety under him and sought to bear him up. — Arnold Wight, Cornelius Sullivan. Richard H. Bond occupies the original Wilson farm. HENRY WILSON and Samuel Bullen of Dedham had land granted to them in June, 1640, "in ye corner beneath and next unto Mr. De Enganes, the lot to be divided between them." A memoranda appears, that "Henry Wilson is content to lay downe this grant if he may be pro- vided for elsewhere." This indicates that he had an eye to another lot. In September, 1640, it was recorded that Edward Allyn had given Henry Wilson a small piece of land "to sett an house upon beyond ye lotte of William Bullard toward the north." He was also granted by Mr. Allyn six acres more for "planting ground beyond Vine brook." 87 DOVER FARMS Whether Mr. Wilson built on either of these lots we are not informed, but it is a tradition in the family that he settled on the Dover farm when he built his first house in Dedham in 1640. There was a grant of land in 1687 at "high rock" near the house of Henry Wilson. This grant locates his house at that time on the present Wilson farm. "High Rock," in the westerly part of Westwood, is not far distant from the Wilson farm, and has been known by that name from time immemorial. What was the life on this first settled farm? The house was of logs with two rooms, one a living-room and the other a sleeping room. As the children grew in years and increased in numbers they found a sleeping place under the eaves which was reached by a ladder from the puncheon floor beneath. In time there was live stock on this farm. It did not, however, increase rapidly, as the settlers could not house their stock in the winter. In feeding cattle there was no way of cutting hay except by the sickle; scythes were not invented until 1655, and were some years in coming into use. The ground was dug up with the hoe, until there were oxen to drag the wooden plow; iron plows did not come into use for many years afterwards, as farmers in all civilized countries, believed that iron plows would poison the soil. Many years after the invention of the scythe the cradle came into use, but then only small fields of grain could be grown. One who had used this implement wrote, "To swing a cradle against a field of grain under a hot summer sun was of all farm drudgeries the severest." Corn, beans, pumpkins, and turnips were grown in the garden, and rye and barley in the field, which was threshed with the hand flail and winnowed by the autumn breeze; the same rude hand- labor tools were used that the nations of antiquity had farmed with. Bears were numerous and were trapped, as well as rabbits and part- ridges. The fur of animals was hung up in the log house to keep out the blasts of zero weather. Flax was grown from the first and was tended, after the first planting, by the busy housewife. The living room was a little fac- tory where the linen and wool yarn was spun, the candles dipped, the soap boiled, the cheese made, the shoes cobbled, and the homespun dyed and fashioned into clothes for the whole family. From woolen 88 Clay Brook Road DOVER FARMS yam, stockings, mittens, and caps were knitted. The farm tools were so simple as to be made by Mr. Wilson himself or by the village blacksmith. This was the age of the tinder-box and the tallow candle; there were no cooking ovens or friction matches. Mrs. Wil- son "knew the profession of housekeeping in all its old-fashioned complexity, as she worked at it from dawn to starlight, with no rest except the relief of flitting from one task to another." In sickness there was no doctor, as there was no knowledge of medicine except "a medley of drastic measures which were apt to be as dangerous as the disease." This farm has never been out of the ownership of lineal descendants of Henry Wilson since its settlement to the present time. — Ephraim Wilson, Nathaniel Wilson, Ephraim Wilson, Ephraim Wilson. ^ ^ ^ CLAY BROOK road is one of the oldest streets in town. It was at first called Natick path (1666), and later "the Indian path from Natick to Dedham" (1669), and was referred to as the Clay Brook road in 1728. It extends from Center street near Fisher's bridge to the Natick line. It was over this road that the Apostle Eliot frequently rode in carrying on his work of superintending the Indian mission at Natick. This road furnishes, independent of its historical associations, one of the most picturesque drives to be found in the Metropolitan District of Boston. HOMER PIERCE built for his farm help in 1890, the house on the left near the Natick line, now owned by Granville Colburn. John Bacon had an early grant of land at the extreme northwest part of Dedham on Charles river, where he settled in 1683. This land was later occupied by his descendants. There were two houses on the farm in 1784, one of which was probably the original home of JOHN BACON, which was long since removed. In 1728-9 his two sons, John and Michael, received deeds from their father of the land sur- rounding their dwelling houses, bounded west by Natick line. Michael settled on his father's farm. Here was located a cider-mill, which dates back more than a century, and may have been first used by the 89 DOVER FARMS original settler; at any rate, it was on the farm in 1784. — Ephraim Bacon, Ephraim Bacon, Jr., Samuel Perry, Lowell Perry, Jonathan Perry. CALVIN H. SAWIN'S house, now owned by William E. Smith, was built by Mr. Sawin in 1847, and was a part of the original Bacon estate. Mr. Sawin was a ^.arpenter and did much work in Natick and surrounding towns. N. D. Marr's house was built by WARREN SAWIN in 1848. It was a part of the Michael Bacon farm. On this place there is a cider-mill in operation, which is now the only one in town. — Frank M. Sawin. Benjamin N. Sawin's farm was originally a part of the John Bacon, Jr., estate. After the farm passed out of the Bacon family, it was divided. THOMAS SAWIN bought the west half, and Capt. Charles Morse the east half. In 1858, the old house was removed and new houses were built on both farms. Benjamin N. Sawin had for many years, in connection with his farm a picnic ground on Charles river. This was a popular resort, and lagely patronized by the residents of the surrounding country. It is now no longer used for picnic purposes. It was through the bequests of Mr. and Mrs. Sawin that the Sawin Memorial Building on Dedham street, — the home of the Dover Historical and Natural History Society — was erected. This society was organzed in 1895, largely through the concerted efforts of Ansel K. Tisdale, George L. Howe, and Mrs. Amy H. Higgins. Both Mr. Tisdale and Mr. Howe became respectively Presidents of the Society. E. T. Phillips' place was originally the east half of John Bacon, Jr.'s farm, which was first settled in 1716. CAPT. CHARLES MORSE built the present house in 1858. Francis Gay bought this farm, when only eighteen years of age, and here reared his family. The farmer who laid stone-walls by moonlight had not been taught to play; he found out of-door amusement in fishing, trapping, hunt- 90 DOVER FARMS ing, and in story-telling at the tavern or the country store. It was recreation to go to the muster, attend on training days, auctions and Fourth-of-July celebrations, while "raising bees" and "planting bees" as they came along helped to break the monotony of farm life. Work on the highway was not unwelcome, while the breaking out of the roads when piled high with snow in winter was a real pleasure. In- door games of cards and "fox and geese" were indulged in from Thanksgiving to Fast Day, but were never touched after the latter date in many families. No games were played on Saturday evening, as it was too near Sunday. The influence of the old custom of begin- ning Sunday at 3 o'clock on Saturday afternoon was felt long after the custom had been given up. ANDREW DEWING was an early settler on the Clay Brook road. His house is spoken of in the Dedham Proprietors' Records, in 1669, as "being on the south side of Charles river within a turn of the said river, and adjoining to the place where ye great brook enters Charles river." Mr. Dewing later lived in Needham and built, as it is believed, a garrison house in that part of the town, which later became Wellesley. This farm was later owned by Thomas Battelle, who was one of the first settlers west of Strawberry hill. In 1692 the records speak of Thomas Battelle's "old field" next to Charles river. The following appears in the town records in 1679, "Granted timber to Tho. Battele neare Naticke for a hundred roods of 2 or 3 rayle fence." Thomas Battelle came to Dedham about 1850. He built a house which is said to have been on Lowder street, (Dedham), which was for many years in the family. He is believed to have returned to Dedham center after giving his Dover farm to his son, Jonathan, who in turn sold it, in 1725-6, to Nathaniel Battelle. It then con- sisted of 23 acres of land. Although the farm has long since been abandoned, the cellar-hole can still be seen east of the Sawin picnic grounds. Colonial houses were always set low, almost on the ground, and were banked high with earth as winter approached to protect the vegetables in the cellar and to add to the warmth of the houses. Stakes were driven about two feet from the building, boards set up and the space filled in with earth. Boys were taught habits of thoughtfulness 91 DOVER FARMS and care-taking in sodding the top of the banking that the walls of the house might be protected from the earth. The Battelles owned a stretch of land which extended from Charles river, near Trout brook, south to Springdale avenue. David M. Smith occupied a farm which was settled by ROBERT STEARNS, who built a house thereon in 1855, which was burned in 1891. Mr. Smith rebuilt the house in 1897 and added a greenhouse, both of which were later burned. This spot now marks an abandoned home. John Myer's place* was a part of Jonathan Perry's farm, and was first occupied about forty years ago. Like all other places on the Clay brook road, this little estate is of interest as this section of the town was so early visited by the Dedham settlers. For many years large quantities of white oak were cut on Dover farms. Since the advent of the automobile, in which the use of oak enters very largely, espe- cially for spokes of wheels, there has been an immense inroad upon real white oak throughout the country, and as an article of timber it is now very scarce. Much timber of a heavy growth was annually cut off and sawed into boards and plank at the nearest saw mill. So farmers always had a plenty of dry timber at hand for all farm purposes. R. M. Tappan's farm houses, the older of which was once a cooper's shop, was converted into a dwelling house by PEREZ L. FEARING, while the other house was built by THOMAS H. JOLLIFFE some twenty years ago. The trees in the orchard on this farm were grown in the nursery of William Tisdale on Hartford street, who about 1835 established a nursery where he grew fruit trees which, for many years, supplied the needs of the country round. Henry Goulding also had a nursery on Smith street. In the early settlement of New England, fruit trees were brought from England, •Several little houses for summer occupancy have been built on the Clay Brook road in recent years which do not call for location or description in these pages. Vacations were unknown before 1870 and summer outings unthought-of twenty-flve years ago. 92 DOVER FARMS but as they did not flourish, the experiment was tried of bringing the seed over for planting; this practice was more successful, and soon flourishing orchards were found which were greatly appreciated by the English settlers, as well as coveted by the Indians. Trees are still standing, which are said to have been grown from seed brought over from England. Many native apple trees were grafted to the Baldwin, Porter, Russet, and other popular varieties. Men especially skilled in the art of grafting, did in the spring of the year much grafting of fruit trees for the townspeople. Joseph A. Smith and William Tis- dale are especially remembered as being extensively employed to do this kind of work in Dover and surrounding towns. The wood of fruit trees was utilized; that of the pear tree being used for wood engraving, and that of the apple tree for all kinds of small knife- handles. These woods found a ready sale. 4" ^ 4* DOVER STREET extends from Baker's bridge to Natick line. The Needham school land,* north of this street, is of interest as illustrating a custom of an early time. Soon after the incorpora- tion of the town of Needham, Timothy Dwight of Dedham gave the town forty acres of land, in what is now Dover, for the benefit of a school. Mr. Dwight did not complete the gift before his death, but a title was subsequently obtained by the town from his sons. While the income was always small, and furnished but little aid in the support of a school, yet it is interesting to still locate the "Needham school land" of nearly two centuries ago. The Dedham settlers laid out in 1659 a dividend of corn land,t which was largely located in the present terri- tory of Wellesley, but included the estate of the late Benjamin P. Cheney and the Needham school lands. Benjamin P. Cheney's estate in its settlement was the home of JOHN JONES, JR. The estate has been added to from time to time, and now contains some two hundred acres, which, with its lawn and roads, is one of the most beautiful estates in eastern Massachusetts. •Since added to the Cheney estate. tHorace Mann's Third Field Day paper of South Natick Historical Society. 93 DOVER FARMS The first purchase was made of Hezekiah Fuller in 1740, by John Jones, Jr., of Weston. In the transfer the land is described as fol- lows: "A tract of land lying on a neck of Charles river, in the northerly part of Needham, near Natick, containing seventy-two acres and twenty- four rods." There was an error in location, as the bounds of Needham never extended across Charles river on the south. The original bounds of Dover, established in 1729, took in all the land and inhabitants west of the present Westwood line. Here Mr. Jones built his house and reared his family. The farm houses on this estate were built within recent years by Mr. Cheney. The estate is now owned by William H. Baltzell, who has erected a beautiful house and otherwise improved the grounds. Here Colonel Jones heard petty court cases in the colonial days. He was a magistrate under King George III, and when he was suspected of favoring the King in the trying days before the Revolution, the Sons of Liberty in the vicinity waited on him and under the spreading elm trees, still standing on this estate, he gave up his commission, and in after years was a loyal supporter of the new government. — Adam Jones, Israel Loring. MRS. BETSY HART, wife of William Hart, bought in 1858, a piece of land of Elijah Perry, and built a house thereon, which was located near the entrance to the Cheney estate. This house was occu- pied by various families until purchased and removed by Benjamin P. Cheney in 1880. HAVEN STREET extends from Main to Dedham street, and was named for the Havens, who were prominent in the parish a hundred years ago. This street forms a part of the layout which was made in 1687, for a road "over the Great Brook, near Natick, toward Pegan hill." This, as a part of one of the old roads of the town, was much used before the building of Springdale avenue. It was a fine example of one of the old-time "winding streets," before the attempt was made to straighten it some thirty years ago. The first school-house was located on Haven street. In this school 94 DOVER FARMS house were held all early public meetings, and we can easily imagine the farmers coming on horseback from all parts of the parish to attend these gatherings, clad in homespun, which their wives had dressed on hand machines and dyed in home-made vats. The school-houses at the center of the town have had various locations. The second school-house (built in 1763), occupied a site on the present grounds of the First Parish, on the north side of Springdale avenue, near the railroad station. When the new meeting-house was built in 1811, the top of the hill — with its accumulated soil — was graded off and scraped into the cellar of the school-house which had been moved to the Common. The removal of the loam has made the grounds of the First Parish sandy, and difficult on which to grow grass or trees. Later, the school-house was sold, and a new one built on the south side of Springdale avenue east of the Evangelical Congregational church. About the time of the building of the railroad, this school- house was moved to the Common, where in after years it had several locations until the present site of the Sanger school-house was settled in 1873. In view of the coming railroad, real estate owners asked such fabulous prices for their land that a site could not be agreed upon outside of the Common. The railroad came, but for nearly a century there was no increase in the value of land in the center of the town. If it is the object of education to train boys to be good fathers and girls to be good mothers, then the children of this town a century ago got a good education, although they had very little of what we should call schooling. "They were rich in self-control, in efficiency, and in common sense, and they had gotten their wisdom in the greatest of all schools — pioneer life." For a century and a half the farmers of this town "relied for their sons and daughters, not upon trained skill, but upon native ability, sterling character, independence, and industry." John Glassett's farm, was the JOSEPH CHICKERING place, and was set off from the original Chickering farm. It was near the center of population in the early time, as shown by the fact that the 95 DOVER FARMS school-house was located here. The house* is one of the oldest houses in town, having been built in 1748. Peat was such a common article of fuel that a peat room, reached from the outside, was found in this old house where the dry peat was stored for use in the fireplace. — Joseph Haven, Noah Haven. George E. Chickering's farm is the original Chickering homestead. NATHANIEL CHICKERING, the emigrant, cleared land and built a house here, having received a grant of land on Trout brook in 1678-9. The traditional date given for his settlement is 1690; it is believed, however, that in the settlement and development of this farm he was working here a part of the time for several years previous. Estates and farms in the United States rarely remain in the hands of a family for more than three generations; it is interesting to note that this farm has been in the Chickering name and family for six generations. A majority of Dover farms have not been transmitted through three generations. The present house, built in 1767, was remodeled just a hundred years after its erection. Here can be seen the picturesque well-sweep, which was once common on all farms, and one may here drink from a well which for more than two centuries has quenched the thirst of man and beast. Here was located a cider mill, which made cider from apples grown on trees of which the seed had been brought from England by the early settlers. Orchards were cultivated in the early settlement of the town and much attention was given to growing sweet apples, as they were used as an article of food. Baked sweet apples with milk were eaten in the summer and fall in large quantities. The sweet apple found a ready sale in Boston, and many barrels were carried from Dover every year to the Boston market. The Spice sweeting, the Orange sweeting, and the Metcalf sweeting were favorite varieties of a century ago. It is interesting to note that the fine apples of to-day, of which we have great variety, have been developed from the original apple which "as offered by nature were the small, sour, bitter crab of the forest, unpleasant, indi- •The life in this house was minutely told In the historical address given on the occasion of the dedication of the Sawln Memorial Building. See Proceedings, page 8. 96 DOVER FARMS gestible, innutritious." Here George E. Chickering still gives the old- fashioned country handshake, strong and warm. Through his accurate memory and keen interest in historical matters many tradi- tions and historical facts "have been arrested in their passage to oblivion and preserved for future generations." — Nathaniel Chicker- ing, Nathaniel Chickering, Jesse Chickering, George Chickering. ELEAZER ELLIS' homestead is at the left, on land owned by the late Captain Wotton. The location of his house can still be traced, which was probably built as early as 1690, at which time he is believed to have settled here with his neighbor, Nathaniel Chickering. It is a tradition that Elias Haven, who was killed at the Lexington Alarm, April 19, 1775, was at the time, living on this farm. He was perhaps following his trade of a shoemaker. The proportion of cordwainers to the population was very large. Shoemaking became a winter employment at an early date in the development of the parish. This work could be taken up and carried on when farming was impossible and helped to eke out a living which at best was scanty of those things which can be purchased with money. — Caleb Ellis. Miss Lucy A. Smith's house was built in 1903 by ERNEST F. HODGSON. This place is of much interest as a part of an estate originally settled in 1690, and well illustrates the development of the town. Capt. Warren Wotton's farm was the DEACON JOSHUA ELLIS place. Mr. Ellis was a son of Eleazer Ellis, and inherited with his brother, Caleb, all of his father's estate. Joshua built a house on the south side of the road, in 1732, while Caleb lived on the homestead. Previous to the organization of the First Parish Church, Joshua Ellis attended and was a deacon in the Needham church. The standing and intelligence of Dover farmers, in an age of few advantages, is found in the fact that they lived within the "team haul" of a prosper- ous city. Their lives were influenced by the great Boston preachers, lawyers, doctors, merchants, and students of their time. John Chickerinr^, Jr., purchased a. part of this estate in 1798, and the farm 97 DOVER FARMS remained in the Chickering family for many years. At one time Mr. Chickering had a slaughter house here in connection with his farm. — Prescott Fiske. CHARLES H. CHICKERING built, in 1875, the house where his widow and son, James H. Chickering, and family now live. This settlement is of interest, as the founder represented in the seventh generation one of the original English settlers of this town. Mrs. Caroline Hodgson built her house in 1905, it being the fourth house built by her family. For a hundred and fifty years, until the initiative was taken by this family, there were but few new houses erected in the center of the town, and until very recently, one looked upon the same scene as that which greeted the Dover Minute men when they assembled on the old training field on the morning of April 19, 1775. CROSS STREET extends from Center street to Dedham street and in this connection is one of the oldest roads in town. It formed a part of the road which was laid out in 1695, from Noanet's brook to Clay brook, and was the connecting link between Dedham street and Clay brook road, which was regularly traveled after the Indian settlement was made at South Natick in 1650. Later this street was known as a part of the "Boston road." In connection with these roads we easily associate the early life of this people. Here was exhib- ited the courage, fortitude, as well as the superstitious fears of the early settlers. There is always a certain amount of superstition in the world, and there always will be; it finds expression in fortune tellers, clairvoyants, and palmists, who in cities carry on their industry in shabby rooms up side streets. In the marine service there are lucky and unlucky captains. If a captain loses his ship, he cannot have another. Marine underwriters will not deal with the unlucky. That was Napoleon's rule. It has been the rule of the house of Rothschild for a century. How few people are wholly free from the feeling of which it speaks. And so it has been thought worth while to bring 98 DOVER FARMS together a collection of the superstitions that have come down to us in the town of Dover: If, when starting on a journey, one meets a woman first, he will have bad luck. If a person sleeps with his head toward the east he will have ill health. Returning to the house after starting on a journey will bring bad luck. If one cuts his finger nails on Sunday, he will do something to be ashamed of during the week. If the sunset is clear on Friday night, it will storm before Monday night. As Friday was, so the following Tuesday will be. If it rains the first Sunday in the month, it will rain every Sunday in the month. Onion skin very thin. Mild winter's coming in: Onion skin thick and tough Coming winter cold and rough. If one sees the new moon through glass, he will have a fall before the month is out. If, when driving, a squirrel crosses to the right, it is a sign of good luck; if to the left, of bad luck. To insure good luck the right foot should be dressed first. If a light is brought to the table after a meal has been begun, it will bring sickness. If one breaks an article on Sunday, he will break something else during the week. It is a bad sign to have a tree blossom in the fall. If in the spring one kills the first snake he sees, his enemies will become friends and he will not break a bone during the year. To break a mirror is a sign of death in the family. It is a bad sign to have a hen crow. To see a shooting star is a sign of accident. To commence a work on Friday invites delay and accident. 99 DOVER FARMS The giving of an edged tool to a friend will be followed by a breach in friendship. When muskrats build their houses high, there will be high water. When the corn is thickly covered with husks, and when there is an abundance of nuts, there will be a hard winter. The weather on Christmas day and the eleven days following governs the next year. Dropping a dish-cloth will bring company. If afflicted with cramp in the legs turn your shoes bottom up on retiring. If a farmer's son kills toads, his cows will give bloody milk. It was believed that the touching of a toad would cause warts, and that when such a wart appeared, if it was pricked and the blood allowed to drop on a penny and the penny then thrown away, who- ever picked it up would "get the wart"; that is, a wart would appear on the hand of the finder, and at the same time the original wart would disappear from the hand of the first sufferer. MRS. SUSAN HART bought in 1848, seven and a half acres of land on Cross street, and built the house thereon which is now owned by Joseph Wheeler. This was the home of William G. Hart, a soldier in the Civil war, a cause in which all were interested. We recall how the little girls made comfort bags which held needles, thread, and other little needful articles for the homeless soldiers in the field. When Mrs. Hart settled here, women, by their indoor occupations or things they created there, added an important element to the sup- port of the family, but now all this has changed and the woman who wants to earn money has to go out after a job. ^ ♦ ^ SPRINGDALE AVENUE extends from Farm street to Walpole street. This avenue was built in 1762, by Hezekiah Allen "from the burying place past the meeting-house to the house of John Cheney." (Skimmings place on Main street.) It winds over the meadows, crosses two brooks, and gradually ascends to the summit of Meeting-house hill. The drive across the meadows is very beautiful, and the surrounding country, when viewed from the top of the hill, is 100 DOVER FARMS said to strongly resemble some views around the Mediterranean sea. On this avenue are located the churches, the town hall, the post office, the school-houses and the grocery store. Springdale avenue also connects the two parks of the town. When the meeting-house was built in 1750, there was then, as now, no center of population, the settlements being scattered over the entire territory. The meeting-house was, therefore, placed without regard to existing roads, on the hill, in the geographical center of the town, measured from its extremes. Before the building of Springdale avenue, the nearest road led from the house of Benjamin Ellis (Coughlan farm on Walpole street), to the burying place. From this road, and from Haven street, the people drove across lots to the meeting-house*. There is hardly a road in Dover without its hill, on which a half century ago the boys and girls coasted in the winter season, enjoying a universal sport which for excitement and exhilaration is unsurpassed. Modern easy methods of trans- portation and communication, says a recent writer, have put the typical New England village, with its manly, self-reliant, self-centered life, out of existence, and with it has passed, or become decadent, many of its community sports. In addition to single sleds owned by every boy in the neighborhood were the double runners, which were made by fastening, with a long board or plank, two clipper sleds together, so that the rear one ran in the track of the first one. On such a sled a dozen could be seated. The steering was done by a stout wooden crossbar. The memory of the joyous shouts as the coasters glided down these Dover hills is pleasant to recall, now that the presence of innumerable automobiles has made coasting on our roads but a memory, a sport that cannot be participated in by our children, although enjoyed by many generations of their forebears. The beautiful young trees surrounding the Common were set out in con- nection with the observance of Arbor day by the pupils of the Sanger school. This work was commenced in 1889, soon after the establish- ment of the day, and was made possible by gifts of money from Benja- min P. Cheney, who was a great lover of trees. Certain trees were •The exact distance from the First Parish Meeting-house to tiie old State House in Boston, as given by J. G. Hales in his survey made in 1820, Is 13 miles 6 furlongs and 10 rods. 101 DOVER FARMS planted with appropriate exercises and named for Revolutionary officers of the town. The elm tree on the Common in the rear of the town hall was planted in memory of Col. Daniel Whiting. A maple tree in front of the Sanger school-house was called the Lieut. Ebenezer Newell tree, while another tree was named for Capt. Ebenezer Battle, who led the Springfield Parish Company of Minute men at the Lex- ington Alarm. EDWIN F. BACON built the house occupied by William U. Locke, in 1878, on land purchased of Rev. Allen E. Battelle. Here Thomas P. Burke set up the "Dover Shoeing Forge," which has well met the needs of the town. William Whiting's farm (Lawrence Minot estate) originally belonged to JOHN DRAPER, JR., who settled here at the time of his marriage in 1724. This was a part of his father's estate, half of which he inherited in 1749. Slavery is looked upon as a southern institution, but slaves worked on Dover farms long before they were owned in Georgia. John Draper had an interest in a slave which he inherited from his father's estate with other "moveables." In this parish the "hired men," for the first century and a half after the settle- ment of the town, were generally native born, they earned good wages for the times, and were good citizens. "They were far-famed for skill in cradling, mowing, and pitching, and could drive oxen and handle an axe." Not a few "hired men" in the parish took part in the Revolution and became "builders of the nation." By reason of thrift and good habits many became land-owners, and in time had farms of their own. Some married in town and took their wives to distant places, Westminster, Lunenberg, Warwick, Massachusetts, and Ashford, Connecticut, all of which towns received residents from Dover. The following, whose names often appear in the parish records, and are not otherwise mentioned in her history, were prob- ably farm hands: Jabez Wood, Elias Stimpson, Silas Taft, Nathan Cook, Thomas Farett, Thomas Gardner, Oliver Kendrick, William Mansfield, Thomas Morse, Abraham Chamberlain, Paudant Good- new, Josiah Briggs and Robert Murdock. Nowhere in the world, 102 DOVER FARMS avowed the correspondent of the London Times in 1863, was the labor- ing man so prosperous as in the United States before the Civil war. American labor at that time was scarce, precarious, independent, and fastidious; whoever condescended to work was sure not only of his daily bread but also of a certain amount of decent comfort; the very hedger and ditcher had it in his power to raise himself. He knew how to strike the best bargain, how to stand on his rights and inter- ests, and how to put by a penny for a rainy day. "If ever there was a country in which labor was in clover, in which it was looked up to petted and honored, it certainly was this North American community. — Aaron Draper, Daniel Draper, Aaron Whiting, Otis Gould. Col. George A. Meacham's farm was a part of the Jonathan Whiting place and was owned by his grandson, RUFUS WHITING, who built the house in 1838. This farm remained in the Whiting family until sold by Ithamar Whiting in 1874. The members of this family, like other early residents, were versatile and could do many kinds of work. They were like the Essex County farmer, described by a local historian, from whom many Dover families are descended. He was a weaver by trade, but he could butcher a swine or write a will or deed; he could practice in probate or dig a grave; he could make a coffin or build a house; he could cultivate a farm or survey it; he could shoe a horse or an ox, or make his own or other's shoes; he was a ready helper in every department of country life. For many years farmers made quantities of charcoal in the fall or early winter which found a ready sale in Boston. Matthew McNamara's farm was the original JONATHAN WHITING place, and was settled previous to 1732. While owned by Walter C. Upham, the house was burned (1864). Mr. and Mrs. Up- ham were absent at the time, and his mother, who was an aged woman, was burned to death. It was on this farm that Aaron Whiting was ploughing when the Lexington Alarm was given on the morning of April 19, 1775. He actually left his ox team in the field to be cared for and turned to pasture by his bride of only a few days. Wives and children were left on the farms to get a very poor living, while 103 DOVER FARMS ) the husbands and fadiers served in the Continental Army. Money had to be borrowed to live on. Oxen which were not needed during the owner's absence were often killed for beef. Aaron Whiting lived to an advanced age and was long recalled as a Revolutionary pensioner. The generation which immediately preceded us remem- bred the soldiers of the Revolution. General Butler in his Auto- biography tells of Revolutionary soldiers who found the kitchen fireside of his grandmother a pleasant resort, where they told stories of the Indian wars; of garrison houses and of women running from the fields of corn, pursued by savages, and sometimes overtaken, and sometimes saved by the faithful musket of the husband or father. Then they came down to later times — the opening of the Revolutionary war, the massacre at Lexington, and the battle of Bunker Hill; and so talked on until I had as deep-seated a prejudice against a redcoat as our turkey gobbler exhibited to a red petticoat, when he drove my sister into the house. Matthew McNamara bought the farm in 1867 and built the present house. — Jonathan Whiting, Aaron Whiting, Jonathan Upham. The Dunn farm, purchased before 1860 by Theodore Dunn of Roxbury, was at one time a part of the Eleazer Ellis estate. Here WILLIAM WHITING settled in 1754, and carried on the business of a tanner, which was a most laborious occupation at that time. He purchased the tanner}^ of his father in 1755 and continued in the business for nearly half a century. In those days it often took five or six years to tan hides, but they were so thoroughly tanned that the leather had extraordinary wearing qualities. To-day leather is chem- ically tanned in a few minutes. The bark was probably ground by hand, although it may have been ground by horse power; at best it was a most tedious process. With the machinery used as late as 1784 two horses could grind only a cord of bark in a day of 12 hours. The lime vats and water pools probably emptied their contents directly into the brook; but there is no certainty even of this, as the methods used were so laborious and crude at this time. The nail shop, where wrought iron nails were made by hand, was located between the 104 DOVER FARMS present Dunn house and the brook. — Enoch Whiling, Luther East- man, Rev. John Haskell. ANSEL K. TISDALE'S house, which was built in 1881, stands on the site of a little house built by Rebecca and Mercy Ellis in 1788. The Ellis family had large and early grants of land at the centre of the parish. All the land on the north side of Springdale avenue, extending from Spring brook* to Centre street, was originally the farm of Dea. Joshua Ellis, which was sold by his heirs to William Whiting in 1788, at which time the little house above referred to was built. Miss Amelia B. Alary's homestead was originally the BARNABAS PAINE place, and was settled by Mr. Paine in 1865. The land was a part of William Whiting's estate, whose barn and tan house, a century and a half ago, stood on the south side of the road near Spring brook. The house built by Mr. Paine was burned a few years since and replaced by a new house on the same site; about this time Mr. Paine's carpenter shop was altered into the attractive residence of Dr. A. B. Emmons, 2nd. Francis V. Bulfinch's homestead was the residence of the late Ithamar Whiting. This house was built by ANSEL K. TISDALE in 1872, on land which was a part of the Dunn estate. Mr. Whiting was reared on a nearby farm, where native cranberries were found growing in the low lands. In the settlement of the town, cranberries grew in abundance, especially in the west part of Dover. The gather- ing of this crop in the fall was quite an industry. Fanners often collected, in favorable years, fifty barrels of this wild fruit. From cranberries just like those grown in those wild bogs there has been developed that variety of berries which has made the product of Cape Cod known all over the world. J. W. Higgins had a house which was built in 1887, as an addition •Often called Dunn's brook. 1C5 DOVER FARMS to the store erected by LEWIS B. PAINE in 1879. These buildings were located between the present store and the railroad, and were struck by lightning and wholly destroyed by fire August 25, 1901. It is an interesting fact that there has been a store in this immediate vicinity for more than a century, the first one being located on the estate of the late Mrs. Betsey S. Howe on Dedham street, and was run in connection with the tavern for many years. Mr. Higgins' store was built in the spring of 1902, and the store of Edmund K. Dandrow in 1911. LEONARD DRAPER'S house was built by himself in 1890, on land purchased of the heirs of Linus Bliss. Mr. Bliss shortly before his death made a considerable purchase of land here for the purpose of moving his cigar factory to the centre of the town, where he intended to establish a large plant. — John H. Faulk. HESTNUT STREET extends from Dedham street to the centre c of Day's bridge. It is of interest as leading directly to Charles river, which has played so important a part in the history of Massachu- setts. Watertown,at the head of navigation on Charles river, was settled immediately after the founding of Boston. A little later a company from Watertown settled farther up on Charles river and founded the town of Dedham. This street and bridge were built to accommodate the travel eastward, and formed a part of the "Boston road." Start- ing at Day's bridge the town built in 1905, in connection with the Commonwealth, its first mile of state road. Under the system which prevailed for many years of allowing the highway tax to be worked out at the price fixed for labor, or the use of teams, at the annual town meeting, under the direction of the district surveyor, the residents never knew what a good road was. They were "deep in mud in the spring, deep in dust in the summer, and deep in snow in the winter." In the autumn only were they comfortable to travel on. The improve- ment in roads, of which the town is justly proud, dates from the abolition of the surveyor of highways in 1888 and the appointment of a superintendent of streets. Another mile of road was added in 1908, which brings the state road nearly to the center of the town. 106 DOVER FARMS CHURCH STREET was built to connect Springdale avenue and Haven street, and overcomes a right of way across the neighbor- ing lot known as the "Chickering path," still discernible, and made so by nearly two centuries of foot travel in going to school, church and other public places. This street furnishes a lovely stroll in spring or summer, with the pine grove on the one side, and the forest and deep shady dell on the other. The succession of wild flowers along this road, and in the immediate vicinity, is numerous and beautiful. Any one with an observing eye, and a love of nature, will find here a pleasant walk, and a beautiful bit of landscape. MRS. HELEN M. JONES built the house on this street in 1886, on land which was a part of her mother's estate. Mrs. Jones some years later moved from town, and this family which has been for so many years, and in so many ways, prominently identified with Dover is now solely represented by Miss Sarah E. Dunn of Springdale avenue. 4" ^ 4* WALPOLE STREET extends from Centre street to County street, and in its development was gradually extended from farm to farm to enable the settlers in the south part of the town to reach the meeting-house. On this street was heard April 19th, 1775, the hurried feet of the Walpole Minute Men, as they marched through Dover, on the Lexington Alarm. Eben Higgins' farm was originally that half of ELIPHALET CHICKERING'S estate, on which several of his buildings stood including his blacksmith's shop. The date of his settlement cannot be definitely determined, but it is believed that he settled here about 1730. At one time this farm was owned by Capt. Samuel Fisher, the most prominent, the most influential, and the richest man in town, one who was given to hospitality and good works. His son, Nathan Fisher, who lived here, was a prominent trader of the town. Although hospitable, the women were so busy with their home affairs that they had little time for visiting or for "days at home." Once in a while every housewife "had company," wlien a neighbor or the school 107 DOVER FARMS teacher was invited in. If in winter, a fire was kindled in the air- tight stove in the "front room," and in sewing or in knitting the afternoon was spent. At supper the table was laid with the best china, probably a wedding gift. Milk toast, and "flapjacks," piled high and buttered and sugared and flavored with grated nutmeg, were served, with quince preserve, mince pie, which had probably been kept since Thanksgiving, and fruit cake, all of which was passed in turn around the board. On such occasions "green tea'' was served, and greatly appreciated by the guests. The china sugar bowl was filled with white loaf sugar, to be carefully put away after the meal and not to be taken down until company again appeared. In the evening the men folks came in, and while discussing affairs ate the choicest apples and drank the best cider which the home afforded. At 9 o'clock the company separated, to be in turn invited to the home of a visitor. Little visiting was done outside of district lines. The meeting-house was, in truth, the only place where all the people met. One of the beautiful elm trees on this farm was planted by Mr. Fisher's daughter, Abigail, on the day of her marriage in 1807 to Timothy Allen. — Ebenezer Newell, Jr., Timothy Allen 2d, John F. Ford, John McNamara. JONATHAN WHITING purchased the land and built the house on the place now owned by the Higgins Brothers in 1888. This was the pasture field of the Rev. Dr. Sanger, where he kept his cows, which helped to eke out a living for his family, on his annual salary of five hundred dollars, out of which he sent two sons to Harvard and two daughters away to school. / PATRICK McNAMARA bought his farm of 30 acres of his father, John McNamara, in 1879, and erected the buildings thereon. This land was formerly a part of Eben Higgins' farm. Here is located the large rock on which the town powder-house was built in 1800. Walter E. Poole's place originally belonged to the Ebenezer Newell farm. After selling his farm on Strawberry hill, MOSES RICH- 103 DOVER FARMS ARDS built here previous to the year 1800. He sold this little place to Moses Sawin in 1807, having previously moved to Warwick, Mass. Mr. Sawin was a miller by trade and later settled in Natick. This little place, in the years that have passed, has had many owners, the number exceeding perhaps that of any other place in town. — Martha Stratton, T. Cooley Norton. Thomas Coughlan's farm was the BENJAMIN ELLIS homestead, which was settled in 1728. It is one of the best, as well as one of the oldest farms in town. It was purchased by Dea. James Cheney of Newton, in 1757, and was for many years in the Cheney family. Before the discovery and use of ether as an anaesthetic, in 1846, residents of this town submitted to major surgical operations in per- fect consciousness. Individuals are recalled who submitted to such operations, whose agonizing cries were heard a mile away. The Rev. Martin Cheney, in an autobiography, gives a minute account of a surgical operation upon himself, performed by Dr. Miller of Frank- lin in 1812, in which he well describes the practice and the agony of such an operation. — John Cheney, James Cheney, Amos Allen. The First Parish wood lot* is located on the west side of Walpole street, a little way south of the Coughlan farm. In the early settle- ment of the town the minister was expected to plow, harrow, culti- vate, mow, and harvest, like the rest of the community. Many parishes owned a farm, the use of which was allowed the minister rent free as a part of his salary. When the Springfield Parish took steps to organize a church, several residents gave land on Walpole street, amounting in all to twenty-eight acres, for the minister's farm. Instead of settling on the Parish land, Mr. Caryl purchased the fartn on Dedham street, which remained for more than a century in his family. The land given for the minister's farm still remains in the hands of the parish. On this lot the early ministers cut their family supply of wood, which helped to eke out their meager salary. During the last half century the sales from the parish wood lot have been a source of income, which has helped to paint and repair the meeting- house, as well as to meet the running expenses of the parish. •Sold in 1913. 109 DOVER FARMS JOHN BREAGY'S house and blacksmith shop were built by him- self on land purchased of Josiah Whiting. The house was erected in 1892, while the shop was built five years earlier. Blacksmith's shops are always of interest, as horses and oxen had to be shod, plows mended, and farm implements and domestic utensils made from the start. Such shops were early established on Dover farms. JOHN BURNS' place is of his own settlement, and stands at the head of a street, discontinued some years ago, which led to Powisset and the sawmill of Capt. Samuel Fisher. It is to be hoped that this picturesque and old-time road will again be opened to travel, as recently recommended (1909) by a committee of the town. Louis Gergler's farm was a part of the Simeon Mann estate. WILLIAM WHITING purchased thirty acres from Mr. Mann in 1854, and built the house thereon in 1856. Mr. Gergler is believed to have been the first German to settle in Dover. He reared here a large family, all of whom, however, took up their residence in other towns. George E. Taylor's farm was the JOSIAH REED place, first settled in 1758. Mr. Reed sold this farm to James Mann in 1786, and it became the original homestead of the Manns in Dover. The old custom of barter is well illustrated in Mr. Mann's purchase of six acres of land in 1784 of Daniel Chickering. The deed is given in consideration of forty-one bushels of Indian corn. Sometimes an addition was made to a homestead when a son married, again a new house was built on the farm, in which case the old house was aban- doned in the course of time. James Mann in giving a deed of a part of his farm to his son Simeon says: "with one half of the new part of the dwelling house which he now occupies with the same privilege in the other part of the house which he now has.'' — Ellis Mann. The Ziolkowski farm is one of the original Chickering settlements. Here NATHANIEL CHICKERING settled in 1781. A black- smith's shop was located on this farm. The first house built here is 110 DOVER FARMS still standing and forms one of the outbuildings. The architecture of the old house is a little different from other types found in the town. The second story projects somewhat over the first one, a modi- fication of the block house of colonial Indian warfare. It is a pleasant task to go over the settlement of the town and gather what one can of the early customs and domestic life of the people. Nothing brings the old times back more vividly than the old houses that have been preserved to us. — Daniel Chickering, James Chickering. George D. Hall's place, the "Lone tree farm," is in its original settle- ment, the JOSIAH ELLIS place. It is an interesting farm, having been settled in 1728 by a native of the parish. Through its owners the traditions of many generations of the town's people have soaked into the soil. Here Deacon Ralph Battelle, who represented one of the early settlers of the town, lived and reared his family — also Simon Cheney, one of the fathers of the town. We remember the bam swallows that in large numbers used to build their nests on the rafters and under the eaves of the old barns. Before the settlement of the town we presume this species used to build in the sand banks but through the years this habit has been abandoned by these birds. The writer can recall wild pigeons in scattered numbers that used to fly over the town twice a year. Among the early settlers they were caught by the dozen in nets extended on the ground. A tame wild pigeon, made blind, and fastened to a long string was used by those who caught pigeons in a large way. The short flight and repeated calls ot the tame pigeon never failed to bring them down. In the season savory pigeon pies were often found on the farmers' table. Dover is now caring for her birds and has the distinction of being the first town in the United States to appoint, with a salary, a bird warden. With the erection of bird houses the number of useful birds can be greatly multiplied to the advantage of the town and the destruction of the gypsy and brown-tail moth. — Samuel Cheney. Before crossing Tubwreck brook, at the right, can be seen, a short distance from the road, an old cellar hole. A century ago this lot was known as the "cellar piece." If a family ever lived here all 111 DOVER FARMS trace of it is lost in oblivion. No history or tradition can be con- nected with the spot. It was probably located on the leading way across from Strawberry hill. J. V. Schaffner's fami was the original home of the Tisdale family. Three brothers, Henry, James and Billings Tisdale, came here previ- ous to the Revolution from Lebanon, Conn. They all settled in the immediate vicinity. HENRY TISDALE settled the farm on Walpole street in 1774. Billings Tisdale located on County street, while James Tisdale purchased the farm (Alfred Tisdale's place), just across the line in Walpole. Henry Tisdale married a grand-daughter of Samuel Chickering, and this farm was a part of her grand- father's estate. Henry Tisdale was by trade a hatter, of which most towns could boast one man, who made those enormous beaver hats that looked almost like fur and were worn by men a long time ago.. These hats were thoroughly well-made and wore a long time. Mr. Tisdale* was work- ing on a beaver hat on the morning of April 19, 1775, when the alarm was given. He immediately threw his hat in one direction and his brush in another, and hastened to Dover center where he joined the company of Minute Men. The old toll house, where the toll keeper lived and opened the gate on the payment of the toll, on the Hartford turnpike, now forms one of the outbuildings on this farm. The rate of toll was a penny for each person on foot, two pence for a horse and chaise; three pence for a two-horse team, and four pence for a four- horse team. The stage coach was run with six horses, and is believed to have paid in proportion. Capt. James Tisdale was a prominent man of the town, a ready wit, a great writer of doggerel verse and one who entered most heartily into the jovial life of the neighborhood. He was a renowned auctioneer. His aptitude for public sale was inherited by his descendants and for several generations they have been popular auctioneers. This was the home of Fisher Tisdale a man of remarkable memory and deep piety. An orchestra met for many years at the house of William Tisdale, which was not only a source of pleasure to the members, but also to a *The late Ansel K. Tisdale believed this incident to relate to James Tis- dale. v>lio is known to have been a hatter, rather than Henry Tisdale. 112 DOVER FARMS large number of visitors. While all the members of this orchestra have joined the great majority, these pleasant occasions still linger in the memory of some who were then but boys and girls. The orchestra consisted of Samuel F. Allen, first violin, leader and prompter; Henry L. Pettee, first violin and harp; Rufus A. Draper, second violin and cornet; Wm. Tisdale, flute; Mrs. Wm. Tisdale, piano; Timothy Allen, base horn; Fisher A. Allen, tambourine, triangle, and bells. This orchestra played most of the popular music of the day with much skill, and often met at the homes of members. Sunday even- ing meetings for sacred music were common; it was such a meeting called for Sunday evening, January 20, 1839, that caused the loss by lire of the beautiful meeting-house of the First Parish. Superior pen- manship was regarded as a valuable accomplishment; many farmers wrote a beautiful hand, as account books and school exercise l)Ooks still attest. Writing schools were much resorted to, and several writing masters are recalled who had writing-schools in Dover. Young men even went out of town to avail themselves of the privileges of attending such schools, which were usually held in the evening. Wil- liam Tisdale is recalled as one of those whose manuscript exercise books show him to have been a good and careful penman. It is to be hoped that some of these manuscript books which used to be so common in Dover homes a half century ago will find a place in the rooms of the local Historical Society ^ 4. 4. HARTFORD STREET forms a part of the original Dedham and Hartford turnpike and extends from Westwood on the east to the Medfield line. The improvement in highways which has become so widespread, dates from the building of turnpikes about the year 1800. In construction, these roads were better, wider, and straighter than the old highways and better able to sustain the burden of com- merce at all seasons of the year. During the first decade of the 19th century, 180 turnpike corporations were chartered in New England. The location on this road of the toll-house is a historical fact of inter- est. The Dedham and Boston turnpike was chartered March 9, 1804. and was built in 1806. The shares were sold at fifty dollars each. Over this road a line of stage coaches, drawn by six horses, was run 113 DOVER FARMS between Boston and Hartford where connections were made for New York. Rattlesnakes were once numerous in the rocky woods west of Hartford street. In fact they were very plentiful at one time in the whole vicinity. The home of Samuel Chickering, the earliest white settler at Powisset, is somewhere spoken of as near "Rattlesnake rock." The early inhabitants used rattlesnake oil as a cure for rheumatism and sprains. The oil is very penetrating and snakes were hunted for the oil which they yielded. In the winter they sleep under the rocks in the hills. With the warm spring days they crawl out, and after a short time seek the grass and bushes. When the weather becomes dry and warm they leave the hills and seek the cool and shady swamps, where they are easily found and often killed by farmers in haying time. A snake has one rattler during his third year, and one rattle each succeeding year, so a snake with eight rattles is said to be ten years old. The rattlesnake is very slow in his movements. He can throw himself a distance not exceeding his length, which seldom exceeds four feet, the average length being about two and a half feet. CHARLES DAMRELL is growing cucumbers under glass for the Boston market, at just the dividing line, with his house in Westwood and his green houses* in Dover. His farming is quite in contrast with the practice of a century ago, when potatoes were rarely raised and corn was actually grown on these Dover farms for the markets. Farmers raised but little hay, as cows were not expected to give milk during the winter months, but were turned out to browse in the woods. The winter feeding of animals is no longer the task of a century ago. The ensilage of forage makes it possible to furnish succulent food to animals at all seasons of the year. The introduction of ensilage marks the dawn of a great change in the feeding of stock. Two Dover farmers made valuable contributions to this development. Henry R. Stevens in the publication in 1881 of his book entitled, "On Ensilage of Green Forage Crops in Silos," which did pioneer work, and Samuel R. Colcord in the invention of the silo governor, the use of which perfectly controls heat and fermentation. This invention, with •Burned In 1911. 114 DOVER FARMS Mr. Colcord's treatise on the subject, was a valuable contribution to the advancement of agriculture. Louis H. Kelley's farm was the MARTIN GUY place which was settled in 1842. Mr. Guy was a lineal descendant of Timothy Guy, one of those who assisted in throwing the tea overboard in Boston Harbor on the night of Dec. 16, 1773. William Neal's farm was first occupied by BENJAMIN GUY. Mr. Guy moved here after the sale of his farm in the west part of Dover in 1811. Mr. Guy is especially remembered as being unusually strong and powerful. He could put his shoulder under the beam of the barn and make the joints creak. He was a school master who had no trouble with unruly boys. Timothy Guy inherited the fann and had a little shoe shop in connection where he took the prepared stock, and, with the aid of his large family of boys, turned out the completed boot or shoe. Mr. Guy, when a young man, learned the trade of the shoe-maker and harness-maker at Newport, New Hamp- shire, and at one time had a shoe-shop in Medfield. When a boy and before the discovery of anaesthetics, Mr. Guy suffered the amputation of a leg. The horror of such a surgical operation cannot be imagined to-day. In the years that have passed many owners of these old farms submitted to surgical operations, accounts of which are still recalled that are most agonizing. Turning on to the Hartford turnpike from High street in Westwood, the first collection of tolls was made here, the gate being swung from a corner of the house. MISS SARAH ANN GUY built a small house, the cellar of which can still be seen west of her father's house. She later married, and about 1865 this house was moved to Medfield, and now forms a part of a house on Cottage street. Note.— Before the building of the Hartford turnpike, there was an old road called the Wisset road, which started near the house of Benjamin Guy and came out on High street in Westwood, near the Boyd farm. This road was called for the Wisset Indians — probably a contraction of Powisset — who once lived here. This may have been the "Old Plain Road," often spoken of in ancient transfers of real estate. 115 DOVER FARMS SAMUEL HERRING'S place, which was settled previous to 1763, was nearly opposite the Guy farm. Mr. Herring sold his farm to his son, Thomas, in 1789. The buildings have long since disappeared, and in 1843 the old cellar was filled in. The well still remains covered with a large stone. In every well regulated family a century ago there were six boards always kept in stock, to be used by the village carpenter in making a coffin when there was a death in the family. To be without these boards subjected one to the charge of being thriftless and destitute of ordinary forethought. Mrs. Stowe's "Old Town Folks," which is descriptiA^e of life in Dover as well as South Natick, says: "It was a doctrine of these good old times, no less than of many in our present day, that a house invaded by death should be made as forlorrv as hands could make it. It should be rendered as cold and stiff, as unnatural, as dead and corpse-like, as possible, by closed shutters, looking glasses pinned up in white sheets, and the locking up and out of sight of any little familiar object which would be thought out of place in a sepulchre." ELIJAH HASTINGS occupied the toll-house built in 1813 at the corner of Walpole and Hartford streets, opposite the residence of the late William Tisdale. Mr. Hastings moved with his family to New York state at a time when the larger streams had to be forded as no bridges had been built. Oscar Hastings, born in Dover in 1823, was for many years a prominent resident of Oswego, New York. William Conrick's farm was the WALTER STOWE place. Mr. Stowe was a trunk maker and settled here at the time of his marriage in 1813, having cleared the farm himself. Mr. Stowe was a relative of Prof. Calvin E. Stowe, who sometimes visited here, accompanied by his distinguished wife, Harriet Beecher Stowe. Farmers a century ago were great whittlers, and made toy windmills and water wheels and various things. With jack knives they could do more than the farmer of to-day can do with a kit of tools. — Albert Stowe WALTER WHITING'S little house, on the left, was built by him- self. This property was bequeathed to the town on much the same 116 DOVER FARMS terms as the Larrabee fund, but in the settlement of the estate, there was but little money with which to establish a fund. Although Mr. Whiting owned but a small place, yet he was reared on one of the large farms of the town, where in his boyhood days the farming was gen- eral and included the raising for the market of beef, veal, mutton, pork, poultry, butter, milk, cheese, eggs, beans, pease, potatoes, cab- bages, squash, cucumbers, citron, tomatoes, hay, corn, rye, barley, oats, pears, peaches, quinces, apples, plums, cherries, grapes, cranberries, popcorn, and rye straw. ^ ^ ^ POWISSET STREET extends from Walpole street, and bears an Indian name. In transfers of real estate this street sometimes bore the name of "King Road" and "High Rock" road. The plain of Powisset is spoken of as early as 1662 in Dedham records. Here the early settlers turned their growing stock. A shelter was provided and the herdsman cared for the stock during the summer months. The plain of Powisset is of great historical interest as the home of the Powisset Indians, and is closely associated with Indian life in this town. Beautiful springs abound in the vicinity and the picturesque- ness of the surrounding country adds a charm to this ancient home- stead. Reserve pond, which was a part of the plant of the New Mill Company, antedates by a century what is being done to-day by the largest corporations in New England, the storing of freshet water to be drawn upon whenever needed in the running of mills. SAMUEL CHICKERING,* a son of the immigrant, Nathaniel Chickering, of Haven street, settled here in 1720. When the bounds of the precinct were established in 1729, they were made to include "the lands of Samuel Chickerinsr." Here Samuel Fisher settled after his *The occupation of the shoemaker goes back to the early development of the town. Among those who followed this trade in connection with their farms, or in little shops, were Samuel Chickering, Deacon Joseph Haven, Elias Haven, Ebenezer Smith, John Jepson, Ebenezer Battelle, Jeremiah Paeon, Hezekiah Battle, Rufus Smith, Z. Moore, Joseph Knowlton, Reuben Griggs, H. Moore and William Faulk. These shoemakers took the measure and made the boot or shoe on their own bench from their own leather or from that furnished by their patron. Tliey wore complete masters of every branch of the trade, and so gained a valuable discipline from their work. 117 DOVER FARMS marriage in 1751 with Mary, daughter of Samuel Chickering. Mrs. Fisher had several tracts of land from her father's estate. At the time of Mr. Fisher's death in 1758, the value of his real estate was not estimated, as the appraiser stated that "ye land does not lie in this provence.'' It is a tradition that Mr. Fisher came to Dover from New Hampshire, although he was born in Needham. This farm was inherited by Mr. Chickering's grandson, Capt. Samuel Fisher. He lived here until 1793, when he moved to Dover Center. — George Fisher. Bernard Post's house was built after the "great blow" in Septem- ber, 1815, by SAMUEL FISHER, of timljer uprooted in his exten- sive woodlands. This great wind storm is recorded as a hurricane, unlike anything which had previously happened since 1665. The town has had at various times not only violent storms but earthquakes, droughts and epidemics, which proclaimed the Day of Judgment to some God-fearing inhabitants; happily, such events are no longer looked upon as direct visitations of the Almighty. While the farms for the most part have been small, the original Powisset estate has been an exception. It consists of two parts, the easterly and westerly sections, and contained in the aggregate, in 1821, four hundred and ninety-eight acres, making it the largest farm in the history of the town. This farm has lately been purchased by Horatio Hathaway, Jr.— Timothy Allen, Samuel F. Allen. GEORGE POST'S house stands on the original Powisset farm, and was built in 1896. This section of Dover is of great interest, being as is well-known the home of the Powisset Indians when the town was lirst settled. The fields where they planted corn were trace- able less than a century ago. The Indians of the vicinity roamed over the town for many years, selling baskets, brooms and repairing chairs; they usually stopped where night overtook them, sleeping in the farmer's barn, and going to the house in the morning for a break- fast. No ungrateful advantage was ever taken by these uninvited guests who claimed the right not aggressively, but as a matter of course. 118 c ■3 o ^ DOVER FARMS "Beneath low hills, in the broad interval Through which at will our Indian rivulet Winds mindful still of sunnup and of squaw, Whose pipe and arrow oft the plough unburies. Here, in pine houses, built of new-fallen trees, Supplanters of the tribe, the farmers dwell." CHARLES FISHER'S house built in 1812, stood on a small piece of land east of George Post's. The cellar hole can still be seen. In most of the old houses a half century ago the rats took formal pos- session and became ancient in spite of traps, cats, or anything that could be devised against them. The description of the rats in her childhood home by Harriet Beecher Stowe, as related by her son, exactly coincides with the experience of the writer in his old Dover home. "They romped all night," says Mrs. Stowe, "on the floor of the garret over her sleeping room, apparently busy hopping ears of com across the floor and rolling them down into their nests between the beams." Sometimes she would hear them gnawing and sawing behind the wainscotting at the head of her bed, as if they had set up a carpenter's shop there, and would be filled with terror lest they should come through into her bed. Then there were battles and skirmishes and squealings and fighting, and at times it would seem as if a whole detachment of rats rolled in an avalanche down walls with the cobs of corn they had been stealing This house was removed previous to 1833; a part of it forms the house of the late Frank Cheney on Winter street, Westwood. LUKE DEAN'S farm is now a part of the grounds of the Powisset Club Association. The club buildings* stand south of the site of the old house, which Mr. Dean occupied at the time of the Revolution. The cellar hole can still be seen. This location is called "Dunklin hole," a place which is referred to in the Dedham records as early *The Powisset Club Association was incorporated under the laws of Mas- sachusetts June 3B, 1896. It had a tract of about 35 acres of land. The Association built a camp and constructed an artificial pond of about an acre In extent by damming the stream which flowed through the premises. The Association continued until 1906, when a number having withdrawn, the entire property was purchased l^y four members. The three clubhousea of the Association were totally destroyed by fire May 10, 1911. 119 DOVER FARMS as 1716. In attempting to cross the bog, now covered by the water of the artificial pond, a man by the name of Dunklin got mired and had to be extracted by a friend, since which time it has been called Dunklin hole. This place was the terror of farmers, who lost many cattle here in its unfathomed depths. — Joseph Dean. WILLIAM KING'S farm on Powisset street was long since deserted and has entirely disappeared. Mr. King was a skilled blacksmith and followed his trade here. He made for the farmers of the vicinity, shovels, hoes, forks, fire-dogs, and toasting racks, as well as re-tempered axes; he also hammered great iron spikes and shingle nails for the carpenter. He settled here in 1763. COUNTY STREET extends from Westwood to Medfield, and forms the boundary line between Dover and Walpole. This is a very old way, but was not laid out until 1719.* County street is probably the only road in town that could be called the "King's High- way." It was used for through travel in colonial times. With the introduction of electric cars on this street, it may be interesting to note the development in means of public travel since this highway was first opened for public use so many years ago. For the first thirty or forty years after the beginning of the present century the stage coach was the only means of public travel. These coaches designed, with good roads and good weather, and a frequent change of horses, to make ten miles an hour. In those days the coach traveled night and day, and it took one and a half days to go from Boston to New York, a distance which is now covered by the railway train in five hours. We may note the improvements that have been made in other directions. A brief inspection of modern articles for traveling purposes will reveal the progress that has been made in bags and trunks. In the day of coach lines people travelled with band boxes with cloth covers, which were gathered and brought together •Authority, William S. Tilden 120 DOVER FARMS at the top. Trunks were covered with calfskin, with the hair side out, and some good specimens of these ancient hair skin trunks still exist. In May, 1834, the first railway train in Massachusetts drawn by a locomotive was run from Boston to Newton, and when the road was extended to Natick it was an occasion of great interest to the residents of Dover. People went from miles around to see the rail- way train. In 1846 a line of "busses" was established in Boston, which was continued until 1889. After 1851 this line was managed and controlled by Jacob H. Hathorne, who owned for many years the Lee farm in Westwood, near the Dover line. The busses gradually gave way to horse-cars, which were first introduced in Boston in 1856. They were soon extended to Roxbury, Brighton, and other suburbs of Boston. With the introduction of horse-cars, farmers going to Bos- ton often drove to the nearest line of street cars, put their "horse up" and took the car into Boston. Electricity as a motive power was first used on the streets of Boston in 1888, and has now been extended far beyond the suburbs of the city. JOSEPH BULLARD purchased the land and settled the T. W. Bradbury farm in 1695. He had previously lived in Medfield, where his house was burned by the Indians in King Philip's War, and never rebuilt. The original house on this farm stood but a short distance east of the Medfield line. His son, John Bullard settled here soon after his marriage in 1701, and may have lived for a time in the house marked by the cellar hole, still to be seen on this farm east of the Bradbury house. John Bullard sold the farm to his son, Josiah Bullard, in 1739. The present house was probably built in 1810. Billings Tisdale, who later owned this farm, had a blacksmith's shop here. — Nathaniel Bullard, Aaron Allen, Moses Wadsworth. Charles F. Leeds' place was a part of the original Bullard farm. The house was built by THOMAS SMITH some seventy years ago. Mr. Smith lived on the Bradbury farm and carried on, in connection, an extensive brush business. His brush factory, now weather beaten and dilapidated, can still be seen on this estate. Here Capt. Henry H. Ayer lived, and for a time carried on the business of a cabinet 121 DOVER FARMS maker, with several men in his employ. He made a specialty of the manufacture of tables. JONATHAN BULLARD'S farm lies north of County street. It was located on a "leading way" which probably extended through to Walpole street. This farm was originally a part of his grandfather's (Joseph Bullard) estate on County street, and was settled by Jonathan Bullard in 1748. It was long since abandoned and has not been traced since it was sold in 1762 to Jabez Baker. •h -h "i- JUNCTION STREET leads from Farm street to the Medfield line. It is a road which has been travelled for more than a century and originally connected the "west end of Dover" with many old Medfield farms. James C. Hopkins moved the original Hartshorn house to its present site when he built his mansion house on Farm street a few years since. Since history is simply the record of the events of human life Dover Farms helps to make more complete, in a very real way, the narrative history of the town. ^ 4. .{. IF a resident of this town of fifty years ago should return and see the Town Hall, the Historical Society's Memorial building, the collection of books in the Public Library, the Post Office, with its many arrivals and departures of mail, the rural free delivery, the daily papers, the frequent railway trains, the telephone, the electric lights, the automobiles on the streets, and electric cars in the south part of the town, he would realize the change which has come over this town during the last half century, largely through the building of the railroad. There was little change in the life of the people before 1860. It was not the Civil War which wrought the change, but that world movement, the introduction of machinery. The residents of the town who gave time, money and land to gain railroad connections with Boston should be held in grateful remembrance. Trains com- menced to run in 1861. This was the most important event in the modern history of the town. From that time there was a change, slow in development, but none the less far reaching. This is no longer 122 DOVER FARMS a purely agricultural town, but one that is becoming, as the beautiful illustrations in this volume show, more and more a residential place. Before the building of the railroad there were only two persons with a residence in Dover who earned a living elsewhere; now there are many such. Hiram Adams, who owned the Rogers farm on Pleasant street, worked in Boston as a printer and for fifteen years returned to Dover every Saturday night. Jared Allen had a pork stall in Faneuil hall market for many years, where he had the reputation of supplying the best pork in the Boston market. A part of the time he lived in Dover and carried on the ancestral farm on Pegan hill. Walter W. Upham (followed by a long successions of others) is believed to have been the first resident of Dover to make daily trips between his home and Bos- ton, all of which was made possible by building the railroad through the town. The progress of the town can be traced in the development of the Post Office. The receipts of the Dover Post Office in 1829 (the year of its establishment) were $36.51; 1830, $51.05; 1840, $113.88; 1860, $38.18; 1880, $167.71; 1900, $388.07; 1905, $614.61; 1906, $850.21. Note. — The location of all houses, since the first settlement of the territory, have been described in the foregoing pages, except that of Tim- othy Merrifield, whose house is referred to in the following described real estate, but has not been definitely placed, although it is believed to have been located on Farm street, nearly opposite the house of Elias Haven. Ebenezer Newell sold in 1769 to Theodore Newell "40 acres of land bounded south by road leading to Springfield Meeting-house, west by land of the heirs of Abigail Clark, north on the land of the widow Ellis, east on land of Thomas Merrifield and John Mason, with all the buildings thereon, excepting one acre on which Timothy Merrifield's house now stands." Through the years these Dover estates have been conveyed by "clear titles," which was one of the dearest possessions of the New Eng- land farmer from the first settlement of the colony to the present day. 123 DOVER FARMS Cease, mother-land, to fondly boast Of sons far off who strive and thrive. Forgetful that each swarming host Must leave an emptier hive ! O wanderers from ancestral soil, Leave noisome mill and chaffering store; Gird up your loins for sturdier toil. And build the home once more. What matter if the gains are small That life's essential wants supply? Your homestead's title gives you all That idle wealth can buy. Your own sole master's freedom-willed, With none to bid you go or stay. Till the old fields your fathers tilled. As manly men as they ! With skill that spares your toiling hands, And chemic aid that science brings. Reclaim the waste and outworn lands. And reign thereon as kings ! — IV hit tier. Note. — The following customs should be included in this account of Dover life. A imiversal practice prevailed of burning chimneys out as a precaution against fire. A rainy day was selected in the fall of the year, when the chimney was set on fire by means of rye straw placed in the flue. Chimnys were often so foul that they burned with such a roar that timid children sought other buildings for safety. Camphor bottles were kept, not only for medicinal purposes, but were consulted as barometers as well for indications of changes in weather. The gum-guiac bottle was always at hand and the medicine administered to children for the belly-ache; when served with milk it lost its fiery qualities and was not unpleasant to take. 124 APPENDIX. BROOKS. HE numerous brooks of the town wending their way to the mighty ocean are of more than passing interest, As the life of the individual is in some measure determined a thousand years before he is born, so the physical character of this town was determined many thousands of years before its history began. The ice age in the remote past made this at first an agricultural town and covered its broken surface with forests of oak and pine. The brooks, tributaries to the Charles and Neponset rivers, have their sources, and are fed by innumerable springs which abound in every section of the town. All the brooks flow out of the town and no water comes in, except by rain and the dews of heaven, which, filtered through the soil, comes out again in never-failing springs. Here lies the secret of the settlement and slow development of Dover. In the early settlement of the town, water power was fully utilized. The Wilsons had a saw-mill on Mill brook which was long in opera- tion. Saw, grist and fulling mills were built on Charles river soon after King Philip's War. Noanet brook had near its source a saw-mill built in 1783, by Samuel Fisher, which was in use for many years. Farther down the stream David Wight commenced to build a saw-mill previous to his death, in 1752. The property was purchased by Thomas Richards in 1753, and the mill completed. A saw-mill was built at the mouth of Noanet brook in 1795. Later a grist-mill was established in connection, but both mills were abandoned by 1855. In 1815 the Dover Union Iron mill was built and the "reserve pond" established. John Brown built a saw mill on Little brook, and Ebenezer Smith built about the year 1800, on the little run which crosses Farm street near Springdale avenue, a wheelwright shop. We should bear in 125 APPENDIX mind that not a "bucketful" of water runs into the town, but through nine brooks millions of gallons of water annually run out. A century ago the brooks of the town carried much more water than now. A large area was covered with a heavy growth of timber which furnished such a covering of leaves that the ground seldom froze solid in win- ter, therefore, the rain and the melting snow soaked into the soil and the water was saved to keep the springs and streams going all the year. With the destruction of so much wood land by forest fires, the amount of water has been lessened and all the industries on Dover streams have ceased. As the .supply of coal diminishes water power will again be utilized and changed into electricity to take the place of coal — then these brooks will no longer run to waste. ^ ^ ^ OTTER BROOK* rises on the farm of the late Amos W. Shum- way. lis name goes back to the time when the otter, that fish- eating animal, inhabited its waters. This animal was very numerous in the early settlement of the territory, but has long since disappeared. As the generations pass, some forms of life are left behind in the race for existence. "We love the creatures that are native to our soil; there is fascination in the wild being that knows no tether and acknowledges no control." This brook empties into Charles river, near the beautiful Dingle Hole narrows. ^ .{. 4. FISHER BROOK has its source on the land of the late Charles Williams, on Farm street. Here for more than a century the school children have gathered peppermint and spearmint, and so this little stream has become clo.sely associated with the out-of-door life •All the brooks of the town, with their names, were first laid down on the map in the "Biographical Sketches of Dover Soldiers," published by the Town In 1909. Note. — The small stream never honored with a name, which for many years turned the waterwheel at the wheelwright shop of Ebenezer Smith and Rufits Battelle, on Farm street, has its beginning on Pegan hill. It flows eastward and loses itself in what was early called Great brook. 126 o a ^ Brooklet, Cenire Street APPENDIX of the West school. This brook was named for Josiah Fisher, who owned the farm for many years, through which it passes in emptying into the Charles river. •{• 4. 4. TROUT BROOK is the largest brook in town. It was called both "Great brook" and "Natick brook" in early records. It is of service as locating many early grants of land. It rises in the low land south of Miller hill and west of the railroad. The water of this stream has never been much utilized, although several attempts have been made to place mills upon its banks. In time, when the inhab- itants realized that its pure water teemed with trout, they gradually came to call it by its present name, which was given it previous to 1750. The Apostle Eliot in his Indian work intended to make Trout brook the dividing line between Natick and Dedham. Hh 4" "^ SPRING BROOK with its pure, sparkling water, has its source in the numerous springs near the center of the town. It flows through peaceful meadows which abound in springtime with the marsh marigold. Watercress grows here in abundance, and is often gathered by people from out-of-town, who visit the place for this purpose. The tiny, playful trout which inhabit its waters are of interest and are often tempted by the fisherman's fly. The public watering place is of historical moment, illustrating the primitive way our fathers had of watering animals. The boiling spring on the land of the late Theo- dore Dunn is a rare and beautiful spring. Mr. Stimson thus refers to a historical fact in the naming of this parish in "King Noanett": He says: "We called the new parish Springfield, for it had a fine spring and we hoped to have fairer fields in time; so that is how our parish got its name." We know of no spring which more fully bears out the poet's description: "Always the same on the fresh May days, Or in the summer's burning heat ; It bubbles, and flows, and softly sings, Of the clearest, purest, loveliest things, In a voice that is low and sweet." 127 APPENDIX LITTLE BROOK, as it was early called, forms one of the tribu- taries of Trout brook and rises on the east side of the railroad. It is so far afield that it is seldom or never seen by many residents of the town. ^ ^ ^ CLAY BROOK carries us back in imagination to the time when the early settlers dug clay here for their dwellings. Bricks were burned in the first settlement of the town which were used by the inhabitants in the building of their houses, and the brook gets its name from this practice. Clay lots were sometimes selected and deeded from father to son. Clay brook has its source in the low land back of the First Parish Meeting-house, between Church and Haven streets. It flows through a secluded section of the town. 4. ^ 4. NOANET BROOK bears a significant name. It was called for an Indian chief who lived on its banks and set his weirs in Charles river, where he caught salmon, shad and alewives and taught this method to the whites. Early attempts were made to establish mills on this stream, but all ultimately failed. Noanet brook rises in the south part of the town, in the vicinity of Cedar hill, and empties into Charles river. It flows through a picturesque and beautiful sec- tion of the town. 4. ^ 4. MILL BROOK rises in Westwood, flows northward across the easterly part of Dover, and empties into Charles river. The first settlement in Dover was made on this brook, which watered the farmer's stock. It flows through wooded fields, where the barberry and other shrubs abound. The beaver dam, recalled by old residents, was on this stream and for many years appealed to the imagination of all visitors. Perhaps the first forest trees were felled by the beaver and the branches gnawed off and carried to this stream. The follow- ing description of the beaver is given by Dr. Samuel Willard of Ver- mont, who knew the animal well: "In no animal does the social instinct and habit appear more strong or universal than in the beaver. Wherever a number of these animals are found, they immediately associate and combine in society, to pursue their common business and 128 APPENDIX welfare. Everything is done by the united counsels and labor of the whole community. Their societies are generally called together in the month of June or July, all of which immediately engage in a joint effort to promote the common business and safety of the whole society; apparently acting under a common inclination and direction. The society of beavers seems to be regulated and governed altogether by natural dispositions and laws. Their society, in all its pursuits and operations, appear to be a society of peace and mutual affection, guided by one principle and under the same direction. Their asso- ciations and management have the aspect of a pure and perfect democracy founded on the principle of perfect equality and the strong- est mutual attachment. This principle seems to be sufficient to pre- serve the most perfect harmony and to regulate all the proceedings of their large society. This brook takes its name from the fact that a saw mill was built on its banks, near the home of the late Ephraim Wilson at an early date for the sawing of ship timber. ^ ^ ^ TUBWRECK BROOK is of interest as the northerly source of the Neponset river. The social life of the people of the time is well illustrated in the naming of this stream. It happened one spring when the meadows were flooded, that there were an abundance of cranberries floating down the stream, which James Tisdale desired to gather. As he had no boat at hand, he brought out his big hog tub and proceeded to scoop up the cranberries from the water. The craft proved unmanageable and he soon capsized. Scrambling out of the water, he made his way to the house, supposing that no one outside of his family had witnessed the scene. But Caleb Smith chanced to be riding horseback on the turnpike and saw the affair. He was so convulsed with laughter at the performance that he fell from his horse, but gathering himself up, mounted, and rode to West Dedham, where he spread the news. Mr. Tisdale was immediately called "The Admiral." He was presented with nautical instruments, log books, and tables for reckoning longitude and latitude, a sailor's rig, and a great variety of provisions such as are used in stocking a merchant- ship. Ship papers were made out, and he received many letters of sympathy and advice with offers of help for future voyages. 129 APPENDIX The "Admiral" wrote an account of the voyage on which he met with this great disaster, a verse of which is recalled as follows: "I sailed from off Of Turnpike wharf As bold as any rover, And swore that none Should laugh or scoff At the seamen of High Dover." It is of interest to note some of the industries that have had a beginning on this stream farther down in Milton and Dorchester as it winds to the sea. On its banks the first grist mill in New England was built in 1634; the first powder mill in the colony in 1675; the first paper mill in the colony in 1728, the first chocolate mill in the colony in 1765; the first slitting mill in the colony in 1710. Ship- building was commenced on the Neponset as early as 1640, and the first railroad in the United States was built from the quarries in Quincy to a point on the Neponset river in 1826, to carry the granite used in building Bunker Hill Monument. This stream is called MILL BROOK in Medfield, as the first mill in that town was built upon its banks, probably in the spring of 1652, by George Barber. We can say of this brook what the Indian said of the stream in Cooper's "Last of the Mohicans": "Does not this stream at our feet run toward the summer, until its waters grow salt, and the current flows upward." 4« .^ ^i NORTH BROOK, in Medfield, rises in the westerly part of Dover, flows southward, and empties into Charles river. This brook turns the wheels of the mill on North street, and the saw mill at Medfield Junction. It flows through an exceptionally open country and adds to its beauty and fertility. Some of the first-settled farms in both Dover and Medfield were watered by this stream. 4" ♦ ^ THE Apostle Eliot in his Indian settlement at Natick was deter- mined in his efforts to extend the bounds on the east as far as Trout brook. This fact was established by the Rev. John Allin of 130 APPENDIX Dedham in 1661, who said that it was Mr. Eliot's request "that he have a grant of Dedham lands unto a certain brook about a mile on this side of Natick hill, toward our town." Mr. Eliot early com- menced to build a saw-mill on this stream, but was prevented from completing his work by the Dedham settlers. Joshua Fisher said in 1661 "that when the town heard Mr. Eliot was about to erect a mill about a mile this side of Natick, the town sent for him to forbear till he might have the approbation of the town." This was probably in 1653. When Gov. Endicott visited the Indian village* in 1651, the subject of building a mill was discussed. After dinner the company went out to view a place for it, and as Eliot commenced his operations on Trout brook, this was doubtless one of the spots visited by his excellency. The mill referred to by the Rev. Samuel Haven of Ded- ham, in his centennial sermon, which he states was never completed, was doubtless this attempted effort. Mill operations were confined at this period to brooks, as large streams had not been dammed even in England. Mr. Eliot finally succeeded in building a saw-mill in 1658, on Saw Mill brook, in what is now the town of Wellesley. With the growth of population, on the territory of Dedham, saw-mills became a prime necessity. The land was covered with the original forests and the timber was much needed for building purposes. Hard wood abounded, which in later years gave place to soft woods in the suc- cession of forest growth. The falls, at what is now called Charles River, were early found to furnish just the place for the location of a saw millf to accommodate the increasing settlers. A dam was thrown across the river at this point, and a mill built by Daniel and Joshua Fisher after King Philip's War.$ The Fishers lived in Needham and owned land on both sides of Charles river. John Fisher sold to Nathaniel Chickering a third interest in his saw mill, which was *To the inventory named in the addres.s given on the occasion of the unveiling of the tablet erected to the memory of the Indians should be added the toboggan, which the Indians seem to have used as a sled of burden, and not as a pleasure chariot. tFor other mills and industries see Narrative History of Dover. JHorace Mfinn in Field Day papers. South Natick Historical Society, 1883. 131 APPENDIX located, in 1733, on the Dover side. Mr. Fisher parted with the remaining two-thirds interest in the land in Dedham, in 1739, bounded "north, east and west by Charles river," to his son-in-law, Caleb Wheaton, reserving the mill property and a right of way, but giving Mr. Wheaton permission to built a "fulling mill" at the south of the mill dam. Mills of this kind were in demand for the purpose of fulling and dyeing home-made cloth. It will be seen that there was variety in manufactures here even before 1800, when Josiah Newell, George Bird and George Fisher of Needham, and Jonathan Ellis of Boston became interested and an extensive plant was estab- lished. A new dam was built across the river which was spoken of as the "new dam"* in 1795. A paper mill was built on the Need- ham side of the river which continued in operation for a century, or until the property was destroyed by fire a few years since. Iron works were built on the Dover side previous to the year 1800, consisting of a slitting mill, rolling mill, triphammer, bellows, nail and brad works. When in 1787 a mint was established by the legislature of Massa- chusetts, and the mint master ordered to commence the coining of cents and half cents, he experienced great difficulty, as there were no rolling mills in America. A mill for the rolling and hammering of metal used in coining was put in operation in Dedham in 1787 or 1788, followed a few years later by the establishment of rolling mills in Dover, which were among the early rolling mills of America. At this time steps were taken to locate a grist mill on the north side and a new saw mill on the south side of the river. The saw mill was located on the creek, the right having been purchased of Lemuel Rich- ards "to sink, dig, and enlarge said creek." Both mills appear to have been built in 1795, and were especially protected in their privileges. The grist mill was given permission to "draw water till it falls four- teen inches below the top of the plate of said new dam, and no other ♦The new darr. laid down hy William Ellis on the map of Dover published in 1831 was never completed. When in the development of the water power at Charles River the new dam was put in there was great rivalry between the owners of this dam and Ralph Day, who was buliding the new one further down the stream. Work was pushed night and day, and as the dam at Newell's bridge was completed first, it made Mr. Day's dam useless, and so it was never completed; the foundation stones, however, can still be seen at low water, 132 APPENDIX than the gate of the paper mill shall draw to the damage of said grist mill after the water falls two inches below the top of said plate, except- ing also a privilege for a saw mill on the creek, in Dover, which is not to draw water to the damage of other mills till it covers a hole made in a rock at the head of the creek when the gates of the old dam are shut, or a lower mark on said rock when the gates of the old dam are drawn." With the development of the paper business the grist mill was given up on the north side of the river, and one was established in connec- tion with the old saw mill which was in operation up to 1853. Soon after that date both mills were discontinued. In 1853 Goss & Russell formed a partnership and purchased all of the mill property at what was then called "Dover Mills." They soon converted the property into a paper-mill plant. New buildings were erected, modern machinery introduced, and a large business was developed. Later Frederick Barden, Otis Pettee, Elijah Perry, Samuel Newell and others carried on the business. About 1860 Wil- liam Hill & Sons, took up the manufacture of sheathing paper which they carried on for many years. All the teaming was done by horses before the building of the railroad, an occupation which furnished employment to quite a number of men in carting the material and merchandise between the mills and Boston. Southward from the mills at Charles River, and some distance above Dedham street on Noanet brook, was the unfinished mill of David Wight. Thomas Richards purchased the property in 1753 of the administrator of Mr. Wight's estate. This mill lot was thirteen rods square, with the brook running through the middle of it. Mr. Richards received with the lot "all ye labor that ye said David Wight did do toward ye making of a dam upon said premises in order for said mill." Mr. Richards completed the work and had a saw mill in operation, which was followed a half century later by the building of the "New Mill," by the Dover Union Iron Company, north of the saw mill site. There was a small keg mill still farther down the stream which was built by Calvin Richards in 1851. The mill was leased by Perez Fearing for two years, followed by Rodney Hodgson, W. Mason Rich- 133 APPENDIX ards and Lewis Smith. The latter manufactured shoe filling here, supplementing the water power with horse power. The horse attached to the moving beam, is still recalled by the older residents of the town, as he went round and round the circle. William A. Howe suc- ceeded Mr. Smith in the business and took the machinery to Charles River, but soon removed to Main street, where he carried on the busi- ness for many years. Power was gained through the tread mill. To-day, by means of electrical power, the motor can be employed in any part of the town and in any industry. The mill was burned in 1860 and was not rebuilt. Luther Richards built a shop on Strawberry hill where for several years he engaged in the manufacture of glue. In the early sixties this building was converted into a dwelling house, which is still standing on the hill. Henry H. Ayers bought in 1851 the little farm on County street, since known as the Leeds place. Here with his shop on the opposite side of the road he manufactured furniture until 1861, when he gave up his business and entered the army. He always had a number of apprentices whom he taught the trade of the cabinet maker. While he manufactured much furniture for local dealers he made a specialty of tables. In the south part of the town, Samuel Fisher, who inherited the Powisset farm, built a saw mill in 1783, which is still remembered. The mills on Noanet brook were all a disappointment, as the flow of water was not adequate for mill purposes. Ephraim Wilson erected a saw mill early in the settlement of the town on Mill brook, which was used for many years in squaring two sides of the ship timber which was cut in the vicinity for the Boston market. John and Joseph Draper had a dam on Trout brook, which was spoken of in 1753 as the new dam. It extended across the meadows 134 APPENDIX : I ' p -: I'. and formed a part of Springdale avenue as now laid out, but there is no evidence that a mill was ever built here. Further south John Brown utilized the stream with a saw and grist mill, which was abandoned after some years, as the water supply was inadequate. There was a shoe shop on the training field, probably built by John Williams, where boots and shoes were made for the market. Here Samuel B. Scott and Leonard Maring, both of whom took brides from the town, worked at their trade. Nearly opposite, and in connection with the tavern, was a shop for the making and repairing of shoes where H. and Z. Moore worked for the residents of the town. This was before the day of prepared stock, and everything was cut out and made by hand from leather tanned in town. The low bench and the walls adorned with boot and shoe lasts remained intact until the building was burned in 1908. With the introduction of trade between Boston and the Indies, there was created a demand for casks and bogheads. Having an abundance of suitable wood, several coopers commenced to manufacture casks here as early as 1725. This business was carried on especially by Asa Mason on Pine street, Samuel Allen on County street, Ebenezer Newell and Asa Richards on Strawberry hill, and Edward Bowers. Oak trun- nels, which were used in ship building, were also made on many farms in the winter season, and were piled in long rows or tiers by the roadside. While women engaged in spinning, weaving was too hard employ- ment for them, and so weaving shops were set up in different parts of the town, where the thwacking of the loom was heard from morning until night. Weaving shops were located on the farms of Jesse Newell on Center street, Josiah Richards on Strawberry hill, John Griggs on Dedham street, Thomas Burrage on Farm street and John Burrage on Center street. Husk collars for work horses were made on some farms for many years. They were braided from the inner husks of corn and were both light and cool for the summer. Collars were also made from straw. Braided husk door mats were made in every home and were in general use until near the close of the 19th century. It is interesting in connection with these industries to note the changes which have gradually taken place in the employment of the 135 APPENDIX people of this town — as illustrated by the accompanying map — from the time when by every fireside the hum of the spinning wheel was heard, and on some farms the thwack of the loom; when every house- wife made her own candles, soap, butter and cheese, knit the stockings and made the clothing for the family; when the women folks in gen- eral engaged in making quilts, braiding mats, braiding straw, clos- ing shoes, weaving palm leaf, and in sewing straw hats and bonnets; when farmers had, in connection with their farms, blacksmith's shops, shoe shops, weaving shops, cooper's shops, and cabinet maker's shops; when scattered over the town were carpenter's shops, slaughter houses, cider mills, a brush shop, whip shop, wheelwright's shop, plow and axe factory, glue factory, keg mill, shingle mill, shoe "fill- ing" mills, cigar shops, grist mills, saw mills, fulling mill, rolling mills, slitting mills, nail factory, paper mills, organ factory, printing plant, brick kiln, tannery and currying shop, with the cutting of ship timber, the burning of charcoal, the shaving of hoops, the peeling of bark, the manufacture of cider vinegar, pig-sticking, and the produc- tion of beef and pork. These industries furnished diversity in the employment of a people who at best led but a monotonous life. Of these industries only the blacksmith's shop and the cider mill remain. As soon as the country began to be settled, apple orchards were cul- tivated, not for the fruit alone, but more especially for the making of cider, which was consumed in large quantities. The cider mug added greatly to the sociability of the times. "Not a guest upon the threshold got a more benignant smile Than when upon a platter, flanked by apples and by pears, The pewter pitcher rose splashing full of cider up the dark old cellar stairs." Cider presses were set up on many of the old farms.* The location of a dozen such presses can now be definitely given. The first cider press in town was located on the farm of Henry Wilson, the first settler. Here has been illustrated in the years that have passed, the entire evolution in the process of cider making from the hand press of * For the location of all town cider mills see "Procedings 150th Anniversary Celebration," page 58. 136 APPENDIX two hundred years ago to the steam cider mill of yesterday. The first mill stood out of doors, with only a roof over the press. This was the most primitive kind of a mill, and by its use cider making was a very laborious process. Later mills were built one story with a base- ment, and were usually located on a side hill, which facilitated the unloading of apples. A sunny exposure was selected for the mill, as it was often late in the fall before it closed and cold weather interfered with the work when the mill occupied an exposed position. By the old method cider was made in wooden mills. Not a particle of iron was allowed to come in contact with the juice of the apple, lest a dis- agreeable taste and bad color should be imparted to the cider. Only vvooden shovels were used in handling the pulp or pomace as it was called. In order to heighten the color of the cider, the pomace was carried into a long trough, where it was allowed to stand for hours and often over night, before it was shoveled on to the press. The mill proper was situated in the basement and consisted of a long trough, capable of holding at least a hundred bushels of apples when ground into pulp. Midway of this trough and across it was Notes. — A word might be added about the home preserving of foods. The women had no need of cold storage; in summer, when eggs were plentiful, and before water glass came into use, they were put down in salt to be drawn upon when the hens failed to lay eggs in early winter. In the spring the home-made sausage was fried and preserved in its own fat in stone jars, thus extending the use of pork products far beyond the usual season. With the drying of apples, huckleberries, and stewed pump- kin, and the making of cider apple sauce, jellies and jams, came — after they had been extended to general use — the preserving of tomatoes in her- metically sealed large-mouthed glass bottles. The first tomatoes raised in this country were grown from seed brought from England and were planted in the vicinity of Boston soon after 1830. Like potatoes, when first introduced, they were thought to be poisonous. The tomato was often called by our grandmothers "the cancer plant," as many believed it to be the cause of this terrible disease. Now the tomato is one of the most largely consumed vegetable grown in America. From the first settlement of the town pork products were preserved by pickling, but the custom was long ago abandoned and the recipe for "pickled shoulder" is no longer found in the old homesteads. 137 Appendix framed a heavy timber, upon which was set, side by side, two vertical wooden nuts with corrugated surfaces that interlocked. These nuts turned on an axis, the lower end fitted into a hole in the cross timber, while the upper end was framed into a large horizontal beam made from the whole trunk of a tree; one of the long limbs of which when inverted furnished a natural crook, to which a horse was hitched, which furnished the motive power. The horse was driven around the trough in a large circle. His bridle was often fastened to a pole stuck into the horizontal timber on the opposite side, so that when he started he virtually led himself in an endless round. A hopper was hung from the lower ends of the nuts, into which the apples were shoveled from above and sliding down against the revolving coggs, were crushed into pulp. A boy with a wooden paddle kept the surface of the nuts clear from the pomace which adhered to them during the process of grinding. The pomace was placed on the press with first a layer of clean rye straw and then a layer of pomace. The press was built of narrow boards, locked at the corners, with spaces between each for the juice to escape. The press was buiU up log-house fashion, and could be Amid the comfort and luxury of Dover homes of to-day it should be borne in mind that before the early forties the fireplace furnished the only means of heating and cooking. While the living room was comfort- able in winter the "entry'-as the hall was called-and the chambers were as cold and cheerless as they could be. In homes as late as 1858 even the "best room" was carpetless; but where a son had married and brought home a bride the parlor floor was likely to have a carpet by the middle of the last century, but in many homes the cooking stove came even later. The house of Benjamin Newell, on Mill street, which was P^-^ased by Edmund B. Otis in 1867 and remodelled, is believed to have been the hrst house in Dover to be heated throughout. There was no "book farming" on these old farms, as agnciiltural books were looked upon with "good-humored contempt " yet the New England Farmer established in 1822, was read in some families and the Boston Cuhivator, first published in 1843, was often found in the home o even the smallest farmer, as its several departments appealed to the family and its reports of the Brighton Market were found reliable. On every farm there was the set kettle, holding about thirty gallons, in which water was heated for farm purposes, food for animals cooked, soap 138 APPENDIX carried to any desired height, and adjusted to a large or small quantity of apples. The floor of the press was made of three-inch plank and was per- fectly tight. It projected a foot or more beyond the side of the rack, where the pomace was placed, and around its outside edge was a groove, or deep channel where the juice was caught as it flowed from the press and carried to the tub, from which it was put into barrels. After the rack had been filled with pomace, a wooden cover was placed on top, a large timber was then laid on, into which had been cut places for (he beveled heads of the immense wooden screws which were hung in a massive timber directly above. In the heads of these screws were large holes into which horn beam levers were thrust, and after the screw? had been adjusted, they were turned down by means of these levers which gave an enormous pressure. The screws were tightened at short intervals during the day. The next morning the rack was removed and the pressure relaxed. The cheese, as it was called, was cut down, with a sharp knife so as to leave the base con- siderably larger than the top. The trimmings were placed on top of the cheese and the screws again turned down until the remaining juice was extracted. The cheese was usually removed from the pres"^ made, and on washing days the clothes boiled. The set kettle was often placed in an attachment to the kitchen which also held the cheese press. As late as the centennial year some farmers wore long frocks on all occasions of business. These frocks were cut after the pattern of a shirt and were made from blue all-wool f rocking, of which there was consider- able variety in weight and mixture. The best material was found in Brighton stores, where it was in demand by butchers, traders and drovers, as well as farmers. In every household there was the bed wrench, which was used in setting up the cord bedstead found for nearly two centuries in Dover homes. In setting up a bed the cord couldn't be drawn taut enough with the hand, and so the bed wrench which gave a leverage when tangled in the rope' was used, and the cord thus brought to a condition of satisfactory taut- ness. As the work went on the rope was held in place by a wooden plug driven into the small hole through which the rope passed, and thus the corder went from side to side, holding fast all that he had gained by inserting the wooden plug. The setting up of the cord bed was one of the most difficult and perplexing tasks that anyone was ever called upon 139 APPENDIX to the roadside, in the vicinity of the mill, where it was left in large heaps to decay or to be carted away by neighboring farmers. The apples were drawn to the mill by an ox team. The barrels to receive the cider were often placed on top of the load. The driver frequently had to wait his turn to unload at the mill. Every farmer who brought apples had a place partitioned off to him by means of adjustable boards. The apples were measured by the bushel, and a boy was usually sent to tally off the load. A slanting chalk mark was made for each bushel on a large board, and every fifth line was drawn across the others, so that the tally was in groups of five and easily counted. The farmer took in return four gallons of cider for every bushel of apples delivered and in later years paid fifty cents a barrel for manufacturing. Cider made from apples gathered in the late fall is the best, and that manufactured from russet apples excels all other. Everyone was granted the privilege of freely drinking cider at the press and children with long rye straws, through which they sucked the sweet cider as it flowed from the press, were often as thick as the bees around the apples. During the fall the cider mill imparted to the locality an air of bustling activity which is missed today. to do in the household. On the web of the bed cord the straw tick was placed with its big slit, where fresh rye straw or corn husks were put in from time to time. On top of this tick the live geese feather bed was placed, which would nearly bury one out of sight when he got into it by aid of the stepladder still used in some country homes. Every house had in the cellar its swinging shelf on which was ranged home-made jams, jellies, pickles and preserves all neatly labelled and sealed. A fashionable woman's club recently held a quilting party. We are told that a professional quilter had to be hired to do the actual work, but that in all other respects "the occasion was very realistic." We suppose then, says The Evening Mail, that the men folks came in to supper, about 6 or 7 o'clock, while the quilt was still on the frame, with the old ladle* peering at it through their silver-bowed glasses, and thrusting their needles down through and back again, making the last stitches. The young women and the girls, of course, were meantime putting the finishing touches on the supper, while the men, coming in soiled after the day's work, were getting their overalls off in the woodshed, and grouping them- 140 APPENDIX Cider drinking was so common in these households that the last person to get up in the morning had to draw the cider for the day. At the beginning of the 19th century the cottage type of farm house was giving way to the style of house built by Amos Wight on Farm street and Henry Tisdale on Walpole street. The never-failing springs, from which the early settlers got their water, were bein? abandoned for wells, with the curb and windlass. There was an in- creasing acreage of tillage land with greater variety in the cultivation of cereals and garden vegetables. Fewer farmers were on the road with the products of the forest and more employment was found on home farms. Larger herds and flocks fed in the pastures, and the fields were under better cultivation. The roads were being improved with a tendency on the part of fanners to accept cartways, which had been fenced with rails and gates, and to develop them into public highways. There was still no post office; letters were received at Dedham from the letter post, which daily passed through that town. Being off the direct line of travel Dover was not even a stage coach town for many years. Access was had at West Needham (Wellesley) with coaches for Worcester, and at Dedham for Bristol, R. I. where con- nection was made with the New York boats; later New York coaches were run over the Hartford Turnpike for some years. Several at- selves around the water tub and the bucket of brown soft-soap and box of sand just outside the back door. The supper consisted of sparerib, baked potatoes, chicken pie, johnny cake, hot biscuits and molasses, Indian pudding (half rye), pumpkin, apple and custard pie, and tarts, with tea, cofifee and cider. One pitcher of the cider, reserved for the older men, was quite hard. After supper the hanging kerosene lamp in the settin'-room was lighted, and the men went in to criticise the quilt and recognize the patches. In fact, the history and genealogy of every square in the quilt was gone over searchingly, unsparingly. But on the whole, the feeling was excellent. After the whole party had loaded itself into the wagons, except the pairs of boys and girls who preferred to walk, and had gone home, the family went in and took a proud look at the finished quilt, which was left on '/he frame for several days as a memorial of a great occasion. Perhaps the Club had all this at its quilting. If it didn't the affair was not real after all. 141 APPENDIX tempts were made before the building of the railroad to establish a daily coach. John Williams was a director in the Woonsocket line which passed through Dover for a time and stopped at his tavern for a change of horses. After the opening of the Post Office in 1829 there was for some years a semi-weekly mail on Wednesday and Saturday from Dedham. With the extension in 1834 of the Boston & Worcester railroad to Grantville (Wellesley Hills) Marshall Newell engaged in carrying the Dover mail, several times a week, with passengers to Grantville, where later (1850) connections were made by a daily coach which left Dover in the morning and returned in the evening with passen- gers, the mail, and daily papers. Connections were later made with Bailey's coach at South Natick. After the opening of the Charles River Railroad in 18.S3, a coach was run to Needham, which was later extended south to Medfield and Medway by way of Centre street. This line was continued until the opening of the Air Line Railroad to Dover in 1861. A century ago the tavern was in a flourishing condition and the proprietor, John Williams, was at the height of his business career. The school houses were full of children and college students were often among the excellent teachers of the town. The people found their recreation among themselves, yet the social life was good and abundant; there was the kindliest neighborly feeling, and in times of misfortune, sickness, or death, the deepest sympathy and the most prompt assistance. A few weekly papers found their way into the town and circulated in the homes; daily papers, however, did not commence to be read until after the With the wealth of inustrations which this volume contains it is re- gretted that a picture could not be given of the "swimming hole," where the boys for generations took their weekly baths. It has been a maxim taught for many years that "cleanliness is next to godliness," and so during the summer months, at least, the men and boys took weekly baths. Going back for many years farmers, after haying time, often made day trips to the seashore for salt water bathing. Swimming holes were common on Charles river, and in Farm pond, Sherborn, where the boys in the west part of Dover went to swim on Sunday mornings ; and when one of their number 142 APPENDIX establishment of the daily mail, and even then were largely confined to a radius of a mile from the Post Office. After the opening of the railroad, daily papers, especially the Boston Herald, were found in a majority of homes. The books of the little circulating library, probably kept in the centre of the parish, were read by the young and exerted an uplifting and civilizing influence even before the beginning of the 19th century. was accidentally drowned in early July, a hard-fisted old farmer remarked, "That it was a mighty bad time for a boy to get drowned in the haying season." A half century ago very few private houses anywhere had bath- tubs, although the custom of weekly bathing was early introduced and practiced to some extent, but "the ordinary wooden tub played the dual role of both bath tub and wash tub in those days." Previous to fifty years ago there were no bath tubs in Dover homes. It is not known whether the first bath tub was introduced by Eugene Bachelder or Edmund B. Otis : both remodeled their houses about the same time and introduced modern improvements. Now even the shower bath is found in every well- appointed garage in town, and bath tubs are common for the use of domestics. 143 PICTURE of the life given in these pages has been well drawn by former Governor John D. Long, in the follow- ing excerpts: The environment of two generations ago had features. I have often spoken of the time before the Civil War as the Golden Age. The population was homogeneous, substantially of Anglo- Saxon stock. There was no overcrowding or congestion. The rural people held their prestige and the boys and girls filled the country schoolhouscs, many of which have now been abandoned. Boys learned trades, and the leading mechanics of Boston were its officials. Mayors, Aldermen and directors of its charitable institutions. There was always easy and familiar intercourse between all classes, an entire personal independence, and in all public matters — the Legis- lature, town meeting and the elections— absolute equality. Now the town meeting is a thing of the past for far more than half the people of Massachusetts; it was then the government of nine-tenths of them. Crime was infrequent. Robbery and burglary and the like were so rare that any such case was a cause celcbre. Automobile, railroad and electric car accidents with loss of life were not of daily occurrence. In short, there had then come little or nothing of the swirling, sweltering, crowding, pushing and hauling intensity of life which now not only in business but in our so-called recreations and amusements keeps us as disquiet and tumultuous as com popping on a hot skillet. It was as near the day of the simple life in home and dress and entertainment and business as we shall ever come. 144 INDEX Adams, Hiram, 50, 123; James, 71. Bailey, Marietta, 44; Rev. Timothy, Alary, Amelia B., 105. 44. Allen, Amos, 109; Aaron, 2, 121; Balls, 68. Benjamin, 2; Calvin. 21, 23; Balm Gilead, 84. David E., 23 ; Eleazer, 2, 60 ; Baptist Church, 44, 52. Eleazer, Jr., 51 ; Hezekiah, 2, Barberry, 78. 21, 28, 100; Hezekiah, Jr., Barden, Calvin, 73; Frederick, 71, 21, 22, 30; Jared, 29, 42, 123; Barter, 110. Jeremiah, 79 ; Joseph, 61 ; Bartlett, Albert, 20 ; Clement, 86. Joseph, Jr., 29; Rev. Mor- Bathing, 142. rell, 53; Perez. 23; Samuel, Battelle, Rev. Allen E., 44; Ebenezer, 135; Sumner, 29; William P., 48, 82, 102; George, 7, 11, 12, 21,23; Timothy, 30, 51, 108: 26; Hezekiah, 57; John, 7, Zellah, 44. 8, 11, 45, 51; Jonathan, 48, Allen Homestead, 61 ; Songs, 28. 52; Jonathan, Jr., 2, 11; Allin, Rev. John, 130. Josiah, 44; Josiah, Jr., Ambler, Harvey, 53. 45 ; Nathaniel, 2, 48, 71 ; Amusements, 77, 90. Rufus, 26; Ralph, 111; Animals, 9, 41. Sherman, 44; Thomas, 2, 48, Arlington, 13. 91 ; Win f red W., 12. Astrology, 45. "Battle Row," 42. Austin, James W., 24. Baltzell, Wm. Hewson., 94. Ayer, Henry H., 121, 134; Jesse, Bean, Asa S., 46; Charles S., 79. 76; Fisher, 71; Mrs. Fisher, Beavers, 128. 56. Beef, 40. (Beef packing, 49. Bachelder, Eugene, 48. Bees, 20. Bachelder, John P., 29. Bell, William, 18. Bacon, Aaron, 21; Albert, 44; Bigelow, Abraham, 9, 12, 23; Mrs. Edward, 44, 102; Ephraim, Abraham, 13; Charles A., 74; 90; Fanny, 47; Francis, 47; Calvin, 43-73; Edward B., 23; Frank E., 49; John, 2, 89; George H., 23; William, 43. John, Jr., 2 ; Martin, 10 ; Blackman, Warren, 16. Michael, 2, 89; Richard, 48; Blacksmith shops, 47. Silas, 43. Blake, Edward, 66; Seth, 72. Bacon School, 47. Bliss, Linus, 20, 42, 48, 106. Baker,Jabez,75.77,86; Jabcz,Jr., 75. Bond, Richard H., 87. Baker's cart, 13. Book Farming, 137. Bakery, 20, Boot Shop, 43. " / 145 INDEX "Boston Road," 78. Bowers, Edward, 74, 135. Boyden, Daniel, 86. Bradbury, T. W., 121. Breagy, John, 110. Brick, 1, 26, 128. Bridge Street, 39. Brooks, 125. Brown. John, 21, 23, 134; John H., 74; John M., 23, 46; Ma- son, 23. Buckwheat, 72. Bulfinch, F. v., 105. Bullen, Amaziah, 15 ; Bela, 17. Bullard, John, 2, 121 : Jonathan, 2, 121; Joseph, 121, 122; Na- thaniel, 121. Burke, T. P., 102. Burns. John, 66, 110. Burrae^e, George D., 75; John, 21, 57; Obed,20; Thomas, 15, 20. Campbell, Rufus, 46. Carpenters, 27, 28. Cary, Michael, 81. Caryl, Rev. Benjamin, 67, 70, 71 ; Dr. George, 70; School, 70. Cattle Show, 51. Center Street, 50. Chamberlain, George, 11 ; Lyman, 21 Chimney Burning, 124. Chestnut Street, 106. Chickering, Charles H., 98; Daniel 111; Eliphalet, 2, 54, 107; George, 97 ; George E., iii, 96 ; James, 111; James H., 98; Jesse, 97; John, 21, 81, 97; Joseph, 50, 72, 95 ; Nathaniel, 2, 96, 97, 110, 130; Phebe A., 54; Path, 107; Samuel, 2, 113, 117. Cheney. Benjamin P.. 93, ini ; James, 109; John, 9, 15, 42, 64, 100, 109; Simon, 111. Christmas Presents, 59. Church Bell, 24. Church Sexton, 24. Church Street, 107. Cider Mills, 24, 25, 38, 89, 96, 136. Cigar Shop, 20. Clancy, Humphry, 81 ; John, 86. Clay brook, 1, 128; Road. 89. Cleveland, David, 48; George, 48; William, 48, 51. Clifford, Oliver, 11. Cobb, Bailey, 22. Coasting, 101. Colburn, Everett, 50 ; Granville, 89 ; Irving, 26. College Graduate, First, 71. Colcord. Samuel M., 23, 114; Wal- lace R., 24. Comfort Bags, 100. Comiskey, Michael W., 48, 71. Conrick, William, 116. Cooper Shops, 63, 75, 81. Copeland, Joseph A., 13. Coughlan, Thomas, 109. County Street, 120. Country Week, 11 . Cranberries, 105. Crops, 75. Cross Street, 98. .Cunningham, Michael, 58. Curtiss, Frederic H., 73. .Damrell, Charles, 114; Charles S., 45; John S., 45. Dandrow, E. K., 71, 106. Davidson, Agnes, d^. Davis, Alphonso, 80; Arthur E., 32. Day, John, 74 ; Jonathan, 75 ; Ralph, 2, 14, 132. Day's Work, 27. "Deaconing," 46. Dean, Joseph. 120; Luke, 119. Dedham, 1, 2. Dedham Street, 66. 146 INDEX Dedham Tax List, 2. Derby, A. L., 43, 45; Martin, 43; Lawrence, 43. Dewing, Andrew, 2; Elijah, 7Z. Dingle Hole, 34, 126. Divining Rods, 35. Doctor's Bills, 42. Doctor Habit, 42. Doctors, Quacks, 45. Dodge, Arthur F., 79. Donation Money, 83. Don Pedro, 12. Dorr, Benjamin H., 23. Dover Farming, 6, 40, 54, 75, 88, 117. Dover Grange, 11. Dover Historical Society, 36, 70, 90. Dover Street, 93. Draper, Aaron, 103 ; Charles, 8£ Daniel, 103; Eben S., 72; James, 2, 7, 17, 18. 19, 25; Jesse, 25; John, 19, 25, 26, 134; John, Jr., 2, 19, 102; Joseph 2, 19, 25, 134; Josiah, 59; Leonard, 59, 106; Michael, 19, 20; Moses, 59 Thomas, 25. Drovers, 59. Du Bois, L. G., 12. Dudley, Fred, 48. Duff, John, 35. Dunn, Sarah E., 107; Theodore, 104. Durocher, Joseph. 63. Eastman, Luther, 105. Edwards, William, 33. Elecampane, 34. Electric Cars, 120. Eliot, Apostle, 1, 32, 89, 127, 130. Ellis, Alpheus, 45; Benjamin, 2, 101, 109; Caleb, 2, 97; Eleazer, 2, 53, 67, 97, 104; Eleazer, Jr., 70 ; Joshua, 3, 97, 105 ; Josiah, 3, 111; Mercy, 105; Rebecca, 105 ; Richard, 2 ; Timothy. 70. Emmons 2nd, Dr. A. B., 70 ,105. Ensilage, 114. Everett, George D., 17, 82; Mrs. George D., 18. Excursions, 69. Fagots, 47. Farm Help, 9, 85, 102 ; Labor, 29 ; Life, 4, 86; Produce, 6; Tools, 89; Work, 136. Farm Street, 7. Farrington, Benjamin, 46. Faulk, John H., 24, 106; William, 55, 56. Fay, J. Story, 3rd, 15. Fearing, Perez L., 80, 92. ;Feeble minded, 60. Fire Insurance, 74, 83. Fisher, Charles, 119; George, 118; Jesse, 71; John, 51, 52, 130; Joseph, 71; Josiah, 3, 40, 127 ; Nathan, 107; Samuel, 107, 117, 118, 134; William, 70. ;Fisher's brook, 40, 126. Fishing, 69. Fiske, Nathaniel, 14; Mrs. Nathaniel, 15 ; Noah, 41 ; Prescott, 98. Forbes, J. Grant, 48. Ford, John H., 108. Forestry, 53. Fortification, 36. Flowers, 58, 61. Floyd, Samuel, 66. Fuller, David, 86; R. Gorham, 29. Fulling Mill, 131. Front Yard, 3. Fresh Air, 36, 44. Frocks, 137. Fruit Trees, 93. Gardens, 11, 14, 35. Gardner, Philip, 16. 147 INDEX Gay, Stephen, 84. Gergler, Louis, 110. Gibbon, James, 49; William, 49. Gilmore, R. J., 12. Glen Street, 32. Gold Beads, 70. Gold Discovery, SO. Gookins, Daniel, 57. Goss & Russell, 133. Goulding, Henry, 16, 29, 38, 51. Gravestones, 84, Green, William, 24. Grew, Edward W., 13. Griggs, John, 70; Reuben, 25. Grindstones, 75. Grinnell, Dr. Francis B., IZ. Grove, 17. Guy, Benjamin, 115; Martin, 115 Sarah A., 115; Timothy, 115. Hale, Richard W., 79, 80. Hales, J. G., 101. Hall, George D., 111. Hall Clocks, 3. Hammond, Josiah D., 57. Hanchett, Chester A., 18 ; Dana C, 34. Harding, Ann, 48, 60 ; John, 48. Hart, Betsey, 94; Susan, 100; Wil- liam G, 94, 100. Hartshorn, Obed, 8, 9. Hartford Street, 113 ; Turnpike, 113. Harvey, Winthrop A., 60. Haskell, Rev. John, 105 ; Maria, 69. Hastings, Oscar, 116. Hatters, 112. Haven, Elias, 15, 97; Joseph, 96; Noah, 96. Haven Street, 94. Headburg, Gustaf, 57. Heard, Richard, 63. Henderson, Walter P., iii, 11. Herd House, 1, 117. Herring, Samuel, 116; Thomas, 116. Higbee, Augusta, 21. Higgins, Amy H., 90; Eben, Senior, 20; Eben, 107, 108; Jedediah W., 56, 69, 105. Higginson, Juliet B., 71. Hill, William, 66 ; William & Sons, 133. Historic trees, 102. Hodgson, Caroline, 98; Ernest E., 53, 97 ; Thomas, 53. Home duties, 136. Hopkins, James C, 9, 122. Horse collars, 59. Horton, Henry, 45. House heating, 137. House, oldest, Zd; Banking, 91. Howe, Albion K, 23; Alonzo, 46; Betsey S., 53; Isaac, 69; ; George L., 70, 90; William A., 47. Howland, John A., 22. Humphrey, John, 23 ; William P., 74. Hunting, 9, 23. Huskings, 39. Ice chests, 34. Indians, 1, 27, 31, 32, 49, 79, 118. 130. Insane, 84. Insurance, 74. Iron ore, 26. Jake place, 84. James, Edward, 71. Jepson, John, 85. Jolliffe, Thomas H., 92. Jones, Adam, 94 ; Alice J., 25 ; Helen M., 107; Hiram W.. 24, 25, 29, 46, 51; John, 9Z, 94; Samuel, 64; Stephen, 46; Theodore F., 48. Junction Street, 122. Kelley, Louis H., 115. 148 INDEX Kenrick, Benjamin, 18; Caleb, 34 John, 16; Richard, 57. Keys, Ezra, 66. King, William, 26, 120. King's Highway, 120. Kirby, Charles K., 48. Knapp, Ebenezer, 3 ; Jesse, 42. Knowles, John A., 25. Knowlton, Josiah, 57. Koopman, C. M., 24. Land burning, 76. Larrabee, Joseph, 83; Thomas, 83. Leach, Samuel, 3. Leach barrel, 31. Lee, John S., 38. Leeds, Charles F., 121. Leighton, Benjamin W., 59. Lexington Alarm, 15, 50, 97, 103, 107. Liberty pole, 17. Little brook, 128. Locke, William H., 102, Longevity, 8. Loring, Israel, 94. Lotteries, 65. Lumber yard, 56. Lyman, Charles F., 14. Main Street, 41. Mann, Abigail, 69; Daniel, 51, 74; Daniel, 2d, 44, 48 ; Daniel F., 75 ; Elbridge L., 48, 50 ; Ellis, 110; James, 20; James, Jr., 49 ; James G., 47 ; Lorenzo, 49; Simeon, 20, 110; Wil- lard, 20. Marden, Charles, 66; Jeremiah, 66. Marketing, 13. Market days, 17; Gardening, 75. Maring, Leonard, 135. Marr, N. D., 90. Mason, Asa, 63, 135 ; Ebenezer, 62 ; John, 17; Moses, 14; Seth, Jr., 17; Mrs. Seth, 16. ; Maypole, 19. McClure, John, 34. McCoy, Andrew T., 58. McDonald, Angus, 56. McDowell, Corwin, 30. McGill, James, 31, 48; Thomas, 30, 31. McKenzie, George, 64 ; John, 59 ; R. Murdock, 60. McLine, Michael, 81. McNamara, John, 108; Matthew, 103; Patrick, 56, 108; Wil Ham A., 45. Meacham, Col. George A., 103. Merryfield, Thomas, 26; Timothy, 123. Metcalf, Nathan, 23, Samuel, 23. Milk business, 20, 71. Mills, 125, 130. Mills, Davis C, 9. Mill brook, 128; Street, 78; Grist, 132. Miller, Aaron, 68; John, 21; Sarah, 70. Minot, Robert S., 21, 36. Moore, H., 135; Z., 135. Morse, Charles, 90; Daniel, 2, 39. Mowing machine, 29. (Myer, John, 92. Needham school land, 93. Neponset river, 129. New dam, 132. New mill, 71. Newell, Benjamin, 64; Carrie, 60; Charles, 62; Ebenezer, 30, 86, 102, 108, 135; Horatio, 57; Jesse, 60; Jesse, Jr., 61; John A., 60; Josiah, 51, 132; Josiah, Jr., 64, 65; Reuben, 69; Samuel, 133; Theodore, 64. Nichols, John Q. A., 43, 44. Noanet, 2; Noanet brook, 128; Noanet hall, 65. 149 INDEX Norfolk Agricultural Society, 51. Norfolk Hunt Club, 60. North brook, 130. Norton, T. Cooley, 109; Rev. Thomas, S., 69. Nursery, 92. Oak tree, 67. Occupation of women, 25. "Old Town Folks," 116. Orchards, 96, 136. Orchestra, 112. Orcutt, Henry. 43, Otis, Edmund B., 65 ; George, 53. Otter brook, 126. Oxen, 16. Packard, Hubbard C, 79. Paine, Barnabas, 105; Irvin A., 59; John R., 59; Lewis B., 72, 106. Paper cutting, 70. Parish wood lot, 109. Parker, Augustin H., 72. Parkinson, John, Jr., 81. Parmenter, Freeman A., 34. Parsonage, 53, 69. Peat, 66. Peddlers, 42 ; Pack, 61 ; Tin, 62. Penmanship, 113. Peppelow, John, 9. Perry, Elijah, 51, 52, 133 ; Jonathan, 90, 92; Lowell, 90; Samuel, 90. Pettee, Otis, 133. Phillips, E. T., 90. Photograph albums, 60. Piazza, 35. Picnic Grounds, 90. Pierce, Homer, 89. Pigeons, wild, 111. Pigs, 6. Pine Street, 61. Pioneer life, 5. Plants, 25, 33. Play, 90. Playthings, 11 . Pleasant Street, 49. Plimpton, John, 16, 38; Jonathan, 36. Plummer, Micajah S., 20, 43. Plympton, Charles W., 52. Pokanoket Club, 10. Poole, William E., 108. Poor house, 63. Porter, Dr. William T., 12, 13, 36. Post Office, 65, 123. Powder house, 108. Powers, Katherine E., 63. Powisset, 1; Club, 119; Indians, 117; street, 117. Preserving, 136. Proctor, Rev. George, 54. Pumps, Zd. Puritans, 18. Quilting, 136, 140. Railroads, 122. Rats, 119. Rattlesnakes, 114. Reed, John, 54, 68; Josiah, 110. Revolution, 80. Rice, Harry L., 21; Fred B., 21; John, 48; Wilder, 50. Rich, Henry, 11 . Richards, Abijah, 81 ; Alice M., 74; Asa, 81, 135 ; Calvin, 29, 51, IZ ; Ebenezer, IZ ; Edward, 79; Joseph, 71 ; Josiah, 79, 80, 81 ; J. Franklin, 34 ; Lemuel, 72; Luther, 74,81, 134; Na- thaniel, 82: Moses, 83, 108; Richard, 79; Solomon, 81; Thomas, 79, 133 ; W. Mason, 53, 134. Richardson, Warren, 50. Ricker, Benjamin, 49; Olive, 49. 150 INDEX Roads, 4, 85. Robinson, Ebenezer, 3. Rogers, Robert K., 50. Rolling mill, 132. Rosewater, 57. Rural conditions, 54. Sanger, Irene F., 73; Rev. Ralph, 51, 52, 54, 108. Savings banks, 54. Sawin, Benjamin N., 11, 51, 90; Cal- vin H., 90; Frank M., 90; Dr. Isaac, 58; Joel, 58; Thomas, 90; Warren, 90. Saw mill, 110. Sawyer, Edmond, 79. Schaffner, J. V., 112. Schomaker, Henry, 65. Schoolhouse, 16, 94. Scott, Capt. George, 73. Samuel, B., 135. Seeds, 79. Set Kettle. 137. Sewing machine, 39. Shoe filling, 47. Shoemakers, 6, 12, 117. Shoe shops, 55, 64. Shumway, Amos W., 10 ; Amos W., Jr., 10; John, 10, 11; John W., 9. Sickness, 13. Silk worms, 22. Silver money, 57. Skimmings, W. H., 42. Slaughter houses, 10, 29. Slavery, 25, 102. Slavin, Patrick, 21. Smith, Abner L., 22, 51 ; Albert L., 9. 3S: Allen F., 54; Caleb. 129; Charles H., 43; David M., 92; Draper, 10, 31, 38; Eben, 74 ; Ebenezer, 71 ; Ebenezer, Jr., 22. 26; Frank, 38 ; Joseph, 23, 38 ; Joseph A. 11, 12, 34; Lucy A., 97; Lewis, 24, 71, 134; Nathaniel, 32; Melancthon, 22; Rufus, 55; Thomas, 76, 121; Wil- liam E., 90. Smith Street, 34. Smokehouse, 16. Snow, J. H., 58. Soule, Alexander, 19. Spear, Charles C. J., 72; Stillman, J., 8. Spending money, 76. Sports, 101. Spring brook, 127. Springdale Avenue, 100; Park, 43. Springfield Parish, 2, 43. Spywood, Eunice, 44. Stage coach, 120. Stanwood, Philip C, 73. State road, 106. Stearns, Robert, 92. Stevens, Henry R., 46, 114. Stone walls, 30, 31, 51, 90. Stores, 11, 17, 43, 65, 66, 76, 106. Stowe, Albert, 116; Prof. Calvin E., 116; Walter, 51, 116. Stratton, Martha, 109. Strawberry hill, 78. Strawberry Hill Street, 78. Straw bonnets, 60. Sturtevant, Josiah D., 52. Sullivan, Cornelius, 66 ; Daniel, 71 ; John A., 86. Superstitions, 98. Surgical operations, 115. Swan, Francis, 54. Talbot. A.-^a. 18, 20. Tannery, 104. Tappan. Robert M.. 51, 92. Taylor, George E., 110. "Team haul," 97. Thanksgiving, 67. Theater, 41. Thieving, 50. 151 INDEX Tilden, Freeman, 30; William S., 36. Tisdale, Ansel K., 90, 105, 112 Billings, 112; Fisher, 112 Henry, 1 12 ; Homestead, 112 James, 129; William, 51, 113. Tisdale Association, 67. Toboggan, 131. Toll house, 112. Tomatoes, 136. Traders, 17. Tramps, 26. Trout brook, 127. Tuck, A. R., 15. Tubwreck brook, 129. Upham, Jon^rhan 103; Walter C, 103, 123. Vacations, 92. Vehicles, 41. Wadsworth, Moses, 121. Wages, 28. Wall, Patrick, 71 ; William, 58. Walpole Street, 107. Water supply, 21. Weaving shops, 57, 60, 70, 80, 135. Weirs, 128. Welch, William T., 9, 32; George, 24. Wentworth, Alonzo, 41. Wheaton, Caleb, 131. Whiting, Aaron, 103 ; Daniel, 54, 68, 102; Enoch, 104, 105; Gardner C., IZ; Ithamar, 1st, 56; Ithamar, 103, 105; Jon- athan, 3, 51, 63, 64, 103, 108; Josiah, 63, 64; Nathaniel, 63; Rufus, 103; William, 102, 103, 105, 110. Wheeler, Joseph, 100. Whip shop, 45. Wight, Aaron, 32; Amos, 10, 11; Arnold, 87; Mrs. Arnold, 86; Asa, 32; Caleb, 30; Daniel, 2, 3, 71, 72; Frederick H., 32, 53 ; James H., 42, 43, 56 ; John, 14, 21; Orin, 9; Seth, 30; Seth, Jr., 30. Wight Street, 30. Wigwam portable houses, 53. Wilkinson, Ebenezer, 42, 43. Williams, Charles, 16; John, 53, 54, 55, 68, 135 ; Ralph B., 17. Williams Tavern, 5, 68. Willow Street, 64. Wilson, Ephraim, 69, 89, 134 ;.Henry 87; Nathaniel, 3,81,89; Sam- uel, 81-84. Wilsondale Street, 85. Winchenbach, Frank H., 44; Henry J., 45. Wind storm, 64. Wisset road, 115. Wolves, 22. Woods, native, 66, Woodpile, 10. Wood products, 64. Woodward, Joshua L., 86. Woman's rights, 17. Wotton, Warren, 97. Wrench bed. 137. Wrestling, 19. Ziolkowski farm, 110. 152 ^ O JR. JM ^X rXO '°^in OM WHICH ARE LOCATED ALL ABANDONED FAR/^i AMD 1AIDUSTP.IES IS + O I300 -BY FRAMK SMITH-