M66 M575 Copy 2 iim&:Bimmmmms^^^^m^ 0^ •l'=:55^^' ^ .^^ ^^ -^%o^' "V^*'/ "V^?V' "V^*V^ % ,4q ^ A .^' > .^^^ ^ *7f^T* A ^. 'o.> 0*^ ^ ♦T^T' A <^ 'o.T- :\ %/ . ^/ "°^-^-'*/ V'^'y "V'^-'l/ .. *^ ^^O-* «fe %.^ ^\ --V, -^ • o S \ ' 'bV I <^ * O N ' ^^ A.^ O « ° .^ ■MV\^ o 0^ \:> */;-^.;^ .'V ,.0' o " o , 'o O ^-^^ ,- V' ^' tj> " O « „^' ).^-r\ J^*' ^^ ' PRESIDENT'S ADDRESS AND TENTH ANNIVERSARY REPORTS OF MILTON HISTORICAL SOCIETY M A Record of the Society's First I'en Tears Printed by Vote of the Society 1915 .MUUM5T6 Oft^ aift MILTON HISTORICAL SOCIETY ITS TEN YEARS PAST AND ITS NEXT TEN YEARS ADDRESS BY THE PRESIDENT OF THE SOCIETY AT THE ANNUAL MEETING, 2d JUNE, 1915 INTRODUCTORY It is not my aim that when this meeting adjourns you shall all leave feeling that you have learned everything that you need or wish of Milton History. It is rather my desire that you should all go home feeling how little has been done in classifying the records of the past, and that it is the duty of each and every man and woman who has heard this paper read to contribute in some form to a further elucidation. The Society's tenth anniversary seems an appropriate occa- sion to put down in black and white some of its accomplishments and some of the aspirations of its members. We study to unravel the confusion of the past ; let us keep our own records in order and ready to consult, and let us also file for future generations every available record of what goes on about us in this our town of residence. Whetlier we are here by chance of birth or by choice we owe the town our allegiance. Thus in one paragraph of my paper I have put the pith of the whole subject, what we came together for and formed this Society. We will now turn back and consider chronologically the steps which led to our corporate existence ; — but one question must, I fear, remain forever unanswered, and that is : why did not Milton citizens earlier form such a Society? One natural function of a Public Library is to accumulate all printed matter relating to the city or town which it serves. A number of years ago the Rev. Dr. Albert K. Teele got together and gave to our Library a set of Milton documents. These, bound together for their better preservation, form, we must always (3) bear iu mind, the corner-stone of our Society, even though they were given to the Library. The Society and the Library must ever stand together in the conduct of affairs relating to local history. On the 19th April, 1900, a Loan Exhibition of Historical Articles was opened by the members of the First Evangelical Congregational Church. This building of the Public Library, in which this paper is read, opened lltli June, 1904, provided a room to accommodate such articles of local interest as might be given into the charge of the library trustees. The trustees realized that the time would come when these would be too numerous for this room, but felt that in the absence of a local historical society some opportunity to accumulate and protect such articles should be provided. We will turn now to the Milton Educational Society. Founded 2d October, 1900, it changed its title to Milton Education Society during the winter of 1902-1903. One of the committees of that Society, known as the Historical Committee, and consist- ing of Dr. Freeland D. Leslie, Mr. Hiram Tuell, and Miss Alma G. Pierce, at a meeting held 28th November, 1904, reported unani- mously in favor of the incorporation of an historical society to devote its entire energy to the cause of getting together and pre- serving everything bearing on the history of the town. A letter from Mrs. Adeline D. T. Whitney was read, favoring this course. Mr. Don Gleason Hill, Town Clerk of Dedham, urged the value of an historical society with its facts and property well classified and arranged for reference. Several others spoke in favor. Articles of agreement were then signed by practically all wiio were present, more than fifty. Mr. Horace E. Ware acted as president during the preliminary meetings for the formation of the Society. We may now refer to the annual reports of our own Society for most of the information which we need : First Report (for 1905) : In this it is briefly set forth that several meetings were held in the interests of founding a society as recommended by the committee of the Education Society. Some delay ensued owing (4) to difficulty in bringing together again those who were at the first meeting — a technical difficulty of lack of quorum. Therefore, to facilitate matters, and not because there were not others ready and anxious to become charter members, the fol- lowing nine were selected as charter members, the names appear- ing here in the order signed on the articles of incorporation which were finally used: Nathaniel T. Kidder, Hiram Tuell, William L. W. Field, Alma Gardner Pierce, Freeland D. Leslie^ Arthur H. Tucker, Andrew Henshaw Ward, Ellen F. Vose, Anne Rowe Cunningham. More meetings — of this smaller body — and order began to appear. The application for incorporation is dated 11th January, 1905. The Certificate of Incorporation is dated 7th February, 1905. By-laws were adopted, officers elected. The incorporators then met, 25th February, 1905, and elected eighty-seven (87) per- sons as members of the Society. Man}-- of these had been active in the preliminaries. The first annual meeting was held 6th June, 1905. More members joined at this meeting, bringing the total up to one hundred and fifty-two (152), a very creditable showing for this first report. The first paper read at a meeting of the Society was on Gov- ernor Jonathan Belcher, and was read by its author. Miss Mary P. Webster, Founder and First President of the Milton Woman's Club. Thus indirectly we acknowledge our indebtedness to another Milton institution. Miss Webster's paper was later printed in the " Milton Record," as most of the papers read at the meetings of the Society have been. An appendix to my paper will serve as an index to these. A field meeting, attended by sixty-eight (68) persons, was held on 19th April, 1905, under the leadership of Mr. John A. Tucker, to whom the Society is indebted for his enthusiasm and devotion in many forms. In this first year, also, the Society's seal was made, being designed by and executed under the superintendence of Prof. William Robert Ware. (5) Second Report (for 1906) : It seems best not to detail all papers read at the Society's meetings chronologically, but rather to give a list of these in an appendix, and the same treatment is made of field meetings, and of other items in the career of the Society, but it is impossible to pass without special mention of the Loan Exhibition held in the Town Hall under the auspices of the Committee on Articles of His- torical Interest during the week of 19th-24th November, 1906. Of this exhibition many photographs were taken by Mr. Frizell, and a set of these has been preserved in a book in which the Curator has entered explanatory notes, so that the lender's name can be found and something of the story of most of the articles. Third Report (for 1907) : From this I copy the following item, the only entry I believe therein not mentioned in some other part of this paper : " The Society has been the medium through which the Town of Milton has contributed a stone to be inserted in and be a part of the Pilgrim Memorial Monument at Provincetown. The cost of the stone was $40.00 which was raised by subscription." When Rev. and Mrs. Theodore I. Reese were about leaving Milton a reception was given to them by St. Michael's Parish, The Mission of Our Savior, the Milton Education Society, and Milton Historical Society. This was on 19th February, 1907. Fourth Report (for 1908) : Here we read of the series of three lectures given by Mr. Edwin D. Mead under the joint auspices of Milton Historical Society, Milton Education Society, and Milton Woman's Club. The titles of these lectures were : " The Voice of the Old South Meeting House," " Washington's Work in Opening the West," " The United States as a World Power." A bronze tablet placed in 1908 opposite the head of Churchill's Lane bears the inscription : " Opposite this tablet stood Milton's First Meeting House, built prior to 1660. — Milton Historical Society 1908." It shows the probable appearance of the building, a rough log cabin. (6) Through our Society the Margaret May Ward prize was first offered in 1908 by Mr. Andrew H. Ward. This has been offered yearly ever since, and a fund in the hands of the Treasurer insures its permanence for the future. Details will be found in an appendix hereto. Fifth Report (for 1909) : In addition to four papers mentioned in the appendix wherein their authors are given credit, a talk on " The Geology and Geog- raphy of Milton," by Mr. William L. W. Field, is chronicled in this report. The Milton Catechism is spoken of as nearly ready, and an edition of one thousand copies is authorized by the Directors. This Milton Catechism, designed on the lines of a similar work on Brookline, was firat suggested by Mr. Andrew H. Ward, who served as Chairman of the Committee which prepared it. It is not exhaus- tive, nor was it meant to be ; it is rather a mental guide, if I may so express it, full of suggestions for working up the details of Milton's history. Sixth Report (for 1910) : Herein is stated that the " Milton Catechism " has been pub- lished, one thousand copies. Thenceforth this book speaks for itself and should be familiar to every one in Milton. (Copies may be obtained of the Curator at fifty cents.) An exhibition of manuscripts, documents, books, portraits, photographs, etc., relating to the early history of the town was held in Milton Public Library from 14th February to 14th May, 1910. These articles were some of them owned by the Society, and many loans swelled the exhibition. Several of the articles loaned were given to the Society at the end of the exhibition. During this year much work was done towards a catalogue of our belongings. A tablet to Thaddeus William Harris, M.D,, was placed on the Suffolk Resolves House (so called) in Milton Village, by the Cambridge Entomological Club, Boston Society of Natural History and Milton Historical Society, and unveiled 1st January, 1910. (7) At the site of the former home of Rev. Peter Thacher, now belonging to Mr. John A. Tucker, interesting exercises were held on 5th June, 1910. While the first credit for this ceremony belongs to Mr. Tucker, I know that he will be willing to share with us the credit of being interested with him. Seventh Report (for 1911) : This shows no special activities beyond the papers at the reg- ular meetings, but the work of mounting some of the more valuable papers of the Society for their better preservation and more ready reference was begun. Eighth Report (for 1912) : In addition to the papers at the regular meetings the mount- ing of documents was continued. A small safe was installed in the Public Library, thus enabling us to bring order out of chaos. Though the inspiration of the celebration of the 250th Anni- versary of the Town's Incorporation came from a member of the Society, the actual process of bringing about the celebration was through the Town Meeting. A committee chosen from our mem- bers was appointed by the Moderator in 1911 and continued in 1912, when an appropriation was made by the town. The proceed- ings of the anniversary are set forth in a pamphlet, and this was reprinted by the Town as a part of the 77th Annual Report, and so need not be further referred to here. The feature of this celebration which was furnished directly by this Society was the placing of large cardboard signs to mark various sites of historical interest which it is hoped may be marked permanently from time to time. Indeed, Mr. Sidney Clementson gave the Society a considerable sum of money for this purpose, and some of the permanent tablets will be placed when certain details are made perfectly clear. The map published that year was an outcome of the Anniver- sary Committee's work, compiled by Mr. Frederick P. Hall. The Historical Pageant given in the autumn of 1912, and forming a fitting close of the exercises of the anniversary, was given under the auspices of the Society, but not under the direct supervision of its officers. It was conducted by a voluntary com- (8) mittee. So many of the townspeople taking part in it were not members that it may well be considered a work of the citizens at large. Many photographs of this, taken by Mr. Friz ell, have been preserved. In April, 1913, the Directors decided that a Curator was desir- able to put our possessions in proper order and thus render them easier to consult. They were fortunate in their selection. At the June meeting the appointment was ratified, and we still have as Curator Miss Jane W. Kennedy, with office hours at the Public Library Thursdays from 3.30 to 5.30, which hours represent only a small part of the time which she devotes to the work of the Society. Some of the more readily shown of our property was that same year put in the cases at the end of the Art Room of the Library on permanent exhibition. Ninth Report (for 1913) : The annual meeting in 1913, consisting of reports of com- mittees, was rendered particularly interesting by the report of the Committee on Historical Library, given by Mr. Henry W. Cunning- ham and consisting largely of a description of some of the more interesting papers owned by the Society. The by-laws were considerably amended at this meeting, the most important changes being : Provision for ready filling of vacancies in Board of Directors; More elasticity given dates of meetings ; a Permanent Fund established, formed from Life Mem- bership dues — " The interest of the Permanent Fund may be used for current expenses . . . but the principal shall be expended only upon authorization by a two-thirds vote of those present and voting at a meeting of the Society duly called for the purpose." The Bay State Historical League was joined that year, and three delegates from our Society attend the meetings of the League and bring back inspiration for our work. A loan exhibition of samplers, wrought needlework and mourning jewellery was held in the Public Library. Again Mr. Frizell was called in and took photographs which have been preserved in a book. (9) Tenth Report {for 1914) : In connection with the paper at the October, 1914, meeting, by Mr. George T. Tilden, entitled " Among Some Yesterday- Houses," an exhibition of pictures of old Milton houses was held for a week in the Historical Room. On 16th January, 1915, the Bay State Historical League held its meeting in Milton Town Hall by our invitation, and Mr. Charles S. Pierce read a short paper on " Milton's Place in the Country." The main paper of the meeting was on " How can Children best be taught the History of their own Town ? " by Mr. Henry Whitte- more, Superintendent of the Framingham Normal School. Opening on the same day as the above meeting and continu- ing for several weeks, a loan exhibition was held of articles asso- ciated with the life of Jonathan Russell, one of the signers of the Treaty of Ghent, signed 24th December, 1814. Before leaving this part of my address I wish to quote the words of our Recording Secretary at the date of the first report : " The Town of Milton, in common with all New England settlements, has its share of deeds well done, of principles main- tained at the hazard of life and fortune. In such as these every right-minded person takes a common pride. To keep them alive, to preserve them from oblivion, to retain every incident connected with these events and those who participated therein, should become his duty. " The events of to-day should not be neglected. " Events of yesterday in time become past history, and it is by taking note of such that history is preserved. " It was for this work Milton Historical Society was organized, and the Directoi-s bespeak the active support of all members of the Society to the end that it shall take its place among the permanent institutions of the Town." Membership : The membership of the Society has been well maintained from the first, the lists printed in the reports showing the following numbers: 1st Report, 152; 2d, 160; 3d, 215; 4th, 247; 5th, 241 ; 6th, 239 ; 7th, 243 ; 8th, 296 ; 9th, 312 ; 10th, 306. Great care has been taken to print all names correctly, but I (10) am aware that errors have crept into some of the reports, and would ask to have my attention or that of the Secretary drawn to such errors. Accuracy should be one of the characteristics of our reports. It is sometimes of great importance to get a name exactly right, and this becomes increasingly difficult as time leaves the bearer of the name behind. Do we all know the full names of Charles Darwin or Grover Cleveland ? Some of our members may not establish their names as firmly as did those two men, and may require more accuracy for identification. Let me urge on you all to get as many members for the Society as possible. The annual dues are small, and the receipts in return will increase, for your Directors do not desire to hoard money, they want to advance all the lines of work possible. The opportunities for members to do helpful work are numerous, and every effort will be made to point out lines of usefulness to those desirous of working. It has been often stated that Milton has a great many organizations, but the dues of each are light and even if all are added together do not make a very heavy charge. We should consider each society as a branch of a great league working for the good of all. The old bulletin board nailed to one of the old elms in Milton Village some of you will remember — it was there for many years. That was more or less a turning point in my " historical " develop- ment. I had always looked at it as simply a gathering place (rather dirty) for notices rarely of much interest to me. As time went on it began to impress itself on my mental retina. Toward the end of its sojourn in the village I often had occasion to post notices on it myself; it was the mechanical part of this particularly which lingers in my mind, an interesting balance between being able always to find enough tacks left from old bills to put up new bills, and a difficulty in finding space among the old taclis to insert new tacks. Let me now mention some of our work not readily arranged chronologically. Everything received from any source is entered in an accession book, showing chronologically when it comes, and a card catalogue is also kept for ready reference. It is hoped that before long a printed catalogue may be issued, but we are obliged to consider carefully where our money will do the most good. (11) We have copied the old town records ; a task suggested by us to the Town meeting in 1908, referred back to the Directors of this Society with an appropriation. This work has been done by Miss Eleanor P. Martin, so I need not add that it has been well done. The copy has been bound and is in the Library building. To print this would be expensive, but we hope perhaps some day to be able to print it. We have got together and had bound sets of all local publica- tions ; newspapers, town and school reports, special reports, photographs and earlier portraits, documents, plans, books and pamphlets written by citizens of Milton. A printed catalogue of these is under consideration, but first a list of wants, of lacking numbers, may be issued in an effort to complete files. If our Society is to do its best work and stimulate an interest in historical matters among our newer residents, I believe that we should not confine our essays absolutely to Milton. In our collec- tions, however, we may wisely be more restricted to local articles as other societies are numerous and well stocked. Let us get into the habit of bringing back wath us from our travels new ideas for Milton. If you saw a chair or a picture, or let us say if you ate a pudding which you liked, you would natur- ally consider acquiring such a one for your own house. Boston has recently put on the street signs the old names of some of the streets. In London I noted last year that a platform at the edge of the sidewalk on Piccadilly bore a tablet in iron. This platform is perhaps six feet by eighteen inches, of plank, and is supported on posts perhaps four feet high ; but for the tablet few would know to-day its mission. The inscription tells us that these platforms (there were once several) were " Erected at the suggestion of (the name is given but does not signify for our purposes) in 1861, for the convenience of porters, and thus commemorate a custom of the times. It is hoped that there will be sufficient interest taken to maintain them." England is full of such inscriptions, some of them marking events dating back of course to the time of the Romans. I have purposely chosei\. a marker of a structure built within my own lifetime, but all the same needed so soon to tell the use of the platforms. (12) Is it too far a flight to imagine a tablet in the future reading somewhat as follows : " This post, formerly known as a hitching- post, was formerly used for tying horses to, when those animals were in general use as draft animals." Thirty odd years ago I found on the coast of Maine a small plant which interested me much. I came home and found it grow- ing as a weed amongst the flowers on my father's place. Notice what you see in traveling and find its equivalent if not its coun- terpart in your own town. It is not always the most expensive memorial that does the most good in any sense. A simple reminder well set, as a small tablet on a boulder in a park, does more real good to the world than does a costly marble tablet in the wall of a house. Appro- priateness must be considered in all things. Anniversakies : Anniversaries of local happenings might well be chronicled in the local paper. Quotations from the old Town records on such occasions would be in order, on the same principle that we see the daily papers quote from their issues of years ago. Under this head I may perhaps suggest the celebration of " Milton Day." The 250th Anniversary in 1912 was, of coui-se, more than we can expect for an annual observance, but flying of flags, perhaps a holiday for the schools, and other methods of noting the event would be appropriate. The same person who suggested Milton Day also suggested a Milton flag. Recognition of good deeds of the past would surel}'^ encourage public-spirited acts to-day. Names of Districts or Sections: Some of these are very interesting or curious. Many are little known to newer residents, and some even to older. Some would even be hard to locate, and all would, I fancy, be difficult to bound. Here are some of them : Algerine Corner, The Bar- ley Field, Pine Tree Brook (as a district), The Bush, Paradise, Milton Hill, Scotch or Scott's Woods, New State, Sodom, Tony Pastor's, The Cliffs, Austin Triangle. A complete list with origin (13) of all the names would make an interesting paper all by itself. We may note in passing that Milton Hill, which sounds the simplest of all the names perhaps, is variously located by different people. These local names should be classified and preserved for future reference. Marking Sites : What are we to mark, you ask? I answer, that which stands out from the pages of our history as peculiarly our own, and that from which we have grown away. Thus the Baldwin apple is said to have originated in Milton, does any one know where — if so, mark the place. A powder mill stood somewhere in Milton vil- lage — if we all knew just where we almost surely would mark it — the site is hard to fix exactly, the date is still more elusive — here is an opportunity for research. Look in the lists of past residents for distinguished citizens, surely we have had more Gov- ernors of the State resident in Milton than fall to the lot of most towns. Taverns, factories, dams, residences. It may be that we have too many to mark all the interesting sites, but surely there is no lack of such. Who left the Town Farm to Milton? Closely akin to marking sites with tablets is the naming of streets to commemorate those who lived on them or near them, or who were instrumental in having them built. Our Milton Public Schools are already named for families prominent in the Town's history — the Vose School was so named at the suggestion of this Society when asked for a suggestion by the committee in charge of the erection of the building. In a general way the first name given a street may be said to be the one which should be retained. We have caused much con- fusion among strangers coming to town by having an Adams Street which, though a connecting link between the streets in Boston and Quincy of the same name, is numbered independently of both. Many street names are duplicated in our town ; as Blue Hill Avenue, Blue Hills Parkway (a pitfall). Blue Hill Terrace Street, Granite Avenue and Granite Place, Churchill Street and Churchill's Lane, Columbia Park and Columbia Street and even Columbine Road, almost a repetition, Milton Street and Milton Avenue, Oak (14) Street and Road (I would suggest the name of Record Road for the latter), Pine Street and Road. There were formerly two Pond Streets, but one is now Austin Street, for its former owner. Hillside Street might well bear the same name in Milton and Canton. Amongst our more interesting street names let me mention Belcher Circle, Brackett Street, Dollar Lane, Hutchinson Street, Squantum Street, Thistle Avenue, Unquity Road, though unfor- tunately misplaced, as we are told that Unquity-Quisset denotes the name of a place at the head of a small tidal stream or creek (Trumbull-Teele's History, p. 35), Willard Street. A list of suggestions must suffice. Anecdotes of Miltonians, even sayings of Milton children, portraits and pictures, architects' drawings of entire buildings or of details, list of milestones, when trees were planted, records from family bibles, old journals, cash accounts, files of old bills, letters, sermons, amplifying and extra illustrating Dr. Teele's History. A fuller index to this last would be a much appreciated contribution. We may well study comparatively any subject through the two hundred and fifty-three years of the Town's existence and make a collection of Indian relics, of minerals, of any branch of natural history as found here. Society to own Building : It is to be hoped that some day we may have quarters of our own in which we may expand. The community seems to be divided into those who do not see the use in our having a building while we have so few articles to put in it, and those who do not understand why we ask for articles when we have no building in which to keep them. A temporary plan which I have already suggested is that we loan our large articles to other societies until such time as we can house them. An ideal condition finally would be an historic house for our meetings and a fireproof ell attached to it for our museum. Or we might use the new Woman's Club for our meetings (provided we were welcome) and build a fireproof museum wing on that. Other possibilities will occur to you, or will develop as time goes on. (15) LIBEARIAN'S REPORT For Year Ending June 1, 1915 The possessions of Milton Historical Society are increasing each year, and since the last report the following additions have been made : In June, 1914 : From Miss Amanda J. Ferry — Old Caster. Cigars made from tobacco raised on Brush Hill. Picture of Old Brick School House. Mortar and pestle found on old George Sumner land. From Miss Ellen F. Vose — Bookplate of Abigail Foord. From Mr. Henry B. Martin — Banner of Milton Washingtonians. From Misses Alice C. and Mary A. Breck — 26 vols. Dedham Historical Register. 8 vols. Hyde Park Historical Record. Dedham Records, 1635-1845. Historical Annals of Dedham. Records of Boston Selectmen, 1716-1736. Boston Almanac and Directory, 1872. City Hall, Boston (pamphlet). Blue Hill Observatory (pamphlet). Table of Distances. Dedication of Medfield Town Hall. Cash Book, Jazaniah Foord & Son. View of Harvard College, 1823. Steam Packet, *' Chancellor Livingston " (view). Iron Light-house on Minot's Ledge, 1850. Three Ballots. Three views. 13 vols. Boston Record. Bouquet of Honesty 40 years old. Framed Engraving of Norfolk Agricultural Society, Dedham, 1856. Photograph of First Parish Church and Academy. (16) Photograph of Chemical Engine House. Account of work done in Hobart's Skin Shop, 1828-1829. From Mr. Nathaniel T. Kidder — Map of Dorchester and Milton, 1831. Pamphlet, Pageant of little town of X. July : From the Misses Alice C. and Mary A. Breck — 3 vols. Old Milton Directory. Address in commemoration of the one hundredth anniversary of incorporation of Quincy (pamphlet). Pamphlet, "Law of Woman Life," Mrs. A. D. T. Whitney. Charter and by-laws of Medfield Historical Society. Six sermons, and several reports of Milton Town Committees. Rules and Regulations of Police, Town of Milton, emorial to Rev. Frederick Frothingham. Address by Edw. L. Pierce, Marathon and Chattanooga. Pamphlet, Powder Mill on the Neponset. Tucker Light, vols. 1 to 4. From Miss Mary Rivers — American State Papers, 1812-1815. From Yale University Library — Life and Letters of Nathan Smith, M.B., M.D. August : From the Misses Breck — Painting on glass, old Jonathan Badcock House on Brook Road. September : From the Misses Breck — Packages of Foord cards. OCTOBEK : Picture of Charles L. Vose, given by Mr. John Chancellor Crafts. From Mr. Kidder — Swinging sign of old Blue Hill Hotel. Sumner deed, 1690. November : A pamphlet. The Colonial. (17) December : From Breck Papers — A list of subscribers to the Washingtonian Banner. A bill for fringe, cord and tassel for same. A bill for lighting and heating hall for temperance meetings. A bill, Expense for repairing Milton Bridge, 1823. From Miss Ellen F. Vose — A map illustrating the paper on Robert Vose. From Mr. George H. Clements — A fire bucket. A framed Memorial to the members of the Hydrant Engine Co. who volunteered for the Civil War. In January, 1915 : From Mrs. A. A. Brackett — A certificate from City of Boston to ladies of Milton Rail- way for articles furnished during Civil War, signed by Mrs. Harrison Gray Otis. From Mr. Kidder — Photograph of Badge worn on a fire cap by Mr. Isaac Sander- son when member of Fireward Society for Dorchester and Milton. Deed of John Trott to John Taylor, 1729. From Mrs. Caleb L. Cunningham — A printing on cloth of the "Signing of the Declaration of Independence," with a Key, by John Trumbull. From Mrs. Charlotte Todd Stevens — Fire Marshal's pole, carried by Mr. Todd about 1850. Six pamphlets on Billerica given by the publishers. From Miss Mary H. Hinckley — Photographs of Houghton House ; Nathaniel Robbins House ; Boies House ; Gooch House ; Rising Sun Tavern ; Robbins House, Brush Hill ; Polly Crane House ; George Hollings- worth House; First School House built in Mattapan in 1850 ; John Swift, Hatter's Shop ; Miss Elizabeth Swift. Bill 1827 from John Swift to Robert Hinckley for a hat. (18) February : From Mrs. Cunningham — Constitution of Ladies' Milton and Dorchester Circulating Library, 1854. Views around Milton Abbas, England. Photogravure of Signing of Treaty of Ghent, published in New York Times. From Miss Mary Rivers — Biographical sketch of Jonathan Russell. From Mr. Kidder — Clerk's notice of meeting of Trustees of Milton Academy, 1799. March : From Mr. Charles S. Pierce — Copy of address given by him before the Bay State Historical League in Milton Town Hall, Jan. 16, 1915. Proceedings of the Ninth Annual Conference of Historical Societies, 1912. From Miss Hester Cunningham — Old pamphlets and papers. April : Pamphlet by Mr. R. B. Forbes. Respectfully submitted, ELIZABETH HAMLIN, Librarian. (19) CURATOR'S REPORT Year Ending June 1, 1915 The Curator on Thursday afternoons the past year received four more visits than during the preceding year, thirty-six in all, but only twelve different visitors. I think more help came to her from them, however, than was given in return. Numerous gifts were brought, and with the advice of the Librarian nearly all accepted and indexed. Papers are being arranged as well as space will allow under their subjects, and we hope another year that these subject headings, such as churches, schools, industries, maps, town departments, genealogies, etc., may be brought out more clearly in the index, and papers arranged where they can be better handled. Our books, about 200, including many valuable reference works, cannot be kept on view, but will gladly be shown when called for. The " objects of interest" or " curios " have been increased during the past year from 49 to 77. These are entered in accession book by number, name, and donor, and then or later as full a description as possible added. Time and patience are often required for this, and the Curator, to insure accuracy, will always be glad of any notice of « errors or omissions." One of this year's gifts which is at present hanging on the wall of this room, the sign of the Blue Hill Hotel, was rescued by our President, having disappeared about 1894 from its rest- ing place, for probably many years, in the ell of the old Tavern then known as Clark's. Family inquiry had been unable to trace it, although a tenant of the house after it had ceased to be used by the public was suspected of assisting its removal. And now here is this sign " Blue Hill Hotel " to be accounted for, and a name or names of a probable hotel keeper which we will grate- fully thank any one to decipher, and no one to remember ever seeing any such sign before the entrance to Clark's Tavern. After many inquiries, a lady tells us that driving from Randolph to the " Blue Hills " for the " good times " with young friends she remembers distinctly seeing the sign Blue Hill Hotel facing their approach, the board corresponding to this in size, but she did not notice the name, and feels quite sure it was before Mr. Clark occupied (20) the house, which was about 1860. More light on the subject may- come to us. The exhibition of photographs of old houses of Milton, given in this room at the time of Mr. Tilden's delightful paper on that subject, not only proved interesting, but it brought to the Society the gift of several of the photographs exhibited. The present owner of one of these bouses, the Gooch House, has sent the Society a full description and history of the same, which shows the time and thought given to its preparation. Will not other members do likewise, that the old sites may not be forgotten when the knowledge of the present generation is no longer available ? The Curator would like to say that besides on Thursdays, 3.30-5.30, she will be glad to meet any one, so desiring, other days, and this without great inconvenience, as Library or Historical work calls her often during the week to the Library building. JANE W. KENNEDY, Curator. (21) Appendix A NECROLOGY Mrs. Adeline D. T. Whitney, Roland Hayward Charles M. S. Churcliill, Granville S. Webster, Robert Bates Palfrey, Caroline Gushing Vose, Clifford Brigham, Dexter Emerson Wadsworth, Jane Frances Dow, Josephine Maria Breck, John Phillips Spooner Churchill, Mrs. Oliver W. Peabody (Mary L.), Joseph Cutler Whitney, Thomas Edwin Ruggles, Joanna Rotch, James Sumner Greene, Mrs. Edward C. Perkins (Jane Sedgwick), Abbot Lawrence Rotch, James Tucker, Sidney Clementson, Andrew H. Ward, Mrs. James B. Thayer (Sophia B.), Charles F. Fairbanks, Mrs. Charles F. Fairbanks (Julia E.), Daniel Denny, George W. Nickerson, Charles S. Minot, Mrs. Frederic M. Stone (Mary L.), Hiram Tuell, Henry E. Sheldon, 15 Sept., 1824 20 March, 1906 7 March, 1865 11 April, 1906 ] May, 1825 17 June, 1906 27 Nov., 1833 22 July, 1906 6 Feb., 1842 1 Oct., 1909 13 Sept., 1826 13 March, 1910 25 Sept., 1857 13 March, 1910 7 March, 1866 7 April, 1910 3 June, 1819 18 June, 1910 1 Oct., 1851 14 Sept., 1910 16 Feb., 1858 30 Nov., 1910 25 Nov., 1837 31 Dec, 1910 7 Dec, 1856 18 July, 1911 19 May, 1838 7 Aug., 1911 3 Sept., 1826 28 Nov., 1911 27 July, 1834 14 Dec, 1911 15 May, 1838 23 Feb., 1912 6 Jan., 1861 7 April, 1912 15 Jan., 1843 4 March. , 1913 25 Sept., 1850 15 Aug., 1913 18 April, 1864 6 Jan., 1914 13 July, 1833 24 Jan., 1914 25 Sept., 1842 9 March , 1914 30 Nov., 1844 7 May, 1914 29 May, 1898 18 July, 1914 30 Aug., 1830 10 Oct., 1914 23 Dec, 1852 19 Nov., 1914 31 Oct., 1871 14 Jan., 1915 16 March 1, 1844 23 March , 1915 20 Feb., 1852 9 April, 1915 (22) Appendix B OFFICERS AND DIRECTORS Presidents HORACE E. WARE During organization NATHANIEL T. KIDDER 1905- Vice- Presidents Freeland D. Leslie 1905- Andrew Henshaw Ward 1905-1906 Theodore I. Reese 1906-1907 Charles S. Pierce 1907-1908 John Alden Lee 1908-1913 William B. Thurber 1913-1914 Roger Wolcott 1914- Treasurer Arthur H. Tucker 1905 Recording Secretaries William L. W. Field During organization Charles E. Churchull 1905-1912 Miss Eleanor P. Martin 1912- Corresponding Secretaries Mrs. Caleb L. Cunningham 1905-1909 Miss Martha B. C. Rolfe 1909-1911 Miss Alice C. Breck 1911- Lihrarians Miss Ellen F. Vose 1905-1907 Asher J. Jacoby 1907-1912 Mrs. Frederick M, Hamlin 1912- (23) Appendix C CHIEF EVENTS IN THE HISTORY OF THE SOCIETY AND PAPERS READ AT ITS MEETINGS [The * indicates papers in the Society's Library.] 1900. 19-20 April Loan Exhibition by members of First Evangelical Congregational Church, "Milton Leader," 13 and 20 April, 1900 " Milton News," 14 and 21 April, 1900 " Milton Record," 21 Jan., 1905 1904. "Milton Record" 19 Nov. Appeal of Library Trustees for gifts or loans of articles of Historical Interest . . . .19 Nov., 1904 28 Nov. Meeting Milton Education Society to consider found- ing an Historical Society 3 Dec, 1904 12 Dec. Meeting to Organize Milton Historical Society . . 17 Dec, 1904 1905. 11 Jan. Meeting to perfect Organization . . . .14 Jan., 1905 7 Feb. Certificate of Incorporation granted. 25 Feb. Meeting adopted Constitution and by-laws and elected members 4 March, 1905 15 March Meeting to consider work. Vote to publish "The Milton Catechism " 18 April, 1905 19 April Field Meeting conducted by Mr. John A. Tucker . 22 April, 1905 6 June Meeting — Annual — Seal adopted . . .10 June, 1905 4 Oct. Meeting — * Paper by Miss Mary P. Webster — " Gov. Jonathan Belcher" . . 28 Sept. and 5-12-19 Oct., 1907 1906. 7 Feb. Meeting — * Paper by Rev. Theodore I. Reese — " Milton in Old England " 3 Sept., 1910 2 June Field Meeting conducted by Mr. Parker B. Field, who read a * paper on the section covered written by Mr. John A. Tucker 9 June, 1906 6 June Meeting — Annual 9 June, 1906 3 Oct. Meeting — * Paper by Mr. Richard C. Humphreys — "Early ^History of Dorchester" .... 10 Aug., 1907 (24) 1906. " Milton Record " 20 Oct. Field Meeting conducted by Joseph R. Webster, M.D 27 Oct., 1906 20-23 Nov. Historical Exhibition in Town Hall. Photographs in Society's Library 24 Nov., 1906 1907. 6 Feb. Meeting — * Paper by Mr. Sarell J. Willis— " Some Recollections and Reminiscences of the Old Town of Dorchester " 20 Jan., 1908 19 Feb. Reception to Rev. and Mrs. Theodore I. Reese on their leaving for Columbus, Ohio, by St. Michael's Parish, Milton Education Society and Milton His- torical Society 23 Feb., 1907 5 June Meeting — Annual — * Paper by Mr. John A. Tucker — " Tax Rates of Milton, 1674-1800 " Reprinted, 18-25 July and 1-8 Aug., 1908 2 Oct. Meeting — * Paper by Miss Mary H. Hinckley — "Neponset River Ferries and Old Plymouth Road" 26 Oct., 2-9-16-23 Nov., 1907 1908. 5 Feb. Meeting — Talk by Mr. Parker B. Field — "High- ways and Byways for One Hundred and Fifty Years" 8 Feb., 1908 3 June Meeting — Annual 6 June, 1908 7 Oct. Meeting — Paper by Joseph R. Webster, M.D. — " The Story of the Hutchinson Letters." 1909. 3 Feb. Meeting — * Paper by Mr. Edmund J. Carpenter — " The Anti-Masonic Excitement of 1828-1830, with Special Reference to its Effects in our Vicinity " 3 July, 1909 2 June Meeting — Annual — * Paper by Mr. Henry B. Mar- tin — " Reminiscences of the Milton Post Office," 31 July, 1909 * Paper by Mr. Sarell J. Willis —" Blue Hill National Bank " 14 Aug., 1909 13 Oct. Meeting — Paper by Miss Mary H. Hinckley — "Prominent Men in Art and Science that have gone out from Milton." Talk by Mr. William L. W. Field — " Geology and Geography of Milton " 16 Oct., 1909 1910. 2 Feb. Meeting — * Paper by Rev. Louis L. Cornish — " The Story of the Hingham Settlement," pub- lished by him 5 Feb., 1910 (25) 1910. " Milton Record " 14 Feb.-14 May Exhibition of Documents, Writings, Pictures, etc., at Public Library 19 Feb., 1910 1 June Meeting — Annual — * Paper by Miss Ellen F. Vose and Miss Mary H. Hinckley — " Robert Vose and His Times " . . . . 19-26 Nov. and 3-10-17 Dec, 1910 6 June Exercises at the site of Rev. Peter Thacher's house by Mr. John A. Tucker and others. * Paper by Mr. Tucker 11 June, 1910 5 Oct. Meeting — Paper by Rev. Roderick Stebbins — "Rev, Peter Thacher, the First Minister of Milton" 8 Oct., 1910 17 Oct. " The Milton Catechism" published by the Society, 22 Oct., 1910 1911. 1 Feb. 7 June 4 Oct. 1912. 7 Feb. April 5 June 9 June 11 June 2 Oct. 5 Oct. Meeting — * Paper by Mr. Archibald M. Howe — " Edward H. Robbins and His Political Career," 20-27 July and 3 Aug., 1912 Meeting — Annual — Paper by Mr. William L. W. Field — " Thaddeus William Harris " . . . 10 June, 1911 Meeting — Paper by Mr. Charles G. Chick — " Sam Adams" 7 Oct., 1911 Meeting — * Paper by Mr. Horace E. Ware — " The Transfer to Massachusetts of its Charter Govern- ment, 1630." Printed in pamphlet form by him, 10 Feb., 1912 Map of Milton published by a member of the Com- mittee on 250th Anniversary. Meeting — Annual 8 June, 1912 A Union Service of the Churches of Milton held in the Meeting House of the First Congregational Parish 15 June, 1912 Celebration by Town of its 250th Anniversary. Committee's Report as a Pamphlet and also incor- porated in 77th Annual Town Report (see page 270 for Bibliography of Address of Orator) — Photographs in Society's Library . . .15 June, 1912 Meeting — Paper by Miss Ellen F. Vose and Miss Eleanor P. Martin — " Daniel Vose and His Inn Pageant, under auspices of Society .... For the Committees, etc., see "Milton Record" of 17-24-31 Aug., 7-21-28 Sept., 5 Oct., 1912. (26) 14 Dec, 1912 12 Oct., 1912 1913. '* Milton Record " 5 Feb. Meeting — * Paper by Joseph R. Webster, M.D. — " Christopher Albert Greene, a Teacher in Milton Sixty Years Ago " . . . 24-31 July and 7-14 Aug., 1915 4 June Meeting — Annual — Remarks by Mr. Henry "Win- chester Cunningham on some of the documents belonging to the Society 7 June, 1913 17 Sept. "Quincy Day" observed by Quincy Historical Society. The President of Milton Historical Society read a short * paper on the Society's work, 27 Sept., 1913 1 Oct. Meeting — * Paper by Rev. Henry S. Huntington — "Rev. Dr. Albert K. Teele as a Minister and as a Citizen" 15-22-29 Aug., 1914 1 NOV.-29 Dec. Exhibition of Samplers, Wrought Needlework and Mourning Jewellery in Milton Public Library. Photographs in Society's Library . 1-8 Nov., 1913 1914. 4 Feb. Meeting — Paper by Mr. Charles H. Johnson — " Historic Quincy Past and Present " . . . 7 Feb., 1914 3 June Meeting — Annual — * Paper by the Recording Sec- retary (Miss Eleanor P. Martin) — " Convivial Customs of Early Days" . 12-25 Dec, 1914, and 9 Jan., 1915 7 Oct. Meeting — Paper by Mr. George T. Tilden — " Among Some Yesterday Houses " . . . 10 Oct., 1914 1915. 16 Jan. Meeting — Bay State Historical League the Society's Guests — ""Paper by Mr. Charles S. Pierce — " Milton's Place in the Country" . . .23 Jan., 1915 16 Jan.-17 Feb. Exhibition Commemorating Treaty of Ghent and Jonathan Russell 23 Jan., 1915 (27) Appendix D MARGARET MAY WARD PRIZE FOR HISTORICAL ESSAYS At the Society's annual meeting in 1908 Mr. Andrew Henshaw Ward first offered to provide " a prize for the best essay written by any member of the Milton High School on some topic of American History." The prize was instituted in memory of Mr. Ward's wife, Mrs. Margaret May Ward, who died 10th December, 1907. It is awarded by a Committee of the Society, and a fund held by the Treasurer assures sufficient income to continue the prize in the future. The prize was first offered in 1909, with subject assigned "King Philip's War," but both in that year and in 1910, when the same subject was again assigned, there was no competition. In 1911, through some misunderstanding, the prize was not offered. 1912 — Subject, "Siege of Louisburg." Prize awarded to Clara V. McWhirk. 1913 — Subject, "Pour Most Important Controversies between Great Britain and the United States during the Last One Hundred Years." Prize awarded to Edith M. Lincoln. 1914 — Subject, "How have Canals affected the Prosperity of the Cities of the Atlantic Seaboard." Prize awarded to Sigrid C. Kenseth. 1915 — Subject, " How Far has the Possession of Sea Power by the United States or by her Allies or by her Enemies Shaped the Course of American History." Prize awarded to George C. Davidson. P D 18 I ^''^ ■^ >^ o_ ,0' %^'^''.^''' y' '^^-''-o ^- \ ^^4^^""^ .//^" O > o. ^W^ '^^-o' A^ ST^GUSTINE .^^^'V ".Mi^*" *!^'''^^ ^^^ FLA. ^ ^ . "^^sa o « o . <^