Author: Jack

1854 Harriet Elizabeth Sawyer Dudley



THE HISTORY OF NEEDHAM 363 



age, were recipients of his instruction and correction. Solo- 
mon Flagg began to teach in 1826 and for thirty-eight 
years was a schoolmaster in Needham and in other towns. 
He is identified with several districts, notably the West 
and South. Mr. Tucker, who at different times attended 
school in every district in Needham, and also in a district 
in Dedham, said that Mr. Flagg was his best teacher, and 
that he learned a great deal from him. Miss Lucy Dakin 
Hunt, Centre, or small school in the West, 1837-50, except 
1847, when she was at the Great Plain. Gustavus Adolphus 
Somerby taught at the Centre in the winter of 1 840/1. 
He belonged to a well-known Newbury family, and was 
prominent among the lawyers of Boston, gaining a reputa- 
tion as a keen and able counsel for the defence in the noted 
trial of Alley accused of the murder of Abijah Ellis. 

Charles Hiram Dewing, later for many years superinten- 
dent of streets. South two winters, 1847/8 and 1849/50. 
Miss Charlotte Kingsbury, of a well-known West Needham 
family, 1848-65, North, East, Great Plain and Centre. Miss 
Kingsbury was a severe teacher, and stories are told of hci 
skill in tripping up boys, and of mediaeval punishments. 
Adeline Maria Eaton, later Mrs. John M. Harris, 1849-63, 
East, South, Centre, but chiefly the primary school on the 
Great Plain. Miss Charlotte M. Sawyer, later Mrs. Luther 
Allen Kingsbury, North and Grantville 1853-65. She taught 
the latter school 1856-65, and her sister, Miss Harriet 
Elizabeth Sawyer, later Mrs. Ezra C. Dudley, East or West 
or Centre primary, 1854-9, ^^'^ in 1865 succeeded Char- 
lotte at Grantville, where she taught in 1866. They were 
daughters of Otis and Charlotte Sawyer. Albert Palmer, 
A.M., Dartmouth 1858, later State Senator, and Mayor of 
Boston in 1883, was master of the Great Plain school five 
winters 1853-8, and his brother, Alanson, who was grad- 
uated at Dartmouth in i860, and was A.M., had the Centre 
school two winters, 1855-7, the South two, 1858-60. 
A third brother, Wilson, Dartmouth i860, Albany Law

https://archive.org/stream/historyofneedham1711clar/historyofneedham1711clar_djvu.txt

1894 Sidewalk Issue

Alderman Ruffe presented a comminu- 
tion in reference to the sidewalk on 
Summer street between Willow and Bea- 
con stroets next to the Ward well estate. 
The sidewalk is from 12 to IS inches 
above the level of tlie street, and by 
lowering it and cutting down the trees 
some, three feet additional width would 
be afforded the street at this point. This 
was signed by Dr. Alvah Hovey, E II. 
Mason, F. II. Butts, L. Loving Brooks 
and 25 or 30 others. 

Accompanying tho petition was 
letter from E. C. Dudley and E. A. Shaw, 
owners of the abutting property, stating 
their willingness to set out new shade 
trees along the portion of tbe street re- 
ferred to. 

Alderman Roffe said that petitions for 
this work had been presented to tbe city 
council before, ouce last year and the 
year before, but he understood no 
answer had ever been given tbera. They 
wanted some recognition this time either 
favorable or otherwise. He moved its 
reference to the highway committee. 

Alderman Bothfeld said the matter 
came before the highway committee last 
year, but it seemed that the owuers of 
the abutting property bad lowered the 
grade of their land leaving the walk in 
its present condition and the city did not 
think it wise to go to the expeuse of 
lowering the sidewalk to suit the own- 
ers. 

Alderman Roffe said he was told that 
Mr. Noyes, wheu city eugineer, recom- 
mended that the grade of the land be 
lowered when approached by the own- 
ers for bis advice. 

The matter was then referred.

https://archive.org/stream/NewtonGraphicApr_1894/1894-04-Apr_djvu.txt