Worcester daily spy. [volume] (Worcester [Mass.]) 1850-1888, 1872-10-10

they are, all the Union, and, without any toll
or research on our part given US the printed record
| think we know TO whom We are mainly indebted
for this interesting work Let us hold IN regard the
names of Sullivan 5. RawsOn, Joseph Ii. Dorr and
Joseph Rawson; but give special gratitude to
one who has given days and nights to this compia-
hon-sparing neither time nor money; Reuben
Rawson Dodge sOf East Sutton, Massachusetts.
Since that time, twenty-five years have elapsed,
new generations have come upon the stage of ac-
tive life, five thousand descendants of this progeni-
tor now inhabit these states, and record, cur
rent with the present time seems to DE demanded.
Edward Rawson was q prominent character in
the founding and development of New England;
his acts pervade, especially, the early history of
Massachusetts, and his moulding hand is manifest
IN her progress Himself of an illustriOus stock
and illustriOusly allied in marriage he came hither
from his native England at the age of twenty-one
in 1886 or l-236 years agO-tOOk the freeman's
oath, and planted his home in the town OF cold
Newbury."
This OATH which in this age it is so refreshing to
recall and which so maryeousy comprises and
condenses the whole duty Of man TO his government
he sacredly kept to his last day He seems imme-
diately to have been chosen for official career,
having been elected town clerk, notary and register
IN 1893, which Offices were continued to him, with
various other stations of public trust-such as SEE
lecmen, commissioner for the trial of causes, SUI
perintendent of the manufacture of powder, deputy
TO the general court, reYiser of the laws, etc
during the twelve years he remained in Newbury,
whence he removed in 1850 to Boston, to assume
the duties of secretary of the colony of Massachu-
sets bayan office he retained for thirtysiX years.
His election is thus spoken of by johnson, in his
work, ''Ihe woodworking Providence" pub
lished in London in 1854 "Mr. Edward RawsOn
young man, yet employed in commonwealth affairs
a long time, being well beloved by the inhabitants
OF Newbury, having had large hand in her
foundation but of late he being of ripe capacity.
good yeoman, and eloquent inditer, hath been
chosen secretary of the colony" The fact that
he was then, for torty-seyen years, kept in these
two offices, without break-holding them, not by
appointment, but by successive yearly elections by
the people-an instance which can scarcely be par
alleed in the history OF the counery-shOws that he
and
ing the confidence of the people, with rare elements
ofpOpuarity and we know that, even at the end,
the change was not made through any wish of his
constituents, but because the very government it.
self was usurped by Sir Edward Andross.
He was n large owner of lands in Newbury and
Boston-some of his acres at the latter place bor-
dering on the cOmmOns-nO mean inheritance,
could his descendants possess it now. His name
was impressed upon the street he lived in so many
years in Boston, RawsOn's lane"-and so re
manned for near hundred and fifty years, wheu
about the beginning of the present century through
some local influence, the injustice was done him to
change the name to Bromfeld street. ! think Bos-
ton owes it to herself and to the memory of her
old secretary to renstate its original designation
A better justice has been done in Newbury, where
the roll of two centuries and quarter have not
efaced, from the grasses where he used to walk,
the name OF "Rawson's meadow"
Among the twelve children of the secretary was
one, Rebecca RawsOn, acknowledged as pre-emi-
nent for beauty and accomplishments in the then
incipient Athens, and whom Whittier selected as
the lovely heroine of the quaint and charming jour
nal he attributed to Margaret Smith
Another, Grindal Rawson, was one of the three
John Cotton, Cotton Mather, Grindal Rawson-
whom the president of Harvard college deemed
worthy of special notice at the commencement of
1878, two centuries ago. Such was his work in the
ministry, and as an evangelist among the Indians,
his clock in the wilderness" whose language he
was completely master of, that Cotton Mather his
friend and cassmate, in his funeral DISCOURSE paid
this tribute: "Such services are pyramids;" add
ing, "and we usually took it for granted that things
would be fairly done where he had hand in the
doing of them" If but this may be said, through
the years that past and those that to come,
of the descendants of the good secretary then in
deed, may we take just pride in the Rawson name
and family.
1t is gratifying to be able to trace back through
seven generations, to the beginning of that fore
most colony-leading the long procession OF mighty
states since admitted, in all great works and noble
thoughts; the very herO-colOny of freedom-the
mother of inventons-One of whose sons summoned
the lighting from the sky, and another harnessed 1t
in the service of man,-one of whom stretched the
cable through ocean depths from continent to con-
tinent'Ione OF whose names heads the lmmortnl
list OF the sgners of the declaration of independ-
encej the hour of enterprise and benevolence, OF
free schools aud missionary systems, of orators and
statesmen, and martyrs to the cause of human
direct ancestors were active participators in the
originating causes; were faithful and efficient work
ers in laying the foundation and guiding the course
of the infant colony.
Mr. Marsh spoke earnestly of the interest which
attaches to genealogical inquiry, both as regards
individuals and in a more general Way and dis
AANAANANDtS
cestry is at all opposed to true democracy to the
Just satisfaction person should feel in carving out
for himself successful career. He closed by ten
dering his profound thanks to that society in Bos-
ton under whose auspices so much has been accom-
plished In bringing to light valuable records of the
past.
MI Jared Rawson, gentleman over ninety
years of age, gave by invitation an interesting
account Of the portrait of Rebecca Rawson,
daughter of Edward Rawson, which, with an
equally antique portrait of her father, was ex.
hibited upon the platform.
Speeches were also made by n A. Boutwell,
of WoonsOcket, L. r. Marsh, Herbert Rawson
of South Gardner, George S. Rawson of Hudson,
and Charles B. Rawson of Uxbridge. Some of
the speakers strongly urged the Importance OF
the speedy publication of a biography of Ed
ward Rawson with a genealogical record of his
descendants, and the formation of a regular Or
ganization to perfect the details to carry these
plans into effect. The following gentlemen were
appointed a committee to have the matters in
charge:
II. r. Dodge, Sutton (chairman); George S. Raw
son, Hudson, Liberty RawsOn, HOllistOn; Dr. E..
6. Rawson, New York; e. b. Crane Worcester;
George Rawson, Mendon; Q. f. Rawson, WOrces-
Nantucket; Luther RawsOn Marsh, New York,
1t was voted to hold reunion in Worcester
some time between the LIST and 18th of Septem-
Der, 1878.
The names of those present, numbering about
two hundred, were inscribed in a book provided
for that purpose The time not occupied with
business was pleasantly spent in social inter
course, and in looking over the various family
relies exhibited about the platform.