Benjamin Cutter, William R. Cutter, History of the town of Arlington, Massachusetts, ormerly the second precinct in Cambridge, or District of Menotomy, afterward the town of West Cambridge. 1635-1879 with a genealogical register of the inhabitants of the precinct., chapter 5, page 122

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‘The anniversary of American Independence was celebrated at West Cambridge, on the 4th inst. The day was ushered in by the ringing of the bell, and discharge of 17 guns at sunrise. At 11 o'clock, the procession was formed at Mr. J. Tufts's, consisting of between two and three hundred citizens from the town and adjoining towns: from thence proceeded, under the escort of Capt. Harrington's company of Artillery, attended by a band of music from Waltham, to the new Meeting-House; where, after the Throne of Grace being addressed by the Rev. Mr. Fiske, was pronounced an elegant and appropriate discourse by Mr. William Nichols, of Westford. After the performance, the procession returned to Mr. Tufts's, where they partook of an excellent repast. When the cloth was removed, the following toasts were drank, accompanied by the discharge of cannon, the sound of music, and expressions of joy and approbation. The most perfect peace, harmony and good order prevailed through the day; those peculiar characteristics of genuine republicanism.’
The toasts were political and partizan, and are eighteen in number. The volunteers were by the president, the vice-president, by the orator, by the Hon. M. Spring, and by Col. Bond. They are all published in full in the Chronicle.
The old Singing Society took a prominent part in the celebration July 4, 1808, singing the then popular ‘Ode to Science,’ viz. ‘The British Yoke, the Gallic Chain,’ &c.—J. B. Russell.²

Preservers of fish and a sealer of leather were first chosen in 1808, and a new school-house in the Eastern District was erected on the town's common in 1808.

The West Cambridge Social Library was established Jan. 1, 1808.—Fiske.

1809

This year was published a discourse by Dr. Fiske,

1 Front of the meeting-house where the speaker delivered his oration.

2 ‘In the exciting times of the Embargo, the outrage on the Chesapeake, &c., the martial spirit was strongly developed; a military company of boys, from twelve to seventeen, was formed; Josiah Whittemore was captain, E. R. Thompson, lieutenant, and Webster Barber, ensign. It was quite a respectable organization, and formed the tail end of the procession, at the celebration July 4, 1808. This company had the use of an old iron cannon, a three or four-pounder, that was handsomely mounted, and had been in the town from time immemorial, stored in different places, and seemed to belong to no one in particular, and was used in firing salutes.’—J. B. R.

Boston: David Clapp and son. 564 Washington Street, 1880.

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Benjamin Cutter, William R. Cutter, History of the town of Arlington, Massachusetts, ormerly the second precinct in Cambridge, or District of Menotomy, afterward the town of West Cambridge. 1635-1879 with a genealogical register of the inhabitants of the precinct.

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1809