previous next
[366]

Chapter 10: Middlesex County.

Freetown, Bristol County, Mass.This county is the most populous in the Commonwealth, and next to Suffolk the most wealthy. It has a grand historic renown: within its limits are ‘Lexington, Concord, and Bunker Hill.’ It is bounded north by New Hampshire, north-east by the county of Essex, south-east by Charles River, Boston Harbor, and Norfolk County, and west by the county of Worcester. Its rivers are the Merrimac, Charles, Mystic, Sudbury, Concord, and Nashua. Nearly every town is now intersected with a railroad. It contains fifty-four cities and towns. Since the war the town of Hudson, formed of parts of Marlborough and Stow, and the town of Everett, formed of a part of Maiden, have been incorporated as separate and distinct towns; the former, March 19, 1866, and the latter, March 9, 1870. Their war records form a part of that of the towns from which they were set off, and therefore do not appear distinct and separate in this volume. In ‘old times’ the county seat was Concord; at the present time the courts of the county are held in Cambridge and Lowell. Middlesex is not only celebrated for its Revolutionary renown, but for containing Cambridge University, and the Navy Yard at Charlestown. Lowell and Waltham are well known for their cotton manufactures, as are Marlborough, Woburn, Natick, and other towns for the manufacture of shoes. The aggregate value of the agricultural and manufacturing products of the county in 1870 was $83,102,442. ‘The surface of the county is uneven, and the soil barren. It presents a great variety for the admiration of the patriot, scholar, farmer, mechanic, and painter.’

The population of Middlesex County in 1860 was 216,352; [367] in 1865 it was 220,618, being an increase in five years of 4,266. The population in 1870 was 274,353, being an increase in five years of 53,735. The valuation of the county in 1860 was $135,458,009; in 1865 it was $155,324,723, being an increase in five years of $19,866,714.

The number of men which Middlesex County furnished for the war, according to returns made by the selectmen of the towns and mayors of the cities in 1866—with the exception of Concord and West Cambridge, which do not appear to have made a return—was 28,646. West Cambridge and Concord furnished 524 men, which would make the aggregate, as reported, 29,170, which we believe to be at least three thousand more than was furnished; and therefore the returns were in many cases inaccurate. This fact, however, is certain: that every city and town in the county furnished its quota on every call made by the President, and at the end of the war each had a surplus, which in the aggregate amounted to one thousand six hundred and seven. The amount of money expended by the various municipalities on account of the war, exclusive of State aid, was $2,400,860.40. The amount raised and expended during the war for State aid to soldiers' families, and repaid by the Commonwealth, was $1,560,825.63, making a grand total of three million nine hundred and sixty-one thousand six hundred and eighty-six dollars and three cents ($3,961,686.03).

The following are the war records of the cities and towns:—


Acton

Incorporated July 3, 1735. Population in 1860, 1,726; in 1865, 1,660. Valuation in 1860, $821,401; in 1865, $854,719.

The selectmen in 1861 and during the war were James E. Billings, James K. Putney, J. K. W. Wetherbee.

Town-clerk during the same years, William D. Tuttle. The town-treasurer in 1861 was Winthrop F. Conant; in 1862, 1863, 1864, and 1865, John E. Cutter.

1861. A legal town-meeting was held, April 27, ‘to see if the town would appropriate a sum of money for the assistance of the needy families of the Acton “Davis Guards,” 1 now in the [368] service of the United States,’ at which it was resolved, first, ‘that the citizens of Acton, one and all, whatever may have been their former political opinions, will unite and rally around the Constitution and flag of our Union, and be ready to imitate the noble example of our fathers, who shed their blood in defence of our civil and religious liberties;’ second, ‘that it is the duty of every citizen to come forward, and do all in his power, to assist in maintaining the rightful authority of the national government;’ third, ‘that the soldiers of the Acton Davis Guards, starting, like their namesakes in 1775, at a minute's warning, with the Sixth Regiment—being the first to respond to the President's call, armed and equipped for the defence of the national capital—have honored themselves and the town, and shown by their gallant conduct that they are true lineal descendants of Davis, Hosmer, and Heyward,—men who were “not afraid to go,” and who fought and fell in defence of our liberties;’ fourth, that the town appropriate five thousand dollars ‘for the benefit of the families of soldiers in the town of Acton, who are, or may hereafter be, engaged in the service of the United States.’ A committee was appointed to superintend the expenditure of the money; ‘also, to purchase pistols for the use of the Davis Guards.’ July 16th, A meeting was held to make preparations to receive the Davis Guards on their return from their three months service. It was voted to give a dinner to the soldiers, their wives, and families. ‘A band of music, and powder and cannon, were furnished.’ The reception was a very pleasant occasion for the soldiers and the citizens.

1862. July 16th, The town voted to pay a bounty of one hundred dollars to each volunteer enlisting to the credit of the town, and the selectmen and treasurer were authorized to recruit the men, and borrow the money to pay the bounties. August 20th, Voted, to pay a bounty of one hundred dollars ‘to each resident of the town who volunteers in the Davis Guards for nine months,’ and the further sum of twenty-five dollars to each of the twenty-three recruits for three years service. December 2d, Voted, that if any more men are required from Acton the same bounty shall be paid as before; and if any man is drafted and enters the service he shall receive the same bounty. [369]

1863. At a town-meeting held November 3d the selectmen were authorized to keep on recruiting men, and to pay such bounties as they might think proper. This system was continued to the end of the war.

Acton furnished one hundred and ninety-five men for the military service, which was a surplus of thirty over and above all demands. Twenty were commissioned officers. The total amount of money raised and expended by the town for war purposes, exclusive of State aid, was thirteen thousand and seventy-two dollars ($13,072.00).

The amount of money raised and expended by the town during the war for State aid to soldiers' families, and which was afterwards repaid by the Commonwealth, was as follows: In 1861, $731.05; in 1862, $2.416.01; in 1863, $2,556.71; in 1864, $1,883.26; in 1865, $1,150.00. Total amount, $8,737.03.


Ashby

Incorporated March 5, 1767. Population in 1860, 1,091 ; in 1865, 1,080. Valuation in 1860, $555,386; in 1865, $508,393.

The selectmen in 1861 were Silas Rice, Joseph Foster, Benjamin F. Wallis; in 1862, Joseph Foster, Benjamin F. Wallis, J. S. Jaquith; in 1863, 1864, and 1865, F. W. Wright, J. S. Jaquith, Liberty Wellington.

The town-clerk in 1861 and 1862 was Perez C. Burr; in 1863, James M. J. Jefts; in 1864 and 1865, E. Hobart Hayward. The town-treasuer in 1861 was Stephen Wyman; in 1862, 1863, 1864, and 1865, Francis W. Wright.

1861. The first legal town-meeting, to act upon matters connected with the war, was held on the 1st of May, at which the following resolutions, preceded by a patriotic preamble, were adopted:—

Resolved, That we, the men of Ashby, heartily approve of the most energetic and active measures to secure and hold the public property and to sustain the Government and laws.

Resolved, That we pledge ourselves and our property to sustain the Constitution, the freedom and rights bequeathed to us by our fathers, and we will defend them to the last. [370]

Resolved, That there ought to be immediately organized in this town a volunteer force, under military discipline, to act as a ‘Home Guard,’ and, if necessary, for the service of the country.

Resolved, That if any citizen of Ashby will volunteer his services to the Government, he shall be aided by the town.

Resolved, That we loan fifteen hundred dollars to the Government, to be paid on application of the Governor of Massachusetts.

It was then voted that each volunteer shall be provided with a revolver, a bowie knife, and a Bible, and shall receive also ten dollars in money. Levi Burr, Liberty Wellington, and B. F. Wallis were chosen to recruit volunteers. November 5th, The selectmen were authorized to pay State aid to the families of volunteers, as provided by law.

1862. August 28th, Voted, to pay a bounty of one hundred dollars to each volunteer who shall enlist in the military service, and be mustered in to the credit of the town. The selectmen were directed to recruit the quota of the town; after which it was ‘voted that every man and woman of Ashby be a committee to assist them in procuring volunteers.’

1864. August 22d, The selectmen were authorized to pay to each volunteer enlisting for three years to fill the quota of the town a bounty of one hundred and twenty-five dollars in gold.

1865. July 8th, ‘Voted, to refund the money paid by sundry persons to raise soldiers to fill the quota of Ashby under the calls of the President in 1864.’

Ashby furnished one hundred and fourteen men for the war, which was a surplus of fifteen over and above all demands. One was a commissioned officer. The whole amount of money appropriated and expended by Ashby on account of the war, exclusive of State aid, was sixteen thousand nine hundred and eighty-five dollars ($16,985.00).

The amount of money raised and expended by the town for the payment of State aid to soldiers' families during the war, and afterwards repaid by the Commonwealth, was as follows: In 1861, $45.20; in 1862, $325.46; in 1863, $1,310.00; in 1864, $1,461.05; in 1865, $1,000.00. Total amount, $4,141.71. [371]

The ladies of Ashby sent to the front barrels, boxes, and packages containing hospital stores and under-clothing for the soldiers, to the value of several hundred dollars, at intervals during the entire period of the war.


Ashland

Incorporated March 16, 1846. Population in 1860, 1,554; in 1865, 1,702. Valuation in 1860, $577,860; in 1865, $632,632.

The selectmen in 1861 were Elias Grout, W. A. Scott, J. N. Pike; in 1862, J. N. Pike, Henry Cutter, Charles Alden; in 1863 and 1864, J. N. Pike, Charles Alden, John Clark; in 1865, J. N. Pike, Charles Alden, Alvah Metcalf.

The town-clerk in 1861 and 1862 was Arthur A. Cloyes; in 1863, J. Edward Tilton; in 1864, George S. Goddard; in 1865, George F. Seaver. The town-treasurer during all these years was Benjamin Homer.

1861. A town-meeting was held June 29th, at which it was voted to appropriate five hundred dollars in aid of the families of the volunteers. November 6th, Voted eight hundred dollars for the same purpose.

1862. April 7th, Appropriated the sum of five hundred dollars in aid of soldiers' families. August 2d, Voted, to pay a bounty of one hundred dollars to each volunteer enlisting to the credit of the town. August 30th, Voted, to appropriate thirty-five hundred dollars for recruiting purposes. September 27th, Voted, to appropriate two thousand dollars additional.

1863. March 2d, Voted, to appropriate two thousand dollars in aid of the families of soldiers, and five hundred dollars to bring home the dead bodies of Ashland volunteers who had died in the service. December 11th, Voted, to appropriate five hundred dollars for recruiting purposes.

1864. June 29th, The town voted three thousand dollars to pay bounties to volunteers enlisting to the credit of the town.

Ashland furnished one hundred and eighty-four men for the war, which was a surplus of eleven over and above all demands. None were commissioned officers. The whole amount of money appropriated and expended by the town for war purposes, [372] exclusive of State aid, was twelve thousand four hundred and sixty-eight dollars and fifty-nine cents ($12,468.59).

The amount of money raised and expended by the town during the war for State aid to soldiers' families, and which was afterwards repaid by the Commonwealth, was as follows: In 1861, $564.06; in 1862, $2,144.93; in 1863, $3,301.58; in 1864, $3,843.32; in 1865, $2,000.00. Total amount, $11,853.89.


Bedford

Incorporated Sept. 23, 1729. Population in 1860, 843; in 1865, 820. Valuation in 1860, $470,657; in 1865, $489,123.

The selectmen during the years 1861, 1862, 1863, 1864, and 1865, were William A. Stearns, William M. Ashby, Oliver T. Lane.

The town-clerk in 1861, 1862, and 1863, was Thomas Stiles; in 1864 and 1865, William A. Stearns. The town-treasurer during all the years of the war was P. W. Chamberlin.

When information was received of the attack upon the Sixth Regiment in Baltimore (April 19th), great indignation was expressed. A citizens' meeting was immediately held, in which several gentlemen of Bedford made speeches which expressed strongly the patriotic feelings of the people, and twenty-two hundred and twenty-eight dollars were subscribed to fit out volunteers for military service, and to provide for their families. Other meetings were held for a like purpose. The first legal town-meeting was held on the 8th of July, at which the act passed May 23d, in relation to State aid to soldiers' families, was adopted.

1862. March 31st, The free use of the town hall was tendered to the ladies of Bedford in which to hold the meetings of the Ladies' Soldiers-Aid Society. August 11th, A bounty of one hundred dollars was authorized to be paid to each of eight volunteers who should enlist for three years service before the 15th, and be credited to the town. September 10th, Voted to pay each volunteer for nine months service a bounty of one hundred dollars. On the 1st of October this bounty was increased to two hundred dollars, and the selectmen were authorized to borrow money to pay the same. [373]

1863. April 6th, The treasurer was authorized to borrow money for the payment of aid to the families of volunteers; also to assess a tax of one thousand dollars ‘to pay the amount borrowed for war purposes.’ November 3d, Voted, to pay the widows of Henry Hosmer and D. V. Cone ‘their proportion of State aid between the death of their husbands and the time the law was made allowing State aid to widows.’

1864. Meetings were held March 29th and June 3d, at which measures were adopted to procure volunteers to fill the quota of the town, and the treasurer authorized to borrow money to pay bounties.

1865. January 4th, Voted, to raise by taxation six hundred dollars, ‘exempting from tax those who in any way are represented in the military service of the United States.’ Several acts of the Legislature amendatory of the State-aid law were adopted by the town.

Bedford furnished ninety-five men for the war, which was a surplus of four over and above all demands. None were commissioned officers. The whole amount of money appropriated and expended by the town on account of the war, exclusive of State aid, was four thousand five hundred dollars ($4,500.00).

The amount of money raised and expended by the town during the war for State aid to soldiers' families, and afterwards repaid by the Commonwealth, was as follows: In 1861, $188.96; in 1862, $842.27; in 1863, $1,318.45; in 1864, $1,055.37; in 1865, $519.73. Total amount, $3,924.78.

The ladies of Bedford did a large amount of good work for the soldiers, knitting socks, making garments, and otherwise providing for the comfort of the sick and wounded. They also raised money by fairs, which was sent to the Christian Commission. The articles of clothing, &c., were sent to the Sanitary Commission.


Belmont

Incorporated March 18, 1859. Population in 1860, 1,198; in 1865, 1,278. Valuation in 1860, $2,141,709; in 1865, $3,521,429.

The selectmen in 1861 were Mansir W. Marsh, Jacob Hittinger, J. V. Fletcher; in 1862 and 1863, Mansir W. Marsh, [374] Thomas Livermore, William Henry Locke; in 1864, William Henry Locke, Amos Hill, Jr., Charles L. Heywood; in 1865, George W. Ward, Amos Hill, Jr., Daniel A. Tainter.

The town-clerk in 1861, 1862, 1863, 1864, and 1865, was Frances E. Yates. The town-treasurer during these years was George S. Adams.

1861. There does not appear to have been any action taken by the town in its corporate capacity during this year in regard to the war.

1862. A meeting was held July 23d, at which it was voted to authorize the selectmen to pay a bounty of one hundred and twenty-five dollars to each volunteer to the number of fifteen who shall enlist to fill the quota of the town. ‘J. V. Fletcher offered to pay twenty-five dollars additional, and Amos Hill, Jr., to give a handsome rifle to the first volunteer.’ August 2d, ‘A large attendance of ladies and gentlemen. The Belmont Musical Association were present and sang during the evening several patriotic pieces.’ Voted, that the town-clerk place the name of every volunteer upon the town records. August 23d, A bounty of two hundred dollars was authorized to be paid to each volunteer who shall enlist for nine months to fill the quota of the town. ‘The rallying committee reported that through the generosity of citizens they had been able to offer an extra bounty of twenty-five dollars to each volunteer for three years service.’ September 17th, The selectmen were authorized to pay volunteers their expenses from the time they enlisted until they were mustered into the United-States service.

1863. During this year several persons were drafted; those who were not rejected on surgical examination paid commutation.

1864. April 13th, The treasurer was authorized to borrow fifteen hundred dollars to pay to each volunteer enlisting to the credit of the town a bounty of one hundred and twenty-five dollars; also voted to raise by taxation three thousand dollars to repay money which had been advanced by citizens to encourage recruiting. The selectmen were directed to continue recruiting volunteers and paying bounties until March 1, 1865.

Belmont furnished one hundred and thirty-seven men for the [375] war, which was a surplus of eight over and above all demands. Seven were commissioned officers. The whole amount of money appropriated and expended by the town for war purposes, exclusive of State aid, was twenty-two thousand and six dollars ($22,006.00). This is exclusive of four thousand two hundred dollars which were contributed by citizens and not repaid by the town. Fourteen citizens, not liable to draft, put in ‘representative recruits.’

The amount of money raised and expended by the town during the war for State aid to soldiers' families, and which was refunded by the Commonwealth, was as follows: In 1861, $22.00; in 1862, $234.00; in 1863, $599.08; in 1864, $641.44; in 1865, $400.00. Total amount, $1,896.52.


Billerica

Incorporated May 29, 1655. Population in 1860, 1,776; in 1865, 1,808. Valuation in 1860, $1,042,071; in 1865, $1,086,563.

The selectmen in 1861 were Joseph Down, Leander Crosby, Gardner Parker; in 1862, 1863, 1864, and 1865, Gardner Parker, William S. Gleason, Charles W. French.

The town-clerk and town-treasurer during all the years of the war was Dudley Foster.

1861. The first legal town-meeting to act upon matters relating to the rebellion was held on the 6th of May, at which Stephen Gilman, Thomas Talbot, and George P. Elliot were appointed a committee to consider and report what action the town ought to take in regard to the threatened civil war. This committee reported in favor of immediate and vigorous action; also a series of resolutions, the substance of which is as follows:—

Resolved, That the town appropriate twenty-five hundred dollars to be subject to a committee of nine persons to be chosen by this meeting, and that the treasurer be authorized to borrow from time to time, in sums not to exceed that amount, as the committee may direct.

Resolved, That the committee provide such articles of clothing and equipment, not furnished by the State, for the comfort and convenience of such citizens of Billerica as may volunteer in the military service of the United States, and that they look after and provide for the [376] families of such volunteers, and appropriate such sums as they may think wise from said fund.

This report was unanimously adopted, and James R. Faulkner, Thomas Talbot, Josiah Bowers, George P. Elliot, Stephen Gilman, Edward Spaulding, Jona Merriam, and Peter B. Bohonan were chosen the committee of nine. It was then voted to add to the committee R. T. Bryant, Joseph Down, Leander Crosby and John Baldwin. June 17th, The committee reported that, under the recent acts of the legislature, all appropriations made in aid of the families of volunteers must be expended under the direction of the selectmen. It was then voted to rescind the vote of the 6th of May, by which the expenditure of the money was given to a committee, and to appropriate one thousand dollars for the payment of State aid to the families of volunteers.

1862. July 21st, A committee appointed for that purpose reported the following resolutions, which were adopted:—

Resolved, That the people of Billerica will respond to whatever call is made upon them, either for men or money, to the full extent of their resources.

Resolved, That the selectmen be authorized to pay to each volunteer, to the number of eighteen, a bounty of one hundred and twenty-five dollars, who shall be accepted by the United States authorities as a soldier, and be credited to the quota of the town; and that the selectmen be requested to use their utmost endeavors to procure the men.

The ‘quota was filled almost immediately.’ August 25th, Voted, to pay a bounty of one hundred dollars to each volunteer who shall enlist for nine months military service, and be credited to the quota of the town.

1863. No action appears to have been necessary by the town, in its corporate capacity, during this year to keep its quota filled.

1864. May 30th, Voted, to pay a bounty of one hundred and twenty-five dollars to each volunteer who shall enlist for three years service, and be credited to the town; and Thomas Talbot, Gardner Parker, James Faulkner, Elijah Corliss, and Dudley Foster were appointed to assist the selectmen in recruiting [377] service, with authority to ‘draw upon the treasury of the town for such sums of money as they might require for the purpose.’ The treasurer was directed to borrow the money.

Billerica furnished one hundred and seventy-three men for the war, which was a surplus of four over and above all demands. Seven were commissioned officers. The whole amount of money appropriated and expended by the town on account of the war was six thousand two hundred and thirty dollars and ninety-one cents. This, however, does not include eight thousand nine hundred and ninety-four dollars and thirty-six cents which was contributed by subscriptions made by citizens, of which seven thousand and forty-seven dollars and fourteen cents were afterwards repaid to them by the town; which made the aggregate expenses of the town on account of the war, exclusive of State aid, $13,278.05.

The amount of money raised and expended by the town during the war for the payment of State aid to the families of volunteers, and which was repaid by the Commonwealth, was as follows: In 1861, $389.05; in 1862, $2,359.28; in 1863, $3,581.66; in 1864, $3,713.29; in 1865, $2,200.00. Total amount, $12,243.28.


Boxborough

Incorporated Feb. 25, 1783. Population in 1860, 403; in 1865, 454. Valuation in 1860, $221,755; in 1865, $238,592.

The selectmen in 1861 and 1862 were Varnum Taylor, R. T. Cobleigh, George Hager; in 1863, Varnum Taylor, Grenville Whitcomb, Jacob Littlefield; in 1864, Varnum Taylor, Benjamin S. Mead, Ephraim B. Cobleigh; in 1865, Ephraim B. Cobleigh, Benjamin S. Mead, Walter Mead.

The town-clerk during all these years was Daniel W. Cobleigh. The town-treasurer in 1861, 1862, and 1863, was Benjamin S. Hager; in 1864 and 1865, Daniel W. Cobleigh.

1861. No meetings appear to have been held during this year in regard to the war.

1862. August 2d, A citizens' meeting was held; Oliver Wetherbee was elected chairman, and Daniel W. Cobleigh secretary. A vote was passed to pay a bounty of one hundred dollars to each man ‘who would come forward and volunteer,’ [378] and be mustered in to the credit of the town. Four men responded and were subsequently mustered into the military service. Several other citizens' meetings were held. A legal town-meeting was held August 23d, at which it was voted to pay a bounty of one hundred dollars to each volunteer for nine months service, and an extra five dollars to those who would enlist within one week, and ten dollars extra to those who would enlist on the spot. Five persons came forward and enlisted, who were soon after mustered into the service. October 13th, A town-meeting was held at which the selectmen were authorized to pay a bounty to each volunteer who would enlist to the credit of the town of one hundred and fifty dollars, and the same amount to each person who may be drafted. This was continued until the end of the war.

Boxborough furnished for the war fifty-one men, which was a surplus of seven over and above all demands. None of them were commissioned officers. The whole amount of money appropriated and expended by the town for war purposes, exclusive of State aid, was seven thousand and forty-six dollars and eighty-seven cents ($7,046.87).

The amount of money raised and expended by the town during the war for State aid to soldiers' families, and which was repaid by the Commonwealth, was as follows: In 1861, 00; in 1862, $99.82; in 1863, $276.20; in 1864, $445.00; in 1865, $526.51. Total amount, $1,347.53.

About two hundred dollars were raised by the ladies of the town for the Christian Commission.


Brighton

Incorporated Feb. 24, 1807. Population in 1860, 3,375; in 1865, 3,859. Valuation in 1860, $3,488,577; in 1865, $3,812,694.

The selectmen in 1861 and 1862 were J. F. Taylor, Granville Fuller, Wm. R. Champney; in 1863, Granville Fuller, William R. Champney, W. D. Bickford; in 1864, William R. Champney, W. D. Bickford, Patrick Colby; 1865, W. D. Bickford, William R. Champney, C. H. B. Breck.

The town-clerk for all these years was W. W. Warren. The town-treasurer from 1836 to 1869, thirty-three years, was Henry H. Leonard. [379]

1861. May 3d, A town-meeting was held to consider what the town would do to raise and equip a volunteer company to be ready for action. (This was the day before the President called for men for three years service.) It was voted to appropriate two thousand dollars for the purpose; to uniform and equip the men with what they might require, in addition to what the State would furnish; and a committee was chosen to carry the vote into effect. It was also voted to pay a bounty of twenty dollars to each private of said company, ‘in case he should be called into active service;’ and a further sum of thirteen hundred dollars was placed at the disposal of the committee. It was also voted that ten dollars a month be paid ‘to each citizen of the town who has joined or may join a military company’ while in service, and ‘ten dollars a month additional to the support of his family.’ It was also voted to place five thousand dollars in the hands of the selectmen ‘to carry the last vote into effect.’

1862. July 15th, It was voted to appropriate “one hundred and twenty-five dollars for each volunteer to make up the town's quota of forty men; that five thousand dollars be raised by a tax on property,” and that the poll-tax payers ‘have the privilege of paying to the committee such sums as they see fit.’ This was in fact a voluntary tax. The treasurer was required to keep a correct account of all sums thus raised, and the tax-bill was to be made out separate and distinct from the usual legal tax-bill, and he was authorized to borrow five thousand dollars in anticipation, to meet present wants. The moderator of the meeting was Joseph Breck; and he appointed W. D. Bickford, H. W. Jordan, J. F. Taylor, C. C. Southard, and J. W. George, on the committee. August 21st, The town voted to pay each volunteer for nine months one hundred dollars; and the same committee was appointed to manage recruiting, except that A. W. Brabiner was put on it in the place of J. W. George. The treasurer was authorized to borrow money. The assessors were also authorized to assess a tax to meet the expenditure, and the collector was directed to collect it ‘as soon as practicable.’ November 5th, The committee reported that they had received five thousand dollars, and had paid it to forty volunteers for the town, each receiving one hundred and twenty-five dollars. [380] In addition to which they had received from voluntary subscriptions, to wit: J. F. Taylor one hundred dollars, H. W. Baxter one hundred dollars; and from Thomas Sinclair, N. & S. Jackson, John W. Hollis, Life Baldwin, and Henry Claflin fifty dollars each, for recruiting purposes. The committee was voted the thanks of the town for their services. November 26th, It was voted to appropriate seven thousand two hundred dollars ‘to be used by the selectmen’ to furnish the quota of Brighton under the new call of the President.

1863. November 20th, It was voted to open a recruiting office, and a large committee was appointed to obtain the men. It was also voted to employ a band of music, and a committee was appointed to collect funds; also that the treasurer be authorized to borrow money to meet the expenditure.

Several other meetings were held, but all for the same purpose, to obtain recruits and pay bounties, which were continued from time to time until the close of the war.

1865. At a town-meeting held April 24th, a report was made by Charles Heard on the subject of erecting a monument in honor of the soldiers of Brighton who had fallen in the war, the cost of which was to be raised by voluntary subscription from ‘each adult male and female, and from each of the school children in town;’ which report was accepted and a committee appointed to carry into effect the recommendations therein made. This monument has since been erected, and at a town-meeting held December 8th, twelve hundred dollars ‘were appropriated for enclosing the soldiers' monument.’

Brighton furnished three hundred and sixty-five men for the war, which was a surplus of five over and above all demands. Fifteen were commissioned officers. The whole amount of money appropriated and expended by the town on account of the war, exclusive of State aid, was seventy-eight thousand and fifty dollars ($78,050.00).

The amount of money raised and expended by the town during the war for State aid to soldiers' families, and which was repaid by the Commonwealth, was as follows: In 1861, $191.36; in 1862, $1,093.32; in 1863, $1,996.96; in 1864, $4,606.40; in 1865, $3,935.06. Total amount $11.823.10.


[381]

Burlington

Incorporated Feb. 28, 1799. Population in 1860, 606; in 1865, 594. Valuation in 1860, $328,461; in 1865, $408,136.

The selectmen in 1861 were Nathan Blanchard, William Winn, John Wood; in 1862, 1863, and 1864, Nathan Blanchard, William Winn, Abner Shed; in 1865, Nathan Blanchard, William Winn, John Wood.

The town-clerk and town-treasurer during all these years was Samuel Sewell, Jr.

1861. The first meeting, to consider matters relating to the war, was held April 30th, at which Oakes Tirrill, William Winn, Nathan Blanchard, Charles G. Foster, and Marshall Wood were chosen to consider the subject of an appropriation of money to volunteers and report at an adjourned meeting. May 7th, The committee reported that ten dollars a month be paid by the town to each unmarried volunteer, and twenty dollars a month to each married volunteer, who shall enlist and be mustered in to the credit of the town, the pay to continue for three months from date of muster; also to furnish each volunteer with a uniform, the money to be expended under the direction of the selectmen. The report was adopted.

1862. July 21st, Voted, to authorize the selectmen to pay a bounty of one hundred and fifty dollars to each volunteer who shall enlist for three years to fill the quota of the town. A large committee was appointed to canvass the town for recruits. August 29th, Voted, to pay a bounty of one hundred and twenty-five dollars to each volunteer who shall enlist to the credit of the town for nine months service. Several meetings were held during the year to hear reports of the recruiting committee and to encourage enlistments.

1863. December 5th, The recruiting committee reported that it would be necessary to pay a bounty of one hundred and twenty-five dollars to each volunteer, in order to fill the quota of the town under the pending call of the President for more men, and it was decided that the money to pay these bounties be raised by private subscription; and Nathan Simonds, Oakes Tirrill, and Otis Cutter were added to the recruiting committee.

1864. April 9th, It was unanimously voted to authorize [382] the treasurer, under the direction of the selectmen, to refund the money contributed for recruiting purposes by private citizens of the town during the year 1863, and to raise the same by taxation; also to pay a bounty of one hundred and twenty-five dollars to each of five men who will volunteer to fill the quota of the town, ‘under the last call of the President for two hundred thousand men;’ and William Winn and Oakes Tirrill were chosen to recruit them. June 6th, Voted, to pay the same bounty to volunteers until the 1st of March, 1865, and the treasurer was authorized to borrow such sums of money as may be required to pay bounties.

1865. June 9th, Voted, to reimburse the money raised by subscription during the past year, ‘though not till after being assessed and paid into the treasury.’

Burlington furnished eighty-two men for the war, which was a surplus of four over and above all demands. None were commissioned officers. The whole amount of money appropriated and expended by the town for war purposes, exclusive of State aid, was ten thousand six hundred and fifty-one dollars ($10,651.00).

The amount of money raised and expended by the town during the war for State aid to soldiers, and afterwards repaid by the Commonwealth, was as follows: In 1861, $157.46; in 1862, $300.00; in 1863, $255.85; in 1864, $637.00; in 1865, $450.00. Total amount, $1,800.31.


Cambridge

Incorporated as a town Sept. 8, 1633, and as a city March 17, 1846. Population in 1860, 26,060; in 1865, 29,114. Valuation in 1860, $20,515,905; in 1865, $25,987,971.

The mayors, aldermen, city-clerk, and city-treasurer during the years of the war, were as follows: In 1861, James D. Green, mayor, who resigned on the 24th of July, and was succeeded by Charles Theodore Russell. The aldermen were Levi L. Cushing, Jr., Curtis Davis, Amory Houghton, Henry Lamson, Charles H. Saunders, Samuel Slocumb, Albert Stevens, James H. Thayer, Israel Tibbetts, Albert Vinal. In 1862, Charles Theodore Russell, mayor; Levi L. Cushing, Jr., [383] Curtis Davis, Amory Houghton, Henry Lamson, Charles H. Saunders, James H. Thayer, Israel Tibbetts, Hosea Jewell, J. Warren Merrill, Henry Whitney, Samuel W. Dudley, aldermen. In 1863, George C. Richardson, mayor; Henry Lamson, Albert Stevens, James H. Thayer, Israel Tibbetts, Hosea Jewell, Samuel W. Dudley, George H. Folger, Samuel James, Ezra Parmenter, John P. Putnam, aldermen. In 1864, Z. L. Raymond, mayor; Samuel W. Dudley, George H. Folger, Ezra Parmenter, George P. Carter, Charles F. Choate, John Livermore, Arthur Merrill, James R. Morse, Fordyce M. Stimson (to March 23d), Francis L. Chapman (from April), Joseph H. Tyler, aldermen. In 1865, J. Warren Merrill, mayor; Samuel W. Dudley, George P. Carter, Charles F. Choate, John Livermore, Joseph H. Tyler, Francis L. Chapman, George B. Lothrop, Alpheus Meade, James M. Price, John L. Sands, aldermen.

The city-clerk during all the years of the war was Justin A. Jacobs. The city-treasurer during the same period was Joseph Whitney.

1861. The first meeting of the city government, to act upon matters relating to the war, was held on the 17th of April, at which five thousand dollars were appropriated

for support of the families of volunteers, to be expended under the direction of a joint-committee consisting of the mayor, two aldermen, and three members of the common council. A joint-committee was also appointed to confer with commanders of military companies of Cambridge in regard to their wants, and to make them known to the citizens of Cambridge. A vote of thanks was passed to the ladies of Cambridge, through Hon. Joel Parker, for their offer of flannel under-garments for the volunteers ‘who this day marched from Cambridge.’ April 22d, A communication was received from Hon. Joel Parker stating that the above offer was ‘his own personal offer, and renewing the same.’ Drs. Wellington, Wyman, and Webber offered to supply medical or surgical assistance to the families of volunteers, free of charge, for which the thanks of the city were given. The following preamble and resolutions were adopted:— [384]

Whereas civil war exists in our country, by reason of the lawless and rebellious conduct of a portion of the citizens, in armed opposition to the Government; and—

Whereas the President has called upon all loyal citizens to assist him in the execution of the laws; and —

Whereas a large number of the citizens of our own city have volunteered to render aid in obedience to said call, and have enrolled themselves in the militia, in conformity with the laws relating thereto, and have appealed to the public for aid in supplying them with clothing and other necessaries for which they do not feel able to bear the expense; be it therefore—

Resolved, That this city council recognize in the alacrity with which citizens have volunteered to go forward in sustaining the honor o the country and the maintenance of law, an exhibition of true patriotism, and a spirit worthy of the admiration of all good men; and that it is our duty to show them by all means we possess our hearty encouragement and support.

Resolved, That we consider it of the highest importance that no time be lost in the departure of the militia to their post of duty, and that their necessities and comfort should be immediately and amply provided for; and in furtherance thereof be it—

Ordered, That the joint special committee on the disbursement of the sum appropriated for the rendering of assistance to the families of Cambridge volunteers be authorized to provide uniforms and such articles as may be necessary for the comfort of the troops for such companies as may be raised in Cambridge.

Ordered, That the mayor be authorized to draw his order upon the city treasurer for such sums as may become due under the above order, the same to be charged to the appropriation for incidental expenses.

An appropriation of seventeen hundred dollars for watering streets was transferred to the appropriation for aid to soldiers' families. April 24th, a petition was received signed by Hon. Jared Sparks and others asking that the city council would take action in relation to a mass meeting to be holden on the 27th instant, under the ‘Washington Elm,’ to consider and act upon the present state of the country. Referred to the mayor with full power.2 May 1st, Dr. C. H. Allen offered his professional [385] services, free of charge, to the families of volunteers. Several orders were passed to provide rations, barracks, and room for enlistments, and drill for the company being recruited by Captain S. W. Richardson; also, to provide for the families of the men who were not yet mustered into the service; also, to decorate with a flag the chair of Lieutenant Porter, a member of the common council, who had volunteered for active service. May 8th, Drs. Anson Hooker, Anson P. Hooker, Moses Clark, J. B. Taylor, and Ephraim Manster tendered their professional services to the families of volunteers. May 15th, The ladies of the First Universalist Church made an offer of $304.25, contributed by said society for aid to volunteers. June 8th, Two hundred dollars were voted to Captain John T. Burgess, for expenses incurred by him in raising a company of volunteers, which was afterwards increased to three hundred dollars. This company afterwards went to New York and joined ‘The Excelsior Brigade.’ July 16th, Three hundred dollars were appropriated to give a reception to Captain J. P. Richardson's Company on its return from three months service. September 11th, Two hundred dollars were appropriated to aid Captain J. B. Whorf in raising a company. September 25th, One hundred and seventy-five dollars were voted to aid enlistments in Company C, Twenty-ninth Regiment Massachusetts Volunteers. October 9th, The use of a room in the city hall was granted to Mrs. Agassiz and Miss Felton, wherein to employ the families of volunteers ‘in making clothing under a contract.’ October 9th, A committee of the city government was appointed to solicit donations ‘of blankets and stockings for soldiers.’ November 27th, The mayor and one member of the common council were appointed a committee to visit, at the expense of the city, the regiments on the Potomac, in which there were Cambridge soldiers, see that they were well cared for, and take charge of any sums of money which they might wish to send home to their friends.

1862. March 12th, Fifty thousand dollars were appropriated for aid to volunteers and their families. May 7th, Voted, to pay the same aid to the families of sailors in the navy as is paid [386] to the families of soldiers in the army.3 May 14th, The following preamble and order were adopted:—

Whereas Cambridge learns with mournful pride that in the battles of the past few days some of her brave citizens in the service of their country have lost their lives, and it is eminently becoming and right that prompt measures be taken to have their remains brought home with all care and respect. Therefore—

Ordered, That a committee of two, consisting of his honor the mayor and one member of the common council, is hereby appointed to proceed to the different battle grounds where our men have been engaged, if they deem it expedient, and provide for the securing and proper transmission of the remains to our city; and the committee shall look after the sick and wounded of our city, ministering liberally in all cases where necessary; and the mayor is authorized to draw his warrant for all expenses incurred in the discharge of these duties; and it is further—

Ordered, That the sum of five hundred dollars is appropriated and put into the hands of his honor, in advance, for disbursement, and the mayor is authorized to draw his warrant for this amount before proceeding on the duty; the same to be charged to the appropriations for Cambridge soldiers and their families.

July 9th, A communication was received from the mayor in regard to the new call of the President for more troops, which was referred to a joint committee, which reported as follows:—

Whereas a call has been made upon the Governor of Massachusetts by the President of the United States for fifteen thousand volunteers, the proportion of the city of Cambridge being four hundred and four men, which number it is desirable to raise as soon as possible; therefore, to encourage enlistments, it is—

Ordered, That seventy-five dollars be paid by the city to each accepted recruit, to the number of four hundred and four, who shall enlist from this city as one of the quota, and shall be mustered into the service of the United States as a volunteer for three years or during the war; said sum to be paid him on satisfactory evidence being presented that he has been so mustered in; the amount thus expended to be charged to the appropriation for volunteers and their families. The men thus recruited shall, if authorized by the commander-in-chief, be formed into four companies, to constitute a part of one regiment.

[387]

A joint committee on recruiting was appointed; also, a committee to make arrangement for a public meeting to be held on the 12th, ‘to respond to the call of the Governor for immediate action.’ July 16th, The bounty to each volunteer was increased to one hundred dollars. July 30th, The appropriation for volunteers and their families was increased fifty thousand dollars. August 13th, The police were ordered to assist the assessors in making an enrollment of citizens between the ages of eighteen and forty-five years. August 20th, A committee to secure the quota of Cambridge, under the second call of the President for nine-months men, were directed to open a rendezvous, and to pay each volunteer a bounty of fifty dollars. Two thousand dollars were put into the hands of the committee to fill up the quota of three-years men, ‘and to encourage the nine-months men.’ A warrant was issued for a general meeting on the 28th, to take action in regard to securing the quota of volunteers for nine months service. August 28th, A roll of the volunteers of Cambridge was ordered to be engrossed and placed on file. The citizens' meeting recommended the payment of a bounty of two hundred dollars to each volunteer for nine months service, which, on the 29th, was concurred in by the city council. September 5th, Ninety-five thousand dollars were appropriated for payment of bounties. September 17th, it was—

Ordered, That recruiting be continued after the quota of four hundred and seventy nine-months men is secured, to the extent of another company, ‘so as to be sure that the quota shall be filled.’

October 15th, Twenty thousand dollars were appropriated for State aid to the families of volunteers. November 21st, The proposal of Hon. Amos A. Lawrence to furnish for the quota of Cambridge seventy-five men for the Second Regiment of Massachusetts Cavalry at a cost of fifteen thousand dollars was accepted, and twenty-five thousand dollars were appropriated ‘for volunteers and their families.’ December 31st, A lot was ordered to be set apart in the Cambridge Cemetery as a burial place for Cambridge soldiers ‘who shall fall in their country's service.’

1863. A committee of arrangements was appointed to give [388] an appropriate reception to Company F, Sixth Regiment, of Cambridge on its return from nine months service. July 1st, The same for the reception of Companies I, Forty-Third Regiment; also soldiers in the Forty-Fourth, Forty-Fifth, and Fifth Regiments, ‘and the two Cambridge companies in the Forty-Seventh Regiment.’ All of these organizations were in the nine months service. July 22d, Voted, to pay State aid to the families of men who may be drafted. The thanks of the city were voted to the ‘Cambridge Reserve Guard,’ Captain Bullard, ‘Washington Home Guard,’ Captain Bradford, Company F, Sixth Regiment, Captain Sawyer, ‘Harvard Cadets,’ Captain Longley, ‘for their services during the draft riots.’ September 16th, An order was passed to pay from the city treasury seventy-six thousand ninety-eight dollars and ninety-four cents to the Commonwealth, the same being the proportion of Cambridge of the State tax for reimbursement of bounties. October 30th, A resolve was passed to petition the Governor to call an extra session of the Legislature ‘to take measures to secure the quota of Massachusetts.’ The recruiting committee was authorized to expend ‘whatever money was necessary to fill the quota of the city.’

1864. March 23d, ‘Voted all necessary money to fill the quota of Cambridge under the late call of the President for two hundred thousand men.’

May 18th, The thanks of the city were voted to George C. Richardson, of the Common Council, ‘to whose efforts in a great degree is due the success of Cambridge in filling its quota, and avoiding the necessity of a draft.’ June 22d, Voted, to give a public reception to the two Cambridge companies in the Sixteenth Regiment Massachusetts Volunteers, and the Seventy-Fourth Regiment New-York Volunteers, on their return home after a service of three years. July 16th, Resolutions were adopted in relation to P. Stearns Davis, colonel of the Thirty-Ninth Regiment Massachusetts Volunteers, who resigned his seat in the common council to take command of the regiment4 August 17th, The city voted to pay to each Cambridge soldier [389] in the First Regiment of Massachusetts volunteers, who did not receive Government bounty because discharged before serving two years, a gratuity of one hundred dollars, which on the 31st of August was extended so as to include men who were in other regiments and similarly discharged.

1865. January 2d, The recruiting committee was authorized ‘to spend all necessary sums to fill the quota of Cambridge under the recent call of the President for three hundred thousand additional volunteers.’ May 24th, Voted, to give a public reception to Companies A, B, and F, Thirty-Eighth Regiment Massachusetts Volunteers, on their return to Cambridge at the end of the war.

Cambridge furnished three thousand six hundred men for the war, which was a surplus of one hundred and fifty-eight over and above all demands. One hundred and eighty-five were commissioned officers. The whole amount of money appropriated and expended by Cambridge on account of the war, exclusive of State aid, was four hundred and fifty thousand nine hundred and seventy eight dollars and forty cents ($450,978.40).

The amount of money raised and expended by Cambridge during the four years of the war for State aid to the families of soldiers and sailors engaged in the war, and which was afterwards refunded to it by the Commonwealth, was as follows: In 1861, $13,529.44; in 1862, $55,000.00; in 1863, $73,403.77; in 1864, $64,000.00; in 1865, $37,000.00. Total amount, $242,933.21.

The ladies of Cambridge were early enlisted to do charitable and Christian work for the soldiers. Every religious society was interested in the cause, and in each ward of the city organizations were formed. In East Cambridge there were two organizations; one, ‘The Soldiers' Aid Society,’ was connected with the Unitarian society, and had thirty-one members, of which Mrs. Samuel Slocomb was president, Mrs. Walter S. Blanchard, secretary, and Miss Mary Parmenter, treasurer. This society raised four hundred and ninety-six dollars and eighty-four cents in money, made one thousand and thirty-six garments, which were forwarded to the army in eleven boxes. [390] The other East Cambridge organization was called the ‘Soldiers' Relief Association,’ and numbered three hundred and sixty members who were attached to different religious societies. This society was organized in 1862, and was joined by the members of the other society which was then disbanded. The officers were Mrs. J. R. Knight, president, Miss H. E. Reed, recording-secretary, Miss Mary Parmenter, correspondingsecretary, Miss H. Davis, treasurer. They raised in money two thousand nine hundred and eighty-nine dollars and sixty-four cents, and forwarded to the front twenty-seven boxes of clothing and other useful articles. ‘The Cambridgeport Soldiers' Aid Association’ was organized by a union of the ladies of the different religious societies in that part of the city in 1864. The officers were Mrs. J. M. S. Williams, president, Mrs. H. O. Houghton, corresponding-secretary, Mrs. W. W. Wellington, recording-secretary, Mrs. J. M. Cutter, treasurer. The Association numbered three hundred members. The amount of money which it raised was two thousand seven hundred and thirty-five dollars and thirty-five cents. Number of garments made, three thousand three hundred, which were forwarded in seventeen boxes. Previous to the organization of this union society, the ladies of the various religious societies in Cambridgeport had raised in money five thousand one hundred and eighty-five dollars and seventy-one cents, and had sent forward sixty-five boxes of articles.

The Old Cambridge Sanitary Society was started in October, 1861, two months before the formation of the Boston Branch of the United-States Sanitary Commission, by two young ladies, Miss Marianne G. Washburn and Miss Catherine A. Eliot. For three years and two months they took charge of all the society work, assisted by various ladies in the cutting and making of garments, and the packing of the articles made and received as donations; Miss Washburn acting as treasurer, and Miss Eliot as secretary. In January, 1865, the Society was reorganized, its labors having become too onerous to be longer carried on without more subdivision of labor and responsibility; and Mrs. Jane L. Gray appointed president, Mrs. Mary H. Cooke, treasurer, and Miss Catherine A. Eliot, secretary. [391] They continued the work of the Society till July, 1865, when the return of peace ended their labors. The officers were,— executive committee, Mrs. H. W. Paine, Miss Catherine B. Foster; purchasing committee, Mrs. A. K. P. Welch, Miss Abby Francis; and a finance committee of nineteen ladies. The amount of money raised was twelve thousand four hundred and sixty-eight dollars and twenty-five cents ($12,468.25), and the estimate of work done was seventeen thousand two hundred and forty-eight (17,248) articles made. Articles forwarded (made by the Society, and received as donations), twenty-one thousand eight hundred and ninety-two (21,892). The first three boxes, packed between October, 1861, and January, 1862, were sent to St. Louis. After the formation of the Boston Branch of the United-States Sanitary Commission in January, 1862, all the articles (with the exception of one box to St. Louis) were forwarded to the Boston Branch in boxes, barrels, and bundles, as was most convenient for the express.


Carlisle

Incorporated April 28, 1780. Population in 1860, 621; in 1865, 629. Valuation in 1860, $328,461; in 1865, $354,122.

The selectmen in 1861 were George F. Duren, Joel Boynton, Selar Simons; in 1862, George F. Duren, Joel Boynton, Isaac Blaisdell; in 1863, John Q. A. Greene, L. Wilkins, James M. Currier; in 1864, George F. Duren, John Jacobs, Seba D. Bartlett; in 1865, George Duren, Seba D. Bartlett, Joel Boynton.

The town-clerk during all these years was George F. Duren. The town-treasurer in 1861 and 1862 was Thomas Greene; in 1863, 1864, and 1865, William Greene.

1861. The first action taken by the town, in its corporate capacity, in matters relating to the war, was on the 11th of May, when it voted to pay each volunteer nine dollars a month in addition to his Government pay, the number not to exceed ten, and the payment to continue for one year. Selar Simons, Benjamin F. Heald, and Artemas Parker ‘were authorized to draw on the town-treasurer for such sums as may be requisite to carry the above vote into effect.’ [392]

1862. July 21st, Voted, to pay a bounty of one hundred dollars to each volunteer, to the number of nine, who shall enlist for three years and be credited to the quota of the town. The treasurer was authorized to borrow nine hundred dollars to pay the same. Rev. Josiah Ballard, Selar Simons, Artemas Parker, S. H. Robbins, and Humphrey Prescott ‘were appointed to canvass for volunteers.’ August 27th, The same bounty was authorized to be paid for nine-months recruits, and Asa Nickles, Charles T. Worthley, and William A. Ingham were chosen to recruit the quota of the town. September 8th, Voted, to pay one hundred dollars to each of the volunteers credited to the town who has received no bounty. The bounty to nine-months men was increased to one hundred and fifty dollars.

1863. March 2d, Appropriated one thousand dollars for aid to the families of volunteers. April 6th, The selectmen were authorized to pay State aid to the families of deceased volunteers, and to those who have been disabled by disease.

1864. April 4th, One thousand dollars were appropriated for aid to the families of volunteers, and it was voted to pay a bounty of one hundred and twenty-five dollars to each volunteer and drafted man when credited to the quota of the town. August 15th, Voted, to pay the bounty of one hundred and twenty-five dollars in gold; and the selectmen were authorized to enlist as many men ‘as they may think necessary to fill the quota of the town on any call that may be made prior to March, 1865,’ and the treasurer was authorized to borrow the money to pay the same.

Carlisle furnished seventy-four men for the war, which was a surplus of two over and above all demands. None were commissioned officers. The whole amount of money appropriated and expended by the town on account of the war, exclusive of State aid, was ten thousand seven hundred and twenty-four dollars and ninety cents ($10,724.90). ‘During the struggle nearly all the citizens of the town exerted themselves as best they could to meet the demands of the Government and aid in putting down the rebellion.’

The amount of money raised and expended by the town during the war for State aid to soldiers' families, and repaid by the [393] Commonwealth, was as follows: In 1861, $37.60; in 1862, $903.41; in 1863, $1,423.80; in 1864, $1,251.16; in 1865, $900.00. Total amount, $4,515.97.


Charlestown

Incorporated as a town, June 24, 1629; as a city, March 10, 1847. Population in 1860, 25,062; in 1865, 26,398. Valuation in 1860, $15,420,760; in 1865, $18,292,544.

Officers: In 1861, Horace G. Hutchins, mayor; Edwin F. Adams, William W. Peirce, Naham Chapin, Nathaniel Brown, Joseph Caldwell, Rufus Mason, aldermen. In 1862, Phinehas J. Stone, mayor; Andrew Sawtell, Francis Childs, Francis Thompson, Philander S. Briggs, Otis Little, James F. Dwinell, Joseph Caldwell, Joseph Lovett, Charles A. Barker, aldermen. In 1863, Phinehas J. Stone, mayor; Andrew Sawtell, Francis Childs, Francis Thompson, Philander S. Briggs, James F. Dwinell, Otis Little, Joseph Lovett, Charles A. Barker, Joseph F. Boyd, aldermen. In 1864, Phinehas J. Stone, mayor; Andrew Sawtell, Francis Thompson, Anthony S. Morss, James F. Dwinell, Otis Little, Matthew H. Merriam, Joseph Lovett, Joseph F. Boyd, Oliver H. P. Smith, aldermen. In 1865, Charles Robinson, Jr., mayor; Edwin F. Adams, Robert Todd, John B. Wilson, William H. Kent, Samuel P. Langmaid, Liverus Hull, John F. Gilman, Jeremiah Prescott, Joseph Caldwell, aldermen.

The city-clerk in 1861 was Charles Poole; in 1862, 1863, 1864, and 1865, Daniel Williams. The city-treasurer in 1861 was James Bird; in 1862, 1863, and 1864, Lowell W. Chamberlain; in 1865, Linus A. Pearson.

1861. April 16th, The mayor was directed to tender to the Governor the use of the city hall, ‘or any other suitable public building,’ for the accommodation of troops; also to cause the American flag to be hoisted upon the staff over the city hall until otherwise ordered. April 19th, The mayor called a special meeting of the city council, and sent in a message recommending the appropriation of ten thousand dollars in aid of the two Charlestown companies which had been ordered into active service, and the families of the members, to be expended [394] under the direction of a committee of the council. October 8th, The treasurer was directed to borrow, not exceeding six thousand dollars, for the payment of State aid to soldiers' families.

1862. March 3d, The treasurer was authorized to borrow fifteen thousand dollars for State aid to soldiers' families, to be expended under the supervision of the ‘joint-standing committee on finance.’ May 26th, Ten thousand dollars were appropriated ‘to provide for the wants, and supply the necessities, of the soldiers and their families, who shall enter the service of the United States’ under a recent call of the President. The city-clerk was directed to notify ‘the captains of the two companies of this city of the passage of this order;’ and the committee was authorized to make any arrangements they may deem proper for the departure of the companies to the seat of war. July 16th, Forty-two thousand dollars were appropriated to fill the quota of the city, amounting to four hundred and eight three-years men. August 29th, A special meeting of the council was called by the mayor, to consider matters relating to recruiting volunteers to fill the quotas of the city. He complained of the delay experienced in having the enlisted men mustered into service, which had been a great hindrance to recruiting. After the mayor's message was read, the council voted to pay each volunteer, who enlists for three years, a bounty of two hundred dollars, and to each nine-months volunteer a bounty of one hundred dollars when mustered in and credited to the quota of the city. The city-treasurer was authorized to borrow sixty thousand dollars to pay said bounties. October 8th, Voted, to appoint two persons as agents to remain near to the Federal army, and to render all the assistance in their power to the sick and wounded soldiers belonging to Charlestown, and to make detailed reports from time to time of their doings. It was also voted to increase the bounty to nine-months volunteers to two hundred dollars. October 13th, The mayor communicated to the city council that the quotas of Charlestown had been filled. October 27th, Twenty thousand dollars were appropriated ‘for the relief of soldiers and their families.’ [395]

1863. March 3d, The treasurer was authorized to borrow six thousand dollars ‘to supply the deficiency in the amount expended in recruiting the city's quota of troops during the last year.’ September 21st, A memorial signed by Horatio Wellington and others was received, asking that the city purchase a lot in Woodlawn Cemetery for the burial of deceased soldiers belonging to Charlestown, the same to be ‘properly graded and adorned’; referred to a committee

1864. April 11th, The treasurer was authorized to borrow not exceeding ten thousand dollars for the payment of bounties to volunteers under the new call of the President for more men. July 25th, Voted, to pay each person whose name ‘is borne upon the list of enrolled citizens subject to a draft,’ who shall enlist for three years, or shall procure a substitute for that term of service, a bounty of one hundred and twenty-five dollars, the same to be paid when the man is mustered in and credited to the quota of the city. The finance committee was authorized to borrow thirty-seven thousand five hundred dollars to pay the same. December 23d, Voted, to pay a bounty of one hundred and twenty-five dollars to each volunteer who shall enlist for three years, eighty dollars for two years, and forty dollars for one year's service.

1865. January 9th, Messrs. Kent, Wilson, and Gilman, of the aldermen, Messrs. Smith (of Ward 1), Lawrence, Dunton, Hatch, Stover, and Daniels of the common council, were appointed a committee to have the charge and superintendence of recruiting volunteers, and determine the amount of bounty to be paid, not to exceed one hundred and twenty-five dollars to any one person; and the treasurer, under the direction of the finance committee, was authorized to borrow money to pay said bounties. The recruiting committee was authorized to employ a suitable person or persons to continue the correction and revision of the United-States enrollment-list of Charlestown. January 16th, A series of resolutions in memory of the death of Hon. Edward Everett was read by Alderman Kent, and adopted, of which we copy the following:—

Resolved, That the City Council of Charlestown have learned with unfeigned sorrow of the death of Hon. Edward Everett, which [396] took place at his residence in Boston, Sunday morning, January 15th, at five o'clock.

Resolved, That in passing away even in the fullness of his years and crowned with distinguished honors, the State has lost one of its most illustrious ornaments, and the Republic one of its noblest and stanchest upholders and defenders, who, in the period of its greatest adversity, by his profound argument and wondrous eloquence brought conviction to the hearts of many who wavered, and held them to their faith in the justice of the cause and the ultimate triumph of the Republic and whose counsel nerved and encouraged our rulers to persevere in maintaining inviolable the great trust delegated to them by the people.

A brief and feeling address was made by the mayor, and the resolutions were unanimously adopted. April 10th, The Board of Aldermen met, but, in honor of the capture of Richmond and the surrender of General Lee's army, on motion of Alderman Adams, the Board adjourned without transacting any business. April 17th, On this day a meeting was held and the death of President Lincoln was officially announced by his Honor the Mayor. Resolutions appropriate to the occasion were read by Alderman Kent and unanimously adopted, one of which was as follows:—

Resolved, As a manifestation of our sorrow for this sad event and of respect for the memory of the great deceased, that the rooms of the City Council be draped in mourning for thirty days, and that on the day of the funeral His Honor the Mayor direct the schools to be closed, and request a suspension of business on the part of all our citizens, and that they assemble in their respective places of public worship to humble themselves before Almighty God, because of the great bereavement which is laid upon our nation.

On the same day an order passed the Council to cease recruiting, the same being in accordance with orders received through Governor Andrew from the Secretary of War.

Charlestown furnished four thousand three hundred and seven men for the war, which was a surplus of one hundred and eleven over and above all demands. One hundred and twenty-three were commissioned officers. The whole amount of money appropriated and expended by the city on account of the war [397] was one hundred and sixty-eight thousand six hundred and fifty-four dollars and fifty cents ($168,654.50).

The amount of money raised and expended by the town during the war for State aid to soldiers' families, and repaid by the Commonwealth, was as follows: In 1861, $10,348.57; in 1862, $40,738.49; in 1863, $54,683.97; in 1864, $46,000.00; in 1865, $25,000.00. Total amount, $176,771.03.

The ladies of Charlestown began their soldiers' work with the war. The Bunker-Hill Soldiers' Relief Society originated April 19, 1861, and as it was undoubtedly the first which was organized in the loyal States we propose, therefore, to give the names of its first officers, as follows: President, Mrs. Horace G. Hutchins; vice-president, Mrs. William L. Hudson; secretary, Mrs. Henry Lyon; treasurer, Miss Almena B. Bates.

Executive committee, Mrs. Peter Hubbell, Mrs. George E. Ellis, Mrs. W. W. Wheilden, Mrs. James B. Miles, Mrs. T. T. Sawyer, Mrs. R. Williams, Mrs. George W. Little, Mrs. Richard Frothingham, Mrs. John Hurd, Mrs. George Hyde, Mrs. Arthur W. Tufts, Mrs. S. T. Hooper, Mrs. Frederick Thompson, Mrs. O. C. Everett.

Committee on work, Miss Louisa Bray, Miss L. J. Walker, Mrs. S. T. Hooper, Mrs. Nathan Merrill, Mrs. B. Edmunds, Mrs. George Edmunds, Mrs. J. A. Bates, Mrs. C. S. Cartee, Mrs. Henry Edes, Miss Hannah Osgood, Miss Elizabeth Bray, Miss R. Edmunds.

Mrs. President Hutchins, in her excellent address at the first annual meeting of the society April 19, 1862, says: ‘When, one year ago, we were all agitated and excited by the news of the rebellious attack made upon our government, feeling willing and anxious to do something, and yet not quite clear in our minds what our duty demanded of us, a young woman of our city, one of New England's active and spirited daughters, saw and pointed out a way in which we could render service in the noble cause without entrenching on the duties of others. It was proposed to form a society of the women of our city, for the purpose of rendering aid and sympathy to the families of the patriot soldiers who at the first call of their country left their peaceful homes for the untried duties of the camp and [398] battlefield. The proposal met with a hearty response from all, and this society was at once organized.’

The Society had open weekly meetings at their rooms during the war to supply material for sewing. We have not received a complete statement of the work done by the Society during the period of its existence; but taking the twelve months from April 19, 1863, to April 19, 1864, as a criterion of the whole, we may form a pretty accurate judgment of the good accomplished. During the months named the receipts of the Society in money amounted to four thousand four hundred and sixteen dollars and seventeen cents; and there were forwarded to the front 402 flannel shirts, 369 cotton shirts, 271 pairs of flannel drawers, 212 pairs cotton drawers, 95 dressing-gowns, 156 jackets, 75 pairs pants, 15 vests, 43 pairs slippers, 47 caps, 622 cravats, 1,060 towels, 1,259 handkerchiefs, 70 flannel bands, 579 arm-slings, 265 hair brushes, 902 combs, 21 needle-books, 1,189 pairs of socks, 213 cans condensed milk, 79 cans coffee, 259 lbs. farina, 166 lbs. corn starch, 130 maizena, 67 1/2 gelatine, 59 tea, 262 castile soap, 264 dried apple, 39 arrowroot, 25 sugar, 66 cans of jellies, and preserves of different kinds; oat meal, rice, 68 gallons old New-England rum, 10 gallons Jamaica rum, 10 bottles Jamaica rum, 64 bottles whiskey, 75 bottles brandy, 10 bottles Madeira wine, 23 bottles sherry, 20 bottles port, 32 bottles California, 4 bottles Isabella, 3 bottles blackberry, 3 bottles blueberry, 9 bottles elderberry, 4 bottles gin, 10 bottles cherry-brandy, 10 bottles tamarinds, 22 bottles cider, 211 bottles cologne, 83 bottles lemon syrup, 62 bottles raspberry, 12 bottles ginger, 10 bottles bay rum, 6 bottles lavender water, 10 bottles pickles, 12 sets knives and forks, 11 waiters, 5 coffee pots, 75 plates and saucers, 15 pitchers, 2 salts, 3 sieves, 8 sugar bowls, 25 tin mugs, 150 spoons, 615 fans, 16 holders, 124 hospital pillows, 1 air pillow, 45 hair rings, 2 nurse lamps, 115 pamphlets, 75 bound volumes, 135 checkerboards, 94 boxes dominos, 60 jews-harps, 36 solitaire boards, 36 wire puzzles, 20 miscellaneous games, 8 Bibles, 11 Testaments, 7 books of psalms; bandages, lint, linen, and cotton rags; files of the Atlantic Monthly, of Putnam's Magazine, Harper's Monthly, Religious Monthly, Godey's Ladies' Book, New York Ledger, Peterson's [399] Magazine, New-York Independent. The money-value of the contributions made by the ladies, and received through their exertions, was probably not far from fifty thousand dollars. The city has taken measures to erect a splendid monument in honor of the soldiers and sailors of Charlestown who died in the war.


Chelmsford

Incorporated May 29, 1655. Population in 1860, 2,291; in 1865, 2,296. Valuation in 1860, $1,371,136; in 1865, $1,546,508.

The selectmen in 1861 were J. R. Fletcher, Christopher Roby, Elisha Shaw.5 In 1862, J. R. Fletcher, Elisha Shaw, Edmund F. Dupee; in 1863, Elisha Shaw, E. F. Dupee, Joseph Reed; in 1864 and 1865, Joseph Reed, E. F. Dupee, N. B. Edwards.

The town-clerk from 1836 to 1871 was E. F. Webster. The town-treasurer from 1842 to 1868 was Joseph Manning.

1861. April 29th, A town-meeting was held, at which it was voted that H. W. B. Wightman, Joseph Manning, Christopher Roby, William Fletcher, and H. B. Proctor be a Committee to consider and report what action the town shall take to sustain the Government. The Committee reported in favor of raising a military company, the members of which be required ‘to drill two afternoons in each week’ for two months, and each member to be paid five dollars a month; that the town furnish each with the usual arms and equipments; also ‘that the town furnish a capable drill-master.’ Three thousand dollars were voted to aid the families of volunteers from the town, and eight dollars a month to be paid to each volunteer while in actual service. November 5th, Voted, that the action of the selectmen in providing aid to the families of volunteers be approved, and they were instructed to pay to other towns the expenses incurred by them in aiding the families of Chelmsford volunteers living therein.

1862. July 21st, Voted, to pay a bounty of one hundred and twenty-five dollars to each person who should volunteer for [400] three years service to the quota of the town. August 25th, The selectmen were authorized to pay a bounty of one hundred and fifty dollars to each volunteer for nine months service, ‘not exceeding forty in all,’ provided that ‘twenty-five dollars shall be deducted from all those who may so enlist, after twelve o'clock at noon on Tuesday next.’ September 29th, The town voted to continue to pay one hundred and fifty dollars to volunteers for nine months service.

1863. March 2d, The selectmen were authorized to give such assistance to the families of volunteers as they might think proper, this to be in addition to the aid allowed by law. June 8th, The treasurer was authorized to borrow a sum not exceeding one thousand dollars for the benefit of the families ‘of deceased or disabled soldiers.’

1864. March 7th, It was voted to continue paying aid to the families of soldiers in the service, and to those soldiers who may have been discharged for wounds or sickness. April 11th, Voted, to pay a bounty of one hundred and twenty-five dollars to each volunteer enlisting to the credit of the town until March 1, 1865. The selectmen assumed the responsibility of paying this bounty in gold or its equivalent, so that the bounty actually paid to each volunteer, in currency, was three hundred and eighteen dollars. Their action was subsequently approved by the town.

Several other meetings were held at which means were taken to recruit volunteers to keep the quota of the town full until the end of the war.

Chelmsford furnished for the war two hundred and forty-nine men, which was a surplus of twenty-nine over and above all demands. Five were commissioned officers. The total amount of money raised and expended by the town for war purposes, exclusive of State aid, was twenty-seven thousand six hundred and twenty-three dollars ($27,623.00).

The amount of money raised and expended during the war for State aid to soldiers' families, and repaid by the Commonwealth, was as follows: In 1861, $390.92; in 1862, $2,725.66; in 1863, $3,491.00; in 1864, $4,194.20; in 1865, $3,766.04. Total amount, $14,567.82.


[401]

Concord

Incorporated Sept. 2, 1635. Population in 1860, 2,246; in 1865, 2,231. Valuation in 1860, $1,663,507; in 1865, $1,658,881.

The selectmen in 1861 were Ephraim W. Bull, B. N. Hudson, Nathan H. Warren; in 1862 and 1863, Addison G. Fay, Elijah Wood, Nathan B. Stowe; in 1864 and 1865, Nathan B. Stowe, Elijah Wood, Benjamin Tolman.

The town-clerk during all the years of the war was George Heywood. The town-treasurer in 1861 was Julius M. Smith; in 1862, 1863, 1864, and 1865, George Heywood.

1861. The first war-meeting held in Concord was a popular citizens' meeting held on the 19th of April, the day on which the Concord Company G, Fifth Regiment Massachusetts Volunteer Militia, left for Washington. At this meeting a fund of five thousand dollars was raised by subscription in aid of the company and their families, which it was voted should be distributed by George M. Brooks, Louis A. Lurette, and George Heywood. The first legal town-meeting was held on the 13th of June, at which one thousand dollars were appropriated for State aid to the families of volunteers; and a vote was passed to purchase, at the expense of the town, a suitable uniform for a new company which had been raised in the town, whenever it should be ordered into actual service.

1862. A legal town-meeting was held on the 14th of July, at which three thousand dollars were appropriated to pay bounties to volunteers who should enlist for three years service, to fill the quota of the town under the recent call of the President, and to assess the same ‘upon the inhabitants, and be payable on the first day of August next.’ Another town-meeting was held on the 27th of August, at which it was voted to pay a bounty of one hundred dollars to each volunteer who should enlist in the Concord Company then being recruited for nine months service, and the selectmen were authorized to borrow money to pay the same. Two days after, namely, on the 29th of August, a citizens' meeting was held, at which Louis A. Lurette, George M. Brooks, Julius M. Smith, and A. G. Fay were appointed a committee to aid in recruiting volunteers to fill the quota of the town. This committee raised by private [402] subscription twenty-two hundred and twenty-five dollars, to be expended in adding to the bounty legally authorized to be paid by the town.

1863. So far as the transcript of the town records which we have received shows, no action was taken by Concord, in its corporate capacity, during this year in relation to the war, though we believe citizens' meetings were held, and recruiting and the payment of State aid were continued.

1864. A legal town-meeting was held on the 20th of December, when it was voted to assess and raise by tax three thousand dollars for recruiting purposes, which sum was to be collected and paid over to the town-treasurer on or before the 15th of January, 1865; and the treasurer was authorized to borrow money sufficient to fill any quota, ‘provided the amount to be raised by taxation should be inadequate.’

Concord furnished two hundred and twenty-nine men for the war, which was a surplus of twelve over and above all demands. Twenty-five were commissioned officers. The whole amount of money appropriated and expended by the town on account of the war, exclusive of State aid, was seven thousand five hundred dollars. Ten thousand dollars were raised by private subscription, making a total of seventeen thousand five hundred dollars ($17,500.00).

The amount of money raised and expended by the town during the war for State aid to soldiers' families, and which was reimbursed by the Commonwealth, was as follows: In 1861, $504.94; in 1862, $1,968.55; in 1863, $3,668.00; in 1864, $1,770.60; in 1865, $1,146.60. Total amount, $9,058.69.

‘The ladies of Concord did very much through their Soldiers' Aid Society in providing for our companies, and they sent much clothing and hospital stores for general use. I have no doubt two thousand dollars were subscribed for these purposes, and it was expended under their direction.’


Dracut

Incorporated Feb. 26, 1701. Population in 1860, 1,881; in 1865, 1,905. Valuation in 1860, $962,723; in 1865, $1,109,304.

The selectmen in 1861 were George W. Coburn, Josiah [403] Ames, Joseph B. V. Coburn; in 1862 and 1863, George W. Coburn, Joseph B. V. Coburn, Ira Hall; in 1864, Atkinson C. Varnum, Charles A. Hamblett, Levi F. Jones; in 1865, George W. Coburn, Joseph B. V. Coburn, Levi F. Jones.

The town-clerk during all the years of the war was Henry Richardson. The town-treasurer during the same period was Jesse Swain.

1861. The first legal town-meeting, to act upon matters relating to the war, was held on the 6th of May, at which it was voted ‘to pay each man belonging to Dracut who has gone, or may go, to assist the Government of the United States’ in the maintenance of the Union, ten dollars a month while in the military service, to be paid either to the soldier himself or to his family or relatives. One thousand dollars were appropriated to pay the same, and two thousand dollars ‘to raise and equip a military company in Dracut.’ November 5th, The action of the selectmen in paying Edward Coburn thirty dollars was approved, he having been wounded in the march of the Sixth Regiment through Baltimore on the 19th of April.

1862. March 3d, The treasurer was authorized to borrow whatever amount of money was necessary for the payment of State aid to the families of volunteers. July 21st, The selectmen were authorized to pay a bounty of one hundred and twenty-five dollars to each volunteer who shall enlist for three years service and be credited to the quota of the town. August 25th, A bounty of one hundred dollars was authorized to be paid to each volunteer for nine months service.

1863. February 20th, The treasurer was authorized to borrow money for the payment of State aid during the year to the families of soldiers.

1864. July 11th, The treasurer was directed to borrow, not exceeding four thousand dollars—the rate of interest not to exceed six per cent—for the payment of bounties to volunteers enlisting to the credit of the town upon any call of the President for men, ‘after the 1st of March, 1864, and before the 1st of March, 1865,’ each volunteer to receive one hundred and twenty-five dollars: August 9th, It was voted to pay the bounty in gold, and the treasurer was authorized to borrow [404] an additional sum of eleven hundred and twenty-five dollars.

Dracut furnished two hundred and eighteen men for the war, which was a surplus of eleven over and above all demands. One was a commissioned officer. The whole amount of money appropriated and expended by the town on account of the war, exclusive of State aid, was seventeen thousand six hundred and sixteen dollars ($17,616.00).

The amount of money raised and expended by the town during the war for State aid to soldiers' families, and repaid by the Commonwealth, was as follows: In 1861, $380.37; in 1862, $2,439.82; in 1863, $3,069.45; in 1864, $2,604.71; in 1865, $2,100.00. Total amount, $10,594.35.


Dunstable

Incorporated Oct. 15, 1673. Population in 1860, 487; in 1865, 533. Valuation in 1860, $397,551; in 1865, $391,146.

The selectmen in 1861 were Isaac Kendall, James M. Swallow, Ashur G. Jewett; in 1862, James T. Burnap, James M. Swallow, Daniel Swallow; in 1863, Andrew Spaulding, Benjamin French, Thomas H. Parkhurst; in 1864, Benjamin French, Thomas H. Parkhurst, Andrew Spaulding; in 1865, Thomas H. Parkhurst, Benjamin French, Libni Parker.

The town-clerk in 1861 and 1862 was James T. Burnap; in 1863, 1864, and 1865, James C. Woodward. The town-treasurer during all the years of the war was Libni Parker.

1861. No legal town-meeting to act upon matters connected with the war appears to have been held during this year.

1862. July 26th, The town-treasurer was authorized to borrow (if necessary) five hundred dollars, to pay a bounty of one hundred dollars to each of the five volunteers for three years service, to fill the quota of the town, who shall enlist before the 15th of August. September 19th, The treasurer was authorized to borrow whatever amount of money may be necessary to pay State aid to the families of soldiers residing in the town; also to borrow not exceeding two thousand dollars to pay bounties to volunteers. November 4th, The treasurer was authorized to borrow money to pay bounties to volunteers for nine months service. [405]

1863. March 2d, A similar vote was passed in regard to paying bounties ‘to complete the quota of the town;’ also, to authorize the treasurer ‘to settle the volunteer bounty tax with the Treasurer of the Commonwealth by securing the balance due the town.’

1864. April 23d, Voted, to raise four hundred and fifty dollars to reimburse individual citizens who had contributed money to fill the quota of the town in 1863, and the selectmen were authorized to keep on recruiting to fill any quota until March, 1865; the bounty not to exceed one hundred dollars.

1865. November 7th, Voted, ‘to refund the money paid by subscription in 1864 for the purpose of filling the town's quota under the call of the President, June 16th, 1864.’

Dunstable furnished seventy-two men for the war, which was a surplus of ten over and above all demands. There were no commissioned officers. The whole amount of money appropriated and expended by the town on account of the war, exclusive of State aid, was twelve thousand seven hundred and twenty-five dollars and seventy-nine cents ($12,725.79).

The amount of money raised and expended by the town during the war for State aid to soldiers' families, and repaid by the Commonwealth, was as follows: In 1861, $00; in 1862, $108.00; in 1863, $268.00; in 1864, $506.00; in 1865, $517.61. Total amount, $1,399.61.


Framingham

Incorporated June 25, 1700. Population in 1860, 4,227; in 1865, 4,681. Valuation in 1860, $2,208,537; in 1865, $2,799,308.

The selectmen in 1861 were Joel Edmunds, Albert G. Gibbs, Owen W. Livermore; in 1862, Albert G. Gibbs, Alexander R. Esty, Gilman Fuller; in 1863 and 1864, Alexander R. Esty, Gilman Fuller, Francis C. Stearns; in 1865, Francis C. Stearns, Theodore C. Hurd, Andrew Coolidge.

The town-clerk during all of these years was Charles S. Whitmore. The town-treasurer for the same period was George Phipps.

1861. When the tidings were received of the attack upon the Seventh Regiment, in passing through Baltimore on the [406] 19th of April, many of the young men of Framingham enrolled themselves in the active militia, and by the end of April a full company was nearly raised. The first legal town-meeting to act upon matters relating to the war was held on the 6th of May, at which the following preamble, resolution, and votes were passed:—

Whereas a grave and extraordinary emergency now exists, whereby the security of our beloved Government is threatened by a portion of the people who are bound and sworn to support, defend, and obey it; and,

Whereas in the prosecution of its designs, the rebellious portion have resorted to the employment of armed force, have unlawfully and forcibly seized, and do now hold, much property belonging to the common Government, and do generally disown and set it at defiance; therefore—

Resolved, That we, the citizens of Framingham are ready to maintain our loyalty to the Government made by the sacrifice of the blood and treasure of our fathers, and handed down to us as a sacred and inestimable gift, under which we have enjoyed all the blessings which make life happy; and we have assembled together this day to take such measures as lie in our power to assist in preserving and maintaining for ourselves and our children this goodly heritage.

The town appropriated eight thousand dollars to provide suitable outfits for the soldiers belonging to Framingham, and to furnish proper aid to their families while absent in the military service, and a large committee was chosen to take charge of the expenditure of the money.

1862. July—, A meeting of citizens was held, at which a committee was chosen to raise by subscription a fund from which to pay a bounty of one hundred dollars to each volunteer who should enlist for three years to fill the quota of the town under the call of the President for three hundred thousand men. (Forty-seven citizens contributed forty-seven hundred dollars, and paid out the same in bounties.) In August, another call having been made by the President for three hundred thousand nine-months men, a legal town-meeting was held on the 1st of September, at which it was voted to raise eighteen thousand dollars for the payment of bounties to men enlisting to fill the [407] quota of the town, and to refund the money voluntarily contributed by the forty-seven citizens to the amount of forty-seven hundred dollars. September 3d, A meeting of the subscribers to the volunteer bounty fund was held, at which they voted that the money refunded by the town should be placed in the hands of C. C. Esty, Oliver Bennett, Albert Ballord, Wm. H. Carter, and Francis Jaquith, to be expended at their discretion ‘for the promotion of enlistments, and for the relief of the soldiers and their families.’

1863. March—, The selectmen were directed to cause to be brought home and to be interred the bodies of all volunteers belonging to Framingham who may have died or shall hereafter die in the service of the country, the ‘expenses of which to be borne by the town;’ and the trustees of the Edgell Grove Cemetery were directed to set apart a suitable lot, to be called ‘the soldiers' lot.’

The town continued to recruit men, pay bounties and aid to soldiers' families, in accordance with the votes of the citizens passed at meetings held at various times, until the close of the war.

Framingham furnished four hundred and twenty-six men for the war, which was a surplus of nineteen over and above all demands. Nine were commissioned officers. The total amount of money appropriated and expended by the town on account of the war, exclusive of State aid, was thirty-one thousand one hundred and forty-nine dollars and twenty-nine cents ($31,149.29). This is exclusive of $29,142.50 raised by voluntary subscription and paid into the recruiting and bounty funds.

The amount of money raised and expended by the town during the war for State aid to soldiers' families, and repaid by the Commonwealth, was as follows: In 1861, $458.81; in 1862, $3,251.48; in 1863, $5,083.40; in 1864, $6,200.00; in 1865, $4,800.00. Total amount, $19,793.69.

The Ladies' Auxiliary Association of the Sanitary Commission was organized June 23d, 1862. Weekly sewing-meetings were held from that time till July, 1865. As the result of these labors one hundred and twenty boxes were forwarded to the army, filled with bandages, lint, under-clothing, and other [408] necessaries and comforts for the sick and wounded in the hospitals.


Groton

Incorporated May 29, 1655. Population in 1860, 3,193; in 1865, 3,176. Valuation in 1860, $1,465,408; in 1865, $1,553,920.

The selectmen in 1861 were Phinehas G. Prescott, William H. Harlow, Willard Torrey; in 1862 and 1863, Eliel Shumway, William H. Harlow, Willard Torrey; in 1864 and 1865, Eliel Shumway, Willard Torrey, George W. Stuart.

The town-clerk during all these years was George D. Brigham. The town-treasurer during the same period was Alden Warren.

1861. A town-meeting was held April 29th, at which a series of patriotic resolutions were read and adopted, and the citizens pledged ‘their lives, their fortunes, and their sacred honors in defence of the Government and the preservation of the Constitution.’ It was voted to aid the families of the volunteers who were already at the front, and of those who would follow, and a sufficient amount of money was voted for that purpose. A thousand dollars were appropriated to clothe, uniform, and provide for the soldiers in the Groton Company in the Sixth Regiment, already in the service, and such as might afterwards enlist.

1862. July 21st, Voted, to pay a bounty of one hundred dollars each to thirty-two men who shall enlist for three years to the credit of the town. August 25th, Voted, to pay the same amount to men enlisting for nine months. September 6th, The selectmen were authorized to pay a bounty of one hundred dollars to each volunteer who shall enlist in the Sixth Regiment for nine months to the credit of the town. September 13th, Voted, to pay a bounty of one hundred dollars to each of sixty-five men, if that number is required to fill the quota of the town. A. S. Lawrence, Colonel Walter Shattuck, George E. Jones, B. L. Howe, and J. Todd were chosen to act with the selectmen as a recruiting committee. October 13th, The selectmen reported that the quotas of the town were one hundred and eighty-seven men, and that the town had then in the military [409] service one hundred and twenty-five three-years volunteers, forty-eight nine-months, and eighteen enlisted but not mustered in.

1863. April 6th, The selectmen were authorized to use such sums as were necessary for aid to the families of volunteers. July 20th, They were directed to pay the same aid to the families of drafted men. November 23d, Charles H. Waters, B. L. Howe, Henry Butterfield, David McCaine, George W. Fiske, and Alonzo Simmons were chosen a committee to act with the selectmen in recruiting men to fill the quota of the town, and seven hundred dollars were appropriated for expenses. December 1st, Voted, that a sum not less than forty-five hundred, and not more than five thousand, dollars be placed at the disposal of the selectmen to obtain thirty-four recruits.

1864. April 4th, Voted, to raise two thousand dollars to refund to citizens the money they had voluntarily advanced for recruiting purposes, and nine hundred dollars to fill up the present demand upon the town for men; also five thousand dollars to pay aid to families of soldiers. May 30th, The selectmen were directed to pay a bounty of one hundred and twenty-five dollars to each volunteer, and the same amount to each drafted man, or to a drafted man who procures a substitute, and is credited to the town. ‘Voted, that the selectmen be instructed to see that the town is not subject to a draft for the one man now due.’

1865. July 3d, Voted, that the town refund to its citizens the money they have voluntarily advanced to aid recruiting, which amounted in gross to upwards of six thousand dollars. J. M. Hollingsworth furnished two, and Eliel Shumway one ‘representative recruit,’ for which they paid a bounty of one hundred dollars to each.

Groton furnished four hundred men for the war, which was a surplus of forty-nine over and above all demands. Twenty-four were commissioned officers. The whole amount of money raised and appropriated by the town for war purposes, exclusive of State aid, was thirty-one thousand seven hundred and twenty-four dollars and forty-seven cents ($31,724.47). [410]

The amount of money raised and expended by the town during the war for State aid to soldiers' families, and repaid by the Commonwealth, was as follows: In 1861, $1,113.99; in 1862, $3,873.55; in 1863, $4,196.69; in 1864, $3,373.97; in 1865, $2,400.00. Total amount, $14,958.20.


Holliston

Incorporated Dec. 3, 1724. Population in 1860, 3,339; in 1865, 3,125. Valuation in 1860, $1,483,443; in 1865, $1,502,682.

The selectmen in 1861 and 1862 were Sylvanus Pond, Ebenezer Kimball, S. Morse Cutter; in 1863, S. Morse Cutter, William R. Thayer, Sydney Wilder; in 1864, L. Leland, B. A. Bridges, Thomas E. Andrews; in 1865, L. Leland, B. A. Bridges, F. O. Paddleford.

The town-clerk in 1861 and 1862 was George N. Pond; in 1863, 1864, and 1865, J. M. Batchelder. The town-treasurer in 1861 was George N. Pond; in 1862, 1863, 1864, and 1865, George B. Fiske.

1861. The first legal town-meeting, to act on matters in relation to the war, was held on the 29th of April, at which Alden Leland, Elbridge J. Cutter, Abel Pond, James F. Simons, and Seth Thayer were appointed to ‘superintend the equipment of a military company in Holliston;’ and Seth Thayer was authorized to receive and disburse, under direction of the committee, such sums as may be subscribed and paid for the above-named purpose. Five thousand dollars were appropriated ‘for military purposes.’ A large committee was appointed ‘to report a plan for the support of the families of soldiers,’ who reported that ‘four hundred dollars be appropriated for drilling the company,’ and, when called into active service, each single man should receive a bounty of twelve, and each married man a bounty of twenty dollars. The use of the town-hall was given to the company for drilling purposes, and the ‘upper hall for an armory.’ Certain tents belonging to the town were given to the company. September 30th, Voted, to give one dollar a month for the wife, and fifty cents for each child, of a volunteer belonging to the town, in addition to the State aid allowed by law. [411]

1862. July 28th, Voted, to pay a bounty of two hundred dollars to each volunteer who enlists for three years in the military service to fill the quota of the town. The following resolutions were passed:—

Resolved, That we, the citizens of Holliston, in town meeting assembled, send greeting to our brothers in arms, wherever serving on land or sea; that we are proud of the men who went forth, that we recognize the patriotism of their sacrifice, that we sympathize in their toils and privations, that we exult in their heroism on the battle-field, that we will emulate their example.

Resolved, That to the relatives of Sergeant Elbridge G. Whiting, and of privates Caleb C. Waite, Albert G. Hunting, and James W Speakman, who fell in the fight before Richmond, we offer respectful and affectionate sympathy; that the death of these men was the death of brave men; that we will hold them in tender recollection, and inscribe their names as most honorable in the records of the town.

August 25th, A bounty of one hundred and fifty dollars was directed to be paid to each volunteer for nine months service, and their families be allowed the same amount of State and town aid that is paid to the families of three-years volunteers.

1863. July 22d, Voted, unanimously, that the families of citizens or of aliens living in Holliston, serving in the army either as drafted men or as substitutes, shall be paid the same aid as is paid to the families of volunteers; also, that the families of those who have fallen be paid the same amount as before until the receipt of pensions.

1864. March 7th, The selectmen were authorized to pay one dollar a month to mothers and fifty cents to sisters of volunteers in addition to that paid to their families. March 28th, Voted, to reimburse to citizens money contributed by them for recruit ing purposes. June 20th, The treasurer was authorized to pay a bounty of one hundred and twenty-five dollars to each volunteer or drafted man when mustered in and credited to the town, and to borrow three thousand dollars to pay the same. It was also voted to give the Holliston Company a ‘suitable reception upon their return home.’

1865. November 7th, The selectmen were directed to provide for the ‘necessities of the families of men who have died in the [412] service.’ November 27th, Voted, to refund to citizens all money paid by them for recruiting purposes.

In 1866 the town paid each volunteer who had received no bounty one hundred and twenty-five dollars, and to those who had received less than that sum sufficient to make it up to that amount. A soldiers' monument was erected by the town, of Concord granite, at a cost of three thousand dollars.

Holliston furnished three hundred and sixty-four men for the war, which was a surplus of thirty-three over and above all demands. Eight were commissioned officers. The whole amount of money appropriated and expended by the town on account of the war, exclusive of State aid, was forty thousand six hundred and twenty-two dollars and eight cents ($40,622.08).

The amount of money raised and expended by the town for State aid to soldiers' families during the war, and repaid by the Commonwealth, was as follows: In 1861, $2,738,84; in 1862, $6,840.71; in 1863, $5,567.62; in 1864, $6,333.54; in 1865, $4,200.00. Total amount, $25,680.71.

The ladies of Holliston were unceasing in their good works for the soldiers during the entire war. The money value of their contributions was more than thirty-five hundred dollars. A balance of forty dollars remained in their hands at the end of the war, which was given to embellish the grounds of the soldiers' monument.


Hopkinton

Incorporated Dec. 13, 1715. Population in 1860, 4,340; in 1865, 4,140. Valuation in 1860, $1,368,099; in 1865, $1,595,257.

The selectmen in 1861 were Nathan P. Coburn, Eliakim A. Bates, David Eames, Otis L. Woods; in 1862, 1863, and 1864, Nathan P. Coburn, Eliakim A. Bates, Gardner Parker, Charles P. Morse, Thomas Mead; in 1865, Eliakim A. Bates, Erastus Thompson, Thomas Mead, Charles Seaver, Marcus C. Phipps.

The town-clerk in 1861, 1862, and 1863, was Joseph A. Tillinghast; in 1864 and 1865, J. Augustus Woodbury. The town-treasurer during all the years of the war was Jonathan Whittemore. [413]

1861. The first legal town-meeting to consider matters relating to the war, was held April 29th, at which Nathan P. Coburn, Alonzo Coburn, William A. Phipps, Clement Meserve, and John A. Phipps were appointed to consider and report what should be done by the town ‘to aid in the defence of the nation.’ The committee reported, ‘That the town appropriate a sum not to exceed five thousand dollars, to be expended for the purpose of organizing and drilling military companies for the national defence.’ The report was accepted, and the money appropriated. Lee Claflin, William A. Phipps, Albert Wood, Charles P. Morse, and Thomas Mead were chosen a committee to superintend the expenditure of the money.

1862. July 17th, Voted, to pay a bounty of fifty dollars to each volunteer for three years service to the number of forty-seven, to fill the quota of the town. On the 18th of August the bounty was increased to one hundred dollars, and on the 18th of September the same bounty was authorized to be paid to volunteers for nine months service, and to pay the men Government pay from the time they enlist until they are mustered into service.

1863. No action appears to have been taken by the town in its corporate capacity during this year, although recruiting was continued as usual.

1865. April 11th, Voted, to pay one hundred and twenty-five dollars to each volunteer enlisting to the credit of the town for three years service, to continue until March 1st, 1865. It was also voted to pay the same bounty to drafted men.

Hopkinton furnished four hundred and twenty-five men for the war, which was a surplus of sixteen over and above all demands. Three were commissioned officers. The total amount of money appropriated and expended by the town on account of the war, exclusive of State aid, was thirty thousand dollars ($30,000.00).

The amount of money raised and expended by the town during the war for State aid to soldiers' families, and repaid by the Commonwealth, was as follows: In 1861, $1,499.03; in 1062, $6,572.11; in 1863, $8,178.71; in 1864, $8,600.00; in 1865, $5,000.00. Total amount, $29,849.85.


[414]

Lexington

Incorporated March 29, 1712. Population in 1860, 2,329; in 1865, 2,223. Valuation in 1860, $1,873,634; in 1865, $1,747,459.

The selectmen in 1861 and 1862 were Charles Hudson, Webster Smith, William H. Smith; in 1863 and 1864 Webster Smith, William H. Smith, Hammon Reed; in 1865, Hammon Reed, Alonzo Goddard, Eli Simonds.

The town-clerk during all the years of the war was A. W. Bryant. The town-treasurer in 1861, 1862, and 1863 was Charles Nunn; in 1864, J. A. Damon; in 1865, L. A. Saville.

1861. At a legal town-meeting held on the 30th of April, the following resolution preceded by a preamble was unanimously adopted:—

Resolved, That it is the duty of all good citizens to obey the call of the Government, and flock to the standard of our country, and thus preserve our glorious Constitution, under which we have enjoyed greater blessings than have ever fallen to the lot of any other people; and to show our devotion to our free institutions and our just appreciation of the patriotism of the young men who are willing to respond to their country's call, it is—

Voted, That a sum not exceeding four thousand dollars be appropriated from any money in the treasury, to be expended under the direction of a committee of ten for the purpose of clothing or otherwise encouraging the gallant men who may enter the service, and for the support of those who may have families dependent upon their labor during the period for which they are called into service.

The following gentlemen were appointed the committee: Charles Tidd, S. W. Smith, Loring S. Pierce, W. D. Phelps, C. K. Tucker, W. W. Keith, Winslow Wellington, Eli Simonds, R. W. Reed, and Charles Hudson. The committee were directed to pay ten dollars a month to single men, and fifteen dollars a month to those who have families, during active service; also suitable compensation while drilling. Lexington men who enlisted in other towns, if not paid by them, were to receive the same amounts. November 5th, State aid was directed to be paid to the families of volunteers as provided by the State law; but in any event they should receive sufficient ‘to make them entirely comfortable.’ [415]

1862. July 19th, The following resolution and vote were passed:—

Resolved, That whereas the town of Lexington was the first to seal her devotion to Freedom and Equal Rights in 1775, and the blood of her slaughtered citizens cries to us from the ground to sustain the cause for which they offered themselves a living sacrifice; and as every citizen is under the most sacred obligation to bear his share, if not in the perils, yet in the burdens and sacrifices of the righteous contest, and is bound to encourage, support, and sustain those who obey their country's call, and manfully enroll themselves in defence of our dearest rights and privileges; it is therefore—

Voted, Unanimously, that a bounty of one hundred dollars be offered to each and every patriotic soldier who will volunteer into the service of the United States for the period of three years to fill the quota of twenty men required of this town.

August 29th, Voted, to pay a bounty of two hundred dollars to each volunteer for nine months service, when mustered in and credited to the quota of the town.

1863. July 23d, The selectmen were directed to make suitable provision for the support and comfort of the families of volunteers. November 3d, The assessors were authorized to abate the taxes of all Lexington soldiers in the military service.

1864. April 4th, Voted, to pay a bounty of one hundred and twenty-five dollars to each volunteer who shall enlist for three years, and be credited to the quota of the town from March 1, 1864, to March 1, 1865; and the selectmen were authorized to borrow money to pay the same.

1865. May 29th, Voted, to raise by taxation four thousand dollars to reimburse citizens who had contributed money to encourage recruiting to fill the quotas of the town.

Lexington furnished two hundred and twenty-five men for the war, which was a surplus of ten over and above all demands. Seven were commissioned officers. The whole amount of money appropriated and expended by the town on account of the war, exclusive of State aid, was twenty-five thousand three hundred and thirty-seven dollars ($25,337.00).

The amount of money raised and expended by the town during the four years of the war for State aid to the families of [416] soldiers, and which was afterwards repaid by the Commonwealth, was as follows: In 1861, $603.39; in 1862, $2,237.29; in 1863, $3,056.32; in 1864, $2,677.95; in 1865, $1,546.12. Total amount, $10,121.07.

The Ladies' Soldiers-Aid Society raised by fairs and other means two thousand four hundred and fifty-four dollars and fifty-one cents, which was expended in the purchase of material to be made into under-garments for the soldiers, and for lint, bandages, and other articles for the sick and wounded in hospitals. Twenty-one boxes and eight barrels were sent to hospitals near Washington, ten boxes and six barrels to Alexandria, Va., and other parcels to other places.


Lincoln

Incorporated April 19, 1754. Population in 1860, 718; in 1865, 710. Valuation in 1860, $539,528: in 1865, $606,833.

The selectmen in 1861, 1862, 1863, and 1864 were William F. Wheeler, Charles L. Tarbell, Amos Hagar, Jr.; in 1865, William F. Wheeler, Amos Hagar, Jr., George Flint.

The town-clerk during all the years of the war was Henry L. Chapin; the town-treasurer for the same period was William F. Wheeler.

1861. The first legal town-meeting to act upon matters relating to the war was held on the 13th of May, at which it was voted to appropriate two thousand dollars to provide for bounty, ‘extra pay, arms, ammunition, clothing and provisions to such of the inhabitants of Lincoln as have enlisted, or may hereafter enlist, in the military service of the United States, and for aid to their families.’ It was also voted that two hundred and fifty dollars of the above sum ‘be assessed the present year, and that the selectmen and town-treasurer be authorized to borrow not exceeding seventeen hundred and fifty dollars.’

1862. July 28th, On motion of C. L. Tarbell, voted, that eighteen hundred dollars be raised ‘to pay nine men who may enlist as our quota as soldiers in the service of the United States of America,’ and that eighteen hundred dollars be forthwith assessed on the taxable property of the town, and as much of it as may be necessary be expended by the committee appointed [417] at a citizens' meeting in securing said recruits; and ‘that all persons be requested to pay the same to the collector on the presentation of their bills on or before the first day of September next, and that interest of one per cent a month be charged on all taxes assessed under this vote, from the first day of September until paid.’ August 25th, Voted to pay each volunteer who shall enlist for nine months, and be mustered in and credited to the quota of the town, a bounty of two hundred dollars, and the same committee which recruited the volunteers for three years service be requested to recruit the nine-months men.

1863. March—, Six hundred dollars were appropriated for the payment of State aid to soldiers' families. November—, The treasurer was instructed to settle with the State Treasurer for the proportion of Lincoln of the volunteer bounty tax as authorized by law.

1864. April 25th, Fourteen hundred dollars were appropriated to refund money ‘raised by individual subscription, and paid for recruiting ten volunteers sometime during last December and January,—the money to be paid as soon as there is sufficient in the treasury for that purpose.’ Seven hundred dollars were also appropriated ‘to pay the veteran volunteers belonging to the town of Lincoln.’ June 13th, Samuel H. Pierce, William F. Wheeler, and Francis Smith were appointed a committee to recruit ‘eight men, at least, to serve the town as volunteers,’ and the treasurer was authorized to borrow twenty-five hundred dollars for the purpose, to be used by the committee.

1865. October 21st, Voted to reimburse to citizens the money subscribed and paid by them ‘last spring’ for procuring recruits to fill the quota of the town; also, voted to pay back all the money which W. L. G. Pierce, who had been drafted into the military service, ‘has paid for war taxes on his property since July, 1863, up to the time of his discharge.’

1866, March—, Voted, to pay the expenses of embalming and bringing home the body of Lieutenant Thomas J. Parker.6 [418]

A great many citizens' meetings were held during the war, and the votes recorded above are little more than the embodiment in legal form of those passed at those meetings. As regards resolutions, Mr. Wheeler, one of the selectmen, writes: ‘I do not think that any were passed except at one of the earlier meetings of citizens. The feeling of the people, I suppose, was typified by a remark of one of the older citizens: We do not want any more resolutions; but if anybody has got any money or any pluck let him show it.’

Lincoln furnished seventy-nine men for the war, which was a surplus of four over and above all demands. Five were commissioned officers. The whole amount of money appropriated and expended by the town on account of the war, exclusive of State aid, was ten thousand three hundred and eighty-five dollars and fifty cents ($10,385.50).7

The amount of money raised and expended by the town during the war for State aid to soldiers' families, and which was repaid by the Commonwealth, was as follows: In 1861, $119.20; in 1862, $591.42; in 1863, $815.00; in 1864, $1,029.54; in 1865, $650.00. Total amount, $3,205.16.

The ladies of Lincoln did good service during the war. Mrs. Edward S. Hodges, president of the Soldiers' Aid Society, has written us a most excellent letter, from which we have only space for the following extracts:—

‘However small our work really was it always seemed to be sanctified and ennobled by the blessed spirit which prompted its undertaking, and which kept alive to the last hour of our need the earnestness so noticeable in a New England community. From the first call to arms, which summoned away the men and boys from among us, we realized that there might be needed hospital comforts for which our government, under its long peace, would not have provided; and immediately we called ourselves together, feeling sure we could render some help under the pressure. The vestry of the Orthodox church was opened to us, and the earnest encouragement of every citizen of the town was ours.’

‘Very soon a society was founded called the “Soldiers' aid,” and in the Town Hall organized work commenced. Money was raised by [419] subscription in the churches. Gifts of materials on which to employ the ready hands of women and children were brought, and the work was begun in earnest, never to be laid aside until there was no further usefulness in it. The meetings were regular, the temper of them always good, and the unity of feeling which brought persons of varying faith close together in this great work was beautiful. From time to time, as it was required, money was raised by fairs, tea-parties, and tableaux, and while there was much pleasure felt by us all in these social gatherings the solemn refrain rang through the merriments. Repeatedly cases containing the result of our labors of love were sent to private hospitals; but for the last years they were put into the hands of the Sanitary Commission.’


Littleton

Incorporated Dec. 3, 1715. Population in 1860, 1,063; in 1865, 967. Valuation in 1860, $666,270; in 1865, $632,380.

The selectmen in 1861 and 1862 were John F. Robbins, John Cutter, James A. Parker; in 1863, 1864, and 1865, Joseph A. Priest, William Kimball, George W. Sanderson.

The town-clerk in 1861, and all through the war, was William Kimball. The town-treasurer in 1861 was William Chamberlain; and in 1862, 1863, 1864, and 1865, Luther White.

1861. The first legal town-meeting, to consider matters relating to the war, was held on the 1st of May, at which it was voted to raise by taxation one thousand dollars, and to authorize the selectmen to borrow two thousand, ‘if needed,’ to pay each soldier belonging to the town ten dollars a month while in the service, ‘and to provide for their families.’ July—, Richard Hall, Francis P. Knowlton, Thomas S. Tuttle, and Benjamin Edwards were chosen to act with the selectmen in the expenditure of the money appropriated at the previous meeting.

1862. July 22d, Voted, to pay a bounty of one hundred dollars to each volunteer for three years service, when mustered in and credited to the town; also the two dollars bounty allowed by the United States.

1863. August 26th, The bounty was raised to one hundred and twenty-five dollars. It was also resolved that the townclerk [420] keep a record of the names of volunteers belonging to the town, together with the company and regiment to which each belonged, and the date of muster, discharge, and death. Voted, to ‘pay the expense of the return of the body of the late Nahum W. Whitcomb, and of interring the same.’ On motion of Francis P. Knowlton, the following preamble and resolution were unanimously adopted:—

Whereas Mr. Nahum H. Whitcomb, a soldier from this town in the Sixth Regiment Massachusetts Volunteers, departed this life on the 13th of December, 1862, at Suffolk, Va., while in the service of our country, and his remains brought to this place for interment; therefore—

Resolved, That we tender our sympathy to his afflicted friends, and as mourners with them for one of our number, who in early manhood has laid his life upon the altar of his country, we pledge ourselves anew to that cause for which he so nobly gave his life.

It was also voted that the clerk communicate the resolution to the family of the deceased. Littleton continued recruiting and paying bounties until the end of the war.

The whole number of men furnished by the town for the war was one hundred and seventeen, which was a surplus of eighteen over and above all demands. Two were commissioned officers. The total amount of money appropriated and expended by the town on account of the war, exclusive of State aid, was eleven thousand one hundred and four dollars and thirty-three cents ($11,104.33).

The amount of money raised and expended by the town during the war for State aid to the families of soldiers, and repaid by the Commonwealth, was as follows: In 1861, $102.06; in 1862, $935.92; in 1863, $1,155.11; in 1864, $578.38; in 1865, $450.00. Total amount, $3,221.47.


Lowell

Incorporated as a town, March 1, 1826; as a city, April 1, 1836. Population in 1860, 36,827; in 1865, 31,004. Valuation in 1860, $20,894,207; in 1865, $20,980,041.

In 1861, Benjamin C. Sargeant, mayor; Samuel T. Manahan, Jonathan P. Folsom, James Watson, William G. Morse, [421] Hocum Hosford, Aldis L. Waite, Sager Ashworth, William S. Gardner, aldermen. In 1862, Hocum Hosford, mayor; Mertoun C. Bryant, Edwin A. Alger, James B. Francis, William A. Burke, Isaac F. Scripture, Aldis L. Waite, Albert Wheeler, Jonathan P. Folsom, aldermen. In 1863, Hocum Hosford, mayor; James B. Francis, Edwin A. Alger, Abiel Pevey, William A. Burke, Isaac F. Scripture, Otis Allen, Albert Wheeler, William Nichols, aldermen. In 1864, Hocum Hosford, mayor; William S. Southworth, James B. Francis, Dana B. Gore, William T. McNeill, George W. Norris, George Runels, Cyrus H. Latham, George F. Richardson, aldermen. In 1865, Josiah G. Peabody, mayor; Edward F. Watson, George W. Morris, Dana B. Gove, William T. McNeill, Henry H. Wilder, Josiah Gates, Cyrus H. Latham, William Brown, aldermen.

The city-clerk during all the years of the war was John H. McAlvin. The city-treasurer in 1861, 1862, 1863, and 1864, was George W. Bedlow;8 in 1865, Thomas G. Gerrish.

1861. January 5th, A national salute was ordered to be fired on the 8th of January in commemoration of the battle of New Orleans, Jan. 8, 1815, and in honor of ‘Major Anderson and his brave command at Fort Sumter.’ January 21st, The services of the several military companies were tendered to the Governor, should troops be called for by the President. April 15th, The Sixth Regiment having been ordered to Washington, formed in Lowell, where it was addressed by leading citizens, and then proceeded to Boston. April 18th, Eight thousand dollars were appropriated for aid to the soldiers' families. The national flag was ordered to be displayed upon the public buildings. April 19th, Authority was given to gentlemen to organize new military companies. The attack upon the Sixth Regiment in Baltimore caused intense excitement in Lowell. New companies were immediately filled to the maximum. On the 21st, Sunday, ‘war sermons were preached in the churches.’ May 1st, Ten thousand dollars were appropriated [422] ‘to uniform and equip the several companies of volunteers, now or hereafter raised in this city.’ May 3d, A special committee was appointed ‘to receive the remains of the two Massachusetts soldiers (Ladd and Whitney) belonging to Lowell, who fell at Baltimore, and to make all necessary arrangements for the final disposition of their bodies, with such funeral obsequies as they may deem proper.’ The funeral of these, ‘the first martyrs’ of the Rebellion, took place on the 6th of May, and was very largely attended. The funeral address was made by Rev. W. R. Clark, and the bodies were buried in the Lowell cemetery.9 May 14th, Five hundred dollars were appropriated to supply the wants of volunteers who were soon to be ordered into active service. June 11th, Five hundred dollars were appropriated ‘for the relief of the Hill Cadets and the Butler Rifles.’ August 2d, The Sixth Regiment arrived home after its service of three months and had a public reception by the citizens. September 5th, Major-General Butler received a public reception on his return home after the capture of Fort Hatteras. September 10th, Ten thousand dollars were appropriated for aid to soldiers' families. On the 26th of November five thousand dollars, and on the 24th of December fifteen hundred dollars, were appropriated for the same purpose.

1862. January 3d. More money was appropriated for the families of volunteers. February 17th, One hundred guns were fired in honor of the capture of Fort Donelson. February 25th, A resolution passed allowing aid to be paid to the relatives and families of volunteers who are not included in the State law; also to volunteers ‘who have enlisted and gone from the city.’ March 25th, Twenty-five thousand dollars were appropriated for ‘State aid to soldiers' families.’ July 17th, Voted, to pay a bounty of one hundred dollars to each volunteer who shall enlist for three years and be credited to the quota of the city; on the 22d ten dollars additional were added.10 August 18th, Forty thousand dollars were appropriated [423] for aid to families of soldiers, and a bounty of fifty dollars was authorized to be paid to each volunteer for nine months service.

1863. March 17th, Sixty thousand dollars were appropriated for aid to soldiers' families. July 7th, A salute was fired in honor of the national victory at Gettysburg; the next evening the city was illuminated, fire-works discharged, and a congratulatory speech was made by General Butler. July 21st, Two thousand dollars were appropriated “for a monument to Luther Ladd and Addison O. Whitney (who fell in Baltimore, April 19th, 1861), to be erected in some public place in this city, under the direction of the Governor in connection with a joint special committee of the city council.”

1864. On the 1st of February, Lowell had furnished her full complement of men under every call of the President, and had a surplus of thirteen. July 18th, Lowell was required to furnish six hundred and twenty-seven men under a recent call of the President. July 26th, Voted, to pay each volunteer for three years service, when mustered in and credited to the quota of the city, a bounty of one hundred and twenty-five dollars in gold, or its equivalent. The Sixth Regiment volunteered its services for one hundred days service, being the fourth time it had been placed in service.

1865. April 5th, A mass meeting was held to rejoice over the fall of Richmond. On the 10th, another meeting was held to rejoice over the surrender of General Lee and his army. On the 15th, information of the assassination of President Lincoln was received, which caused gladness to be turned to sorrow. The flags were placed at half mast, and emblems of mourning were everywhere displayed. The dedication of the monument erected to the memory of Ladd and Whitney was to have taken place on the 19th, the fourth anniversary of their heroic death; but at the request of Governor Andrew, who was to deliver the address, it was postponed on account of the [424] death of the President until the 17th of June, the anniversary of the battle of Bunker Hill.

On the occasion of the dedication of the monument the people of Lowell and of the surrounding towns observed it as a holiday. The mills were stopped, the stores closed, and business of every kind was at a stand. The day was very warm, the procession very full, and the route very long. The address of Governor Andrew was of great merit.

Lowell furnished five thousand two hundred and sixtysix men for the war, which was a surplus of two hundred and eighteen over and above all demands. Two hundred and sixteen were commissioned officers. The whole amount of money appropriated and expended on account of the war, exclusive of State aid, was three hundred and nine thousand two hundred and forty-two dollars and thirty-nine cents ($309,242.39).

The amount of money raised and expended by the city during the war for State aid to soldiers families, and repaid by the Commonwealth, was as follows: In 1861, $20,276.24; in 1862, $87,239.31; in 1863, $90,000.00; in 1864, $85,000.00; in 1865, $52,000.00. Total amount, $334,515.55.

The ladies of Lowell formed a Soldiers' Aid Society as early as April 20, 1861, which continued in vigorous action until the end of the war. A fair held in April, 1863, under the management of the ladies netted five thousand dollars. A great many boxes of clothing and sanitary stores were sent almost daily through the agencies of the Sanitary and Christian Commissions to the soldiers in camp and in the hospitals. We have not been able to get an exact statement of the value of the articles thus furnished, but good judges estimate that one hundred thousand dollars were raised in Lowell during the four years of the war by voluntary contributions for the Sanitary and Christian Commissions, and for private relief connected with the war. It is claimed that Judge Crosby of Lowell gave the first money ($100) in aid of the soldiers (April 18, 1861) that was given anywhere. His example was followed by other generous citizens, among them General Butler, who gave his check for five hundred dollars.


[425]

Malden

Incorporated May 2, 1649. Population in 1860, 5,865; in 1865, 6,871. Valuation in 1860, $3,366,963; in 1865, $4,040,431.

The selectmen in 1861 were John S. Rice, Henry H. Hyde, Paschal P. P. Ware; in 1862, Hubbard Russell, Henry H. Hyde, John S. Nichols; in 1863, Hubbard Russell, John Fenderson, Samuel Shute; in 1864, Hubbard Russell, John Fenderson, Samuel Shute, John H. Abbott, Edward Fuller; in 1865, John H. Abbott, Samuel Shute, Elisha B. Loring.

The town-clerk during all the years of the war was A. F. Sargent. The town-treasurer during the same period was Henry A. Newhall.

1861. A citizens' meeting was held on the 20th of April, the day after the attack upon the Sixth Regiment in Baltimore, at which it was—

Resolved, That we believe it to be the duty of every lover of his country and his race to assist in crushing out the Rebellion and treason now existing in the Southern States.

Resolved, That the town of Malden, true to its ancient history, will furnish the men and means to the extent of her ability for this object; and we recommend the immediate formation of a company of volunteer militia to aid in preserving the Government of the United States.

Messrs. J. H. Abbott, George D. B. Blanchard, J. S. Rice, Paschal P. P. Ware, M. Crocker, and L. L. Fuller were appointed a committee ‘to raise funds and appropriate the same for uniforms and other articles necessary for the comfort of the volunteers.’ J. S. Rice was appointed treasurer; the amount of money subscribed and paid was twenty-five hundred and twenty-six dollars and six cents, all of which was properly expended.

The first legal town-meeting was held on the 1st of May, at which ten thousand dollars were appropriated to be expended under the direction of the selectmen, and a committee of seven citizens, for ‘the comfort and support of the families of those who have been or may be called into the naval or military service of the United States, and who shall be inhabitants of Malden.’ [426]

1862. July 16th, The selectmen were authorized to pay a bounty of one hundred dollars to each volunteer who shall enlist for three years military service, and be credited to the quota of the town. David L. Webster, Rev. Gilbert Haven, and thirty others were chosen to assist the selectmen in recruiting. July 26th, A citizens' meeting was held, at which upwards of twenty-seven hundred dollars were subscribed by inhabitants of the town to encourage recruiting. A. D. Lamson was chosen treasurer. August 11th, At a legal town-meeting the treasurer was authorized to borrow two thousand dollars to be used by the recruiting committee ‘as in their judgment may best promote the enlistment of men to fill the quota of the town.’ August 27th, The bounty to volunteers for nine months service was fixed at one hundred dollars, and the treasurer was authorized to borrow ten thousand dollars for that purpose.

Active measures were taken by the town all through the war to enlist volunteers and keep the quota of the town filled.

Malden, according to the returns made by the selectmen in 1866, furnished five hundred and sixty-seven men for the war, which is at least seventy-five less than the actual number, as at the end of the war it had a surplus of seventy-one over and above all demands. Sixteen were commissioned officers. The whole amount of money appropriated and expended by the town on account of the war, exclusive of State aid, was sixty thousand and eighty-five dollars ($60,085.00).11

The amount of money raised and expended by the town during the war for State aid to the families of soldiers, and which was repaid by the Commonwealth, was as follows: In 1861, $2,600.00; in 1862, $7,561.20; in 1863, $8,907.13; in 1864, $8,000.00; in 1865, $4,800.00. Total amount, $31,868.33.

The ladies of Malden were extremely active and liberal during [427] all the years of the war in their good works for the soldiers, and forwarded to the seat of war great quantities of hospital stores, under-clothing, bedding, lint and bandages, and other necessary articles for the comfort of the sick and wounded.


Marlborough

Incorporated May 31, 1660. Population in 1860, 5,911; in 1865, 7,209. Valuation in 1860, $1,876,599; in 1865, $2,530,622.

The selectmen in 1861 were Isaac Hayden, B. F. Underhill, Stephen Morse, George E. Manson, John Goodale; in 1862 and 1863, B. F. Underhill, William H. Wood, John F. Cotting; in 1864 and 1865, William Wilson, Frederick H. Morse, Charles H. Robinson.

The town-clerk in 1861 and 1862 was John Phelps; in 1863, 1864, and 1865, Edward L. Bigelow. The town-treasurer in 1861 was Winslow M. Warren; in 1862, 1863, 1864, and 1865, N. Wetherbee.

1861. A town-meeting was held April 29th. Hollis Loring presented a preamble setting forth in patriotic language the treasonable conduct of the Southern secessionists, and a resolution to support the Government with their lives and fortunes. Hollis Loring, L. E. Wakefield, O. W. Albee, Samuel Boyd, and Edward Walker were appointed to consider and report what action the town should take in the existing crisis. This committee reported that the sum of ten thousand dollars be appropriated as a war fund, to be placed at the disposal of ten citizens, for the aid of the volunteers from that town who had enlisted or might hereafter enlist, and their families. The above-named gentlemen were selected as part of the committee; and M. Fay, William H. Wood, Stephen Morse, Elbridge House, and Francis Brigham were chosen to complete the committee of ten. The treasurer was authorized to borrow ten thousand dollars, and hold the same subject to the orders of the committee. July 13th, The selectmen were directed to pay aid to the families of volunteers in accordance with a recent act of the Legislature.

1862. April 7th, The selectmen were authorized to borrow six thousand dollars for aid to the families of volunteers. July 21st, Voted, to pay a bounty of one hundred and twenty-five [428] dollars to each volunteer enlisting to the credit of the town, and the selectmen were authorized to borrow six thousand five hundred dollars for that purpose. At this meeting a series of excellent resolutions were presented by O. W. Albee, which were unanimously adopted. They set forth, first, that the citizens of Marlborough would stand firm in support of the Government; second, that if slavery stands in the way of a successful prosecution of the war then slavery must perish; third, was complimentary to the volunteers, native and adopted, who had enlisted from the town; fourth, that the names of Casey and Reagan, who had died on the battlefield, would always be gratefully cherished by the people of Marlborough; fifth, that it was the duty of the citizens to respond to every call of the President for men; sixth, that although patriotism can neither be weighed nor measured by money, yet the town would compensate, in part at least, the pecuniary sacrifices of the volunteers at the front. August 21st, A bounty of one hundred and twenty-five dollars was authorized to be paid to each volunteer for nine months service, and the treasurer was authorized to borrow money to pay the same.

1863. August 10th, Voted, to borrow not exceeding five thousand dollars for aid to the families of volunteers or drafted men residing in the town.

1864. March 7th, Voted, that the selectmen give aid to the relatives of soldiers, ‘within the spirit and scope of the law.’ April 4th, Voted, to borrow ten thousand dollars to pay aid to the families of enlisted men; also, that ten thousand dollars be raised by taxation to refund to citizens money which they had advanced for recruiting purposes. June 8th, The selectmen were authorized to appoint three agents to look after the sick and wounded soldiers from that town, and to provide at the expense of the town for the return of the bodies of those citizens who have died or may die in the military or naval service. June 18th, The selectmen were authorized to pay a bounty of one hundred and twenty-five dollars to each volunteer enlisting to the credit of the town, and to borrow a sufficient sum of money to pay the same; the amount thus borrowed to be raised by taxation at the next annual assessment. December 9th, The selectmen [429] were directed to continue recruiting, in anticipation of another call for men by the President, and to pay the same bounties.

1865. March 6th, The treasurer was authorized to borrow not exceeding fifteen thousand dollars for aid to the families of volunteers.

Marlborough furnished seven hundred and thirty-one men for the war, which was a surplus of twenty-eight over and above all demands. Twenty-one were commissioned officers. The whole amount of money raised and expended by the town for war purposes, exclusive of State aid, was fifty-one thousand five hundred and eighty-four dollars and eleven cents ($51,584.11).

The amount of money raised and expended by the town during the war for State aid to the families of soldiers, and which was repaid by the Commonwealth, was as follows: In 1861, $3,179.37; in 1862, $9,147.30; in 1863, $9,941.78; in 1864, $14,400.00; in 1865, $8,700.00. Total amount, $45,368.45.


Medford

Incorporated Sept. 28, 1630. Population in 1860, 4,842; in 1865, 4,860. Valuation in 1860, $4,978.071; in 1865, $5,491,054.

The selectmen in 1861 were Albert H. Butters, Joshua T. Foster, E. Boynton, Jr.; in 1862, E. Boynton, Jr., Charles S. Jacobs, Francis E. Foster; in 1863, Albert H. Butters, Alvah N. Cotton, William B. Thomas; in 1864, Nathan W. Bridge, John P. Perry, Atwood Litchfield, Jr., Charles Currier, Charles Russell, Henry M. Wild, Francis H. Kidder; in 1865, Nathan W. Bridge, John P. Perry, Charles Currier, Charles Russell, Joshua Clark, Parker R. Litchfield, Elbridge Teel.

The town-clerk in 1861, 1862, 1863, and 1864 was Joseph P. Hall; in 1865, Parker R. Litchfield. The town-treasurer during all of these years was George B. Green.

1861. A meeting of citizens was held on the 18th of April, at which the following preamble and resolutions were adopted:—

Whereas the President of the United States has called upon all true and loyal citizens to aid and support the General Government, and to protect the property and enforce the laws thereof; and whereas the Governor of this Commonwealth has called upon our friends and [430] fellow citizens to do their duty as patriots and soldiers; therefore be it—

Resolved, By us, the citizens of Medford, that we will, to our utmost ability, assist in the preparation and outfit of those who have generously volunteered their services to fight for the good cause, and glorious Union.

Resolved, That we will regard the wives and families of those who go forth to battle as a sacred trust, to be religiously respected and protected.

Resolved, That a committee of thirteen be appointed by this meeting to raise funds and appropriate the same to these objects.12

The first legal town meeting was held on the 13th of June, at which five thousand dollars were appropriated for State aid to the soldiers' families.

1862. July 21st, A bounty of one hundred dollars was directed to be paid to each volunteer to the number of one hundred and one, who shall enlist within two weeks, for three years, and be mustered in and credited to the quota of the town. August 4th, A resolution was passed approving of the new call for three hundred thousand more men, and earnestly requesting the President to prosecute the war with vigor, and ‘to use all rebel property within the reach of our armies for their support, and all the slaves of the rebels to preserve the lives and preserve the health of our soldiers.’ August 11th, The following resolution was passed—

Resolved, That, having merged all political parties into one great war party, we expect our Governments, State and National, to prosecute the war with the utmost vigor, and to use all the means at their command to bring it to a speedy and successful conclusion.

A resolution in favor of employing colored regiments was offered but was indefinitely postponed, and one heartily approving ‘the course of the present administration’ was adopted. [431]

1863. November 3d, The selectmen were authorized to open a recruiting office, and to pay a bounty of two hundred dollars to each volunteer who shall enlist for three years and be credited to the quota of the town. They were also requested to call public meetings to encourage recruiting, and to petition his Excellency the Governor to call an extra session of the Legislature to pass a law legalizing the payment of bounties to volunteers, under the last call of the President. A committee was appointed to raise by subscription ‘a guarantee fund to secure the payment of bounties in case it cannot be legally paid by the town.’

1864. March 7th, The selectmen were requested ‘to consider and report some place to perpetuate the memory of those who have fallen or may hereafter fall in defence of our Union;’ also, ‘to pay whatever in their judgment is necessary for the support of families of volunteers, without regard to what the State may allow.’

Medford furnished five hundred and fifty-seven men for the war, which was a surplus of sixty-one men over and above all demands. Twenty-one were commissioned officers. The whole amount of money appropriated and expended by the town on account of the war, exclusive of State aid, was fifty-six thousand and ninety-nine dollars and eighty cents ($56,099.80).

The amount of money raised and expended by the town for the payment of State aid to soldiers' families during the war, and repaid by the Commonwealth, was as follows: In 1861, $1,076.46; in 1862, $7,655.17; in 1863, $12,412.37; in 1864, $10,000.00; in 1865, $6,400.00. Total amount, $37,544.50.


Melrose

Incorporated May 3, 1850. Population in 1860, 2,532; in 1865, 2,866. Valuation in 1860, $1,373,324; in 1865, $1,704,583.

The selectmen in 1861, 1862, and 1863, were John H. Clark, George M. Fletcher, William B. Burgess; in 1864, John H. Clark, William E. Fuller, William B. Burgess; in 1865, Wingate P. Sargent, George M. Fletcher, Isaac Emerson, Jr.

The town-clerk during the years 1861, 1862, 1863, and 1864 [432] was Edward R. Knights; in 1865, Stinson Sewell. The town-treasurer during 1861, 1862, 1863, and 1864 was Caleb Howard; in 1865, David Fairbanks.

1861. The first legal town-meeting to act upon matters connected with the war was held on the 6th of May, at which three thousand dollars were appropriated for aid to the families of volunteers, and to purchase necessary equipments for citizens who should enlist in the military service; to each of whom with a family the monthly sum of fifteen dollars was paid by the town, and to single men ten dollars a month while in the military service. The town-treasurer was authorized to borrow the money, and John H. Clark, William B. Burgess, and George M. Fletcher were appointed to superintend the disbursement of the money.

1862. July 14th, A citizens' meeting was held to adopt measures to fill the quota of the town under a late call of the President for three hundred thousand men. A proposition was adopted, that ‘enough of the citizens of the town to fill the quota then and there pledge themselves either to enlist or furnish substitutes.’ Nineteen gentlemen signed the pledge. July 28th, A legal town-meeting was held, which confirmed the proceedings of the citizens' meeting. A bounty of one hundred dollars to each volunteer for three years service was directed to be paid by the selectmen when mustered in and credited to the quota of the town. Two hundred dollars were appropriated to pay expenses of recruiting, and a committee was appointed to aid the selectmen in filling the quota of the town. Henry A. Norris offered fifty dollars to the first five men who would enlist. Daniel W. Wilcox offered to pay ten dollars to each of the next ten men who would enlist, and N. B. Bryant the same amount to each person who would sign the enlistment roll that evening. An adjourned meeting was held on the evening of the 2d of August, at which patriotic speeches were made by distinguished gentlemen. The effect of these meetings speedily filled the quota of the town. August 21st, Voted, to pay a bounty of one hundred and fifty dollars to each volunteer who enlists for nine months service, when mustered in and credited to the town. Three hundred dollars were appropriated for recruiting expenses, [433] and a committee of twenty-five was appointed to aid recruiting.

Meetings were held during the years 1863, 1864, and 1865, at which committees were appointed to aid the selectmen in recruiting volunteers, and money was appropriated for the payment of bounties, and of State aid to the soldiers' families. A well-written and handsomely printed volume, prepared by Elbridge H. Goss, entitled ‘The Melrose Memorial,’ contains a very full and complete history of Melrose in the war, which is in every respect creditable to the author and to the citizensof the place.

Melrose furnished four hundred and sixteen men for the war,13 which was a surplus of seventy-three over and above all demands. Nine were commissioned officers. The whole amount of money appropriated and expended by the town on account of the war, exclusive of State aid, was thirty-eight thousand five hundred and ninety-two dollars and seventy cents ($38,592.70).

The amount of money raised and expended by the town during the war for aid to soldiers' families, and repaid by the Commonwealth, was as follows: In 1861, $747.63; in 1862, $4,110.17; in 1863, $6,500.00; in 1864, $4,700.00; in 1865, $3,900.00. Total amount, $19,957.80.

The ladies of Melrose performed a great deal of good work for the soldiers during the war, and a very considerable amount of money was collected in the various churches for the Christian and Sanitary Commissions, and for the soldiers directly.


Natick

Incorporated —— —, 1762. Population in 1860, 5,515; in 1865, 5,220. Valuation in 1860, $1,788,549; in 1865, $1,841,121. The selectmen in 1861, 1862, 1863, and 1864 were Willard Drury, William Edwards, C. B. Travis; in 1865, C. B. Travis, Jackson Bigelow, Dexter Washburn. The town-clerk in 1861 and 1862 was Henry Coggin; in 1863, 1864, and 1865, George L. Sleeper. The town-treasurer during all of these years was Nathaniel Clark. [434]

1861. The first legal town-meeting to act upon matters relating to the war was held on the 29th of April, at which five thousand dollars were appropriated, to be expended under the direction of the selectmen for the benefit of soldiers' families. May 7th, The selectmen were authorized to expend one thousand dollars for a uniform to be given to the ‘Natick Mechanic Rifle Company.’ They were also authorized to purchase for the use of the company certain tents belonging to the Woburn Phalanx. Messrs. Hobart Moore, Charles Bigelow, and William Nutt, a committee appointed at a previous meeting, reported in favor of furnishing each soldier with a rubber blanket and a pair of woollen stockings, and each commissioned officer and musician with a revolver, when called into active service. The report was accepted, and five hundred dollars were appropriated to carry its recommendations into effect. July 17th, The treasurer was authorized to borrow ten thousand dollars for State aid to soldiers' families during the year; also, fourteen hundred dollars for payment of expenses already incurred and ‘contracts heretofore made.’

1862. April 7th, The selectmen were instructed to borrow whatever money might be required for the payment of State aid to soldiers' families during the year, and to exceed the amount allowed by law to a family if in their judgment it was best so to do. July 25th, Voted, to pay a bounty of one hundred and fifty dollars to each volunteer who shall enlist for three years and be credited to the quota of the town. August 30th, The same bounty was authorized to be paid to volunteers for nine months service, and the treasurer was directed to borrow money to pay the same.

1863. April 6th, The selectmen were authorized to borrow money for the payment of State aid to soldiers' families, and to exceed the amount allowed by law in cases wherein it would be proper.

1864. April 1st, The bounty to volunteers who should thereafter enlist for three years service, and be credited to the quota of the town, was fixed at one hundred and twenty-five dollars. May 23d, Voted, to pay the same bounty to men who may be drafted, and to re-enlisted veterans who should be credited to [435] the quota of the town. The treasurer was authorized to borrow money to pay the same.

Natick furnished about six hundred and twenty-five men for the war, which was a surplus of fifty-five over and above all demands. Thirty were commissioned officers. The whole amount of money appropriated and expended by the town on account of the war, exclusive of State aid, was thirty-eight thousand five hundred and seventy-five dollars and twenty-nine cents ($38,575.29).14

The amount of money raised and expended by the town during the war for State aid to soldiers' families, and repaid by the Commonwealth, was as follows: In 1861, $3,188.39; in 1862, $10,473.01; in 1863, $13,559.75; in 1864, $15,000.00; in 1865, $7,600.00. Total amount, $49,821.15.

The ladies of Natick, like their sisters in other towns, were generous in their labors in behalf of the soldiers. They sent a number of boxes filled with articles of comfort to the hospitals. Among the articles which they contained were 196 shirts, 215 pairs of drawers, 91 dressing gowns, 357 handkerchiefs, 99 towels, etc. The money value of the contributions was nearly eighteen hundred dollars.


Newton

Incorporated Dec. 15, 1691. Population in 1860, 8,382; in 1865, 8,978. Valuation in 1860, $7,146,081; in 1865, $9,800,738.

The selectmen of the town during the entire war were Thomas Rice, Jr., Samuel F. Dix, F. A. Collins, Orrin Whipple, J. F. C. Hyde.

The town-clerk during the same period was Marshall S. Rice, and the town-treasurer was Edward J. Collins.

1861. On the day the Massachusetts Sixth Regiment (April 19th) was attacked in Baltimore, the selectmen issued a warrant for a town-meeting to be held on the 29th, to see what action the town would take in regard to the war. At that meeting D. H. Mason introduced a series of resolutions, with [436] a preamble, setting forth the actual state of the country, and the determination of the town to do every thing in its power to support the Government. The selectmen were directed ‘to take and appropriate from any money at that time in the treasury of said town during the current year a sufficient sum, not exceeding twenty thousand dollars, to fully arm and equip in the most approved and effectual manner one company or more of volunteer militia who have enlisted, or may hereafter enlist, from said town in the service of the United States.’ The families of the enlisted men were to be provided with ‘all the needed and necessary comforts of life in sickness and in health, as long as the exigency requires;’ and if any of the soldiers should die in the service, the ‘town will tenderly care for their remains, and furnish them a suitable burial.’ It was also resolved, unanimously, that the people of Newton ‘have the most perfect faith and confidence in our present form of Government, and in the wisdom and patriotism of its framers; and that without distinction of party or party lines, in our heart of hearts we revere and love their virtues and their memories. The cause of this Union is our cause, and to its support, with a firm reliance on the protection of divine Providence, we pledge our lives, our fortunes and our sacred honors.’ The resolutions were discussed by Mr. Mason, J. Wiley Edmunds, Andrew H. Ward, Jr., William McIntosh and others, and unanimously adopted. It was also voted that T. M. Bryan, Jr., E. W. Dennison, and J. C. Potter, Jr., be a committee, in connection with the selectmen, to furnish uniforms, arms, and underclothes for the volunteers. A paper was also read, signed by fourteen of the most esteemed and influential ladies of the town, tendering their services to make the under-clothing for the soldiers, which was properly considered. The selectmen were authorized to pay to each volunteer from the town a sum not exceeding twenty dollars a month, in addition to Government pay while in the service; also to pay to the families of those citizens of Newton who have gone into other companies, the same monthly allowance as those who have enlisted in the Newton Company. The meeting dissolved, after which three cheers were given for the Union, and three for the Newton Company. [437] June 11th, A town-meeting was held. The selectmen reported they had expended twelve hundred dollars in aid of the company raised in Newton, but had failed to have it accepted, and that there was no prospect that it would be accepted ‘for a year to come.’ (At this time the Secretary of War, Mr. Cameron, thought he had troops enough.) The selectmen were authorized to pay from the treasury of the town all obligations entered into by the town with said company, up to that date. The thanks of the town were voted ‘to the patriotic young men who had so nobly come forward and offered their services;’ also to the selectmen for their wise and prudent management in the work of recruiting.

1862. In town-meeting, November 4th, Voted, to approve the action of the selectmen in obtaining volunteers to fill the quota of the town, to assume all liabilities contracted by them in holding meetings and paying bounties, and that the sum of forty thousand dollars be appropriated for that purpose. Two thousand dollars were also appropriated to pay the expenses of burial of all soldiers belonging to the town who die in the service, three hundred dollars to relieve ‘extraordinary necessities’ of Newton soldiers at the front, two thousand dollars ‘to relieve the necessities of discharged and returned soldiers,’ two thousand dollars for the recovery of the bodies and the burial of deceased soldiers, ‘including what had already been paid for such purpose,’ and one thousand dollars for the support of the families of inhabitants of Newton serving in the United-States navy.

1863. At a special town-meeting held August 7th, it was voted that the balance of money appropriated to families of volunteers at a former meeting ‘be now appropriated to families of drafted men;’ also that the selectmen be authorized to borrow five thousand dollars to aid the families of the soldiers; also to aid the families of deceased or disabled soldiers of Newton. After the business named in the warrant was completed, an informal meeting was held; a large committee was appointed to consider the expediency of erecting a monument in memory of the soldiers of Newton who had died, or who might thereafter die, in the service of their country. [438]

1864. At the annual town-meeting held March 7th, the town voted to appropriate fifteen thousand dollars for aid to the families of volunteers. April 4th, Eight thousand dollars were voted to meet the expenses incurred in recruiting; and a further sum of fifteen thousand dollars was appropriated to meet expenses which may be incurred during the year in recruiting volunteers and paying bounties. August 5th, A committee of five was appointed to canvass the town and ascertain how many persons there were who were liable to be drafted, and to solicit subscriptions from all persons; and any person drafted and held to service, to have the amount subscribed by him refunded by the town. At the same meeting the sum of twenty thousand dollars was appropriated for war purposes.

1865. At the annual meeting held March 6th, the town appropriated five thousand nine hundred and thirteen dollars and twenty-two cents to cover the deficiency existing in recruiting expenses and paying bounties, and a vote of thanks was unanimously passed to the selectmen for their valuable services during the war.

Newton furnished one thousand and sixty-seven men for the war, which was a surplus of sixty-four over and above all demands. Thirty-six were commissioned officers. The total amount of money appropriated and expended by the town for war purposes, exclusive of State aid, was one hundred and five thousand seven hundred and twenty dollars and forty-three cents ($105,720.43).

The amount of money raised and expended by the town during the war for State aid to soldiers' families, and repaid by the Commonwealth, was as follows: In 1861, $1,490.23; in 1862, $7,479.09; in 1863, $10,637.38; in 1864, $10,000.00; in 1865, $8,000.00. Total amount, $37,606.70.

Newton has erected a very handsome monument, in honor of its gallant men who fell in the war, the cost of which was upwards of five thousand dollars, of which some twelve hundred dollars were raised by general subscription of the adult population of the town. The amount which each subscribed was limited to one dollar. Eleven hundred of the school children paid into the general fund each one dime.


[439]

North Reading

Incorporated March 22, 1853. Population in 1860, 1,203; in 1865, 991. Valuation in 1860, $527,890; in 1865, $577,389.

The selectmen in 1861 were Joel A. Abbott, James L. Eaton, Charles P. Howard; in 1862, Charles P. Howard, Joel A. Abbott, Isaac Flint; in 1863, Daniel G. Abbott, Benjamin Eames, Albert H. Holt; in 1864, Daniel G. Abbott, John B. Campbell, Albert H. Holt; in 1865, Daniel G. Abbott, Albert H. Holt, Isaac Flint.

The town-clerk from 1853, and all through the war, was Charles P. Howard. The town-treasurer in 1861, 1862, and 1863 was Alanson A. Upton; in 1864 and 1865, Benjamin Eames.

1861. The first town-meeting to act upon matters relating to the war was held May 4th, at which it was voted to appropriate one thousand dollars for the relief of the families of soldiers who had already enlisted, and of those who might afterwards enter the military service, and five hundred dollars for the soldiers themselves. September 27th, The town-treasurer was authorized to borrow ‘such sums of money under instructions from the selectmen as shall be wanted from time to time.’

1862. April 25th, Voted, to appropriate a sum of money not to exceed twelve hundred dollars for the support of the families of volunteers living in the town, two hundred dollars for the sick and wounded soldiers, and for the transportation and burial of the bodies of those who had already fallen in battle. July 25th, The selectmen were instructed to enlist twenty-one men to fill the quota of the town under the pending call of the President, and to pay each volunteer a bounty of one hundred dollars; also, to pay the same bounty to each volunteer who had already enlisted, ‘and who actually belonged to North Reading.’ August 14th, Voted, to pay a bounty of one hundred and fifty dollars to each volunteer ‘to fill the next quota.’ A sum not exceeding forty-five hundred dollars was appropriated for that purpose; also one thousand dollars for aid to the families of volunteers.

1863. November 16th, Voted, to appropriate five hundred [440] dollars ‘for the benefit of discharged, invalid, and disabled soldiers and their families.’

1864. March 26th, Voted, to raise sixteen hundred dollars to pay bounties to volunteers enlisting to the credit of the town. June 10th, The treasurer was authorized to borrow twenty-five hundred dollars ‘for the purpose of raising volunteers for future calls of the President of the United States.’ August 22d, Voted, to pay a bounty of one hundred and twenty-five dollars ‘for each man for the present call.’

1865. Two meetings were held January 14th and March 6th, at which it was voted to continue recruiting, and to pay to each volunteer a bounty of one hundred and twenty-five dollars.

North Reading furnished one hundred and thirty-one men for the war, which was a surplus of seven over and above all demands. One was a commissioned officer. The total amount of money appropriated and expended by the town for war purposes, exclusive of State aid, was twenty-five thousand three hundred and fifteen dollars ($25,315.00.)

The amount of money raised and expended by the town during the war for State aid to soldiers' families, and repaid by the Commonwealth, was as follows: In 1861, $335.40; in 1862, $1,800.79; in 1863, $2,635.30; in 1864, $4,056.88; in. 1865, $3,000.00. Total amount, $11,828.37.


Pepperell

Incorporated April 6, 1753. Population in 1860, 1,895; in 1865, 1,709. Valuation in 1860, $754,506; in 1865, $924,405.

The selectmen in 1861 were Sumner Carter, William A. Ames, Henry H. Blood; in 1862 and 1863, John Loring, Albert Leighton, Henry D. Shattuck; in 1864, Sumner Carter, Henry D. Shattuck, Jacob Miller; in 1865, Sumner Carter, Henry D. Shattuck, Putnam Shattuck.

The town-clerk in 1861, 1862, and 1863 was Charles Crosby; in 1864, Levi Wallace; in 1865, David W. Jewett. The town-treasurer in 1861, 1862, and 1863 was Charles Crosby; in 1864 and 1865, Levi Wallace.

1861. On the 22d of April a citizens' meeting was held in Central Hall, at which several patriotic speeches were made, and [441] a series of resolutions adopted. A legal town-meeting was held on the 30th of April, when Deacon Charles Crosby, from the citizens' meeting of April 22d, presented a preamble and resolutions, which were discussed at length and unanimously adopted. One of the resolutions was as follows:—

Resolved, That as citizens of the United States we assert our unwavering attachment to our National Union, made sacred by the blood of our fathers, who marched through the sanguinary struggle of the Revolution, which was perfected by the adoption of the Constitution.

The other resolutions assert that any attempt to subvert the Constitution and divide the Union must be put down; that it was the duty of the President to uphold the Union and enforce the laws; that in his call for troops he was right, and would receive the support of the people; that ‘this was no time for any man to stand neutral, nor shrink from responsibility, but to rally around and support the constitutional authorities; that it was our duty to bid God-speed to our fellow citizens who had engaged or should engage in the war, and to take good care of their families when they were absent.’ Two thousand dollars were appropriated to pay each volunteer from the town ten dollars upon enlistment, and ten dollars a month while in the military service of the country, provided the whole amount shall not exceed two thousand dollars. A vigilance committee of ten was chosen ‘for the suppression of disloyalty in the community.’ October 7th, Voted, to give all needful aid to the families of soldiers.

1862. July 22d, Voted, to pay a bounty of one hundred and twenty-five dollars to each volunteer who enlists for three years, and is mustered in to the credit of the town. A committee was appointed to co-operate with the ladies of Pepperell, in obtaining recruits. August 26th, The selectmen were authorized to pay a bounty of one hundred dollars to each volunteer for nine months service. December 16th, It was voted to enlist no more nine-months men, but to pay a bounty of one hundred and fifty dollars to each volunteer for three years service, and to pay the same to each drafted man if there should be any.

1864. June 29th, The selectmen were given discretionary [442] power to recruit men, and to pay such bouuties as they might deem necessary in order to fill the quota of the town; and this was continued until the end of the war.

Pepperell furnished one hundred and eighty-six men for the war, which was a surplus of thirteen over and above all demands. Five were commissioned officers. The whole amount of money appropriated and expended by the town on account of the war, exclusive of State aid, was sixteen thousand two hundred and eighty-two dollars and seventy-five cents ($16,282.75).

The amount of money raised and expended by the town during the war for State aid to soldiers' families, and repaid by the Commonwealth, was as follows: In 1861, $353.54; in 1862, $2,429.42; in 1863, $2,943.15; in 1864, $2,700.00; in 1865, $1,450.00. Total amount, $9,876.11.

The ladies of Pepperell were constant in their endeavors to do good for the soldiers at the front, and forwarded during the war to the Sanitary and Christian Commissions articles valued at thirty-two hundred and fifty dollars. The Rev. Charles Babbidge went out with the Sixth Regiment of three-months men in April 1861, as chaplain, and with the Twenty-Sixth three-years regiment. With the exception of two months he was on duty from the beginning to the end of the war. Rev. Edward P. Smith, of Pepperell, was a valued and active member of the Christian Commission.


Reading

Incorporated May 29, 1644. Population in 1860, 2,662; in 1865, 2,436. Valuation in 1860, $1,269,570; in 1865, $1,293,056.

The selectmen in 1861 were James S. Campbell, J. Brooks Leathe, Milo Parker; in 1862, James S. Campbell, J. Brooks Leathe, Solon A. Parker; in 1863, 1864, and 1865, James S. Campbell, Joseph L. Pratt, Solon A. Parker.

The town-clerk in 1861, and part of 1862, was Jonathan Baldwin; in part of 1862 and in 1863, 1864, and 1865, Wiliam J. Wightman. The town-treasurer during all the years of the war was George Batchelder.

1861. Under the first call of the President, April 15, for seventy-five thousand men, twenty-one men of Reading enlisted, [443] and on the 19th started for Washington. They were in the first battle of Bull Run. April 30th, Provision was made for aid to the families of volunteers. June 4th, Five thousand dollars were appropriated for State aid to soldiers' families as provided by law; also voted to pay each inhabitant ‘who enlists for the war twenty-five dollars for an outfit.’

1862. March 3d, Three thousand dollars were appropriated for aid to soldiers' families. July 17th, Voted, to pay each volunteer who enlists for three years and is credited to the quota of the town a bounty of one hundred dollars. August 26th, Voted, to pay a bounty of one hundred and fifty dollars to each volunteer for nine months service. September 15th, This bounty was directed to be paid to each man, not exceeding fifty-five, ‘who shall enlist in the Reading Company,’ Company D, Fiftieth Regiment Massachusetts Volunteers, then in camp at Boxford.

1863. Abiel Holden, Esq., bequeathed five hundred dollars for the erection of a monument to the memory of Reading men who had died or might die in the military or naval service of the country during the war, on condition that the town appropriated the same amount for that purpose.

The town on the 6th of March, 1865, appropriated one thousand dollars to be added to the bequest of Mr. Holden. The monument was erected and dedicated with appropriate solemnities, October 5th, of the same year. This is believed to have been the first monument erected in the State in memory of the men who fell in the Rebellion. On it are inscribed the names of forty-six Reading men, who died in the cause of their country.

Reading furnished four hundred and eleven men for the war, which was a surplus of thirty-four over and above all demands. Thirteen were commissioned officers. The whole amount of money appropriated and expended by the town on account of the war, exclusive of State aid, was thirty-seven thousand nine hundred and seventy-one dollars and eleven cents ($37,971.11).

The amount of money raised and expended by the town during the war for State aid to soldiers' families, and repaid [444] by the Commonwealth, was as follows: In 1861, $2,251.31; in 1862, $5,921.47; in 1863, $7,472.18; in 1864, $6,143,88; in 1865, $4,100.00. Total amount, $25,888.84.

The ladies of Reading met two or three times a week during the war to prepare lint, bandages, and clothing for the soldiers, and forwarded them to the army and to the Sanitary Commission. They kept no record of their good works; one of them, Miss Emily Ruggles, furnished a representative recruit ‘for three years service.’


Sherborn

Incorporated May 27, 1674. Population in 1860, 1,129; in 1865, 1,049. Valuation in 1860, $873,154; in 1865, $869,539.

The selectmen in 1861 were Nathaniel Dowse, George B. Hooker, Charles Hill; in 1862, Nathaniel Dowse, Jeremiah R. Hawes, Leonard T. Morse; in 1863, and 1864, Nathaniel Dowse, Leonard T. Morse, James H. Leland; in 1865, James H. Leland, Leonard T. Morse, Lowell Coolidge.

The town-clerk and town-treasurer during all these years was Joseph Dowse, Jr.

1861. The first legal town-meeting to act upon war matters was held on the 1st of May, at which Elbridge Sanger, Rev. T. H. Dorr, and W. Chamberlain, ‘were chosen a committee to prepare and report resolutions as a basis of action.’ They reported the following which was preceded by a patriotic Preamble:—

Resolved, That the people of this town place the most perfect reliance and trust in the present form of our Government; that we believe it to have been founded in wisdom and patriotism, and that we will throw aside all party feelings, and with a firm reliance on the blessing of God, pledge our lives, our fortunes, and our sacred honor, to uphold and perpetuate the Government and institutions of the United States.

The committee also recommended the appropriation of two thousand dollars to furnish clothing to the volunteers who should enlist from that town, and for aid to their families; also to make the monthly pay of each volunteer seventeen dollars, including the Government pay. May 15th, Voted, that drafted [445] men have the same pay as volunteers. Three hundred and fifty dollars were appropriated to purchase guns and equipments for a drill company. November 5th, Five hundred dollars were appropriated for aid to soldiers' families, and ‘the use of the town hall with lights was given to the military free of expense.’

1862. July 22d, Voted, to pay a bounty of one hundred and twenty-five dollars to each of the fourteen men required to fill the quota of the town, who should enlist and be credited to Sherborn.15 A committee was chosen to solicit subscriptions ‘for fitting out soldiers.’ Three hundred and fifty dollars were collected. Several meetings were held about this time, at which war speeches were made by distinguished citizens from other places. August 23d, Voted, to pay a bounty of one hundred and fifty dollars to each nine-months volunteer enlisting to the credit of the town.

1863. March 2d, Three thousand dollars were appropriated for State aid to soldiers' families. June 1st, The selectmen were authorized to appropriate such further sum as may be necessary for the comfort of soldiers' families.

1864. August 4th, Voted, to pay a bounty of one hundred and twenty-five dollars to each volunteer who enlists for three years, and is credited to the town before the 1st of March, 1865.

1865. June 19th, Voted, to repay to citizens the money they had given to encourage recruiting; also one hundred and twenty-five dollars to each citizen who had paid commutation money, or had procured a substitute.

Sherborn furnished one hundred and eight men for the war, which was a surplus of sixteen over and above all demands. Three were commissioned officers. The whole amount of money appropriated and expended by the town on account of the war, exclusive of State aid, was twenty thousand five hundred and ten dollars ($20,510.00).

The amount of money raised and expended by the town [446] during the war for State aid to soldiers' families, and repaid by the Commonwealth, was as follows: In 1861, $118.34; in 1862, $1,021.24; in 1863, $1,515.70; in 1864, $1,336.94; in 1865, $800.00. Total amount, $4,792.22.

The ladies of Sherborn were very active in their labors for the comfort of the soldiers.


Shirley

Incorporated Jan. 5, 1753. Population in 1860, 1,468; in 1865, 1,217. Valuation in 1860, $662,067; in 1865, $676,275.

The selectmen in 1861 were James P. Longley, Samuel Farnsworth, Charles A. Edgarton; in 1862, 1863, and 1864, Stillman D. Benjamin, Nathaniel Hartwell, Alfred Page; in 1865, David Porter, George Davis, Edwin L. White.

The town-clerk during all these years was Zenas Brown. The town-treasurer in 1861, 1862, 1863, and 1864 was Thomas Whitney; in 1865, James P. Longley.

1861. A town-meeting was held April 30th, at which J. K. Going introduced resolutions, which were adopted, to the following effect: 1st. To pay all volunteers, citizens of the town who have enlisted or may enlist, twelve dollars a month, the same to be paid to their families at the discretion of the town, and if any should fall in battle the money to be paid to the families during the term for which the men enlisted; single men were to have the same paid to them or their legal representatives at the end of their terms of service; they were also to be furnished with proper outfits. 2d. Voted, to raise five hundred dollars by taxation for these purposes. 3d. James P. Longley, Samuel Farnsworth, and Charles A. Edgarton were chosen a committee to distribute the money.

1862. April 28th, Voted, to raise a thousand dollars for aid to the families of volunteers. June 19th, Voted, to borrow five hundred dollars for the same purpose. July 23d, Voted, to borrow sixteen hundred dollars to pay a bounty of one hundred dollars to each volunteer from that town, and to pay N. C. Munson for money already advanced by him. August 23d, The treasurer was authorized to borrow whatever sums of money were required to pay bounties to volunteers to fill the quota of the town. [447]

1863. July 27th, Voted, to pay a bounty of one hundred dollars to drafted men or their substitutes, if mustered in to the credit of the town; also, to pay aid to their families.

1864. April 25th, Voted, to repay to citizens of the town the amounts they had severally subscribed and paid for recruiting purposes. May—, Voted, to raise one thousand dollars for recruiting purposes, and to pay to certain recruits who had been credited to the town the sum of one hundred dollars each. July 5th, The town voted to raise two thousand dollars, and to pay volunteers a bounty of one hundred and twenty-five dollars. August 27th, Voted, to pay a bounty to each volunteer enlisting to the credit of the town one hundred and twenty-five dollars in gold; the selectmen to raise the money in such manner as they should think best. November 8th, Voted, to borrow two thousand dollars to pay bounties to volunteers.

1865. January 24th, The selectmen were authorized to recruit fifteen more men, and to borrow money sufficient to pay each a bounty of one hundred and twenty-five dollars, and to make up to those who had previously enlisted the same amount. March 6th, The selectmen were authorized to borrow a sum not exceeding three thousand dollars to fill the quota of the town in anticipation of another call for men. May 20th, Voted, to raise two thousand dollars to repay individuals the amounts they had voluntarily advanced for procuring volunteers.

Shirley furnished one hundred and forty-two men for the war, which was a surplus of eleven over and above all demands. Four were commissioned officers. The whole amount of money raised and expended by the town for war purposes, exclusive of State aid, was thirteen thousand seven hundred and fourteen dollars and twenty-three cents ($13,714.23).

The amount of money raised and appropriated by the town during the war for State aid to soldiers' families, and repaid by the Commonwealth, was as follows: In 1861, $211.96; in 1862, $1,308.97; in 1863, $1,588.86; in 1864, $1,407.15; in 1865, $1,000.00. Total amount, $5,516.94.


Somerville

Incorporated March 3, 1843. Population in 1860, 8,025; in 1865, 9,366. Valuation in 1860, $6,033,053; in 1865, $5,683,244. [448]

The selectmen in 1861 and 1862 were Henry A. Snow, Benjamin Randall, Albert Kenneson, Charles H. Guild, Thomas Cunningham; in 1863, Henry A. Snow, Thomas Cunningham, Levi Timson, John R. Poor, S. C. Whiteher; in 1864 and 1865, John R. Poor, Levi Timson, Francis Houghton, Nelson Howe, George W. Hadley. The town-clerk during all the years of the war was Charles E. Gilman. The town-treasurer in 1861 was Clark Bennett; in 1862, Robert A. Vinal; in 1863, 1864, and 1865, Thomas Cunningham.16 1861. The Somerville Light-Infantry Company having been ordered to Washington with the Fifth Regiment, to which it belonged, a large meeting of citizens was held on the 17th of April. Several speeches were made; a subscription paper was opened, and in a very short time $4,308.50 were subscribed and paid in for the benefit of the members and their families. Seven hundred dollars were given Captain George O. Brastow for the immediate use of the company, and smaller sums to each member. The remainder of the money was placed in the savings' bank, subject to the order of the selectmen of the town.17 April 29th, A legal town-meeting was held, at which suitable provision was made for the soldiers' families. Five thousand dollars were appropriated for that purpose. 1862. April 28th, Six thousand five hundred dollars were appropriated for State aid to soldiers' families. July 19th, Ninety-two men for three years service having been called for as the quota of the town, it was voted to pay a bounty to each volunteer to the number of one hundred, so as to make a full company; the bounty to be paid when the men were mustered in and credited to the town. A rallying committee of sixty was appointed to procure enlistments. August 27th, Voted, to pay a bounty of one hundred and twenty-five dollars to each volunteer [449] for nine months service. September 24th, An additional sum of seventy-five dollars was directed to be paid to each member of the Somerville Light Infantry ‘who may enlist in the nine-months service.’ The selectmen were given discretionary power to arrange for the support and comfort of the sick and wounded soldiers belonging to Somerville. December 17th, Ten thousand dollars were appropriated for payment of State aid.

1863. April 27th, An additional ten thousand dollars was appropriated for the same purpose. November 3d, The following resolution was passed:—

Resolved, Unanimously, that the people of this town will sustain the Federal Government in its efforts to break down the present rebellion in the Southern States; that for this purpose they will do their utmost to furnish their full quota of troops without conscription, and that they will, at any legal meeting hereafter assembled, ratify and provide money for any necessary expenditure which the selectmen may incur in furtherance of this object.

1864. March 28th, Twelve thousand five hundred dollars were appropriated for the payment of bounties to volunteers. A committee of twenty was appointed to aid the selectmen in the enlistment of volunteers. April 28th, Five hundred dollars were appropriated for the purchase of wood and coal for soldiers' families, and twelve thousand dollars for State aid. Several other meetings were held by the town, at which money was appropriated for recruiting purposes and for State aid to the families of volunteers.

Somerville furnished eleven hundred and thirty-five men for the war, which was a surplus of one hundred and forty-seven over and above all demands. Forty were commissioned officers. The whole amount of money appropriated and expended by the town on account of the war, exclusive of State aid, was one hundred and thirty-three thousand and thirty-nine dollars and forty-one cents ($133,039.41). In addition to this amount sixty-five thousand eight hundred and twenty-three dollars and thirty-eight cents ($65,823.38) were voluntarily contributed for recruiting purposes by citizens of Somerville.

The amount of money raised and expended during the war [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.18—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.’ [451]

1862. April 21st, Voted, that the military committee appointed in 1861 be discontinued. July 14th, The selectmen were given discretionary power to pay State aid to the families of volunteers. August 4th, The town assumed the payment of thirty-two hundred dollars, ‘which had been subscribed by individuals.’ George O. Carpenter, E. Mansfield, and S. Folger were appointed a recruiting committee. August 25th, Voted, to pay a bounty of one hundred dollars to each volunteer who shall enlist for nine months in the South Reading ‘Richardson Light Guard.’ September 8th, Voted, to pay the same bounty to each citizen of the town, ‘now serving in the Federal armies; and if he falls or dies the bounty shall be paid to his widow or legal representatives, provided he has not already received a bounty.’ December 22d, The recruiting committee was authorized to pay such bounties as they should deem proper to volunteers to fill the quota of the town.

1863. April 6th, Voted, to raise five hundred dollars for military purposes. June 1st, Voted, to pay a bounty of one hundred dollars to each volunteer belonging to the town in the three-years service, when honorably discharged; and if he should die in the service the same to be paid to his widow or heirs.

1864. April 4th, The selectmen were authorized to pay to the families of volunteers such aid as they might require for their comfortable support, ‘without regard to what the State will refund.’ Several other meetings were held during the year to adopt measures to obtain recruits, pay bounties, and give aid to the soldiers' families, ‘without regard to what the State will refund.’

South Reading furnished three hundred and eighty-six men for the war, which was a surplus of thirty-three over and above all demands. Twenty-eight were commissioned officers. The whole amount of money appropriated and expended for war purposes, exclusive of State aid, was forty-nine thousand four hundred and fifty-six dollars and forty-nine cents ($49,456.49).

The amount of money raised and expended during the war for State aid to soldiers' families, and which was repaid by the Commonwealth, was as follows: In 1861, $3,459.98; in 1862, $9,036.79; in 1863, $8,858.48; in 1864, $9,500.00; in 1865, $6,000.00. Total amount, $36,855.25.


[452]

Stoneham

Incorporated Dec. 17, 1725. Population in 1860, 3,206; in 1865, $3,299. Valuation in 1860, $1,207,701; in 1865, $1,333,637.

The selectmen in 1861 were Jesse Carter, Franklin Harriman, A. R. Green; in 1862, B. F. Richardson, Jesse Carter, H. H. French; in 1863, John Hill, Onslow Gilmore,——; in 1864, John Hill, L. F. Lynde, M. L. Morse, E. T. Whittier; in 1865, John Hill, M. L. Morse, L. F. Lynde, Reuben Richardson, E. T. Whittier, A. R. Green.

The town-clerk through all these years was Silas Dean. The town-treasurer from 1859 to 1871 was Sumner Richardson, 2d.

1861. The first legal town-meeting to act upon matters connected with the war was held on the 2d of May, at which it was voted to allow the new military company the use of the town hall, free of any charge,19 and the selectmen were directed to take good care of the soldiers' families. Each member of the company was voted twenty dollars a month until the fourth of July, “unless sooner called into active service; the members to be paid weekly.” June 3d, The selectmen were requested to visit the soldiers' families ‘once in two weeks, in order to ascertain the supplies necessary for their comfort.’

1862. July 17th, The selectmen were authorized to pay a bounty of one hundred dollars to ‘each of the thirty-seven volunteers’ called for to complete the quota of the town under the recent call of the President for more men. At this meeting a preamble and resolutions were read and adopted by a unanimous vote. We quote three of the resolutions:—

Resolved, That we heartily endorse this call from our President, and will stand by the Government, cost what it may of blood or treasure, until this Rebellion is crushed, and the authority of the Constitution in the revolted States is once more restored.

Resolved, That in the promptness with which in our midst this call has been answered, we see again the spirit of our Fathers; for as on April 19th, 1775, Stoneham blood was spilled on Lexington Green, so [453] on April 19th, 1861, the streets of Baltimore were baptized with the blood of her sons; and though their lives have been offered up on their country's altar in almost every battle fought for national existence, yet they stand ready for further sacrifice, and willingly leave home and friends to battle for Freedom and Right.

Resolved, That we, the citizens of Stoneham, tender to those who have enrolled their names among the heroic defenders of their country's cause our sincere thanks for their prompt response at this time; and we whom age, infirmity, or other impediments render unable to go, pledge ourselves that nothing shall be wanting on our part to render themselves and families any aid their condition may require.

August 26th, Voted, to pay one hundred dollars bounty to each of the forty men enlisted in the new company for nine months service, to be paid when mustered in; and the selectmen were authorized to borrow the money for that purpose. December 13th, Ira Gerry, Amos Hill, 2d, L. F. Lynde, George Cowdrey, and John Hill, were chosen to enlist volunteers necessary to fill the quota of the town, and to pay such bounties ‘as in their judgment may be for the best interest of the town;’ the town-treasurer was authorized to borrow the money. December 19th, The above committee reported that no further recruiting would be necessary at present, as they had ascertained at headquarters that Stoneham had already furnished sixty-two men more than its proportion.

1863. November 3d, Voted, to petition the Governor to call an extra session of the Legislature; John Hill, John Kingman, Levi S. Rowe, George W. Dike, and L. F. Lynde were appointed “to pursue such a course as they think for the best, to carry the foregoing vote into effect.”

1864. April 25th, Voted, to pay a bounty of one hundred and twenty-five dollars to each volunteer who shall enlist to fill the quota of the town from the first day of March, 1864, for one year, and to raise three thousand dollars for that purpose. November 8th, Voted, to set apart certain lots in Lindewood Cemetery, in Stoneham, for the burial of soldiers belonging to the town, and Amasa Farrier was appointed chairman of a committee to carry the vote into effect.

1865. March 6th, The selectmen were instructed to continue recruiting agreeable to State laws. [454]

Stoneham furnished four hundred and four men for the war, which was a surplus of forty-six over and above all demands. Twenty-five were commissioned officers. The whole amount of money raised and expended by the town for war purposes, exclusive of State aid, was thirty thousand six hundred and forty-six dollars and seventy-nine cents ($30,646.79).

The amount of money raised and expended by the town during the war for State aid to soldiers' families, and repaid by the Commonwealth, was as follows: In 1861, $2,956.91; in 1862, $7,314.82; in 1863, $6,800.00; in 1864, $10,800.00; in 1865, $8,600. Total amount, $36,111.73.


Stow

Incorporated May 16, 1683. Population in 1860, 1,641; in 1865, 1,537. Valuation in 1860, $713,320; in 1865, $764,274.

The selectmen in 1861 and 1862 were H. W. Nelson, F. W. Warren, A. Rice; in 1863, William H. Brown, Truman Walcott, Jonathan P. Bent; in 1864 and 1865, F. W. Warren, Augustus Rice, Abram Priest.

The town-clerk in 1861, 1862, 1864, and 1865 was H. W. Nelson; in 1863, William H. Brown. The town-treasurer in 1861 was Thomas H. Bent; in 1862 and 1863, William H. Brown; in 1864, R. W. Derby; in 1865, Peter Fletcher.

1861. A legal town-meeting was held April 27th, at which it was voted to appropriate one thousand dollars to uniform and equip citizens of Stow who volunteer in the military service, and to support their families while absent on duty. Twenty-eight young men immediately volunteered. Cloth was purchased, and the ladies from day to day met at the town hall and made nearly one hundred garments.

1862. July 23d, Voted, to pay a bounty of one hundred dollars to each volunteer who shall enlist for three years and be credited to the town. At another meeting, held in August, the same amount of bounty was allowed to each volunteer for nine months service.

The town continued to pay bounties and to recruit men for the service until the end of the war.

Stow furnished one hundred and seventy-four men for the [455] war, which was a surplus of twenty-two over and above all demands. Four were commissioned officers. The whole amount of money appropriated and expended by the town on account of the war, exclusive of State aid, was fifteen thousand nine hundred and ninety one dollars and seventy cents ($15,991.70).

The amount of money raised and expended by the town during the war for State aid to soldiers' families, and repaid by the Commonwealth, was as follows: In 1861, $550.35; in 1862, $1,624.70; in 1863, $1,925.00; in 1864, $2,460.30; in 1865, $1,983.09. Total amount, $8,643.47.

As an example of the patriotic spirit of the ladies during the war, we relate the following incident: At one time they appointed a committee of their own sex to solicit subscriptions for a ‘Fair’ to raise a fund for the soldiers. They called upon a miller, about a mile from the town hall, who told the committee he would give them a bag of meal if they would wheel it in a wheelbarrow to the hall. They acceded to the terms, and wheeled the meal to the hall, where it was sold and brought a good price. A wheelwright gave them the wheelbarrow, which was afterwards put up at auction, and brought more than fifty dollars. It was sold several times, each purchaser after paying what he had bid would cry out, ‘put it up again.’ The fair netted over eight hundred dollars.


Sudbury

Incorporated Sept. 4, 1639. Population in 1860, 1,691; in 1865, 1,703. Valuation in 1860, $1,043,091; in 1865, $1,052,778.

The selectmen in 1861 and 1862 were James Moore, John H. Dakin, George Parmenter; in 1863, A. B. Jones, George Goodnow, H. H. Goodnough; in 1864 and 1865, Thomas P. Hurlbut, Charles Hunt, Walter Rogers.

The town-clerk during all the years of the war was J. S. Hunt. The town-treasurer during the years 1861, 1862, and 1863 was Edwin Harrington; in 1864 and 1865, S. A. Jones.

1861. The first legal town-meeting to act upon matters relating to the war was held on the 29th of April, and it being [456] expected that the ‘Wadsworth Rifle Guards,’—the same being Company B, of the Second Battalion Massachusetts Volunteer Militia,—belonging to Sudbury, would be called into active service, it was voted to furnish a new uniform and a revolver to each private and non-commissioned officer, and a sword to each of the commissioned officers; also to pay each member while in active service an amount which, added to Government pay, would make twenty dollars a month; also, ‘that the families of those who may leave shall be furnished with all necessary assistance at the expense of the town, and their business shall be cared for by the town, and not allowed to suffer by their absence.’20

1862. July 28th, Voted, to pay each volunteer who shall enlist in the military service for three years, and be credited to the quota of the town, a bounty of one hundred and twenty-five dollars. The number required was fourteen, and the selectmen were instructed to enlist the men, and to provide at the expense of the town for any sick or wounded volunteer belonging to Sudbury. August 19th, The bounty to volunteers for nine months service was fixed at one hundred dollars.

1863. December 7th, The selectmen were authorized ‘to use all legal and proper means to fill the town's quota, in compliance with the call of the President, dated Oct. 17, 1863, for three hundred thousand men.’

1864. June 4th, Voted, to raise a sufficient amount of money to pay a bounty of one hundred and twenty-five dollars to each volunteer who shall enlist and be credited to the quota of Sudbury, in anticipation of any subsequent call of the President for more men. This amount of bounty was continued to be paid until the close of the war.

Sudbury furnished one hundred and sixty-eight men for the war, which was a surplus of eleven over and above all demands. Four were commissioned officers. The whole amount of money appropriated and expended by the town on account of the war, [457] exclusive of State aid, was seventeen thousand five hundred and seventy-five dollars ($17,575.00).

The amount of money raised and expended by the town during the war for State aid to soldiers' families, and repaid by the Commonwealth, was as follows: In 1861, $269.50; in 1862, $1,356.55; in 1863, $1,611.09; in 1864, $1,770.68; in 1865, $1,191.36. Total amount, $6,199.18.


Tewksbury

Incorporated December 23, 1734. Population in 1860, 1,744; in 1865, 1,801. Valuation in 1860, $620,886; in 1865, $746,624.

The selectmen in 1861, 1862, and 1863 were Leonard Huntress, Aaron Frost, Alvin Marshall; in 1864, Leonard Huntress, Aaron Frost, George Pillsbury; in 1865, Leonard Huntress, Aaron Frost, Jesse L. Trull.

The town-clerk during these years was Enoch Foster. The town-treasurer in 1861 was Henry E. Preston; in 1862, 1863, 1864, and 1865, Oren Frost.

1861. The first legal town-meeting to consider matters relating to the war was held on the 6th of May, at which it was voted to appropriate two thousand dollars to provide an outfit, and a reasonable amount of pocket-money for each of the volunteers belonging to the town; to provide for the comfort of their families while absent, and to make the pay of each enlisted man twenty dollars a month while in service. A committee consisting of the selectmen and four other citizens were given discretionary power in the expenditure of the money.

1862. July 28th, Voted, to pay a bounty of one hundred and twenty-five dollars to each volunteer who shall enlist in the military service for three years to the number of eleven, to be paid when mustered in. August 25th, The selectmen were authorized to pay to each volunteer enlisting to the credit of the town for nine months service a bounty of one hundred dollars.

1863. November 3d, Voted, to pay a bounty of two hundred dollars to each volunteer enlisting for three years and credited to the town. A committee of citizens was chosen to make “an assessment on each individual of his proportion, [458] necessary to be raised for the purpose. The selectmen were requested to call public meetings to encourage recruiting, as they might judge proper.”

1864. May 30th, The selectmen were authorized to pay a bounty of one hundred and twenty-five dollars during the year to each volunteer for three years service when mustered in and credited to the quota of the town. Many public meetings were held in the town during the Rebellion, at which patriotic resolutions were passed and speeches made in favor of a vigorous prosecution of the war. The two clergymen, Rev. Richard Tolman, and Rev. Clifton Fletcher, were indefatigable in their efforts in behalf of the good cause.

Tewksbury furnished one hundred and eighty men for the war, which was a surplus of eleven over and above all demands. Three were commissioned officers. The whole amount of money appropriated and expended by the town on account of the war, exclusive of State aid, was thirteen thousand three hundred and eighty-seven dollars ($13,387.00).

The amount of money raised and expended by the town during the war for State aid to soldiers' families, and repaid by the Commonwealth, was as follows: In 1861, $114.39; in 1862, $1,217.69; in 1863, $1,532.02; in 1864, $1,626.08; in 1865, $900.00. Total amount, $5,490.18.

‘The ladies of Tewksbury from the beginning to the end of the struggle were unceasing in their labors in behalf of the soldiers and their families.’


Townsend

Incorporated June 29, 1732. Population in 1860, 2,005; in 1865, 2,056. Valuation in 1860, $663,222; in 1865, $737,352.

The selectmen in 1861 and 1862 were N. F. Cumings, Alexander Craig, B. F. Lewis; in 1863, N. F. Cumings, Oliver H. Pratt, Charles H. Warren; in 1864, N. F. Cumings, J. N. Tucker, N. C. Boutell; in 1865, Oliver Proctor, Stillman Haynes, Abel G. Stearns.

The town-clerk in 1861 was Ezra Blood; in 1862, Noah Wallace; in 1863, 1864, and 1865, Daniel Adams. The town-treasurer in 1861 and 1862 was F. C. Burt; in 1863, [459] Joseph Adams; in 1864, A. M. Adams; in 1865, Edward Ordway.

1861. At a town-meeting held April 11th, a committee of five was appointed to consider and report what action should be taken by the town in regard to the Rebellion. This committee made the following report, which was unanimously adopted:—

Whereas a portion of the States of this Union is now in open rebellion against the Government, and the President of the United States has called upon the loyal States for a military force to suppress it and maintain the laws of the land: Now, therefore, we the citizens of Townsend in town-meeting assembled declare our undying love for Liberty and the Union, and our sacred regard for the Constitution as transmitted to us by its founders.

Resolved, That we tender to the Government our sympathy, and if necessary, our lives and property.

Walter Fessenden, Daniel L. Brown, N. F. Cumings, J. N. Tucker, and A. M. Adams were chosen a committee to form a military company, and tender their services to the Government, and to provide for the families of the soldiers while in actual service.

1862. July 19th, Voted, unanimously, to pay a bounty of one hundred dollars to each volunteer for three years service, to the number of twenty-one, to fill the quota of the town. August 26th, The same bounty was directed to be paid to recruits for nine months service. October 23d, Voted, to pay one hundred and fifty dollars ‘to each of the surplus volunteers of Townsend, now enlisted into the service of the United States.’

1863. No vote appears to have been passed by the town in regard to the war during this year.

1864. August 18th, Voted, to raise six thousand two hundred and fifty dollars in gold, to be applied by the selectmen in such manner as they shall deem best to procure volunteers to fill the quota of the town; if any citizen should be drafted before the quota is filled to pay him the same amount as paid to volunteers, and if any person puts in a substitute, and he is credited to the town, the same amount shall be paid to him. December 17th, The same general arrangement by which to [460] obtain volunteers was authorized to be continued, and it was kept up until the end of the war.

Townsend furnished two hundred and fifty men for the war,21 which was a surplus of thirty-three over and above all demands. Six were commissioned officers. The total amount of money raised and expended by the town for war purposes, exclusive of State aid, was thirty-seven thousand nine hundred and thirty-three dollars ($37,933.00).

The amount of money raised and appropriated by the town during the war for State aid to soldiers' families, and repaid by the Commonwealth, was as follows: In 1861, $326.38; in 1862, $2,177.82; in 1863, $3,690.40; in 1864, $3,354.29; in 1865, $2,300.00. Total amount, $11,848.89.

The ladies of Townsend furnished eight hundred dollars worth of clothing for the soldiers during the war, and in 1863 sent to the Townsend soldiers, stationed at that time in New York, a Thanksgiving dinner.


Tyngsborough

Incorporated June 22, 1789. Population in 1860, 626; in 1865, 624. Valuation in 1860, $322,680; in 1865, $348,137.

The selectmen in the years 1861, 1862, and 1863 were Ebenezer Swan, Ebenezer Bancroft, Luther Butterfield; in 1864, Ebenezer Bancroft, Daniel Parham, Zephaniah Bennett; in 1865, Ebenezer Swan, Zephaniah Bennett, Luther Butterfield.

The town-clerk in the years 1861 and 1862 was R. S. Coburn; in 1863 and 1864, W. B. Brinley; in 1865, Francis Brinley. The town-treasurer in the years 1861, 1862, and 1863 was John G. Upton; in 1864, Samuel A. Richardson; in 1865, Ebenezer Swan.

But few meetings appear to have been held by the town in reference to war matters; the authorities having them in charge. A meeting was held on the 21st of July, 1862, at which it was [461] voted to pay a bounty of one hundred dollars to each volunteer for three years, to the number of nine, who should enlist to fill the quota of the town. September 16th, The same amount of bounty was authorized to be paid to nine months volunteers.

1863. April 6th, Five hundred dollars were appropriated to pay State aid to soldiers' families, and six hundred and fifty dollars for recruiting purposes.

1864. June 28th, The bounty to be paid to volunteers enlisting for three years was fixed at one hundred and twenty-five dollars. On the 18th of August, it was voted to pay that amount in gold.

Tyngsborough furnished sixty-five men for the war, which was a surplus of three over and above all demands. None were commissioned officers. The total amount of money appropriated and expended by the town on account of the war, exclusive of State aid, was six thousand nine hundred and eight dollars ($6,908.00).

The amount of money raised and expended by the town during the war for State aid to soldiers' families, and repaid by the Commonwealth, was as follows: In 1861, $00; in 1862, $395.89; in 1863, $516.57; in 1864, $758.34; in 1865, $538.02. Total amount, $2,208.82.

The ladies of Tyngsborough sent at different times two boxes of towels, stockings, and other comfortable things to the soldiers at the front.


Waltham

Incorporated Jan. 4, 1737. Population in 1860, 6,397; in 1865, 6,897. Valuation in 1860, $4,694,856; in 1865, $5,552,109.

The selectmen in 1861 were Samuel B. Whitney, Frederick M. Stone, Benjamin Wellington; in 1862, Frederick M. Stone, Benjamin Wellington, Augustus Townsend; in 1863, Frederick M. Stone, Horatio Moore, William P. Childs; in 1864, Frederick M. Stone, Benjamin Wellington, Augustus Townsend; in 1865, Frederick M. Stone, Augustus Townsend, O. Farnsworth.

The town-clerk during all of these years was Daniel French. The town-treasurer in 1861 and 1862 was D. A. Kimball; [462] in 1863, Samuel B. Whitney; in 1864 and 1865, Samuel Perry.

1861. The first legal town-meeting to act upon matters relating to the war was held on the 26th of April, at which it was voted to give each volunteer belonging to Waltham a uniform, and ten dollars a month for five months when in active service, including the ‘Waltham Light Dragoons.’ Six thousand dollars were appropriated for these purposes. It was also—

Resolved, That if any attempt is made by way of trustee process to take from any individual the amount thus voted, the treasurer be directed to pay over the sum in disregard of such process, and that the selectmen be instructed to insert an article in the warrant for the next town-meeting, to see what measures the town will take in reference to the party in whose name it is made, and the attorney by whom it is instituted.

July 22, Voted, to pay State aid to the families of volunteers as provided by law, and five thousand dollars were appropriated for that purpose.

1862. January 27th, The selectmen reported that ninety-eight families, numbering two hundred and ninety-eight persons, had applied for and received State aid, and that the sum granted in July was exhausted; whereupon two thousand dollars were appropriated for the continuance of the payment of the same. July 18th, The selectmen were authorized ‘to pay a bounty of one hundred dollars to each volunteer who enlists in the military service for three years and is credited to the quota of the town.’ A committee of thirteen was chosen to assist the selectmen in recruiting. August 20th, The same amount of bounty was authorized to be paid to volunteers for nine months service.

1863. August 18th, Voted, to pay State aid to the families of drafted men the same as allowed and paid to the families of volunteers. November 3d, A committee of five was chosen to enlist volunteers to complete the quota of the town under the pending call of the President, with power ‘to incur any necessary expense.’

1864. April 4th, Three thousand dollars were appropriated to pay bounties to twenty-five men to fill the contingent of the [463] town under the calls of the President of Oct. 17, 1863, and Feb. 1, 1864. July 30th, The bounty to three-years volunteers was fixed at one hundred and twenty-five dollars, and so remained until the end of the war.

Waltham furnished seven hundred men for the war, which was a surplus of seven over and above all demands. Twenty were commissioned officers. The whole amount of money appropriated and expended by the town on account of the war, exclusive of State aid, was fifty-two thousand five hundred and seventy-four dollars ($52,574.00).

The amount of money raised and expended by the town for State aid during the war, and repaid by the Commonwealth, was as follows: In 1861, $3,638.74; in 1862, $10,973.49; in 1863, $12,206.06; in 1864, $10.500.00; in 1865, $5,000.00. Total amount, $42,318.29.


Watertown

Incorporated Jan. 4, 1630. Population in 1860, 3,270; in 1865, 3,779. Valuation in 1860, $2,514,020; in 1865, $2,757,957.

The selectmen in 1861 were Joshua Coolidge, Francis Kendall, Jeremiah Russell; in 1862, George W. Horn, Joshua G. Gooch, George H. Sleeper; in 1863, Artemas Locke, George W. Horn, George H. Sleeper; in 1864 and 1865, George B. Wilbur, Joshua G. Gooch, Thomas N. Hooper.

The town-clerk in 1861, 1862, and 1863 was William H. Ingraham; in 1864 and 1865, George L. Noyes. The town-treasurer during all the years of the war was Samuel Noyes.

1861. The first legal town-meeting to act upon matters relating to the war was held on the 22d of April. Several patriotic speeches were made by the clergymen of the town and others, after which it was voted to appropriate five thousand dollars to aid in forming a new military company in the town, each member of which to be paid thirty dollars if the company was accepted for service within a month, and the families to be properly provided for. June 11th, Fourteen hundred dollars were appropriated for payment of clothing for the company. November 5th, Six hundred and sixty-five dollars and ninetyeight [464] cents were appropriated to pay off outstanding claims against the company.22

1862. March 3d, ‘Voted, to grant eight hundred dollars to aid the families of volunteers, if necessary, above the State aid.’ July 10th, Voted, to pay a bounty of seventy-five dollars to each volunteer for three years service when credited to the quota of the town. A committee, consisting of the selectmen, town-clerk and town-treasurer, the moderator (Josiah Stickney), and Ezra Trull, was appointed to collect money to pay in whole or in part the said bounty. The treasurer was also authorized to borrow twenty-seven hundred dollars for the same purpose. Voted, that the town hall be opened every night ‘to receive enlistments and subscriptions.’ July 17th, The bounty was raised to one hundred dollars. August 25th, Five thousand one hundred dollars were appropriated to pay bounties to the fifty-one volunteers already in camp, ‘and if any one of them be rejected, one hundred dollars be paid to each of their substitutes.’ The treasurer was authorized to borrow the money. September 13th, Voted, to pay a bounty of one hundred dollars to volunteers for nine months service; on the 17th it was increased fifty dollars. The following letter was read and recorded on the town books:—

Executive mansion, Washington, Sept. 5, 1862.
G. Twitchell, Esq:
My Dear sir,—I have the honor to acknowledge the receipt from you of a large amount of hospital stores, contributed for the use of the wounded soldiers of the United States Army by patriotic citizens of Brookline, Brighton, Newton, Watertown, and Roxbury. Have the kindness, sir, to accept my cordial thanks for your own courtesy in the matter, and convey to the generous donors the assurance of my grateful appreciation of their efforts for the health and comfort of those brave men to whom we are all so deeply indebted.

I have the honor to be,

Very respectfully, your obedient servant,


[465]

November 4th, The selectmen were authorized to pay one hundred dollars to each inhabitant of Watertown who has enlisted in the navy, and to pay State aid to their families.23

1863. March 9th, The selectmen were directed to use their own judgment in paying additional State aid to soldiers' families. June 18th, Four hundred dollars were appropriated, and a committee appointed, to give a proper reception to Company K, Fifth Regiment Massachusetts Volunteers, on their return from nine months service. November 19th, A committee of ten was appointed to cooperate with the selectmen in filling the quota of the town.

1864. April 4th, Seven thousand dollars were appropriated to reimburse citizens for money advanced by them for recruiting purposes, and also to pay bounties. June 24th, The bounty to volunteers for three years service was fixed at one hundred and twenty-five dollars, and so remained until the end of the war. Voted, to raise money to give a proper reception to Company K, Sixteenth Regiment Massachusetts Volunteers, on its return home. Several other meetings were held, but nothing of special interest was done.

Watertown furnished three hundred and ninety-two men for the war, which was a surplus of six over and above all demands. Fifteen were commissioned officers. The money appropriated and expended by the town on account of the war was forty-one thousand two hundred and five dollars ($41,205.00).

The amount of money raised and expended by the town during the war for State aid to soldiers' families, and repaid by the Commonwealth, was as follows: In 1861, $1,344.20; in 1862, $4,048.92; in 1863, $4,400.00; in 1864, $5,200.00; in 1865, $3,300.00. Total amount, $18,293.13.

The ladies of Watertown were not behind their sisters in other places in working for the benefit of the soldiers. They held meetings weekly during the years of the war, and furnished great quantities of garments and useful hospital stores. Those which were acknowledged by the President were chiefly sent by the ladies.


[466]

Wayland

Incorporated April 10, 1780. Population in 1860, 1,188; in 1865, 1,138. Valuation in 1860, $564,758; in 1865, $658,073.

The selectmen in 1861 and 1862 were John N. Sherman, Thomas J. Damon, William Baldwin; in 1863, John N. Sherman, Horace Heard, James A. Loker; in 1864, John N. Sherman, William C. Grout, Henry R. Newton; in 1865, William C. Grout, Henry R. Newton, James A. Loker.

The town-clerk and town-treasurer during all the years of the war was Henry Wright.

1861. Large and enthusiastic meetings of citizens were held on the 22d and 23d of April to consider the ‘state of the country.’ After ‘singing and speaking,’ it was voted to organize and drill a company for military service; also a company of ‘minute men to practise with the use of weapons, and be ready to respond to emergencies.’ A company of eighty minutemen was organized in a few days. Another meeting was held on the 1st of May, at which it was—

Resolved, That we pledge our lives and our property to the cause of Liberty, purchased for us by the blood of our heroic ancestors, that we may perpetuate it as the richest legacy which we can bequeath to our children.

Meetings were held by the citizens at intervals during all the years of the war, to raise money for recruiting purposes, and to adopt measures for filling the quotas of the town upon the several calls of the President for soldiers, and to provide for the comfort and maintenance of their families.

Wayland furnished one hundred and twenty-four men for the war, which was a surplus of eight over and above all demands. Four were commissioned officers. The whole amount of money appropriated and expended by the town on account of the war, exclusive of State aid, was thirteen thousand five hundred and eighty-two dollars ($13,582.00). This includes $3,696 which was raised by private subscription and afterwards reimbursed by the town.

The amount of money raised and expended by the town during the war for State aid to soldiers' families, and repaid by the [467] Commonwealth, was as follows: In 1861, $299.42; in 1862, $1,235.67; in 1863, $1,980.96; in 1864, $2,258.53; in 1865, $1,170.00. Total amount, $6,944.58.

The ladies of Wayland, early in the war, organized a Soldiers' Aid Society, ‘to manifest sympathy with those who are engaged in the service of our country, and to aid them to the utmost of our power.’ This society held frequent meetings, at which contributions were received and forwarded to the rooms of the Sanitary Commission in Boston. Among the articles forwarded were 14 blankets, 53 bed quilts, 88 bed sacks, 79 sheets, 37 pillows, 455 handkerchiefs, 109 shirts, 44 pairs of drawers, 235 pairs of socks; besides towels, lint, bandages, blackberry and currant wine, jellies, preserves, and $253 in money. A Soldiers' Relief Society was also formed by them ‘to keep up a knowledge of the sick and wounded, and to aid them when possible.’

West Cambridge.24—Incorporated Feb. 27, 1807. Population in 1860, 2,681; in 1865, 2,760. Valuation in 1860, $2,449,057; in 1865, $2,833,684.

The selectmen in 1861 and 1862 were Washington J. Lane, Samuel Butterfield, Samuel F. Woodbridge; in 1863, Washington J. Lane, Samuel Butterfield, Samuel S. Davis; in 1864, Samuel Butterfield, Samuel S. Davis, Reuben Hopkins; in 1865, Samuel Butterfield, Samuel S. Davis, Joseph S. Potter.

The town-clerk and town-treasurer during all the years of the war was Abel R. Proctor.

1861. On Sunday evening, April 21st, the largest meeting of citizens that ever assembled in the town was held in the town hall, at which measures were taken to form a military company for immediate service, and seven thousand dollars were voluntarily contributed by citizens for that purpose, sixteen hundred of which were contributed by citizens of the adjoining town of Belmont. The first legal town-meeting was held on the 29th of April, at which ten thousand dollars were [468] appropriated for the payment of bounties and the support of soldiers' families.

During the entire war the town continued to fill every requisition made upon it for men. A great many meetings were held, at which money was liberally appropriated for the payment of bounties and for aid to the families of volunteers. Dr. R. L. Hodgdon and Dr. J. C. Harris, resident physicians of the town, gave their professional assistance, free of charge, to the families of the soldiers. The selectmen acted through the entire period as recruiting agents, and were very successful in procuring volunteers. A number of citizens' meetings were held, at which speeches were made, and money contributed, to encourage recruiting and maintain the Government.

West Cambridge furnished two hundred and ninety-five men for the war, which was a surplus of twenty-one over and above all demands. Two were commissioned officers.25 The whole amount of money appropriated and expended by the town on account of the war, exclusive of State aid, was thirty thousand and twenty-six dollars and sixty-three cents ($30,026.63). In addition to which $32,656.10 were voluntarily contributed by the citizens of the town for the same purpose.

The amount of money raised and expended by the town during the war, for State aid to soldiers' families, and repaid by the Commonwealth, was as follows: In 1861, $441.84; in 1862, $2,295.21; in 1863, $2,926.12; in 1864, $2,124.00; in 1865, $1,455.43. Total amount, $9,242.00.

The ladies of West Cambridge, at an early period of the war, formed an association for the preparation and transmission of comfortable articles for the wounded and disabled soldiers in the hospitals. They collected the sum of four thousand three hundred and fourteen dollars and twenty-six cents ($4,314.26) in money, with which they purchased material which they made into lint, bandages, and comfortable garments for the sick and wounded.


[469]

Westford

Incorporated Sept. 23, 1729. Population in 1860, 1,624; in 1865, 1,568. Valuation in 1860, $796,440; in 1865, $998,438.

The selectmen in 1861 were John W. P. Abbot, Jacob Smith, Eli Tower; in 1862, John W. P. Abbot, Jacob Smith, Phinehas Chamberlain; in 1863 and 1864, John W. P. Abbot, Edward Prescott, George B. Dupee; in 1865 John W. P. Abbot, George T. Day, William Reed.

The town-clerk during all the years of the war was Leonard Luce. The town-treasurer during the same period was Sherman D. Fletcher.

We have not received so full an abstract of the patriotic record of Westford as we would have desired. We know, however, that it was not behind any town of its size and wealth in the Commonwealth, in fulfilling every obligation demanded of it by the State or nation during the entire period of the Rebellion. Frequent meetings were held, at which money was appropriated for the payment of bounties, and for the proper care and comfort of the families of its soldiers.

Westford furnished one hundred and seventy-two men for the war, which was a surplus of fifteen over and above all demands. Four were commissioned officers. The whole amount of money appropriated and expended by the town on account of the war, exclusive of State aid, was twenty-six thousand one hundred and eighty dollars and fifty-eight cents ($26,180.58).

The amount of money raised and expended by the town during the war for State aid to soldiers' families, and repaid by the Commonwealth, was as follows: In 1861, $488.27; in 1862, $2,151.60; in 1863, $2,828.00; in 1864, $2,907.50; in 1865, $2,150.00. Total amount, $10,525.37.

The ladies of Westford all through the war were active in their efforts and liberal in their contributions for the soldiers in the ranks, and for the sick and wounded in the hospitals.


Weston

Incorporated Jan. 1, 1712. Population in 1860, 1,243; in 1865, 1,231. Valuation in 1860, $1,016,605; in 1865, $1,103,274.

The selectmen in 1861 were Benjamin Pierce, Jr., Alonzo S. [470] Fiske, Increase Leadbetter, Jr.; in 1862, Alonzo S. Fiske, Increase Leadbetter, Jr., Simeon W. Brown; in 1863, 1864, and 1865, Alonzo S. Fiske, Increase Leadbetter, Jr., Horace Hewes.

The town-clerk during the years 1861, 1862, and 1863 was Nathan Hagar; during 1864 and 1865, George W. Cutting. The town-treasurer during all of these years was Horace Hewes.

1861. No legal town-meeting to consider matters in regard to the war appears to have been held during this year.

1862. July 19th, The selectmen were authorized to pay a bounty of one hundred dollars to each volunteer who shall enlist for three years in the military service, ‘for the purpose of crushing the Rebellion,’ until the quota ‘required of this town (17) shall be furnished,’ the bounties to be paid when the men were mustered into the service and credited. August 2d, Voted, to give each volunteer, ‘to the number of Weston's quota,’ an additional hundred dollars who shall enlist within ten days; also to give each volunteer ten dollars ‘for each individual he may induce to join the military service as part of this town's quota.’ August 19th, Voted, to give a bounty of two hundred dollars to each volunteer for nine months service who shall enlist and be credited to the town within ten days. Another meeting was held on the 29th of August, in regard to the same matter. September 29th, The selectmen were directed ‘to enlist five more volunteers.’ It was also—

Resolved, That whereas we have learned that Ralph A. Jones, one of our volunteers has fallen in battle, and that others are known to be wounded; therefore—

Resolved, That Rev. Calvin H. Topliffe be requested to proceed to Maryland and recover, if possible, the body of said Ralph A. Jones, or of any others who have since died; and further, to attend to the wants of the wounded men suffering in any of the hospitals; that in case of the death of any volunteer forming part of the town's quota, whose family is entitled to State aid, the same shall be continued by the town.

November 4th, Rev. Calvin H. Topliffe was appointed to bring home the bodies of any volunteers who have fallen, or may fall [471] in battle, if practicable, and to render any assistance necessary to our sick or wounded soldiers; and the selectmen were authorized to draw their order upon the treasurer for the expense.

Weston furnished one hundred and thirty-one men for the war, which was a surplus of fifteen over and above all demands. Six were commissioned officers. The whole amount of money appropriated and expended by the town on account of the war, exclusive of State aid, was twelve thousand five hundred and twenty-eight dollars and ninety cents ($12,528.90). In addition to this sum, five thousand one hundred and four dollars and ninety-five cents were raised by the citizens by subscription to encourage recruiting and the payment of bounties.26

The amount of money raised and expended by the town for State aid to soldiers' families during the war, and repaid by the Commonwealth, was as follows: In 1861, 00; in 1862, $407.48; in 1863, $998.68; in 1864, $702.50; in 1865, $250.00. Total amount, $2,358.66.


Wilmington

Incorporated Sept. 25, 1730. Population in 1860, 919; in 1865, 850. Valuation in 1860, $459,291; in 1865, $563,181.

The selectmen in 1861 were Joseph B. Putnam, Daniel Going, D. P. Brigham; in 1862, Lemuel C. Eames, George Going, Henry Shelden; in 1863, Lemuel C. Eames, Cyrus L. Carter, Joseph B. Putnam; in 1864, Cyrus L. Carter, Joseph B. Putnam, D. P. Brigham; in 1865, Lemuel C. Eames, Othniel Eames, Samuel H. Going.

The town-clerk during the years of the war was William H. Carter. Charles W. Swain was town-treasurer during the years 1861, 1862, and 1863; and Warren Eames in 1864 and 1865.

1861. The first town-meeting to consider war questions was held May 6th, at which it was voted to raise two thousand dollars to uniform and equip volunteers belonging to the town, and to pay each volunteer who has a family twenty dollars a [472] month, and to each single man ten dollars a month until discharged. November 5th, The selectmen were authorized to pay for the support of the families of volunteers ‘an additional sum beyond that to be reimbursed by the State according to their discretion.’

1862. July—, Voted, to pay a bounty of one hundred and ten dollars to each volunteer who shall enlist for three years to fill the quota of the town. August 4th, The bounty was raised to one hundred and fifty dollars, and ‘as a test vote to ascertain whether it was the wish of the town to raise their quota, there was a unanimous yes!’ August 18th, Voted to pay a bounty of one hundred and fifty dollars to each volunteer who enlists for nine months to the credit of the town, and the selectmen were authorized to recruit three-years volunteers, ‘still lacking’ to fill their quota, ‘by paying whatever sum is necessary.’

1863. August 3d, The selectmen were instructed to pay the same amount of State aid to the families of men who may be drafted as is paid to the families of volunteers. December 14th, A committee of five was appointed ‘to present a subscription paper to every male citizen of the town whose name is not already upon said paper.’

1864. March 26th, Voted, to raise not exceeding fifteen hundred dollars to refund to individuals the amounts they had paid voluntarily to aid recruiting. May 9th, Voted, to raise one thousand dollars ‘to aid in filling the town's quota.’ August 1st, Voted, to continue paying a bounty of one hundred dollars to each volunteer who may enlist to the credit of the town up to March 1, 1865, and to deposit five hundred dollars with the State treasurer for recruiting purposes.27

1865. July 31st, Appropriated twenty-eight hundred dollars to refund to individuals money advanced by them for bounties to volunteers in 1864.

Wilmington furnished ninety-nine men for the war, which was a surplus of ten over and above all demands. None were commissioned [473] officers. The whole amount of money appropriated and expended by the town for war purposes, exclusive of State aid, was fifteen thousand and forty dollars and eighty-four cents ($15,040.84).

The amount of money raised and expended by the town during the war for State aid to soldiers' families, and repaid by the Commonwealth, was as follows: In 1861, $314,94; in 1862, $1,230.26; in 1863, $2,226.32; in 1864, $1,501.27; in 1865, $750.00. Total amount, $6,022.79.


Winchester

Incorporated April 30, 1850. Population in 1860, 1,937; in 1865, 1,969. Valuation in 1860, $1,533,514; in 1865, $1,455,772.

The selectmen in 1861, were A. D. Weld, S. T. Sanborn, Wallace Whitney; in 1862, Wallace Whitney, S. T. Sanborn, Thomas P. Ayer; in 1863, Thomas P. Ayer, H. K. Stanton, Cephas Church; in 1864, J. F. Stone, O. R. Clark, H. K. Stanton; in 1865, D. N. Skilling, O. R. Clark, J. F. Stone.

The town-clerk in 1861, 1862, 1863, and 1864 was Josiah Hovey; in 1865, George P. Brown. The town-treasurer in 1861 was N. A. Richardson; in 1862, 1863, 1864, and 1865, Stephen Cutter.

1861. The first legal town meeting to act upon matters connected with the war was held on the 10th of June, at which the selectmen were directed to furnish the families of volunteers ‘such aid as they may need.’

1862. March 24th, The treasurer was authorized to borrow not exceeding eighteen hundred dollars for State aid to soldiers' families. July 16th, The selectmen were authorized to pay a bounty of one hundred dollars to each volunteer who shall enlist in the military service for three years and be credited to the quota of the town. A ‘rallying committee’ of twenty-five was chosen to assist the selectmen in getting recruits. August 16th, Voted, to pay a bounty of one hundred dollars to volunteers for nine months service, and the treasurer was authorized to borrow not exceeding four thousand dollars to pay the same. November 29th, Voted, that if any inhabitant be drafted to fill the quota of the town he shall receive when mustered [474] into the military service one hundred and fifty dollars, and the same amount if he shall procure a substitute. The treasurer was authorized to borrow money to pay the same.

1863. March 23d, Money was appropriated for the payment of State aid to soldiers' families during the year. November 3d, A committee of nine was appointed to aid the selectmen in filling the quota of the town under the call of the President, dated Oct. 17, 1863; and to petition the Governor, if they think it expedient, to call an extra session of the Legislature ‘to pass laws giving towns power to aid in enlisting men.’

1864. March 28th, The treasurer was authorized to borrow not exceeding thirty-six hundred dollars for the payment of State aid to soldiers' families during the year. June 10th, Voted, to pay a bounty of one hundred and twenty-five dollars to each volunteer who enlists for three years and is credited to the quota of the town. This amount of bounty was continued to be paid until the end of the war.

Winchester furnished two hundred and twenty-four men for the war, which was a surplus of nineteen over and above all demands. Six were commissioned officers. The whole amount of money appropriated and expended by the town on account of the war, exclusive of State aid, was twenty-one thousand seven hundred and one dollars and forty cents ($21,701.40).

The amount of money raised and expended by the town during the war for State aid to soldiers' families, and repaid by the Commonwealth, was as follows: In 1861, $414.79; in 1862, $2,629.15; in 1863, $3,641.50; in 1864, $2,605.09; in 1865, $2,000.00. Total amount, $11,290.53.


Woburn

Incorporated May 18, 1642. Population in 1860, 6,287; in 1865, 7,002. Valuation in 1860, $3,599,280; in 1865, $4,986,549.

The selectmen in 1861 were Joseph Kelley, Ebenezer N. Blake, Stephen Dow, John Cummings, Jr., William T. Grammer, Walter Wyman, William Totman, Elbridge Trull, Edward E. Thompson; in 1862, John Cummings, Jr., Joseph Kelley, Elbridge Trull, Ebenezer N. Blake, Stephen Dow, Walter [475] Wyman, William Totman, Edward E. Thompson, Moses A. Tyler; in 1863, John Cummings, Jr., Alpha E. Thompson, Walter Wyman, Edward E. Thompson, Ebenezer N. Blake, Elbridge Trull, L. G. Richardson, Moses A. Tyler, William Totman; in 1864, S. O. Pollard, Walter Wyman, William B. Harris, Edward E. Thompson, Lemuel G. Richardson, Elbridge Trull, Alpha E. Thompson, Moses A. Tyler, William Totman; in 1865, Elbridge Trull, Samuel O. Pollard, Alpha E. Thompson, Edward E. Thompson, Moses A. Tyler, William Totman, Jacob Brown, Joseph R. Kendall, William T. Grammer.

The town-clerk during all of these years was Nathan Wyman. The town-treasurer for the same period was G. R. Gage.

1861. At a legal town-meeting, held on the 6th of May, it was—

Resolved, That we, the citizens of Woburn, in town-meeting assembled, desirous of doing our duty to our country in this perilous hour, and to assist the Government in maintaining its dignity and enforcing the laws, do agree to pay the following sums to such residents of this town as may enlist or have enlisted in the volunteer militia, in addition to the compensation paid by Government; viz., to single men twelve dollars per month, to married men with children twenty dollars per month, to married men without a child sixteen dollars per month; the pay to commence on the 18th of May, and be paid either to them or their families, as the selectmen may direct, subject to such discount for neglect of duty and disorderly conduct as in their judgment the case may demand.

The treasurer was authorized to borrow, with the approval of the selectmen, five thousand dollars for military purposes. The selectmen were directed to ‘pay members of the Woburn “Mechanic Phalanx” who do not belong to the town, as the officers may designate, the same compensation as those who do.’

1862. April 14th, The treasurer was authorized to borrow money required to pay State aid to soldiers' families. September 2d, Voted, to appropriate seventeen thousand dollars for the payment of a bounty of one hundred dollars to each person (to the number of one hundred and seventy) who shall enlist for the term of nine months and be mustered in to the credit of Woburn.

1863. March 9th, Five hundred dollars were appropriated [476] to aid the ladies of Woburn in the purchase of material to be made into garments for the soldiers at the front. November 3d, The following paper was read: ‘If the town of Woburn agree to pay the fifty-two men, now called for to make up the quota of said Woburn, three hundred dollars each, we agree to place in the hands of the selectmen the sum of fifteen thousand six hundred dollars for that purpose, until the same can be legally paid by the town.—Eli Jones, J. B. Winn, Charles Tidd, Bowen Buckman, Joseph Kelley, Moses F. Winn, S. O. Pollard, Leonard Thompson, W. T. Grammer, Horace Conn, Moses C. Bean, A. E. Thompson, Cyrus Cummings, E. N. Blake, John Johnson.’

1864. April 4th, The treasurer was authorized, with the approval of the selectmen, to borrow fifteen thousand dollars, ‘and more if necessary,’ to render comfortable the families of volunteers in the army or navy, ‘without regard to what the State proposes to refund.’ The bounty to be paid to volunteers for three years service was fixed at one hundred and twenty-five dollars. Eight thousand dollars were appropriated to refund money voluntarily paid by citizens to encourage enlistments to fill the quotas of the town in 1863 and 1864, provided the sum shall not exceed one hundred and twenty-five dollars for each person recruited. August 10th, Voted, to pay to each volunteer for three years service the bounty of one hundred and twenty-five dollars in gold, ‘if, after consulting eminent counsel, the selectmen shall ascertain that they have a legal right to do so.’ A committee of ten was appointed to collect money by subscription and to aid recruiting.

1865. April—, The same liberal provision was made for the support and comfort of the families of volunteers that was made the year previous. May 15th, Twenty-three thousand five hundred dollars were appropriated to reimburse citizens for money contributed to fill the quota of the town in 1864.

Woburn furnished seven hundred and eight men for the war, which was a surplus of fifty-four over and above all demands. Thirty-one were commissioned officers. The whole amount of money appropriated and expended by the town on account of the war, exclusive of State aid, was eighty-nine thousand and sixty-six dollars and sixty-eight cents ($89,066.68). [477]

The amount of money raised and expended by the town during the war for State aid to soldiers' families, and repaid by the Commonwealth, was as follows: In 1861, $3,367.79; in 1862, $11,109.83; in 1863, $12,978.60; in 1864, $14,000.00; in 1865, $10,000.00. Total amount, $51,456.22.

‘The ladies of Woburn were very active in behalf of the soldiers all through the war.’ Woburn has erected a monument, at a cost of about ten thousand dollars, in commemoration of the valor of her citizens, living and dead, who served in the military and naval service during the war.

1 The Davis Guards was in the Sixth Regiment, which passed through Baltimore on the 19th of April, 1861.

2 A brief account of the meeting will be found in volume I., pp. 116 and 117.

3 At this time men in the navy were not credited to the quotas of cities or towns.

4 Colonel Davis was one of the best and bravest officers in the Commonwealth. He was killed in action, July 11, 1864, near Petersburg, Va.

5 Mr. Roby enlisted in the military service in 1862.

6 Mr. Parker was First Lieutenant in the Twenty-Eighth Regiment Massachusetts Volunteers; and was mortally wounded in front of Petersburg, Va., March 25, 1865.

7 Lincoln claims the distinction of having been the first town in the State to have paid off its war debt.

8 Mr. Bedlow was treasurer until June 30, 1864. Thomas G. Gerrish was immediately chosen to succeed him and entered upon his duties July 1, 1864.

9 They have since been removed and placed beneath the monument erected to their memory in the centre of Lowell, by the city and the State.

10 The quota of three-years men required of Lowell under this call was three hundred and ninety-seven. A public meeting was held July 12, which was addressed by the mayor, the adjutant-general of the State, and many prominent citizens of Lowell. The men were soon obtained. Lowell claims to have been the first city to have furnished its quota.

11 April 28th, 1861. Company K, of the Seventeenth Regiment Massachusetts Volunteers, attended divine service at Rev. Mr. Reed's church. After the sermon each member was presented with a New Testament. May 26th, They attended Rev. Mr. Greenwood's church, and were presented with a silk banner valued at sixty dollars. Previous to leaving town for camp at Lynnfield, on the 9th of July, religious ceremonies were held in the town hall by the different clergymen of Malden. Each of the commissioned officers was presented with a sword, belt, and a revolver, valued at $123.50.

12 The citizens responded with great liberality. Immediate measures were taken to procure an outfit for the ‘Lawrence Light Infantry,’ which formed part of the Fifth Regiment, Massachusetts Volunteer Militia, which left for Washington on the 21st of April, under command of Colonel Samuel C. Lawrence (who lived in Medford), for three months service. This regiment was in the first battle of Bull Run, and behaved bravely, when the Colonel was slightly wounded.

13 The ‘Melrose Memorial’ claims that Melrose furnished four hundred and fifty-four men for the war.

14 This is exclusive of $5,000 expended in building a handsome monument in honor of the soldiers of Natick who died in the war, which is placed on the north side of the Common, and was dedicated July 4th, 1867.

15 August 5th, The bounty was increased to one hundred and seventy-five dollars to each three-years volunteer.

16 This gentleman was recruiting officer of the town during most of the war.

17 After its return from three months service the unexpended balance of this fund (about $2,000) was appropriated by a vote of the Company to the erection of a handsome marble monument, on which is recorded the names of sixty-eight Somerville men who fell in battle or died of disease or wounds while in the service of their country.

18 Name changed to Wakefield, June 30, 1868.

19 Stoneham had a company in the Sixth Regiment which left the State April 17th, and was attacked by the mob in Baltimore, April 19th, and the captain and first lieutenant were wounded. A full description of which is given in volume I. pp. 92 to 98 inclusive.

20 This Company on the 29th of June, 1861, was sent to Fort Independence, Boston Harbor, for guard duty; but was afterwards disbanded, and a part of the members enlisted in the Thirteenth Regiment Massachusetts Volunteers for three years service.

21 Mr. Adams, the town-clerk, claims that the town furnished two hundred and seventy-five men for the war, which we think must be an error, and that the above number is correct. Thirty-five were killed or died of disease while in the service.

22 This company had its full complement of men in April, and was properly provided for by the town until July 2d, when it was sent to camp at North Cambridge. It served through the war as Company K, Sixteenth Regiment Massachusetts Volunteers.

23 At this time enlistments in the navy did not count to the quota of a town.

24 Name changed to Arlington, April 30, 1867.

25 This does not include Captain Ingalls, who, with thirty-two West-Cambridge men, went to New York and joined the Fortieth Regiment New-York Volunteers, and were credited to that State, there being at the time no demand for them in Massachusetts. Captain Ingalls was killed in battle.

26 Weston lost twelve men in the service. The bodies of those who could be found were brought home and buried at the expense of the town.

27 Two recruits were obtained by the State for the town. The remainder of the money ($250) was paid back to the town.

Creative Commons License
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 3.0 United States License.

An XML version of this text is available for download, with the additional restriction that you offer Perseus any modifications you make. Perseus provides credit for all accepted changes, storing new additions in a versioning system.

hide Places (automatically extracted)

View a map of the most frequently mentioned places in this document.

Sort places alphabetically, as they appear on the page, by frequency
Click on a place to search for it in this document.
United States (United States) (22)
Concord (Massachusetts, United States) (11)
Baltimore, Md. (Maryland, United States) (11)
Lowell (Massachusetts, United States) (8)
Menotomy (Massachusetts, United States) (7)
Sudbury, Mass. (Massachusetts, United States) (6)
Stoneham (Massachusetts, United States) (6)
Holliston (Massachusetts, United States) (6)
Framingham (Massachusetts, United States) (6)
Watertown (Massachusetts, United States) (5)
Waltham (Massachusetts, United States) (5)
Natick (Massachusetts, United States) (5)
Melrose (Massachusetts, United States) (5)
Massachusetts (Massachusetts, United States) (5)
Bedford, Mass. (Massachusetts, United States) (5)
Westford (Massachusetts, United States) (4)
Sherborn (Massachusetts, United States) (4)
Medford (Massachusetts, United States) (4)
Marlboro, Mass. (Massachusetts, United States) (4)
Dracut (Massachusetts, United States) (4)
Billerica (Massachusetts, United States) (4)
Tyngsborough (Massachusetts, United States) (3)
The Common (Massachusetts, United States) (3)
Pepperell (Massachusetts, United States) (3)
North Reading (Massachusetts, United States) (3)
New England (United States) (3)
Chelmsford, Mass. (Massachusetts, United States) (3)
Brighton, Mass. (Massachusetts, United States) (3)
Ashland, Mass. (Massachusetts, United States) (3)
Acton, Mass. (Massachusetts, United States) (3)
Weston (Massachusetts, United States) (2)
Wayland (Massachusetts, United States) (2)
Tewksbury (Massachusetts, United States) (2)
Suffolk, Va. (Virginia, United States) (2)
Stowe, Mass. (Massachusetts, United States) (2)
Petersburg, Va. (Virginia, United States) (2)
Middlesex County (Massachusetts, United States) (2)
Littleton (Massachusetts, United States) (2)
Hopkinton (Massachusetts, United States) (2)
Groton (Massachusetts, United States) (2)
Dunstable, Mass. (Massachusetts, United States) (2)
Burlington (Massachusetts, United States) (2)
Boxborough (Massachusetts, United States) (2)
Boston Harbor (Massachusetts, United States) (2)
Worcester County (Massachusetts, United States) (1)
Troy (Massachusetts, United States) (1)
Shirley (Massachusetts, United States) (1)
Roxbury, Mass. (Massachusetts, United States) (1)
Norfolk (Virginia, United States) (1)
New Hampshire (New Hampshire, United States) (1)
Nashua (New Hampshire, United States) (1)
Middlesex Village (Massachusetts, United States) (1)
Middlesex County (Virginia, United States) (1)
Maryland (Maryland, United States) (1)
Lynnfield (Massachusetts, United States) (1)
Fort Independence (Massachusetts, United States) (1)
Fort Donelson (Tennessee, United States) (1)
Everett, Mass. (Massachusetts, United States) (1)
Essex County (Virginia, United States) (1)
Charles Hill (Vermont, United States) (1)
Charles (Massachusetts, United States) (1)
Centreville (Massachusetts, United States) (1)
Central Hall (Massachusetts, United States) (1)
Carlisle (Massachusetts, United States) (1)
Cambridgeport (Massachusetts, United States) (1)
California (California, United States) (1)
Brookline (Massachusetts, United States) (1)
Boxford (Massachusetts, United States) (1)
Alexandria (Virginia, United States) (1)

Download Pleiades ancient places geospacial dataset for this text.

hide People (automatically extracted)
Sort people alphabetically, as they appear on the page, by frequency
Click on a person to search for him/her in this document.
Anna C. Lowell (9)
Abraham Lincoln (8)
Augustus Townsend (7)
Moses A. Tyler (6)
William M. Ashby (6)
Walter Wyman (5)
William Winn (5)
William F. Wheeler (5)
Benjamin Wellington (5)
Elbridge Trull (5)
William Totman (5)
Edward E. Thompson (5)
Frederick M. Stone (5)
Hervey C. Newton (5)
D. B. Wheelock (4)
Alpha E. Thompson (4)
Joseph B. Putnam (4)
John N. Pike (4)
Gardner Parker (4)
L. F. Lynde (4)
James P. Longley (4)
William H. Kent (4)
Hocum Hosford (4)
George F. Duren (4)
Samuel W. Dudley (4)
N. F. Cumings (4)
Charles Crosby (4)
William R. Champney (4)
Samuel Butterfield (4)
Nathan Blanchard (4)
Ebenezer N. Blake (4)
W. D. Bickford (4)
John W. P. Abbot (4)
Addison O. Whitney (3)
Benjamin F. Wallis (3)
Thomas B. Walker (3)
Willard Torrey (3)
Oakes Tirrill (3)
Israel Tibbetts (3)
Francis Thompson (3)
James H. Thayer (3)
Varnum Taylor (3)
J. F. Taylor (3)
Thomas Talbot (3)
Ebenezer Swan (3)
Phinehas J. Stone (3)
Selar Simons (3)
Samuel Shute (3)
Eliel Shumway (3)
John N. Sherman (3)
Elisha Shaw (3)
Henry D. Shattuck (3)
Andrew Sawtell (3)
Hubbard Russell (3)
Christopher Roby (3)
John S. Rice (3)
Samuel O. Pollard (3)
Thomas H. Parkhurst (3)
Henry R. Newton (3)
Stephen Morse (3)
Leonard T. Morse (3)
Thomas Mead (3)
Edward Mansfield (3)
Joseph Lovett (3)
Leadbetter (3)
Henry Lamson (3)
Luther Ladd (3)
Joseph Kelley (3)
Leonard Huntress (3)
Charles P. Howard (3)
Albert H. Holt (3)
George Heywood (3)
William T. Grammer (3)
Aaron Frost (3)
Benjamin French (3)
James B. Francis (3)
George M. Fletcher (3)
Alonzo S. Fiske (3)
Catherine A. Eliot (3)
Lemuel C. Eames (3)
James F. Dwinell (3)
Edmund F. Dupee (3)
Nathaniel Dowse (3)
Samuel S. Davis (3)
Thomas Cunningham (3)
John Cummings (3)
Nathan P. Coburn (3)
Joseph B. V. Coburn (3)
George W. Coburn (3)
Daniel W. Cobleigh (3)
John H. Clark (3)
Sumner Carter (3)
James S. Campbell (3)
Joseph Caldwell (3)
Luther S. Butler (3)
William B. Burgess (3)
William H. Brown (3)
Joel Boynton (3)
Eliakim A. Bates (3)
James Andrew (3)
Edwin F. Adams (3)
A. M. Adams (3)
John H. Abbott (3)
Daniel G. Abbott (3)
Francis W. Wright (2)
William H. Wood (2)
John Wood (2)
Elijah Wood (2)
John B. Wilson (2)
E. T. Whittier (2)
Wallace Whitney (2)
Samuel B. Whitney (2)
Albert Wheeler (2)
William L. Weston (2)
W. W. Wellington (2)
Marianne G. Washburn (2)
F. W. Warren (2)
Levi Wallace (2)
L. E. Wakefield (2)
Aldis L. Waite (2)
B. F. Underhill (2)
Joseph H. Tyler (2)
J. N. Tucker (2)
C. B. Travis (2)
Calvin H. Topliffe (2)
Levi Timson (2)
Charles Tidd (2)
Seth Thayer (2)
Charles L. Tarbell (2)
James M. Swallow (2)
Nathan B. Stowe (2)
Stow (2)
J. F. Stone (2)
Albert Stevens (2)
William A. Stearns (2)
Francis C. Stearns (2)
H. K. Stanton (2)
Andrew Spaulding (2)
Henry A. Snow (2)
William H. Smith (2)
Webster Smith (2)
Oliver H. P. Smith (2)
Julius M. Smith (2)
Jacob Smith (2)
George H. Sleeper (2)
Eli Simonds (2)
Isaac F. Scripture (2)
Charles H. Saunders (2)
S. T. Sanborn (2)
Charles Theodore Russell (2)
Charles Russell (2)
Lemuel G. Richardson (2)
George C. Richardson (2)
B. F. Richardson (2)
Augustus Rice (2)
Joseph Reed (2)
Hammon Reed (2)
John R. Poor (2)
George N. Pond (2)
William A. Phipps (2)
John P. Perry (2)
Pepperell (2)
Mary Parmenter (2)
Ezra Parmenter (2)
Thomas J. Parker (2)
Solon A. Parker (2)
Libni Parker (2)
Joel Parker (2)
Artemas Parker (2)
H. W. Nelson (2)
M. L. Morse (2)
Charles P. Morse (2)
J. Warren Merrill (2)
Benjamin S. Mead (2)
William T. McNeill (2)
D. H. Mason (2)
Mansir W. Marsh (2)
Marlborough (2)
Joseph Manning (2)
Louis A. Lurette (2)
Hollis Loring (2)
James A. Loker (2)
William Henry Locke (2)
John Livermore (2)
Parker R. Litchfield (2)
L. Leland (2)
James H. Leland (2)
George C. Lee (2)
J. Brooks Leathe (2)
Samuel C. Lawrence (2)
Amos A. Lawrence (2)
Cyrus H. Latham (2)
Washington J. Lane (2)
Francis P. Knowlton (2)
William Kimball (2)
Ralph A. Jones (2)
Levi F. Jones (2)
Hosea Jewell (2)
J. S. Jaquith (2)
Samuel O. Ingalls (2)
Henry H. Hyde (2)
Horace G. Hutchins (2)
Charles Hudson (2)
B. L. Howe (2)
Amory Houghton (2)
Henry Hosmer (2)
George W. Horn (2)
S. T. Hooper (2)
Abiel Holden (2)
Horace Hewes (2)
William H. Harlow (2)
Amos Hagar (2)
William C. Grout (2)
A. R. Green (2)
Joshua G. Gooch (2)
Stephen Gilman (2)
John F. Gilman (2)
Albert G. Gibbs (2)
Thomas G. Gerrish (2)
J. W. George (2)
Granville Fuller (2)
Gilman Fuller (2)
Joseph Foster (2)
Dudley Foster (2)
Jonathan P. Folsom (2)
George H. Folger (2)
Isaac Flint (2)
J. V. Fletcher (2)
J. R. Fletcher (2)
John Fenderson (2)
Addison G. Fay (2)
Samuel Farnsworth (2)
Edward Everett (2)
Alexander R. Esty (2)
George P. Elliot (2)
Charles A. Edgarton (2)
Benjamin Eames (2)
Drs (2)
Stephen Dow (2)
Horatio Dolliver (2)
P. Stearns Davis (2)
Curtis Davis (2)
Levi L. Cushing (2)
Charles Currier (2)
Leander Crosby (2)
Ephraim B. Cobleigh (2)
O. R. Clark (2)
Charles F. Choate (2)
Francis Childs (2)
Francis L. Chapman (2)
William Chamberlain (2)
William H. Carter (2)
Jesse Carter (2)
George P. Carter (2)
Cyrus L. Carter (2)
Cambridge (2)
Albert H. Butters (2)
Luther Butterfield (2)
James T. Burnap (2)
William A. Burke (2)
George M. Brooks (2)
D. P. Brigham (2)
Philander S. Briggs (2)
B. A. Bridges (2)
Nathan W. Bridge (2)
E. Boynton (2)
Joseph F. Boyd (2)
Zephaniah Bennett (2)
George W. Bedlow (2)
Seba D. Bartlett (2)
Charles A. Barker (2)
Ebenezer Bancroft (2)
John Baldwin (2)
Thomas P. Ayer (2)
Edwin A. Alger (2)
Charles Alden (2)
O. W. Albee (2)
Acton (2)
Joel A. Abbott (2)
Frances E. Yates (1)
Stephen Wyman (1)
Nathan Wyman (1)
Henry Wright (1)
Charles T. Worthley (1)
James C. Woodward (1)
Otis L. Woods (1)
J. Augustus Woodbury (1)
Samuel F. Woodbridge (1)
Marshall Wood (1)
Albert Wood (1)
Moses F. Winn (1)
J. B. Winn (1)
William Wilson (1)
R. Williams (1)
J. M. S. Williams (1)
Daniel Williams (1)
L. Wilkins (1)
Sydney Wilder (1)
Henry H. Wilder (1)
Henry M. Wild (1)
Daniel W. Wilcox (1)
George B. Wilbur (1)
Wiliam J. Wightman (1)
H. W. B. Wightman (1)
J. B. Whorf (1)
Jonathan Whittemore (1)
Thomas Whitney (1)
Joseph Whitney (1)
Henry Whitney (1)
Charles S. Whitmore (1)
Elbridge G. Whiting (1)
S. C. Whiteher (1)
Luther White (1)
Edwin L. White (1)
Nahum W. Whitcomb (1)
Nahum H. Whitcomb (1)
Grenville Whitcomb (1)
Orrin Whipple (1)
W. W. Wheilden (1)
Oliver Wetherbee (1)
N. Wetherbee (1)
J. K. W. Wetherbee (1)
Winslow Wellington (1)
Horatio Wellington (1)
A. D. Weld (1)
A. K. P. Welch (1)
E. F. Webster (1)
David L. Webster (1)
William A. Webber (1)
Wayland (1)
James Watson (1)
Edward F. Watson (1)
Charles H. Waters (1)
Dexter Washburn (1)
Winslow M. Warren (1)
W. W. Warren (1)
Nathan H. Warren (1)
Charles H. Warren (1)
Alden Warren (1)
Paschal P. P. Ware (1)
P. P. Ware (1)
Isaac D. Ward (1)
George W. Ward (1)
Andrew H. Ward (1)
Noah Wallace (1)
L. J. Walker (1)
Edward Walker (1)
Truman Walcott (1)
Caleb C. Waite (1)
Robert A. Vinal (1)
Albert Vinal (1)
Atkinson C. Varnum (1)
John G. Upton (1)
Alanson A. Upton (1)
Ginery Twitchell (1)
William D. Tuttle (1)
Thomas S. Tuttle (1)
Arthur W. Tufts (1)
C. K. Tucker (1)
Jesse L. Trull (1)
Ezra Trull (1)
Eli Tower (1)
Richard Tolman (1)
Benjamin Tolman (1)
Robert Todd (1)
John Todd (1)
J. Edward Tilton (1)
Joseph A. Tillinghast (1)
Leonard Thompson (1)
Frederick Thompson (1)
Erastus Thompson (1)
William B. Thomas (1)
Robert H. Tewksbury (1)
Elbridge Teel (1)
J. B. Taylor (1)
Daniel A. Tainter (1)
Daniel Swallow (1)
Jesse Swain (1)
Charles W. Swain (1)
George W. Stuart (1)
Stover (1)
Stoneham (1)
Fordyce M. Stimson (1)
Thomas Stiles (1)
Josiah Stickney (1)
Abel G. Stearns (1)
Speakman (1)
Edward Spaulding (1)
Jared Sparks (1)
William S. Southworth (1)
C. C. Southard (1)
Somerville (1)
S. W. Smith (1)
Francis Smith (1)
Edward P. Smith (1)
Samuel Slocumb (1)
Samuel Slocomb (1)
George L. Sleeper (1)
D. N. Skilling (1)
Thomas Sinclair (1)
James F. Simons (1)
Nathan Simonds (1)
Alonzo Simmons (1)
Shirley (1)
Charles H. Shepard (1)
Henry Shelden (1)
Walter Shattuck (1)
Putnam Shattuck (1)
Stinson Sewell (1)
Samuel Sewell (1)
George F. Seaver (1)
Charles Seaver (1)
W. A. Scott (1)
T. T. Sawyer (1)
Joshua E. Sawyer (1)
L. A. Saville (1)
Wingate P. Sargent (1)
A. F. Sargent (1)
Benjamin C. Sargeant (1)
Elbridge Sanger (1)
John L. Sands (1)
George W. Sanderson (1)
Jeremiah Russell (1)
George Runels (1)
Emily Ruggles (1)
Levi S. Rowe (1)
Walter Rogers (1)
Charles H. Robinson (1)
Charles Robinson (1)
S. H. Robbins (1)
John F. Robbins (1)
Sumner Richardson (1)
Samuel A. Richardson (1)
S. W. Richardson (1)
Reuben Richardson (1)
N. A. Richardson (1)
J. P. Richardson (1)
Henry Richardson (1)
George F. Richardson (1)
Thomas Rice (1)
Silas Rice (1)
Marshall S. Rice (1)
William Reed (1)
R. W. Reed (1)
John Reed (1)
H. E. Reed (1)
Reagan (1)
Z. L. Raymond (1)
Benjamin Randall (1)
James K. Putney (1)
John P. Putnam (1)
John Purington (1)
Oliver Proctor (1)
H. B. Proctor (1)
Abel R. Proctor (1)
Joseph A. Priest (1)
James M. Price (1)
Henry E. Preston (1)
Phinehas G. Prescott (1)
Jeremiah Prescott (1)
Humphrey Prescott (1)
Edward Prescott (1)
Oliver H. Pratt (1)
Joseph L. Pratt (1)
Joseph S. Potter (1)
J. C. Potter (1)
Elijah F. Porter (1)
David Porter (1)
Charles Poole (1)
George Pillsbury (1)
W. L. G. Pierce (1)
Samuel H. Pierce (1)
Loring S. Pierce (1)
Benjamin Pierce (1)
Marcus C. Phipps (1)
John A. Phipps (1)
George Phipps (1)
W. D. Phelps (1)
John Phelps (1)
Abiel Pevey (1)
Josiah Peterson (1)
Samuel Perry (1)
William W. Peirce (1)
Linus A. Pearson (1)
Josiah G. Peabody (1)
Paschal (1)
George Parmenter (1)
Milo Parker (1)
Daniel Parham (1)
H. W. Paine (1)
F. O. Paddleford (1)
Hannah Osgood (1)
Edward Ordway (1)
Henry Oliver (1)
William Nutt (1)
Charles Nunn (1)
Samuel Noyes (1)
George L. Noyes (1)
Henry A. Norris (1)
George W. Norris (1)
Asa Nickles (1)
William Nichols (1)
John S. Nichols (1)
Henry A. Newhall (1)
N. C. Munson (1)
Anthony S. Morss (1)
William G. Morse (1)
James R. Morse (1)
Frederick H. Morse (1)
George W. Morris (1)
James Moore (1)
Horatio Moore (1)
Hobart Moore (1)
Jacob Miller (1)
James B. Miles (1)
Alvah Metcalf (1)
Clement Meserve (1)
Nathan Merrill (1)
Arthur Merrill (1)
Matthew H. Merriam (1)
Jona Merriam (1)
Alpheus Meade (1)
Walter Mead (1)
William McIntosh (1)
David McCaine (1)
John H. McAlvin (1)
Rufus Mason (1)
Alvin Marshall (1)
Ephraim Manster (1)
George E. Manson (1)
Samuel T. Manahan (1)
Henry Lyon (1)
Leonard Luce (1)
George B. Lothrop (1)
John Loring (1)
Elisha B. Loring (1)
Artemas Locke (1)
Thomas Livermore (1)
Owen W. Livermore (1)
Jacob Littlefield (1)
George W. Little (1)
Atwood Litchfield (1)
B. F. Lewis (1)
Henry H. Leonard (1)
Alden Leland (1)
Albert Leighton (1)
A. S. Lawrence (1)
Samuel P. Langmaid (1)
Oliver T. Lane (1)
A. D. Lamson (1)
Edward R. Knights (1)
J. R. Knight (1)
John Kingman (1)
Ebenezer Kimball (1)
D. A. Kimball (1)
Francis H. Kidder (1)
Albert Kenneson (1)
Joseph R. Kendall (1)
Isaac Kendall (1)
Francis Kendall (1)
W. W. Keith (1)
H. W. Jordan (1)
Samuel A. Jones (1)
George E. Jones (1)
Eli Jones (1)
A. B. Jones (1)
John Johnson (1)
David W. Jewett (1)
Ashur G. Jewett (1)
James M. J. Jefts (1)
Francis Jaquith (1)
Samuel James (1)
Edwin A. James (1)
Justin A. Jacobs (1)
John Jacobs (1)
Charles S. Jacobs (1)
Samuel Jackson (1)
William H. Ingraham (1)
William A. Ingham (1)
J. F. C. Hyde (1)
George Hyde (1)
President Hutchins (1)
Thomas P. Hurlbut (1)
Theodore C. Hurd (1)
John Hurd (1)
Albert G. Hunting (1)
J. S. Hunt (1)
Charles Hunt (1)
Liverus Hull (1)
William L. Hudson (1)
B. N. Hudson (1)
Peter Hubbell (1)
Nelson Howe (1)
Caleb Howard (1)
Josiah Hovey (1)
H. O. Houghton (1)
Francis Houghton (1)
Reuben Hopkins (1)
Thomas N. Hooper (1)
George B. Hooker (1)
Anson P. Hooker (1)
Anson Hooker (1)
Benjamin Homer (1)
John W. Hollis (1)
J. M. Hollingsworth (1)
Edward S. Hodges (1)
R. L. Hodgdon (1)
Jacob Hittinger (1)
Charles L. Heywood (1)
Heyward (1)
Benjamin F. Heald (1)
E. Hobart Hayward (1)
Stillman Haynes (1)
Isaac Hayden (1)
Jeremiah R. Hawes (1)
Gilbert Haven (1)
Luther Hatch (1)
Nathaniel Hartwell (1)
Jacob C. Hartshorn (1)
William B. Harris (1)
J. C. Harris (1)
Edwin Harrington (1)
Franklin Harriman (1)
Harper (1)
Charles A. Hamblett (1)
Thomas B. Hall (1)
Joseph P. Hall (1)
George Hager (1)
Benjamin S. Hager (1)
Nathan Hagar (1)
George W. Hadley (1)
Charles H. Guild (1)
Elias Grout (1)
Lyman Greenwood (1)
William Greene (1)
Thomas Greene (1)
John Q. A. Greene (1)
Thomas Green (1)
James D. Green (1)
George B. Green (1)
Jane L. Gray (1)
Dana B. Gove (1)
Elbridge H. Goss (1)
Dana B. Gore (1)
George Goodnow (1)
H. H. Goodnough (1)
John Goodale (1)
Godey (1)
George S. Goddard (1)
Alonzo Goddard (1)
William S. Gleason (1)
Onslow Gilmore (1)
Charles E. Gilman (1)
Ira Gerry (1)
George S. George (1)
Josiah Gates (1)
William S. Gardner (1)
G. R. Gage (1)
William E. Fuller (1)
L. L. Fuller (1)
Edward Fuller (1)
Richard Frothingham (1)
Oren Frost (1)
H. H. French (1)
Daniel French (1)
Charles W. French (1)
Abby Francis (1)
Joshua T. Foster (1)
Francis E. Foster (1)
Enoch Foster (1)
Charles G. Foster (1)
Catherine B. Foster (1)
S. Folger (1)
George Flint (1)
William Fletcher (1)
Sherman D. Fletcher (1)
Peter Fletcher (1)
Clifton Fletcher (1)
George W. Fiske (1)
George B. Fiske (1)
Walter Fessenden (1)
William A. Felton (1)
M. Fay (1)
James R. Faulkner (1)
James Faulkner (1)
Amasa Farrier (1)
O. Farnsworth (1)
David Fairbanks (1)
O. C. Everett (1)
C. C. Esty (1)
James F. Emerson (1)
Isaac Emerson (1)
George E. Ellis (1)
William Edwards (1)
N. B. Edwards (1)
Benjamin Edwards (1)
R. Edmunds (1)
Joel Edmunds (1)
J. Wiley Edmunds (1)
George Edmunds (1)
B. Edmunds (1)
Henry Edes (1)
James L. Eaton (1)
Jacob Sullivan Eaton (1)
Chester W. Eaton (1)
Warren Eames (1)
Othniel Eames (1)
David Eames (1)
George Duren (1)
George B. Dupee (1)
Dunton (1)
Willard Drury (1)
Joseph Dowse (1)
T. H. Dorr (1)
Samuel F. Dix (1)
George W. Dike (1)
R. W. Derby (1)
E. W. Dennison (1)
Silas Dean (1)
George T. Day (1)
James F. Davis (1)
H. Davis (1)
George Davis (1)
Obed Daniels (1)
Thomas J. Damon (1)
J. A. Damon (1)
John H. Dakin (1)
George W. Cutting (1)
Stephen Cutter (1)
S. Morse Cutter (1)
Otis Cutter (1)
John E. Cutter (1)
J. M. Cutter (1)
James M. Currier (1)
Cyrus Cummings (1)
M. Crocker (1)
Alexander Craig (1)
George Cowdrey (1)
Alvah N. Cotton (1)
John F. Cotting (1)
Elijah Corliss (1)
Lowell Coolidge (1)
Joshua Coolidge (1)
Andrew Coolidge (1)
Mary H. Cooke (1)
Horace Conn (1)
D. V. Cone (1)
Winthrop F. Conant (1)
F. A. Collins (1)
Edward J. Collins (1)
Patrick Colby (1)
Henry Coggin (1)
R. S. Coburn (1)
Edward Coburn (1)
Alonzo Coburn (1)
R. T. Cobleigh (1)
Arthur A. Cloyes (1)
W. R. Clark (1)
Nathaniel Clark (1)
Moses Clark (1)
Joshua Clark (1)
John Clark (1)
Lee Claflin (1)
Henry Claflin (1)
William P. Childs (1)
Naham Chapin (1)
Henry L. Chapin (1)
P. W. Chamberlin (1)
Phinehas Chamberlain (1)
Lowell W. Chamberlain (1)
Casey (1)
C. S. Cartee (1)
George O. Carpenter (1)
Carlisle (1)
John B. Campbell (1)
Cameron (1)
Henry Butterfield (1)
F. C. Burt (1)
Perez C. Burr (1)
Levi Burr (1)
John T. Burgess (1)
Dexter Bullard (1)
Ephraim W. Bull (1)
Bowen Buckman (1)
R. T. Bryant (1)
N. B. Bryant (1)
Mertoun C. Bryant (1)
A. W. Bryant (1)
T. M. Bryan (1)
Zenas Brown (1)
William Brown (1)
Simeon W. Brown (1)
Nathaniel Brown (1)
Jacob Brown (1)
George P. Brown (1)
Daniel L. Brown (1)
W. B. Brinley (1)
Francis Brinley (1)
George D. Brigham (1)
Francis Brigham (1)
Joseph Breck (1)
C. H. B. Breck (1)
Louisa Bray (1)
Elizabeth Bray (1)
George O. Brastow (1)
L. H. Bradford (1)
A. W. Brabiner (1)
Samuel Boyd (1)
Josiah Bowers (1)
N. C. Boutell (1)
Peter B. Bohonan (1)
Henry H. Blood (1)
Walter S. Blanchard (1)
D. B. Blanchard (1)
Isaac Blaisdell (1)
James Bird (1)
James E. Billings (1)
Jackson Bigelow (1)
Edward L. Bigelow (1)
Charles Bigelow (1)
Thomas H. Bent (1)
Jonathan P. Bent (1)
Oliver Bennett (1)
Clark Bennett (1)
Stillman D. Benjamin (1)
Moses C. Bean (1)
H. W. Baxter (1)
J. A. Bates (1)
Almena B. Bates (1)
J. M. Batchelder (1)
George Batchelder (1)
Albert Ballord (1)
Josiah Ballard (1)
William Baldwin (1)
Jonathan Baldwin (1)
Charles Babbidge (1)
Sager Ashworth (1)
Thomas E. Andrews (1)
Anderson (1)
William A. Ames (1)
Franklin Ames (1)
Otis Allen (1)
C. H. Allen (1)
Agassiz (1)
Joseph Adams (1)
George S. Adams (1)
Daniel Adams (1)
hide Dates (automatically extracted)
Sort dates alphabetically, as they appear on the page, by frequency
Click on a date to search for it in this document.
1865 AD (275)
1861 AD (199)
1862 AD (197)
1863 AD (194)
1864 AD (192)
1860 AD (106)
November 3rd (10)
April 29th (10)
August 25th (9)
July 21st (9)
May 6th (9)
April 4th (9)
March 1st, 1865 AD (8)
July 16th (8)
May 1st (8)
April 19th (8)
November 5th (7)
August 18th (6)
August 2nd (6)
July 22nd (6)
July 17th (6)
April 6th (6)
August 29th (5)
August 27th (5)
August 26th (5)
July 28th (5)
April 30th (5)
April 22nd (5)
March 7th (5)
March 6th (5)
March 3rd (5)
March 2nd (5)
1866 AD (4)
April 19th, 1861 AD (4)
November 4th (4)
August 23rd (4)
August 4th (4)
July 23rd (4)
July 19th (4)
July (4)
April 25th (4)
April 17th (4)
April 11th (4)
March 1st, 1864 AD (3)
October 17th, 1863 AD (3)
May 29th, 1655 AD (3)
October 13th (3)
September 1st (3)
August 21st (3)
August 20th (3)
August 11th (3)
July 26th (3)
July 25th (3)
July 14th (3)
June 29th (3)
June 13th (3)
June 11th (3)
June 10th (3)
June 8th (3)
May 30th (3)
May 15th (3)
May 7th (3)
April 28th (3)
April 27th (3)
April 21st (3)
April 7th (3)
March 28th (3)
March 23rd (3)
1871 AD (2)
1870 AD (2)
July, 1865 AD (2)
March, 1865 AD (2)
January, 1862 AD (2)
October, 1861 AD (2)
1836 AD (2)
1775 AD (2)
September 23rd, 1729 AD (2)
December 17th (2)
November 27th (2)
November 26th (2)
November 8th (2)
November 7th (2)
October 9th (2)
October 8th (2)
September 29th (2)
September 27th (2)
September 17th (2)
September 16th (2)
September 13th (2)
September 10th (2)
September 8th (2)
September 5th (2)
August 30th (2)
August 28th (2)
August 22nd (2)
August 19th (2)
August 15th (2)
August 10th (2)
August 5th (2)
August 1st (2)
August (2)
July 30th (2)
July 18th (2)
July 9th (2)
July 8th (2)
June 19th (2)
June 18th (2)
June 17th (2)
June 4th (2)
June 3rd (2)
June 1st (2)
May 26th (2)
May 23rd (2)
May 18th (2)
May 14th (2)
May 3rd (2)
April 24th (2)
April 23rd (2)
April 18th (2)
April 15th (2)
April (2)
March 26th (2)
March 9th (2)
29th (2)
March 9th, 1870 AD (1)
1869 AD (1)
June 30th, 1868 AD (1)
1868 AD (1)
July 4th, 1867 AD (1)
April 30th, 1867 AD (1)
March 19th, 1866 AD (1)
March 25th, 1865 AD (1)
March 6th, 1865 AD (1)
January 15th, 1865 AD (1)
January, 1865 AD (1)
July 11th, 1864 AD (1)
July 1st, 1864 AD (1)
June 30th, 1864 AD (1)
June 16th, 1864 AD (1)
April 19th, 1864 AD (1)
February 1st, 1864 AD (1)
July, 1863 AD (1)
April 19th, 1863 AD (1)
April, 1863 AD (1)
December 13th, 1862 AD (1)
September 5th, 1862 AD (1)
July 21st, 1862 AD (1)
June 23rd, 1862 AD (1)
April 19th, 1862 AD (1)
June 29th, 1861 AD (1)
April 28th, 1861 AD (1)
April 20th, 1861 AD (1)
April 18th, 1861 AD (1)
April, 1861 AD (1)
March 18th, 1859 AD (1)
1859 AD (1)
March 22nd, 1853 AD (1)
1853 AD (1)
May 3rd, 1850 AD (1)
April 30th, 1850 AD (1)
March 10th, 1847 AD (1)
March 17th, 1846 AD (1)
March 16th, 1846 AD (1)
March 3rd, 1843 AD (1)
1842 AD (1)
April 1st, 1836 AD (1)
March 1st, 1826 AD (1)
January 8th, 1815 AD (1)
February 25th, 1812 AD (1)
February 27th, 1807 AD (1)
February 24th, 1807 AD (1)
February 28th, 1799 AD (1)
June 22nd, 1789 AD (1)
February 25th, 1783 AD (1)
April 28th, 1780 AD (1)
April 10th, 1780 AD (1)
April 19th, 1775 AD (1)
March 5th, 1767 AD (1)
1762 AD (1)
April 19th, 1754 AD (1)
April 6th, 1753 AD (1)
January 5th, 1753 AD (1)
January 4th, 1737 AD (1)
July 3rd, 1735 AD (1)
December 23rd, 1734 AD (1)
June 29th, 1732 AD (1)
September 25th, 1730 AD (1)
December 17th, 1725 AD (1)
December 3rd, 1724 AD (1)
December 13th, 1715 AD (1)
December 3rd, 1715 AD (1)
March 29th, 1712 AD (1)
January 1st, 1712 AD (1)
February 26th, 1701 AD (1)
June 25th, 1700 AD (1)
December 15th, 1691 AD (1)
May 16th, 1683 AD (1)
May 27th, 1674 AD (1)
October 15th, 1673 AD (1)
May 31st, 1660 AD (1)
May 2nd, 1649 AD (1)
May 29th, 1644 AD (1)
May 18th, 1642 AD (1)
September 4th, 1639 AD (1)
September 2nd, 1635 AD (1)
September 8th, 1633 AD (1)
September 28th, 1630 AD (1)
January 4th, 1630 AD (1)
June 24th, 1629 AD (1)
December 24th, 1500 AD (1)
1062 AD (1)
25 BC (1)
December 31st (1)
December 23rd (1)
December 22nd (1)
December 20th (1)
December 19th (1)
December 16th (1)
December 14th (1)
December 13th (1)
December 11th (1)
December 9th (1)
December 8th (1)
December 7th (1)
December 5th (1)
December 2nd (1)
December 1st (1)
December (1)
November 29th (1)
November 23rd (1)
November 21st (1)
November 20th (1)
November 19th (1)
November 16th (1)
November 6th (1)
November (1)
October 30th (1)
October 27th (1)
October 23rd (1)
October 21st (1)
October 15th (1)
October 7th (1)
October 5th (1)
October 1st (1)
September 30th (1)
September 24th (1)
September 21st (1)
September 19th (1)
September 18th (1)
September 15th (1)
September 11th (1)
September 6th (1)
September 3rd (1)
September 2nd (1)
August 31st (1)
August 17th (1)
August 16th (1)
August 14th (1)
August 13th (1)
August 9th (1)
August 7th (1)
August 3rd (1)
July 31st (1)
July 27th (1)
July 24th (1)
July 20th (1)
July 15th (1)
July 13th (1)
July 12th (1)
July 11th (1)
July 10th (1)
July 7th (1)
July 5th (1)
July 4th (1)
July 3rd (1)
July 2nd (1)
July 1st (1)
June 28th (1)
June 24th (1)
June 22nd (1)
June 20th (1)
June 9th (1)
June 6th (1)
May 29th (1)
May 24th (1)
May 20th (1)
May 13th (1)
May 11th (1)
May 9th (1)
May 8th (1)
May 4th (1)
May 2nd (1)
May (1)
April 26th (1)
April 20th (1)
April 16th (1)
April 14th (1)
April 13th (1)
April 10th (1)
April 9th (1)
April 5th (1)
April 1st (1)
March 31st (1)
March 29th (1)
March 25th (1)
March 24th (1)
March 17th (1)
March 12th (1)
February 25th (1)
February 20th (1)
February 17th (1)
February 1st (1)
January 27th (1)
January 24th (1)
January 21st (1)
January 16th (1)
January 15th (1)
January 14th (1)
January 9th (1)
January 8th (1)
January 5th (1)
January 4th (1)
January 3rd (1)
January 2nd (1)
January (1)
28th (1)
27th (1)
21st (1)
19th (1)
15th (1)
12th (1)
10th (1)
hide Display Preferences
Greek Display:
Arabic Display:
View by Default:
Browse Bar: