History of Middlesex County, Massachusetts - citizen hylbom blog

every hand. The popuhitioii, in 1865, was 3,24-5 ;
in 1875, 5,349. The valuation in 1865 was
$1,778,786; in 1875, $4,706,056.
In 1863 occurred a notable change. The in-
habitants had long felt the desire for a name more
simple and euphonious, an identity more clear and
distinctive. At this time the late Cyrus Wakefield,
a liberal citizen of the town, descended from one
of its older families, came forward and unconditionally
offered the town the princely gift of a new
and costly town-hall. The cpialified voters, in
town-meeting assembled, in accepting this generous
and opportune donation, resolved that the time
had come to cliange the name of the town, and
voted, witii unanimity and acclamation, in so doing
to honor the name of tiieir friend and benefactor.
The authority of the General Court was invoked,
and by its aid the town exchanged its long-endeared
name of South Eeading, on the 1st of July, 1S6S,
for the new and significant name of Wakefield.
Tiie inaugural exercises appropriate to tiie assump-
tion of its new name were held on tiie 4th of
July, 1868. The day was an occasion of double
celebration. Bells rang in the day ; cannon awoke
ory; band concerts tempered and refined enthusiasm
witli the rhythm and melody of music; a long
procession gave nearly every one active participa-
tion in the celebration ; an historical address elo-
quently blended the stirring memories of the jiast
and present ; a sparkling poem added the blossoms
and fragrance of wit and fancy to the occasion : —
" With joyful voices join, to greet
This birthday of the free
Eacli glad return, more dear and sweet, —
The Nation's Jubilee.
"On all the winds her banner plays.
Star-gemmed, with folds of light
A nation's hopes arc in its rays, —
The red, the blue, the white.
" Thrice blest this day, whose breath of balm
Refreshing blows, and free :
No slave-step 'neath tlie Soutlieru palm.
No slave-ship on the sea ; —
"Whose peaceful breatli, o'er fragrant groves.
Where battling columns met.
Only the orange blossom moves,
And lifts the violet.
' Here, on the bright, rejoicing day
Such hopeful omens crown,
;
;
WAKEFIELD. 401
; '
We come, a pleasant word to say
For our dear native town.
" No soft Italian scenes we boast.
Our summer skies less clear
But prized the grandeur of our coast.
Our rocky hillsides dear.
" No notes of foreign praise wc swell.
!
' Not, Naples view, and rest
Our invitation is, ' Come, dwell
! '
lu Wakefield, and be blest
The grand celebration dinner, in tlie mammoth
tent upon the Common, made brilliant by the flash
of wit and sentiment, was a notable feature of the
occasion. The excessive heat which prevailed was
the only drawback to the full enjoyment of tiie fes-
tivities of the day. Races upon the lake aftbrded
much pleasure, and the day was closed amid the
roar of artillery and the explosion of fireworks.
This town has always been conspicuous for its
patriotism and military spirit, as its record in the
French and Indian wars, in the struggles witii
mother England, and in the recent civil war amply
attest. Its first military corps, the Eeading Infantry
Company, was organized in 1644, under Captain
patriotic echoes ; fluttering flags, wreathed mottoes, Riciiard Walker, and was cherisiied and sustained
and decorated arciies apj)ealed to the eye and mem- until 1840. The Wasliington Eifle Greens was or-
ganized in 1812, became tiie renowned company of
the vicinity, and was disbanded about 1850. The
Eichardson Light Guard, so named in honor of the
late Dr. Solon 0. Eichardson, a generous friend of
the company, and a public-spirited and liberal citi-
zen, was organized in 1851. This company was
thrice called into the service of the United States
during the recent Eebellion, and acquitted itself
with honor. It is still flourishing as Co. A, 6th
Eegiment Massachusetts Volunteer Militia.
The town has always had regard for spiritual
privileges and the worship of God. It now con-
tains five handsome church edifices, with active
and flourishing memberships and societies.
The Congregational Church was organized in
1644, and was the twenty-fourth founded in tlie
Massachusetts colony, and for many years tiie only
church W'ithiu a circuit of six miles. As tiie wil-
derness and solitary places became slowly settled
by the sturdy pioneers of the Anglo-Saxon race,
this centra] churcii became the mother of vigorous
daughters. In 1720 she sent forth colonies at
Lynnfield and North Eeading, in 1729 she helped
form the cliurch at Stoneiiam, in 1733 the church
in Wilmington, and in 1770 she parted with some
of her best blood in the establishment of what is
"