[450] for State aid to soldiers' families, and repaid by the Commonwealth, was as follows: In 1861, $2,381.72; in 1862, $12,993.24; in 1863, $17,417.58; in 1864, $15,200.00; in 1865, $8,000.00. Total amount, $55,992.54. The ladies of Somerville were forward in every good word and work for the soldiers, beginning at the commencement of the war and continuing until the end. They held meetings every week; each religious society had its Soldiers-Aid Society. They made under-clothes, scraped lint, sewed bandages, knit socks, roasted turkeys, baked pies, made jellies, and were unceasing in their patriotic and Christian work for the sick and wounded, and for the ‘boys in the cause.’ The money value of their contributions amounted to several thousand dollars. Even the unfortunate inmates of the McLean Insane Asylum, under the direction of Mrs. Tyler, wife of Doctor Tyler, furnished articles sufficient to fill four large boxes, which were forwarded to the front. South Reading.1—Incorporated Feb. 25, 1812. Population in 1860, 3,207; in 1865, 3,245. Valuation in 1860, $1,861,319; in 1865, $1,778,786. The selectmen in 1861 were Edward Mansfield, Thomas Green, John Purington; in 1862, D. B. Wheelock, Henry Oliver, Thomas B. Walker; in 1863, D. B. Wheelock, J. Sullivan Eaton, Horatio Dolliver; in 1864, D. B. Wheelock, Horatio Dolliver, Thomas B. Walker; in 1865, D. B. Wheelock, Edward Mansfield, Thomas B. Walker. The town-clerk in 1861 was Charles H. Shepard; in 1862, 1863, and 1864, Jacob C. Hartshorn; in 1865, Chester W. Eaton. The town-treasurer during all these years was James F. Emerson. 1861. The first legal town-meeting to consider matters relating to the war was held April 29th, at which it was voted to pay each soldier belonging to the town, while in active service, twenty dollars a month, ‘and to take care of the families of such as fall.’ May 1st, A military committee was appointed ‘to pay all necessary aid to the families of volunteers.’
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