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ABSTRACT

01'” 'l‘IrLLt‘.

HISTORY OF HUDSON, MASS.

I*‘l{<.>;VI i'l'S

FIRST SETTLEMENT

'1‘<:.> '1‘x:~m M

L3I£.N’%I‘Ii3N N1A.I..,.. AN N'§[VI[13I~{&3A1{SY OF "l‘1¢*II*£ I);“1£<;ILz‘\].i{ A'.1‘SI.ON C)?’

OUR NATIONAL INIf);I£P%I:?ZNI)];£NCSl€.,

_] ULY 4,1876;

»-uu-can-—

[BY CE-IARI..I?.S HUDSON.

cu-mu-um

RVITFI. THI1‘. ACTION OI’ T[‘*IE TOWN, AND THE 13’ROCl*3EI2_ISN(}‘:S AT

T H E C EL. 1.*f3B RAT ION .

PUBLISIKED BY VOTE OF THE TOWN.
1877.

   
 

*«'wr«

pPsoCLAMA'rioN.

~—-—--o«<:>§®:“,Y~:>o-----

BY THE Psnstnitnr on Tire UNITED States. A PROCLAMA’1‘ION..

W/iereas, A joint Resolution of the Senate and House of Repre-
sentatives of the United States was duly approved on the thirteenth
day of March last, which Resolution is as follows : .

“ Be it Resolved by the Senate and House of Representatives of the
United States of America, in Congress assembled, that it be and is
hereby recommended by the Senate and the House of Representatives,
to the People of the several States, that they assemble in their several
counties or towns, on the approaching Centennial Anniversary of our
National Independence, and that they cause to have delivered on such
day an Historical Sketch of said county or town, from its lbrniatioii ,-
and that a copy of said sketch may be filed, in print or manuscript,

in the Clerlt’s office of said county, and an additional copy in print

or manuscript be filed in the office of the Librarian of Congress, to
the intent that a complete record may thus be obtained of the pro-
gress of ourinstitutions du1'ing,r the first Centennial of their existence 2"”

.£‘4.:?l(l7 l*V/terms, It is deemed proper that such reconntnendation be
b1*oug,‘ht to the notice and ltnowletlge of the People of the United
States, Now, tlierefo1'e, I, Unrssas S. GRANT, President of the United
States, do hereby declare and make known the same, in the hope that
the object of such Resolution may meet the approval of the People
of the United States, and that proper steps may be taken to carry
the same into execution.  

Given under my hand, at the City of Washington, the twenty-fifth
day of May, in the year of our Lord one thousand {Eight hundred
and seventt-six, and of the independence of the United States the
one hundredth. ‘ ,

, U. s. GRANT.
By 2‘/ize Presziieni.
HAMILTON Ftstt, Secretary ey’ Sztzzfe.

CENTBl\lNlAl_, CELEBRATION BY THE TOWN
C or: HUDSON.

AT the instance of citizens interested in the due observance
of the Centennial Anniversary of our National Independence,
the following article was inserted in the annual town meeting
warrant for 1876, to wit:

“ To see if the town will takeany action respectirig the cele...
bration of the Centennial Anniversary of the Nation’s Indepen-
dence, or do or act anything towards preserving the history of
the first years of the existence of the town as a separate
municipality.” r   i

Under this article the following persons, viz: Farmers BRIG-
HAM, FRANK H. CHA1\/IBERLAIN, DAVID B. GOODALE, JAMES T.
josmn, EDMUND M. S'.l.‘C)VV.‘E, JAMES I... HARRI1\tIAN, RUSSELL B.
Lewis, WM. F. Tnownnrnoe, GEORGE Houonron, FRANCIS D.
BRIGHAM, CHARLES H. ROBINSON, and BENJAMIN Dnansonn,
were chosen a committee, and were “instructed to take into
consideration the matter of holding a public meeting of the
citizens of the town on the Fourth of July next, for the
purpose of celebrating the Centennial Anniversary of the
N a.tion’s Independence by an Historical Address, ior otherwise,
whereby the history of the first decade of the town may be
preserved, and, if considered necessary, request the Selectmen
to call a meeting of the town for the consideration of any
report which said committee may submit for its consideration.”

This committee organized by the choice of FRANCIS BRIG-
HAM, C/mz'7»'7-rzczrz, and FRANK. H. 'CHAMB1:RLAIN,i 5a'cre‘ra:¢y.
After mature deliberation it was decided to hold a public rneet~
ingat the Town Hall, on the forenoon of thefourth day of
July, and that the Hon. CHARLES I-iU;osoN of Lexington, be

6

invited to deliver an Historical Address on that occasion ; and
that such other musical and literary exercises be supplied as
the committee on invitations and literary exercises might
determine. ‘ t

The following members were chosen that committee:---~
JAMES T. ]osLIN, JAMES L. HARRIMAN, FRANK H. CI-I.AMBER-
LAIN.

The correspondence with the Hon. CHARLES HUDSON,
together with the order of exercises in the hall, and the report
of the proceedings herewith printed, sufficiently attest the
labors of this cornrnittee. *

CORRESPONDENCE.
. Hunson, June 3, 1876.
Hon. Cl4~1.ARLES'l'iUDS0N,  
J:7ezz7' Sz'7~'.---Agreeably to the recent Proclamation of the
President of the United States, requesting the towns and cities to
celebrate the approaching‘ Centennial Anniversary of the Nation’s
lndependence, the citizens of the town of Hudson contemplate such
observance of the day, thereby to perpetuate, by appropriate e:~:ercises,
spcli local incidents and events as 11'1Et}’ be gathered into an lrlistorical
Piddress for the benefit of coming generations. .
' l‘he committee chosen to 1T1t:1l§.€ the necessary arrangements, and
especially to select some suitable person to prepare such an A«clc:lress,
unanimously agree that no person could be found better adapted,
bc;>tl1 on account of early associations, and subsequent education and
t1'ai11ing;, than yourself’, to perforrn this important work. Should
your health, in js7OlL“i1‘ advanced  permit of your eiigaging in this
task, we trust that you will consent to accept this cordial invitation

to garner the existing material and collate it as the initial history of

the town hearing your name, and whose territory was the theatre of
your youthful aspirations and experience. By so doing‘, we feel that,
in the ripeness of years and in the light of a long and useful public
career, you will add another important historical production to the
catalogue of those of which you are alread_v the author.

Trusting you rnay find it convenient to furnish us an early and
favorable reply, we remain your frietncis and co-laborers in the interests
of patriotism and a common humanity.

V JAMES T. ]osI.rN,

J. L. HARRIMAN, Commz'z‘z‘ee.
F. H. CHAMBERLAIN,

LEXINGTON, JUNE 7, I876.
Gerziierrzerz.-—— In reply to your flattering note of the 3d instant,
inviting me to be with you on the 4th of July next, prepared to give

an Historic Address on the situation of your town, I must say frankly

that my age and infirmities are such, that I am almost afraid to
comply with your request; and did it come from any other town, I
should decline at once. But as it comes from a town in whose

welfare I feel a special interest, I have concluded to accept your

invitation. And as old age is said to be narrative, I will endeavor
to collect what facts I can, trusting that I shall have your aid and
co-operation in furnishing materials for an Historical Abstract of your
town. I see in advance a very great embarrassment, as all your
early history is so blended with that of Marlborough, that it will be
impossible to give anything like a full and distinct history of your
town before its organization.
I am, gentlemen, very respectfully,
Your friend and serv’t,
  CI-IARLES Hunson.
JAMES T. ]osLtN, J’. L. HARRIMAN,
F. H. CH.w:enRL.a1N, Cari,-1/mzftms.

SUB—COMMIT'.I‘EES.

The committee on singing, RUss;sLL B. Levvas, C/Izrzzr/mam.
did their work most successfully. The committee on finance,
EDMUND M. Srown, Cficzzrwizmz, succeeded in raising funds, so
that no appropriation was asked from the town.

TI-IE CELEBRATION.

From the originaliclea of exercises in the hall only, the
festival grew to one of more general importance, and finally
assumed the full proportions of an old-fashioned Fourth of
July celebration, with the ringing of bells, firing of cannon,
street pageant, and a good time generally. To the credit of
the town let it be said, however, and may the fact never be for-
gotten, the people as a whole seemed impressed with the grav-

ity of the occasion to the extent, that all unseemly indulgence I

and excess were avoided, and a commendable respect and
decorum ruled the day. The Sabbath Schools and Chorus
added grace and melody to the general harmony which pre-
vailed. , I

So successful was the celebration that the town, at the fol-
lowing November meeting, voted that the aforesaid general

8

committee cause the oration, and such other matter connected
with the celebration as the committee might deem advisable,
to be published in pamphlet form, for the use of the town. At
the same meeting the town voted unanimously, that the thanks
of the citizens be extended to the Hon. CHARLES HUDSON and
Miss PHEB1: A. HOLDER, for gratuitously contributing the
Address and Poem.

A very correct idea of the manner in which the day was
observed by the citizens, in pursuance of the programme
arranged by the committee, may be gained from the following
abstract from the report of the proceedings made by S'I‘ILL1\/IAN
B. PRATT, of the Marlborough Mirror--Journal. P

PROCESSION.

After describing the events of the morning in which the
Antiques and Horribles were the chief attraction, the report
says:---—

' “The regular procession as marshalled by Col. W. E. C.
Worcester" and his aids, Capts. A. S. Trowbridge, and Joseph 
Pedrick, was a fine turn-out and elicited general admiration.
This was the order of formation :

Police Escort.
Marshal and Aids.
Division I ~—--—-F. E. "Emery, Commanding.
Co. 1., Hudson Light Guard.
Reno Post 9, G. A. R.
Division 2 ---R. H. Brigham, Cominanding.
Eureka Engine C0. .
Relief I-look and Ladder Co.
Independent Hose Co.

Juvenile Buckets and Rescues.
Division 3-»--W. B. Brigham, Commanding.
Waldo Lodge, K. of P.
Committee of Arrangements.

Town Officers.

Orator and Invited Guests.

Sunday Schools.

Division 4 ~——-- W. McKee, Commanding.

 Tradesiand Industries.
Hudson Farmers’ arid Mechanics’ Club, with two yokes of oxen draw-
ing members and implements and utensils.

9

Mowing Machine, Tedder and Rake, ———~ Captain F. .l-3ri,<3;harn.
C. G. Brigharn’s Hothouse team full of Plants and Shrubs.

James ]illson’s team with tairidermic specimens and work in progress

in stuffing a goat. i
Geo. W. Davis, with two teams, one laden with bbls. of flour and
the other with bags of meal.
7 lVlill«:mer1"s VVagons.
A turnout of Market Carts of Messrs. Arnold, Chase, Cooclwin, Pol-
lard and Smith & Holden, A. L. Maynard, Stoves, etc.
J. jandron, Blacksmith team, with anvil, bellows, forge, etc., and two
men at work.

EXERCISES AT THE TOVVN HALL. -

At ten o’clock, Town Hall was well filled. The exercises
were of a high order, and promptly carried out. The gallery
was occupied by the chorus, under the direction of R. B.
LEWIS, and the Sunday School children. On the platform,
besides the town officers, officers of the day, etc., etc., there
were a large number of'old gentlemen, including among their
number the following : i Q S

W. P. Holden, 77 ; E. Whitney of Stow, 64; Elijah Hale of
Stow, 88 ; Otis Heywood, 84 ; Silas Priest, 76 5 Joseph Dakin,
70; Rev. R. S. Persons, 67; Joel Wilkins, 81 ; Wm. Stone, 78;
Daniel Farnsworrh, 70; Charles Brigham, 60; John Rice, 68;
Isaac Hall, 80; Hon; Chas. Hudson, Lexington, 8:; Elisha
Gates, 8:2. ; Peter Foran, 78.

On either side of the platform were the plows of 1776 and
1876.

After invocation by Rev. W. H. S. VENTRES, Capt. Fnancrs
BRIGHAM, Chairman of the Committee, called the meeting to
order, and on account of his feeble health requested J. T.
]osLIN to preside. On assuming; the position of presiding
officer, Mr. JOSLIN congratulated the assembly upon the auspi-’
cious circumstances under which they were convened. The
heavens and the earth vie with each other to make the occasion
memorable. We have arrived at the first centennial mile-stone
in our country’s career as a separate and independent nation.

2

IO

It is fit and proper that we should lay aside our ordinary
avocations, and in this public hall, dedicated to the common
weal, celebrate with music, songs, and oration, the hundredth
anniversary of our national existence. The history of the past

century is remarkable. From thirteen feebleand struggling

colonies, we have become a powerful nation, with nearly thrice
as many States. The physical and political growth of the
nation is typical of its advance in Science, Literature, and the
Mechanic Arts. He closed his introductory remarks by read-
ing the following original ‘

PROLOGUE.

ALL hail E Thrice hail I E Great dayof jubilee;
Deep bells and booming guns have welcomed thee.
Assembled now, let us recall the story

Of Freedo1n’s march through conflict on to glory.
Wl"iere once the savage hear and fierce wolf ran,
To—day appear,,the wondrous works of man.
Wheere once the dark primeval forests stood,
To-day resound the songs of brotherhood.

Two hundred fifty years this change have wrought,
The wilds untamed, to happy homes are brought.
Qt this brief span, one hundred fifty years,

Our sites, to conscience true, ‘Enid many tears,
Laid the foundations of this miglity land,

Andi set the church and school on every hand.
Another hundred years, recorded now,

By God's great .love were given, "wherein the vow
The Fathers made to build a temple fair,

, Unfinished then, descending to the heir,

The sons, by filial love inspired, might raise,
Sacred to justice and jehovalfs praise.

Completed is the work. May it endure

Steadfast and strong, permanent and secure.‘

Singing followed from the Sunday School   children, and
the reading, in fine style, of the Declaration of Independence
by Rev’, A. W. MILLS. ,,After music by theMarlborough Brass
Band, the following original hymn by Rev. HILARY BYGRAVE,
was sung by the audience. to the tune Arnerica. 4

II

CENTENNIAL HYMN.

Guided by freedom’s ray,

The Fathers made their way,
Across the sea.

Leaning on God’s strong hand,

They, sought a distant strand,

And found this goodly land,
Where all are free.

For years they toiled and prayed.

Thro’ sunshine and thro’ shade,
To found a state.

A state, where all should be

Members of one family-—--

A pure democracy,
With each man great.

Against Britannia’s power,

They raised a mighty tower,
Of patriot-men.

And victory crowned their wars,

For just and equal laws,

And freedorn’s holy cause ;
Thank God! amen I

The nation grew apace,‘
Contesting in the race,

With other lands.
Andnow a century old,
With stores of lore and gold,
And deathless deeds untold,

Honor’d she stands.

And may she still contend,
And evermore ascend,
To higher things.
Till all the world shall say,
That we have won the way,
To that suprernest sway,
Which freedom brings.

I2’

Bought with ‘a price so great,

May we prize our estate,
With all its grace,

And down the centuries roll,

The force of self-control,

And noble strength of soul,
To bless the race.

Thro’ all the coming time, "
May we live lives sublime,
And free from stain,

And ever strive to be
\7Vo.rthy our ancestry,
‘And with humility,
Press on again.

The Address of Hon. CHARLES Henson", printed on the
following pages, was followed by the Poern prepared for the
occasion by Miss PHEBE A. HOLDER. This was succeeded
by speeches from EL:sRIDc:n: Hows, of Marlboro’, and EDWIN
VVHITNEY, of Stow, who officially represented these towns as
parent towns of the townof Hudson as originally incorporated.
Then came speeches from citizens of Hudson, viz: K. H.
PEDRICK, Rev. HILARY Bvoaavn, CHARLES BRIGHAM, liev.
A. W. MILLS, CHARLESH. RICE, Rev. W. H. S. VENTRES.
The spealting was closed by STILLMAN B. PRATT, of Marlboro’,
who gave a brief interesting account of celebrations held in
Marlborough when Hudson was a portion of that town, and
consequently form an historical item worthy of preservation.
 The 40th anniversary of American Independence was celeé
bratecl in Marlborough, July 4, I815. Three run militia‘
cornpanies took part. The oration was delivered in Rev. S.
BUcI~:I_.IN’s church, to a crowded house. Dinner was served at
the east end of the old Gates House.    
July 5th, 1841, a grand Washingtonian Temperance Cele-—

  bration was held there- Another temperance celebration took

place July 3, 1852, with addresses by’ Dr. A. A. MINER, on
Union Common, and picnic on High School Common. The
“ boro ”towr.1s and Berlin united on this occasion.  

The grandest celebration of all was the Bil-Centennial held
July I3, I860, with the oration by Hon. C. HUDSON under the

13

big tent on Ockoocangansett Hill, the dinner and speeches in
the tent near the South depot, and the picnic of 1300 children
on Fairniount. Fifteen brass bands furnished music enough
for a small peace jubilee.

July 4, 1865, was celebrated with oration and dinner, under
a tent on the Old Common.

In all these Marlborough celebrations the people of Hudson
have lent a helping hand and shown an active participation. A

The exercises in the hall Closed with a benediction by Rev.
W. H. S. VENTRES, after which the officers and guests partook
of acollation in the lower hall. Salutes were fired and bells
rung at sunrise, noon and sunset. The evening fireworks on
Mount Assabet were a surprise to all by their brilliancy and
beauty. Capt. TROWBRIDGE was in charge of the artillery, and
Dr. LONGENECKER of the fireworks. Not an accident occurred,
nor was a single arrest   made. Indeed so few signs of
drunkenness were never manifest before on Independence Day,

the’ venders and drinkers of liquors both c“o—operating in

ptittiiig this appetite for drink under subjection. It was
altogether a day of which to be proud.    

HlSTORlCAL ADDRESS.

BY HON. CHARLES HUDSON.

u... 4- .a
:7 — -

ANCIENT Hrsronv is but a narration of wars and
figlitings, of blood and carnage, of lands desolated, of
cities sacltecl, of towns vvrapt in flames, and a public

  e:>«:hibit of suffering, barbarity and crime on a broad

scale. The only relief from this wholesale slaugliteif, is
found in the less public massacres, or cases where those
who wore or who aspired at a crown, have caused their
rivals to be cast into loathsorne prisons to perish, or
to be executed on the scaffold, or to be taken off by
some hired assassin.

But among the proofs of advancing‘ civilization is the
change of feeling and taste on these subjects. Now,
the horrors of War, “the confused noise, and garments
rolled in blood,” have lost their charms, and the mass
of the people desire pictures less revolting. They
prefer to contemplate the arts of peace, the diffusion of
knowledge, the spread of justice and humanity —— in a
word, the general advance of Christian civilization in
the world. Every lover of his race must rejoice at
this moral progress.

Not, however, that We would beunmindful of our

country’s Welfare, or regardless of our own rights. As
we love our country, we would protect and defend her

I5

interest and her honor. But the world is beginning to
learn that an interchange of fraternal feeling, and a
respect for the rights of others, is the wisest system of
national defence, and will do more than fleets and
armies to preserve the peace of the world; and that
true wisdom teaches that the sword, though valuable
in its place, should not be drawn till all other means
have failed. _ M A
On this centennial year, when we are rendering our
tl1anl<sgiving's to the Author of all good for the pros-
perity he has vouchsafed to us, and when we are
inviting the nations to our shores to rejoice with us,
not in our prosperity alone, but in the general peace of
the world, and the march of liberal sentiments, it
becomes us to contribute ,our share to swell the noble
current of public feeling, and strive to promote the
harmony and welfare of the nations. We have, in
fact, a double duty to perform-—-«the duty which we
owe to foreign nations, and perhaps the more delicate
and difficult duty, which we owe to our late hostile
brethren of the South. That we ought to receive in a
cordial manner those who have submitted themselves

A and accepted the result of the late unfortunate struggle,

there can be no doubt. But this duty is founded on
higih and patriotic principles, and should be perfo1*med
in such a manner as to secure lasting harmony between
the different sections of our country, and so render our
Union more peaceful and prosperous.

If we assail our southern brethren with taunts and
boasts that we have vanquished. them in battle; or
in that sickly sentimentality, of which we see some
specimens, which approaches them, hat in hand, extol,-
ling their bravery, and humbly entreating them to come
back; into the Union, and live in peace with us, we
sinl: our manhood, and justly forfeit the respect of all

I6

patriotic statesmen. Or, if we receive as due and
enlightened submission, the haughty bravado of one
who relies upon the fact that he has held a commission
in the confederate army, or has fought under Davis,
Jackson, or Lee, we are doing nothing calculated to gain
the respect of the people abroad, or to render perpetual
our free institutions. Enlightened patriotism requires
that we should be forgiving, in all cases of penitence,
and due submission.

We are assembled here to celebrate the birthday of
the nation; and this anniversary, always interesting,
is rendered doubly so at this time, from the fact that we
have had a full century of experience since our fathers
announced to the world that we were a free and inde—
pendent nation. The doctrines of human freedom, set
forth in the instrument announcing our independence,
commended themselves to the good sense of mankind. ;
but the question arose, whether there was intelligence
and integrity enough in the people, to establish and
carry forward successfully a system of self~government.
Eighty years of general prosperity had satisfied most
people that our system had proved a perfect success.
We had enjoyed all the blessings of good government.
We had had almost uninterrupted peace. The Wars‘-in
which we had been engaged, had been of short duration

and of no considerable magnitude; and we had been

able to meet each event, and turn it to a good account.
Most people, therefore, were ready to say that the
experiment of a free government had succeeded, and
that we were prepared to meet any emergency that
could arise. l

But some of the wisest statesmen abroad, and even in

our own country, were still of the opinion at the end of
‘eighty years’ experience, that “our experiment was but

half tried ; that we had shown that our institutions were
adapted to a state of peace and prosperity, when things
would take care of themselves; but thatthey had not
been tested by the trying ordeal of an oppressive and
protracted war. Our government, we were told, was
not strong enough for such a crisis, and our Constitu-

tion gave us no power to control a State. Such

doctrines were proclaimed boldly by the advocates of
monarchical institutions, and were becoming popular in
some sections of our own country. But a crisis arose,
when these forebodings were to be met. A Several States
had passed ordinances of secession, and had seized the
property of the United States; and the imbecile then
at the head of the nation, gave up in despair, saying
we had no authority to coerce an Stamp

But the incoming administration was pleased to say,
that we had nothing to do with States, as such; that
the general government could control its*own subjects,
and if rebellion broke outlin any section of the country,
the government had full authority to subdue the rebels,

irrespective of the State to which they belonged. This s

doctrine met the crisis, and satisfied enlightened states»-
men that we had power by the Constitution to sustain
the governineiit--—--2'/zé Jzfiozrwr zy‘ .sv:Zf-—p7rese7’wiz'o7z. When
the people were summoned to maintain the integrity
of the Union, and sustain the honor of our flag, which
had been assailed by a portion of our own countrymen,
they were found ready to obey their country’s "call.
And when, for a short time, in some localities, a portion
of the citizens hesitating to respond to the call of the
Executive, a draft was ordered and for a limited period
enforced, the people were convinced that the govern-
ment had ample power to command the services of its
own citizens.

There had been a rnisapprehension relative to the
is

18

power of our government in time of war. As we had
had no war since the adoption of the Constitution
which put the extreme powers of the government in
requisition, and the war power granted by the Constitu-
tion had not been carried out bystatutory enactment, it
seemed to be taken for granted that our government
did not possess the extreme powers of a nation at war.
But when the Constitution was read in tlie light of a
civil war which threatened the life of the Republic, it
was seen at once that it granted the war power as
clearly as the peace power ; that Congress was empow-
ered not only to regulate commerce, but “to declare

war, raise and support armies, to provide and maintain  

a navy, and to make rules for the government of the
land and naval forces ;  and all these forces were to be
put at the disposal of the President, as Commander-—in—
chief. -

As the Constitution gives no definition of the war
power, and as we had not by legislation defined the
extent of that power, we were required to look to

the law of nations to ascertain its nature, extent, and

limitation. And here we found the power ample, cen-
tering in the great principle of _self-defence or saff-
prere-rwzz‘z'07z.

Even on the subject of African servitude, where the
opinion was nearly unanimous that slavery, being a
State institution, was beyond the control of the general
government in the State where it was established; it
was found that by the law of nations, slavery was
subject to the war power; and when the commander-
in-chief regarded the iexigency su-fficient, he had full
power to do anything which would strengthen himself,
or weaken his enemy, provided it did not outrage
humanity. This gave President Lincoln authority to
issuethatimmortal Proclamation, which converted four

I9

millions of human chattels into the Lord’s freemen, and
so wiped out that foul stain from the escutcheon of our
country. Well, then, may we rejoice in the stability of
our institutions, which have proved our guide in peace
and our bulwark in war.

We have met to recount the blessings we have
enjoyed ; to review our past history, and so be able to
show to those who come after us, that free institutions
contribute to national growth, and are productive of
individual prosperity and happiness. ‘N e have, also,
another objecton this auspicious occasion. We wish to
collect materials for our annals?" and exhibit our present
standing, so that on the return of this centennial day, a
just comparison may easily be instituted between our
condition now, and at that time. We see the zeal which
is manifested, and the efforts which are made, to ascer-
tain the condition of the community a hundred years
ago; and we have no doubt that those who celebrate
the next centennial, will be as anxious to know our
condition to—day, as we are to learn the condition of
our ancestors a century past. It must also be pleasing
to ourselves to bring our history up to the present time,
so that we may see through what changes we have
passed, and also to make the present a land~—rnarl; from
which to View our future progress or decline. We
hardly realize the importance of lzeeping our annals
posted. What occurs to-day, we feel that we know,
and that there is no necessity of committing it to paper.
But the event which is present today, will be past to-
morrow; and what we witness now and understand

fully, will in a few years be partially or wholly forgotten.

But Hudson, in, some respects, is unfortunate in the
fact that, as a municipality, her history extends back

only about ten years. Before 1866, the history of

20

Hudson was merged in that of Marlborough and the
Indian Plantation. This fact renders it impossible to
give a minute account of the early annals of the town.
For two centuries, Hudson had no existence separate
from Marlborough, the glorious mother of most of us.
VVhen, therefore, any event of an historical character
occurred, and was entered on the l\/larlborough records,
we are unable, in most cases, to decide whether the
event occurred, or the party resided in What is now the
old town, or in the territory belonging to Hudson.
This consideration xnust, show that the historian of this

modern town must be isatisfied with a history meagre‘

in ancient incidents. We will, however, supply what
early events can be gathered and authenticated.

The early history of Hudson is not only involved
with that of Marlborougli, but with the history of the
Indian Plantation, a portion of the latter territory being
included in the new town. , In fact, the history of these
Indians is so interwoven with the local, and even with
the general history of this section, that we cannotpass

  it by without a brief notice.

When our fathers first came to Massachusetts, the

country was sparsely peopled. The desolating wars

among the tribes, and a destructive pestilence, which
had not only ?wasted in darkness. but destroyed at
noon day,’ had in... a great degree depopulated this
section of New England. The few savages left were
generally disposed to live peaceably with the Whites.
In 1643, their principal chiefs came in, and submitted

themselves to the Greneral Court of Massachusetts, on I

the assurance that they pshould be allowed certain plan-~
tations, and be protected in their riglits. The Indians

who were located at Marlborough, were a small remnant‘
of the Natick and W'an1esittribes. I They‘ had a planting I

field at Or/é0acczagzz7zse£Z,i beforethe Sudbury men. had

21

petitioned for atownship; and when that request was
presented, the petitioners were informed that the Court
had not only confirmed the lndians in their planting
field, but had granted them a plantation of six thousand
acres; and that the Sudbury grant, so far as location
was concerned, must be subordinate to the Indian
grant.

\/Vhen the locations of these grants were made, they
presented the singular and almost ridiculous sight of
an Indian Plantation nearly surrounded by the grant of
the township to the Sudbury men. The Indian planting
field consisted of about one hundred and sixty acres,
and included what was afterwards known as the old
Meeting House Common, and the hill or swell of land
extending east to Spring Hill, and north to the road
passing by the residence of the late '\/Villiam Loring
Howe. This planting field penetrated into the very
centre or heart of the Marlborough grant, and was al-
ways an eyesore to the English inhabitants. ln fact,
it so far intruded into their township, that when they
built their rneeting—house, they located it on the lndian
planting field, to the great dissatisfaction of the Indians.

The Ocltoocangansett, or lndian Plantation, of six thou— A

sand acres, was laid out. in connection with their planting
field. The west line commenced in the valley irnmedi~
ately west of the old common, near where the present
High school~house stands, and ran north seven degrees
west, about three and a half miles, crossing the Assabet
river, between the present cemetery and the depot in

Hudson; thence the line ran easterly to the boundary

ofrthe town. The southerly line of the plantation
commenced near Spring Hill, on the road leading to
Hudson, and ran three miles east, to the line of
Sudbury; thence on Sudbury line, till it met the line
east from Hudson before mentioned. This plantation,

22

as will be seen, embraced a large quantity of valuable
land, which of course was coveted by the Marlborough
people. ,The plantation was granted to the Indians in
fee simple, with no restriction except that they should
not sell or alienate it without the consent of the
General Court. And this restriction was inserted in
the grant as a protection to the lndianstagainst land
speculators, who might fraudulently dispossess them of
their lands.

The English settlers and the Indians generally lived
peaceably together. Not only the inhabitants of Marl»
borough, but the General Court were disposed to deal
kindly with the Indians and protect them in their rights.
The Court encouraged the Apostle Eliot, in his laudable
effort to civilize and Christianize the Indians, and so
convert ‘them into valuable citizens. Not only the
remnant located at Marlborough, but several other
plantations, shared Eliot’s care, and were generally
designated Pirrzyzhzg fizdzmzs. There were seven of
these Praying towns: [\/?zz‘z.'c.é, now the town of that
name; Para/ézmz2'z‘z‘, now Stoughton; 05/éoocrzzgzzvzsezfz‘, now
Marlborough; I«Vn:mes2'z‘, now Lowell; ]2’2zs5cz7»zcz17zz'sez‘z‘,l

now Grafton; ./Var/2105a/;z, now Littleton; and /lJcgg':wz~ A

/coo/I2, now Hopkinton. As these plantations were in the
midst of the English settlements, no doubtthe labors of
Eliot and his friend Gookin, contributed in a great
degree to the preservation of peace between them and
the English; and though the Indians may have aided
their brethren, in some degree, in Phil‘ip’s war, they
would have been much more dangerous to the whites,
but for the religious instruction they had received.

Eliot was sincerely devoted to the Indians, and sought
by every means to improve their ternppral and spiritual
condition. He was born in England in 1604, and came
to this country in I6 31. He was settled as a clergyman

23

in Roxbury. He early conceived the idea of civilizing
and Christianizing the Indians, and commenced preach-
ing to them in Newton, in 164.6. To prepare himself
for the work, he learned their language; in 1663,
he translated the New Testament, and in 1665, the
Old Testament, into Indian, that the natives might be
enabled to read the word of life in their own tongue.
His Bible thus translated, bore the title, “Mamusse
Wunmeetupanatmwe Up—Biblum God naneeswe Nuk-
kane Testament kahwanlc Wusku Testament." The
longest word in it was, Wutappesittukgussunnookweh-—
tunkquoh, signifying “kneeling down to Him.” ,
These Praying Indians, though generally peaceable,
were more than suspected of aiding Philip in his attacks
upon the English settlements. During that war, many
of those of the Marlborough tribe were absent from
their plantation ; and such was the evidence or suspicion
against them, that the government sent Captain Mosely
with a detail of soldiers, who appeared suddenly, and
surrounding their fort, made them all prisoners, and

"took them to Boston, where they were confined on one

of the islands in the harbor. At the’ close of Philips
war, a portion of these Indians returned to their planta—
tion at Marlborough, though’ the spirit and unity of the
tribe seemed to be broken.

Their territory, which the‘ English had long coveted,
attracted more attention at the close of the war than it
ever had before. The fact that the tribe appeared in
some degree to be scattered, and the belief that some

‘of them, at least, had been treacherous, and had aided

the enemy, strengthened the impression that their lands,
which penetrated the very heart of Marlborough, should
be devoted to other arid more valuable purposes than
their retention as a mere hunting ground. In 1677, cer-—
tain citizens of Marlborough, Lancaster, and Sudbury,

24

preferred a petition to the General Court, setting forth
that the Marlborough Indians during the recent war had
been perfidious, and had taken part with the enemy, and
so had forfeited their title to the plantation of Ocl<oo~
cangansett; and that the petitioners had been in their
country’s service, and had suffered in their persons and
estates ; wherefore, they humbly prayed that the Court
would grant to them the said tract of land, or that itlbe
sold to them on moderate terms. But the Court did
not see fit to grant their request. I g

In May, 1684, John Ruddoclte, and thirty-four others
of l\/Iarlborough, petitioned the General Court for
authority to purchase of the Indians their plantation;

and ten of the Indians joined in the request. But a

much larger number of the Indians rernonstrated against
the prayer of the petitioners. The General Court, in
this case as in every other, adhered to their plighted
faith; and deeming it unwise for the Indians to sell their
land, they consequently denied the prayer of Ruddoclce
and others. But it appears that the principal inhabi-
tants of Marlborough, headed by John Brigham, a bold
operator, resolved to possess the Indian land, and cut
the knot which they could not untie. On the 15th
of July, 1684., they obtained, without the consent of the
Court, a deed of the plantatign from a large portion of
the Indians. This fact being brought to the knowledge
of the authorities, they pronounced the deed z'Z[e;g‘aZ,
and caizsegzzerzflgx mid! mad voiai; being made and done
expressly contrary to law and the order of the Court.
But regardless of this decision of the Court, the pur-
chasers of the plantation, in October, 1686, decided that
every proprietor should have laid out to him in some of
the best of the land lying as conveniently as may be, to
the town of l\/larlborough, thirty acres for a first division
of upland; and when the lots were laid out, every

.25

proprietor should draw his lot. Feeling uneasy about
the title to their land, in I693, they agreed that their
grants of land “shall stand good to all intents and
purposes, if they be attested by John Brigham, their
clerk.” Despairing of any confirmation of their doings
by the Court, whose authority they had expressly dis-
regarded, at a meeting held in I709 they Voted, “that
they would make articles to bind themselves in a cove»
nant, whereby what we do may stand in force.” Subse-—
quently the proprietors signed a covenant, that they
would pay each his several share to defray all charges
growing out of their lands, or the titles thereof.

The proprietors were conscious that their title was
invalid, and hence they persevered in their application
to the Court for a confirmation of their purchase. The
Court were not inclined ‘to reverse their decision.
But in 17 19, they annexed this territory to l\/larlborough,
and at the same time, as the proprietors had gained a
title by possession, confirmed and legalized their land
titles. . i .
We have dwelt longer upon this lndian Plantation

than might seem necessary. But as the history of the

parent town was so immediately connected with this

Indian Plantation, and as one-half of the territory of

Hudson, taken from l\/larlborough, was included in that
grant, it seemed important that we should ltnow the
character of our predecessors and the origin of our
possessions. We must admit that there is something
melancholy in the thought, that the lands we possess in

peace, were once the joyful possession of a people
who have faded away, and retired from the English A
settlements as from a desolating pestilence. When p
we look at this subject in one point of view, we are

almost inclined to find fault with the conduct of our

fathers, and regret the order’ of Providence. But a

4-

26

moment’s reflection will correct our false judging, and
the wisdom of Providence in the displacement of the
Indians will appear in another light. Though there may
be a sadness in the thought of the egttinction of the
original owners of the soil, it is no more sad than what
wewitness daily in society.

To see an old gentleman, who has been useful in his
day and generation, tottering on the brinlt of the grave
and finally passing off the stage, when viewed abstractly,
must appear sad; but when we consider that he has
fulfilled his destiny, and outlived his usefulness, and has
simply passed from this sublunary scene of action, to
rnal<;:e room for younger men, who are betteriable to
carry forward the great Work of civilization, we can

but see the wisdom of Divine Providence. And it is.
precisely so with the natives of this country; they

retire to make way for a wiser population, which will
carry forward the great work of improvement far better
than the Wild men of the forest.

There is a morbid sensibility on the subject of the
supplanting of the red men; and the whites are
frequently accused of a great wrong in dispossessing
the Indians of their lands. This subject merits ‘a
moment’s attention. Wlien God created man, he com-
manded him to cultivate the earth, and subdue it ; and
it is perfectly obvious, that one important element in
the title-to the soil is, the mingling oflabor with
it, and so rendering it more capable of supporting
human beings. Every one knows that the same tract
of country will support a much larger number of civilized
than of savage men. The man who fells a forest, and
prepares the land for cultivation, has certainly a better
title to the soil, than the man who has simply roamed
through it in quest of game. The one, by his labor.
has fitted it for the support of a civilized population;

27

the other has mixed no labor, withthe soil, and if
successful in hunting, may have rendered the forest less
capable of sustaining such a population. While we
bless the Lord for his goodness in creating man, and
believe that a cultivated country will support a larger
population than a" wilderness, we must admit that the
disappearance of the savage tribes gives a fuller display
of divine benevolence, than could exist if the inferior
race should maintain its standing, and devote the
greater part of the country to mere hunting ground.

But while true wisdom teaches us to submit readily
to the manifest destiny of the lndians, this will not
justify us in treating them harshly, or depriving them of
any of their rights. As the child knows that his aged
parent must in a few years pass from the stage of life,
so we lmow that the savage must give place to civilized
man. But in neither case does this lmowledge justify
any severity. On the contrary, the approaching depart»
ure should in both cases excite our compassion, and
ensure kind treatment.

The history of Hudson being included in that of
l\/larlborough till quite recently, it becomes necessary
to tal«:e a brief view of the parent town. The grant
of l\/larlborough was made to certain petitioners from
the town of Sudbury, in 1657; and in 1660 the terri—
tory was incorporated into a town. The township was
large, and included what is now the towns of West-
borough, Northborough, and Southborough. Being a
frontier town, and a lcind of way—station on the line of
travel from Boston to the settlements on the Connecticut
river, it was greatly exposed to the incursions of the
Indians; and in Philips war, their meeting—house,
and many of their dwellings were burned, and the
settlement substantially broken up. But after the
return of the population, the Indians from Canada

28

made frequent incursions into the original township,
and killed or carried into captivity several persons.
To guard against these dangers, twenty-—five or thirty
garrisons were established, one at the present village
of Hudson, and two or three others near the borders
of the present town. During the old French war the
town was nearly drained of its active male population,
who were called into the field to repel the incursions
of the French and Indians. After these wars had
been brought to a successful termination, and the con——
troversy arose with the mother country, Marlborough
took "a decided stand in support of the claims ‘of the
Colonies; and when on the 19th of April, I775, she
heard of the march of the British from Boston, and

the fatal firing upon the militia at Lexington, she”

dispatched, on a few hours’ notice, four companies of
soldiers, consisting of about two hundred men, to the
scene of action,-—— resolved to vindicate their rights or
perish in the attempt. ‘We cannot conceive of a more

sublime spectacle than that of the people, with no.

orders, moved only by a patriotic impulse, leaving their
homes and their business, quitting their families and
taking their lives in their hands, and marching at a
moments warning, thirty miles, to repel the invaders of
human rights! And what shows the sincerity of the
Marlborough soldiers,~is, that some of the men, thus
hastily leaving home, remained in camp watching the
enemy thirty and even forty days. And during the
whole Revolutionary struggle, Marlborough furnished
her quota of men and supplies, and proved herself
patriotic to the last.

in all these trials and privations, and in the laudable
efforts to sustain free principles, and to resist haughty
oppression, the population residing in the north part
of the town, were not behind the other inhabitants.

29

They claim no superiority, and they allow no inferiority,
in their efforts for the cause of their country. A150,
throughout her whole history, Mai-lborougli has had
no reason to complain of the citizens in the northern
section of the town, and they in return, having now
set up for themselves, have no complaints to bring
against their lawful mother. They acted together,
till mutual interest suggested’ a separation. Even in
the late war in defence of the Union, though Felton-
ville, as the village was then called,» had become
somewhat populous, and acted in a certain sense
independently of the parent town, yet, being a part of
Marlborough, all its legal acts were those of the town.”
It is believed that in the late War, the partof the town
constituting Hudson, furnished its full complement of
‘men,-and did a full share in supplying the troops who
were in the field. The patriotism of the village was
never called in question. _

Tliougli it is impossible to separate the history of the
northern part of Marlborough from the rest of the town,
it is certain that according to its population, the northern
portion furnished as many men for the principal n:u.1nici-
pal offices, as any section of the town. For the first
half century, there were Very few inhabitants in the part
now contained in Hudson ; but as population increased
at the north, there was at least a fair proportion of
public offices filled ‘by men inhabiting the northern
section of the township. Since I800, we could mention
John, Jonathan, and Joseph I-iapgood, Nathan, Abner,

  and David Goodale, Robert Barnard, Silas Jewell,

Edward and Robert Hunter, Arnasa and Joel Cranston,

  Lovewell Barnes, Silas Felton, Stephen Rice, jedediah

and Wm. H. Wood, Ezekiel Bruce, George E. Manson,
S. B. Fairbanks, Francis Brigham,  T. joslin, Ebenezer

VVitt, G. S. Rawson, Stephen Pope, Edward Wilkins,

30

and others, who have resided on the territory which is
now included in Hudson, and some of them held the
respective otfices for a long period. Jonathan Hapgood
was Selectman nine years, Lovevvell Barnes, eight years,
Joel Cranston, four years, Silas Felton, eleven years,

-_l€Cl€€.li8.l“l Wood, four years, G. E. Manson, eleven years,

David Goodale, five years, and W. H. Wood, several
years. Besides, Silas Feltonwas Assessor twenty-five
years, and Tovvn Clerk. thirteen years. loel Cranston
and Stepheh Pope, each represented the County in the
State Senate; and Cranston, Felton, Hale, Goodale,
ihraiicis Brigham, and others, have represented the town

‘in the i-louse of Representatives. As justices of the

Peace, We can name Cranston, Felton, 8. Pope, Wni.
H. \/Vood, D. Goodale, G. S. Rawson, G. E. Manson,
and  T. loslin, from this section of the town.

From this glance at the subject-, it will be seen that
the inhabitants of the northern section of old Marl»
borough, had their full share of influence in the town,
and a due proportion of the honors the inhabitants had
to bestow.   But, in order to a just appreciation of the
origin of the settlement of this part of l\/larlhorciugh,
it is necessary to take into the account the state of
things as they existed two centuries ago, and the causes
which would affect the settlement in different sections

  of the town. Some of these causes, such as fear from

the lndians, we can hardly appreciate at the present

day, though at that time, they were rightfully controlling.  
  The tornahavvlr. and scalping-l<nife, or hopeless captivity,

made the stout heart hesitate and the boldest tremble.
And the incursionswhich were made into the original
township, show that the danger was real. A

, For various reasons, the northern part of Marlbo-
rough, which is now included in Hudson, was not

settled so early as the southern and central portion of

31

the township. in the first place, one half of the terri-
tory set off from Marlborough to form the town of
Hudson, was covered by the lndian Plantation, and no
valid title could be given of the land till 1719. This of
course would discourage settlements on that territory.
Then, during the lndian wars, the people would
naturally be disposed to settle somewhat compactly,

that they might the better defend themselves. Marl-

borougli, being on the great thoroughfare between
Boston and thesettlenients on the Connecticut river,
the government made it a sort of military depot, and
maintained a small garrison there, which would give a

sense of security to the settlers. Besides, the meeting-

house, always the great» object of attraction to the

Puritans, being on the main road, would be an additional '
reason why the people would be induced to settle in

that section of the township.

Moreover, there seems to have been» a disposition
among the early settlers to confine the population to
the central part of the town, as may be seen by their

A action as early as 1662. After dividing about a thou-

sand acres of land among themselves, and reserving
“ four scorekacres to accommodate some such desirable
person as need may require, and the town may accept
of,” they describeda large quantityiof land, including
the“ valley. of the Assabet down to the lndian Plantation,
and provided that it should remain a perpetual core)
comrrzorz for the use of the town, “never to be allotted

without the consent of all the inhabitants and proprie-A

tors at a full ineeting.” This unwise restriction proved

  very embarrassincr ' butremained in force nearly half at

p -333 i k ,
century, and was at last removed by an Act of the

General Court. This restriction would seem to prevent
anysettlernent on the Assabet river. 4  
There was practically, a similar policy adopted by the

32

English proprietors of the Indian Plantation. F or
hefore they had made any divisionrol’ their land, they
provided “ that every proprietor should have sixty acres
of some of the best land lying carzzwzzwzily as may 63 to
for form.” This would tend to draw settlers to the
centre of the town‘, where the principal population was
then found.

The inhabitants of the town and the proprietors _

of the lndian Plantation, made several divisions of
their lands. Their first division generally consisted
of some of their most valuable land; and in laying it
out, they were not always careful to have their lots
contiguous. A Hence there would frequently be rem-
nants or gores of land unappropriated ; and the second,
third, and fourth divisions, and especially the last, are
frequently made up of these odds and ends. Many of
the proprietors would sell out their rights in these
latter divisions, and the land speculators or jobbers
would very oftien buy up these remnants from different
parties or proprietors, and frequently sell them out to
settlers. \Ne often find deeds given by these specu—
lators, conveying‘ from five to ten or twelve distinct
pieces of land, varying from one to thirty acres, and
sometimes to a less quantity than an acre. This
renders it very difficult to trace the early titles, or to
ascertain the homestead of many families. Wliere lot

A is bounded on lot B, and B on lot C, and C on‘

common or undivided land, it requires no ordinary
skill to fix the location. And the frequent statement
that the same dating 2'72: flag 7’z;g/zzf 43/’ A. .B.’.s* seroyzaf oy-
L‘/liimt’ d;2L'm'rz'mz lot, casts no light upon the subject; for
Mr. A. B. may not reside within a half dozen miles
of his lot.   A

ll»? e have a good illustration of this in the deed to
Robert Barnard, conveying the mill and most of the

33

land now covered by the village of Hudson. The mill
recognized by the deed was erected by Joseph Howe,
son of Abraham Howe, who was one of the propri-
etors of Marlborough. Joseph was a large speculator
in land———-owning tracts in l\/larlborough, Lancaster and
Watertown. He died Sept. 4, I700. His real estate
was inventoried at £1,442. What year the mill was
built is uncertain; probably just before his death.‘
Sarah, his oldest child, married Jeremiah Barstow in
I7II; he, by his wife or by purchase, came into
possession of the mill, and a large number of other lots,
which covered nearly if not all of what constitutes the
village of Hudson. In 1723 he sold to Robert .Bar-—-
nardfl‘ then of Andover, for £600, a large quantity of
land amounting to about 350 acres. This land is
described in fifteen pieces lying in what was lVlarl—-
borough, and three pieces lying in Lancaster, afterwards
Bolton. The general description shows that there were
acorn mill, a house and barn, an orchard, garden, and
fences on the homestead; that the whole tract extended
on the north to the Lancaster line, and easterly to the
Bush place (near Daniel Stratton’s); that itilay on
both sides of the river, and while theinorthern portion
of this general grant extended as far east as the land of
Abiah Bush, the portion near the river on both sides,
could not have extended easterlygbeyond the Indian
line, which must have been between the Depot and

the Cemetery. It also appears that the pieces on the ,

south side of the river were generally bounded on com-°

mon or undivided land. It seems that this deed to

"‘ Robert Barnard, 55%., was in Andover early. His son Stephen was
born. 1649, and married, 1671, Rebecca Howe, by whom he had four sons.
Robert, liis“ second son, was born 1689, and married, 1710, Rebecca
Osgood. She died I727, and he married Elizabeth Bailey of Lancaster, in
I729. He had nine children, seven born in Marlborough. He died, 1773,
aged 84. years. . _ i .

5

34

Barnard must cover nearly the whole of the present
village of Hudson, so far as it is within that portion
which has been taken from Marlborough.

This mill, and dwelling house, and barn, and other
“housing,” were undoubtedly comprised in the first
settlement in this section of the town. While there is
nothing special in the soil or natural scenery to draw
settlers from the central part of the town, there was
one want of a new settlement which could be better
supplied here than elsewhere in the township. Though
burning coals or hot embers could parch the corn, or
a stone pestle could convert it into a coarse hominy,
or the boiling kettle into samp; yet it has always been
found not only convenient, but highly desirable to
have a grist mill where corn and other grains can be
changed into meal. This feeling will easily account
for building a mill in the out—part of the town,—— this
being the best water power within their borders.

When this mill was erected, or how Joseph Howe
obtained the site is iuncertiain. In 1662 the valley of
the Assabet was doomed to perpetual pasturage, which
would seem to prevent any sale or allotment of land
upon its banks. i There were two exceptions to this
restriction. The one was the reserving of four score
acres for some rzeedful lbw/5.972, and the other the vote of
all the persons at a full meeting of the proprietors.
On one or the other of these exceptions, he probably
obtained this grant; for the citizens must have looked
favorably upon the erection of a corn mill. Barstow
married a daughter of Joseph Howe, about eleven years
after the death of her father, and perhaps may have
come into the possession of some of this property in
virtue of the right of his wife; but in 1718, °Barstow
bought of Bethia Howe twenty-five acres of land
bordering upon the ymill-pond, and several other lots

35

adjoining, which were beyond question some of the
lands which Barstow‘ sold to Barnard. ,

That Jeremiah Barstow was a speculator in land, is
obvious from the fact that in his grant of three hundred
acres to Barnard, he bounds the grant in several
instances, on lands owned by himself; and two years
before his sale to Barnard, he sold land to Jonathan

p Bush. He had a family of ten children between 'I7I,2

and 1730, probably born in the village, as he was the
miller and must have resided there. He undoubtedly
left town soon after I7 30.

We may safely date the beginning, or rather the
growtli‘ of the village from the coming of Barnard into
the place, about 1724. He took possession of the mill.
and also opened a public house on’ the site of the house
and store occupied by the late Col. Wm. H. Woocl.
Though the Barnards in the male line, did not multi-
ply materially at the “ Mills,” as the place was called,
in the female line they were connected by marriage
with the Bayleys, Nurses, Plowes, Stevenses, Bruces,
Wilkinses, and several other families, who were quite
numerous in the northern part of the town. Though
there was no particular growth to the village till after
the Revolution, yet there were several families of
substantial farmers, who settled upon what is now
included in Hudson. Among the earliest, perhaps, we
may mention the Goodale familyfl‘ Samuel Wheeler
deeded land to John Witt and John Goodale, from

"‘Goo:DALE.-——-Robert G-oodale embarked at Ipswich, England, with his wife
Katharine in April, 1634, and landed in Salem. _ Zachariah, theirfirst child born in
America, married and had, among other sons, John, Benjamin, and David, born in
Salem. Each of them came to Marlborough, and settled on the Indian Plantation,
early in I700. John married Elizabeth Witt, and had Solomon and Nathan. Nathan
married Persis Whitney, and had a large family, -—-Abner, their tenth child, who
married" Molly Howe, was prominent in Cl1l.11‘Cl1 and state, and his sons, Nathan and

David, were distinguished as educators; and the latter hecarne one of the leading
men of the town. He resided where his son David B. now lives.

36

Salem; and Witt conveyed his riglit to Goodale, and
that prominent and influential family have occupied the
place where David B. Goodale resides, since 1702.
Thomas Hapgood settled in the Indian Plantatation,
before I700, on what was afterwards called the Colonel
Wessen or Spurr Place. His descendants have been
numerous, and the early ‘generations all resided within
the present limits of Hudson. Thomas Hapgood died
I764, aged 95 years. An English publication had this
notice of his death: “Died at l\/larlborough, New
England, in the 95th year of his age, Mr. Thomas

llapgood. His posterity were numerous; viz. 9 chil-

dren; oz grandchildren; 208 greatgrandcliilclreii; and
4. great—great-—grandchilclren; in all 313. Hz": grand-
children . saw z‘[zez'7r grandchildren, and their grand»
father at the same time.”  

Shadrach Hapgood, their original ancestor, came to
this country in 1656, and settled in Sudbury. He was
treacherously slain by the Indians in Philip’s war.
The ,VVil.l«:inse‘s came from Danvers, and settled on the
lndian Plantation about 1740, where a number of fami—
lies of the name resided for several generations.
Artemas Howe, a descendant of Abraham Howe,
married l\/lary Bigelow, 1767, and settled on the road
leading from the Hapgoods, to the centre of the town,
north of Fort l\/leadow Brook. He was,_ probably, the
first who settled and reared a family of Howes on the

present territory of Hudson. Abiah Bush settled in the

northern part of Marlborough, as early, probably, as
x6oo. john Bruce came to Marlborotigli about I740,
and settled on what has since been known as the Ezekiel
Bruce Place. Nathaniel Hathorn, probably from Lynn,
came to Marlboroiigli about 1725, and settled on virhat
is now occupied as the Pauper establishment. Edward
Hunter came to Marlborough about the same time, and

37

settled in the sameneighborhood. Solomon Brigham,
a lineal descendantof lhornas Brigham, married Martha
Boyd in 1754, and about 1756 located himself on the
road leading from.the “mills” to the centre of the town,
on the place where Charles Brigham now resides. He
was the grandfather of Francis Brigham, to whose enter-
prise the town owes no small share of its prosperity.
As these settlers_ were generally farmers, and resided
some distance from the “mills,” their intercourse was
for the most part with the middle of the town, and hence
did not contribute much to the growth of the village.
About I794, Joel Cranstonfl‘ came to the place, and
being a man of energy and public spirit, he opened a
store, kept a public house, and a few years later, started
quite a number of mechanical branches of industry, viz.
cloth»-dressing, blacksrnithing, tanning, carding of wool,
&c. He afterward became a farmer and manufacturer,
and was the principal agent in building up Rock Bottom.
Silas Feltonr came to the place in 1799, and went into
partnership in the store with Joel Cranston, and con-
tinned in trade to the close of his life in 1828. Cranston
and Felton were not only useful men in the village, but
were highly respected generally, and filled many of the

”‘ CRANSTON. -»-—'1"‘lie early history of this family is meagre. Samuel Cranston, the
grand-father of'_Ioel, came to this coiiiitflya and probably settled in the western part
of the colony. He came to Marlborough about 1728. He had a family of six
children. Amasa, his fourth child, married Mary Hathorn; they were the parents
of Joel. Amasa served in the French, and in the Revolutionary war, where he rose
to the rank of Major. Joel, born in 1763, married, 1784, Lucretia Eager. They
had no issue.

TSILAS F£«:L'roN, born I776, was son of Stephen, born 1752, and grand-son of
Jacob, horn I712, who married, first, Sarah Barrett, and second, lrlezadiah Howe.
He was son of Saiiiuel, who married, 1709, Sarah Gooclale, and had nine children.
Samuel was son of john and grand-son of Nathaniel, tlieioriginal emigrar1t,,whc_i was
in Salem I633. }’czraz’2 Felton came to Marlborough about 1728. He died, aged
77, and his last wife died aged 93 years and II months. The Feltons were numerous
and iespectable, and by marriage were connected with most of the prorninent families.

Silas married Lucretia Fay, and had two daughters, both of whom were married in
the village.

38

most important offices in the towln. Their enterprise
and popularity invited people to the place; and, in
the space of a few years, several important families
came to the village :--—~— Mr. George Peters, the ring of
Whose anvil would awaken the village from their slum-
bers; Captain Jedediah Wood, who would card the
wool for spinning, and ‘dress the cloth when the rolls
were converted into a fabric ; Stephen Pope, who could
convert the hides into leather, and his father, Folger, in
whose hands the leather would become a saddle or a
harness. These men came to the village about 1800.
Nor were these the only acquisitions. About this time
Ebenezer VVitt, long known as the “honest miller,”
came to the village, where he spent his days, which
were closed in 1840, in his 85th year.

Of the families which settled in the village about this
period, George Pam’: probably came from Medfield.
He married Lydia Maynard, and had George, Ephraim,
Luther, Adolphus, and John I-l.——j7"z2riec2’z'(zXz If/‘bod was
son of Peter \/Vood, who came from Concord to lVlarl—
borough, and was a descendant of the third generation
from Vl/'illiam, the original emigrant. jedediah married
Betsey \/Vlll{iI1S, and was father of Colonel Vlfilliam l-‘l.,
Elbridge and Alonzo.—-—The Popes were from Salem,
and for a time owned the principal land in the village ;
the family have been prominent in the place.—-—E6e¢2ezer
l5Vz'tt was a descendant of john Witt, who came to
Marlborough in 1707. Ebenezer was son of Josiah and

grandson of Samuel, who represented Marlborough

twenty—three years in the General Court. Ebenezer
'\l\/iitt had one son and three daughters, all of whom
married in the town. About 1800,, Phineas Sawyer
came to the place, and bought the saw mill and grist
mill. He was a man of character and enterprise, and
about 1810 he built a small cotton factory, the first and

 3 9

only one in the town and vicinity. Mr. Sawyer being a
Methodist by profession, was the first who introduced
Methodist preaching into the place. He came to a sad
end. The water-wheel at his mill being obstructed by
ice, he went upon it to cut the ice away, when the
wheel started and carried him into the water; where,
confined by the whdel, he was soon drowned.

These settlements would naturally promote the busi-
ness of the place, and not only increase the population
of the village itself, but would induce farmers to settle
around. Lovewell Brigham, Ivory Brigham, Stephen
Rice, Daniel Stevens, and others,’ located themselves
within thecircuit of amile of the village. Efforts were
made to build up the place. The factory employed but
a few hands, and produced only yarn. Some little
weaving was done in families; and Cranston, Felton,
and Hale, employed two or three young women to
weave satinet, a fabric of cotton and wool, used exten-
sively at that time for pantaloons. Another enterprise
of the same parties, was the introduction of a distillery
for the manufacture of cider brandy. During the war
of 181.2, spirits of all kinds were high, and Marlborough,
famous for its apple, orchards, had at that time an
unusual quantity of fruit, and had established in the
centre of the town two distilleries; but it was found
that their utmost ability, running night and day, could

not consume the ciderthat was brought in. This

induced Felton and Company to establish another dis-—
tillery. They gave out word that they would have vats
of sufficient number and capacity to receive the cider as

fast as it came; and by running their still night and day, g

and by transferring to casks the first run of the still,
without raising it to the desired proof, they would so
clear their vats as toempty all barrels as soon as they

were brou ht: but a few das’ ex erience iconvinced
g , Y P g

4.0

them of their mistake; for the cider was brought in

such quantities, that with all their large vats, their yard,

after the first ten days, showed an accumulation of hun-
dreds of barrels, Waiting for their turn to be discharged.
Some idea of the quantity of cider may be formed from
the fact that the distillers allowed ‘but sixty-two cents
per barrel, and paid with goods from their stores.

‘With all the effort to increase the growth of the
village, it remained nearly stationary for a considerable
period. One cause which retarded its growth, was the
fact that land in the village for building could not be
obtained. In 180:2, Folger Pope, then of Salem, bought
of john Peck of Newton, one hundred acres of land,
which was the foundation of the Pope estate in the
place; it covered almost the entire village of the “ mills.”
And though Mr. Pope introduced tanning and saddlery
into the village, he adopted a policy somewhat common
at that day, to hold on to his land ; thinking it better to
have a large farm than a growing Village. This unwill-
ingness to sell, even enough for a house lot, checked

the growth of the place for years, ———a misfortune which

many towns have €Xp€I'l€nC€Cl from the same cause.
Nothing worthy of note occurred in the village until
the introduction of manufactures, of which we shall speak
hereafter. The subject we wish to presentnow, is the
desire of the people to be erected into a township.
‘We have shown that the part of Marlborough, known
as the “ Mills,” or “ Feltonville,” has some associations,
events, or elements, which will form a basis of character,
and that she does not rely simply upon her ten years’
corporate existence for her history. So far as indi-

vidual character and enterprise are concerned, she had

displayed her full share of stability. Being situated
more than three miles from the centre of Marlborough,
and having, stores, schools, churches, a post-office, and

41'.

all other conveniences which constitute a town, except

municipal privileges, it was natural for the citizens of A

Feltonville to desire corporate powers, so that they
could do their own public business in their own way.
There wereyalso a number of families residing within
the township of Bolton, whose territory approached
within a hundred rods of the village of Feltonville, and
who were four miles from the centre of Bolton: these
families were desirous of acting with the people in the
village, and becoming a part of a new town.

A meeting was held on the third of May, I865”,
to take into consideration the forming of a new town.
Captain Francis Brigham was called to the chair, and
Silas H. Stuart was chosen Secretary. Resolutions
were passed, expressing their belief that their interest
would be promoted by becoming a corporate munici—
pality, and recommending that a petition be presented
to the General Court, to be set off from their respective
organizations, and be made a town. A committee of
nine was chosen to report upon the boundary of the
proposed town. This committee consisted of Francis
Brigham, George Houghton, E. M. Stowe, S. H. Stuart,
and  T. Joslin of l\/Iarlborough, Albert Goodrich, Caleb

‘ E. Nurse, and  P. Nurse of Bolton, and Ira H. Brown

of Berlin. This committee recommended a line which
was substantially adopted, and agreed to by the parties,
so far as it related to Marlborough.

At a meeting of the citizens at Union Hall, June I 3,
1:865, it was voted to alter the line near the house of
Daniel Stratton, so as to take in a corner of Stow,
and to appoint a committee of five, to make all the
necessary arrangements for the purpose of incorporating
the new town, =-~—-«and Francis Brigham, James T. Joslin,
George lrfloughton, Daniel Stratton, and Ira H.Brown

42

were appointed. At a meeting held September 27,
it was decided that the contemplated town should

the called Hudson. It being recommended that the

different parties should present their own separate
petitions, George Houghtoniand 264 others, Lyman
Perry and 7 others, Daniel Stratton and 24 others, and
Ira H. Brown and 7 others, sent in their petitions.
Here is an aggregate of more than three hundred,
stating different reasons why a new town should be
created. But the town of Bolton, and the county of
Vvorcester, by their,counsel, Hon. G. F. Hoar, made a
strenuous effort to defeat the petition, relying in a good
degree upon the fact, that taking a parcel of land from
Bolton, would require altering the county line, which
could not be done constitutionally... This position was
fully met and satisfactorily refuted by  T. Joslin, Esq.,
counsel for the petitioners. But still, for reasons best
known to themselves, the Legislature refused to include
in the town they created, that portion of land lying
within the limits of Bolton, though some portion of it
was within a stone’s throw of the village éf Feltonville.
The petitioners, knowing that this territory, situated
in the immediate neighborhood of Feltonville, and at

least three miles from the centre of Bolton, rnust affili~

ate with the village where the property was owned, and
where the population did business or found employment,
consented to take a bill without the Bolton section,
believing that that would ultimately come by the force
of gravity. A ,        
The act was passed March 19, I866,   creating the
town of Hudson, giving it a boundary, not very intelli-

gible, I confess, as follows : ‘‘ Beginning at the westerly to
corner of the territory, at a stone monument on the

dividing line between said territory and the town of

Berlin, in the county of Worcester ;thence southeastr

43

erly, anglizufg twice, as said dividing; line now, runs,
ninety-sseven Eitlldl sixty~eig;‘l1t one hundredths rods to a
stone monument stancling on the southeasterly side of
the road leaclixig from Feltonville, so called, to North--
borough; thence in an easterly direction in a straight
line €;1(:1‘C)S&3 the entire territory of said Marlborough, to
a stone monument on the dividing line between said
lVla1*lboroug,;*l1 and .St1cll:n1r'y, standing on the southerly
side of the .‘St1<:ll::>L11*y road, near the house of Albion
Parmexitel", atid 21l;:>ot1t two hundred and fifty-one rods
ssouth of" l1l’3.€f?: Sfitczw line ; thence in 21 northerly direction
on tlie 1IL)l‘(’:.‘ilE‘»tLtIZ‘1li cli‘vicli11g line lpetweexi said territory and
serial S3L.lC;ll)L1t”y, to fit sstone rnor'n.nuen,t at the northeasterly
corner“ of eaicgl ‘lZ(?;t1”I."itCi)1i‘}f, entl at the Stow line; thence
in at :rxortl1e::asstt::1*ly <:lli1“<53ClIlC)1'1,  the present dividing line

l::>etwt;:c:;:x*1 e2;tic:,l t<.;:1"‘ritory zgtncl the eaicl town of Stow now i

1:“L1nf§3, to £3, E-i}li(TI)I’"1(ii2‘. I”1”l(,T)I‘1L’1l‘1'1€11'1lZ uearthe house of Abijah
VV{Z)lC:(Z'JlIt; tl1r::u<.::c:: in a c:li1*ec:t <.:onti11uation north, fifty-four
cleg1*t:e::e Weet, aorose a corner of said town of Stow, to
ta. 1f;>oim: on the county liine between said Stow and
Bolton ; tl"n::oc:e in a. eoutherly encl sontliwesterly direc-
tioo, as; th<:.: ootmty lime lietween the counties of Middle-
sex; trod Vv£§>1”Ct:t$tt3I" now rtrnss, to the first mentioned
bouhdf’,

Tliie aet l:i:r:i:i:1g aeoeptalnle to the citizens of Hudson,
tliey 1:n*c>ceecl<:::c;l, £lCCO1‘Cll11g' to ite reqtrirernents, to organ»

ize tl‘1e111s¢:2lvr::f+:; as at town. James T. Joslin, Esq., in
virtue of £1 warrant iessued by Charles H. Robinson, Esq., r

notified entl wamerl the. legal voters of the new town
to e1ssse1t‘11l;7>1e at Union lda1l,, in said town, on Saturday,
the thirty»firet day of Marcli, 1866, at nine o'c:locl<;lin
the forenoon, to organize by the choice of the necessary
towtl offioere, l*’ur,tn.1ant to the warrant the citizens
assembled, and in recogxiition of the ruling providence
of Cirod, on motion of David B. Goodale, Rev. H. C.

44

Dugan addressed the throne of grace, and implored
the Divine blessing upon the infant town.

The citizens then proceeded to business, and chose
George S. Rawson, Moderator, and Silas H. Stuart,
Totem Clea/ié. for the ensuing year. They further organ-—
ized by choosing the following town officers :9——~Charles
H. Robinson, George Houghton, ‘Wm. F. Trowbridge,
Se[z:m;»ze7z,~ Alonzo ‘Wood, George Stratton, Lyman
Perry, A55e55om,- Augustus K. Graves, Luman T. Jefts,
john A. Howe, Overseers of Me P0070 Hiram C.
Dugan, George S. Rawson, David B. Goodale, Sc/zoo!
Commz'zF2‘z2e,- Wm. L. Vvitham, Coizsméle, and George L.
Manison, Ylmaszwear. , ‘

At a meeting legally called, April 16, 1866, George
S. Rawson was chosen Moderator. '

The remaining town offices were filled. The follow-
ing appropriations were made :----

For Schools, . . . . . .. $ 3,000
For Roads and Bridges, . . . . 800
For Contingent Expenses, . . . . 2,000
Voted to add to the appropriation made, . 5,200

,$ I 1,000

They also voted to pay their fire—engine men five
dollars each. They chose James T. Joslin, Esq., Joseph
S. Bradley, and Charles Brigham, a Committee to lay
out and dispose of the lots in the Cemetery.

M Francis Brigham, James T. Joslin, and George
Houghton, were made a Committee to communi-
cate to Charles Hudson the fact that the name of
HUDSON was given to the town as a mark of respect
to him. At the same meeting a list of Jurors was
presented by the Selectmen, and accepted by the town,
as follows :——-— e

45

Francis D. Brigham. . Joseph S_ Brad1ey_
Benjamin Dearborn. Silas B. Fairbanks.
David B. Goodale. Nahum A. Gay.
Alden ‘B. Gleason. Augustus K, Graves,
Dana Howe. Willard Houghton.
Lurnan T. jefts. Lyman Perry.
George S. Rawson. George Stra,tron_
Edmund.lVl. Stowe. Alonzo Wood.
james B. Whitney. George D, Witt,
G€O1‘§3,'€ 0. Bradley. Charles S. Buss.
W. H. Chamberlain. Reubenflapgood.
Horatio H. Hutchins. V Silas E. Priest.
Alden A. Tarbell. James S, We1ch_
Theodore Wilkins. John L. Jewell.
Baxter F. Wheeler. » Elbridge G. Lewis.

We have given the names of the town officers, that
those who come after us may know to whom they are
indebted for the institutions which they have found built
up for their enjoyment; and this list of jurors furnishes
thirty men, deemed by their neighbors men of good
character and sound judgment, and well qualified to
weigh evidence and pass an intelligent decision upon
the cases which come before our Courts. ii

The citizens of Hudson have not only shown by their
thrift, that they have been stirring as business men, but
their public records show that they have been active as
townsmen, in preparing every thing for a prosperous
municipal corporation. They directed their Selectmen
to look well to the cess-pools, and abate all nuisances,
and especially liquor nuisances. Their public officers
were requested to consider the subject of supporting
their paupers, and in a true Christian spirit were
directed to furnish and erectfisuitable head~—stones at
the graves of their paupers, and those unable to supply
them. The subject of a new school-house was duly
considered; but the extension of their highways and
townvvays appears to have engrossed a larger share of

46

attention; and we venture to say that few, very few,
towns in the Commonwealth, have done as much in so
brief a period, as the town of Hudson, to increase and
improve their roads. i

We have already stated that a committee was
appointed to inform Charles Hudson that the new town
was named ffirdsarz, as a compliment to him. This
committee, at a town meeting in 1867, reported that
they had conveyed the information of this fact to Mr.
Hudson, and that they had received a long and satis-—
factory letter from that gentleman, in which he speaks
approvingly of the enterprise of the town, and especi-
ally of the value of a flee pzr,éZz'c Zzfimrj/, and concludes
with this proposition :-—-—~     V ,

“ If the town of Hudson, at a legal meeting called

for that purpose, vote to establish (1 free zbzwz. Zziémrry»

for/‘ bite use 0]‘ all M26 z'rz/lzczZ7z'2.‘mzz‘5 cf zfflze zfozmz, and shall
appropriate or otherwise secure the sum of five hundred
dollars, to be devoted to that object, they may call upon
me, my executors or administrators, for the likesum of
five hundred dollars, to be expended in furtherance of
that object.”    

The committee recommended the acceptance of the

proposition, andlthe town accordingly voted the suni
mentioned, and then made choice of Messrs. James T-
Joslin, David B. Goodale, and Luman T. jefts, as- a  
committee to select the books, and adopt all such‘

measures as they might deem necessary to carry forward
the enterprise. \/Vith a thousand dollars, and some
other liberal donagions, they were able to open a library

in I857,8.I‘1ClWitl1 the additions that have been made, t

they have now a Well selected library of about 2,300
volumes; and the liberal appropriations    made by
the town give assurance of a continued interest felt in

this institution,~——--important in every community, but

47

especially valuable in a manufacturing town, where the
operatives have time to read, and generally a mind
to improve it.

But the people were not only mindful of the living,
but of the dead. At a meeting in April, 1866, James
T. Joslin, Esq., Joseph S. Bradley, and Charles Brigham,
were chosen a committee to lay out and dispose of the
lots in the cemetery, and all money received was to
be devoted to the improvement of the grounds. The
place is pleasantly located, and the soil and surface
are admirably adapted to the purpose for which it is
designed. It contains six acres, and is handsomely laid
out and the avenues are well graded. Most of the
monumental stones are of marble, tastefully wrought.
Any visitor will be struck by the seeming equality
which characterizes thespot. The graveyard is no
place for aristocratic display, and a community which
furnishes headstones for their paupers, will, we presume,
preserve a modest simplicity in their cemetery. It is
in good taste now, and may it so continue. ’

T A subject which engaged the attention of the citizens
more than any other, was the need of acquiring a
portion of land from Bolton: This arose notmerely
from an ambition to enlarge their borders, but from

the fact that the territory desired, approached so near

the village as to prevent its natural expansion. And
besides, this Bolton territory furnished some of the best
building land near the village of Hudson; people
doing business there were unwilling to fix their resi»
ence in another town and county, and thus be cut off
in all municipal affairs from their associates. It was
in fact needed for the public benefit, and hence it
was eagerly sought. The people residing there also,
were anxious that it should. become a part of Hudson.
And Bolton, a purely agricultural town, began to

48

suspect that a hundred voters engaged in manufactures,
and living at least three miles from the centre of their
town, might become a troublesome element in their

 municipal affairs—-—-and it might be wise to let them go.

Consequently, they expressed a willingness to make
some arrangement with Hudson, and sell out upon
the best terms they could. The latter place, standing
ready at alltimes to open negotiations on the subject,
appointed Francis Brigham, Joseph S. Bradley, George
Houghton, James T. Joslin, and A. K. Graves a com-
mittee, with certain individuals residing on the territory,
to meet and make such an arrangement with the rep-
resentatives of Bolton, as they might deem for the benefit
the town. After full deliberation, it was agreed that
“The question of wherethe proposed line in contem-
plation of a division of the town of Bolton, shall be
established between said town of Bolton and the said
town of Hudson, the terms on which the division of
said town of Bolton and the annexation of a part
thereof to said town of Hudson, shall be consummated,”
shall be referred to three competent and ‘disinterested
persons, without the limits of the counties of Middlesex
and Worcester; and Hon. James D. Colt of Pittsfield,
Hon. George P. Sanger of Boston, and Hon. Josiah
G. Abbott of Boston, were agreed upon as referees.
After visiting the premises, hearing the parties, and
duly considering the subject, the arbitrators decided
upon the dividing line, and after stating divers details,
such as naturally present themselves in the division of
towns, they provided that Bolton, upon the request of
the town of Hudson, shall convey by sufficient deed,
the said lot of land with its appurtenances to the town
of Hudson. And that the town of Hudson shall pay
to the town of Bolton, Within three months from the
passage of any act by the Legislature establishing the

49

said dividing line?‘ as the boundary between the towns
of Bolton and Hudson, and annexing the territory
within said line to the town of Hudson, the sum of
ten thousand dollars, with interest from the twentieth
day of February, 1868.” This award, with the draft
of an Act confirming the same, was submitted to the
Legislature, and the Act was passed without oppo-
sition. '

Thus ended the controversy between the two towns,
and though the mode of settlement was a novel one,
we are inclined to the belief that it was beneficial to
both parties; it left Bolton with a good boundary line,
and forever relieved her from an evil which she must
have one day felt,-—--of a population uncongenial with
her own, -—-——~ and the ten thousand dollars would pay her
for any loss of property which she sustained. And as
to Hudson, the taxable property brought into the town,
and the inducement which this arrangement offers to
the inhabitants of the village, and others who are seel<~
ing a country residence, to settle upon this territory,
will in the end more than reimburse any expeiise
which may have been incurred. Besides, this acquisi-
tion greatly improves the shape of the town, and
practically makes the village and places of business
somewhat central, which, before this, were upon the
very borders. On the whole, the citizens of Hudson
have been very fortunate in their efforts for incorpora—~

* This dividing line is as follows: “Beginning at a stone monument on the
present boundary line between the counties of Worcester and Middlesex, at the south-
westerly corner of the town of Stow, and at the northerly corner of the town of
Hudson, thence running south eighty-six degrees west four hundred thirty-eight and
twenty one luinclreclths rods to a stone inonurnent at an angle ; thence south sixty-six
and one-half degrees west, three hundred and forty-six rods to the present dividing
line between the said town of Bolton and the town of Berlin, in the county of Won-
cester; thence south fifty and one-fourth degrees east four hundred and fifty-seven
rods along the said divicling line between Bolton and Berlin to the present line of the

town of Hudson.
7

I 1

‘A 1\

.m';;;
l I
HI I
u I
:1 1

n
fill

“an
H

THE TOWN HALL, HUDSON, MASS.

From a Photograph by -Architect,

RUSSELL. B. LEWIS. Hudson, 3. 3‘. wooococx, Boston.

50

tion. Wliile many communities which have aspired at
a separate existence have st1*t2ggled long, and when
they have succeeded, have come out of great‘ti*ibulation,
the good people of Feltonville were able to obtain the
consent of the parent town,”‘‘‘ and subsequently so to
rrange matters with Bolton, as to live in peace and
harinony. Andlwe think. that great credit is due to all
parties concerned, for the kind and acconiniodating
manner in which they have met this subject.
After having laid out and constructed roads, provided

for the schools, and whatever else was deemed necesé

sary for the public prosperity, in 1871 it was decided
to build a Townllall, the cost of which should not
exceed‘ $35,000, exclusive of the site, and Edmund
M. Stowe, Francis Brigham, George Houglitoii, L. T.

‘jefts, and C. l-l.eRobinson, were chosen a cornrnittee

to carry the vote into effect. A plan was submitted
and adopted, which will show the character of the
house. The design represents a brick building about
55* by 97 feet on the ground, with a vestibule I7 by
34 feet. The elevation is two stories, with a french
roof_ and tower; granite underpinning, granite key-
stones at the top of arched windows, g1‘az1ite steps at

each entrance, and a granite belt inserted in the outside

wall between the first and second story, extending
entirely around the building. The lower story is 3:2
* VVE: have before, mentioned the good feeling; always existing between the different

parts of Marll'>o1'ongh,i and the fact that its citizens offered little or no opposition to
the wishes of the northern portion in establishing a separate lnunicipality. Ifbany

further evidence were necessary to Sl1OW the readiness of Ma1*lbo1'oL1gl1 to recognize l

the rights and respect the feelings of thecitizens of wliat is now liuclson,-tire fact
might be rnentioned, that when the town,.in I862, celebratetl her bicentennial,
David B. Goodale, George E. l\ilanson., and Charles Brigham were put upon the
Committee of Arrangements; and when a list of the officers for the clay was agreecl
upon, Col. William H. Wood was selected as Chief Nlarslml-, with Capt.,Francis

Brigham as his assistant, and Stephen Pope, Ezekiel Bruce, jahez Rice, and john-

‘ Goodale~ were zunong the Viceflresidents. This was a just recognition‘ of the

standing of the men from the northern part of old Marlborough.

SI

feet in lieiglit inside, when finished, and contains a
number of rooms designed for various uses of the town,
also a ltiirge fireproof safe, and four cells or locl<—ups.
"llhe second story is 22 feet in height, when finished,
and contains the main hall, with gallery, stage, &c.
Above this story are a number of rooms, enclosed
within the l’ireiicl"i roof.

Tlie conunittee were subseq_uently authorized to
employ such means for ltfeating the btiildiiig, and to
'fi.11'11lS$l'1 the same in such a rnanner as in their judgment
the ease iiiiglit <.:lernarn:l; and they were instructed to
cause the btiilcliiig to be properly fitted up with gas
pipes and all necessary pltinilaiiig apparatus.

Tl"1€;": Toxyii Hall liaving; been completed, was publicly
cleclieatecl, S3e1:>t<::ml:3c<:1* 26, I872. The bL1ilcl.iiig is well
looatecil, most tl1oi*c>iig*l1ly finished, and makes a fine and
iin1;:>c:>siI1gg' ap1;>ea1“a.nce. It is a substantial, and at the
same time a beautiful structure, and admirably adapted
to the 1i)1.11.‘1Z)(;).SS€3SS for which it was erected. But few
towns in the county can boast a town hall as orna-
inental and as convenient as this. It cost, with its
fLi1'nittue, .:t4t57.i,,53I; the site and the gracling cost
.7;1o,ooo, iiitiltiiig a total cost of $58,530. It  situated
in tlie irnrnetliate neiglilaorlioocl of three handsome
cliurclies, and taken together“ they present quite a city-
like appearance.

"lllie people 1*esicling in that part of Marlborough
which is now the village of Hudson, early manifested a
deep interest in the subject of education. Wlien citizens
of lVl2;t1”llDO1‘OL1gl1, they L11‘gfecl the matter of better ac-—
comrnodation for their children, there being but one
school house on the territory under consideration, and
that, (near Amos Ray’s,) was nearly two miles from
the “mills,” as the village was then called. And what
made it still worse, was the fact that there was no open.

52

direct road to the school house. This inconvenience
was so seriously felt, that some of the families employed
a private teacher. But after a struggle of several years,
they succeeded, in 1812, in being made a new and
additional district, and a school house was erected on
the road leading to the centre of the town, about a
hundred rods south of the river. Such was the opposi-
tion to this measure, that it was openly declared that at
the adjournment of the meeting, the vote to build the
school house should be rescinded. But such was the
zeal of the citizens in the village, that trees standing in
the forest when the vote was passed, were standing in a
frame house, covered with boards, clapboards and
shingles, before the day to which the meeting had been
adjourned. Marlborough was for a time rather behind
her sister towns in her appropriations for schools, but
about 1850 a new interest was awakened, and several
new school houses were erected‘. The appropriation in
1856 was but $2,220; in 1860 it was increased to
$3,910, and a high school had also been established, not
only in the centre, but at Feltonville. About 1855,
the house built in 1812 was abandoned, and a larger

and better one erected on School street, near the river;
and here the Feltonville high school was kept till after

the town was incorporated.

Since that time Hudson has not been unminclful
of the cause of education. The citizens have built
one school house in the westerly part of the town, one
in the easterly part, and one on the road leading from
the depot to Marlborough. But perhaps the most
important, and certainly the most expensive edifice, was
one erected in 1867 for the High School, which cost
between five and six thousand dollars. The appropri~
ations for theschools have always been liberal. There
is, perhaps, no surer index of the intelligence, culture,

53

and pxosperity of any town, than the interest manifested
in its public schools. ‘There may he a few families
actuated by a ‘false pride, who will rnaintain a select
school for the eclucation of their children, where there
is little or no interest felt in the community at large.
But where the people generally, the voters in any town,
come fo1*vvar<::l year at"ter year, and consent to be taxed
for the su}npoi't of schools, where the rich and the poor
can send their chilthen to obtain that instruction which
will lit them for future usefulness, we may safely infer
that the vahue of thee schools is justly appreciated.

ilihe town oil’ lrliiclson can present a good record in
this 1*es}pe2ct. With a population of some nineteen
l1“L1i‘tClt‘f:?.C;l i.n.listl:>itaii1ts, at their first nieeting after they
were iiI’1CC)t‘1iiL)C3I“«T1iZ€iC”l., tliey app1*op1*iateti .y;:3,ooo for the

st1r::>};>c>1't «iii eclucation. Wce have already seen that in

the short spzice of asirngle clecacle, they have built four
gggotgacl. stzhool houses, wliichyvoolcl seem to inclicate that
they hacl an interest in tlie welfare: of their ichilclren.
B111: they have shown that they do not trust to houses

alone for the diffusion of ltnowleclge. They have been

sensihle that nioney’ foi*ms not only the sinews of trar,
but the support of moral and in‘tellectual instruction.
Anti l“fU5iit”1<’.3t2 they have raisecl their appropriation for
schools from $53,000 in 1:866 to $55,000 in 1870, and
f;?36,j"OOi in 1876. They have also endeavored to improve
the qtialitications of their instructors, as is indicated by
the increase of the pay of the higli school teacher from
$800 to s;tr,aoo, ancl the t<—_=:achers in the district schools in
the same proportion. Such facts reflect the intelligence
of the people, and give assurance that their children
will rise up and call them hlessecl. i   s
As temporal and moral welfare are more or less
b1encled,ancl the safety of life and property are inti-
mately connected, itcannot be amiss to state the efforts

54

which‘ have been directed to the protection of both
against the devouring element which, within a few
years, has desolated some of the principal cities in our
country. Hudson has a full'and perfectly blfgalllzed
Fire Departrnentp-—-three engineers, one ‘full and corn~
plete company, and an engiiie equal to any in the com—-
munity. The shoe and other manufactures e1nplc>yir1g
a large number of hands, the engiiie company is not
composed of young boys or feeble indivichials, but of
active, stalwart men, whose power and skill at the
bralres have been admitted in wellwcontestecl fields.
They hatve~another, an impromptu company, which is
ready and can do good service in the villagje. Tine box
rnanuiacturing company have a force pump and hose,
and l3rigl1am & Company also have a force pump driven
by water, and Plotiglitoii one by steam. '"l"‘hese pumps
have great power, and consicleri11g'tl1ei1* location, can do
a great deal towards clieclting; or extiiiguisliiiigg a fire,
should one brealt. outq "lihere is also a goocl Hook
and Ladder company connected with the Department.

And while they strive to save property from the
flames, the citizens have furnished means of saving the
ear1ii,np;s of honest toil from clarrg§e1*s as great and more
insidious than flariiingg; fire. They have a well regum
lated 5ooz'7¢:_g'5 Berri/5:, with an aggregate deposit of about
$250,000.

Tliougli Hudson may be regarcled as a good agri-
cultural town, and many of her farms are rich and fer»
tile, she is more distinguished for the production of
her worltshops than the fruits of her soil. The shoe
manufacture is the business that has built up the
place and givexi her a distinctive ‘character. Nowhere
in the State is the shoe trade carried on more
systematically, or is so great a per cent. of modern
improved machinery to be found as in Hudson. Other,

55

and older, and larger towns, have more machinery,
it may he, and some as modern and improvecl as that
of l‘""lL1tZlSO11, hut laeing loiiger in business they still
have some of their old machirtety in use, and adhere to
tlf'1(:3l1" old habits, so tliat they naturally have both old
aocl new iitteifntitiglecl. But in Hudson, the intro-~

ClLilCl2iO1”1 of the lJL1Si,1”lt:E[S$ laeiiig recent, their shops and i

”l2.l.'1<i‘:lI‘ 1"nachi:oe1-y ate all of the most approved character.
Time shops I4;tI‘€:'t oi" xhodem constructions, two and three
stories, liigglt studded, a wide hall extettcling the lettgtlt
of the: lattilclixtg, with large rooms or halls upon each
sitle, well ligglitecl aml velotilatecl, amt heated with steam.
As these hiiiltlings are separate aocl isolated, the best
ligltt and air‘ caI1il;::»e: ertjoyecl, and they’a1“e comparatively
sale fi:<?;>m. tire in co11sequence of their position, and the
hose sand <:>ther 2Zt11")plla1’1C€ES which they possess. The
1*c?;t_1j:>t.1t2;>.tit‘i>x"1 of the l“;l1.lClfL~3OI1 shoe fa<:to1'ies was such that

  Wiilflilil tlte lapattestt i,l::1.’l‘1l:}E;l$3$5y visited this country,and the

.lT3(i>$5tC)11 1‘1’]C3‘.1’C:l]€;tt71‘tE3 anal mamtfacttiters itttenclecl to show
tliem lIl.“.1,f:i:  specirnens of our gmrocluctions, after taking
thcztm to lsotzvell and l,awi*ehce, to exhibit the facility of
X?\7Q:£iVl1’1g olotlt, they C()1"1ClL1ClZ<‘jE:Cl. their guests to Hudson,
to show tl;“tC~:I1‘1 the host system of 1nal<.ii1g shoes,

We ltitve no disposition to attempt even a hrief des-
C1”lpl;‘iC)I“1 of lilfltft methods employed. a Suffice it to say that
lZl”.t€i?:t‘(f: is a §g_“1”t‘i2E;3.t clivision of labor. The heels, the soles,
and tlie Lsil‘1§.”13};)ti‘.1”.S, the sewi.ng;, the laeggitig. the htxffirug,
anal the }aolisl1i11§g‘, are all separate processes, and are
p<.E?.1”fOI‘1‘1:'1tECl hy c:l.ifferent hands; other parts of the husiu.
mess 1't3qt.tlI‘€E c’tIDLT)llEt1EC€fi$ of labor or machinery. Sltill and

economy are ol:)se3:ved in cutting, which is done hydies,

and as shoes are made for women, misses, and chil-
dren, a piece of leather not large exiouglt for a woman’s,
may answer for a miss, and what is too small for her

may answer for a child,ar1d What cannot be cut into at

56

shoe, may be sent into another department, to be manu-
factured into heels, where the same assortment of sizes
takes place. There is also in the village a Sl‘.1‘ll{l1"1g
illustration of the principle that one thing calls for
another. Shoes are made upon Znsrr, and hence a
factory is established, which turns out fifty thousand
lasts annually. And as the heels and the leather gener-—
ally are cut by (1225, these articles are in demand, and
hence an establishment for their manufacture has been
set up, with sales to the amount of $75,000 in the
year. The lasts and the dies here produced are not
all consumed in the place, but the domestic demand
undoubtedly gave birth to the’ n1£L11UliEtwC2tL1I‘€3. Then the

shoes, when prepared for the market, must be boxed

up, and this calls for a box factory, and one is found in
the village, demanding not only laborers, but requiring
lumber and all the appliances of the lumber business.

The annual product of the factory is $18,000. The

tannery in the village is almost a branch of the shoe
trade, and they all combine to aid one another.
In speaking of the thrift and employments of the

place, We ought to mention a large piano factory, which

was established and well under way, when it fell a prey
to the devouring element. But the eiiterprisiiig pro-
prietors are preparing‘ to continue the business, not-
withstanding the fire.

The ordinary mechanics,——the carpenter and the
mason, the painter and the plumber,~—-~—~find their busi-
ness affected directly by the growtli of manufactures,
and the tillersof the soil participate in the same pros-

perity. Land within miles of theivillage would rise or

fall in value, as the shoe business was prosperous or
depressed. The effect of these ‘Various branches of
trade will be seen, when we consider that in 1820, there
were only thirteen or fourteen dwelling houses and one

57

store in the place. The only thing that sustained the
village at that period was its water power, driving a
grist and saw mill, a cloth dressing establishment and a
small cotton factory. lNow, the dwellings there are
about four hundred, andinstead of a single English
and West India goods store, there are now six such
stores; there are also five provision stores, two
shoe stores, three dressmakers and milliners’ shops,
two tailors’ shops, two grain and flour stores, one
jeweller’s shop, two apothecary and druggist stores,
one hardware store, two tinmen’s shops, where stoves,
pumps, &c., are found, one paint and oil store, two

‘machine shops, two dealers in wood and coal, one

lumber yard, three paint shops, twobox factories, one
photographers gallery, one toy shop, one book and toy
store, one post-office, with a newspaper and stationery
«shop attached, three livery stables, one hotel, three
eating houses, one printing office, one bakery, and three
custom shoernakers’ shops. There are also several
professional men and mechanics, who have places of
business or residence, ‘which should be mentioned, to
show the accommodation and resources of the village.
Three physicians, two dentists, one veterinary surgeon,
two lawyers’ offices, one plumber, three barbers, two
master masons or contractors; three insurance agencies
and conveyancers, one ice—house and dealer, three green
houses, with vegetables and flowers for sale.

The population, when the town was incorporated in
1866, was about 1,800; in 1875 it was 3,493. It is
true that this increase of population was aided by the
acquisition from Bolton ; but this Bolton population was
the product of the Hudson mafnufactories. In May,
1875, the numbereof polls in Hudson was 93,0; the
personal property was valued at $280,413, and the real

” 8

58

estate at $1,464,865, making agrancl total of $1,745,278.
The number of dwelling houses at that time was 615,
Although the earth may yield her increase, and the
ordinary mechanical industry may add to the wealth
and advance the prosperity of the place, yet it must
be confessed, that manufacturing, and that of shoes in
particular, must be regarded as the life blood of the
village, which circulates through the whole system,

and warms and invigorates every member. But theft

present is an unfortunate time to show the product
of the shops. The depression of business in every
department of industry, falls heavily upon the shoe
manufacture, and consequently reduces the product and
the number of hands, and so lessens the amount paid
out monthly to the laborers. But, even as it is, the
show is very flattering.

The capital employed in the five principal factories,.

viz 1: Francis Brigham & Co’s., Wn1.F. Trowbridge’s,
George Houghton’s, Luman T. Jefts, and Stowe, Bills
& VVhitney’s, is $410,000, and the annual production of
shoes is 1,715,000 pairs, the estimated value of sales is
$1,415,000; giving employment to 1,000 persons, 315
of whom are females. The united pay of the laborers
is $320,000 a year, hr $26,666 a month. The effect
upon any country village of having twenty-—six thousand
dollars distributed monthly, can easily be conceived, as
it is well known that the sums thus paid out, by passing
from hand to hand, will pay a large number of debts, or
procure many necessaries and luxuries of life, and thus
produce a state of general prosperity. So, much for the
shoe business alone. But there are other branches of
manufacture connected with or dependent upon the
shoe manufacture, which should be taken into the
account. The tannery, the die factory, the last factory,
and the box factory, furnish a capital of more than

59

$110,000, and employ some I20 hands, whose monthly
pay would be some $6,000; so that the preserit
depressed state of business, actually taken in the

aggregate, ensures a payment for labor of about 33,000

dollars per month. A

One pleasant feature of this prosperity is, that it is
produced by the industry of the village. In many
instances where a manufacturing village grows up

rapidly, it is the effect of combined foreign capital.

This in fact was true of Lowell and Lawrence. But in
the case of Hudson, there was no such foreign aid.
No combined capital from abroad, lno rich individual
outside the town, has built up the place, On the
contrary, the money here invested is village capital,
earned by labor andtoil performed mostly in the village
itself. And it is a fact, that the principal owners of
these large establishments, and the men who have do'ne
most to build up the place, have commenced life without

 

means, and owe theirsuccess to their own efforts. This

is especially true of Francis Brigham, the largest capi-
talist in the place, who first started the shoe manufac-
ture in the village, and has contributed so largely to the

growth of Hudson. This ‘fact produces a better state A

of things than would be likely to exist, if one over-

grown, capitalist, or a foreign corporation, owned the

property and controlled the destiny of the town.

But though Hudson has been actively engaged in
worldly affairs, and has spent her money freely to
promote temporal prosperity, she has not been unrnind-
ful of her moral and spiritual interests. From the first,
thegcause of temperance and good order has engaged
the attention of the inhabitants, and it is believed that
there is less of dissipation and disorder here than in
most manufacturing villages. That restlessness and
insubordination, -——-~ that jealousy of the success and

60

hatred of capital, and those disgraceful strikes which
have converted some manufacturing towns into a
bedlarn, have not disturbed" the peace of Hudson,
or created a hostility between it the employers and
employed. ‘ T   T
Nor has their religious interest been neglected.
Long before they aspired to be a town, religious socie-
ties were formed, and preaching to a certain extent
was maintained; and, a catholic spirit prevailing, the
village enjoyed a stated ministry long before any one
sect would have been able to build a church, or support
a minister. The ifirst house of worship was possessed
by the Baptists, who have maintained regular preaching
for some twenty years. Their edifice was rathersmall,
though neat and convenient; but in accordance with
the spirit of theage, the parish desired something
mbre elegant” and tasteful, and have just erected a
house about one hundred feet by fifty, having two
towers, and estimated to cost $16,000. The Unitarians
haire a neat, cornmodious house, built about 1861. The

if Methodists have a handsome church, but a short

distance from the others, although, being on the
southerly side of the main street, it is on lower

ground, and hence is not quite as pleasantly located.)

They are all situated in the immediate neighborhood
of each other, giving a significant indication, that as
they all hope to enjoy one peaceful rest in another
world, they are willing to approximate each other on
earth; and to their honor be it said, they manifest
a liberal spirit, and are disposed to treat each other as
brethren. These societies are supplied with ‘regular

religious instruction, and may be said to be in a pros.»

perouscondition. But we must not omit the Roman
Gatholic or Saint Michael’s Church. It was organized
by Father M. T. MacGuire in 1869. Their house,

61

though not in the group of the other churches, is a
handsome building, situated on the hill, where it over-
looks the others. They all dwell together in har-
mony. _

The newspaper press doubtless exerts a considerable
influence everywhere for good or evil on public opinion.
lt is obvious that local country papers cannot secure the
circulation and support, and hence cannot command
the talent, of the city journals, and consequently their
influence will be less. Yet if the local press takes high
and honorable ground, and avoids local scandal and
rnere party contests, it will furnish much intelligence,
which will be pleasing and profitable to the commu-
nity. Such a publication Hudson has enjoyed for a
dozen years. In 1859 Mr. S. E. Pratt issued a paper
in l\/larlborough, called the Mirror, which was liberally
patronized in Feltonville; but about 1864, having
passed into different hands, it was given up. In the
following year, Mr. C. A. VVood purchased the type
and presses, and moved them to Hudson, where he
started the “ Hudson Pioneer.” The pecuniary interest
of the establishment has since that period changed

hands several times, but the paper has remained, and
"is now in its twelfth volume. It is a neat sheet of eight

columns, well printed, on good paper, and appears to be
ably conducted. ,  

It is a striking fact that printing generally follows
close upon civilization, and the first issues of the press
are a pretty sure exponent of the wants and feelings of
the people. The first prihting press set up in New
England, was at Cambridge in 1638, in almost imme-
diate connection with Harvard College, and this was
ninety years earlier than any press was established
in Virginia; and the first issues from this press at

Cambridge are so suggestive of the popular sentiment

6:2

that I will state the first five issues in the order of
their appearance: The Freeman's Oath, an Almanac, a
Psalm Book, a Catechism, and a book of laws entitled
A Body of Liberties. Here we have a portraiture of
our Puritan Fathers-—-a kind of pictorial representa-
tion of their thoughts and feelings, their manners and
customs. Their Bibles, which they brought with them
from England, were of course first read; then The
Freemans Oath must be taken; next the Almanac
consulted to learn the signs of the times; then they
were prepared to join in a Psalm of praise, and to teach
their children the Catechism, and after that they were
prepared to study their Body of Liberties, and when
they had learned their rights, they were ready to assert
them in any presence, and to defend them at any
hazard, whoever might be the aggressor.

‘We have already practically given the boundaries of
Hudson, so that nothing is wanting to fix the locality,
but to say that it issituated in the northwestern corner
of the county of Middlesex, and is about twenty-six
miles from Boston, and about twelve miles from

Concord. The natural features of the townshippvare

attractive. Situated in the valley of the Assabet, there
are no rugged mountains on the one hand, or sunken
swamps on the other. While the general surface is

substantially level, there is that pleasing variety of T

gentle swells,which attract attention and give beauty to
a landscape. Mount Assabet, near the village, rises on
the south side of the river, directly opposite the princi-
pal settlement, to the height of from one hundred to
two hundred feet, and, to use a military phrase, “ com-
mands” the whole village, and a large portion of that
section of the town. This graceful swell of land is
productive, and capable of cultivation to the very
summit, and would afford elegant sites for those

63

magnificent mansions in which retired "capitalists
delight to indulge. There are a number of these
gradual elevations within a mile of the village, which
would afford beautiful country seats. The roads

are i remarkably good, furnishing rural and inviting .

drives in this and the neighboring towns. The railroad,
passing through the centre, connects the village with
Boston, Lowell, Concord and Cambridge on the east,
and with Fitchburg, Brattleborough, Keene and Green-
field on the west. There is also a railroad substantially
completed to Lancaster, a’ distance of eight or ten miles,
which will open another line of communication with the
towns on the north. The l\/lassachusetts Central Rail-
road is located directly tlu'oug*l1 the village, and if that
should be completed, it would make lrludson a grand
railroad centre; and if the other towns on the line of
this contemplated road, would show the same public
spirit, and afford pecuniary aid in proportion to this
young and liberal town, that line of communication
would not long hang in doubt.

The village of Huclson is not only well located, but
is handsomely laid out. The streets are wide and well
graded, and all adorned with trees blushing into youth»-—
ful, leafy beauty. The streets are kept clean and unob-
structed, and well lighted by night. There is nothing
in the general plan or arrangement in the village to be
regretted, except the neglect too common in laying
out new towns, to reserve land in a suitable locality
for a town common or a public park. But it is
hoped that this omission will be supplied at no distant
day. Th convenience, beauty, and health of the place
would be promoted by such a park, and the good sense
and enterprise of the people will soon demand such a
luxury, where the pent air of the work-—shops can be
exchanged for the fresh breezes of an open square.

64

One acharacteristic of the village rnnst strike every

visitor as one of its attractions. Though the dwellings

are not remarkable for their size, or the splendor of
their architecture, they are rnarlted for neatness and

. good taste, and for that apparent equality which dispels

the idea of master and servant. But What adds greatly
to the beauty and comfort of the place is, that the
houses of recent erection, and this includes most of
them, are placed at such a distance from the streets, as
to give a handsome front yard and grass plat, which
protects the house from the gaze and dust of the street,
And these plats between the house and the front fence,
are generally adorned by flowers and shrubbery, which,
with the avenues of maples marking the side—walks,
give to the street, the yard and the house, acheerful,
rural appearance which rnust impress every beholder.

But leaving the village, there is no reason to be
ashamed of Hudson as a township. Nearly the Whole
territory is capable of cultivation, and the township
furnishes many excellent farms. The eastern part has
a portion of light soil, but such. lands are well adapted
to grain, and with lnigh culture will yield a good crop of
corn, with less labor than is required on stronger and
mloreirngged soils; and when laid down in a good
condition, will yield twoor three fine crops of hay.

  Such land is Well adapted to root crops and vegetable

gardening, and a portion is desirable on every farm.

  The territory of Hudson is well watered by the
Assabet river and its tributaries. , It has also a
considerable stream from Berlin, which flows into the
mill-pond, and furnishes a good privilege for light Work.
There is another considerable stream from Bolton, bear-—
ing the old lndian name of   I?V2zZtaQ,<z.v:cz¢2?0c/.3’, which unites

with the Assabet at the lower end of the village,

furriishing waterifor the tannery, and affording some

55

small privileges above. Fort Meadow brook, below
the reservoir, traverses a large section of the town.
These streams, with the other rivulets and rills which
feed them, furnish all that is necessary for the common
uses of agriculture, such as water in the pastures and
about the different parts of the farms.

On the whole, taking into View the nature of the
soil, the topography of the township, the salubrity of
the atmosphere, and the peaceable disposition of the
inhabitants, with their admitted enterprise and thrift,
Hudson will not suffer by a comparison with any of her
neighboring towns. And if we add the facilities of
communication, it will at once appear that she actually
holds out more inducements to people to take up
their abode within her borders, than any town in the
region. r

filellozw Cz'zfz'zmzs, I have detained you too long with
the dry details of your own local affairs, which may
perhaps cramp your broad views and generous emotions.
You must realize that you are assembled as American
citizens, to celebrate one of the most important events
in modern history-—-—--the emancipation of one continent.
and the modification of the institutions of another.
We are assembled to commemorate the birth of free-
dom, the equality of man, and his right to self——govern—-
ment. Though these doctrines appear to us to be
self--evident, they were a century ago unknown, or,
perhaps more truly, unacknowledged by the nations of
the earth. We have met not merely to enjoy the
pleasures and the festivities of the day, but to do
homage to the memory of our ancestors, whose mature
wisdom, cool deliberation, and unflinching devotion to
moral principle, enabled, nay, compelled them to stand

9

66

erect before the world, defying Acts of Parliament,
Orders in Council, and decisions of Courts of Admiralty
--«nay more, defying the sword and halter of a haughty

nation, before whose arms the powers of Europe had

trembled.
Our fathers were politicians in the best sense of that

term-———-they were statesmen, who had studied the
science of civil government, and understood the true
relations between the rulers and the ruled. They were
perfectly acquainted with the principles discussed in the
English Revolution, and saw most clearly that the
measures adopted by the ministry were totally repug-
nant to the principles for which they had contended;
and our statesmen were fully convinced that the minis»
try, and not we, were trampling upon the fundamental
doctrines of the English Constitution. Seeing this,
they knew the path of duty, and their course was a
plain one. It seems that in this case, as in all others,
men were reared up for the occasion,-+——~men who ‘knew
their rights, and, knowing, dared maintain them.’
And among the prominentilmen who declared our
independence, Massachusetts furnished her full share.
john Adams was on the Committee which prepared the
Declaration, and was its principal advocate in Congress.
John Hancocl<,asPresident of Congress, was the first

to sign that instrument, and in fact did set that bold,

and almost defiant hand to the document, before it was
known that it would bear any other signature. And
there was another Massachusetts man, whose name is
borne upon that scroll, who does not appear as the first

signer, or as tlieadvocate on the floor of the house,

but who had done more than any other man in the
country to expose the injustice of Parliament,---to

satisfy our people of their duty, and prepare the Colo—-

nies for self-government. You know, fellow citizens,

that I must allude to Samuel Adams, who, by common
consent, is allowed to be the Orgmzzkrear qftke Americarz
Z€'ezr2o[z¢z‘z'o7z.  

These are the men whom the country has delighted
to honor, and these are the men we can safely hold up
for the imitation of our children. Hancock and Adams*

were the men whom Gage in his proclamation exempted»
from his promised pardon,----declaring their crime “too ~

flagitious to merit anything but condign punishment.”
And what were the crimes of which these distinguished
patriots were guilty? Wliat had they done to expose
them to the treatment that Gage had recommended, —-—-—-—
50 at Sam‘ in Emg'Za7zri zfo fie z‘:V2.'m’ for Zreasorz, ----- where he
well ltnew they would be convicted. They had simply
taught the people their rights as English subjects, and
COI1‘1pl8.ZlI’16Cl df the ministry and Parliament, because
they had trampled upon their own organic law.

But, fellow citizens, while we acknowledge the ser-
vices of these men, we should strive toirnitate their
virtues. Like Hancock, we should be ready to sacrifice

our fortunes on the altar of our country, if the exigency ~

should demand it. But, thank Heaven, we are not

required at this day to make such a sacrifice : yet we

are required to refrain from those peculations, -—---—those
wholesale swindles, which have destroyed so many

other men, and brought such a stigma upon the

character of a free government. Nor are we called,
like Adams, to devote our whole time to the cause of
our country, without any adequate compensation ;, yet

-we should imitate his disinterestedness, practice his
\ simple economy, and, above all things, adhere to that
stern rectitude which nothing could bend. As our

institutions were planted in integrity, and high moral
principles actuated our fathers,--——~the same integrity, the

* See portraits at the end of the pamphlet.

68

same moral principle, is yrequired to continue our
country prosperous and happy.

I am aware that it has often been said that our
institutions must rest upon education- This is undoubt-
edly true, if the education is what it should be. If
moral, physical andintellectual culture are combined, it
furnishes a sure basis for free institutions. But a mere
intellectual education, Where moral principle is dis»
carded, is very far from furnishing a sure basis for a
free government. Such an education is a mere"motive
povver,~—-——a centrifugal force, a facility to action; but
whether that action be right or wrong, whether it
conduct the possessor in the path of virtue, or in the
road to ruin, depends upon the moral principle imbibed.
In fact, in many cases, a mere intellectual and physical
education will make a man a more expeiit villain than
he could be Without that training; a skill in chiro~
graphy may make a good clerk or an expert counter-
feiter; a knowledge of mechanism may produce a good
mechanic, or an accomplished burglar. So of other
arts; eloquence maybe employed to “ clear the guilty
or to varnish crimes,” and all the accomplishments of
life may be made subservient to vice as well as to

virtue. The observation we are compelled to take,
shows that intellectual culture alonevvill neither save

the individual from vice, nor our country from ruin.
The arch traitors have generally been educated men.

‘* If parts allure thee, thinklhow Bacon shined,
The wisest, brightest, avzgwzest of mankind.”

No, fellow citizens, the highest education, vvithout

moral principle, is not sufficient to guide the individual,  

or sustain the Republic. Culture is not to be discard-

ed; but we need something more. The projectile force  

given to the planets is necessaryjto keep them in

69

motion; but it is the gravitating power which keeps
them in their orbits, and compels them to pursue those
regular and graceful circles which preserve the harmony
of the spheres- We want l<nowledge—--~—-a knowledge
of our country’s rightsma knowledge of those funda-
mental principles which give stability to institutions and
permanency to empires. But this knowledge must be
sanctified. it must be a knowledge drawn from a
divine source-—-——-a full recognition that God rules the
world in righteousness, and that human governments
will prosper just as theycopy the principles of the
divine. We need a firm attachment to our country,
and a love of her institutions ;’ but this love of country,
this attachment for her institutions and laws must be
basedon a conviction that they are right, are such as
heaven approves. Patriotism, when enlightened, should
be classed among the l Christian virtues, Wand should
be cultivated as a source of happiness to ourselves,
devotion to the best interests of others, and fidelity to
Him who fixes the destinies of nations. That spirit of
conquest which would wantonly strive to disrnember a
foreign nation, even though it would enlarge our own
country, cannot be true patriotism ; and that attempt at
plunder of which we have so many rumors, must be
regarded as a gross departure from the principles which
led to our independence.  

l\lations,lil<;e individuals, have their fate in their own
hands. Ambition and vice are destructive of the final
success of both. The Ruler of nations has fixed a
penalty to disobedience, and though He is long-suffer-
ing, the day of reckoningis sure to come. lf we
appreciate our blessings, and rightly improve our privi-
leges,we may trust that our nation will continue to
prosper, and the influence of free institutions will be
feltmore and more in every quarter of the globe. But

70

if we yield to the allurements of vice, and ‘disregard the
moral character‘ of our rulers, and suffer venality and
corruption to reign in high places, we may expect that

the day will come, when our republic may be classed‘

with others which have come and gone, and left the sad
reflection, that the people are not capable of self-
government.

Feilotwl Cz'Zz'zerz5 0]’ ffizdsaa : While I congratulate you
on this Anniversary, on the success of our experiment
of self-gjorrernnient, and rejoice with you in the growth
of the Republic, and the consolidation of the Union, I
cannot withhold my exultation over your local success

and prosperity. From a small village, consisting of a  

few dwellings, where the life-t-blood of the place was
simply the gentle flow of the Assabet, and the stillness
of the place was broken only by the croaking of the
frogs and the clack of the mill, you have grown to be a
prosperous town‘ of nearly four thousand inhabitants,
filling the village with the hum of industry, and sending
your manufactured products to every part of the
country.   *  

And while your hearts are swelling with gratitude
for your signal success, you will permit me, l am sure,

‘ to join in your rejoicing, and assure you of the interest

I feel in your welfare. My knowledge of this section
of the parent town, extends back about three-quarters

of a century, and my attachment is co—existent with my  

knowledge; and it would be affectation not to confess

that the honor you have conferred upon me, in naming‘

your town, has revived theinterest I have always felt
in the prosperity of the place. Here were the sports
of my childhood,andhere the riper reflections of my
youthful days. In your village school I spent several

winters with the children and youth of the place, most

71

of whom have long since passed to a higher seminary,

and have received, we hope, purer instruction than

earthly schools afford. Here were breathed my first

«aspirations for future success in life; and here was

cherished that cheering consciousness, that our fate is
in a great degree in our hands. I look back with
pleasure to those early days, and seem to live my life
over again in joyful anticipation and happiness.

“ How dear to this heart are the scenes of my childhood,
Wlien fond recollection presents them to view!
The orchard, the meadow, the deep-taiigled wildwood,
And every loved spot which my infancy knew.
The wide-spreading pond and the mill that stood by it,
The bridge, and the rock where the cataract fell;

* 3!‘ * 51¢ =i¢ 3? >i¢ *

And e’en the rude bucket which hung in the well.

That moss-covered vessel I hailed as a treasure;
For often" at noon, when returned from the field,
I found it a source of an exquisite pleasure, 9
The purest and sweetest that nature can yield.
How ardent I seized it with hands that wereglowing,
And quick to» the white—pebbled bottom it fell;
Then soon, with the emblem of truth overflowing,
And dripping with coolness, it rose from the well.

How sweet from the green, mossy brim to receive it, ‘
As poised on the curb, it inclined to my lips I.

Not a full, blushing goblet could tempt me to leave it,
Though filled with the nectar that Jupiter sips.”

But many of the outward, visible things have passed T

away, or have been materially changed. The charac-
teristics impressed by nature have generally remained.

sOld P7/0speaz‘_]17z'[Z, with his wood—capped summit,

presents his rugged front, and looks steadily upon IV 52‘
f!z'ZZ and /1a’a’z'z‘z'o7z Hz'ZZ, as if to mourn with them for
the loss of their leafy crests,-——-—while upon the left he
looks upon Top/zez‘ .S‘ze2cz7/lap, and seems to rejoice at its
improved condition. " _/llama‘ Assaéat, the pride of the

72

village, with her rounded grassy summit, smiles benig-
nantly upon the whole region, and beholds the people
gathering around her base, like the Israelites around
Mount Sinai, as if to receive instruction and guidance.
At the same time, the gentle Assabet is flowing grace-
fully down her valley, thankfully receiving in the mill-
pond her tributary from Berlin, and her equally accept-
able lndian ally, the Waiaqzrazioczé, from Bolton, to fill
the vats at the tanyard, and aid in that ancient branch
of manufacture. In these bold outlines, fixed by nature,
there is a permanency; but in all else, how changed!
Houses cover what I have known as grass plats, streets
traverse what were formerly corn fields, and stately
buildings rear their bold and imposing fronts to show
the progress of manufacturing industry and enterprise.
In this way, the small ancient shop near the Bolton line,
at what has been known as the Cox place, and the
shoe shop perched on the ledge, now departed, east of
the residence of _the late Colonel Wood, have not only
been thrown into the shade, but have been annihilated,
and Bruce, and Dzzmz, and other honest workmen, who
were willing to labor to the Zczszf, that they might mend
the 502525 of their neighbors, have been compelled to
give place to more ambitious laborers, who, overlooking
their immediate neighbors, aspire at furnishing new
soles and z5aa’z'es to people by the thousand, in distant
parts of the country.

But while I can look upon these changes with
complacency, if not with delight, there is another class
of changes which fills me with sadness. “ Our fathers,
where are they!" When I pass through your village,
and see your streets teeming with people engaged in
active business, and stop to see your Felton, and Wood,
and Peters, and Witt, iind Pope, and others whose
faces were familiar, I realize that they are departed, and

73

if their places are filled at all, they are filled by their
children, and perhaps in a majority of cases by their
children’s children! Such is the order of Providence.
And it reminds you and me, and all of us, that we
should so improve our time and opportunities, that we
may leave as fair a character as the founders of your
village. We shall perish, but your town will remain;
and as long as I am permitted to observe the growth or
decline of human institutions, my benisons shall rest
upon your pleasant town, trusting that your church
spires, pointing towards heaven, may bring down upon
yourselves and your institutions, that fostering care and
protection, which will make you a happy and a pros-
perous community while you are living, and that when
you are sleeping with your fathers, your town may
prosper and reflect.the worth of its founders.

IO

one COUNTRYS CENTENNIAL

AND

H.UDSON’S TENTH ANNIVERSARY.

an-nnmnnunnuuu--n

BY MISS PI-IEBE A. HOLDER.

«pan-nan-:-nun

“The Winds with wonder whist. 
Smoothly the Waters lcistz.”--IvIu.'roN.

THUS comes for us, this year of gold,
The Nation’s day-—-—-a century old ;
Of suffering born, in conflict proved,
Our freedom won, the price of blood.
Now Peace, her white—winged dove sends forth,
With leaf of blessing o’er the earth.

Ring out, glad bells, with silver voice,
A chime to bid all hearts rejoice.
The hill-~tops catch the clear refrain.
And quiet Vales take up the strain ;
The echoes wake on land and sea,
The anthem of our jubilee. ‘

The warm, bright skies of Summer bend
In beauty o’er the smiling land ;

With queenly robes she decks the earth
In honor of our Nation’s birth,’

And the blue waves We softly kissed

By winds in viioandering silence whist.

75

The precious things of heaven are ours,
Of sums, of dews, of falling showers ;

Of lasting hills, of mountains old,
Things of the deep, and mines of gold ;
The buds of spring, the summer flowers,
The harvest wealth that Autumn pours.

And precious joys of home we share,
Sweet homes like bowers of Eden fair,
With every bright and lovely thing,

The taste may seek, or love‘ can bring ;
Homes rich with gifts the Lord hath given,
An earthly dream of home in heaven.

Rare gifts of mind, of cultured thought,

To minds wing answering gifts are brought ;
The poet’s dream, the singer’s lyre,

The artist’s soul, the statesmarrs fire,

All glow ’neath Freeclom’s fostering ray,
All ours, who live in this glad day.

God of the nations, who hath blessed
Our father’s land from east to west,
Whose bounteous hand has given all,
In grateful love, Thy Name we call I
In glad thanksgiving lift the voice,
And in the Lord, our God, rejoice.

This day, the Century’s cycle, fills ;

The vast heart of the Nation thrills :

And patriot fires more brightly glow,
Kindled at Freedom’s shrine anew.

The Century’s Fourth--—-—our country's own---
Comes like the glorious sun of noon ;

And while its wondrous anthem swells

76

Majestic as cathedral bells,

Rising where first the Atlantic wave
Pauses, New England’s shores to lave,
Rolling afar its music grand

To the Paeific’s golden strand,

I/Ve join the mighty symphony,

The chorus of the century-—
Responding to the Nation's call

As 0723--a loyal heart in all---—

Our offering on this altar lay,

Our tribute to this festal day.

And while our hearts are open wide

To this vast joy, a flowing tide,

Within the century’s wreath we twine
One simple spray from love’s home vine.
Amid the silent moving years

No hundred on our roll appears ;

A decade only may we claim

Of separate life----with honored name
Adding its lustre to our Town,

And proudly worn, as queens their crown ;
A newly risen light to grace

Old Massachusetts’ smiling face.

To loving eyes this vale is fair,

As many spots more classic are.

The silent dome of rounded hill,

Green as in days of childhood still,

Like sentinel, a guard to keep

O’er peaceful homes below that sleep ;
The Assabet, with gentle flow, it

Its waters blue as long ago;

Banks bright 'with fringing Verdure still;

77

The mimic fall where grinds the mill ;

The graceful elmwith limbs outspread,

In leafy arches overhead ; it

Gardens, whose rare and lovely flowers,
Seem like a dream of fairy bowers ;

The sweet home lights, that brighter shine
With beauty, caught at summer’s shrine.

Amid our homes, like watch-towers rise,
With signals pointing to the skies,

The sacred temples of the Lord,

Fraught with the blessings of His Word ;
With sister influence standing near,

The goodly shrines of Learning are,
Where Knowledge opens wide her doors,
And Science spreads her treasured stores.
Trade has its varied wares outspread,
And Wealth lifts up its stately head ; '
While Progress speeds here onward way
With winged steps»-no pause—-~no stay ;--—
Such marvels in her train unfold

As in the magic tales of old ;
Aladdin-/2'/ée to wondering eyes

Palatial homes in beauty rise-—-—

Colossal blocks and structures tower
Above the “modest shops” of yore,
Filled with the hum of Industry,

The fount of our prosperity.

Born ’neath the waning Century’s light,
Our youth with smiles of promise bright,
On this Centennial height we stand.
Afar and near an outlook grand:

May all an impulse gain to-day

73,

g Nobler to tread life’s future Way,

To set our aims, our purpose high,

Worthy our Pilgrim ancestry.

Men ———centuries--~—- pass ; good deeds remain
A halo round an honored name ;

And shining lives with influence sweet

Still shine, though Life’s sun long hath set.
Such lives be ours! A light to grace

The Town that gives us home and place;
True to ourselves and to our God,

Keep close in Virtue’s upward road!

So shall the Future’s mystic scroll,

As silently its years unroll,

Reveal, in fadeless lustre bright, S
Such names in pure and golden light.
Her sons, her jewels shall be found :
Our youthful HUDSON thus be crowned,
Proudly her rank as peer may claim
With sister towns long known to fame,
A polished stone in crystal set

Within our State’s fair Coronet :

New glory for the crown she wears,
Immortal ’mid the stripes and stars.

V JUNE 27, I876.

4,

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THE ORGANIZER OFMTHE AMERICAN REVOLUTION.





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