annually let out to the lowest bidder in town- they can get money enough to pay him." The meeting.

division which occurred in so many churches was near at hand here. The break was not a sudden one. In 1828 they voted " to let each denomination have the meeting-house their proportionable part of the time, according to the valuation." A committee was then chosen in which each denomination was represented. The appearance, however, is, that the money was not raised by assessment, but by subscription. The final separation came in 1829, on the question of inviting the Rev. James R. Cushing to the pastorate. The church was in his favor; the parish, adverse. The difference was in "re

The years 1815-1818 were a time of considerable controversy about repairing the old meetinghouse or building a new one. Votes were passed; then special meetings were called, and they were reconsidered. As the hill on which the old meetinghouse stood was some distance west of the centre, quite a party in the east part of the town was in favor not only of building anew, but of placing the new house nearer the actual centre. In May, 1816, the whole matter of building or repairing was left to a committee of three, two of whom, at least, were non-residents. This committee reported in favorligious sentiment." Accordingly, on the 20th of of building on a site quite near the actual centre. May the church voted "that, having failed to seThe town refused to adopt the report. At a meet- cure the concurrence of the First Parish in inviting ing in November a petition was presented, signed Mr. Cushing to become our Religious Teacher, we by twenty-three residents of the east part of the proceed to take the steps prescribed by Law to town, asking to have a new meeeting-house, or one form a New Society." The same day such a located on or near the spot named by the com- society was legally formed, called the Evangelical mittee of reference, or else to be discharged, and Congregational Society, which speedily concurrred have liberty to go to the respective towns from with the church in giving a call for settlement to which they were taken. Though the town had Mr. Cushing. The First Parish continued its orever been democratic, this brought the doctrine of ganization for several years, with more or less of secession into practice too near home. It voted Sabbath service. But it slowly crumbled away. "to pass over the article." Various efforts were The new society and church concluded to erect made in town-meetings to reconcile both parties. their house of worship southeast of the old centre, But a new meeting-house was not built, nor were where the road to Stow crosses the old Boston any thorough repairs made. By suggestion from turnpike, where they now have a church and parthe people Mr. Willard withdrew from his long and sonage. Their continuance has been through perlaborious pastorate in December, 1823, when just sistent effort. The scars of the old wounds still completing his eighty-second year. He continued remain. With a few changes, Orthodox and Unito reside at the parsonage till his death in Septem-versalist have stood apart, looking at each other, ber, 1828. A graduate of Harvard, the first pastor of this little church was a well-educated though not a brilliant man; faithful in his ministry, and held in reverent esteem by his people. His work was in a humble and limited sphere. But in "filling his place with credit to himself and usefulness to his people," he rendered that service to his country and Christianity which will never be valued too highly. The resignation of Mr. Willard brought quite a turn in affairs. Though the amendment to the constitution disconnecting the churches and the state was not passed till November, 1833, yet Boxborough no longer appropriated the salary and paid for twenty cords of wood from its treasury. When the Rev. Aaron Picket came to be their next minister, they voted "not to settle him, but to hire him for one year, after what money is already raised be expended, to preach for them in Boxborough, provided he will stay and

but leaving it to a coming generation to forget the former days of division, and to be interested together in the Christian religion. The need that gave the town its organization must be the need that will preserve it.

The surface of the town is hilly and rocky. Limestone abounds in sufficient quantities on the Littleton side, so that the burning of lime was made quite a business several years ago. The soil, not deep, is productive. The wealth of the farmers has been in their milch cows; and of late their best success has been in furnishing milk for the Boston market. Trées grow luxuriantly. Grapevines are on every roadside. Berries abound in the pastures. Being only twenty-seven miles from Boston, vegetables, apples, grapes, pears, peaches, berries, are extensively cultivated and successfully raised, to be supplied fresh to the market. The farmers are organized for discussion of their inter

ests in the winter evenings, and for a biennial fair | given have all continued. Most of them have which is made very successful. multiplied. The first six are still in possession of Boxborough has the stable farm-life of New the farms upon which their fathers were probably England, discreet to conservatisın. A noticeable number of the estates have continued in the same family possession for more than a century. The first records of the town give us the names of Taylor, Wetherbee, Mead, Stevens, Stone, Blanchard, Whitcomb, Batcheller, and others. These that are

the original settlers. Many of the sons of the town have taken honorable positions in business. None have risen to the heights of public fame; none have fallen into the depths of shame and dishonor. It has been a remarkable town for "keeping on the even tenor of its way."

BRIGHTON.

BY REV. FREDERIC A. WHITNEY.

HE entire age of the town of Brighton as a distinct incora distinct incorporated municipality was but sixty-six years, two months, and twenty-seven days. This period was embraced between the date of the act of incorporation, February 24, 1807, and the date of the act of annexation, May 21, 1873, which was accepted by the city and town, October 8, 1873, to take full effect on the first Monday (5) of January, 1874. The township of Brighton survived twenty-eight years the township of her venerable mother, Cambridge, illustrious progenitor of so many successive distinct municipalities.

But though the town life of Brighton is brief, an earlier date and more hoary age is symbolized by its seal, on this page. In 1864 the writer of this sketch was requested to submit a device for the seal. This he suggested from what had long been a prominent business of the place, second only to that which had made the town the great cattle-market of New England, allied with its floral and agricultural gardens, its nurseries and greenhouses, its fruit and forest trees, vines, shrubs, botanical and medical plants. The enterprise and establishments of the Winship Brothers, Jonathan and Francis, who began in a small way, some seventy years ago, on Washington Street, opposite their mansion-house, and who were pioneers in this attractive and ennobling work, not only here, but indeed in all New England, have been followed by Joseph Breck and Son, William C. Strong,

Warren, Evers and Bock, Story, Smith, Brackett, Croughan, and many others in the past and the present, who have been thus identified with the trade in seeds and flowers, in trees and fruits. The cultivation of the strawberry has been long a specialty here, as the extensive grounds of the Scott Brothers, originators of the two noted varieties, the Brighton Pine and the Scotts' Seedling, and the grounds of many others testify, while the rich and luscious grapes, grown abundantly here both in the open air and in hot-houses, make the seal more significant.

CAMBRIDGE

UNCORPORATED 18012

was in early times
often, though not
uniformly, desig-
nated as "Little
Cambridge," where
many of the origival Cambridge settlers, as Richard
Dana, 1640, Elder Richard Champney, 1635, and
Nathaniel Sparhawk made their homes. Thus an
antiquity was claimed for it coeval with that of
Cambridge, and the seal was inscribed, "Little
Cambridge, a part of Cambridge, founded 1630.
Brighton incorporated 1807." The seal was first
used on the official reports of 1865, and subse-
quently on all town documents, orders, bills, etc.,

until annexation. It is now, with the seals and all the records of this and of the other towns and cities joined with Boston, in charge of the city clerk.

We have said that "Little Cambridge" was not the uniform early designation of the place. It is a mistake, to be learned on but slight knowledge of original Cambridge records and history, to suppose that "Little Cambridge" was oftener employed than "South Cambridge," or "South Side," or "Third Parish," or "Third Precinct," or "Southerly part of the First Parish," or "Inhabitants on the South Side of the River," which latter expression President Holyoke of the college used on some very ancient receipts, which are preserved, for money paid him for occasional pulpit services here. Indeed, the records of the First Church embodied here are inscribed on the cover, "Records of the Third Church of Christ in Cambridge."

house formerly used for the worship of God in South Cambridge for every week during the months of December, January, February, and March, -as witness our hands and date, Daniel Dana, Samuel Smith, Benjamin Dana, Thomas Sparhawk, Hugh Scott, William Dana, Richard Champney." The moneys set against the names are in English rates. | But something better than the "deserted private house" is soon wanted, as appears from two an cient manuscript papers which have floated down from the past.

of The Inhabitants on the South side of Charles River, "Cambridge, January y 29th, 1738-9. At a meeting Mr. Benjamin Dana chosen Moderator. Voted,—That Messrs. Samuel Smith, Benjamin Dana, W- Brown, Ebenezer Smith, and Thomas Sparhawk be a Committee to provide a meeting-house spot.

"Also Foted, That Messrs W Brown and Abraham Voted, That this meting be adjourned to Thursday the Beverly compute the charge of a mecting house. Then 15th of February, at 6 of the clock, afternoon, at the house of Mr. Thos. Dana, to receive the report of the Committee."

Cambridge, Feb. y 15th, 1738-9: The Committee report that they have provided a Spot of Land in the South formerly Thos. Cheny's. The report of the Committee appointed to compute the charge, find that the charge of a meeting house fit to meet in doth amount to Three Hundred and Eighty pounds Each of the reports read and accepted. Voted, That Messrs. W Brown, Benjamin Dana, Samuel Smith, Ebenezer Smith, and Thos. Sparhawk be a Committee to see what may be obtained by subscriptions. Voted, That this meeting be adjourned to the 15th of March at the house of Mr. Thos. Dana, at six o'clock, afternoon."

West Corner of Mr. Ebenezer Smith's land that was

"March y 15th. At a meeting of the Inhabitants upon

"The New Towne," then, born in 1630, as shown on her own seal and on Brighton's, in good hope of being not only "a fortified Town," but the metropolis of the country, and seat of a grand public school, was not fairly baptized "Cambridge" until 1638. The offshoots from the parent stock, alluded to in our opening, comprise a most interesting portion of the early Cambridge history. Meanwhile the desire of separate church accommodations on the south side of the river was steadily growing. It is not known how early public worship was held here on the Sabbath, but as soon certainly as 1730-or 1734. Rev. Dr. Foster, the first settled minister, was ordained in the old church, erected in 1744. But in his dedication sermon of 1811, of the new church, which, surrounded by an iron fence, still stands in its place, he says: "Not a century has yet elapsed since your fathers solicited "March y 9th, 1742-3. Whereas we the inhabitants on and obtained permission of the society to which the South side of Charles River in Cambridge have mututhey belonged [old First Parish on north or college ally agreed to build a meeting-house for the Public Worside] to worship by themselves during the inclement ship of God upon a spot of ground which they have lately season of the year. This they deemed a privilege purchased for that purpose, provided a sum shall be raised worthy of their desire and pursuit, though consufficient to defray the charge of building said meeting. strained to congregate in a deserted private house." house, Therefore we, the subscribers (being willing to encourage such a good work) Do promise to pay, each one Nothing is known of that edifice, but it is referred his Representative sum set against his name, in work, or to in the following time-worn record which has in such materials as the Committee that is appointed will been preserved: "Cambridge, November 16, 1739. accept of. And if the said Committee shall refuse to We the subscribers do oblige ourselves, our heirs, accept of some Labor and Materials that shall be offered &c. to pay unto Messrs. Daniel Dana, William by any of us the said Subscribers, we do further promise to pay, each of us, our representative sums which we Brown, William Dana, Committee, each representa-have subscribed, in good passable Bills of Credit Old

tive sum annexed to our names for the use of a minister to preach the gospel of Jesus Christ at a

adjournment, Voted,That if the Committee can obtain Three Hundred pounds by subscription, then to provide for building. Then Voted, That this meeting be adjourned to the 16th of April, to the house of Mr. Thos. Dana at two o'clock P. M."

Tenor to him that said inhabitants shall choose for their
Collector; when the said Collector shall Demand the

same; or any part thereof for to Defray the Charge that | dom displayed in this early meeting-house entershall arise upon building and finishing the above said meeting-house.

or West Cambridge, then ordained five years, and | habitants on this side of the river were more intent Allen of Brookline, Storer of Watertown, and than ever to become an ecclesiastical parish. UnHancock of Lexington, with others, may have til legally made such they could not settle a minisparticipated in the services. ter, and must pay taxes to the old First Precinct Parish, of which parish the law held them to be members. This much-coveted privilege must come from the General Court. Petitions presented as early as 1748 were, owing partly to natural

op

even to some dissent from here, refused. We insert the following petition because, while presenting a fuller statement of the causes for separation than others, it is so simple and reasonable, and in spirit almost pathetic. We must remember that a portion of North Harvard Street, which now we count so easy and pleasant a walk to the Colleges, was, in the winters of early years, so encumbered with floating ice from the rapid Charles River as to be often dangerous for travel. Many, in going from Market Square on this side, even in light sleighs, preferred the circuitous course by Newton Corner and Watertown to the shorter but obstructed causeway.

However it may have been dedicated, we have documentary evidence that the meeting-house was duly "dignified." An early universal custom of New England was to "seat" the stated members of the worshipping assembly. There was a stand-position from the First Parish and elsewhere, and ing committee for this purpose. Those seats were to be permanently retained. Various scales for guiding the committee as instructions, or grounds of promotion, seem to have prevailed in different places. In some towns, positions of public trust, pious dispositions and behavior, peculiar serviceableness, made ground of distinction. In Newton it was voted that "age and gifts" should be the criterion, or standard. In the town of Reading "real estate and age" were prescribed; while else where it was enacted that "no precedence on account of birth or rank" should constitute a claim. This business seems here to have been carefully considered, as by the following early deliberations :-"South Cambridge, December y 4th, 1744. At a meet-"To ing of the Inhabitants being subscribers only, - Captain Dana chosen Moderator, Voted, -To chuse a committee to lay out the Pue lots, and set a price upon them, dignify the same and Project a method to settle, or sell the Same to the subscribers, and make report at the next meeting. Voted, That Thomas Dana, W Dana, and Josiah Brown be of this Committee. December 13th, upon adjournment, Report of last named Committee was accepted. Ebenezer Smith, Thomas Dana, W Dana, Josiah Brown and Thos. Sparhawk were chosen to make distribution of Pues. Voted, That Messrs. Nathaniel Cunningham, Henry Smith, Caleb Dana, and Madam Brown have the choice of a Pew cach. Adjourned to Thursday y 20th of this Inst. December at 2 o'clock, afternoon to the school-house to receive the report of the committee appointed to make Distribution of the Pew lots."

“December 25th, on adjournment, Voted, That those which have, or shall accept of Pew lots at the several prizes they are set in the plan, pay their money to the meetinghouse committee, or some one of them. Voted,

-

His Excellency Thomas Hutchinson Esq., Governorin-Chief in and over His Majesty's Province of the Massachusetts Bay in New England, The Honorable His Majesty's Council and the House of Representatives now convened and sitting in the Town of Boston this 26th day of January, 1774.

"The Petition of the Inhabitants of the First Parish in

Cambridge Living on the South side of Charles River, humbly sheweth, That your Petitioners have for a long time Laboured under many disadvantages and Great inconvenience in not having a Gospel minister settled with them, which gives them Occasion to intreat that you will take into Consideration their Situation, State and Circumstances, and that Your Excellency and Honors may have a true knowledge thereof, we beg leave to inform you that about forty Years Past, the Gospel was first Preached amongst us, it being impracticable when the tides were high, and the Snow and Ice lodged on the Causeway Leading to the Town of Cambridge, to pass and repass; being then few in number to what we are now we Purchased a house to meet In, for Publick Worship; and In about ten years after, at our own Expense, Built a house for that Purpose; and about the year '60 we applied to the then General Assembly that they would take our unhappy Situation into their Consideration and relieve us in "February y 26, 1744-5,- - Captain Benjamin Dana Such manner as should seem best; but the town of CamModerator, Voted, - That Deacon Bridgham have the bridge making considerable opposition to our Proceedings, first Pew on the left hand of the middle alley, adjoining the General Assembly saw fit to decline acting upon it and to Mr. John Ellis' Pew. Put to vote,-whether the sub-giving us relief in the way we are now Seeking it, but Orscribers will make abatement upon the pew spots between the East and West doors and the men and women's stairs, and it passed in the affermative. Then Voted,―That three pounds be abated upon each of the Four Pews."

That no man build his Pew untill he has paid for his Pue lot. Then Voted, That they who have Pue lots, pay for ym by the last of January, or it shall be in the power of the Committee to Dispose of it."

Once in possession of a church edifice, the in

dered that £52 per annum be paid out of the Parish rate for the support of Preaching on the South Side of the river; and annexed part of Charlestown and Watertown to the first parish of Cambridge; but we, finding that Sum not sufficient to the support of an ordained minister, have