Full text of "History of the town of Oxford, Massachusetts, with genealogies and notes on persons and estates"

••^<e.

■-..**'

•^^o"<

.«:^

.\<^^

-e*

/ °-

^o.

/ -^.

". '^<P

(?'

-1^

\g^^ ^

j^'

»<
:,^'

X..^-

-I-

'-t,

'^o

" \

^aO^

cP^

'■^^ 0^

A^-

«:^ 9<.

-.^/.

A'^

cP^

^'^•'
#

(•Or s "> ' • 1^ /, '<p

C^-s-

<2<.

^
*?-i

.^-^^

\> ,''■■, -If-.

/ . . . ^6,

\.^^

?:^ o^

^. "'..^^ .A<^

^ co^

\> , ...

o^^"

/^^i:;'^%'°'^ c?^-.^

: "^^o^-

O.
^

^•

^ ^-

,*'

^0^

oo'^"-

"^^.

"^..^^

" ^ ^ » •': -^ ■OS ^ -•

''^^.

V ^ ^ * " ^ -%,

v"*

x^^

^Ad<

^.,

^o"*

"^^O^

^ ' « . s ^ ^T* , , <^^ ' » « > jA

,-S

^ o^

^' ^^^

■^a6<

v^^ ^-

,N^

HISTORY

OF THE

TOWN OF OXFORD

MASSACHUSETTS

WITH

aENE^LOaiES

AND

NOTES ON PERSONS AND ESTATES

GEORGE f! DANIELS

OXFORD

PUBLISHED BY THE AUTHOR

WITH THE CO-OPERATION OF THE TOWN

1892

PRESS OF

CHAS. HAMILTON,

WORCESTER.

i^i

I?)

J
MEMORY OF

plrs. Itiilxlalx Ijtarris gawiels^

WHOSE LONG LIFE AND RETENTIVE MIND ENABLED HER TO RENDER

INVALUABLE AID IN THE PREPARATION OK

THE FOLLOWING PAGES,

THIS VOLUME

Affectionately ^edinvtcrt.

PREFACE.

This book was not designed to afford literary entertainment,
or to give what liave so often been set forth in town histories,
pictures of old-time life, and tradition, which in the eyes of
many would have made the work more attractive, has, in the
main, been discarded. Charles Reade expressed the general
sentiment of modern historians when he wrote: "No one can
approach the history of perhaps any age without finding that
the truth is all but buried under mountains of chaff and dirt."
The prominent facts in the Town's annals are herein given as
gathered from the archives of the State, County and Town,
Church and Society records, etc., with little of comment or
elaboration. Oxford being among the earliest of the Worcester
County settlements, materials were found to be abundant, and
many pages show the constraint thus placed on the writer and
the necessity for brief and summary treatment. And yet a
full history of the town is an impossibility, because so much not
within the scope of records has lapsed in the unknown past.

The story of the French Colony has been chiefly reproduced
from the author's monograph published ten years ago.

The history of the homesteads, an unusual feature of works
of this kind, will serve not only to determine the localities of
ancestral domains, but, perhaps, as no other means can, to
bring up in review the personality of the long procession of
those who have lived, toiled and passed away within the town
in the last two hundred years.

The extent of the genealogies indicates the large and import-
ant place they occupy in the records, and numerous descendants
of the old households now dispersed over our broad land who
have not access to the originals, will, it is believed, appreciate
the labor bestowed on this department. The entries of births,
marriages and deaths have been copied, and embrace (coming
nearly to the present time) all families having births recorded
up to 1850, and none has been intentionally omitted. In the
nature of the case family history in most instances must be

VI PREFACE.

fra<!^mentary and incomplete, and errors (the sources of informa-
tion l)eing diverse and imperfect) are unavoidable.

Several important matters coming to hand too late for inser-
tion in their proper places, are contained in the chapter of notes
at the close of the volume.

The existence of this work is largely due to the kindly interest
and liberality of the late Hon. George L. Davis of North
Andover,' a native of Oxford, who gave substantial aid in the
preliminary studies and researches and also contributed gen-
erously to the printing fund.

The repeated favorable action of the Town upon it and the
appro])riation of means to aid in the publication are hereby
gratefully acknowledged.

Acknowledgments are due to Dr. Samuel A. Green, librarian
of the Massachusetts Historical Society, John W . Dean, librarian
of the New England Historic-Genealogical Society, Dr. Edward
Strong of the office of the Secretary of State, Abner C. Goodell,
Jr., Commissioner for publication of Province Laws, and C. B.
Tillinghast of the State Library, all of Boston ; to Edmund M.
Barton, librarian of the American Antiquarian Society, William
T. Harlow, Assistant Clerk of Courts, and Harvey B. Wilder,
Registrar of Deeds, all of Worcester, for assistance and courte-
sies extended in their several official positions ; to Misses Clara
Barton and Martha E. Stone for matter relating to family atiairs
and North Oxford history, and to many others in various parts
of the country who cannot be here personally designated who
have kindly contributed to give value to the volume.

Obligations are hereby acknowledged to Peter B. Olney of
New York City through whose efficient aid plans for publication
were consummated. The neatness and correctness of the t^'po-
graphy are due largely to the thorough supervision of Benjamin
J. Dodge of Worcester. The illustrations are the production
of the press of W. P. Allen of Gardner.

G. F. D.
Oxford, Jan., 1892.

> Died 23 Ducembur, 1891.

LIST OF ILLUSTRATIONS.

^ View on Main Street, looking south, - - Frontispiece.

J The Plain, from Camp Hill ; Fort Hill in the distance, Page 1

/ Bernon's plan of Oxford lands [see page 757], - - 7

■i Plan, showing location of settlers' lots, - - - 32

^ Diagrams, showing changes in Town lines, - . . 39

''Diagrams, showing changes in Town lines, - - 41

■* Stone Indian relics found in Oxford, . _ . - 42

^ North end of the Plain, from Memorial Hall tower, 47

• Howarth's, formerly Oxford Woolen Co., - - - 199

v On the Maanexit at Rockdale, looking north, - 205

'(View from Fort Hill, with monument, . - - - 253

s/ Historic relics in the possession of the Town, - - 260

v) Residence of O. F. Joslin, - 271

y North shore of Town's Pond, looking east, - - 365

J Fac-simile of hand-writing of Rev. J. Campbell, - - 421

'''Edward Davis homestead, H. 12, _ . . - 466

^ General Learned homestead, H. 126, . - . - 587

s' Family record, executed by Richard Rogers, - - 669

< First school-house on the Plain. ----- 772

CORRECTIONS.

Till,'!- 11, mi<ldle of piige, for " Amlii'W " niiid Daniel.

I'ligf 4G, miildli- of piii,'c, for " 1741 " read 1743.

I'a;^t' 'A, iH'iir l)ottoiii of piigo, for " 1745" read 173.5.

I*:i},'e 224, iiml.r " Erabark'o," for " l.SOO" read 1808.

\'&^v ',\\~, bottom line, for *' Sushii" rtiad Mary.

I'uyf .■{!»7, undtr *' Rice Marlon," ;idd Rice Barton was great grandson of Joshua (2)

and son of Ahia and Eunice.
I'aije 4S4I, !>tli line, for "Anne d., Frances" read Anne Frances d.
l'iii,'c (ills, iiiKJcr .lo^cpli Kockfti, .id line, for " Abial Twiclicll, father," read Abiel

J'lrichell, mother.
!'a:je 688, I2tb line from bolldin should read studied >rith his father, with a comma

aft^T '* father."
I'aye (Mi, near bottom of pa;;e, for " Jacob " read Syloanus.
Page 700, 16th line from bottom, for " Jonaa" read Oeorge.
Page 72!t. under H' imni Tvvitchell. .'Jd line, for " Benoni's father" read Beno7iVs

mother.

HISTORY OF OXFORD.

CHAPTER I.

Topographical. The Nipmucks. Philip's War. Disastrous Eesults.
Land Purchases. Indian Reserve. Grants. The Village. Grand
Lots. Natural Attractions. Early Koads.

Location. The town of Oxford is situated in the southern
central part of \yorcester County, eleven miles distant from AYorces-
ter, on the line of the Norwich and Worcester railroad. Leicester
and Auburn adjoin it on the north, Millbury on the northeast, Sutton
on the east, Douglas on the southeast, Webster on the south, Dudley
on the southwest and Charlton on the west ; Webster separates it by
about five miles from the State of Connecticut. Its estimated area is
a little over 25 square miles, or 16,400 acres. It was a part of
Suffolk County until 1731, the date of the establishment of the County
of Worcester.

It has the usual diversity of surface of the central Massachusetts
towns, ranges of hills running northerly and southerly skirt its eastern
and western borders, between which lie the plains which constitute its
natural peculiarity. On the central or "Great Plain" is the princi-
pal village, and its main street, a mile in length and seven rods in
width, is attractive and has few equals in the State. ^ The highway
from Sutton to Charlton crossing at the centre forms also an ave-
nue on which are located dwellings and business establishments.

Streams. One mile westerly of the main street, running the
length of the town from Leicester to Webster line, is the principal
river, the Macmexit, which, rising ten or twelve miles northwesterly and
passing through parts of Spencer and Leicester, furnishes water power
for eight mill-wheels at North Oxford, and one at Howarth's, is util-
ized by many mills below Oxford and joins the Quinebaug at Mechan-
icsville. Conn. Its largest tributary in Oxford is Little Jliver, which
comes in two branches, the Pierpont from Dudley, and Collicump

iTliis feature o£ the location probably had its County of Worcester at its formation, which

weight in the proposition which tradition tells offer was rejected on the ground that the morals

us was made to establish here the seat of the of the young people would be corrupted thereby.

'1 iiisT<)i:v OF oxroKi).

from CImiltuii, fiirnisliinji; power at BulTumville, in the west part of
tlie town, niul joining the main stream a half-mile below. Mill-hrook,
cominr; from Long Hill in the nf)rtheast part of the town, joined by
a branch from a Hwamp on tlie southeast, and running southwesterly
on the east side of the main street, joins the Maanexit in the south-
westerly part of the town. Eliott's Mill-brook, once much larger than
now, rises in the Auljurn swamps and running soutiierly crosses the
Worcester road near Nortli Oxford and joins tlie Maanexit on the
Kiddt-r farm.

Ponds. ( )r natural ponds there are : 1. Tovm's Pond, one-fourth
of a mile northerly of tlie north common, a body of very clear water
fed by springs, ami having a small outlet on the westerly side.
It has an area of aljout 14 acres. 2. A'tgntlebark Potul, a natural
basm of the Maanexit, below the falls, one mile westerly of the cen-
tre/ Its area is about 10 acres. 3. Grassy Pond, in the south-
westerly part of the town, is, perhaps, 8 or 10 acres in extent, the
surface being covered largely by Moating grass, whence its name. It
is fi'd by springs and has a small outlet into the river.

Hills. There arc three principal hills in the northerly part of the
town. ( )u thi' northwest '\& Rocky Hill ov Mount Pleasant. On the
north, and projecting into the Maanexit valley, is Prospect IliU,
embracing many acres, abrupt and wooded on the south, but sloping
gradually on the north into Auburn. On the northeast is Long or
Feilend Hill, which extends southerly, embracing Barton Hill, to near
the Sutton road. A part of this region extending into Millbury is called
in the records Flat Hill. A spur of the same, called Brush Hill, lies
soutlu-asterly of, and overlooks, the Norwich and Worcester railroad
station at North Oxford. Easterly of the centre, on the borders of
Sutton, lie the Manchamj Hills, which cover a large area of this
part of the town. Fort Hill, named from the Huguenot fort, and
lioiiilet Hill, named for the Huguenot minister, are parts of this
eU'vated tract nearer the village on the southeast. On the southwest
lie the steep slopes of the Dudley hills, which are chiefly covered with
AVooil. Cam]) Hill is a lower eminence near the centre on the west
and was named from the fact of the encann)ment here of a body of
I'nilrd Stairs troops in 171)1).

Meadows, 'i'he most imi)ortant tract of meadow in town at tlie
time of the settlement was the Great Meadotc, which lies nearly a mile
ncjrlhcasterly of the c(Mitre, and is now largely covi-red with wood or
n-clainifd fur tillage, it was divided into small sections and allotted
among tlic si-tllers. Ball's Meadow and /Imlson's Bay were parts of
the lands on the Maanexit between Howarth's and North O.xford.
Mendon Meadow, east of the centre, once valuable, is now covered
}>y the reservoir known as Kobinsou's rond. Bondet Meadoir is a
lieautiful spot of a few acres, situated in the southerly part of the
town, and iiaiiied for tlie ftjiiiu'r owner, the Huguenot minister.

1674 INDIANS. 3

Cedar Swamps. These swamps were valued as furnishing fenc-
ing stuff, clapboards, shingles and coopers' materials. Great Cedar
Sioamp was located in what is now Auburn and was allotted to
settlers in the same manner as were the meadows. Little Cedar
Swamp lies westerly of Town's Pond, between that and the river.

Products. The soil of the town is moderately productive, the
hill lands are good for hay, grazing and fruit-growing, and the plains
being a warm alluvial soil are easily cultivated, and yield the common
farm products, and garden vegetables, grapes, strawberries and the
small fruits, especially, flourish.

Nipmucks. The site of the town is near the middle of a^erritory
mainly in the southern central part of Massachusetts, known at the
time of the settlement of Boston, 1630, as the "Nipmuck Country."
Much of this tract was then wild hunting ground, but portions were
thinly inhabited by the natives whose numbers had been much
reduced by wars with western tribes and fatal disease.^ They were
an inferior people, and owned fealty to the Pokauokets.- Miss
Larned, in her History of Windham County, aptly describes them : —

" They Avere subject clans of little spirit or distinctive character. Their
number was small. A few families occupied favorite localities, while large
sections were left vacant and desolate. Their dwellings were poor, their
weapons and utensils rude and scanty. They raised corn and beans, and wove
mats and baskets. Their lives were chiefly spent in hunting, Ashing and
idling."

Gaming, of which they were excessively fond, might be added.

Through the efforts of John Eliot and Daniel Gookin these people
had been partially civilized and had to an extent accepted the
Christian religion, and were known as " praying Indians." The
earliest mention we find of the natives of this locality is in 1674,
when Eliot and Gookin visited them. The latter thus wrote : —

" The first of these [New Praying towns] is Manchaug, which lyeth to the
westward of Nipmuck [Blackstone] river al)ont 8 miles and is fi'om Ilassana-
mesit west and by south about 10 miles and it is from Boston about 50 miles.
To it belongetli abont twelve families and aljont sixty sonls. For this place
we appointed Waaberktamin, a hopeful young man for their minister."

Philip's War. We know no more of this minister, but his term
of service must have been short. A few mouths only elapsed after
Eliot's visit before the whole region was under the excitement of
Philip's AYar, and these apparently inoffensive men, to quote Mr.
Gookin : —

"Being raw and lately initiated in the Christian profession, most of them
fell ott' . . . and joined the enemy." Palfrey says " A taste for havoc was
established between heathen Wampanoag and half converted Nipmuck.
Without provocatiou and without warning they gave full sway to the inhuman

1 Brighani's Cent. Ad., Grafton, 1835. 2 Palfrey, I., 24.

4 HISTORY OF OXFORD. 1680-81

passions of their savaj^o nature and l)ri)kc into a wild riot of itillatjc, arson
and massacre." '

To the Nipmucks tlie results of the war were disastrous, and only
a spiritless remnant of the tribe was found here when the English
began negotiations for land for settlement. ^

Grant. The first movement toward a settlement in the region
was the petition of Mr. Hugh Campbell, a Scotch merchant of Boston,
Feburary, 1080, for land for a colony, to which the Court replied: —

" Tills Court judiictli it nieete to allow to the petitioner, on behalfc of snch
as may on that account transport themselues hither, snch accomodation to
tlicir number in the Nci)niu<j country as it will atlbord, jtrouided they come
Av'thin two yeares next after this grant." '

From the index to this record we learn that the grant was made in
behalf of a company of Scotch emigrants who were purposing to settle
in Massachusetts, but we have no evidence that any progress was
made in the matter.

Indian Titles. At about the same time two prominent men in
Boston, William Stoughton and Joseph Dudley, were also contempla-
ting a settlement, and in proceeding with their i)lan, the first point was
to incjuire into the matter of the ownership of the lands and the rights
of the Indians. On this subject they petitioned the General Court,
which replied, May 11, 1681, as follows : —

"The Court judgeth it meete to grant this motion, and doe further desire
& impower the wor'pftl Wni. Stoughton & Joseph Dudley, Escis, to take par-
ticcular care & inspection into the matter of the land in the Nipnuig Country,
wliat titles are pretended to by Indeans or others, and the validity of them,
and make returne of what they find therein to this Court as soone as may be."''

This commission reported October 16, 1681, that in June they had
a general meeting of all the claimants at Cambridge, but finding them
at variance as to their several claims, they dismissed them until they
could agree among themselves. They further reported : —

"Since which time, in September last, perceiving a better vnderstanding
amongst them, wee warned seuerall of the principall claymers to attend vs
into the country, & travajle the same in company with us as farr & as much
as one weeke would allow us, & find that the southerne part, clajnied by Hlack
James and comjjany is capable of good setlement, if not too scant of meadow,
though vncerteine what Avill fall Av'thin bounds if our lyne be to be quaes-
tioned." '

> Their Instability is cxcnipUtled la tlie follow- ^Ir. Eliot and uliuost entirely suspended tlicni.

hiK facts : As soon as tlie authorities had learned The Irritation aj;alnst the Indians was very great

of I'hllip's ))lans they despatched a n)essen>rer and jealousy and distrust of his converts were

who ett'ected treaties wltli the rulers of all the everywhere rllf, ami the ra^re of the people was

trilji'S lu this region, wherehy they houud them- violent aiui alarmluf;. Mr. (iookhi and Mr.

selves not to aid in I'hllip's sciit lue. The next Kllot Incurred much abuse.'' -Morton, >i. E.

month found four at least of these leaders In the Mem.. 3111.

enemy's camp at Hrookllelil, Itlack James of •' JIass. Col. Uec, V., 263.

ChaubunaKunKamauK', Keehood of Walniuasset, ^Mass. Col. Kec, V., 315.

John of rakachoaKandCoukKanascoof OuaboaK. f'Mass. Col. Hec, V., 3->8.— The boundary line

Ills. N. Brooklleld, 74. between Massachusetts and Connecticut was at

-"This war was very disastrous to the labors of this time unsettled.

1682 LAND PURCHASES AND GRANTS. 5

Purchase of Indian Liands. Stoughton and Dudley were em-
powered to make purchases, and on 18 Feb., 1681-2, reported that
with tlie Hassanamesit and Natick Indians they had agreed for all
their land

" lyino; fower miles northward of the present Sprin^feild road, & sonthward
to that, haue agreed ])etwc'ene Blacke James & them, of which wee adnised in
our late returne, wee haue purchased at thirty pounds money & a coate.

"The southern halfe of sajd countrey wee haue purchased of Blacke James
& company, for twenty pounds." '

Deeds. The deeds of conveyance dated Feb. 10th, 1681-2, were
presented to the Court May 27, 1682, and by it confirmed. ~ The
descriptions are somewhat indefinite, but indicate that with Waban
and company, Natick men, the bargain was for all the lands they
claimed west of the Blackstone river, between the southern line of
Massachusetts and an imaginary line beginning at the Blackstone
river at a point four miles northerly of the Springfield road, and run-
ning southwesterly till it joined said Massachusetts southern line,
thus enclosing a triangle. ^

With " Black James," the bargain was for the southern part of the
same territory, including lands extending into Connecticut.^

These deeds were delivered at Natick, May 19, 1682, and on the
27th the commissioners reported that they had effected a purchase
" from the principall men of Naticke . . . of a parcell of remote &
wast land belonging to said Indians, lying at the vtmost westerly
bounds of Naticke, and, as wee are informed, — is for quantity about
— acres, more or lesse, being mean land."''

Indian Reserve. In the second deed was a reservation of five
miles square for the exclusive use of this branch of the tribe, which
was chosen in two localities.*^

1 Mass. Col. Rec, V., 342, a point on the west." Mass. Col. Rec, V., 362-

2 Mass. Col. Rec, V., 301. 365.

a The consideration in the first deed was £30, The commissioners say in their report Feb.,

and the description as follows :— " all that part of 1681-2, " The whole tract in Ijotli deeds contejned

the Nipmug Country . . . lying, and being be- is in a forme of a trjangle & reduced to a S(iuare,

yond the great ryucr called Kuttatuck, or Nip- conteynethatractabout fifty miles long & twenty

mug [Blackstone] Ryver, and betweenc a rainge miles wide." Ibid., 342.

of marked trees, beginning at sajd riuer and run- -i Gookin says of Chaubunagungamaug (fishing

Ing south east till it fall vpon the south lyne of place of the boundary), " in this place dwells

the sajd Massachusetts colony on the south, and Black James, who about a year ago was constl-

a certaine imaginary lyne fowre miles on the tuted constable of all the praying towns. He is

north side of the road, as It now Ijeth, to .Spring- a person that bath approved himself diligent and

felld on the north, the sajd great riuer ... on courageous, faithful and zealous to suppress sin."

the eastward, and the sajd patent lyne on the •> Ibid., 361.

westward." In the second deed (consideration »The larger and principal tract was on the

£20 and a black coat) it is as follows :— " all that westerly shore of Chaubunagungamaug. A copy

part of the sajd Nipmug country . . . lying, & of the original survey is in the Slate Archives,

being on the south part of the sajd colony of the and is endorsed as follows:

Mattachusets, beyond the great riuer. .. bounded "This Plat running from the west side of

with the Mattachusets patent line ... on tlie Cluaubun.agungamaug I'ond over Mayanexit

south, and certeine marked trees, beginning at River contains 11 thousand acres, being the com-

sajd riuer and runing soutli east, till it strike vpon plement of the other plat of live thousand to si.x-

the bounds the of sajd patent line; on the north, teen thousand which is the contents of .'i miles

the sajd great riuer ; on the east, and coming to square reserved by tlie generall Indian deed made

6 HISTORY OF OXFORD. 1683

Special Grants. Tin- Court duly iicknowledged the services of
Stougliton ;uid Dudley in this purclmso, luid 1,000 acres of land
were voted to each for their "great care and pajnes." Associated
with them was another man of ability and liigh standing, Robert
Thompson, merchant, of London, who became warmly interested in
the succei^s of the colonies as early as lOoO, and in 16 70 was chosen
president of the " Society for the Propagation of the Gospel in New
England." ' He ably served the public interests, both here and in
England, in acknowledgment of which a grant of land was made to
him, as follows : —

"This Court, hoiiii; inforniL-d l)y our aircnts, now in Kui^lanil, of tlic good
will & freiiulsliip of Major Itobert Tliompson, of London, & liis readiness vpon
all occasions to be assistants to tliem in tlie service of this colony, wherein
they are, according doe, by way of gratuity, give vnto the said Major Thomp-
son & his heires, flue hundred acres of land in the Nipmug countrey, to be lajd
out to him w'th all reasonable convenience." Dated May 16, IGSS.'*

Stoughton was also a man of wealth and high position, ami was in
1694 and 1700 acting governor of the Province.

Dudley was a leading spirit of his time, whose eminent executive
talents cannot be questioned. Doctor Daniel Cox and .Tohn Black-
well of London, and Thomas Ereak of Hannington, Wiltshire, all
men of influence, were also proprietors.-' It would seem that under
the fostering care of such patrons, any enterprise which they might
undertake would prosper. But in this case progress was slow, and
influences beyond human control prevented the initiation of the
scheme. For two years after the date of the grant no progress towards
a settlement seems to have been made. The scarcity of men of suffi-
cient courage and ability to face the existing difliculties was doubt-
less a great hindrance to the movement. The demand for men in
the older plantations was pressing, and especially in those which had
suffered most from the war, the proprietors were anxious to re-build
as fast as possible. The grant for Woodstock had been made Novem-
ber 7, 1G83, and so great were the obstacles that in the spring of
1686 only thirteen men could be mustered w'ho were ready to go and
take possession. Confidence in the peaceful professions of the
natives had nearly vanished. The horrors of the recent war were

by lilack James ami coiiiiKiiiy to Wm. StouKlitou In the territory lyliifr southerly of Ihe town ami

& Josiph Dudley Ks(i'.s in behalf of the country northe:isterly of Chaubuua^'iinKainauK Tond, one

—Surveyed by .Inhn (iore. Oct. 1084." deslt'nateU as '•Thompson's live hundred acres."

The plot of f),(Xio acres was surveyed at Quln- After his death the Icfrlshiture of Connecticut

natlsset, southerly of the tlrst tract. In the present granted two thousand acres to his grandson In

town of Tliompson. London, as a tribute to his memory. This jirant

On •.'!• .luue, li'.8.'i. the Court ratlUed and con- was located In North Kllllnjrly, whli-h place was

llrmed to Hlack James and company two plots of afterwards madea town and named "Tliompson,"

land surveyed l)y John (iore, one at O.ulnnatlsset In honor of the family.

and the other at Mayanexlt. Col. Kec., V., 'John Hhickwell was member of rarllaiiient

488. under CromweU, and treasurer In his army, and

1 Hutchinson, I., :!24. was Intimate with l)u<iley while In this country;

2 Mass. Col. Rec, V., 40'J. Au old plan In the was made justice of the peace by him, and was
Oxford records shows, amonj? other lots of laud often his adviser. Miss Larned, I., 183.

>-. |o^»4 J^ ^^»^r. j>

1683 LAND PURCHASES AND GRANTS. 7

still fresh iu mind, and those who lived in the safer places near the
coast were slow to go out and endure the hardships of a pioneer life
in a wilderness where roving bands of hostile Indians Avere scouting,
and the resident tribes had proved themselves untrustworthy.

Grant to Dudley, etc., for a Town. The grant for Oxford is
as follows : —

" This court liauing iuforraation that some gentlemen in England are desir-
ous to remoove themselues into this colony & (if it may be) to setle themselues
vnder the Massachusets ; for the incouragement of such persons, & that they
ma}'^ haue some from among themselues, according to their motion, to assist &
direct them in such a designe, this Court doth grant to Major Robert Thompson
Willjam Stoughton and Joseph Dudley, Esq., and such others as they shall
associate to them, a tract of land, in any free place, conteyning eight miles
square, for a touneship, they setling in the sajd place w'thin fower yeares,
thirty familjes & an able orthodox minister, and doe allow to the sajd touneship
freedom from country rates for fower yeares from the time aboue Ijmitted."
Dated May IGth, 1083.'

First Survey. The survey of this grant was made by John
Gore of Roxbury, an order having been issued by Edmund Andros,
Kt., 19 Sept., 1687, for laying out a plat "near AYorcester," on a
grant made in 1683.- The place was named Oxford after the city of
that name in England.^

The plan, a copy of which is now in the Town Clerk's office, compre-
hended 41,250 acres or a little less than 65 square miles, and was
2,114 rods or six and two-thirds miles on the east side ; 3,340 rods or
about ten and one-half miles on the south; 1,968 rods or about six
miles on the west and 3,216 rods or about ten miles on the north.
The description in the deed of division — hereafter described — begins at
the southwest corner of Worcester, which was not far from the present
Auburn centre, and from thence the line ran nearly south to the
northAvest corner of Mr. Dudley's grant of 1,000 acres before alluded
to, and thence S. 15° E. by the west line of said grant to a point
about one and a quarter miles southwest of West Sutton, and a mile
and a half west of Manchaug Pond, called Manchaug Corner, thence
W. 15° S. to a point north of Peter Pond in the east part of Dudley,
and thence nearly on the same course crossing the Quinebaug to a
point about one mile south of Southbridge centre, thence north
including the main water power at Southbridge centre, to a point
about two miles west of Charlton City, on the Sturbridge line, thence
N. 85° E. to the southwest corner of Worcester, enclosing besides
the present Oxford, the larger part of Charlton, about one-fourth of

'Mass. Col. IJec, V., 408. "I gave New Roxbury the name of Woodstock,

2 Mass. Arcli., CXXVII., llfl. From the deed of because of Its nearness to Oxford, for the sake

division noted hereafter we learn that tills grant of Queen Ellzal)etli and the notable nicetings

was ratified to Dudley and Company on 11 Jan., that liave been held at that place bearing the

1688. name In England." [Holmes's Annals, II., 240.]

3Thls fact does not appear clearly from the These places are about eight miles distant from

record, but is confirmed by the memorandum of each other, and are places of note in English

Judge Sewall, of Boston, who in his diary wrote, history.

8 HISTORY OF OXFORD.

Auburn, one-fifth of Dudley, and several square miles of the north-
east portion of Soutlibridge.

Common way. Through this tract on the Village west line was
laid out due north and south a " way" 20 rods in width called "the
common way," — probably a reserve for access to the lands adjoining
on tlie west. This " way" became later a part of the A'illage.

The Village. This "common way," cut off from the main grant
11,250 acres of the eastern portion, a plot six and two-thirds miles
long, and nearly three miles wide, which was given to the settlers
for a Village, or " General Plantation."

" Grand lots." The remaining 30,000-acre tract was divided into
five equal parts, the division lines running easterly and westerly. These
were allotted as follows : the northernmost to Robert Thompson, the
second to Daniel Cox, the third to William Stoughton, the fourth to
John Blackwell, and the southernmost to Joseph Dudley. Mr. Cox's
portion is subdivided on the plan between Blackwell, Freak and Cox.'
All the bounds mentioned in this deed were of a transient nature —
marked trees, a heap of stones, or a stake, constituting them all —
excepting one, which was at the northeast corner of Augutteback Pond
at the present Howarth's village. -

So far as appears, Dudley assumed the entire management of
the preliminaries of the settlement. Blackwell early sold, having
obtained a new grant in the Quinebaug valley in Connecticut, 28
Jan., 1G85.3

The Deed of Division is a valuable document, found in 1872 in
London, and now in the possession of the New York Historical
Society. Its date is July 3, 1688, and its point of special interest
is in the description of Mr. Dudley's tract, where his northeast bound
is given as a "white oak stake, s(iuare, driven in the meadow, by
the river which runs by and from the French houses."'

A fact of interest learned from this document is the Indian name
of the beautiful pond referred to, "Augutteback."-'*

Attractions of the locality. The features of the locality
which, in Dudley's estimation, made it " capable of good settlement,"
were, doubtless, its meadows and plains. The western portion was

1 IHagraiu 1, imiler "Clianjies In Town lines," west of tlie river at the west boundary ol

eliows the fonii and cliict divisions of tlie Howarth's estate,

jjrant. ■ -Mass. Col. Rec V., 407.

-A fact on whii-li the records plve no liKht, Is < Cox's copy of this ileed has recently come to

that of the change of tlie location of this '-VlUafre IlRht. It was In the possession of K/ra Taylor.

Line." By removhiK it a few rods to the west the Es<|., of Southboro, attorney of Cox's heirs, who

very desiralde water power at Aiifjutteback or reside<l In New Jersey, and is now in the library

lower falls, and also a larKc amount of meadow of the Am. Antiq. Soc. at Worcester. See also

on the river above were liivcn to the village and Wor. Co. Kec. XXIX., ?2S.

the chanfte was made undoubtedly as an Induce- ''This name, though not as pleaslnR iis the lake

nient to settlers to come In. Whatever may have Itself, should be relaineil. The river which runs

been llie motive, llie line was before 171:; removed throufrh It should also be known as tlie M;uinexit,

about onc-fourtli of a mile to the westward, and the appellation " French " being Inappropriate,

at AuKutteback was near the brow of the hill as no French settled near It.

LAND PURCHASES AND GRANTS. 9

rough aud hilly but the hundreds of acres of warm alluvial soil
embraced iu the village plot were specially suited to the main crop of
those early times, Indian corn. Gookin said of it, " it is situated in
a fertile country for good land," and he asserts he had seen in the
region fields yielding 40 bushels to the acre. The country was not
unbroken forest, but on the plains especially were open areas planted
over by the natives.

"There is no underwood, save in swamps and low places; for it being the
custom of the Indians to burn the woods in November ... it consumes all
the underwood and rul)bish. There is good fodder in the woods where the
trees are thin : and in the spring the grass grows rapidly on the burnt lands.
. . . The woods are open and the forests penetrated without difflculty. The
only obstructions are streams, hills and swamps." '

Meadows. These were considered as of great value on account of
their yielding hay.- Water power available and fitting was at hand.

Game. Wild game in plenty, especially deer, important as a
means of living, roamed the forests, and the ponds and rivers
abounded in fish.^

Roads. The grant was easy of access. A road from Boston to
Springfield crossed it on the north, and through the southern part
ran the thoroughfare from Boston to Hartford and vicinity, called in
the records the Great Trail aud the Connecticut Path.

Undoubtedly the first white man to tread Oxford soil was John
Oldham, who, in 1633, having learned of the "trail" from the inci-
dent of the Indians of Wabquasset carrying corn to the Bay colonists
when in need in 1630, passed over it westward to Windsor.

In July, 1675, Ephraim Curtis was employed to conduct " Fncas
his six men" from Boston home. He says "I conducted [them]
safl}' while I com in sight of Wabquesesue new planting fielde ; first
to Natuck, from thenc to Marelborrow, thenc to Esnemisco, thenc
to Mumchogg [Oxford], thenc to Chabanagonkomug, thenc to
Mayenecket thenc over the river to Seneksig, while wee cam nere to
Wabaquasesu wher they were willing that wee should leve them.""*
This indicates the line of travel at that time.

' Wood's Xew Eng. Prospect. liearil Joseph Rockwood, who served in the fort,

-Sudbury, Concord, Lancaster aud IJrookfield, teU of having got lost in tlie woods when out for

early settled, aU were cliosen for their productive tlie cows. He heard at a distance the cries of

meadows. Robinson's Ponil in tlie east part of wild beasts, ami ascending a tree for safety was

Oxford covers •'Jlendon Meadow,'' so called surrounded during the night by half famished,

from the fact that the people of Mendon came howling wolves."

here for hay before the settlement. Mrs. Isaac Moflitt, b. 1738, dau. of John Larned.

' Mr. Stephen Davis, recently deceased, x. S7, living west of tlie river in the southwest part of
said on the authority of his fatiier that at the the town, said she had lain awake many a time
time of the settlement of his ancestors in the in her childhood and heard the night-long sere-
southeast part of Oxford, with a dog and a gun uade of the wolves from a knoll a short distance
one could go to the woods near by and bring in a from the dwelling.

fawn as certainly and almost as quickly as a At Jonathan Ballard's, who bought in 17o.5 (now

farmer could go to his sheepfold and prepare a Howarth's), it was necessary at times to house

lami) for the table. the sheep and calves for safety, and on a pertain

Bears and wolves were not uncommon. Mrs. winter morning tradition says seven wolves were

Lee in her history of the Huguenots says, (juot- counted on the Ice of the mill pond,

ing from the manuscript of Mr. John Mayo, " I * Mass. Arch., LXVII., 214.

CHAPTKK' II.

THE HUGUENOT COLONY.

Tin: FIufarKNOTs. Mn>i,. Hostii.k Ixdiaxs. Johnson Massacrk. Tmk
DKSKitTioN. Kk-sktti,kmknt. Fkknch and Indian Ixtuiguks. Qcekn

ANNK'8 War. SKCOND AliANDONMENr. HUGUKNOT ClIAIlACTKU. PER-
SONAL. Kemcs. Bernon's Troubles. Beknon's Sale. Proprietors'
Proclamation. English Settlers. Town Incorporation.

Huguenots as Colonists. In the spring of 1686 no progress
had been made toward occupying the grant, and on petition of the
grantees, the stipuhvted time for settlement was extended three years.'
Before tlie expiration of that time, ttie requisite number of families of
a strange nationality and a remarkable history were here as settlers.
These were French Protestants who a short time before had been
driven out of their native land on account of their religion and had taken
refuge in London. INIr. Thompson, one of the grantees then resid-
ing there, entered into negotiations with Gabriel Bernon, an influentinl
man among them, which resulted in an agreement with him and his
agent, Isaac Bertrand DuTuffeau, to bring over and settle 30 families
upon the Oxford lands.-

A grant of 2,500 acres was made by Dudley and Company to
Bernon and DuTuffeau in common, Bernon's portion thereof being
1,750 acres in his own right, and 750 in co-partnership with Du
Tuflfeau. This tract was laid out in the southeast corner of the village
plot, and was 352 rods on the south line, and ran north ''as far as will
complete the full quantity of 2,872 acres. "^ DuTutfeau after ti time
left the colony while indebted to Bernon, who by legal process came
into possession of the whole. This he sold in the spring of 1721,
eight years after the permanent settlement, for 1,200 pounds to
Thomas Mayo, Samuel Davis and William Weld, all of Koxbury.''

' .Muss. CoL Rec, V., 4t!ll. plantation for tlii'ir rcfu^je,' lliat lie dhl ailvance

- In 17"20, Hernon represent I'd to llicautlioritles liini siicli siiins, as, 'with tlie exi-liantfe anil Infcr-

iit Koston, thai he was "one of tlie most ancient est from that time wouhl amount to al)ove one

families In Kochel, France; that upon the hreach tlioiisand pounds,' etc. . . . and that he shlji|)ed

of the lOdlct <if Nantes, to shun persecution he himself, his family, and servants, with other

lied to Londim; that on his arrival, Tuf- families Jind paid passape for ahove forty

f(rreau, Esif., treasnrerof the Protestant churches persons."

of France, i)resented him to the honorahle socl- ■' In the deed a reserve was made of 172 acres

cty for propaKatliiK the gospel anion}; the In- of iiiiadow for the settlers, and 200 acres for

dians In New I'',n);laiiil ; that Mr. Thompson the Daniel Hondct, the minister.

governor [President] olTered to " Instal him In 'Weld soon sold his share to .Mayo and Davis.

the society ' and olVered lilni land lu the govern- John, son of Thomas Mayo, settled upon the

ment of the Massachusells Hay; whereupon southern part of the tract Ineludiujr Fort Hill,

Isaac Bertrand du TulTeau desired him " to assist and Davis owned and occupied the central part,

hlni to come over to New KuKland to settle a lying on both sides of the present Sutton road.

1687 HUGUENOT COLONY. 11

During the summer and autumn of 1686 and the winter following
most of these emigrants arrived at Boston, and according to Rev.
Charles W. Baird, D.D., author of "History of the Huguenot emi-
gration to America," came to Oxford in 1687.1 The settlement was
made near the stream easterly of the present Main Street, the houses
having been built on its higher banks, mostly on the westerly side,
from near the present Sutton road on the northeast, down one mile
to the Webster road and Johnson's Plain on the southwest, the most
thickly settled part having been near the "old mill" at the south end
of the Plain.

Chapel. Southeasterly from the central portion of the village on
the Humphrey farm upon a rise of land about 100 rods from the
stream, on the road to the fort, stood their church building, and near
it was their buryiug-grouud, and a stockade for refuge in case of an
attack during religious service.

Fort. Still farther to the southeast about three-fourths of a mile,
rising to an eminence overlooking the country for many miles, was
their fort or stronghold, and a short distance from it westex'ly on
Bondet Hill, within the village limits, was a building called in the
records the "Great house," supposed to have been the home of the
minister, Daniel Bondet.

Mills. On the stream near the south end of the Plain, was built
the first mill, a sawmill, and three-fourths of a mile above at the
northeastern extremity of the settlement on Bernon's land, stood the
grist-mill, built by Mr. Church in 1689.

Progress. Concerning the pi'ogress of the colony, but little can
be known, as all official papers were carried away by the pastor, Daniel
Bondet, when he left, and have never been recovered.'-^ A few mis-
cellaneous papers, petitions, letters, etc., remain, chiefly in the State
archives and among the Bernon papers now in the possession of
William D. Ely, Esq., Providence, R. I., quotations from which
will give indications of the state of affairs from time to time. A
letter from a French refugee in Boston, dated Nov., 1687, recites
as follows :

" The Nicmok country belongs to tlie President himself and the land costs
nothing. I do not know as yet the precise quantity that is given to each
family ; some have told me it is from fifty to a hundred acres according to
the size of a family. ... It lies with tliose who Avish to take uplands whetlier
to take them in the one or the other plantation — on the sea board or in the
interior. The Nicmok plantation is inland, at a distance of twenty leagues
from Boston and equally distant from the sea; so that when the settlers
wish to send anything to Boston or to obtain anythhig from thence, they are
obliged to transport it in wagons. In the neighborhood of this settlement
there are small rivers and ponds abounding in tish, and woods full of game.
M. Bondet is their minister. The inhabitants as yet number only flfty-two
persons." ^

> Dr. Holmes In his " Anuals " gives the time Oxford, says they were Icept in Boston, and
as In 1686. burned in the old State House.

2 Whitney, referring to the early records of i Bulletin Soc. His. Fr. Protestantism, XVI., C9.

12 HISTOliV OF OXrOKI). 1689-93

Mill Contract. A contract dated March, 1689, between Caleb
Cliurch of Watertown and Mv. Bernon, Ijy which the former agrees
to build a grist-mill at Oxford, appears among the Beruou papers.
'I'his mill was completed prior to Feb., 16'J0, as before stated.

The Rum Traffic. In 1G91 the peace of the settlement was
seriously distuibed by some " incorrigible persons" therein who were
carrying on a pernicious tralllc with the natives. The following is a
memorial from the minister, Mr. Bondet, on this subject, dated G
July :_

" It is an occasion which fills my heart with sorow and my life of trouble,
but ray humble request will be at least before God, and before you a solemn
protestation against the guilt of tliose incorrigible persons who dwell in our
place. The rome is always sold to the Imlians Avitliout order or measure,
insomuch that according the complaint sent to me by master Diclvestean with
advice to present it to your honours. Tlie 26 of last montli there was abcnit
twenti indians so furious by drunkness that they fought like bears and fell
upon one called remcs . . . who is appointed for preaching the gospel
amongst them he had been so much disfigured by his wonds tliat there is no
hope of his I'ecovery. If it was your pleasure to signifie to the instrumens of
that evil the jalosie of your autiioriti and of tlie publi(|ue tranquility, you
would do great good nuiintainiug the honour of God in a Christian habitation,
conforting some honest souls wich i)eing incompatible with such al)omi na-
tions feel everj' day the burden of afHixon of tlieir honorable perigrination
aggravated. Hear us pray and so God be witli you and prosper all your just
undertakins and applications tis the sincere Avish of your most I'espectuous
servant.

"D. BONDET

minister of the gospell in a

French Congregation at newoxford."

No action u[)on this petition appears.

Sigourney's Affirmation. Several years later the same evil
continued, " to the great shame and danger of all the company," the
agent now being one of the Huguenots, as appears from the following
document, the original of which is in the possession of Peter Butler,
Esq., of Quincy, a descendant of Andre Sigourney : —

" Andr6 Sigourney aged of about fifty years doe affirme tiiat the 28 day of
nouemb'' last past he was w'ith all the otliers of the village in the mill for to
take the rum in the hands f)f Peter Canton and Avhen they asked liim \va)' hee
do al)us(' s()(; the Indiens in seleingthem licpior to the great slianie and dangers
of all the company hee s'' Canton answered that itt was his will and that hee
hath right soe to doe and asking him further if itt was noe him how make
soe many Indiens drunk he did answer that hee had sell to one ludien and one
s(|ua the valew of four gills and that itt is all upon w '' one of the company
named Hllias Dupeux told him that hee have meet an Indien drunk w '' have
get a bott(le) fool and said that itt was to the mill how (who) sell itt lie
ansAvered that itt nuiy bee trueth.

••Andk6 Sigoukxky. [Constable.]

"Boston, Dec. 5, 1693."

Representative. In the early part of 1093 the plantation,
having been by a general law of 1G92 empowered thereto, chose as

1693-94 HUGUENOT COLONY. 13

representative to the General Court, Daniel Allen of Boston. Little can
be learned of this first representative of the town, but it can hardly
be doubted that he was half-biother of Dudley, and son of Rev. John
AUin of Dedham, by his wife Catharine, who had been previously wife
of Samuel Hagborne and of Thomas Dudley, and was mother of Joseph
Dudley. He was born 5 Aug. 1656 ; grad. Harv. Col. 1675 ; physi-
cian at Boston; died 7 Nov. 1693. His kinship to Dudley explains
his having been elected to the office, and the fact attests Dudley's
continued interest in the settlement.^

Hostile Indians. In the summer of 1693 the northern Indians
became a source of alarm. At Brookfield a band of 40 made an
assault, 27th July, killing six persons and carrying away three
others, one an infant, which was killed soon after the capture.
Both Oxford and Woodstock having fears that unless precautionary
measures were taken like disasters might come to these places, the
case was laid before the authorities, and on 1 Aug., 1693, in Council,
it was advised and ordered that the Indians of the Plantation of
Tohkokomoowadchunt [Kekamoochong, adjoining Oxford] " as well
for their own security as that the Enemy may be better known," be
drawn into the town of Woodstock to be under the watch of the
English.- Nothing further appears to show that the settlement was
not in a fairly prosperous condition up to 1694, seven years from the
beginning. At this date the community numbered probably 70 or 80
persons.

In the summer of 1694 the colonists first learned by experience
the cruel and sanguinary nature of the people among whom their lot
had been cast. A daughter of one Alard, with two younger children
of the family, left their home one day to return no more. Search
was made, the body of the murdered girl was found but the children
had been captured and carried away to Quebec.^

Sigourney's Memorial. The effect of this occurrence was
greatly to dishearten the villagers, as will appear from the following
document. In October, 1694, a warrant having been sent to Andrew
Sigourney, the constable, for the collection of £8. 6s. taxes, he
replied as follows : —

"... Now whereas the Indians have appeared several times this summer,
we were forced to garrison ourselves for three months together and several
families fled, so that our summer harvest of hay and corn hath gone to ruin
by the beasts and cuttle which hath brought us so low that we have not
enougli to supply our own necessities, many other families abandoning like-
wise so that we have none left l)ut Mr. Bondet our minister and the poorest

1 Corroborative evidence of his identity is found tlie location of Alard's dwelling as at the south

In the names of his children, among whom were end of the plain, about three rods westerly of the

John, Catharine anA lie/ijamin. [See Savage.] Tlie railroad track on tlie nortlicrly side of tlic road

choice of a representative not an inhabitant of to tlie fort. Tlio Bernon papers give — "Tlie

the town was in accordance with Englisli usagi'. daughter of Sr. Alord was killed, and the two

- Council Kec. children of Alord taken prisoners and taken to

•' Tradition gives us tliis story, and says tliese Oueljec."— Baird, II., L'74.
children were a daughter and two sont, and fixes

14 HISTORY OF OXFORD. 1096

of our plantation, so that wo are incapable of paying said Poll unless we dis-
pose of what littl(! we have and quit our plantations. Wherefore humbly
entreat the Honorable Council to consider our miseries and incapacity of pay-
ing the poll, and as in duty hound we shall ever pray." '

In Province Laws of 1G98, p. 341, we find an act remitting taxes
to Oxford for £33. 68.

Bondet leaves. For nearly two years afterward we have very
little by which to judge of the condition of affairs. Soon after the
date of the above memcjrial, according to I.aborie's representations,
hereafter given, Bondet, the pastor, doubtless with a feeling of hope-
lessness as to the future, and to the regret and discouragement of
the people, left and returned to Boston.

Johnson Massacre. On 2') Aug., 1096, occurred the Johnson
massacre. This deed was perpetrated under the instigation of the
Canadian authorities and the Jesuits by a willing servant of theirs,
Toby, a Nipmuck Indian, dwelling at Woodstock, and was a precur-
sor of the long series of atrocities later enacted on the frontier. -

The house of Johnson stood on the southern outskirts of the village,
near the Woodstock trail, on the plain which bears his name. Toby
and his band stealthily approached it on the afternoon of Tuesday,
the 25th of August, 1696, and entering, seized his three children,
Andrew, Peter and Mary, and ruthlessly crushed their heads against
the stones of the lireplace. With the help of Att4few Johonuot, her ^ ^'
cousin, the mother tied toward Woodstock, whither her husband had
gone on business. Tradition runs that in parts of the way there were
two paths and that in going and coming the husband and wife passed
each other, she going on to Woodstock and he coming to his home,
where he was met by the assassins and shared the fate of his
children. 3

A rough stone monument was raised on the site of the Johnson
house by an assembly of the people of Oxford on 25 Aug., 1875,
Dr. O. W. Holmes, replying to an invitation to be present, wrote :
'' The occasion you propose to celebrate is a very interesting one, in
an exceptional kind of way, and deserves an orator quite as much as
many more widely known events of history ... I must content my-
self with sending my most cordial good wishes to my friends of the

1 Muss. Arch., C, S02. Ing his uncle Audrew Sixouriu-y, proliahly in

- In a letter dated at New London, 211 .Tan., 1700, lG8(i, lived at Oxford with those other uoble ex-

froni (iov. Winthrop to HclloHiout at Hoston, he lies, until driven away by the Indians In Aup.,

refers to "one 'I'ohy, formerly lielonKln^ to thf lG9t;, when he saved, says trudlllon, that may In

Indians that live at New Uoxbury, who had a this case he nearer the trulli than common, his

particular hand in kllllUK one .Idhnson, near the cotisiu, Susan Johnson, whose husband and three

same town, In the last war with the Indians."— children were then killed." [Sava^re.] Johnson

N. Y. Col. MSS., IV., 612. came as an attendant of DuTuffeau. He was b.

:i A llfth victim. John Kvans, Is named In aciT- at Alvcton or Alton, Staffordshire, Ku^. [Dr.

tlllcute of Slon;;liton, Increase Mathir and others, Balrd.] Suzanne, his widow, who was the dauK'h-

In favor of lieruon, pi esented to the authorities ter of Andrew SlKourney. the constable, m. 18

20 Sei)t., IG'.IG. \Vi- lind no other mention of him. Apr., 1700, In Boston, her cousin, Daniel Jolion-

" Daniel .lohonnot, Boston, a Ilutfueiiot youth, b. not. Slgourney Gen.
about 1(108, came from Uochelle, Krance, attend-

1699 HUGUENOT COLONY. 15

lovely town which records so touching, beautiful and romantic a story
in its annals." In another connection he says :

" Mj' father visited the site of the little colony in 1819 and 1825. lie traced
the lines of the fort, and was I'ej^aled with the perfumes of the shrubl)ery and
the grapes then hanging in clusters on the vines planted by the Huguenots
above a century before. I visited the place between twenty and thirty years
ago and found many traces of the old settlement. After Plymouth, I do not
think there is any locality in New England more interesting. This little l^and
of French families, transported from the sliore of the Bay of Biscay to the
Avilds of our New England interior, reminds me of the isolated group of
magnolias which we find surrounded by the ordinary forest trees in our
Massachusetts town of Manchester. It is a surprise to meet with them and
we wonder how they came there, but they glorify the scenery with their tropi-
cal flowers and sweeten it with their fragrance. Such a pleasing surprise is
the eflect of coming upon this snuiU and transitory abiding-place of the men
and women who left their beloved and l)eautiful land for the sake of their
religion. The lines of their fort may be obliterated, ' the perfumes of the
shrubbery ' may no longer be perceived, but the ground they hallowed by their
footsteps is sacred, and the air around their old Oxford home is sweet with
their memory." '

This event filled the settlement with consternation, and after bury-
ing in one grave the murdered husband and " ses trois enfans" the
inhabitants gathered their small stores of movables and hastened
away to a place of safety .-

The Departure. Tradition says that early in the morning of
their leaving — each family having bade adieu to its plantation and
home — they assembled at the little church, where they had a season of
worship. They afterward repaired to the burying-ground to take
leave of the graves of departed friends, and thence in a procession,
moved onward over the rough forest road, toward Boston.

Second Settlement. As early as the spring of 1699, eight or
ten families returned and occupied their plantations. But of the
fortunes of the second colony we know little. The facts however set
forth in the citations which follow, indicate clearly that with the rum
tralHc with the resident natives and the plottings of the neighboring
tribes, there could have been but very little of growth or quiet.

1 Introduction to the "Huguenots in the Nip- appear that any clue to the perpetrators was

muck Country." discovered. Lincoln's Hist. oE Worcester, p. r>7.

-The news of this disaster spread speedily This Half-way River was undout)tedly tlie
through the Province, and a band of 12 Maancxit, which is about midway liutween Bos-
soldiers from Worcester, accompanied by 3S ton and Springrtield. Sixty years or more ago,
friendly Indians, hastened to tlie protection of George Alverson wliile plougliing on the Inter-
the frontier towus of Oxford and Woodstocit. vale near the river on the land of laitlier Stone,
The woods were range<l for <lays, and some fresh N. Gore, turned up a brass liettle, a draught
tracks were found at a plai-e called Half-way chain and a mattock, which had evidently been a
River north of the French settlement. Captain very long time buried, and which it is thought
Daniel Fitch, the leader of the expedition, made the marauders may have taken with lliem from
a report to Lieut. Gov. Stoughton, and asked for the scene of the murder ami finding them cum-
a supply of provisions and ammunition In order bersomc secreted them here,
that the search might be pursued. It does not

16 1IIST(>KV OF OXFORD. 1700

Laborie Memorial. A petition of the second Minister, James
Laborie, in beiialf of the settlers, dated Oct. 1, 1699, is as follows : >

" James Laborie tou his Exccllencie and tou the Honorable Couneil."
" My Lord and most Honorablb Council."

" Mr. Boiulet, formerly minister of tliis town, not only satisfied to leave ns
almost two years Ix-fore the Indians did eommit any act of hostility in this
plaee, but carried aw.ay all the books which had been given for the use of the
plantation, with the acts and papers of the village, we most humbly supplicate
your Excellency and the most Honorable Council to oblige Mr. Bondet to send
back again said books, acts and papers belonging to said plantation.

"'{'he inhabitants, knowing that all disturbance that hath been before in this
plantation, have happened only that some people of this plantation did give
the Indians drink without measure, and that at present there is some continu-
ing to do the same, we most humbly supplicate your Excellency and Honora-
ble Council to give to Mr. James Laborie, our minister, full order to hinder
these disturbances which put us in great danger of our lives. The said in-
habitants also complain against .Tohn Ingall, that not only he gives to said
Indians drink without measure, but buy all the meat they bring, and goes and
sell it in other villages, and so hinders the inhabitants of putting up any pro-
visions against the winter. We most humbly supplicate your Excellency and
most Honorable Council to forbid said John Ingall to sell any rhoom, and to
transport any meat out of the plantation that he hath i)ought of the Indians
before the said inhabitants l)e provided. -

" James Laborie in his particular most humbly supplicate your Excellency
and the most ITonoral)le Council to give him a peculiar order to oblige the
Indians to observe the Sabl)ath day, many of said Indians to whom the said
Laborie hath often exhorted to piety — having declared to submit themselves
to the said Lal)orie's exhortations if he would bring an order with him from
your Excellency, or from your honorable Lieut. Governor, Mr. Stanton, or the
most Honoiabl(! Council.

" Expecting these favors we shall continue to pray God for the preservation
of your Excellency, and most Honorable Council" etc.

" Jamks Laborish."

Endorsed — " Lre written 1" X br 99 w"lh a i)roclaraa'con for the observance
of the Sabbath day inclosed." •'

The action of the authorities on this petition does not appear.

Laborie to Bellomont. The following, addressed to Earl
Belloinont, indicates that a certificate of the inhabitants had been
required in reference to the charges against Bondet. The writer then
opens the subject of the intrigues of the natives.

"At New Oxford this 17 June, 1700.

"My Lord : When I had the honor to write to your Excellency, I did not
send the certificate of our inhabitants with reference to Monsieur Bondet,

1 Laborie was stalioncil here not only to labor warrant to Mr. Treasurer, to pay forty shillings

at New Oxford but also among the Indians at unto .John Ingall, sent with an express from

Keelvamoochaug. Tills was a tract bounded Oxford, bringing tlie news, 7 Feb., I(i99.''

nortli l)y Oxford soutli line, east by the large We infer tliat Ingall was trailer in Oxford,

pond, south liy "Dudley's Maanexit farm," and l)ringing gooils from Boston, dealing with colo-

extended westerly so as to include tlie valley nists and Indians, and tliat wlili tlie latter mm

west of Dudley centre. 'I'hc Inooli in said val- was a leading article in excluiiige for wild meats,

ley bore tlie name. furs, etc.

In tlie Council Records, p.'.t.'>,we llnd— "Adviseil ' Mass. Arcli., II., MO.
and consented that liis Excellency issue forth his

1700 SECOND HUGUENOT COLONY. 17

for the reason they were not all here, I have at length procured it, and send it
to your Excellency. As to our Indians, I feel constrained to inform your
Excellency that the four who came back, notwithstaiUling all the protesta-
tions which they made to me upon arriving, had no other object in returning
than to induce those who had been faithful, to depart with tliem. They have
gained over the greater number, and to-day they leave for Penikook, twenty-
five in all — men, women, and children. I preached to them yesterday in their
own tongue. From all they say, I infer that the priests are vigorously at
work, and that they are hatching some scheme which they will bring to light
so soon as they find a favorable occasion.

"James Lai?orie."

Reports widely circulated that the King of England intended to cut
them off, and at another time that it was his purpose to disarm them,
aroused the hostility of the Indians and they engaged earnestly in
executing the designs of the Canadians. The intrigue was busily
prosecuted with the Wabquassets with the hope that they through
their chief men would succeed in winning over their neighbors, the
Mohegans, who had continued the fast friends of the English.

Toby's Movements. For several years after the massacre,
Toby, who had removed northward, was a very active agent in this
work and brought to the Nipmuck, Wabquasset and Mohegan tribes
much wampum for the purpose of influencing them to combine against
the English. 1 On 1 Feb., 1700, Black James gave the information:

" He being in the woods a hunting came to a place near Massomuck [Pom-
fret], to a great wigwam of five fire places, and eleaven hunting Indians,
. . . the next morning they went out and called this James and bid him
come and see the wampom they had gathered ; he asked what that wampom
was for, they said it was Mohawk's wampom; the Dutchman had told
them that the English had ordered to cut oft' all Indians, and they had the
same news from the french, and therefore we are gathering and sending
wampom to all Indians, that we may agree to cutt oft' the English ; and Caw-
gatwo [of Wabquasset] told this James that Toby brought that wampom and
that news from the Mohawks." -

On 3 Feb., 1700, a squaw, Spuna, gave information that two
strange Indians, one of whom was Toby " a great man or Cap'n,"
were two days at Wabquasset "consulting how they might come down
upon the J^ngiish and friendly Indians " and that the Wabquassets
agreed to go in February to Pennacook, with wives and children.

Mr. Sabin. On 28 Feb., Bellomont wrote to the Lords of Trade,
London, saying that Mr. Sabin [of Woodstock] was at Boston "the
past week, having come by night that it might not be known to his
Indian neighbors," that he was under great terror and apprehension
having learned through " Owenico" the Mohegan Chief that the Gov-
ernor of Canada through his "cunning men" was instigating a plot
to cut off the English.

In another connection Sabin said, "The Indians are drawn off and
gone eastward and some . . . being sent to recall them and having
discoursed Avith the Sachem of the Pennacook about the aforesaid

1 N. y. Col. MSS., IV., 618, 616, etc. = Ibid.

18 HISTORY OF OXFORD. 1700-2

combination ... ho told him tliut he hiid the longest bow that
ever was in New England, it reaclicd from Penobscot to the Mohawk
Country," meaning that all Indians were in the plot.

In June, 1700, French Protestants at Boston represented to the
Court that they had "been at great charges" in maintaining the poor
of New Oxford, " who by the occasion of the war withdrew them-
selves, and since that they have assisted many who returned to Oxford
in order to resettlement." '

Belloinont to Lords of Trade. On 9 July, 1700, Bellomont
wrote : —

"The Indians about the town of Woodstock and New Oxford, consisting;
of about 40 families have lately deserted their hcnises and corn, and are gone
to live with the Penicook Indians, which has much aUarmed the English there-
abouts, and some of the English have forsaken their houses and farms and
removed to tow'ns for better security. That the .Jesuits have seduced these
40 families is plain from several accounts I have received, some Avhereof I
now send . . . Laljourie's letter to me is very plain evidence that French
Jesuits debauched those Indians . . . Mr. Sabin is so terrified . . . that he
has thought fit to forsake his dwelling and is gone to live in a town. .\11 the
thinking people here believe the Eastern Indians will break out against the
English m a little time."-

Queen Anne's War. In May, 1702, England declared war
against France, initiating the contest known as Queen Anne's "War,
thus giving an additional incentive to hostilities, Avhich was eagerly
improved by the French Governor of Canada, and the Indian tribes
were stirred up afresh to engage in their atrocious warfare. Bernon
became fearful for Oxford, and called upon Dudley, who had then
recently coine to the Governor's chair, for aid and protection, who
replied as follows : —

"Herewith I send you a eommission for Captain of New Oxford. I desire
you forthwith to repair thither and show your said commission, and take care
that the people be armed, and take them in your oAvn house with a palisade,
for the security of the inhabitants; and if they are at such a distance . . .
that there should be need of another place to draw them together in case of
danger, consider of another i)roper house antl write me, and you shall have
order therein.

" I am your humble si'rvant,

" J. DtDLKY.^

".7?<Z.V 7, 1702."

1 Mass. Arch., II., 150. ■MJeiuon came to Oxford and liad Ills coni-

2N. Y. Col. MSS., IV., 6S-1. Tin: I'ennacooks mission read .acconliiiK to his instructions, jissur-

inhiiblted the Connecticut valley about the site Inj; the people that he did not look on them as

of Concord. N. II., ami were larfjely under ihe soldiers hut as friends. From the tone of his

intluence of the Canadian -Jesuits, and received letter to Dudley later he seems to have approved

presents from Ihem, notably silver crosses as of what liad been done, but still was solicitous as

ornaments, and through them the tribes In this to the safety of the colony and suggested that in

vlclnaKC, who thought the religion of the I'enna- case of further trout)le I'rovidence should send

cooks liner than that of the Huguenots, were succor, and names Captain Arnold and I.ieut.

prejudlceil against the latter, and were Induced Wilkinson lus persons to be relied on for clUclent

to remove northward. HaIrd, II., 285. aid. Ibid., 2SS.

1703-4 SECOND HUGUENOT COLONY. 19

Perry to Dudley. lu a, letter of John Perry to Gov. Dudley,
Brookfielcl, 4 Jan., 1703, he says : —

"We have a few rambling Indians frequenting our place whose words &
carriage is such as gives reason to suspect them to be evil minded men and
disposed to mischief . . . Their names the one is Joseph Ninnequal)on, who
was the man the last .year that received a wampum belt of our Enemyes, and
presented it to the Moheggs to ingage them in a war with us, for which the
Authority imprisoned said Ninnequal)on many weeks, the then plott Ijeing dis-
covered by our Moheeken friends, that storm went over. ... It is said that
Ninnequabon was bred & ))orn at New Eoxbury . . . [He names Black James
and] another Indian whose name is Moamaug, who told Mr. Buroe a ttrench
gentleman [Francois Bureaii, an Oxford Huguenot], that he had been at
Canada this last summer, and the ft'rench had given him a gun, a coat and a
hatchet, to ingage him against the English. These Indians are designed to
draw ott'norward to be out of your Excellency's reach: for they are informed
that your Excellency desires to settle them, which they declare against." '

Soldiers. From the Council records, p. 509, we learn that 13
soldiers, oue a sergeant, were here for protection in the summer of
1703. The Bernon papers show business transactions here in 1704.
The same year Laborie removed to New York. No further mention
of the settlement appears in the records.

The Frontier Attacked. In 1704 the long threatened stroke
came upon the frontier towns of Massachusetts, and hundreds of the
inhabitants were barbarously cut off. On 29 Feb., by the French
and Indians, the fearful blow was struck at Deerfield. "This affair,"
says Mr. Temple, "paralyzed temporarily our Hampshire County
settlements and was the predominant factor of Brookfield history
[and Oxford as well] for that year." -

Oxford Abandoned. The condition of Oxford at this period
may be readily inferred, and it is not in the least surprising that its
inhabitants some time in 1704 bade a final adieu to their plantations
and again sought a refuge in the friendly towns on the coast.

Huguenot Character. We have not space for eulogy nor is it
required. Many a glowing tribute has already been paid to this peo-
ple. Michelet says : —

"Their llight was a nol)le act of loyalty and sincerity. It is glorious for
hunuin nature that so many for truth's sake should have sacriticed every thing
in a flight so perilous and ditticult ; some see in these people only ol)stinate
sectaries, I see in them people of lofty ideas of honor. Mho over all tlie earth
have proved themselves to have been the elite of France."

The value of their influence upon American character and institu-
tions cannot be estimated. In politics, in religion, in the arts and
manufactures, and specially in social and domestic life and the finer
amenities which mark an advanced civilization we are greatly their
debtors. Among the array of brilliant names in our country's history
" none stand higher than those which from their foreign cast indicate

1 Mass. Arcli., T.XX., CIS. - His. N. Brookflclil, IGO.

20 HisTOIiY OF OXFOIIl).

a descent" from the Huguenots. As witli the Pilgrims, lo)'alty to
God and the truth was the first griiiid principh' by which they were
actuated.

" They felt

And (lid ackuowiedgp, wheresoe'er they moved,

A sjiiritual Presence,

. . . . a hiiili dependanco, a divine

Bounty and fifovernnient that tilled their hearts

AVith joy and <i:ratitn(h'. and fear and love;

And from tlieir fervent lips drew liymns of i)raise

Witli wliieh the desert run<i.

Beyond their own poor nature, and above

Tliey loolved : were huniblj' thankful for the <?ood

Which the warm sun solicited — and earth

Bestowed : were iicladsonu' — and their moral sense

They fortilied ■with reverence for the Gods.

And tliey hud liO])cs wliieli oversteppc^d tiie j^rave."

Wordsirorth.

"Worship. Their form of worship was simple yet impressive.
They were well versed in the scriptures, and excelled in music, having
a translation of the Psalms and the hymns of IJeza and Marot — called
the French Watts — set to the sweet harmonies of Goudamel, an early
French composer, and followed a liturgy modelled by John Calvin,
which had been long used in their native land. Dr. Baird gives
something of their mode of Sabbath worship : First, several chapters
of the Bible were read by a lecteur (who was also precentor or
chorister) closing with the ten commandments ; then began a service
by the pastor, an invocation, and an invitation to prayer and general
confession, the congregation the while standing ; next came the sing-
ing of a psalm by the congregation, seated. " This was the people's
part, — the song in a ritual without other audible responses, and all
the Huguenot fervor broke out in those strains that had for genera-
tions expressed the faith and religious joy of a persecuted race."
After a short extempore prayer came the sermon, and after that
general supplications, closing with the Lord's Prayer and the apostles'
creed. The benediction followed, with the word of peace. Their
form of Church government appears to have been as simple as their
worship, as the pastor, with the elders, elected by the membership,
controlled all the interests of the body.'

1 In rofficiico to tills siiliject. Prof. Henry M. ownelders, by whom they were In turn governed.
Uiilril, aulliDr of "The Ilis(M>t the irunueuots," . . . The hody of believers seUlinj.' at a certain
wrote:— '■ The ministers who left France before place constituted tlieniselves Into a clinrch,
the l£evocatloii would naturally remain con- elected tlieir elders and cliose some minister. If
nected with tlie synods in that country. Tliose they conld net one, for their pastor. Sonietinies
who settietl in Kn(?land formed themselves into it would seem the ministers 'conformed' while
new 'Synods & Colloc|ues.' Such as came to the churches did not. At least I'ierre I)aill6 had
this country were, I presume, too few in number submitted to Episcopal ordinaliou at the hands
to form any such organizations, at least I do not of the Hisliop of liOndon, while the church to
remeiiiher to have read of any. I i>resume tlie which he ministered, at Uoslou, was not 'con-
individual churches were pretty much Indepen- formablc; to the f'hurch of Englatid.'" Baird,
dent of eacli other, and if tliey did not 'con- lliif-'. Km. to Am., II., 'j:!!;.
form' to the Church of Kngland elected their

HUGUENOT COLONY. 21

Personal. Gabriel Bernon, us has been seen, was the capitalist
and chief guardian of the material interests of the place, although
he never resided here. He came to Boston in 1688, remaining until
1697, and removed to Rhode Island. He was a worthy and honora-
ble man, and in France as well as in Canada, where he for a time
resided, a wealthy and influential merchant, but his ventures in New
England were unfortunate, and those in Oxford a source of great
perplexity and pecuniary loss. Dr. Baird says he was, perhaps, the
most remarkable of the Huguenots who came to America after the
Revocation. He was a leading merchant of La Rochelle with a large
foreign trade, especially with Canada. While living at Quebec he
was considered the principal French merchant of the city, and was
a generous benefactor of the colony. He was firm in his religious
opinions, and a special object of the enmity of the priests, who were
bent on his ruin. The governor wrote "It is a pity he cannot be
converted. As he is a Huguenot the bishop wants me to order liim
home, which I have done." It was recantation or ruin. He reached
home in the height of the persecution and was thrown into prison
where he continued several months, but was released, perhaps
through the influence of his Catholic brothers. He sold his property
and in May or June, 1686, fled to Amsterdam, and the next February
to London. His only son Gabriel died at sea about 1706. The
descendants of his daughters are now among the prominent families
of Providence.

Daniel Bondet. Of the pastor who for eight or nine years guided
and fed his little flock in this wilderness of New Oxford, not much
can now be known. He was of a noble family in France, his mother
having been a daughter of Philippe de Nautonnier, Sieur de Castel-
franc. His wife was " a most virtuous lady of a ducal family." He
was not only the minister of the French Church, but was also a
missionary to the Nipmucks under the auspices of the Society for the
Propagation of the Gospel in New England, and preached in three
languages, English, French and Indian. i He left Oxford before the
breaking up of the first colony in a manner apparently not altogether
creditable ; resided in Boston two years, removed to New York and
was pastor of a French Church at New Rochelle, where he died in
1722. His letter to the authorities on the rum traffic in New Oxford,
previously quoted, and that to Lord Corubury at New York, given
below, show us somewhat of his spirit, and the difficulties ■ he
encountered in the discharge of his duties.

[New Rochelle, 1702.]

" My Lord. I most liuiiibly praj' your Excellency to l)e pleased to take cog-
nizance of the petitioner's condition. 1 am a French IJefugee Minister, incor-
porated into tlie body of tlie Ministry of the Anglican Chnrch. I removed
about tifteen years ago into New England, with a company of poor refugees

1 Agnew Prot. Exiles, II., 164.

22 HISTORY OF OXFORD.

to whom lands were granted for their settlement, and to provide for my sub-
sistence I was allowed one hundred and five pieces per annum, from the funds
of the Corporation for the Propasjation of the Gospel among the Savages. I
performed tliat duty iluring nine years with a success approved and attested
by those who presided over the affairs of that Province. The murders Avliich
the Indians committed in those countries caused the dispersion of our
company, some of whom fell l)y the hands of the barbarians. I remained
after that two years in that Province exi)ecting a favorable season for the
re-establishment of aflairs; but after waiting two years seeing no appearance
and being invited to this Province of New York by Col. Ileathcote who
always evinces an affection for the public good and distinguishes himself by a
special application for the advancement of religion and good order by the
establishment of churches and schools, and the Attest means to strengthen
and encourage the people, I complied with his request, and that of the
company of New Kochelle in this Province where I passed five years on a
small allowance promised me V)y New Kochelle, of one hundred pieces and
lodging, with that of one hundred and five pieces which the Corporation con-
tinued to me until the arrival of my Lord Bellomont, who, after indicating
his willingness to take charge of me and my canton, ordered me thirty pieces
in the Council of York, and did me the favor to promise me that, at his
journey to Boston, he would procure me the continuation of that stipend that
I had in times past. But having learned at Boston through M. Nanfan, his
Lieutenant, that I annexed my signature to an ecclesiastical certificate which
the churches and pastors of this Province had given to Sieur Delius minister
of Albany, who had not the good fortune to please his late lordship, his
defunct Excellency cut off his thirty pieces which he had ordered me in his
Council at York, dei)rived me of the Boston pension of twentj'-five pieces,
writing to London to have that deduction approved and left me during three
years last past in extreme destitution of the means of subsistence.

"I believe, my Lord, that in so important service as that in which I am
employed, I ought not to discourage myself, and that the Providence of God
which does not abandon those who have recourse to his aid i)y wpU doing,
would provide in its time for my relief.

"Your Excellency's equity, the affection you have evinced to us for the
encouragement of those who emploj' tliemselves constantly and faithfully in
God's service, induce me to hope that I shall have a share in the dispensation
of your justice, to relieve me from my suttering, so that I may be aided and
encouraged to continue my service in which by duty and gratitude I shall con-
tinue with my flock to pray God for the preservation of your person, of your
illustrious family, and the prosperity of your goverinnent.

" ]{emaining your Excellency's hnml)le and most respectful servant,

" D.VNIEL BONDET." '

This letter was referred to Col. Heathcote, who after investigation
reported that Bondet's representations were in the main true, and
that he was in New Oxford about eight years, during which time as
appeared by a certificate of Lieut. Gov. Stoughton, Increase Mather
and others " he with great faithfullness care & industry discharged
his duty both to Xtians and Indians, and was of unblemished reputa-
tion." -

Isaac Bertrand DuTuffeau, born about 1646, styled "gentle-
man," was of considerable ability and fair education. Although
nominally magistrate of the village, being authorized to try cases

> l>oc. His., N. Y., m., 9->'J. •■! Ibid.

HUGUENOT COLONY. 23

of 40 shillings aud under, he is seldom named in its annals. He
perhaps lived at the site of Fred L. Snow's present house, on
Johnson's Plain, as his residence is named as near the Johnson
house. 1 He was of New Roehelle, 1698, where he was recorder,
and resigned with credit in 1702. Bernou in hfs petition to Gov.
Shiite says, " DuTuffeau, being through poverty obliged to abandon
said Plantation, sold his cattle and other movables . . . went to
London, and there died in a hospital."

ANDRf: SiGOURNEY was perhaps the most influential resident lay-
man of the place.- He was of mature age, familiar with business
routine, and as constable was the right arm of the law, having to an
extent the oversight of the civil affairs of the village, and the tradi-
tion that he exercised authority at the fort is not improbable. We
find no evidence of his owning land in that vicinity. He imported
commodities for the colony as a bill of lading of plants and nursery
stock in his name in the possession of a descendant fifty years ago
proved. The only member of his family who figures in the history
of the settlemeut was his daughter Suzanne, the wife of Johnson.
He returned to Boston and there died 16 April, 1727, aged 89. ^

James Lap.orie, the minister of the second colony, on leaving went
to New York City as successor of Rev. Pierre Peiret, officiating from
1704 to 1706, when he was discharged by the Consistory.'*

Francois Bureau, styled " gentleman," was of a noble family in
Kochelle. His eldest daughter Anne became the wife of Benjamin
Faueuil, and mother of the noted Peter Faneuil of Boston. He
removed to New York after the desertion of the Oxford colony.^'

Of BouRDiLLE ( ?) there is no mention in the r'ecords, but his con-
nection with the place is attested by Dea. Ebenezer Humphrey, who
informed Hon. Ira M. Barton that he was a blacksmith and lived
near the old mill on the 40-acre lot taken up by his father, Ebenezer
Humphrey, as one of the English settlers. The deacon's mother
once told him that she saw Bourdille after his return to Boston, and
that he pleasantly told her that he was comiug back to Oxford to
claim his farm.''

Rexk Grignon, partner with Bernon in the Chamoiserie, was also
of the first colony, returned to Boston after the final abandonment
and later resided at Norwich, was master of a vessel, and afterward
a goldsmith. He was a liberal and esteemed citizen, and gave to the

' Paix Ca/.neaii later lived at tbe same place, part of their effects to a vessel In the liarbor.

He married Marpraret, daughter of Jeau Ger- On a certain holiday tliey provided a sumptuous

niainc or Germon; Mary, a younjrer dauftliter, dinner for the soldiers 'juartered upon thciu,

married Andre .Sifiourney, Jr., at Uostou. and in the midst of tlie festivities left unobserved

-Tliis name came probably from tlie villafio and hastened on board the vessel which soon

Sigournais, department of Vendee, i miles from took them safely to England. Ibid., I., 325.

riiatonnay— where is a chateau of the name. -ilbid.

Baird. r. ibid.

■'■Andre Sigourney and his wife Charlotte i^ Barton's Obit, notice, Mass. Spy. There are

I'airau resided at [or near] Ua Roehelle, and some reasons to believe that this name may have

being determined in their adhesion to their faith been confounded with Baudoin,
planned to make their escape, aud removed a

24 HISTOIIY OF OXFOKI).

town a bell loug known as the Grignon bell. Tradition, probably ill-
founded, says it once hung in the tower of the French Church in
Oxford. Grignon, Guillaurae Barbut, Thomas IMousset and Jean
Millet, all of the Oxford colony, were later elders in the French
Church at Boston.' The following, according to Dr. Baird, were also
of the Oxford company : Jean Germon or Germaine of Tremblade,
Charles Germon, Paix Cassaneau or Cazneau of Languedoc, Elie
Dupeux of Port des Barques, wife Elizabeth and four children, Jean
Martin of Saintonge, wife Anne, two children, Jean and Francois,
born at Oxford, later of N. Kochelle, Jean Baudoin, lived later in
Virginia, Jaccjues Depont, nephew of Bernon, later lived in Connecti-
cut, Pierre Canton, miller or trader.

Others were Alard, Baudrit, Jean Dupeu, Montier, De[)ont,
Cornilly, Mourgue, Thibaud, Maillet, Montel, Caute, Boutineau.

Industries. The line of industries was narrow. Agriculture as
the means of subsistence was of course the chief occupation.
Business projects were, however, initiated through the enterprise
of Bernon, one of which was the production of naval stores,
pitch, tar, etc., from the forests, for the London market. He crossed
the sea in 1693 to promote this scheme and made sales in spite
of much opposition, and in 1696 repeated his visit, when being
befriended by Lord Bellomont his appointment as Superintendent of
the Manufacture in America was strongly urged before the Board of
Trade, but failed, the policy of the government being to discourage
colonial industries.

Hat making was a specialty with the French people. The}- " alone
possessed the secret of a liquid composition to prepare rabbit, hare and
beaver skins." The dressing of cluimois skins and the making of
gloves were also among the arts in which they excelled.' Oxford in
1703 had its "Chamoiserie," or "Wash-leather Mill," at or near
the upper location, in which Rene Grignon and Jean Papineau were
partners with Bernon, from which dressed skins were sent to the
hatters in Boston and Newport. In a consignment August, 1703,
were otter, beaver, raccoon, deer and other skins valued at £44.'-

Relics. Relics of the colony still exist, as the fort and the dam,
raceway, etc., of the upper mill. The fort was an enclosure about
105 by 75 feet, built of the rough surface stones, without mortar, the
wall being surmounted, as supposed, by logs in which were loop-
holes for defence. Within were a house, a well and other appliances
for the convenience of a garrison. Through the instrumentality
of the Huguenot Memorial Society of Oxford a large (juantity of
debris^ chielly stones, whicli had been accumulating for many years
was in 1884 removed from these ruins, which brought to liglit the
cellar of the house, the chimneys and other details of the original
structure.

1 Weiss, Vol. I., Book III., Chap. 3. SBernou rapcrs.

HUGUENOT COLONY. 25

lu a description of the place contributed to Dr. Baird's memorial,
Mr. William D. Ely says : —

" Tlie main l)lock-h()usc was thirty feet long and eighteen feet wide, with a
double-walled cellar twenty-four feet long by twelve feet Avide, and a))out six
feet deep. The inner walls suppoi'ted the floor beams ; the outer wail three
feet from this was made of iieavy boulders, on a foundation about three feet
deep and supported the logs forming the Mails of the house. . . . After two
days' work in digging . . . the workmen came upon the top of a covered
drain seventy feet long . . . most of it iu good condition, though choked at
the upper end. . . . The main fire place was in the middle of the north side
of the house, it was nearly ten feet wide at the opening . . . The broad
foundation supporting it and the chimney, almost wholly outside the house,
gave ample room . . . for an oven besides. A smaller fire place was on the
opposite side. Attached to the main house was an annex sixteen by fourteen
feet without a cellar ... in its northwest corner a flight of steps led to the
main cellar. On the east side Avas a wide foundation . . . for a fire place
and chimney extending five feet . . . from the house.

" In the rear of the annex and doubtless opening into it Avas a separate log
house tAvelve feet square . . . near the centre of the fort and was used, it
would seem, for arms and stores. Beneath it Avas an underground chaml)er
about six feet deep . . . walled in a circular form Avhich Avas evidently the
magazine." [The main enclosure] "was a substantial structure, scientifically
planned, and strongly built ... It Avas a complete quadrangular fort of tAvo
bastions, Avith a fire flanking every face; Avhile the main bastion at the south-
Avest angle more fully developed than that at the northeast, also enfiladed an
outer breast Avork and ditch, extending Avesterly from it for a distance of six
rods. This l)reast Avork Avas clearly the south line of a stO(!kade . . . pro-
tecting the main approach on the Avest side as Avell as cattle and chattels too
bulky to be brought Avithiu the fort, ... a drive way for carts was made
through the wall on the Avest side . . . not far from the drive Avay are In'oad
stones said to have been steps . . . for those Avho Avent on foot," etc.

A description given ten years since recites : —

"Many years ago the Avails of the structure were removed doAvn to the
foundation stones, excepting on the south line, Avhere parts of the original Avail
may l)e seen, but Avhich is mainly a confused mass three or four feet high,
overgrown Avith Avihl grape-vines and bushes, among Avhich are cinnamon
roses, currants and asj^aragus, believed to be the remains of the garden Avhich
flourished in the vicinity at the time of the occupation."

Mrs. Lee, quoting from the manuscript of John Mayo, says : —
"There Avas a garden outside the fort on the Avest, containing asparagus,

grapes, i)lums, cherries and gooseberries. There Avere more than ten [tAvo?]

acres cultivated about the fort."

Mrs. L. H. Sigourney said of the plants : " They were living tokens
of the loved clime whence they were exiled."

This mass of stones of the southern wall with all its suggestive
" shrubbery" has been removed. ^

The Mill. The following description of the remains at the upper
mill is from "The Huguenots in the Nipmuck Country" : —

"The most complete memento of the extinct colony is at tlie site of tlie
upper mill, one mile easterly from the main street. It is in the midst of a

I An atteinpl at partial restoration of this what detracted from tlie value and interest of
work by relayinf; some of the walls has some- the place.

26 IIISTOKY OF OXFOUD.

small meadow which is skirted by wooded uplands, and so shut in by trees
and wild undergrowth as to be hidden from the casual observer. Here the
substantial dam, about 60 feet in length, both wall and embankment, stands
almost entire, — a deep trench to convey the water from the pond to the mill-
wheel, a distance of 75 feet, is distinctly to be seen,— the position of the mill
can be flxed, — and the raceway, ruuning from the wheel about 100 feet to the
stream below, seems to have been but recently made, so little has it been
obstructed." '

The Garden. A third memorial, a spot of much natural beauty,
exists on the Mayo farm in the woods about 100 rods south of the
fort. Here the ground suddenly falls off to the southward at a high
ledge of rocks, which forms a covert for a sunny nook in which are
the remains of an old garden. From tlie top is a fine view several
miles in extent, embracing parts of the waters of Chaubunagungamaug.
The place was cultivated by the Mayo family in the last century and
was known as the "French Garden," and the "Vineyard."- Its
principal shelter is a straight, even faced, almost perpendicular cliff
of about 30 feet in height and nearly 100 in length running northeast
and southwest, under wliich is a plot of about 30 square rods, origi-
nally wild atid rocky, which has been enclosed, subdued and cultivated.
A large part of the surrounding wall — from two to three feet high — is
now standing. At the east end, near the cliff, are two well preserved
terraces of about a square rod each, made by filling between the
larger rocks and walled at the outer side. Sequestration is here so
complete that the work has been well preserved. Larger gardens, as
we have seen, existed around the fort, but the exposed situation was
unfavorable for the growth of other than hardy plants, and among the
exotics imported there must have been some which could exist and
thrive only in a sheltered position. This place, near at hand on
Bernon's land, was well adapted to the purpose, and was doubtless a
cherished spot where were nursed the choicest mementos of the far
away home land.

Bernon's Troubles. Although the breaking up of the colony was
a severe blow to Bernon he did not relinquish his hopes, but employed
one Cooper and a "negro Tom" to occu[)y his lands and hold pos-
session, it having been a condition of the grant that forfeiture should
follow desertion. Samuel Hagburn was also here as manager for his

' At the present time, 1890, Uie appearance of irrijtatlon. A document on record dated 7 June,

tills place lias been greatly clianKcd. The work 1748, recites "that John WIUsou, Jr., Thomas

of tin; Ilugiienol hands is as yet undisturbed, but Hunklns and Capt. Klljah Moore, owners of these

the wiH)ds which skirted the meadow, and the meadows, then entered Into an aKreenieut under

trees which covered the spot have been removed, a i)enalty of XoOO, to maintain each his propor-

Tho iindetK'rowth Is, however, left to shelter the tlon of this channel. Allison's share was £10.

remains, and a few years will probably restore 8d.. Hunklns' £13. 7s. 8d., and Moore's£16. 7s. 8d.,

their former seclusion. these sums making nearly £40, having been ex-

A short distance below the old dam, on the ponded on the project."
northern border of the meadows, may now be - At the present time the wood lot on which
seen portions of a ditch by means of which water these remains st;ind Is vrell known as the " Vine-
was formerly taken from near the mill site down yard Lot."
stream, jierhaijs 100 rods, for the purpose of

1707-15 HUGUENOT COLONY. 27

half-brother, the governor. On 20 May, 1707, Dudley wrote to
Bernon as follows : —

" Su: I am very unhappy in my afl'ayres at Oxford, both with your Cooper
& the negro Tom. I must desire you to take other care of your afl'ayres than
to improve such ill men that disquiet the place, that I have more trouble with
them than with seven other tow^ns. If you do not remove them yourself, I
shall be obliged to send for the Negro & turn him out of the place, & I under-
stand Cooper is so criminal that the la-\v will dispose of him. I pray you
use your own there not to Destroy or Disturb the Governour or your best
friend, who is, Sr, your humble servt.

"J. Dudley.

" Send an honest man and he shall be welcome. I pray you to show what I
write to Mr. Grignon.

"To Mr. Gabriel Bernon, Newport, Road Hand."

Soon after, as appears, Bernon came to Oxford and "bargained
with and let unto " Oliver CoUer and Nathaniel Coller his house and
farm called the " old mill," for five years.

On 1 March, 1710, Bernon writes thus to Dudley — [translation] : —

"Mr. Dudley, your sou told me the last time I had the honor to see him
that it was your Excellency's design to re-establish New^ Oxford ; as it also
appears through the public news.

" I hope your Excellency will be so good as to take into consideration the
fact that Mr. Hoogborn has done his utmost to ruin my interest in the said
Oxford. He has caused Cooper to abandon the old mill, and Thomas AUerton
my other house, threatening that he would hinder them from haying, and [de-
claring] that I had no power to settle them. When I made complaint of this
to him he told me that he would drive me from the place myself. Thus it is
that I have been treated after spending at the said Oxford more than fifteen
hundred pistoles [and], the ])etter part of my time during more than twenty
years possession.

" Should it please your Excellency to examine the case you will find that I
have chiefly at heart the furtherance of your Excellency's wishes. I have been
found singularly attached to your person, more than to all else that I have
had in the world.

" It is notorious that the said Mr. Hoogborn, your brother, has caused the
planks of my granary to be torn up ; that he has conveyed them elsewhere,
and that by his orders the oxen that I reserved to be fattened have been put
to work."

Bernon had neither courage or tact to contend with this opposition,
and gracefully yielded, as appears from the following to the Governor,
dated 19 April, 1710:—

"Your Excellency, always benevolently disposed, informs me that you pur-
pose to obtain for me a good price for one-half of that Avhich I own in the
village of Oxford. I Avish to defer entirely to your counsel. Accordingly I
will proceed to Boston as soon as possible to pay my respects to your Excel-
lency." '

These expectations were never realized. There is no further record
until the date of the proclamation in 1712.

Mill. Almost the first want of the English settlement was a mill.
Through Dudley's intluence, doubtless, Bernon in 1715 gave the old

1 Bernon papers.

28 IIISTOKY OF OXFOPvD. 1715-20

mill-stones luul irons to Dunit-l Kliott, on condition tluit he should
build a mill for the town. Upon which Dudley writes, G April, 1715,
" We arc now in ;i way to thrive at Oxford," thanks him for his gift,
and desires liim to write Kliott to finish the mill as agreed ''or order
the said mill-stones and irons to be given to such other person as
will go forward with the work that they be not starved the next
winter." Bernon complied and the town soon had a mill.'

Bernon's Title, Up to this date Dudley had failed to complete
his cuiivcyance to Bernon who consequently had no legal title to his
land. He had indeed, with ceremony, been '' put in possession," he
had bestowed great effort and much money upon the two earlier colo-
nies, he had been sorely tried in his transactions with agents and ten-
ants, and vigilant in retaining possession, which he wtis relying upon
as ground of ownership as his many .'illusions to it indicate. Squatters,
believing pei'haps he had no legal rights, settled on his estate greatly
annoying him, and now as his last effort to further his interests he had
given the valuable mill-stones and irons to the town. All he was able to
do api)ar('ntly for the benefit of Oxford had been done. At this date
after twenty-eight years of waiting upon Mr. Dudley, and after his
hopes had again and again been disappointed, that gentleman com-
pleted the execution of the document on ii Feb., 171G, and passed it
over to him.

Disputed Tract. But Bernon's troubles were not yet at an end.
The town as a corporation evidently conceded his rights to the 2,500
acres, as is shown by repeated action. But the point of dispute was
the 500 acres additional, on which Bernon had expended most of his
money, but which was not included in Dudley and company's deed.
This was a long narrow gore lying between the 2,500-acre tract and
the village land, measuring 125 rods on the south and 584 rods on
the west line, and on it stood the fort with much improved ground
about it, the upper mill with one or two houses near, and other im-
provements. His efforts to sell were vain because of the unsettled
question of ownershii).-

Bernon's Petition. In Nov., 1720, he made application to the
Colonial authorities for relief, stating that he had "spent above
2,000 pounds to defend the same from the Indians and had built
a corn miln, a wash leather miln and a saw miln" and done con-
siderable more to improve the town, and asking that his title might be
confirmed. He represented "that Oxford inhaliitants disputed his
right and title in order to hinder him from the sale of said plantation."
He desired to obtain such title as would confirm to him the said lands
" without any misunderstanding, clear and free from any molestation

I Ellott lia<l takfii lip Ills home lot on the brook -\ plan of Mr. Bernon's Oxford lands Is

near the Ilawes place, and on '25 .Ian., 1714, the amonj; Ills papers, on wlilcli is endorsed a certlli-

town voted that he "shauld hiild a Kreustiuel for catc of the Selectmen of Oxfonl, U Jan., 1717,

the town yuse." There Is reason to believe this estimating il'^ value at £1,000. This plan Includes

mill was built In 17ir.. the disputed tract.

1720 HUGUENOT COLONY. 29

either from the inhabitants of New Oxford or any pretensions of
Bertram! DuTuffeau."i

Letter. To supplement this application he addressed Oct., 1720,
the son of Gov. Dudley, entreating his assistance, as the people of
New Oxford " opposed his rights to lands." He says : —

" The Court and Governineiit can contirni my title, and I can then dispose
of what I have there. . . . The above said inhabitants oppress me as I can
make it appear l)y Maj. Buor wlio would have bought my plantation. The
inhabitants told liim not to do it; — that my title was nothing worth, that they
also pretended that they would dispute my title with Mr. Dudley and Mr.
Thompson. They also abused me in a vei-y outrageous manner in Maj. Buor's
presence; as he states in his certificate." . . . " Ephraim Town, John Eliott,
and .John Chamberlin for whom I have advanced considerably to uphold my
said plantation, will not pay me ivhat they owe me.'' Besides the loss of ray
servant who was drowned, was fifty pounds loss to me. These men and one
Josiah Owen, my last tenant, hugger-mugger together to cheat me out of a
hundred pounds in cattle and movables that I had upon the place so that I am
not able to advance any more." " I see myself about ruined by this oppression
and malice."

" Sir— You are perfectly acquainted with the affairs at New Oxford, and I do
not understand things as well as I would. Therefore I entreat of you Sir
to help me. Your charity and generosity are (so to speak) interested in it. I
am so hard driven by my dunning creditors — the masons and carpenters and
others that I employed to build my house in Providence, that I know not what
to do ; and, besides my wife now lying in, six or seven children implore my
compassion, which makes me implore that of Government and yours, Sir,
that ray title may be coufirmed, after a possession of 36 years, so that I may
sell it. Within 30 years I have laid out on it £200, for which reason my fam-
ily did slight me, as Avell as my best friends. I have always been protected by
Mr. Dudley, your honored father, Avho always thought as I did that I might
sell it, and not be in anywise molested. But I dont know whether it wont be
a mistake. Indeed one cannot always forsee the events of things, often hid
from the wisest. But this I see — the Evil one still reigns, and God suffers it,
to try his children. My great desire is to keep myself in the, fear of God,
and to love my neighbor, and to seek lawful means to maintain my family. My
great age of nearly 80 years does not dispense me of this duty. I address
myself to you with all humility to assist me, that I may be assisted by the
Governor. Such a testimony of j'our love and favor will rescue me, to termi-
nate my days in America, or to return once again to Europe. Surely my
going or staying depends upon the action of the Assembly. But be it as it
will, Sir, as an honest, well-minded man ought, I pray for the Government,
and all the faithful in Christ.

"Oct., 1720.

" Gabriel Bernon."

Bernon's Sale. We have no evidence that favorable action was
taken on this application. A few months later Bernon sold his rights
as before stated, the purchasers doubtless having full knowledge of
the circumstances. In conveying the property he gave a title to the

iDuTiiffeau's undivided iIkIiIs in the 2,.')00 acres 2 Kphralm Town and Jolin ClianiberUn were

had prevented Bernon hltlierto from Kivlng a among the thirty Enfflish proi)rietor.s and John

clear title. But DuTuft'eau (lie<i aI)out tliis time Eliott was tlie sou of Daniel, another of the

and Bernon became his administrator as chief same,
creditor, and in process of law the whole estate
came into his possession.

30 HISTORY OF OXFORD. 1712-18

2,500 acres only, but the purchasers took possession of the disputed
tract and settU'd upon it.

Town Action. Almost imuiod lately after the sale the proprie-
tors of tilt- village held a meeting to consider the matter and " to act
as shall be thought best to come at their own rights," and chose Dea.
John Town, Benoni Tvvitchel and Isaac Larned to act as committee to
estal)lisli the lines. This connnittee obtained the services of .John
Chandler as surveyor, and the matter was settled by a compromise.
Davis and Mayo retained the disputed tract with its improvements
and released to the village a portion of the north end of the premises
lying on Long Hill. The report of the committee was accepted and
the controversy ended.

Proclamation. On 12 April, 1712, was issued the following: —

PROCLAMATION.

" Wo the under written with otlier owners Jind proprietors of the lands at
Oxford in the neopnui^ country jjrantcd to us by the general assembly of the
Massaclmsetts colony, and since othenvise ratilied and confirmed to ourselves in
the Kingdom of Great Britain, having long time determined and surveyed ten
or twelve thousand acres for a village and setth^ment of inhabitants and accord-
ingly established a number of Frentch Famalyes, Refugees, who have since
deserted the place whereby all improvements are lost which is a detriment to
the province as well as to ourselves in the hope of our own private advan-
tage, by our other lands — do hereby agree and offer to thirty English families
that shall settle there to give grant and coiUirm to them all the lands of the
said village containing the said ten thousand acres, except what is already

granted to Mr. Bernon which is acres, to be laid out to them, tirst a

quantity of it in house lots not exceeding forty acres a family, and after the
rest in proper divisions as they maj^ agree among themselves always provided
they be thirty families, and in the meantime if ten families or more shall pro-
ceed forthwitli within a year to settle there, they shall have their house lots set
out to tliem, and they as they have the use of the other land meadows until
the nuni!)er bt* thirty, and then they have liberty to diviile the whole. If any
of the French families choose to come thither we do hereby save to ourselves
liberty to establish them with other inhabitants, and Capt. Chandler the sur-
veyor is hereby allowed to lay out lots accordingly, taking care always that
he do not intrench upon the land of the proprietors.

"Signed J. Dudlky,

WlLI.I.\.M Tavlou, ]

Peikk Sakgknt, I Heirs and Executox's

Sakgknt, j- of

John Dankorth, 1 Wm. Stoughton."

Eliza Dankortii, J

House Lots Surveyed. Queen Anne's War continued until
Oct., 1712. Meantime there was no effective movement toward a
re-occupation of the deserted town. In May, 1713, quiet having
been restored the surveying of house lots to settlers began. By July
the requisite number was complete, and on the eighth day of that
month a deed from the proprietors to the thirty English colonists was
executed, conveying to them the plot called the Village.

1716-17 HUGUENOT COLONY. 31

To^wn Incorporation. Oxford had no formal incorporation,

and its status for the first few years was in doubt in the minds of the
inhabitants. On 31 July, 1716, it was voted that John Town and
Ebenezer Learned " should go to y° Court to search y" Records to
see what may be found conserning Oxford's being granted for a town-
ship, and also to petetion the Court y' we may be made a town if it
be needful." No report of this committee appears. On 7 Jan., 1717,
it was voted to employ Capt. Fullam, " to manage in our behalf at
Court, with a petition in order to our being granted a township."
This action is proof that up to that date no act of incorporation had
been passed. From the absence of all allusion to this subject later
in the records we infer that special legislation was considered
unnecessary. 1

In 1693 a representative to General Court was chosen, Daniel Allen,
as previously noted, and his name appears as from Oxford in the
official list, at the beginning of the session, 31 May of that year.^

In this act the place took upon itself legally the functions of a
town, and the seating of its representative as a member of the Court
was a recognition by that body of the validity of its action, and of
the existence de facto of the town of Oxford.

1 Good authority in the office of Secretary of some instances to have been equivalent to an act

state says:— "Old towns in Massachusetts were of Incorporation." In Gen, C' urt Rec, VII.,

made towns not by regular acts of Incorpora- 344, Jan., 1703; IX., 129, Oct., 1711, and IX., 305,

tion. A few words stating a place to be a town, Feb., 1714, Oxford is called a town.

or giving it a name conferred all the privileges 2 Col. Bee, VI., 278-

of a town; even the naming of a place seems In ■*

chaptp:r III.

rKOPKrETOHs' ReCOUDS. DeKD OK TlIK VILLAGE. HOME Lo T.S. DIVISIONS

OF Land. Training Field. Changes in Town Lines. Dudley set
OFF. Manchaug Farm, (^ii mu.to.v set off. Ward set off. South
OouE .\DDKD. Webster set off. North Gore added. Indi.\ns. (Jar-
itisox Houses. 1{eli(s. Incidents. Collicump. Slaves. Colonial
Money. Early Levies. Public Funds. Land Bank.

Proprietors' Records. Theso records are complete, but have
little interest exceptiug tis they show the location of the home lots of
the settlers. They refer largely to the later distributions of the out-
lauds, giving briefly descriptions and bounds of the five several
divisions by lot, the last of which was in 1749.'

Deed of the Village. —

To ALL Teoi'Le unto whome these presents Shall Come. .Joseph Dudley
of R()xl)ury . . . William Taylor of Dorehester . . . Peter Serceant of Boston,
E.S(i and MehctabciU his wif. John Dan forth of Dorchester, and Elizabeth his
wife, .Tohn Nelson of Boston, Esq. and Elizabeth his wife, as they the said
William Taylor, Peter Seri^eant, .Tohn Nelson and John Danforth are the heirs
and Executors of the IIoil William Stouiihton Late of Dorchester, Escj. Dec'd.
Send (Greeting. — Whereas the Generall Court of the Colony of Massachusetts
Bay in the year One Thousand ^^ix hundred and Eijihty-Two, Granted to the
said Joseph l^udley, William Stou_2:hton Major Robert Tompson and their
Associates a Certain Tract of Land Scituate in the Nipniuir Country of Eijiht
miles Sciuare for a Township etc. as may be seen by the records of the said
(ienerall Court, Pursuant whei'eunto and for the uses aforesaid the said .Joseph
Dudley, William Stouijhton and their Associates in the Year One Thousand
Six Jnnidred and Eiiihty >.<: l)rouiiht over Thirty French Protestant fannlies
into this Country and Settled them upou the Easterinnost part or end of the
said Tract of land and severed and granted and Sett apart Twelve Thousand
Acres for a village Called Oxford for the said Families and bounded it as by a
Piatt upon record will more fully appear Butt forasmuch as the said French
families havi- many years since wholly left and Deserted their Settlements in
the said \illage and the said Lands as well by their deserting the Same and
refusing to return upon publick proclamations nuide for that end as by the
Volnulary Surrender of tlie most of them are now reinvested in restored to
and ijecome the Estate and at the Disposition of the Original proprietors . . .
for the ends aforesaid — And Whereas there are sundry good families of her
Majesty's Subjects within tliis province who oH'er themselves to go and
Resettle the said Village . . . Now Know Ye that the said [grantors] . . .
have freely . . . aud do give grant and Couflrme unto Sanuiel ILiubourne
John Town, Daniel! Eliott, Al)iel Jjand), .Joseph Chamberlin Benjamin Ni-aland,
Benoni Twitcliell Joseph ]{ockett, Benjamin Cluunberlin, Joshua Widtney,
Thonuis Ilunkins Joseph Chamberlin Jr, Oliver Coder, Daniell Pearson Al)ram
Skinner Ebenezer Chamberlin, James Coller, Isaac licarued Ebenezer Learned,

'The descriptions are so iiniierfcct that to town would be exceedingly dlfflcult, If not
produce a complete plan of the himls of tlic impossible.

1 ^ ^

J s o

^ J 2

5 w '^

M J J

U U^ U!

''- r r;

td /', /;

«a *< ■^.

u a Q

Sf;

/■.

t->

>'.

s
7j

■^

►5

~ J. w ^ ^ s: >-5
^; -:: :s 5 -^ CD ::

1-4

l»

•^

J£

•-i

»*-

1—

|-^

•<

ci-

s^ >:

ES - S K j2

2 _i :::i jj -' =

EI -'
w -

•/; is

p<J^e9*«<e^.«a2-«MJ«2^;«5

y
■7.

■«:

—

^■^

h—

-c

y'.

»»'«»*-«

:: S g o
= ^ H 2

^^ ^ '^ < y '£ ti

2 = ?S5<5i>

i- = S t 2

ft 91 M N N M

^ s s

2 «! CQ »l

TROPRIETORS AND LOTS. 33

Thomas Leason [Gleason] Ebenezcr Humphrey, Jona. Tilloson, PMmund
Taylor Ephi'aim Town, Israel Town William Hudson, Daniell Eliott Jr.
Nathaniel Chamberliu John Chandler Jun, Joshua Chandler, and others their
associates, so as their number amount thirty families at least All That Part
of the said Tract of land . . . known by the name of Oxford, Excepting and
reserving [that part purchased by Gabriel Bernon] ... To have and to hold
the same . . . Provided that if any of the . . . Grantees • . . shall . . .
neglect to settle upon and improve the said Land ... by the space of two
years ... or shall leave and Desert the Same & not return to their respective
Habitations . . . then [said lands should be forfeited and given to others who
should be willing to] " settle and Inhabit them."

In Witness whereof the partys above named to these presents have here-
unto . . . Set their hands and Seals the Eighth day of July . . . A. D. 1713.'

Proprietors and Lots. The accompanying plan shows the
relative location of the home lots of the settlers. These were sur-
veyed and laid out under the direction of John Town, Benjamin
Chamberliu, Abial Lamb and Benoni Twitchel, committee, by John
Chandler, Jr., of Woodstock, then about 21 years of age, and by
order of the original proprietors "approved and established" to the
settlers by John Chandler, sen. So far as appears each settler chose
his own location of a home lot.

Ebenezer Learned. No. 1 : undoubtedly chosen with reference
to the water power, " at or neare a place called y'' uper falls," now
the lower privilege at North Oxford, H.^ 130 ; embracing 44^ acres,
the overplus being meadow below the falls. This quantity was
allowed, perhaps, in consideration of the rough nature of the tract,
it being in the narrow gorge of the river. House now standing.

Daniel Eliott. No. 2 : mill lot, H. 135 ; 40 acres with 3 acres
allowance for Worcester road through it.

Daniel Eliott, Jr. No. 3 : on Town's Plain, east of 8-rod way ;
now John A. Taft. H. 139.

Israel Town. No. 4 : next south of preceding, opposite Town's
Pond; now Mary Myrick. H. 141.

John Town. No. 5: next south; now Joseph Stevens, H. 176;
house a little northwest of present one ; old well now to be seen.

James Coller. No. 6 : east of North common, fronting on 8-rod
way; now James B. Campbell, H. 180.

Ephraim and Jonathan Town. No. 7 : west of North common,
bounding north on Town's Pond ; late Jasper Brown, H. 178.

Joshua Chandler. No. 8 : minor son of John Chandler — Peter
Shumway settled on his rights : east side of 8-rod way, south of N.
common, now Ithiel T. Johnson, H. 185 ; house on site of present
one.

Benoni Twitchel. No. 9 : west of 8-rod way, between the north
and south commons ; exact location unknown.

Joseph Rockett. No. 10 : at the head of the present common,

' Suffolk Co. Rce.. XXVII., 174. dences as numbered and described in a subse-
2 The letter "II," followed by a number, occurs quent chapter under the head, "Older Home-
many times in this volume. It refers to resi- steads."

34 HISTORY OF OXFORD.

east of 8-rod way as first laid out, H. 189 ; house near the site of
George Miller's preseut residence.

Nathaniel Ciiamueklain. No. 11 : west of 8-rod way, from the
common south to Sigourney street ; H. 240 ; house on site of present
Mrs. Hyde's.

Olivku Coller. No. 12: adjoining Rockett on the south, at the
northeast corner of 8-rod and Sutton roads ; now Sigourney's ; 53J
rods on Main street, 120 rods on Sutton road ; H. 192 ; house near
the corner,

Bkn.iamin Ciiamukklain. No. 13 : west of 8-rod way adjoining
Nathaniel Cliamberlain on the south ; G5 rods on Main street from
Sigourney street to Quaboag Lane at the Benjamin Paine place ;
called 40 but in fact nearer 50 acres ; H. 235.

Thomas Gleason. No. 14 : southeast corner of Main and Sutton
streets, nominally 53J rods (in fact more) on Main street; H. 194;
house on site of present brick house.

Edmund Taylor. No. 15: assigned to John Chamberlain; west
of 8-rod way, from Quaboag Lane south. No record of transfer has
been found. It was early in possession of Richard Moore ; later
most of it was included in the Abijah Davis farm ; H. 220.

Samuel Hagburn. No. 16: east of 8-rod way, embracing the
Israel Sibley homestead ; H. 205 ; house in rear of Sibley house.

Kbenezek Humphrey. No. 17: east of 8-rod way, soutli end of
the Plain, 53^ rods in front, extending east over the brook, including
part of the present Humphrey farm ; H. 36, also 208 and 209 ; house
on site of present one, east end of the lot.

Jc^nathan Th.lottson. No. 18: south end of the Plain in three
lots ; first, adjoining Humphrey on the south, including the old mill,
5^ acres ; second, near the first, but on the west side of the 8-rod
way ; third, east of 8-rod way south from the first, near the railroad
arch bridge ; H. 37 ; iiouse near tlie mill.

Ebenezer Chamberlain. No. 19 : west of 8-rod way below mill
brook, the northwest bound being near the brook, including 2^ acres
on Johnson's Plain ; has not been for many years a homestead.
January, 1717, Richard Moore was by vote allowed to represent con-
ditionally the rights of Chamberlain, his son-in-law. The hmd came
early into Moore's possession.

Isaac Larneu. No. 20: on Johnson's Plain, now Fred. L.
Snow's ; H. 64 ; })crhaps originallj^ a Huguenot homestead, joining
Ebenezer Chamberlain on the south ; house on the site of the present
one.

Joseph Chamberlain. No. 21: on Bondet Hill; 11.38. ''May
13, 1713, surveyed for Joseph Chamberlain Sen. Round the great
house, 40 acres . . . four acres and one rood being allowed for a
highway," by John Chandler, Jr., Surveyor. " Approued and estab-
lished p'' order of the original proprietors prouided he pay for the

proprietors' meetings. 35

bettering of his Lott by former Improvement and building p"^ John
Chandler who made such an agreement at the begining." ^

Joseph Chamberlain, Jr. No. 22 : southwest side of Boudet Hill,
in part adjoining his father ; now Clark's ; H. 39 ; house at site of
present one.

Thomas Hunkins. No. 23: near No. 22, now McCabe ; H. 42.
Two years later Hunkins had changed homesteads with Daniel Pear-
son for No. 26. In Jan., 1717, Jeremiah Morse bought of Pearson
No. 23, having been voted an inhabitant. ^

Benjamin Nealand. No. 24 : not now a homestead ; east of the
Humphrey place, No. 17, extending north to the meadows. He had
also 8 acres west of 8-rod way near south end of the Plain.

Abial Lamb. No. 25 : adjoining Nealand on the north, extending
to Sutton road ; described as beginning at the northwest corner near
Gleason's lot at the highway running on said way 64 perch, then
southward 23 perch to an ash tree, from thence 64 perch to Nealand's
lot as was agreed to be bounded by said Lamb and Nealand. This
lot contained 32 acres. Eight acres more were set off to him on the
west side the 8-rod way near the south end of the Plain, north of
Nealand's eight acres. William H. Harrington's present estate was
included in Lamb's lot.

Daniel Pearson. No. 26 : east of Lamb and Nealand, bounding
160 rods on their lots, and south on the road to the fort ; now George
R. Larned ; H. 34 ; house on site of present one.

Joshua Whitney. No. 27 : on Sutton road, east of Pearson,
bounding east on Bernon land ; now John E. Kimball ; H. 26.

William Hudson. No. 28 : on Long Hill northeast of N. common ;
H. 168 ; now owned by his descendants ; house part of present one.

Abraham Skinner. No. 29: at the ''lower falls" near Augutte-
back Pond, now Howarth's ; H. 83.

John Chandler, Jr. No. 30 : on the stream northeast of the
Eliott mill ; now Asa H. Pope ; H. 132. Daniel Eliott took up this
lot after selling his mill lot to his son Ebenezer.

Minister's Lot. A : east of the 8-rod way one-fourth of a mile
northeast of the South common — long known as the Hall place ; H.
187 ; house on site of the present one.

Meeting-house Lot. B : north of the burying ground, fronting
east on 8-rod way; H. 244; held by the town as a meeting-house
lot until 1752.

Proprietors' Meetings. At a meeting 13 Sept., 1713, " Uoted
that peter Shumway shal com in as an inhabatent into Oxford upon
the rites of Joshua Candler." ^

I Much interest attaches to this lot. Accord- which the late John Jlayo, living near, said was

Ing to the date It was the first surveyed in town, once a tavern. - See Morse,

and was prohably considered the most deslra- ajoshua Chandler was brother of John, Jr., of

ble on account of the Improvements Includ- Woodstock, surveyor, who was also a proprietor.

Ing the "Great House." The highway named He was at this time 17 years of age and came In

was the "Woodstock great trail." A cellar- as did John, Jr., probably to All the required

hole now to be seen marks the spot of the house, number of 30 settlers.

36 HISTORY OF OXFOKI). 1714-lC

On Jan. 25, 1714, EdnKiiid Taylor relinquished liis rights in favor
of Henjamin ('hainl)orhiin, who took tliem for his son John. " Uoted
that the inhabitance of the town Should cary thaer boueuds In to the
town Clarke to be Recorded of every house lote." "Uoted that
Kbboneaziir lannard should have liberty to tacke up an house lote in
Soni ])laee whear it may be, previed [provided] it mite not be a
danieag to any othre parcion, to be by waye of Exchng of his lote
alredeay tacken up." No change appears to have been made.
" Uoted that Jonathan Town should be an inhabitant upon a part of
Kphraini Town's rights."

On 2 Mar., 1714, Ebenezer Eliott, son of Daniel, was voted in as
an inhabitant, he having taken the lot previously his father's, on
which was the mill. He soon admitted his brother James as partner.
Also voted, that the 40-acre lot called Wesson's (the only mention
we find of this name, perhaps Samuel of Fraraingham,) should be set
apart for a minister's lot. It was also voted to make a first division
of land to every freeholder "containing the sum of 60 acres in
one tract to every lot man" to be laid out " as soon as the meadows
are laid out." On Sept. 19 a committee was chosen "to employ
Capten Chandler or some other Survayer to lay out our ^'illage
lines according to deed," and to notify " Mr. Gabrel Barnon to com
and Joyn with us in settling dividen lins."

Meadows. Oct. 15. Voted that those who have no meadow in
their home lots shall have four acres laid out convenient to them,
first. Nov. 30. "John Town, Beuieman Chamberliu Sener, benony
twichell " chosen to lay out the meadow. Also voted that "Mr
twichell shall take care that the woode and timber " on the minister's
lot be kept until improved. The lots were drawn for meadow at this
meeting. Voted " that the committy shall begin to lay out meddow
att East End of the great meddow, from thence to the meddow on
Ellets mill brook, from thence to the croth of the Revier [crotch of
the river near Kidder's] so down strame the Rivier : to the line,
from thence to bundits meddow."

Jan. 18, 1715. Daniel Eliott having assigned his home lot to his
son Ebenezer, was by vote settled on the 30th lot, originally that of
John Chandler, Jr. At this meeting lots were drawn for the 60-acre
division of lands before ordered to be laid out, a committee w^as also
oi'dered to complete the laying out of the 30 house lots, and then
proceed to lay out the GO-acre divisions.

Jonathan Tillottson protested against any alienation or division of
lands or meadows whatsoever until the 30 house lots were laid out.

Sept. 21, widow Hannah Cooper was accepted as an inhabitant on
the rights of Joshua Whitney, who had removed to Mendon.

Feb. 28, 171G, a meeting was held by virtue of a warrant from
" Mr Justice Chandler for y" orderly dividing and disposing the Lands
within y"" town, to confirm such lands as had already been laid out, to

1716-41 proprietors' MEETINGS. 37

prevent the waste of timber, and to choose a Proprietors' Clerk. Isaac
Lamed was chosen clerk and all former divisions of land confirmed.

Dec. 25, 1716, chose Capt. Richard Moore, Ebenezer Learned and
Fiphraim Town a committee " to see y' the Bounds of onr Vilhige
are Completed and put upon the County Records."

Jan. 25, 1717, Capt. Richard Moore voted "an associat" on the
rights of Samuel Hagbourn, also that Joseph Danna come in upon
the half right bought of Oliver CoUer, also that Jeremiah Morse be
received "in y*" Room of Daniel Pearson," and that John Chamber-
lin be received upon the rights of Edmund Taylor. Mar. 19, a two-
rod road between Israel Town and Daniel Elliot recognized.

Mar. 6, 1718, " Uoted that their be Twenty acers of Land Laid
out to the Ministers Lot, and forty Acres more . . . for the in Cor-
agement of a minister." Also that there should be no more cedar
timber, neither for shingles, clapboards nor rails carried out of town
f^om that time forward, under a forfeiture of 20s. a thousand. Also
"voted by the desire of Lieut [John] Town" that David Town, be
an associate, on the half right bought of Oliver Coller.

Cedar Swamp. April 7, voted to lay out every house lot a
second division of 60 acres in a let . . . to be drawn for, also to lay out
the cedar swamp, each proprietor an equal proportion. Also that a
committee proceed to lay out another division of 50-acre lots.

Dec. 12, 1720, lots were drawn for the second 60-acre division and
also for the 50-acre division.

Jan. 2, 1721, it was voted to lay out a 12-acre division, and the
draft for the same was then made. Feb. 27, lots in the cedar swamp
were drawn. This was the great swamp so called, in what is now
Auburn, " begining at or neare y" North End of y'^ great Swamp next
Wos#ester Corner."

Mar. 19, 1723, chose Capt. Richard Moore, Ens. Ebenezer Learned
and Benoni Twichell a committee to "measure all y*^ undivided land
in oxford village : and to lay it out into Thirty lots as Equaly as
they can as to quantety and qualety, so as to draw for them after
they are laid out."

Apr. 8, 1728. This committee not having performed this difficult
service was dismissed, and Benoni Twichell, Dea. John Town and
Isaac Learned were chosen instead.

Mar. 5, 1733. This division was as yet not completed, and Capt.
Richard Moore was added to the committee and authority given to
open highways in undivided lands when necessary.

Feb. 13, 1734. A committee was chosen to take care of the undi-
vided lands to see that strip and waste was not made, or wood and
timber cut and carried off, and that the laying out be completed in six
months.

Sept. 21, 1741. The 12-acre division had not been completed.
John Town, one of the committee, having deceased, his son Jonathan

38 HISTORY OF OXFORD. 1746-52

WHS chosen in his i)lace. Nov. 17, a return of the 12-acre division
was made in part and accepted.

In Jan., 174.0, this work was still uncompleted, and even the 12-
acre division was not entirely finished. At that date Israel Town
and Elijah Moore were added to the former committee to complete
the 12-acre lots, and likewise to apportion the remaining part of undi-
vided lands. Aug. 30, 1748, there being several small pieces of land
" not lying convenient to divide" it was voted they might be sold to
defray expenses of committees in making previous divisions. Accord-
ing to a tradition, which seems to be confirmed Ijy the records, the
affairs of tlie propriety at this time were in a very confused and unsettled
condition, from which no one in the town was competent, or if able,
was disposed to extricate them, except Mr. Campbell the minister. The
12-acre distribution had been made, but, lying chiefly upon the eastern
and western borders of the town were lots, mostly woodland, of various
sizes and values, which remained to be equitably divided among the
30 householders. It is said Mr. Campbell took the matter in hand
only after much solicitation. June 19, 1749, a meeting was held of
which he was the moderator, at which votes were passed confirming
certain lands to certain persons, " not^itlistauding all former votes,"
— choosing a committee to perambulate lines with the proprietors of
" Gabriel Bernon's Farm (so called) and to settle and establish the
same," — and accepting of and drawing for the fifth and last division
of lands.

The list of proprietors at this time is of value as showing the
changes made during the first 35 years of the town's history.

Proprietors in 1749. [Those in italics were new.] "William
Hudson, Col. Ebenezer Learned, Timothy Harris, John Eddy, CoUinfi
Moore, Isaac Larned, Jonas Pratt, Ebenezer Humphrey, CajU. Eiijah
Moorej John Town [Jr.], William Eddy, John Groo, John Campbell,
Jacob Cummins, Joseph Pratt, Dea. Jonathan Toivn, Ens. Israel
Town, Peter vShumway, Abial Lamb, Jr., Benoni TwicheWs heirs.
Whole number 20, of whom six only were in the first division.'

Training field. At a meeting 15 Dec, 1751, a decisive vote
was passed on the subject of a "Training field," a necessity of the
day. It was laid out adjoining the burying-ground on the east, and
"fronted on the Eight-rod way near the old meeting house," and two
acres had been voted for the purpose 4 8e[)t., 1749, At this meeting,
however, it was "voted and determined" unanimously that one acre
should be and is set oft for this purpose. The record describes it as
"to be set ofT fronting on the eight rod way and joining on .Samuel
Manning's north line, said acre to always lye open and common."
In 1752 the proprietors voted to confirm the sale of the lot on
which the old meeting-house stood to Jabez Holden, and to appro-
priate money to pay expenses of committees and Mr. Campbell " for
his time and trouble in recording their acts and votes " in the past.

I Several of Uiese by purchase owned more than one sliare, lience the reduced number.

CHANGES IN TOWN LINES. 39

Meetings for the adjustment of various questions of possessions,
compensations for roads, settlement of lines, deficiencies in measure-
ments, and minor differences between adjoining owners were held up
to 21 Mar., 1763. A meeting of the " Proprietors of the fifth or last
division " of land in the Village for the purpose of correcting errors
and supplying omissions in the records and also to ascertain the
location of the west line of the village was held Dec, 1773, and sub-
sequent meetings for similar purposes were continued in 1774. There
was no recorded action thereafter.

Changes in Town lines. In the plot of the present town the
southern and a very small portion of the eastern lines only are identi-
cal with the original outlines.

Dudley set off. The first alteration was made in Dec, 1731,
when the town of Dudley was incorporated, and Mr. Dudley's 6,000
acres, excepting "Paul Dudley's farm" of 1,000 acres at the eastern
extremity thereof, were set off to the new town, as shown by the
lower dotted line in diagram 1.^ \^See Pkms.^

Kingsburys annexed. On 8 Dec, 1731, on petition of Isaac
Lamed, the farms of Josiah and Theodore Kingsbury, and adjoining
land of the petitioner, lying east of Woodstock road, were annexed
to Oxford, as shown in diagram 2, letter K, thus extending its
southern limits to the great pond.^

Manchaug farm. The next change was when "Dudley's Man-
chaug farm" of 1,000 acres was added on the east; as shown in dia-
gram 2, letter D. This was the tract granted for services in purchas-
ing land of the Indians, as previously noted. It was surveyed by
John Gore, with a similar grant to William Stoughton designated
by dotted lines, and confirmed to them in one plot, 4 June, 1685,
at what was called " Manchauge, " being at the southeast corner
of Oxford and adjoining it on the east.-^ These lands lay in
common until 1712. Josiah Chapin and John Chandler on 23 May,
"viewed and measured" the same and made a division, report-
ing that they found the lengtli and breadth thereof to conform to

1 This farm of 1,000 acres, remaining in Oxford, as " conteynlng 1,800 acres, with allowance of
was long known as " Dudley entailed " land. The addition of 200 more next adjoining, to coinplcat
Calvin Aldrlch farm— H. 57,— William Hurd- the same to 2,000 acres ... in tlie Nipniug
H. GO,— and Jacob Shumway— H. 61,— and also Country at a place willed Slarlcliouge- the lyne
valuable meadows on the river, now part of the being marlced wltli rainging markes In the cor-
Ezckiel Davis farm— II. 53, — were taken from it. ners with S. D."

An important suit at law, involving tlie title to According to tlie earliest plan in Oxford

these lauds, was brought about 1821 to gain pos- records Manchaug Farm measured fi74 rods by

session by Mr. Williams, one of tlie Dudley heirs, 424 rods — considerably short of 2,000 acres— in-

vs. Jason Phlpps of Tliompson. William Pink- eluding both Stoughton's and Dudley's sliares.

ney of Maryland was counsel for Williams, and A plan made after 1731 gives " Manchaug Farm "

Phipps retained Daniel AVebster. Tlie trial was 1,100 acres belonging to "the heirs of .Mr. Dud-

In Feb.. 1822, and the case was strongly con- ley,"' and "belonging to Oxford." Apian made

tested; decision for the defendants. Piukney 17.56 gives 1,020 acres in Oxford belonging to

died a day or two after tlie trial. Thomas Dudley, and adjoining it on the east, tlie

2 Gen. Court Uec, X., 187. These farms did not balance of the plot in Sutton, "now Kicliard
adjoin Oxford territory. Waters' and others."

3 Col. Rec, v., 488. In the act It is described

40 HISTOIJY OF OXFORD.

Gore's survey, but that they were " wanting in complement." They
consequently added 81 rods in length to the southward. Thus after
Dudley's farm became a part of Oxford, the south line of the town
turned at " Manchaug corner" to the southward, running at nearly a
right angle 81 rods, and thence 212 rods easterly to Sutton line.'

On 11 iScpt., 1734, on petition of the town, Dudley's farm was
annexed to Oxford, tlie lands being retained by his heirs until
1779.

Charlton set off. On 10 Jan., 1755, the District of Charlton
was established. This took from Oxford all the original grant lying
west of a line one mile west of the " Village line," leaving tlie out-
lines of the towns as shown in diagram 3.2

Ward set off. The next dismemberment took place on the
incorporation of the town of Ward. In May, 1770, a request of the
inhabitants of the northeasterly part of the town to be set off as a
separate district was refused in town meeting. On 17 Apr., 1772,
William Bancroft with others of Worcester, Leicester, Oxford and
Sutton, petitioned to be set off as a district. Anticipating this action
the town in Mar., 1772, chose Edward Davis, Ebenezer Learned,
Joseph Phillips, Daniel Griflith and Ephraim Ballard to ''make
answer " in the matter before the Court. The result was a dismission
of the application. In 1773 the effort was renewed. Action was
taken favorable to the petitioners, and a committee appointed to
select a site for a meeting-house. Oxford chose William Phips, Capt.
Ebenezer Leaimcd, Capt. Jeremiah Learned and P^^hraira Ballard to
wait on this committee. On 23 June, 1773, certain families, including
Samuel Eddy, Levi Eddy, Peter Jennison, Ruth Stone, Jesse Stone,
Isaac Pratt, Abraham Eitts, Alexander Nichols, David Gleason, all
of Oxford, were '• erected into a Precinct" called "the South Parish of
Worcester." On 10 April, 1778, the same was made a town, named
" Ward." All living within three miles of the site of the meetiug-

' StouKliton's 1,0(>0 acres Included the Doctor could have been made to tlielr beinj; set otl".

ISulIard and the Chandler Stockwell farms in The matter at last became so urgent that In

Sutton, as well as all the territory of West Sut- May, IT/in. Oxford voted to set off the west part

ton and northward from it. It was sold by of the town to wltliin two miles of the west vlllaKe

William 'I'aylor, heir and executor of Stouiihton, line. But this wiis not satisfactory, and in Mar.,

8 Dec, IT'.'O, to Itlchard AValers of Salem, and 17">4, the petitioners appealed to the Legislature,

Sa el I{ich of lU'llluKham, Waters setllinf; at representinK "'c'r privations on account of dis-

Ihi' Bullarcl place and Kich at the Stockwell tance to meeting— that Ihey were "disheartened,

place. On ID June, 17'i3, on petition of Kbenezer and as [they] had got limber fora meetiug-house

Learned for leave to tax lands adjoining Oxford and were much encouraged l)y the gentlemen

for the maintenance of the ministry, this farm owning laud [Ihere] . . . but being taxed so high

was " set to Oxford so far as relates to the sup- for the hulbliiig the [Oxford] meeting-house and

port of the ministry." It was soon after iucor- finishing it in the best manner, equal to, if not

porated as a part of Sutton, tien. Court Rec. better than any in the country(y): paying for

XIV., 84. schools from which they derived no benelit— and

-Forseveral years previous to this actloti much "large herds of cattle brought among [them]

dissatisfaction existed among the people of the breaking Into [their] Improved lands" . . . and

westerly part of the town because of their want living ten miles from the town jiound it was

of iJrivUeges. Oxford In the Important matter "almost Imixisslble to drive cattle there." . . .

of locating the new meeting-house had. ippareut "All these things consliiered [they] feared [they

ly no regard to their interests, and considering sliouM] he uudoni' without the help of the court."
the circumstances it seeius that no valid objection

WARD

POND

CHANGES IN TOWS LINES. 41

house by road, excepting in Sutton, where the distance was fixed at a
mile and a half, were embraced in the act. This took from the cor-
ner of the town a tract resembling somewhat in form a quadrant.
[iS'ee diagram 4."]

MoflB.t, etc., annexed. At March meeting, 1782, Isaac Moflit
and Elijah Learned, living in the borders of Charlton, asked that
they might be received as part of Oxford ; on which the town voted
affirmatively. On 3 June, 1788, these, with Ephraim Segar, presented
the case to the Legislature, and on 2 Jan., 1789, they, with their
farms — 250 acres — were set to Oxford. On 23 Feb., 1809, on petition
of Amasa Kingsbury, 26 acres adjoining the foregoing on the north
were also added. \_See dotted lines, diagram 4, letter JJf.]

Kidder, etc., annexed. In 1792, Jonathan Kidder, Samuel
Blanchard and Arthur Daggett, living near the northeast corner of
the town, in Sutton, requested to be received as inhabitants, which
request was granted conditionally. On 18 Feb., 1793, the General
Court annexed them to Oxford. [Diagram o, letters D, K.'\

South Gore land annexed. On 6 Feb., 1807, the Kingsbury
neighborhood, with land north and west of the same to Dudley line,
was annexed, the following being named in the act : Lemuel Cud-
worth, Craft Davis, Ezekiel Davis, David Fitts, Abijah Harris, Joseph
Kingsbury, Ephraim Kingsbury, Samuel Kingsbury, Jeremiah Kings-
bury, Jr., John Larned, John Larned, 3d, and James Wallis of
Dudley. 1 [Diagram 6'.]

Webster. The next change was at the incorporation of
"Webster." The town opposed this project, and in September,
1831, Ira Barton, Stephen Davis and Richard Stone were chosen to
protest against it before the Legislature. They say : —

" The area of the town before the setting off of Charlton was represented
as having been about 45,000 acres. In 1754 a large portion of the rich agri-
cultural town of Charlton was carved from the west part of Oxford, and in
1778 about one third part of Ward was also taken from said town so that
when the town of Oxford was surveyed in 1794 ... it contained but 17,336i
acres. Since that time another small portion of the south gore has been
annexed to the town and bj' said survey Oxford noAv contains about 18,000
acres. The petitioners seek to carve off about 2,500 acres ... by Avhich the
town will be reduced to about 15,000 acres or one third its original dimen-
sions. — The land set off to Charlton and Ward as before mentioned constituted
. . . [agriculturally considered] the best part of the former town, and a
principal source of wealth and population remaining . . . consisted in the
water power of the French Kiver together with the outlet of the Chaubuna-
gungamaug pond. By an appropriation of this power to manufacturing pur-
poses the town now sustains a population of 2034 iuhabitants. By [the pro-
posed action] it will lose about one sixth of its taxable property — a popula-
tion of about 600 together with a considerable portion of tiiat water power
upon which the business and prosperity of the town much depends."

1 [Special Laws, 58.] Included in this territory was the tract originally set to Oxford iu 1731.
[See diagram 6.]

42 HISTORY OF OXFORD.

Protests were unavailing and an act incorporating the new town —
named in honor of tlie statesman — was passed 6 March, 1832.1

North Gore annexed. The last alteration was the addition
of the North Gore, 22 March, 1838, embracing about 738 acres, and
lying between the north line of the town and Leicester. [^Special
Lairs, 22.^ Diagram 7 represents the lines as they now exist.

Indians. The English settlers did not suffer seriously from the
incursions of the natives, although at times they prowled about the
borders of the village, stealing pigs, chickens, garden vegetables,
etc., and at the time of Father Ralle's war in Maine they were con-
siderably aroused and caused alarm.

Garrison Houses. On 16 Aug., 1722, a law was passed requir-
ing frontier towns, including Oxford, to be put in a posture of
defence. Military officers and selectmen were ordered to cause houses
to be fortified, to which families might repair for safety.- No men-
tion is made in the town records of these houses, but, according to
tradition, Col. Ebenezer Learned's, H. 120, and Peter Shumway's, H.
185, were two of them. Probably the old fort suflficed for the south
part of the town. As late as 1845 there were the remains of a block
house on the farm of Sauford A. Inman, H. 9, near Sutton line, per-
haps built at this time. It was about 25 feet square, and the founda-
tion stoues and embankment were removed by Mr. Inman. The dis-
covery of numerous Indian stone relics on these hills indicates that this
was a resort of the Indians. Manchaug pond was a favorite haunt of
theirs, and their village was not far distant. Lovett's farm, H. 17,
and " Saccara[)i)a," as indicated by stone implements found there,
was another favorite locality, and probably a village existed at some
time in that vicinity. Another place frequented by them was on
Little River a short distance above Buffum's.

The accom[)auying illustration shows various specimens of Indian
stone relics found in Oxford. No. 1, a natural stone used as a rubbing
stone — found on the Plain ; 2, pestle, length 12 inches, Edson's, H.
163 ; 3, gorget or neck ornament, two perforations, Wellington's, H.
121) ; 4, sinker, perforated. Plain ; 5, use unknown, perforated, Hum-
phrey's, M. 36 ; 6, awl or piercer, Lovett's, H. 17 ; 7, soapstone im-
plement, use unknown, Lovett's; 8, chisel, Whiting farm, H. 14 ; 9,
gouge-, N. Gore; 10, chisel, Buffum's; 11, chisel. Plain; 12, arrow-
heads, etc., diff'erent localities, largest, Woodbury's, II. 75 ; 13, drills
or borers ; 14, scrapers, used on wood, or hides and skins ; 15, gouge,
Rosebrook's, II. 4; 16, adze, Buffum's; 17, small pestle, Allard's,
H. 71 ; 18, axe, Wellington's ; 19 and 21, rubbing stones for dressing

1 In lliis act Ilii' iiorlli llnewas defined as begin- to alter tlie course of this line " so that it may

niii),' at llie nortlit'iist corner of said town and ajfrec with the present VlUajre line."' The old

thence running due treat across the river, etc. line, W. 15° S.. was restored. [See diagram!.]
In March, l.s;i!l. the Selectmen of Oxford were -Prov. Laws, II.,'Jd9.
Instructed by the town to petition the Legislature

Indian Relics foi;nd in Oxford.

1724-5 INDIANS. 43

leather, Lovett's ; 20, part of steatite cooking dish, Abel Davis's, H.
57 ; 22, axe, Rosebrook's.

People armed. lu these troublous times farmers were accustomed
to go to their work with their implements in one hand and a gun in
the other. Col. Learned, at the extreme north, as tradition informs
us, was considerably annoyed at times by the sly manoeuvres of the
natives, but knowing his strength and courage they made no serious
encroachments upon him. The occurrence related by Hutchinson is
corroborated by tradition, the place having been at the site of the
house later occupied by John Barton, H. 21, near " Barton Hill," in
the easterly part of the town.

" On Aug. 6, 1724, four Indians came upon a small house which was built
under a hill. They made a breach in the roof and as one of them was attempt-
ing to enter he received a shot in his hellj from a couraseous woman, tlie
only person in the house, who had two muskets and two pistols charged, and
was prepared for all four ; but they thought fit to retreat, carrying ott" the
dead or wounded man."

This locality was on the Bernon estate, the property of Samuel
Davis, then of Roxbury, and the occupant is unknown.

The eastern troubles culminated in 1725 in the famous Lovewell's
fight at Pequawket, and in December quiet was restored.

Accounts have come to us by trustworthy tradition of several per-
sonal encounters with the Indians. They, it appears, for some reason
had a grudge against Abial Lamb, and at times lurked around his
premises with evil intent, and once fired upon him when he was at a
distance from home. He returned them as good as they sent, with
^atal consequences it is said, after which he was unmolested.

The following is an incident in Col. Learned's experience :

"At candle-light on a cold evening, an Indian came to his door and asked
for food and shelter. He was kindly received, and after supper was allowed
to camp before the large open fire-place in the old-fashioned kitchen. Some
time during the night the Colonel became conscious of a presence stooping
over him as he lay in bed. The Indian, perceiving that he was awake, said to
him in a scornful tone, 'You pale face!' Learned was out of bed in an
instant, and with a M-ell-directed l)low laid the fellow upon the lioor, and in a
few seconds had him outside the house and the door shut upon him.

" Several months afterward his visitor again made his appearance, at even-
ing, as before. He had in his hand a roll of valuable furs, which he presented
respectfully to Learned, with the remark, ' You brave,' and left."

Collicuinp. So far as known, the last wild Indian living within
the limits of the town was CoUicump, whose dwelling was in the
pleasant nook under the hills near the house of the first Joseph
Brown, in the west part of the town, H. 88, within the sound of
the brook which comes down through the rocky gorge near the old
Charlton road and winds through the meadow below to the Maanexit.
In this retired spot he lived to old age, runs the tradition, cultivating
a little garden near his hut, hunting small game in the neighboring

44 HISTOHY OF OXFORD.

woods and fishing in the river and also the stream in the easterly pai't
of Charlton known as Little River — sometimes called "CoUicnm."
He had deceased long before Mr. Brown's purchase of this farm in
1791, but his garden and the ruins of his cabin were then to be seen,
and traces of his dwcllinti still remain. He met a tragic fate having
been drowned in the latter stream in a deep hole a short distance
below the mills of the late John H. Rich. Interesting mementos of
him were recently in the possession of the late Jasper Brown, Esq.,
being two brass spoons ploughed up on the site of his cabin by Mr.
Joseph Brown. They were of a peculiar pattern, unlike the present
form of this utensil, and were doubtless furnished him by the English.^

Slaves. A return in State papers, 1754, gives Negro slaves in
Oxford, three males, one female.

Richard Moore owned "Sharper," and 2G Nov., 173G, sold him to
Joshua Haynes, Sudbury. -

Moses Marcy of Oxford had an Indian woman, sold him by the
Court prior to 1747. That year he was discharged from his bond,
she having "made away with herself after having tried to murder her
mistress — run off and not heard from since."

In 1755, Caesar, a slave, servant of Richard Moore, Jr., was
arraigned before "Worcester Court. ^

Col. Ebenezer Learned owned a house servant named Mingo — was
long in the family, and was dumb or successfully feigned himself to
be so. He was provided for in Learned's will.

Rev. John Campbell had a servant. Will, was in the arm}' of 1775,
at the siege of Boston, enrolled as a soldier, may have been servant
to Capt. William Campbell.

In a tax list for 1771 Dea. Thomas Davis is named as owner of a
" servant for life," and William Watson is taxed for two, the same.
In 1775 a negro was sold as part of his estate.

Josiah Wolcott had a house servant named Dinah who lived to be
very aged, and died in 182'J, a town charge.

Colonial Money. At the time of the permanent settlement
almost the entire circulating medium consisted of Bills of Credit,
issued by the Province, payable with interest, at short stated times.
On 11 Oct., 1721, trustees were chosen to receive and care for the
" Bank Money paid to the town." The amount was .£G4, Oxford's
proportion of .£50,000. The duty of these trustees was to loan this
money in small amounts on securit}'."*

• See plate of lilstoric relics. Province, are grown scarce In proportion to the

- See cases in Wore. Court. Kreat Deniiind for the same— He It enacted," etc.

3 Ibid. Trov. Laws, II., 189. Those l)llls varied In value

<Tlie preamble of the act, .11 March, 1721, re- from £5 toSshlUlngs. In 17'.'3 It was voted to issue

cites: "Whereas the I'ublick Hills of Credit In £.">00 In one, two and throe penny pieces, to be

this Province, which, for want of sliver have for made of parchment about an Inch In nieasuro-

many years not only answered the charjre of this nieut, stamped, a round ploco to pass as one

Ills Majesty's (iovorninoiil, both In War and penny, a S(iuare piece two-pence and a slx-slded

Peace, but served as a modhini of exchanKe In piece three-pence.

the Merchandize Trade and Business of the

FINANCIAL. 45

Iq March, 1728, it was voted "to leave the concern of the £50,000
loan to the selectmen to take account of y" Trustees and report."
This loan was redeemable in Boston, £10,000 on the last day of May
in each year from 1726 to 1730. In Oxford the last payment was
not made until Feb., 1736, when " Jer. Allen Treas." receipted "by
Mr. Campbell, committee," for £12. 16s., "the last fifth" of said
loan. On 20 Feb., 1728, another loan of £60,000 was issued, of which
Oxford's share was £106. 10s. In April it was voted "to draw out
y'' Town's part," and the trustees were instructed to loan it in sums
not under ten or over twenty pounds to one man. In this loan 4 per
cent, of the interest went to the Province and the balance to the
towns.

Early levies. The first raising of money by the town was 19
Nov., 1713, when £6 was voted for necessary charges, to be raised on
the 30 house lots. The first County tax was in 1718, when Suffolk
County raised £350 ; Oxford's share, 15 shillings, 9^ pence. In 1721
a house of correction was to be built and £650 was raised ; Oxford's
share, £2. 18s. The first tax of Worcester County was in Nov.,
1732 ; Oxford's share, £14. Os. 4d. The first levy of a Colonial tax
in Oxford was 5 July, 1719, for the sum of £5. Taxes were collected
by constables until 1786 when collectors were chosen.

Public Funds. In Oct., 1791, the town holding £340. 13s. Id.
public securities, it was voted to divide the same among the religious
societies, the First and Second and the Baptists, each their propor-
tion. The amounts were as follows : Standing Society £206. 3s. 3d.,
the Second Society £119. 17s. 2d., the Baptists, to be paid individu-
ally, according to their valuation, the sum of £14. 12s. 8d. This
shows the financial strength relatively of the religious organizations.
In March, 1837, a committee of the town was chosen to receive from
the Commonwealth its share of the surplus revenue ordered by
Congress to be distributed, and to recommend some manner of dis-
posing of the same, which advised that it be funded and the interest
be divided among the school districts. In June, 1837, a report of
the selectmen upon the division of this fund with Webster was ac-
cepted, as follows: Whole amount, $2,965.65; Oxford's share,
allotted on 1,569 population, $2,287.66 ; AVebster's share, on 465 pop-
ulation [in the part set off from Oxford], $677.99. In May, 1838,
the town instructed the selectmen to pay out enough of this fund
to clear the town from debt. The amount is not given ; a balance
was voted, 1839, toward building the town hall on the north common.

"Liand Bank." In 1739, many people of small means being
embarrassed, business much depressed and money scarce, a plan was
laid to establish in Boston a private banking concern which resulted
in the forming of the famous " Land and Manufacture Bank Com-
pany." This affair, while it had the sanction of a few influential
men, was projected and managed chiefly by persons of limited re-

46 HISTORY OF OXFORD.

sources, many of whom had land but little money and perhaps some
of whom were insolvent. "This company [numbering some seven or
eight hundred] were to give credit to laO,OUO pounds to be issued in
bills [payable in 20 years] to be loaned on mortgage, every subscriber
to pny 3 per cent, and 5 per cent, of the principal, and those not pay-
ing bills might pay in produce or manufactures of the Province." '

'I'he Governor opposed the scheme, an act of incorporation was
refused in the Legislature, proclamations were issued warning the
public against it as dangerous, and all government officers, the courts
and others within their influence were required to discountenance and
obstruct the circulation of the bills. The leading merchants of the
larger towns refused them in trade. Notwithstanding all opposi-
tion the plan flourished for a time, and Hutchinson says " perhaps a
majority of the Province were well wishers to it." By great exertion
and the purchase of every commodity for which its bills would be
received, the directors succeeded in getting into circulation fifty or
sixty thousand pounds of their paper. In country places it was popu-
lar, and passed freely among the traders and the people at large, and
many towns voted to accept " Land Bank" in all their public finan-
cial affairs. As late as May, 1741, their bills were in circulation. -
Its opposers appealed to Parliament and an act was obtained extend-
ing to America an old law of Britain that no transferable stock
should be raised without legislative authority, which dealt it a blow
under which it soon succumbed. In 1741 the General Court appointed
commissioners with power to tax all who had been in the company in
proportion to their interest, and with moneys thus raised to redeem
the bills, and make equitable adjustment between the members.
Heavy losses resulted and its pernicious influence was felt long after-
ward. Fortunately the people of this town did not engage in it to a
great extent. Isaac Larued owned 40 shares, Jacob Cummings 30,
Uriah Stone 40, Samuel Call 30 and Samuel Scott 30, all excepting
Larned in the north part of the town. In 1748 the commissioners
sold 46 acres of land of Samuel Call (now known as the Livermore
place), H. 110, to pay his assessments.

[Form of a Bill.]

" T W E N T Y SHILLINGS

"Wo promise, for ourselves and Partners, to receive this Twenty Shilling
Bill of Credit as so much Lawful Money iu all Payments, Trade and Business,
and after the expiration of twenty years to pay y® Possessor y* value thereof
in Manufactures of the Province.

"Boston."

1 Hutchinson. but am uncertain whether I shall continue . . .

'-At that date T{^. William Jennlson wrote because It will not ilo for me to oblige myself to

thus to his wife, " I am now at Worcester In the take pay In ' Land Bank.' "
business of the school, and preach at Holden—

r»^'?^.p

CHAPTER IV.

ECCLESIASTICAL.

First Mixisters. Non-Residents Taxed. Rev. John Campbell. Church
Formed. Hagburn Legacy. The Awakening. Mr. Campbell's Trea-
tise. Davidson Case. Mr. Campbell's Decease. Rev. Joseph Bow-
man. Embarrassment. Church Divisions. Lawsuit. Dark Days.
Rev. Elias Dudley. Rev. Josiah Moulton. Congregational Society
Formed. Later Ministers. Lkgacies. Universalist Society. Minis-
ters. Conventions. Baptist Church and Society. Ministers. Metho-
dist Church and Society. Mi.msters. Protestant Episcopal Church.
Ministers. Roman Catholic Church. First Meeting-house. Second
Meeting-house. Universalist Meeting-house. Third Congregational
Meeting-house. Baptist Meeting-house. Methodist Meeting-houses.
Episcopal Church Building. Catholic Church Building. Parsonages.

First Ministers. In accordance with the terms of the grant and
the usage of the da}- the town was from the beginning an ecclesiasti-
cal parish, and its early records refer constantly to ministerial affairs.
The first minister named was Rev. John James, probably noted by.
Savage as having lived, and died 10 Aug., 1729, at Wethersfield.
He had preached as early as 1683 at Haddam, and was at Derby from
1694 to 1706, and at Brookfield from 1711 to 1 May, 1714. On 29
July, 1714, it was " voted that every lot man shall pay his equal pro-
portion of 10 shillings a sabbath for a quarter of a year to Mr. James
for his preaching." On 30 Nov. it was voted that Mr. Moore
[Richard] and John Town " take care and provide a minister as soon
as convenient." On 25 March, 1715, voted that the money for, the
support of the gospel ministry among us, be raised on the lands in
general belonging to the village. On 25 Sept., 1715, it was voted to
send Daniel P^liott and Abraham Skinner to Jonathan Shattuck of
Watertown "to treat with him concerning his coming to preach the
Gospel to us." Mr. Shattuck preached at least two Sabbaths, for
which he was paid 30 shillings. He was settled, 1717, at Littleton.
On 10 May, 1710, it was voted to raise for the year 30 pounds on the
30 house lots for the support of the ministry, and Mr. Richard Moore
was instructed "to go to the gentlemen that gave us the land [for
the village] to see what they will give for the support of the Gospel
among us." And on 31 July, John Town and Ebenezer Learned
were chosen for the same purpose with directions that if said proprie-
tors would not do their proportion to petition the General Court for
help. The result of this effort we do not find, but in some way the
people received encouragement.

48 HISTORY OF OXFORD. 1717-31

On 29 Jan., 1717, it was voted tliat the selectmen should "take
care to f^et a iniuister," and at the same date it was decided to build
a meeting-liouse. Neither minister or the means of supporting one,
however, was then settled upon, as on 19 Aug. a meeting was called
to be held at 7 o'clock in the morning, to agree upon some way to
raise money and " to take care to obtain a minister." At this meet-
ing it was voted to raise 30 pounds for the support of the Gospel,
and Richard Moore, Ehcnezer Learned and Daniel Eliott were chosen
to obtain a minister.'

Non-residents taxed. On 14 June, 1718, John Town, as select-
man, petitioned the General Court for leave to tax the lands of non-
residents in Oxford for aid in supporting the ministry and building a
new meeting-house. On whicii it was ordered that authority be given
to tax 20 shillings on 1,000 acres five years. On 21 July, 1720,
Richard Moore renewed tliis petition, on which it was again ordered
that the town authorities be empowered to lay a tax of 20 shillings
per annum per 1,000 acres during three years. The next year
Richard Moore, being the town representative, submitted to the Court
that the tax had been assessed as authorized but some of the proprie-
tors refused to pay. By permission he presented a bill which was
referred to the next session. On 22 ]\Iarch, 1722, an act was passed
enabling the town to recover a tax on non-resident proprietors' lands
towards building a new meeting-house, etc. On 16 May, 1726, Capt.
Ebenezer Learned was chosen "to go to General Court with a peti-
tion for leave to tax non-residents' land toward the support of the
gospel." On 7 June it was ordered that the town of Oxford be
authorized to assess, levy and collect 20 shillings on each 1 ,000 acres
on non-resident land for three years, and "said land is made liable for
the payment of said taxes." On 4 Sept., 1729, on Isaac Larned's
petition, "ordered that the town of Oxford be autiiorized to assess
and collect one farthing per acre on non-residents' land for five years
for the support of the ministry." On 2 July, 1731, a petition of Rev.
John Campbell was presented to the General Court, setting forth that
former laws made to meet the needs of the town had in them no pro-
vision to enforce the collection of the taxes on non-resident lands, by
which the petitioner had been much straitened and had not the sup-
port designed for him, and praying that provision be made for the
collecting of said taxes. Upon which it was enacted as follows :

" Whereas there liave been several assessments of taxes heretofore ordered
and directed by the General Court of this Province on the hinds of the non-
resident proprietors within the townsiiip of Oxford ... as well for the
huihliii'i a niectini; house as supportiiii; the ministry in the said town, and
whereas a (•(iiisidcral)le part thereof still remains due and unpaid by reason of
the methods iicntofore used for collecting the same beinj; insiiMicient . . .

1 From tilt first recordfcl tax Ust In the town, the single exception of (ialiriel Bernon, who was

Sept., 1717, we learn that the sum voteii at this taxed both for the current expenses of religious

meeting wiis raised by a tax on the inhabitants, worship and for the Ijuildlng of the meetlug-

without the aid of non-resident proprietors, with house.

1719-20 ECCLESIASTICAL. 49

Ordered that John Chandler Jr. Samuel Dudley of Sutton, and Benjamin Flagg
of Worcester be a committee to collect said taxes, and pay the same to the
Treasurer of Oxford."

They were authorized to sell lands and give deeds when necessary
for tlie purpose.

On 14 Sept., 1734, Isaac Larned represented to the Court the
difiiculty of supporting the gospel since Dudley was set off, and
asked leave to tax non-residents one-half penny an acre for five
years, which was granted, and also ordered that the farm belonging
to Hon. William Dudley, called Manchaug farm, be, and is hereby
annexed to Oxford. On 26 Dec, 1739, permission was continued
for five years to tax one farthing per acre, all lands without a legal
fence included.

Mr. McKinstry. The third clerical name recorded is that
of John McKinstry^ who preached several months. On 7 Oct.,
1718, Benoni Twichell was sent by the town "to fetch up the
minister." On 2 March, 1719, a call was voted him which he de-
clined. And on 9 Nov., 1720, he was settled as first minister of
Sutton.

Mr. Andrew. In 1719 Rev. Samuel Andrew was preacher for
a time. He was son of Samuel of Cambridge, b. in 1656, and was at
this time 64 years of age. An attempt to settle him failed.

Mr. Campbell. Very soon after Rev. John Campbell entered
upon the scene of his life work. On 30 May, 1720, in expectation of
his arrival, it was voted that Israel Town should entertain him, and
P^ns. Ebenezer Learned " should treat with him and agree with him
as reasonably as he could with discretion, to obtain him for one or
two months." Propositions for a settlement were voted him on 15
Jul}' with au offer of 60 pounds a year salary — the lot originally laid
out for the minister, with the rights belonging to it — and 100 pounds
settlement, " provided he shall be willing to live and die our minis-
ter," and John Town, Isaac Larned, John Comins, Abial Lamb and
Abraham Skinner were chosen a committee to " treat with him."
They reported as follows :

" We laid before Rev. Mr. Campbell the above voted particulai's and left
them with him under the following circumstances — In the name and by virtue
of the power ii'iven us bj' the inhabitants of Oxford, we called the Ileverend
John Campl)ell to be our minister. Second, we promised the said Mr. Camp-
bell Sixty pounds salary. Third, that the said Mr. Campljell have freely given
him the lot laid out ah-ea(t^' for the lirst minister of Oxford, with the rights
thereunto l)t'longing, or one hundred acres to be laid out . . . where it can
conveniently be had. Fourth, that we will give the said Mr. Campbell one
hundred pounds settlement in work as reasonal)ly as others have work for
their money in Oxford — provided he shall be willing to live and die with us
in the work of the ministry."

Mr. Campbell's reply, dated 12 Aug., 1720, is as follows:

"Gentlemen, I have had your call and proposals before me and upon
mature deliberation I accept of your call and proposals to me as propounded,
8

50 HISTORY OF OXFORD. 1720

ami lioreby promise to be willinj? to continue witli you in the work of the
ministry as the Lord sliall ciiablf nic, providcrl vdii continue a ministerial
people.

'■ JoilX C.VMriJKLL."

As Mr. Campbell became known, the people evidently recognized
in bira a lit man to continue their life-long minister, they having
given a call and received bis answer before a reply was returned from
the association of ministers to which the selectmen had applied for
an opinion conceruing him. This reply, dated Woodstock, 7 iSept.,
1720, was commendatory, and on the 12 Sept. the town chose a
committee to oversee the work to be done in the settlement.

Church, forined. The ordination did not, however, take place
until several months later. Meantime the Church was organized.
Mr. Campbell was chosen cle^'k and thus chronicles its initiation and
progress :

"The Methode taken and pursued in layinij a foundation for and gathering
a Chh. of Clirist in Oxford in New England was as follows viz — four men viz
Lt. John Town, Ablel Lamb, Samuel Barton, .Joseph Wiley, being already
members of other Chhs meeting together sometime in September 1720 : and
having considered the obligations which tlicy themselves were under, to pro-
mote the Kingdom of their Lord & Saviour Jesus Christ, (after social prayer
and conference together) they declared each one to the other that they were
desirous to lye in the foundation and build up a Chh. of Christ in Oxford:
they also nuide known tlieir Religious purpose in this matter to Capt. Richard
Moore, another Chh. member, Inviting him and others . . . whose minds were
disposed to advance the Religion of Jesus and his Interest, and thereby the
special advantage of themselves and Posterity : to join with them in so good
a work : Agi"eeing also to meet together at the house of Israel Town on
tluirsday the 27th of October next following, at four of the clock post
meridian."

"The Society" met on said day and had prayers and a sermon,
and decided to apply to the " Rev. Elders of Marlborough Associa-
tion " who were to meet at Framingham, 2 Nov., following, asking
" their Advice and Directions how to proceed in gathering a Chh. of
Christ at said Oxford." The reply was as follows :

" Dear Bretliren, we highly api)r()vr of your Religimis design to gather a
chiu'ch of Christ in Oxford and advise you that there be public iiotitlcatiou
thereof given in the Town, and that such as are already members lead in that
affair, and that others who offer to join in the foundation of the said Church
meet together Avith the said chh. members and give satisfaction to one
another and to the said members of the sjiving work of grace in their hearts,
either l)y verbal conference, or written Relation, after wliich hath been done
& social prayer duly performed from time to time, by the said Religious
Society we advise them to procure a Chh Covenant which they can all freely
sul)scril)e unto, and then to set apart a day of fasting and prayer, calling to
them the Rev. Pastor of Woodstock, and the Rev. pastor of Mendon Chh. to
assist on the said fast day in forming a church of Christ in Oxford.

" Sic Subscribitur Joskpu Baxteu
in the name of the Association."

1720-1 ECCLESIASTICAL. 51

At a Society meeting held 29 Dec, 1720, " after prayers and a
sermon," chose Lt. John Town moderator and " appointed the third
Wednesday in Jan. 1720-1 to be the day of fasting and prayer previ-
ous to the gathering a church of Christ in Oxford : and also desired
Mr. John Campbell to write letters to the ministers [designated] to
request their presence and assistance on the above said day."

" The Revel, ministers sent to for our assistance came at the time appointed,
viz. January 18th, 1720-1 and the day was observed by fastina;, prayers and
sermons : and towards the close of the day . . . the following Church Cove-
nant in whicli all the brethren were agreed was read, approved and accepted
by the men whose names are underwritten and likewise by their wives re-
spectively."

Covenant.

" We do under a soul humbling and abasing sense of our utter unworthiness
of so high & great a privelege as God is graciously putting into our hands
Own and Accept of God the Father, Sou, & Holy Spirit for our God in Cove-
nant with us, and do accordingly give up ourselves and our seed according to
the terms of the Everlasting Covenant to him to be his under most saci'ed
& inviolable Bonds, promising by the help & strength of his grace, without
which we can do nothing that we will walk as becomes saints according to
the rules of God's holy word. Submitting ourselves and seed to the govern-
ment of the Loi'd Jesus Christ, as King of his Chh. and to the watch and dis-
cipline of this Chh. managing ourselves towards God and man all in civil &
sacred authority as becomes those who are under the teachings of God's holy
Word & Spirit : Alike declaring it to be our Resolution that in all things
wherein we may fall short of duty we will w^ait upon God for his pardoning
mercy and Grace in and through our Dear Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ, to
whom be glory forever.

" The persons names who then assented to this Instrument are subjoined,
viz

John C.\mpbell, soon after ordained Abiel Lamb & wife

pastor of this Church Israel Town & wife

John Town & wife Benony Twitchel & wife

BEN.JAMIN Chamberlain & wife Joseph Wiley & wife

Isaac Launed & wife Samuel Barton & wife

John Comins & wife David Town & wife

Abraham Skinner Nathaniel Chamberlain

Ebenezkr Learned & wife Thomas Gleason & wife

Philip Amidown & wife Collins Moore & wife

"These Avere the persons who lay in the foundation of a Gospel Chh. in
Oxford, Now England Janury 18th 1720-1 in the presence and with the appro-
bation of the Rev. Mr. Josiah D wight pastor of Woodstock and the Rev. Mr.
Joseph Dorr pastor of Meudon Chh."

The first meeting of the Church was at the house of John Comins
near the old mill, at the south end of the Plain, " after prayers and a
sermon, John Town was chosen Moderator, and then after a long and
serious conference, the Chh unanimously chose Mr. John Campbell
to bs their pastor. To which choice Mr. Campbell . . . signified his
Consent." It was also voted to request the selectmen to call a town
meeting to act on the subject.

Campbell's Ordination. On 31 Jan., 1721, the Church met
and voted to ask the aid of pastors and delegates to ordain Mr.

52 HiSTOi;y of oxford. 1721-31

Campbell from the churches in Woodstock, Medfield, Framingham,
Marlborough, Lancaster and Mendon ; chose a committee to give
invitations ; voted that every member of the Church should pay six
shillings to defray expenses of the council, " besides what other
inhabitants of the town shall please to give," and chose Isaac Larned,
John Comins and Abraham Skinner to provide for said council.

At a town meeting, the same day, an account being read of what
the Church had done as to the choice of Mr. Campbell, and the time
appointed for ordination, it was voted to concur. The following is
INIr. Campbell's record of the ordination services :

" Wednesday March 1st 1720/1
" Tlu! ordination of the Rev. Mr. John Campbell to the pastoral office &
Charge of the Chli. of Christ in Oxford Avas conducted with good order &
decency, the several parts of the publick Service were performed bj' the fol-
lowing gentlemen, viz tho Kevd. Mr. .John Prentice pastor of the Chh. in Lan-
caster preached the Ordination Sermon from Ephs. 6, 18, 19. the prayer
before the charge was made by the Revd. Mr. .Josiah Dwight pastor of the
Chh in Woodstock, the charge was given by the Revd. Mr. .Joseph Baxter
pastor of the Chh. in Medtield, the prayer after the charge was made by the
Revd. Mr. Robert Breck of Marlborough. The Right hand of fellow.ship was
given by the Revd. Mr. .John Swift pastor of the Chh in Framingham. The
introductory prayer to all the publick service was made by the Revd Mr
Joseph Dor pastor of the Chh in Mendon. The thanksgiving psalm or song
was proposed, viz. Psal. 118 from the 24th verse to the end of the Psalm, and
the blessing pronounced by the Rev'd. Mr John Campbell the then ordained
pastor of the Chh. of Christ in Oxford."

The first celebration of the Lord's Supper was 14 May, 1721. In
1723 Richard Waters was by vote "desired" to unite with the
Church by letter of recommendation, " in order to his being elected
deacon," but did not comply. The Church Records under Mr. Camp-
bell's ministry give little of the detail of affairs. With one or two
exceptions they contain no entries of accessions, dismissals or bap-
tisms. The particulars of a few cases of discipline are recorded and
the election of officers, but more frequently than on any other subject
occur entries concerning the " Hagburn Fund."

Hagburn Ljegacy. Under date of 1724 is entered a copy of
the clause in the will of Mr. Samuel Hagburn giving .50 pounds " for
the use and benefit of the church as they shall think fit to lay out or
dispose of for any pious use." On 4 July, 172G, it was voted to put
the said becjuest out at interest, and Dea. John Town, Isaac Larned
and Philip Amidown were chosen to take charge of it. In 1728 the
town raised Mr. Campbell's salary to 80 pounds, as the currency was
depreciating. In 1729 the town " voted to tax unimproved lands one
farthing per acre towards paying our minister." 1731, Sept. 10,
voted to expend tlie interest on the Hagburn Fund " for vessels for
use of the church," and allowed £3 to pay expenses of pastor and
delegate to an ecclesiastical council at Boston, £5 for a " mort-cloth "
and a basin for baptismal use. 1731, Sept. 20, the town voted ten

1734-43 ECCLESIASTICAL. 53

pounds additional for firewood for Mr. Campbell. 1734, Aug. 27,
voted £90 and firewood to Mr. Campbell. As the currency depre-
ciated the town increased the salary as follows: In 1735 to £100, in
1736 £120, in 1739 £130, in 1741 £150. On 18 May, 1743, the town
heard the report of a committee chosen to compute the " odds" be-
tween the currency and silver, " so that Justice be done Mr. Camp-
bell," and on it voted him £180. In 1745 £200 was voted, 1747
£225, in 1748 £250, in 1749 £400, " to make up deficiences in years
past and the present year." In May, 1750, the currency had been
brought to a specie basis and £50 was voted. Under date, 12 June,
1741, is recorded "the distressing circumstances of some poor fami-
lies amongst us occasioned by the scarcity of bread corn," on which
it was voted that the interest then due on the Fund " be given to the
most necessitous families iu this congregation."

In Dec, 1741, a movement led by Ebenezer Lock began among
the people of the N. Gore and the north part of Oxford to be set off
as a new parish, and a petition to the town therefor was signed by
Caleb Bartou, Samuel Call, Uriah Gleason, Joseph Phillips, Samuel
Town, Richard Gleason and Jonas Coller. But the project was given
up, perhaps on account of the proposal to build the new meeting-
house at a location north of the Plain.

The Awakening'. The years 1741-2 witnessed the " Great
Awakening," with which Mr. Campbell had no sympathy. There
was great excitement and much heated controversy, and the lines
between the adherents to the old methods and the "New Scheme"
were closely drawn. Rev. David Hall of Sutton was a strenuous
adherent of Edwards and Whitefield, and as a result a coolness arose
between the two neighboring pastors. In his diary, 9 March, 1746,
Dr. Hall says " I have of late been to Oxford, where I have not been
to visit before scarce these seven years. I find there has been reports
carried to my disadvantage. A shyness among ministers is attended
with many mischiefs and disadvantages."

Campbell's Treatise. In 1743 Mr. Campbell, "at the desire
of his constant hearers and others," published his " Treatise on Con-
version," etc., a 12mo. volume of 215 pages, being extracts of
sermons preached under the pressure of this movement. Near the
close he says :

" Suffer me, I beseech yon, who am the weakest and most unworthy in the
Sacred Order of the Ministry, to intreat both Ministers and People of the
New Scheme to desist from invading the Provinces and Districts of their
Fellow Laborers and Brethren : And tliereby disturl)ing the Peace, and Spoil-
ing the good Order of the Churches upon Pretence of little differences between
you and them and so exclude yourselves their Communion. Such a practice
was early condemned in the Christian Church, III. John, 10.

" The Ordinances of God are understood by some Interpreters to be the
Hedge and Wall of a People : when God takes away the Hedge and Wall, the
Breach is made wide for every wild Beast to enter and tread it down. There
are two or three things it would be well if the Exhorters and their Followers

54 HISTORY OF OXFORD. 1748-54

could be persuaded to refrain, viz: 1 To keep each of them in their proper
Business. — 'iVe sittor ultra crcjndaiu,'' tiiat is blind Folks should not judge of
colors. — 2. That they no loni^cer traduce tlie sacred Scriptures, that is laying
aside souio Parts of them . . . and esteeming others necessary, as they agree
with the peculiar sentiments. — 3. Using humane Compositions in the Public
Worship of God, in Room of sacred Scriptures : I mean their using Hymns,
so as almo.st to have superseded the I'salms of David and other spiritual
Songs. This is a manifest Violation and Reproach of the Wisdom and Law
of God ... I am far from thinking that tiie good Gentleman [Dr Watts]
whose hymns are mostly used by our giddy Zealots ever intended that Com-
posure of his should ever supersede the Psalms of David . . . Singing of
Hymns composed by men uninspired by God in his Worship was no part of
our Forefatlier's Religion . . . No, this smells a little of that industrious
source of all Religious Forirerles, viz — the Church of Rome which hath im-
pudently introduced their 7e Deums, Anthems, and Ave Marias. These Cocka-
trices'^ do not consider what tliey do and the guilt they are bringing upon
tliemselves."

Davidson Case. As early as 1748 a controversy arose in Sutton
Church aud William Davidsou and wife were excomnuinicated or sus-
pended. In Dec, 1748, he brought his case before an ex parte
council in Oxford at the house of Elisha Davis, from which we infer
that he here found encouragement and sympathy. Dr. Hall in his
diary says, " 26 Dec, to morrow am to go to a Council at Oxford
called hy an offending brother. 27, went to Davidson's Council,
was, I think poorly treated. 28, grievously exercised to day, y*^
council's Result appearing most injurious, I became angry and spoke
indecently. 21, discoursed with Parkman [\Vestboro'] he admired
[wondered] at the result of Council." This result was against the
action of Sutton Church. The diary continues, "12 July 1749, a
time in which we need y" greatest wisdom and courage. The Chli.
beset on y'' right hand and left, by Davidson Council aud y'
separatists. 15, have been carried through the Church meeting with-
out any jarring in regard to Davidson's affair." [Adhering to for-
mer action.] An entry 31 Oct., 1749, indicates that another Council
had been held on the case " which wholly approved of our conduct."

On 15 Sept., 1750, Davidson and wife "desired occasional com-
munion " witli Oxford Church, which by a vote with but one dissent-
ing voice was granted. This action placed the Church in the posi-
tion of a defender of Davidson and implied censure was cast upon
Sutton. The result was a long period of estrangement and ill feeling
between the two bodies. Thomas Gleasou, Jr., of Oxford, who
opposed the church action, was disciplined and suspended, but in
July, 1745, confessed his fault aud was restored. The record of this
matter by Mr. Campbell, being the last of his entries, is of special
interest. He says :

"At a meeting of the Chli. in Oxford, March Sth, 17")1, Thomas Gleason
Junr personally noliiled ami then present being asked the iiuesiion if he was

1 The name kIvou llieiii liy Gilbert Tennant. for 20 of Air. Campbell's books to be slven to
On 7 March, 1746, £10 luterest money was voted those unable to purchase them.

1764-64 ECCLESIASTICAL. 55

now sensible of the evil of his continued neglect of attending on his duty
with this Chh. in sealing ordinances : expressed no repentance, but pretended
to justifle his contumacious omission, and base conduct: and then being
meekly discoursed with, and earnestly exhorted to return to his duty, but
without success, and the least token of Relenting.

" 1. The question being put to the brethren whether any of them objected
against pronouncing the due Ecclesiastical censure against the said Thomas
Gleason : there appeared a profound and universal silence — then the question
being put in the following form, viz. 2. Brethren if it be your minds that
Thomas Gleason Junr by his unlawful and sinful sei)aration from this chh.
for many years together from communion in sealing Ordinances, hath ren-
dered himself unworthy of such special priveleges as heretofore he has had
with us, and is accordingly Suspended from Communion in Sealing Ordi-
nances with this Chh. until he she'iv repentance for his multiplied enormities,
and make Gospel Satisfaction : manifest it by the usual sign of uplifted
hands : Voted in the affirmative unanimously. 3. The case of William
Davison being mentioned, and some discourse had thereon, it was left as it
stood before without any alteration or emendation. 4. A letter being read,
Directed to be Communicated, by Rev. David Hall pastor of the first church
in Sutton after brief observations made thereon, it was rejected ... as it
seemed to l)e stuffed with many fallacies and inconsistencies."

Church Action. On 29 Jane, 1762, the Church voted :

" Whereas there has been a difficulty and uneasiness for some time Subsist-
ing between us and the first chh. of Christ in Sutton, and the Pastors of said
churches for their parts have made up their own difi'erences, before the death
of our Revd. Pastijr, we desire that all uneasiness between us and you may be
removed, and that we may live in Peace, Unity and Harmony as sister Chhs
ought to do. And by a vote at the same meeting Abigail Davison the wife of
William Davison is debarred of communion with us in special ordinances till
she has made her peace with you, according as was proposed at Uxbridge
October 22d 1751."'

A plain inference from this record is that a third council had
decided in effect against the Oxford action of Sept., 1750.-

Rev. John Campbell died 25 May, 1761. On 3 July, 1761, Dea.
Jonathan Town was chosen moderator of the Church. On 1 Feb.,
1762, a call was voted, 58 to 8, to Rev. Ebenezer Grosvenor which he
declined. On 24 Aug., a second unsuccessful effort was made to
settle him.-''

Mr. Bo"WT3ian. On 2 March, 1764, Rev. Joseph Bowman of
"Westboro' was called by the Church by a " great majority vote."
On 20 March the town concurred, and voted a "settlement" of
£133. 6s. 8d. and a salary of £70. At a town meeting 24 Sept., the
" settlement " grant was raised to £200 and on 15 Oct., the salary
was raised to £100.

On 12 November, 1764, tlie Church — " voted that we will take the
word of God for our rule of Church government and where the form
of Church government is not particularly pointed out in Scripture, we

1 This declaratlou was unrloubtedly forwarded ' Mr. Grosvenor was minister at Harvard from
to Sutton Church. 1782 to Ills death In 1788.

- See William Davidson, Genealogical Depart-
ment.

56 HISTORY OF OXFORD. 1764-79

will have reference to the Cambridge Platform . . . Lay ciders and
Lay ordination excepted."

Mr. Bowman was installed on 14 Nov., 17G4. Sermon by Lis pas-
tor, Kev. Ebencxer Tarkman of VVestboro. Sept. 26, 1771. " voted —
that Thursday, 24 Oct., next y" Church will meet at y" meeting-house
to discourse on y" affairs of singing a new version of y"' Psalms," etc.
No record of this meeting appears. Dec. 31, 1775, William Phips,
Esq., and wife, Lieut. Thomas Gleason, Capt. Samuel Kddy and wife,
William Parker and wife, Levi Eddy and wife were dismissed from
the Church to form a new Church at Ward. May 24, 1776, Lieut.
Abijah Harris, Richard Coburn and Amasa Kingsbury were chosen
Choristers. ''June 8, 1780, It was proposed to choose some one to
assist Mr. Richard Coburn, in setting or tuning the Psalm on y*^ Sab-
bath, and chose Levi Davis, John Pratt, and Allen Hancock for this
purpose."

During Mr. Bowman's ministry the additions to the Church were as
follows : — admitted to full communion 64 ; covenanted [brought
under the watch of the Church, and had children baptized] — 25 ;
dismissions 27. The baptisms between the date of Mr. Camp-
bell's death and Mr. Bowman's installation were 87, and during Mr.
Bovvman's ministry 366.

Bowman embarrassed. Fourteen eventful years succeeded Mr.
Bowman's installation and he felt very seriously the pressure of the
times brought by the Revolutionary War. On 18 March, 1779, he
" laid before the Church some matters of difficulty respecting his sup-
port, and difficulties in the town and church, and asked a dismission,"
upon which the Church chose as a committee Edward Davis, Esq.,
Dr. Alex. Campbell, Dea. Samuel Harris, Gen. Ebenezer Learned
and Mr. Amos Shumwa}', "to wait on the pastor to see if there can
be no method of an accommodation." At the same meeting " voted,
that the same committee inquire of delinquent members the reasons
of their absenting themselves from the worship and ordinances."

This committee reported 22 April, 1779, " that they had conferred
with the pastor and had found his circumstances very difficult and
necessitous, and that something further ought to be done for his sup-
port, which they assured him of the willingness of the people to do,
80 far as they could learn ... on which he had consented to tarry for
the present." The town had previously moved in the matter and had
on 1 March, 177!», voted an increase of salary of £230 making £300
for 1778. But this does not appear to have been satisfactory to Mr.
Bowman, as the town on account of war expenses was not fulfilling
its previous obligations. It was evident that a large majority of the
people were very reluctant to part with their minister, and early in
1780 a committee of the town was sent to him to attempt an adjust-
ment of affairs so that he could be retained. In reply he says :

1780 ECCLESIASTICAL. 57

"To Adjutant Ezra Bowman, Mr. Amos Shumway, Deacon John Davis
and Mr Ephraim Russell.

Gentlemen :

Whereas, you as a Commit-
tee from y toAvn of Oxford, waited upon me yesterday, to know wliat would
be satisfactory to me for my support, to continue with y town as their minis-
ter; & did then desire me to nive ray answer in writing — therefore in compli-
ance to your Recjuest, I would make y*^ following proposals : viz

1. If y town will make good to me in Real value, or produce all y" arrear-
ages y' are due since y times thro y depreciation of y paper currency, allow-
ing me y advantage of all y private donations which I have Received within
this two years past, as a Compensation for being kept out of my due & will
make my Sallery good for y future, & pay it punctually, at y time it becomes
due, every year; & will generally, & constantly attend publick worship; regu-
late y disorders in town & Church ; & y' y"^ Laws for y observation of y«
Sabbath, y regulating of public Houses, & for y suppression of profanity, &
all other vices, be put in strict execution, y' we might have order & govern-
ment; Avhen these things are done, I shall be content to stay, & not Else —

2. If the town shall not think proper to comply with y above Request, if
they will grant me a dismission from my pastoral Relation to them; the town
shall have Credit for all that 1 have Received either in a publick or private
way, «& I will allow my full proportion in all extraordinary Charges since y
times, according to what I possess, providing y town will make good to me
the remainder of the Rereges y' will then be due me, but if neither of the above
proposals are agreeable, I will submit y matter to be determined by iudiflerent
Judges, who shall say what terms we shall part upon, from, Gentlemen, your
most obedient, & humble servant,

Joseph Bowman."
"Oxford, April 5th, 1780."

Debt and Credit. He adds,

'* The following is what I have Received for four years service viz, in 1777
£35, in 1778 £31, 13s. Id.— in 1779 £27, 6s.— in 1780, nothing— making a total
of £93, 19s. Id. including presents.

" four years Sallery is £280,

subtract 93, 19, 1.

remains due, 186. 0. 11.
" of the above £12. 5s. was received by subscription
28. 9s. 6d. presents from individuals

total, 40. 14. 5.
«' which subtract from £93, 19s. leaves £52, 4s. 8d. to [be paid by] y town."

People divided. Upon this, three town meetings were holden
in quick succession. At the first, the first proposition of Mr. Bowman
was acceded to and a sum sufficient to pay all arrearages in full was
voted. At the second this action was rescinded, at the third the
friends of the pastor rallied and the first vote was re-alllrmed, and
for the time Mr. Bowman consented to remain. The opposition how-
ever persisted, and at a fourth meeting called to see if the town would
clear from responsibility '- those who thought it not right to pay the
minister by a tax," a vote was passed not to release such persons.

Little appears to indicate the state of affairs afterward for a year
or more, but we know the town did not redeem its pledges.
9

58 HISTORY OF OXFORD. 1782-3

Council. On 10 Jan., 1782, "there appearing no prospect of
sufficient relief," Mr. Bowman renewed his request for a dismission,
and asked for a mutual council. The Church demurred and asked
time to consider. The request was later twice renewed, and on 3
Feb., was refused, on which " the pastor declared that he should
call a council himself, and that with the leave of Providence it
would meet at his house on Tuesday the 12th lust, and notified
the Church to meet at the Meeting-house on said day. The council
did not however convene, but a meeting of the Church was held, and
strong efforts were made to induce the members to exert themselves
to give relief to the pastor, and in case sufficient means could not
be raised for the purpose, to consent to a mutual council for his dismis-
sion. Meantime an unsuccessful effort was made to raise needed
funds by a voluntary tax. At a Church meeting, 1 Aug., it was
voted; — "■considering the circumstances of the Church and town."
both being ''in a broken and divided state, it is best that the relation
between the pastor and this people be dissolved." Arrangements were
made for a council which met at the house of James Butler 28 Aug.,
1782, at which were present, David Hall, D.D., of Sutton, Rev.
Charles Gleason of Dudley, Rev. Benjamin Conklin, Rev. Noadiah
Russell of Thompson, with delegates. The result recognized " the
sufferings of the pastor for several years — no prospect of improve-
ment, and that affairs were growing worse," and advised that the
pastoral relation of Mr. Bowman to the Church be dissolved.

Opposition organized. Before Nov., 1782, the opposition
had, in some form of which there is no record, become organized. An
article in a town warrant of that date was as follows :

" To see if the Society that have dissented from the Congregational ' Church
shall enjoy the free and uninterrupted liberties and priveleges equal with their
fellow townsmen, in particular that they should have free liberty to provide
preaching for themselves and be under no obligations to pay any thing
towards hiring or settling a minister of any denomination whatever, except it
is their free voluntary act and choice : also that they shall have the privelege
of the free use of the meeting house so much of the time as is adequate to
the proportion they pay in taxes in common with the rest of the town (at set
times) and upon a full compliance with the above said request, said society
will give as much money as is their full proportion of the arrearages now due
to Rev. Mr. Bowman . . . and will be assessed for the same in common with
the town.

"If the town shall not vote to improve the meeting house mutually accord-
ing to the above proposal — to see if the town will vote that the standing
party or society sluill appraise the house, that the dissenting Society may have
liberty to sell their rights, or buy the other part as they may choose."

These articles the town refused to consider.

Lawsuit. Mr, Bowman had been dismissed, five years' salary
was due liim, and a suit at law impending. The great question
was, who shall meet the issue? The records of 1783 contain but

1 Tbis Is the first use of this word we find in the records.

Com.

1784 ECCLESIASTICAL. 59

little concerning ecclesiastical affairs. In the March town warrant
was an article " For the Congregational society to choose a committee
to supply the pulpit," which was dismissed. In May, Amos Shum-
way, John Davis and Joiin Dana were chosen by the town a supply
committee. In November a town meeting was called to see what
should be done "in respect to a large sum of money Mr. Bowman has
sued the town for," and the selectmen were authorized to defend the
action. The case came on at the March term, 1784. A few days
after notification the town chose Gen. Ebenezer Learned and Dr.
Daniel Fisk to go to Worcester with Mr. Bowman for the purpose of
effecting a settlement if possible, but the effort failed. The follow-
ing document is in the town archives :

" Oxford Mar. 25, 1784— This Day Waited on the Rev'. Mr. Bowman And
have as far as was in our power hivestigated the matter Respecting his
Demand on the town and find that he must have £287. 18s. principal and
interest & Cost this being liis Demand which if he is not paid he Choses to
have tlie matter tryed in Law that It may be Decided in that way.
£287.. 18.. 0. Ebenezer Learned

John Dana
Daniel Fisk
Sam"' Davis
John Mayo
Ephraim Russell

ToAvn defaiilted. The case went to court and w<hen called the
town did not respond and was defaulted. An execution in favor of
Mr. Bowman was issued 24 April, 1784. On 27 April, three days
later, a warrant was drawn for a town meeting " to see if the town
will come into any measure to settle the dispute who shall pay the
money due to Mr. Bowman." On 11 May the meeting was held and
John Dana, Elias Pratt, John Ballard, Samuel Davis, Jr., Marvin
Moore and Daniel Fisk were chosen to consider the subject and
" bring in proposals" to settle the case, who reported as follows :

Plan of Settlement.

" 1 ■ Every pe)-.son shall pay monies already assessed for the purpose. 2°''
The whole town shall be assessed for the additional sum of £90. — the re-
mainder [no sum named] shall be assessed on the town excepting the follow-
ing, John Barton Jr, Ezra Conant, Solomon Cook, Samuel Davis Jr, Elijah
Davis, Learned Davis, Joseph Davis, Craft Davis, Charles Dabney, Samuel
Davidson, Abijah Harris, Samuel Kingsbury, .John Mayo, Collins Moore,
David Mellen, Marvin Moore, Ephraim Rnssell, Jacob Shnmway Jr., Andrew
"Walker, Abiel Atwood, Thomas Clark, Daniel Fisk, Jeremiah Learned, Ben-
jamin Learned, p:i)enezer Redding, Abner Town.' [26.] 3'' After this settle-
ment, every man to be governed by the present Constitution."

This report was accepted and was the basis of a settlement. On 2
June, 1784, Mr. Bowman received satisfaction in cash and notes of
hand for £292. IGs. l^d., and receipted in full of all demands.

Dark Days. Eight years passed after Mr. Bowman's dismissal
before the settlement of another minister. This was the darkest

1 These it may be presumed constituted the tional C'liurch," most of tliem were later mem-
" society " of " dissenters from tlie CouKrega- hers of Uie Universallst Society.

•!0 UISTOKV OF OXFORD. > 1784-5

period of the Cbiuch's history. J)ea. Samuel Harris was its modera-
tor, and Dea. John Davis scribe. No entry by liim, however, appears
excepting the noting of a few baptisms and a memorandum 1784,
1785, as follows:

"The Churches in Sutton, Sutton parish, Sturbridge, KiHiniily, Dudley,
Douglas, Woodstock, Leicester, Charlton, Nortli])ridLre each irave one sab-
bath's preaching by their respective pastors."

The effects of the Revolutionary struggle were not only to reduce
the resources of the people and their ability to sustain religious
institutions, but the prevailing liberal ideas concerning civil matters
extended themselves into ecclesiastical affairs, and many left the
"standing order" and transferred their support to other denomina-
tions, leaving on an impoverished Church a burden which the strength
of the town had scarcely been able to carry.' This was a crisis in
the town's history and a new order of things based on the provisions
of the new State constitution ensued. Socially the results in the
community were deplorable. Members of the same family became
alienated, heated discussions were common and many personal enmi-
ties engendered, which continued many years.-

Candidating. In Sept., 1784, it was voted in town meeting to
contribute eaeli Sabbath after service to pay expenses of public wor-
ship, and on 22 Dec. voted "to hear Mr. Avery further on proba-
tion." ^ At the same meeting it was voted that " those who do not
intend to join with those that attend public worship at the meeting
house, send in tlieir names to the town clerk, by next March meeting,"
probably that they might be exempted from the ministerial tax.

Society formed. At April meeting, 1785, the town granted
money for the support of preaching, and dissenters numbering 21
protested, " being of a dift'ei'ent denomination and persuasion of
Christians than those that meet in said meeting-house." A few
months later the Universalist Society was formed, and shortly after-
ward requested the use of the meeting-house " to have a lecture
preached . . . when it is known to stand empty and out of use by
the Congregational Society," which the town refused. On 19 Oct.,
1785, tlic majority memorialized tlie Legislature as follows:

" To TUK SkNATK and HOUSI': of IvF.ritKSKNTATIVKS

" Wo the subscribers in Behalf of the town of Oxford humbly shew — That
whereas the said Town now labors under (ireat Disatlvantage with respect to
the Suiiport of the Gospel among us by reason of a large number that have
separated from us called Universalists, who have opposed the raising of

1 Abljab Duvis, Esq., an actor In these afliilrs, deceased, the first minister, said "Since that

wliosc jiulfTiiiont and Intu^'rlty cannot be (|iies- period a sad reverse has l)een experienced. Bnt

tlonrd, alllrinccl thai hi a lart?e majority of cases for some time past the demon of discord has

the main niollvc for leavliij; the staudliiK order been losin;; ({round. Deep rooted prejudices in

was to avoid i)ecunlary oblljjutious. the ajfed are wearlnjr away, while the most active

-Kev. David Hatcheller In his sermon at \\w members of society and the younger part o£ the

funeral of Maj. Areldbald f'amphell, in KS18, In coniniunlty wisli to be a united people.''

allusion to this subject, after siuakin^' of the -i Mr. Avery was not settled,
beuotlcent Intluenue of the grandfather of the

1785-91 ECCLESIASTICAL. 61

Money for the Suppoi't of the Gospel iu the usual way — And by means of
wliich our late minister has asked a Dismistion and has left us for upwards
of three years past By which means we have been destitute of Public Wor-
ship for much of the time, and have had recourse to Subscription and Contri-
butions which although 1)urdeusome to some yet does by no means answer the
pui'pose of supporting the Gospel among us. And your Petitioners observe
in the Constitution that the Legislature shall authorize and require the several
Towns Parishes and other Bodies Politic, or Religious Societies to make pro-
visions for the Public Worship of (Jod at their own expense.

" And one Other Clause that no subordination of any one sect or denomina-
tion to another shall ever be established l)y law, which has caused doubts to
arise among us whether the Universalists are a sect known in the Constitution.
" To prevent Expensive Lawsuits under the former laws, and confutions
among us to the detriment of Civil and Religious Society Your Petitioners
liumljly Pray that this Honorable Court would be pleased to take our Unhappj'
Circumstances into your wise and prudent Consideration and grant us such
Redress or Direction as you in your Great Wisdom shall think Propper
"As in Duty bound will ever Pray

" Signed JosiAii Wolcott
Samuel Harris
Samuel Jennison
Amos Shumway
Elias Pratt." '

Leave to withdraw was reported on this petition.

Candidates. In Jan., 1787, the town voted £80 for preaching,
and in July of that year concurred with the Church in a call to Bev.
Daniel Farrington, proposing a salary of £85 money and 30 cords of
wood, which offer was declined.- In Aug., 1789, the town united
with the Church in a call to Rev. Caleb Blake, later of Westford,
proposing a salary of £70 and parsonage "to the value of £200."
This offer, altliough strongly pressed, was also declined.

Mr. Dudley. In 1790 a young man of good ability came as a
candidate, and under date, 26 Nov., occurs the following:

" The Church met, and proceeded to give Mr. Elias Dudley a call to settle
with them in the Gospel ministry by a unanimous vote. "

The town concurred, offering a salary of £75 and £150 settlement,
one-half cash and one-half neat stock, to be paid in three years.
This call was accepted and the ordination council met 13 April, 1791 ;
sermon by Rev. Nathaniel Emmons, with whom the new pastor had
studied his profession.

Mr. Dudley's ministry began with a reduced Church and congrega-
tion. He was a man of progressive ideas, and under him the Church
formulated and adopted its first creed, and also a new covenant.
Through his iutluence, doubtless, £30 of the Hagburn fund was
appropriated in Jan., 1792, toward founding a library, which
became a prized and useful institution. July 10, 1791, it was voted
that Mr. Daniel Kingsbury, Mr. William Stone and Mr. Ambrose
Stone be desired to assist as clioristers. According to tradition Mr.

1 Mass. Archives. -Mr. Farrington was paid 17 Sept. for 18 Sabbaths' preaching.

62 HISTORY OF OXFORD. 1797-9

Dudley's iniiiistiations were biglily iippreciated by his people, and were
attended by a good measure of success. Twenty persons, most of
them on confession, were admitted to the Church during his ministry.
His health, however, gradually failed, and at a church meeting on 23
Nov., 1797, he offered his resignation on the ground, first, that study
and speaking were injurious to his health and that his feebleness
caused him prrsoiial discouragement; and second, his salary was
insulHcicut to meet the needs of his family, which fact had called him
"to labors, cares and fatigues more and greater than he had strength
and constitution to bear." The meeting adjourned without decisive
action. At a meeting, 3 Jan., 1798, the Church desired the pastor to
withdraw his resignation, and deferred the matter until spring, at
which time, so far as appears, no action was taken on the subject.
On 30 Aug. the Church met and voted to hire a supply — if the town
concurred — the pastor's ill health continuing. Under the date, 12
Nov., 1798, occurs "the health of the pastor was such there was no
preaching since August," and as there was no prospect of his preach-
ing at present it was voted that the churches in the vicinity be
requested "to consider them and give a sabbatii preaching of their
respective pastors."

1798, May 3, Capt. Kingsbury was dismissed with a vote of thanks
for his long services, and Peter Spauldiiig, Elias Pratt, Jeremiah Dana
and James Coller were chosen as choristers to lead the singing.

Dudley's Letter. On 12 Dec, 1798, at a church meeting, Mr.
Dudley communicated the following :

"My Christian Brethren and Friends: As you now are and have been a
loni; time acquainted with the low estate of my health and the iireat improba-
bility of my bein<^ able ai>;ain to preach the Gospel, I think it incuml)ent upon
yon and upon me, to take into serious consideration the contract and connection
subsisting; between us. As I have full evidence that study and i)ublic preaching
have been very injurious to nie and, as I fully believe have been the jirincipal
cause in divine providence of reducing me to the low and uncomfortable state
I have been so long in I think it my duty to inform you that after serious con-
sideration and as I trust humble and fervent prayer to God for direction I
have come to the determination it can no longer be my duty to preach the
gospel . . . Your hope of my future labors in the ministry should entirely
cease ... as there has been always a good understanding between us . . .
and as the times since my residence with you have been greatly to my tempo-
ral disadvantage, and much in your favor, Avhile I have lost my health in your
service, I request my salary do not cease till the year be up in April."

The meeting adjourned without action to 2 Jan., 1799, at which
time it was voted unanimously to defer a decision on the subject
until conference could be had with the town, indicating an extreme
reluctance to meet fairly the issue. On 9 Jan., 1799, the town

voted that under existing circumstances a separation miglit take place
" in an amicable manner," and at an adjourned meeting, 4 Feb., the
day of the church meeting, voted to concur with the Church in its
action concerning the dismissal of Mr. Dudley.

1799-1813 ECCLESIASTICAL. 63

Dismission voted. On 4 Feb., 1799, the Church "took into
consideration the proposals laid before them at a former meeting by
the pastor," and voted that they agree to a separation of the pastoral
relation, and fixed on the first Wednesday in March as the day for
the meeting of a couucil for the purpose, which council, consisting of
Mr. Bailey of Ward, Mr. Mills of Sutton, Mr. Learned of Charlton
and delegates, met on 6 March, 1799, and unanimously advised that
Mr. Dudley's relation to Oxford Church should be dissolved.

On 12 Sept., 1799, a call was voted— the town proposing a salary
of $300 — to Rev. James Davis, to which he gave a negative response.
On 17 Sept., 1800, the town voted "to hire Mr. Underwood for one
month longer." This was Rev. Almon, later settled at West Wood-
stock. On 30 July, 1801, a unanimous call was given to Rev. Samuel
Brown, which he declined in a letter, dated " Oxford 28 Nov. 1801,"
from which we learn he had for several months preached here and
had become much attached to the people. A meeting of the Church
was held 28 Dec, 1802, and a unanimous call voted to Rev. Hubhell
Loomis, the town concurring, which was declined.

Mr. Moulton. Other candidates were heard but no pastor
invited until 2 Jan., 1805, when Rev. Josiah Moulton of Upton
received a unanimous call. He was installed 27 March, 1805, his
pastor. Rev. Benjamin Wood, preaching the sermon. During his
ministry there was a revival of interest in the Church and a steady
accession of worthy members, about 60 having been added in the
eight years of his service. He was the first minister of the town to
hold social meetings in private houses and school-houses. Votes
were passed by the Church soon after his settlement as follows : To
hold a conference immediately after each sacramental lecture, and
to choose a committee of three to assist the pastor in the examination
of candidates for church membership. For this committee were
chosen Ebenezer Humphrey, Dea. John Dana, and Jonathan Harris.

The matter of calling to account those members of the Church who
withdrew during the pastorate of Mr. Bowman was brought up,
discussed, and deferred from time to time and abandoned without
action. Thanksgiving Day, Dec. 1, 1808, Mr. Andrew Sigourney
presented the Church and Society with a Bible and Psalm-book for the
desk of the North Meeting-house and received a vote of thanks there-
for.

Moulton embarrassed. About 1812 dissatisfaction with Mr.
Moulton sprang up, and to some extent the experiences of former
years were repeated. So many withdrew from his support that his
friends were unable to sustain him and appealed to the town for aid,
which was refused.

Society formed. In this exigency on 15 March, 1813, the
First Congregational Society of Oxford was organized at the house
of Mr. Moulton, and he was one of its first board of officers. Its
first action was to choose a committee to circulate subscription papers

64 HISTORY OF OXFORD. 1818-16

through the town for aid to sustain the pastor. But the effort
was unsuccessful, and on 29 March, a vote was passed both by
Church and Society that it was expedient that the Church join with
the pastor in calling a council for his dismission, which council was
cullo.l for r. April, 1813.

Moulton dismissed. This council embracing pastor and dele-
gates from the following Churches : Sutton, Ward, Worcester, Sutton
Second and Dudley, met at the proposed date and advised tlio termina-
tion of Mr. Moulton's pastorate. In the result it deprecated the condi-
tion of affairs which led to this action, distinctly conveyed censure
of the people, and commended highly Mr. Moulton, saying, " no
charge whatever is brought against him," but that while the majority
have been faithful in sustaining him, individuals havevery unjustly
and dishonorably abandoned the obligation of their contract, and
have discouraged the pastor in his labors.'

On 19 May, 1814, is recorded the receipt by the Church of thirty
dollars as a donation from the Religious Charitable Society for
Worcester County.

On 8 May, 1815, an instrument was drawn up, and signed by cer-
tain individuals whereby they were bound under a forfeiture of five
hundred dollars, to raise in the aggregate the sum of five hundred
dollars per annum for ten years for the support of the Gospel in the
Congregational Society in Oxford, the assessment to begin at the set-
tlement of a minister. The signers were : —

Samuel Hartwell, Jonathan Harris, "William T. Fisk, Peter Shumway,
Samuel Coburn, Martha Kinesbury, Joseph Brown, "William Carirel, Peter
Butler, Nathan Hall, Joshua Turner, Thomas Russell, Joseph Stone, Abigail
Plummer, Jonas Eddy, Amos Shumway, Jr., Jonas Eddy, Jr., Elias Pratt,
Sylvanus Pratt, Elias Pratt, Jr., Archibald Campbell, Stearns "Witt, Jeremiah
Dana, Parley Eddy, Kufus Harris, Isaac Hams, Joseph Hurd, Jolm Hurd,
Russell Clark, Ebenezer Humplirey, John Dana, Samuel Smith, Charles P.
Nichols, Benjamin F. Town, Delano Pierce, Pelei;; Foster, Charles Town,
James Moulton, Alpheus Eddy, Lewis Shumway, "William Hudson, Bradford
Hudson, John Waitc;, John Hudson, Lemuel Crane, Ebenezer Dana, Benjamin
Eddy, Jotliain Eddy, Sylvanus Coburn, Sylvanus Town, Naomi "Wolcott,
Martin Siucournay, Jason CoUer, Richard Gleason, Baxter Pratt.

This was a well advised and important movement and, as it were,
placed the Society upon its feet financially, giving it an impetus which
was felt for many succeeding years.

Mr. Batcheller. The next settled minister was Rkv. David
Batciiei.lku. The first mention of him in the records is of date 11
Sept., 1815, when the Society instructed a committee to hire him "for
two months more." On 4 Dec, 1815, the Church passed a unanimous
vote inviting him to the pastorate in which the Society concurred,
tendering liitn a salary of 375 dollars per annum, which he accepted.
The council for installation met 13 Feb., 1816, for his examination,
and on the 14th the public services were held. The churches repre-

1 See Moulton ; Genealogical Department.

1816-20 ECCLESIASTICAL. 65

seated were Sutton, Millbury, Dudley, Sturbridge, Charlton, and
Ward. Rev. Mr. Whipple of Charlton preached the sermon. The
new minister, by his earnestness, sympathetic temperament and social
manners, gained rapidly in favor with the people and as affairs were
unsettled in the Uuiversalist Society and public services were held
irregularly, many, who had been attendants came to the " North
meeting," and several who had been supporters of that Society now
gave their aid and influence to Mr. Batcheller. A list of 18 names
not previously members of the Society appears in the records, of
those who agreed to be taxed "during Mr. Batcheller's settlement,"
among whom were : Richard Oluey, Jonathan Sibley, Charles J.
Stratford, Elihu Harwood, Jr., John Tyson, Andrew W. Porter, and
Dexter Tiffany.

South Meeting-house. At a Society meeting, 6 July, 1816, a
proposition was received from the Second Religious Society, that Mr.
Batcheller preach a part of the time in the South Meeting-house, on
which a committee was chosen which, 10 Aug., reported that a com-
mittee of the Second Society had "consulted with the owners of the
house and found no objections, but rather a wish that the experiment
might be tried for the present." . . . they offering the use of "said
house one or two Sabbaths in each month." So far as comfort and
convenience were concerned a change was desirable, as the North
Meeting-house had then become old and almost unfit for use. But
for some reason the plan was not immediately acted upon. At a
society meeting, 14 Sept., 1818, Mr. Batcheller made a request that
he be permitted to preach twelve Sabbaths in a year at the South
house, to which the meeting assented. Peter Butler, Bela Tiffany and
John Merriam were chosen a committee to carry out the proposition,
who reported 26 Oct., 1818, that the request for the use of the South
house had been unanimously granted, on which it was voted that meet-
ings commence there in November next, the third Sunday, and continue
through the year the third Sunday in each month. On 27 Sept., 1819,
a vote was passed to hold meetings in the South house two Sabbaths
in each mouth through the year. In Sept., 1820, the Society voted
to adopt the same plan for five years, " providing the house be free
of rent, and the subscriptions the same they now are, during said
term." This plan was adopted and continued until 1829, the date of
the building of the new house on the south common.

On 7 Sept., 1820, the following persons not members of the Congre-
gational Society, signed an agreement to pay a certain sum annually,
for the support of public worship while Mr. Batcheller remained as
minister provided he should preach half of the time in the South
Meeting-house :

Jonathan Davis, Stephen Davis, .Jonathan Davis, -Jr., Calvin Aldrich, Calvin

Phipps, Nehemiali Davis, Alice Fisk, Samuel Kingsbury, Jeremiah Kingsljury,

William Moore, Charles Davis, Samuel Mayo, .John Mayo, Abisha Learned,

John B. Blanchard, William Sigourney, William Hurd, West Pope, Chester

66 HISTORY OF OXFORD. 1821-27

Boyden, Joseph Lamb, Pope & Warner, Thomas Davis, Jr., Ebenezer Rich,
Samuel Dowse, Solomon Harwood, Ilopestill Harris, Samuel Merriara. The
foUowinjjc aicrced to be taxed for the same purpose — Kichard (Jlncy. Jonathan
Sibley, Luey Stratford, Charles J. Stratford, Abijah Nichols, Elihu Ilanvood,
Jr., Henry PuUer, Rcucl Moflit, Jesse Bii::elow, Calvin Tucker, John Tyson,
Andrew W. Porter, William Clark. Alexander Campbell, Stephen Webster,
Samuel Harris. Dexter Tiftany, Ho.<?er Jewett, Hiram Modit, Lyman Tifl'any.

The ministry of Mr. Batcheller was very successful. The Society
was mucli enlarged and strengthened, large numbers including people
from otlier towns attended public worship, and the number of mem-
bers added to the Cliurch was over one Imndred.' He did not, how-
ever, escape the trials and discouragements of his px'edecessors. At
a Society meeting on 10 Dec, 1821, he communicated the following:

"Painful necessity compels me to inform you that unless there are more
effective measures taken for my support and a greater promptitude in fulfilling
your engagements to me, I shall hold myself at liberty to close my ministry in
Oxford in six months from this date."

On this a committee was chosen to hold consultation and report —
constituted as follows: Abijah Davis, Esq., Richard Olney, Peter
Butler, Dr. Delano Pierce, Jonathan Davis, Esq., which recommended
"considering the critical standing of religious institutions in this
place," a subscription for four years, "binding to each and every
individual." A committee was chosen to carry the plan into effect,
but the records furnish no information as to the definite result. It
was, however, in a measure successful and the spring and summer
of 1822, was marked by a revival which brought in July an accession
of 39 new members to the Church, a larger number than had before
been admitted at one time.

Mr. Batclieller's death. A few weeks afterward the much
loved pastor was stricken down and a short illness brought his decease
on 25 Oct., 1822. His funeral sermon was preached by Kev. Mr.
Wood of Upton. The Church erected a headstone at his grave, for
which Rev. Enoch Pond furnished the inscription. -

In 1823, liev. Amzi Benedict preached several weeks during the
early part of the year and on 2 June the Church voted him a unani-
mous call, which he declined.

Mr. Ne"whall. On 23 Oct., 1823, Ebenkzek Newiiall received
a unanimous invitation to the pastorate, the Society concurring, pro-
posing a sahiry of $i')00 and a subscription settlement of $150 addi-
tional. He was installed 17 Dec, 1823, Rev. John Nelson of Leices-
ter preaching the sermon.

Temperance. In the autumn of 1827 the evils of the use of
ardent spirits were publicly recognized in a Church meeting, and on 7
Oct. the following preamble and resolutions were adopted :

"As it is obvious to every observer that the evils of the prevalent use of

1 The followlriK memoraiKliiin iiuiile soon after try . . . Uie present residing; members are 142
liis decease, occurs in tlie cliiircli records— "there ... 46 males, and 9fi females."
were 111 taken Into the church during his minis- -See " Batcheller."

1832 ECCLESIASTICAL. 67

strong drink are immense, tliat the importance of temperance is vastly great,
and that new customs must be introduced by the concurrent eflbrt of num-
bers, the Churcli of Oxford pass the following resolutions :

"1. It is the sense of this Church that no benefit is derived from the use
of strong drink, not even from a moderate use of it.

"2. It is the sense of this Church that the prevailing use of strong drink is
productive of great evils.

"3. Resolved that expediency and Christian duty now require all the
members and communicants of this Church to abstain from all common use of
strong drink in family, in company, at labor; that it be not used except in
uncommon infrequent cases where it is decidedly advisable.

"4. Resolved that expediency and Christian duty require that in all ordi-
nary cases strong drink be not used at funerals."

In 1831 dissatisfaction with the pastor began to appear, and in the
warning for a meeting, 14 April, 1832, was an article "To Choose a
committee to consider the subject of the future employment and sup-
port of a minister and report." This committee reported it expedient
to communicate with Mr. Newhall as follows :

" That he continue his services until the expiration of the current half year,
1 7th of June next, and in consideration of his services and the respect the
society bears toward him, they recommend that his salary be paid for six
additional months, he to render such services during said time as may suit his
convenience."

This report was accepted, and Mr. Newhall signified his acqui-
escence in a letter to the Society 5 May, 1832.

Newhall's Dismission. In a Church meeting, 17 May, it was
voted to call a council for the dismission of Mr. Newhall on the
ground of the action of the Society on this subject, which council was
held 19 June, and the pastoral relation dissolved. During his minis-
try there was harmony and steady growth. Manufacturing had
become fairly established at North Oxford, the Oxford Woolen Mill
and the Thread Village, now Buffum's, the result of which was a
general thrift in the town, and a valuable accession of members to
the congregation and Church, and the building of the new meeting-
house upon the Plain in 1829.

Union proposed. Immediately after the dismissal of Mr. New-
hall the Second Religious Society unanimously, through a committee,
made to the First Society a proposition for a union of the two bodies,
in a communication setting forth the evils of divisions in the town and
the multiplication of sects, and suggesting the settling of a minister
over the united body, "orthodox in sentiment, but liberal in inter-
course with other ministers, of proper qualifications and character."
A committee of the First Society composed of Ira Barton, Peter
Butler, Peter Shumway, Stephen Davis and Alexander DeWitt re-
ported 6 Oct., 1832, upon the said proposition as follows :

"Besolved, that the members of this society cordially recipi'ocate the friend-
ly sentiments expressed in said communication, — that we regard the division
and multiplication of religious societies as an evil and that in order to correct
it, it is the duty of ministers and all members of a Christian community to

68 HISTOIIY OF OXFOUn. 1832-6

exercise i^rciit forl)earaiiee tcnvanls each other in all their religious concern-
ments, — that an atJc adji)ini*t)ration of the Gospel in one Church and Society
in this town \voul<|-J)e lylequate to the wants of the people provided the}' can
walk together in harmonj' and Christian concord. — that in establishing such
an administration of tlie Gospel, this society invites the co-operation of the
nienihers of the Second Society. — that a transfer of nienibersliip from one
religious society to another must be individual, and not a corporate act, and
that hence a vote of one Society to unite with another would in no wise bind
the iiulividual members of the Society so voting, — that the entire independence
of each Church and Society with their minister, of every other religious or
ecclesiastical body is a principle essential to civil and religious liberty, — that
it is the sense of this Society that the minister should be ' liberal in his inter-
course with other ministers of proper qualifications and character,' leaving
it however to the ministers to regulate such intercourse according to his own
discretion and that in case such discretion should be abused by the minister,
the people would have an ample and rightful remedy in dismissing him."

These resolutions were transmitted to the clerk of the Second
Society, but the records of neither body show further action on the
subject.

Mr. Robbins, On 25 Sept., 1832, a call was extended to Rev.
LoKEN Robbins, the Society concurring 6 Oct. and proposing a
salary of $600 per annum, which was accepted, and on 26 Dec,
1832, he was installed, sermon by Rev. Prof. Fitch of New Haven.
Until the spring of 1835 Mr. Robbins officiated with general satis-
faction, but the additions to the Church were few. He being unmar-
ried was unsettled in his home and study arrangements, and on the
Sabbath preceding Fast Day, 1835, gave notice there would be no
services on that occasion. Such an innovation on time-honored cus-
tom was a surprise to the people, a Society meeting was held to con-
sider the matter and a committee chosen to confer with the pastor
on the subject, which reported in effect that Mr. Robbins' reasons
for his course were unsatisfactory, and on 2 May the Society voted
it expedient that the pastoral relation should be dissolved. He was
formally dismissed by the council which met to install his successor,
Rev. Horatio Bardwell, 8 June, 1836.

In the autumn of 1835 Rev. Almon Underwood, an evangelist,
preached for several weeks, Mr. Robbins, nominal pastor, taking
little part in the work. Extra meetings were held and a great inter-
est awakened throughout the town, resulting in the greatest revival
work the Church has ever witnessed. As the fruits thereof, in
December 8i) persons, several of them leading and influential citi-
zens, were received to the Church on confession.^

On 15 Dec, 1835, a unanimous call was voted to Rev. Barnabas
Phinney, the Society concurring. Mr. Phinney at about the same
time received a call to settle at Wcstboro', which he accepted.

Mr. Bardwell. On 10 March, 1836, Rev. Horatio Bakdwell
was invited to a settlement by a unanimous vote, in which the Society

1 Mr. Underwood was a very euerKetlc and years in various parts of the country, living dur-
forvent preacher, but not extreme In method or Ing his later years at Irvington, N. J., where he
doctrine. Ue labored very successfully for many died 10 June, 1887.

1836-63 ECCLESIASTICAL. 69

concurred, proposing a salary of $750 per annum, which was accepted,
and the installation took place on 8 June, 1836, Rev. John Nelson of
Leicester preachiug the sermon.

"Vestry" biiilt. On 1 Dec, 1836, it was voted to appropriate
the " Hagburn Fund," or the sum of $300, toward the building
of a " vestry," on condition " enough can be made up by subscription
to complete such building." Seth Daniels, Alexander DeWitt and
Samuel Dowse were chosen to solicit subscriptions, procure a site,
and contract for the completion of the same. This building was
erected opposite the northeast corner of the cemetery and was used
as a chapel until the removal of the meeting-house to its present
location in the autumn of 1853.

Temperance. At a Church meeting, 2 July, 1836, it was voted :

" That in the present enlightened state of the public mind in regard to the
evils and the remedy of intemperance, we feel ourselves bound by the spirit
of the gospel to refrain entirely from the manufacture, sale and use of ardent
spirits except as an article of medicine and that hereafter no person be con-
sidered as a candidate for admission to this church who does not act on this
principle."

Under Mr. Bardwell's wise and able ministry for ten years there was
was steady growth and prosperity. On 23 May, 1847, he requested a
dismission for the following reasons : that the Church had failed to
act on the apostolic injunction to " bear one another's burdens."
He had, as he stated, been endeavoring for years to remove this
evil, which he considered serious and one which if suffered to continue
would effectually prevent the prosperity of the Church and Society.
But as he had failed to induce the members to act on this true basis of
Christian equity, he asked to be excused from further service " in the
hope that some other man [might] have the wisdom and influence to
bring all the members of the Church to this rule of duty." The
effect of this action was to remove in the main the difficulty, and the
resignation was withdrawn. On 29 June, 1857, there was a reor-
ganization of the Society in accordance with the State laws, which
continued until 1887, at which date its corporate existence was
relinquished and the Church assumed all its responsibilities.

In the autumn of 1857 Rev. Almon Underwood came for the
second time ; a revival followed, and in March, 1858, 40 new mem-
bers were received into the Church.

Bard"well dismissed. On 20 July, 1862, Dr. Bardwell, feeling
the infirmities of his years, asked a dismission, which, on 14 Aug.,
the Church granted, expressing a desire that he remain as nominal
or senior pastor. ^

On 22 Nov., 1862, a call was voted to Rev. Tryon Edwards, D.D.,
in which, on 7 Feb., 1863, the Society concurred; the call was

> See Bardwell in Genealogical Department.

70 HISTORY OF OXFORD. 1864-86

accepted, but there being a lack of unanimity among the people was
withdrawn. On 31 March, 1864, a unanimous call was voted to
Rev. Robert O. Hutchins which was declined.

On 29 April, 1864, the Church extended an invitation to Rev.
Samuel J. Austin of Gardner, in which the Society concurred 4
May, proposing a salary of SI, 000. Rev. John D. Potter had for
several weeks been preaching, and there was during the winter of
1863-4 an unusual religious interest. On 1 May, 1864, 21 members
were added to the Church. On 8 June, 1864, Rev. Mr. Austin was
installed ; the same council having at his own request dissolved the
pastoral relation between Dr. Bardwell and the Church. The sermon
was by Rev. Ebenezer Cutler, D. D., of Worcester. Mr. Austin
resigned 26 Oct., 1868, and a council for his dismission met 9 Nov.,
following. 1 From the spring of 1869 to 1 May, 1870, Rev. William
W. Belden preached as stated supply. On 13 Sept., 1870, a unani-
mous call was voted by the Church to Rev. E. W. Allen., which he
declined.

On 29 Jan., 1871, the Church celebrated with appropriate cere-
monies the one hundred and fiftieth anniversary of its formation.
A historic address was given by Rev. Wilbur Johnson.

On 4 April, 1871, both Church and Society voted a unanimous
call to Rev. Thomas E. Babb of Eastport, Me., which was accepted,
the salary being $1,400. He was installed on 20 September ; sermon
by Rev. A. H. Plumb of Chelsea. He resigned 18 Feb., 1877, the
council for his dismission convening 1 May.- Shortly after Mr.
Babb's dismissal Rev. Amzi B. Emmons of Jamaica, Vt., occupied the
pulpit, and in August was engaged as stated supply for a year at a
salary of $1,000 and parsonage. On 16 Oct., 1878, he was installed
as pastor ; sermon by Rev. C. M. Lamson of Worcester. His pastor-
ate continued until the close of 1881, \frhen his health failed, and he
died suddenly 18 Jan., 1882. On 16 Nov., 1882, Rev. B. A. Robie
of Groton, later of Grafton, was voted a call in which the Society
concurred, which was declined. On 22 Feb., 1883, Rev. Ritfus B.
Tobey received a unanimous invitation to the pastorate, the Society
concurring, which was accepted. Ill health, however, obliged him to
withdraw his acceptance.

On 9 April, 1883, Rev. George B. Frost was voted a unanimous
call, the Society concurring and proposing a salary of $1,000 with
parsonage, which was accepted. He was ordained and installed 7
June, 1883 ; sermon by Prof. Wm. J. Tucker of Andover. Three
years later his health being precarious, and an urgent call having
been extended to him to remove to Dakota, he resigned, and was
dismissed 15 Sept., 1886. ^

1 See Austin, la Genealogical Department. ^ See Frost, Ibid.

2 See Uabb, Ibid.

ECCLESIASTICAL. 71

Rev. William N. T. Dean began his labor as supply in Jan., 1887,
and was installed as pastor on 16 Nov. of that year, sermon by Rev.
W. V. W. Davis, D.D., of Worcester, and continues, 1890.1

Deacons. The following is a list of deacons, with the date of
their election :

John Town, 18 March, 1721, d. 1740; Dauiel Hovey, 31 Jan., 1729, d. 1742
Samuel Davis, 26 Nov., 1735, d. ITfiO; Jonathan Town, 29 June, 1739, d. 1771
John Willson, 24 June, 1743. d. 1778; Thomas Davis, 26 Sept., 1760, d. 1778
Samuel Harris, 26 Sept., 1771, d. 1798; ,Tohn Davis, 19 March, 1778, d. 1800
Ebenezer Humphrey (d. 1836) and John Dana (d. 1816), 24 Nov., 1798; Luke
R. Stone (d. 1802) and John Hurd (d. 1«66), 27 April, 1819; Seth Daniels (d.
1878) and Washburn Lumbard (d. 1872), 1835; Alvau G. Underwood, 2 Jan.,
1852, d. 1885; Moses Stone, 2 Sept., 1858, d. 1882; Edward S. Pease, 1 Sept.,
1865 ; Samuel Boyden, 5 Jan., 1866, d. 1884; Samuel C. Paine, 7 May, 1878, d.
1888; Daniel M- Howe, 2 May, 1882; George F. Daniels, 1 May, 1883; John
E. KimbaU, 10 Dec, 1888.

Membership. The number of members of the Church in May,
1886, was 183 ; males, 48 ; females, 135 ; non-residents, 20.

DeWitt Legacy. The following is an extract from the will of
Col. Alexander DeWitt, dated 17 Jan., 1877:

" I give and bequeath to the first Congregational Church in Oxford the sum of
two thousand dollars, to be held in trust by the said church for the following
purposes, to wit : Plrst, to furnish in each successive year after my decease,
to all the inmates of the poor-house on the 4th of July and on Christmas day
with a fine dinner, to furnish everything necessary for the accomplishment of
this object, aside from the products of tlie farm, such meats as tliey may
think proper, oranges, lemons, pies, &c., and at Christmas fine turkey with all
its fixings.

" Second, the residue or remainder of the income of the said legacy of two
thousand dollars, I direct first, to be paid to feeble indigent women, members
of the church aforesaid, to prevent if possible their ever becoming inmates of
the poor-house. Second, should said women not need all of said income the
remainder to be disposed of as said church may think proper.

"To the first Congregational Society in Oxford [I give] One thousand
dollars to be held by said Society in trust, as follows, to wit : First, to keep
the same at aU times liereafter invested in safe and profitable securities . . .
Second to devote so much of the income of said legacy as may be necessary
to the care, keeping and proper adornment of my cemetery lot . . . for all
time, hereafter. Third the balance of such income as may remain unex-
pended after care of my cemetery lot as aforesaid, shall be devoted to the
purchase of books for the library of the Sabbath School connected with the
said society.

" To the American Tract Society of New York I give the sum of one
thousand dollars . . . upon the express condition that if at any time here-
after any union shall be effected between said society and the Tract society
at Boston, then, and in that case this bequest shall revert to the first Con-
gregational Society in Oxford aforesaid."

The New York and Boston Tract Societies united and this bequest
came to the Oxford Congregational Society.

1 See Dean, iu Genealogical Department.

72 HISTORY OF OXFORD.

Dea. Stone Legacy. The following is from the will of Moses
Stone, dated 4 Sept., 1882 :

" I ii'ivi', tlovisi! and bequeath the rest and residue of ray estate ... to the
First Coufrrci^ational Churcli in Oxford of which 1 have been a member for
fifty years, to be safely invested . . . and kept as a permanent fund, only the
income of whicli is to be used and as follows : so much as may be necessary
to keep my cemetery lot . . . in ;^food order, for all cominsj time; one half of
what remains of said income, and more if it be thouj^ht l)est by the Pastor
and deacons of said church to be .sciven for the same objects for which the
benevolent ofterin<:;s from the boxes in the said church are given : the remaui-
der of said income to be used as the church may think proper."

Dea. Stone died 30 Sept., 1882. The amount of the above bequest
was S9,449.

Mrs. DeWitt Legacy. Mrs. Mary M. DeWitt, widow of Col.
Alexander DeWitt, died 6 April, 1887. In a codicil to her will,
dated 22 Feb., 1879, she made the town of Oxford and the Congre-
gational Church of Oxford equally, residuary legatees, uncondi-
tioually. Of this legacy the Church received. May, 1890, $14,000,
with a balance in the hands of the executor.

Universaiist Society. No religious organization other than
the "standing order" existed in the town prior to 1785. Baptist
Churches had been established in Sutton and Charlton, and a few
Oxford families worshipped with them, and after the enactment of the
Exemption law, in 1757, were free from ministerial taxation here, on
the certificate of the officers of those bodies that they were there sup-
porters of worship. The current of religious affairs seems to have
run quietly until near the Revolution. In Jan., 1777, Jeremiah
Learned, Samuel Davis, Jr., Marvin Moore, and Collins Moore
petitioned the town to be exempted from the payment of the minis-
terial tax of 1776, which by a unanimous vote was refused. The fol-
lowing document, without date, is in the town archives. On it we
find no recorded action. Most of its subscribers became active mem-
bers of the Universaiist Society.

"To the Selectmen of Oxford.

" We the Subscribers, Being Inhabitants of Said Town and the Denomina-
tion of Christians which arc Friends, are Desirous of Common Justice With
our Neighl)ors, Desire and Ilecjuest you to Insert an article in your warrant
for March meeting to see if the town will Vote to Leave us and all of
Ditlerent Persuasions from your Avay of Worship and Do Not attend at your
meeting out of the minister's Rates, as we Cannot in Conscience Pay them,
it Being Contrary to God's word.
" Signed,

Jeremiah Learned. Elijah Davis. Joseph Davis, Jr.

Samuel Davis, Jr. Simon Town. John Mayo."

Marvin Moore. Larned Davis.

The beginnings of llniversalisra in Oxford, according to tradition,
are attributable to Isaac Davis, M.D., of Somers, Conn., who it is

1775-85 UNI VERS ALIST SOCIETY. 73

said made frequent visits to Oxford and in conversation made con-
verts to bis belief. 1

Another pioneer was Caleb Rich, a native of Sutton, previously a
Baptist, who removed to Warwick and was a soldier from that town
at Cambridge, in 1775, and while on a furlough visited his friends
and relatives here and very earnestly pressed his then new theologi-
cal opinions, making converts. The chief agent however in establish-
ing the denomination appears to have been Adams Streeter, who was
first a Baptist at Charlton and later at Douglas, changed his belief
about 1777, and for several years prior to 1785 had preached not
only here but in other towns in the vicinity, and was at the latter date
a resident of Oxford. -

Society formed. The records of the Universalist Society under
date 27 April, 1785, open with the declaration that a number of pro-
fessors of the protestant religion in Oxford and adjacent towns had
for a number of years assembled for public worship and attended the
instructions of Rev. Adams Streeter, and supported him by their con-
tributions, and being assembled at the school-house on Oxford Plain,
in order to form themselves into a body cor|)orate and to follow such
measures as are provided for that purpose by the constitution of the
State — chose Dr. Daniel Fisk, Moderator, — and voted to denominate
themselves, " The second Religious Society in Oxford, and the third
Independent Religious Society in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts
called Universalists." Samuel Davis, Jr., Collins Moore, and
Jonathan Davis of Oxford, Ebenezer Davis of Charlton, Ebenezer
Rich of Sutton, and Israel Stone of Ward, were chosen a Select Com-
mittee with power to give certificates to members " in case there
should be a vacancy of a Public Teacher." It was voted to adopt a
"Charter of Compact" as received from the first Independent
Christian Society in Gloucester which provided for an Annual Meeting
for the choice of officers, whose duties it prescribed ; declared that
funds should be raised by voluntary subscription to pay all expenses,
to repair tlie "public edifice," and for the "relief of the poor
distressed brethren," — and closed thus :

" Whereas the privilege of choosing and professing our own religion is ines-
timal)le and in order to maintain tliat privilege unimpaired, in case an_v person
associating with us should suffer persecution from undue exercise of power,
we do agree and resolve to afford all legal means of extricating him from
difficulty and of enjoying the freedom held forth by the constitution."

A declaration follows, that the subscribers belong to the second
Religious Society in Oxford — called Universalists." A subscription
for the support of Rev. Adams Streeter as " Teacher of Piety, Re-
ligion and Morality " is appended.

Members. The signers of the compact were :

Jeremiah Learned, Abijah Harris, Collins Moore, Benj. Hovey, Marvin
Moore, Samuel Davis, .Jr., Jacob Kingsbury, Joshua Barnard, Samuel

1 He was a practicing physician and died, aged 62, 1777. 2 gee Streeter, Geneal. Department.
11

74 HISTORY OF OXFORD. 1786-1802

KiiViisbiiry, Joseph Davis, Craft Davis, Benj. Davis, Jr., John Bounds, Isaac
Moflltt, Caleb Smith, Josiah Kinfrsbnry, J<jhn White, James Gleason, James
fJIcason, Jr., Levi Wight, Jonathan Corbin, Jacob Shuinway, Jr., Asa
Larned, Andrew Wall<er, Jacob Streoter, "William Moore, Daniel Fisk. Abiel
.VtAvood, Tlionias Clark, Daniel Phillips, Ezra Conant, Joseph Kockwood,
Larned Davis, James Streeter, Elijah Davis, David D. Town, Jeremiali Davis,
John Mayo, Ilovey Davis, Jonathan Shattnck, Ebenezer liedding, John Pratt,
Jf)nathan Davis, Solomon Hanvood, Elihu Moflltt, Benj. Learned, Aaron
Parker, Jr. , William Foster, Nathan Thurston, Abijah Davis, Solomon Cook,
Thomas Wolcott, Abraham Fitts, Walter Fitts, James Phillips, Timothy
Sparhawk, Thomas Davis, Ezekiel Davis, Edward Grow, David Mellen, —
making GO from Oxford and South Gore, 11 [not here named] were of Ward,
—S of Woodstock,— 18 of Sutton,— 4 of Dudley,— 31 of Charlton,— 2 of Hol-
land,— and 1 of Sturbridge, a total of 130.

Mr. Streeter continued his labors as pastor. On 24 May, 1786,
circular letters were voted to the sister Societies in Norwich and
Portsmouth, and Choristers were chosen, viz. : Abijah Harris, Samuel
Davis, Jr., and Jonathan Davis. On 16 Aug., of the same year,
Adams Streeter, Ebenezer Rich of Sutton and Israel Stone of Ward
were chosen delegates to the Annual Association to meet in Boston the
Sept. following. Mr. Streeter was not privileged to attend this meet-
ing as he died on the third day of the month in which it was held.
After Mr. Streeter's decease the Society had no stated minister until
1788. On 20 April, an invitation was given to Rev. Elkanah
Ingalls of Grafton to supply the pulpit for the ensuing year, which
was acccepted.' The next stated preacher was Rev. Thomas Baknes,
who came in the Spring of 1789. He had been a Baptist but became
a disciple of Caleb Rich and a co-laborer with him at Richmond, N.
H., adjoining Warwick. He, it is said, in a large measure filled the
place of Mr. Streeter. Under his preaching preparatory work was
done toward building the Meeting-house, and the frame thereof had
been raised and the exterior finished before his removal in the early
part of 1793. At the annual meeting for that year the committee
were instructed to hire "Public Teachers" for the first Sunday in
each month.- The next regular preacher was Michael Coffin from
the State of New York. He attended the Convention in 1793, and
on 24 March, 1794, it was voted to invite him to preach one-half the
time for the ensuing year. He continued until the early part of
1797, as ai)pcars, when he left town under somewhat discreditable
circumstances.-^

Mr. Ballou. We do not learn that the Society had a regular sup-
ply after Mr. Collin until 1800, when it was voted to employ Rev.
HosKA Bam.ou fi)r the ensuing year. In 1801, the vote was renewed,
and in 1802, it was "voted, to engage him for the year, the first Sunday

I .Mr. ItiKuUs w;is from Kehobotli, and settled stock, Conn., and thence In UflS or 1799 to

Oct., 1784, us pastor of tlu' Haiitist Cluircli in Polami, Me., wlit're, after laliorinj; In that rejdon

Grafton. Three years later he declared himself until IMC. he died 3 Oct. of tliat year.

aUnlversallst. Att('rleavlnKOxford he returned = Rev. Tliouias Whitteniore said o£ hlin, "he

to Itelioljoth ami <ileil there. w.as a man of talents, but his sun set in a cloud."

- Mr. Barnes went from this town to Wood- [Life of Ballou.]

1808-11 UNIVERSALIST SOCIETY. 75

in each month as usual," and Hev. Edward Turner for six Sundays.^
For about three years therefore the Oxford Society sat under the
preaching of one of the ablest of the ministers of the denomination. ^

Eighteen years of the Society's existence passed, and many changes
had taken place. Other similar bodies had been formed in neighbor-
ing places, and instead of a large "Select Committee" from six
or eight towns formerly chosen, the directors from 1804 to 1807,
were of Oxford and Charlton only. In 1808, they were from Oxford
and Waixl and for that year the subscriptions were for the support of
Rev. Edward Turner. There was no stated minister between 1803,
when Mr. Ballou left, and 1811. Each year however there was a
subscription to pay expenses, and for most of this time preaching was
kept up at intervals, as the financial reports testify.

Convention. One of the first measui-es adopted by the Oxford
Society was to call a Convention of all the bodies of like faith
in the country, which was held 14 Sept., 1785. Rev. Elhanan Win-
chester was president, and Dr. Daniel Fisk, clerk. ^

Ballou's Ordination. This Annual Session was held again here
in 1791, aud the celebrated John Murray was present. In 1794, again
the Convention — which became a permanent institution in the denomi-
nation — assembled in the newly finished Meeting-house, and Winches-
ter who had just returned from a long sojourn in England was a
member. Hosea Ballou then 23 years of age was also present, and
met Winchester for the first time. An interesting incident of this
meeting was the impromptu ordination of Ballou who had then been
preaching for three years. Rev.^ Thomas Whittemore describing this
occurrence says :

"At one of the public services of the Convention Winchester preached. In
the pulpit with him sat Ballou and Joab Young. As Winchester drew near
the close of his sermon he began to have a clear reference to an ordination,
especially to the 'Delivery of the Scriptures' to the candidate. He took up
the Bible and pressing it against the breast of the young man said, ' Brother
Ballou I press to your heart the written Jeliovah ! ' The effect on the Congre-
gation was sudden and powerful. After holding the sacred volume in this
manner for a moment he said to Young in an imperative but affectionate tone,
' Brother Young, Charge him ! ' which the Elder proceeded to do."

Ballou was ignorant of Winchester's intentions until he began his
remarks peculiar to the service.

The subscription for 1811 was for Rev. John Nichols of Wood-
stock, a liberal Baptist. He preached at least once a month for

1 Turner was an Itinerant, residing at Stur- ton, Mass., preached at 21, and was called the
bridge, a man of ability and culture. father of the Baptist Churcli in that place. He

2 Hosea Ballou was born in Richmond, N. H., was of an unsettled and roving disi)osition.
In 1771; spent his early lite In Itinerating; travelled largely, and made deep Impressions
chiefly resided at Hardwick, now Daua, until wherever he preached. He settled over a Bap-
1803, when he removed to Barnard, Vt. He went tist Churcli at Philadelphia and while there be-
thence in 1809, to Portsmouth, N. H., and in 1815 came a Unlversalist. His character was unques-
to Salem, and thence in 1817 to Boston, where he tioned and his piety universally admitted,
died 7 June, 1852, aged 81. [His. of Newton.]

i ElUanan Winchester was bora 1751, at Kew-

76 THISTORV OF OXFOKl). 1813-35

about two yc'ius. On 22 Dec, 1813, it was voted to ''engage Rev.
Richard Cakrique another year," indicating that he had supplied
for 1813 and continued the next year.' Rkv. .Jacob Wood was
the next minister, and resided in town, continuing several years.
From about 1817 to 1824 no records appear. At the latter date
officers were elected as follows : John Mayo, Moderator ; Larned
Davis, Clerk ; Richard Olney, Treasurer ; Stephen Barton, Charles J.
Stratford, Davie B. Kingsbury, Assessors ; John Mayo, Cyrus Lamb,
Nathaniel Davis, Ebenezer Rich and John Field, Committee. In
1824 a vote was passed to raise money by subscription to support
preaching, and in April, 1826, $200 was voted, to be raised by taxa-
tion for tbe same purpose, and 114 persons and firms were on the
tax list. In 1H27 and 1828 the subscription plan was adopted again,
the latter year the sum of $275 being voted. Until now there was
no regular stated preacher, but occasional services were held.

Mr. Maynard. On 18 Feb., 1828, it was voted to hire Rev.
Lyman Maynard one-half the time for a year. On 24 Dec, 1828,
under his ministry a Church of 16 members was formed, denomi-
nating itself the Second Christian Church, Oxford, on a broad basis
of belief ; the points distinguishing the Universalists proper from
the Restorationists not being alluded to in the creed. In 1833 the
Church numbered 22.- On 23 Jan., 1832, it was voted to termi-
nate the Society's contract with Mr. Maynard at the end of six
months, and at the same meeting voted to confer with Rev. Seth
Chandler, or some other "believer in the Restoration of all things"
to supply the pulpit at the end of that time, which vote was amended
so as to read "some Unitarian," instead of Rev. Seth Chandler. On
2 Feb., 1833, the Church again voted "that this Church be hereafter
known as the Second Christian Church, Oxford, it having been
previously called the Universalist Church." On 29 Oct., 1832, a call
to Mr. Chandler was voted to preach 32 Sabbaths in a year at a
salary proportioned at $325 per annum. The Church, 11 Dec, con-
curred, and he was installed 29 May, 1833 ; sermon by Rev. Samuel
J. May of Brooklyn, Conn. On the last Sunday in May, 1834, his
labors closed, he having asked a dismission.-' On 28 March, 1835,
it was voted that the Meeting-house be opened for one year to any
denomination at any time when the Society do not occupy it.

Mr. Paine. By invitation of several members of the vSociety
Rev. Benjamin Puine began his labors, and for about two years
preachetl in the Meeting-house, laying the foundations of the Metho-
dist Church in Oxford. During this time an effort, which came near
being successful, was made to buy up the pews and transfer the house

• He at tills time resided ;it Charlton and was the Universalists, declaring themselves "Unl-

for a time a i)r('achi'r at I'oiliink ]>arlsh. He versal Restorationists.''

(lleil at an advanced aKc at rrovldence, R. I. 'He was later minister at Shirley, where he

-' In Auft.. lf<:H, Mr. Maynard, with others, at a died 188!l.
convention in Mendon, formally withdrew from

1837-72 UNIVERSALIST SOCIETY. 77

to that denomination. On 7 June, 1837, it was voted that the house
should be closed at the end of six months if the Methodists refused
to pay the rent agreed on, viz. : " 15 dollars for three fourths of the
time for six mouths, or in that proportion." In March, 183'J, it was
voted to employ Rev. Gilman Noyes as preacher for one Sabbath in
each month, and in 1840 the vote was renewed. ^ In March, 1841,
it was voted to hire Rev. Alvan Abbott, the minister at West
Sutton, one-half the time for a year ; 1842, voted that he be hired
for six mouths, and more if money is raised, and [in 1843 the same
for half the time if funds are sufficient.

The next stated minister was Rev. Alfred Barnes, who came
in the spring of 1844 and continued for about two years, the house
of worship having been remodelled during his ministry. The records
at this period are very defective. In March, 1847, $197 had been
paid for preaching to Rev. Rotheus M. Byram of Kennebuukport,
Me., who continued about two years. ^ In the spring of 1849, Rev.
Jacob Baker of Dudley became stated supply, continuing three
years, and was succeeded in April, 1852, by Rev. Albert Tyler,
now of Oxford, who resigned his office in Jan., 1854, but con-
tinued to preach until April. Rev. Harrison Closson from Chicopee
succeeded Mr. Tyler in the spring of 1854, and continued until
Dec, 1855, when he resigned. On 5 March, 1856, the Society
voted to hire as a supply Rev. O. H. Tillotson of Worcester, who
officiated duriug the spring and summer of 1856 and 1857, closing 1
Oct., 1857. On 10 April, 1856, the constitution of the Society was
revised on the basis of the doctrine of Universal Salvation. In
March, 1858, Rev. George Proctor began his labors, continuing
until 30 Dec, 1860. So far as appears there was no regular preach-
ing in 1861. In 1862 Rev. Zephaniah Baker of Dudley was stated
supply, continuing about two years, when the Society voted to have a
young minister to be settled in town. Upon this vote Rev. Theodore
L. Dean of Shrewsbury came in 1864. Rev. Franklin C. Flint of
Shrewsbury preached for a time in 1865, and the same year Rev.
George J. Sanger (pastor at Webster ; later settled at Essex, Mass.)
became stated supply, continuing a year or more. On 4 March,
1868, the committee reported they had engaged Rev. J. E. Daven-
port for the year at a salary of $900. He remained about two years
and removed to Chicopee. ^ On 8 March, 1871, the Society authorized
its committee to hire Rev. William W. Wilson, who supplied until
30 Sept., 1872. '^ Rev. Albert Tyler next supplied from the early

' Gllman Noyes was a farmer at Brlmfleld, continuing to 185G, wlien lie removed to South-

1843, and died tliere 1863. bridge where he was pastor eight years, leaving

-He later returned to Maine, and died there in 1864 and returning to West Haverhill. In 1867

about 1.S86. he began i)reaching as pastor at Cliuthuin, .Mass.,

■*He died about 1884 at Providence. but the climate not agreeing with him removed,

* William W. Wilson was born 1819 at Stod- 1869, to Shirley, Mass. In Oct., 1870, he came to

dard, N. H., began stated preaching at Laconia O.vfoni as supply, continuing until Sept., 1872,

In 1843, and after about two years removed to when his health failing he retired, and died 19

Centre Harbor, and thence in 1847 to West llav- June, 1874.
erhlll, Mass. In 1801 he removed to Dover, Me.,

78 HISTORY OF OXFORD. 1873-47

part of 1873 to March, 1874, since which time there has been no
resident minister. Preaching was continued by Rev. John H. Moore
and Rev. Julius F. Simmons, pastors of the Webster Church, up to
1884. Later, meetings were irregular, until the spring of 1887, when
they were resumed, and conducted first for a few weeks by Rev.
Lucius Holmes of Charlton, and aftewards by Rev. E. W. Preble,
the Webster pastor, who in 1890 continues to officiate.

Baptist Church and Society. A new Meeting-house having
been erected at North Oxford, a Religious Society was formed 5
April, 1837, with the following members :

Jennison Barton, Ainasa Eddy, William Copp, Smith Bruce, David Hall,
Elbridjije G. Warren, Robert Eitts, Waterman G. Warren, Maverick Jennison,
Ebenezer Newton, Amos P. Newton, Uavid Stone, David Holman, William
Dalrymple, James Boomer, Martin Boomer, Ebenezer Cook, Warren Bruce,
Fenner S. Hopkins, Daniel Jennison, Flavel Leach, Andrew J. Copp, Jonathan
Flagg, Samuel Warren, William Boomer. [25.]

On 1 May a meeting of brethren recently dismissed from the Bap-
tist Church in Auburn, chose as deacons of the new Church Jennison
Barton and William Copp, and voted to call a council "to consider
their case and if cause appears, to extend to them the hand of fellow-
ship." This council met on 10 May. the day of the dedication of the
house, and recognized the applicants as a Church, Rev. Harvey Fitts
giving the riglit hand of fellowship. Thus became established the
First Baptist Church at North Oxford, with a membership of 36, a
majority of whom were from the Auburn Church.

Mr. Lyon. The first pastor was Rev. Abijah S. Lyon of Stur-
bridge, ordained 13 March, 1838. He was a man of good ability;
graduated at Brow^n University in 1837. Soon after his settlement a
revival began, resulting in an addition to the Church of nearly 40
members. On 6 March, 1847, he resigned. ^ On 7 Aug., 1841,
Samuel Jennison and Martin Boomer were chosen deacons. On 6
May, 1843, the following was voted as the sentiments of the Church
on the slavery question :

" Whereas the silence of the Church of the North on the subject of Slavery
is construed by the church of the South into an argument in favor of that
institution — Resolved that we regard Slavery as a very great evil, and a sin,
and as a most palpable violation of the inalienable rights of man, and as
diametrically opposed to the spirit and precepts of the Gospel, — ' Whatsoever
ye would that men should do to you do ye even so to them.' — ' Thou shalt love
thy neighbor as thyself.' "

On 3 Oct., 1843, Luther Stone was ordained an Evangelist. On 6
April, 1844, Dea. Jennison Barton having removed, Lot W. Bruce
was chosen deacon. On 5 June, 1847, Rev. Solomon Gale of West
Greenwich, N. Y., was chosen pastor. He remained until April, 1848,
when he removed to Pomfret, Conn. On 4 Sept., 1847, Moses K.

1 He was later settled at Chatbam and Natlck, Mass., and Newport, Miiiu., wliere he died 13 Sept.,
1871.

1847-83 BAPTIST SOCIETY. 79

Shepardson was chosen deacon in place of Mr. Bruce, deceased. The
next pastor was Rev. I. N. Hobart, who began about Jan., 1849.
His was a pastorate of vigor and influence. He was dismissed 25
April, 1852, and removed to Bristol, R. I. ; later he was State
missionary in Illinois, where he died 23 Aug., 1887. Under his
ministry, in 1850, the Church voted that "no person who uses ardent
spirits as a beverage shall hereafter be admitted to membership with
this church." In the spring of 1852 Rev. Joseph Hodges, Jr.,
from East Brookfield, became pastor, acting until 3 March, 1855.
Later that year Rev. John E. Wood of North Tewksbury came, con-
tinuing until May, 1856, after which time Rev. H. A. Joy was stated
supply for six months. In March, 1857, Rev. C. M. Herring from
Dexter, Me., was engaged as supply. His services were highly
appreciated. In 1859 he returned to Maine, where he has since
labored successfully. In Dec, 1859, Rev. Holmes Chipman from
Machias, Me., became pastor. His service closed in the spring of
1861, when he removed to Vermont, where he died. The number of
Church members as reported under his ministry was 121.

Rev. Joseph Smith, born at East Hampstead, N. H., succeeded
Mr. Chipman. He was a man of ability but of infirm health, and
was not settled. He began his labors in 1861, and continued suc-
cessfully until 26 April, 1866, when he died suddenly, aged 58.
Early in 1864 he was aided for several weeks by Rev. J. D. Potter
of Westboro', and many members were added to the Church as the
fruits of a revival. On 28 Aug., 1867, Rev. William H. Shedd was
ordained pastor; sermon by Prof. Anderson, D.D., of Newton. He
was an earnest man, and many conversions took place during his
ministry, the Church membership increasing to 193. He resigned
March, 1870, and removed to Waltham, and died 7 March, 1873, at
Watertown. * On 31 March, 1868, Sherman Warren, and 3 April,
1869, William Newton and Warren Smith were chosen deacons.

On 11 Sept., 1870, a call was given to Rev. James W. Lathrop
of Beverly, who began his labors 1 Nov. His ministry of nearly
three years was highly beneficial. On 1 Sept., 1873, he removed to
Raynham ; returned to North Oxford and was received to the Church
4 Nov., 1876. His present residence is at Oxford centre.

Rev. Oliver Ayer from Groton, the next pastor, was settled
in April, 1874, and closed his labors April, 1880. He was a good
preacher, a faithful pastor, and an esteemed citizen. He remained
at North Oxford until 1885, when he removed to Providence. In
the fall of 1877 Mr. Potter was again invited to North Oxford,
and a revival followed. On 1 May, 1880, Rev. H. H. Beaman
from West Bridgewater began his labors. His term of service was
short. His wife died 15 June, 1881, from the shock of which he
never recovered, but died suddenly the tenth of August following.
In July, 1882, Rev. William H. Fish was voted a call, and con-
tinued until 1 June, 1883, when he resigned. On 27 Aug. a call was

80 HISTORY OF OXFORD. 1829-41

voted to Rev. W. H. Evans from Littleton, who came and con-
tinuod to 1 Oct., 1885, after which date there was no settled pastor
until Nov., 1889, when Rev, Ciiaules R. Bailey, the present in-
cumbent, began his labors.

Methodist Episcopal Church. So far as known the first
preaching in town by a Methodist minister was in 1829, in which year
Rev. Ira M. liidwell, as he himself stated, held meetings a few times
in the south part of the town. He also says others preached the
same year in the north part. The first service held on the Plain was
in 1830, at the house of Abijah Davis, Esq., by John Lovejoy, who
was the successor of Bidwell on Thompson circuit, and who came at
the solicitation of William Hurd, who may be called the original man
of the faith in Oxford. Thereafter occasional meetings were held in
school-houses and dwellings, and as -early as 1835 it is said Joel
Knight and Joseph S. Ellis of Dudley had each preached in the South
Meeting-house. In Feb. or March, 1835, at the invitation of Hiram
Moffitt, Mr. Bidwell, then of Webster, came again to Oxford and
preached twice at least, first at the school-house near the south end of
the Plain, and next in the South Meeting-house. Several influential
members of the Universalist Society favored the movement, and the
house was freely opened as has been stated. ^ Mr. Harwood joined
heartily with Motlitt in efforts to carry on the work, and a considera-
ble sum was raised by subscription to pay expenses. Mr. Bidwell
represented their case before the Conference of 1835, which for
want of a proper man to send made no provision for them. On his
way home from Conference Mr. Bidwell fell in with Rev. Benjamin
Paine, then of Saundersville, and on stating the case to him Mr.
Paine consented to come and look over the field. He found a condi-
tion of things which interested him and immediately began his labors
on his own responsibility. His doings were approved by the Presid-
ing Elder who ap[)oiuted him as preacher, thus giving him the stand-
ing of "stated supply." In July he removed to town, and on 15
Sept. established a "Class" of 20 members. This was the founding
of this branch of the Church in its initiatory stage. Mr. Paine re-
mained two years preaching in the South house, which was hired
three-fourths of the time, and the other portion of the time at the
school-room of Richard Stone. The enterprise flourished, and -the
effort to buy up the pews in the meeting-house failing it was decided
to build a cliapel, which was done in 1841. Rev. Thomas Turlcr
succeeded Mr. Paine, and thereafter the society gradually enlarged
and was prosperous.

From the completion of the new church l)uilding in 18G8, to 1880
the pews were rented to pay expenses. At the latter date, under
Mr. Wilder's ministry, the free seat system was adopted and con-
tinues, 18i»().

1 Richard Olney, Elllm II:ii«ood, Jr., Maj. WUliain Moore, >Ia]. Klijali Pratt and Xatlianiel
Brown were of tliis nuiutier.

METHODIST SOCIETY. 81

Camp Meeting. The only camp meeting held in Oxford was in
1840, beginning 24 Aug., in a woodland south of Bufifumville. The
attendance was large ; 25 preachers were present, and the meetings
were orderly and considered successful.

Revivals. In the winter of 1842-3, under Rev. Horace Moulton,
there was a revival, meetings were held for 100 successive evenings,
and many professed conversion. In 1850 there was unusual interest
and 30 were added to the Church on probation. In the autumn of
1857 under Rev. William Gordon, the winter of 1866-7 under Rev.
Daniel E. Chapiu, and 1877-8 under Rev. Osman W. Adams, there
were revivals.

Between the years 1865 and 1880 six young men from Oxford
Church entered the ministry of this denomination, viz. : Ithiel T.
Johnson, William F. Davis and Charles E. Davis, brothers. Nelson
Devncau, Albert A. Kidder and William H. Marble.

Ministers stationed at Oxford. For 1835-6, Benjamin
Paine, d. 31 Oct., 1883, at Ox. ; 1837-8, Thomas W. Tucker, d. 6
Aug., 1871, a. 80; 1839, Luman Boyden, d. 9 March, 1876, at E.
Boston, a. 71 ; 1<S40, William R. Stone, d. 28 June, 1875, at Cam-
bridge, a. 77; 1841, Freeman Nutting, d. 7 Dec, 1853, a. 42
1842, Horace Moulton, d. 11 Sept., 1873, a. 74; 1843, Charles
C. Burr; 1844, Newell S. Spaulding, d. 17 Aug., 1884, a. 84
1845, Charles W. AiNSWORTH, d. 23 Sept., 1851, a. 34; 1846-7
Amos Walton; 1848, J. S. J. Gridley ; 1849, Albert A. Cook
d. 4 Feb., 1879, at Milford, a. 63; 1850, Damon Y. Kilgore
became a "Spiritualist," d. 25 April, 1888, at Philadelphia, Pa.
1851, Converse L. McCurdy, d. 22 Nov., 1876, at Wakefield, a. 67
1852-8, William A. Braman, d. 11 April, 1884, at Springfield, a
65; 1854, Mosely Dwight, d. 17 Dec, 1882, at Chelsea, a. 78
1855-6, Burtis Judd, in 1888, supernumerary; 1857, William
Gordon ; 185S to 1860, Daniel Wait, d. 22 April, 1883, at Brook-
field, a. 69; 1861, Jonas M.Clark, 1888, superannuated ; 1862,
George Prentice, Prof, in Middletown University ; 1863-4, Thomas
Marcy, d. 21 Jan., 1889, at Newton, a. 75; 1865-7, Daniel E.
Chapin, d. 25 May, 1871, a. 57; 1868, Isaac S. Cushman, d. 6
Sept., 1870, a. 47; 1869-71, Daniel Wait; 1872, Franklin
FuRBER ; 1873-4, Increase B. Bigelow, 1888, supernumerary ;
1875-6, Frederick T. George in 1888, superannuated; 1877-8,
Osman W. Adams; 1879-80, Charles W. Wilder; 1881-2,
Phinehas C. Sloper, d. 13 June, 1888, at Natick ; 1883, Joshua
Gill; 1884-6, William Gordon; 1887-9, Porter R. Stratton ;
1890, George W. Coon.

Protestant Episcopal Church. Worship in the Episcopal
form began July, 1863, in Sanford's Hall, was conducted by differ-
ent clergymen from churches in the vicinity until 11 Oct., when Rev.
William F. Lhoyd became rector. During his ministry the church
12

82 HISTORY OF OXFORD. 1863

edifice was built, and a good congregation gathered. His services
closed 30 June, 1867. He was succeeded by Rev. William H.
Brooks, D.D., of Pittsfield, who began 20 Oct., 1867, and accepted a
call to the rectorsliii) !» May, 186S. His labors ended 1 Oct., 1869.
For several years afterward there was no settled ministry, and the
church was closed, except that occasionally Rev. Benjamin F. Cooley
of Rochdale ofliciated on a Sabbath afternoon. During the early part
of 1877, and until October, Rev. J. D. Reid was stated supply. On
7 Oct., 1877, liev. W. F. Lhoyd was engaged as acting rector and
continued until 2 Feb., 1879. After his second term of service ended
the church was closed for a time. Later Rev. Thomas W. Nickerson^
present rector at Rochdale, conducted service for several seasons
during the summer on Sunday afternoon. Much of the time, however,
there was no service. On 21 June, 188o, Rev. Ahthur Puoifitt
assumed the rectorship and officiated until 27 June, 1886. In 1889,
regular worship was held on Sunday afternoon, conducted by the
rector of Webster Church.

The Diocesan Records give the number of communicants as
follows :— 1864, 6 ; '65, 8 ; '66, 13 ; '67, 16 ; '68, 15 ; '69, 20 ; '70, 14 ;
'71 and '72, no report ; '73, 8 ; '74 to '80, no report ; '81, '82 and '83,
each 15 ; '84, 10 ; '85, 15 ; '86, 15. In 1878,— Sunday-school, 30
scholars, 6 teachers; Wardens, 1883 to 1886, Emory E. Harwood,
Leonard E. Thayer; 1887, Leonard E. Thayer, Joseph Shar[)les.

Roman Catholic Church. The first Roman Catholic service
in Oxford, was conducted by Rev. Fr. Gibson of Boston on 28 July,
1851, at the house of Michael Toomey, H. 175, on Millbury road —
house burned in 1883. The next was by Rev. Fr. McNultij of Web-
ster, on Christmas, 1852, at Mrs. Mary Ann Young's in Hodges'
Village. From that time at Mr. Toomey's, and the school-house
which stood near, at Mrs. Young's, and at North Oxford, mass was
celebrated at irregular intervals until 1857, Fr. McNulty officiating.
In 1858, soon after the building of the first house of worship was
undertaken, and before its completion. Rev. Fr. James Quan of
Webster took charge of the Parish, and with his assistants conducted
services regularly here until 1 May, 1886, at which time Rev. Fr.
Charles J. Bovlan was put in charge and, 1890, continues.

First Meeting-house. At a town meeting held 29 July, 1714,
it was voted to build a Meeting-house 30 feet square, and 18 feet
stud, to be set on the west side of the highway near Twichell's field,
John Town, Benjamin Chamberlain and Isaac Earned were chosen a
building committee, and it was voted "that every lot- man shall pay
his proportion in labor as the committee shall direct, or pay two
shillings and 6 pence per day for neglect of the same." This enter-
prise was not entered upon for nearly three years but the house was

1714-24 MEETING-HOUSES. 83

in time built near the northwest corner of the common, north of the
highway over Camp Hill. It was a plain substantial structure,
without porch or tower, with double doors on the south side, a pulpit
opposite and galleries on either side. The main body of the house
probably had seats of plank with rude backs, running in two tiers the
length of the house with an aisle in the centre — the men occupying
the westerly and the w^omen the easterly tier — and three or four
privileged citizens had box-like pews in different parts of the house,
on either side of the pulpit and near the doors.

On 30 Nov., 1714, it was voted to "build a house 15 feet long, 12
feet wide and 7 feet stud, and set it by Lieut. Moore's." The design
of this building is a matter of conjecture. Lieut. Moore was the inn-
keeper, and as this building was to cost only £4. 5s. and as Moore
agreed to take it of the town or permit the town to remove it when
they saw fit, it may have been for temporary use as a house of worship
and for town meetings until the projected Meeting-house could be
erected.

Appropriation. On 29 Jan., 1717, £100 was voted by the
town towards building a Meeting-house and it was decided "to
go about building it forthwith," and John Town, Richard Moore,
Ebenezer Learned, Isaac Larned, and Benoni Twichell were chosen
to " take in and dispose of " the money voted, the said house " to be
a girt house boarded and clapboarded on the outside." Precisely
what was done upon this vote is difficult to determine from the
records. In the warning for a meeting 19 Aug., 1717, notice was
given that it would be held in the " meeting-house." This may have
been the temporary building " by Lieut. Moore's," or the unfinisiied
new house. The building certainly was not then nearly finished,
as on 27 Jan., 1718, the town met and chose Philip Amidown,
Ebenezer Learned and John Town a "new committee for building
the meeting-house." This meeting it is recorded was by vote con-
tinued " one hour after sundown." The selectmen were instructed to
" make a rate " forthwith for the said one hundred pounds and deliver
it to the constable for collection. The building proceeded and the
house was occupied long before its completion. In March, 1721,
Benoni Twichell was chosen to sweep the Meeting-house. Feb. 11,
1723, permission was voted to Mr. Campbell to '■'■ build a pew the
east side of the pulpit, from that to the middle of the post under the
gallery beam, and extending to the corner of the deacon's seat, at the
charge of the town," and Capt. Richard Moore a like privilege oppo-
site on the west side of the pulpit. On 29 March, 1724, Ebenezer
Learned was voted leave to build in the northeast corner joining Mr.
Campbell's. On 13 May, 1724, it was voted to expend one-half the
interest money due the town [on the colonial loan] ; "of the first three
years, that it should buy glass for to repaire the meeting-house win-
dows and for uaills for the meeting-house spedely." At this time as
we shall see hereafter the house was but a shell and unfinished inside.

84 HI8T01JY OF OXFORD. 1727-43

lu 1727 it had need of reijaiis aud 'J Oct. £1U were voted "to be
added to the old arrearages towards repairing the meeting-house."
On 4 May, 1730, £20 were voted towards finishing the Meeting-
house, and the selectmen instructed to spend the same within six
months. On G March, 1732, it was voted to lay another floor and
alter the seats and ceil the sides of the house, and also that " Richard
Waters shall build three pews and alter the stairs," at the town
expense.

On 5 March, 1733, it was "voted to lath and plaster the meeting-
house." In the years 1734 and 1735 the house was considerably
changed internally, and the latter year brought nearly or quite to a
completion, having been about 18 years in building. On 4 March,
1734, it was voted :

" That Capt. Ebenezer Learned shall have a pew on the easterlj"^ part of the
meeting house behind y woman's seats adjoining the double doors, he paying
ten pounds and also his equal proportion towards finishing tlie house, also
tliat Sunmel Davis have the same privelege on the west side the double doors
on the same eonditions, also that Ricliurd Moore may enlarge his pew, turning
y pulpit stairs if Mr. Campbell be willing and make a door for the deacon's
seats : also that Uriah Gleason, Jonas Pratt, Jonas Gleason, Isaac Larned,
Ethenier Amidown, Simon Gleason and Joseph Pratt, have leave to build a
pew on the back side of the front seat in the gallery in the men's part, and
that Isaac Larned have the pew in the northeast corner of the house formerly
Ebenezer Learned's, all to pay their proportion toward finishing the house."

These alterations were made by Richard Waters, who was " reckoned
with" by a committee chosen 16 Feb., 1736. The last entry referring
to this subject was 6 Jan., 1737, when £14 was voted to pay Qnal
bills. The house was occupied until 1748. On 5 March, 1750, it
was struck off at auction at £66 to Moses Gleason. It did not, how-
ever, go into his possession, but was sold by a committee for the pur-
pose in 1752 with the lot to Dr. Jabez Holden, who used parts of it
in building a barn, which was removed by Benj. F. White after his
purchase of the place.

As time passed, population increased, Mr. Campbell grew in the
esteem of the people, and the old sanctuary was becoming too small
for their needs. The town extended northerly, and the location of
the first house was quite one side from the centre. Very soon after
its completion, therefore, the subject of the building of a second and
larger house was agitated.

New Meeting-house. On 12 March, 1739, the town voted
" that when there shall be a new Meeting-house erected it shall be set
in tlie centre of the 12,000 acre grant." On 25 Aug., 1743, a vote
was passed to proceed to carry out the plan for a new Meeting-house
" for the better accommodation of the inhabitants of the town." On
the 10th of June, previous to this vote, Daniel Boydcn petitioned the
General Court in l)ehalf of the inhabitants of the northwest part of
Sutton, the southwest part of Worcester, the southeast part of Leices-
ter aud the northeast part of Oxford to be set off as a separate

1744-6 MEETING-HOUSES. 85

precinct. While this petition was pending this action in reference
to a new house was taken, and the request, probably on that
account, was dismissed. The question of a location became a matter
of warm coutrovers}', and the subject was referred to William Ward,
Pvsq., of Westboro', Maj. John Keyes of Shrewsbury, Capt. John
Harrod of Uxbridge, Capt. Josiah Converse of Brookfield and Capt.
John Hubbard of Rutland. On 8 March, 1744, William Ward, John
Kej^es and John Hubbard met, and after a hearing fixed upon the
north common as the proper location, which action was i-atified by
the town 23 Oct., 1744, and at the same meeting Samuel Davis,
Ebenezer Learned, Israel Town, Elijah Moore and Joseph Phillips
were chosen "to consider dimensions and cost" and to provide
materials. Later Jonathan Pratt and Samuel Davis, Jr., were added
to this committee, which was authorized to set a price on all materials
and labor. The sum of £600 was voted toward the expense, "to be
done in labor and material according to the return of the committee."
The building of this second house was to the town as great an effort
as was that of the first to the little settlement 30 years before. The
building was not only spacious but elegant for the times, and one of
tlie arguments of the Charlton people when asking to be set off was
that the new house of worship which they had been taxed to build
was expensive above any other similar structure in the vicinage. It
was nearly square, about 50 feet on either side, with entrances with-
out porches on the east, west and south. The high pulpit, overhung
by the ponderous "sounding board," stood against the north wall,
and wide galleries with a row of high square pews next the wall ran
on the other three sides, while in the southeast and southwest corners
higher structures occupied by the tithiug-men mounted almost to the
ceiling. Square pews of panel work, balustraded at the top, filled
the lower floor. The house had no means of warming or lighting.
There is a tradition that the site was presented to the town by
Col. Ebenezer Learned, but no record appears. The materials were
mainly provided by the town's people from their farms, and doubtless
much of the labor of construction was done by them, and several
years elapsed before the completion of the building.

On 29 Oct., 1745, the town voted "to address General Court for a
tax upon the unimproved lands two miles west of the 12,000 acres
towards the charge of building." On 3 March, 1746, Jonas Pratt
was chosen "to gather and collect rates for the meeting house," and
the building committee was instructed "to provide the rest of the
timber and other material for said building to be completed forthwith
and to cause said house to be framed and raised by the middle of
June next, and covered and enclosed seasonably so as to secure it
from being damnified by the weather." The work upon the house
progressed in the summer of 1746, so that according to a well founded
tradition it was raised on the twenty-first day of October, the birth-

86 HISTORY OF OXFORD. 1747-52

day of .Suleu) Town, giuudsou ol xMr. Caujpliell.' (Ju 2') May, 17-47,
it was voted to raise £500, old tenor, towards finishing the house, and
Oliver .Shurnway was made collector to gather the same. At the
same meeting it was voted "to reimburse tlie present inhabitants of
the west part of Oxford " what they have paid or may pay towards
our Meeting-house, " when they are set off to be a society by them-
selves, towards building a Meeting-house for them." On 9 June,
1747, the inhabitants of Oxford presented a petition to the General
Court for leave to tax non-residents "toward the building and finish-
ing a Meeting-house which they are now building there." On which,
4 Dec, it was ordered that ^e town be empowei'ed to lay a tax of
one penny per acre, for three years for the said purpose. The inhabit-
ants of the N. Gore were non-taxable. Of these it is recorded that
Ebenezer and Joshua Merriam paid each ten pounds, and Jesse Smith
three pounds towards the Meeting-house. On 18 May, 1748, "voted
that the committee cause the under floor to be laid and the glass put
up and provide the rpst of the materials for the house as soon as con-
venient." On 13 July " voted that the town shall build the pews and
dispose of them " [instead of granting "pew spots " for individuals
to build upon]. Also "that there be built two pews, one each side
the broad alley, one behind the men's seats and the other behind the
women's seats, to accommodate the gentlemen that have had their
laud taxed toward the building of our new meeting house, when any
of them shall come to our meeting."- It was also voted to meet to
hold worship in the new house on the fourth Sabbath of the current
month, July, 1748. Probably in the then unfinished house, woiship
was continued from about this date. It was not until 30 Oct., 1752,
that a committee was " chosen to dignify and appraise the pews."
This committee consisted of David Baldwin the builder, Duncan
Campbell and Benjamin Davis. The drawing for choice of pews
began 1 Dec, 1752, choice being granted according to the individual
sums paid toward the building fund. The following is the list with
prices, old tenor :

Ebenezer Learned, No. 3, £52. 16; Saiiuiel Davis, No. 18, £44. 0. 2;
Elizabeth Mayo, No. 14, £45. 15. 4; Elijah Moore, No. 8, £51. 0. 10; Richard
Moore, No. 7, £48. 8. 1; Rev. John Campbell, No. 13, £46. 12. 11; Samuel
Davis, Jr., No. 1, £52. 16; Jouas Pratt on Samuel Eddy's riijlit. No. 17, £39.
12. 3; Edward Davis, No. 2, £61. 18; Josiah Kingsbury, No. 6, £47. 10. 6;
Jonathan Pratt, Jr., No. 19, £28. 3. 8; Duncan Campbell, No. 5, £48. 8. I;
William Davis, No. 22, £22. 17. 2; Ebenezer Coburn on Ebenezer Eddy's right,
No. 20, £24. 13. 4; Ebenezer Humphrey, No. 9, £48. 8. 1; Isaac Earned, Jr.,
No. 10, £4(1. 11. 11 ; Joseph Phillips, No. 11, £39. 11. 3; Dea. Jonathan Town,

' Autliorlty of Samuel Harlwell, Esq. lo James (JrllUn. In .May, IT.si, I^emuel Kallock

-In Aug.. 17.'):!, the town rented these pews, one and Klijah Uunbar, owners of Charlton lands,

to .Josiah Wolcott, the other to .lolin Wlllson, at hron^fht a claim to the town lor £1W, it being the

four ^hlllliiKH per auuiim. In 17iir. John Nichols overplus on sale of l,in<ls In Charlton toward

and Edwanl Uaymond were granted seats In building the meet lug-house, which the town re-

thcse pews by the town. In May, 1707, they were fused to recogni/.c.
sold at auction, one to John Nichols, the other

1763-1830 MEETING-HOUSES. 87

No. 12, £40. 8. 10; John Lamed on Jeremiah Shumway's right, No. 16, £22.
17. 2; Thomas Glea.son, No. 23, £23. 17. 2; Thomas Davis, No. 24, £23. 17. 2.

A record under date of 1 Aug., 1753, refers to the house as
"almost completed," and on 7 Sept., 1753, David Baldwin, the
builder, receipted in full for his work. There were, however, other
various things to be done, as appears from the following records:
March, 1759, Elijah Moore, Ebenezer Eddy and Jeremiah Shumway
were chosen to -'finish the windows cut out last," and also to see
about the underpinning. In 1760 Alexander Campbell was chosen
"to underpin the meeting house and secure it from further damage,
and to see the house is finished," the payment for which was voted in
May, 1761. In March, 1761, changes in the gallery were voted, so
there might be more room,^ indicating prosperity and growth. Thus
after 15 years of effort was the second principal public work of the
town accomplished. Its completion came almost simultaneously with
the decease of the beloved minister.

Repairs. In May, 1786, an attempt was made to get a vote
to repair tlie house, which failed. In. 1789 it was voted that indi-
viduals have permission to do this. Nothing, however, appears to
show that anything was done until 1793, when liberty was granted
to any so disposed, to repair and build a porch to the house. From
a deed of sale of a pew we learn that Sylvanus Learned, Amos Shum-
way and Jonathan Harris were a committee to do this work, and it
was probably completed in 1794, having been done by subscription.
The east and west outside doors were closed, and on the south front
was built a projection about 12 feet square, containing a vestibule
and two flights of stairs leading to the galleries, having a double
curved roof, not as high as the main roof of the house, with a circular
ornamental window over the south door, and being a decided improve-
ment to the architectural effect of the building. No other repairs
probably were ever made on the house. It had in 1825 traces of a
coat of yellow paint. A record says " met Nov. 8, 1792, for the
purpose of painting the meeting-house." Col. Sylvanus Town con-
tracted to do this for £16. By vote Mr. James Butler was permitted
to color the west end at his own expense.

House sold. Services were holden here from 1819, two Sabbaths
in each month, until the completion of the present house on the Plain
in 1829. In May, 1830, Ira Barton, Jonathan Davis and Jonathan
Rice were chosen to inquire into the town's interest in the old house
and lot, and to receive proposals for its sale. Later it was voted to

' On 4 March, 1751, Samuel Davis and others In Marcli, 1794, the town voted liberty to James

were jtranted by tlie town permission to build Butler, Capt. Sylvanus Learned and others to

noon houses ou the common near the Meeting- build a " hay market on the common near the

liouse, for comfort and convenience durinj; tlie Meeting-house." With the Meeting-house, horse

interval of public services on Sunday, and in sheds, stable, half a dozen noon-houses, two

n.V) Timothy Harris, Josiali Kingsbury and large stone '" horse blocks," and this hay market,

Isaac Larned were voted the same privilege. In the old common seems to have been well occu-

17HI it was voted that .John Xichols have leave to pled,
build near the Meeting-house a horse stable.

88 . HISTORY OF OXFORD. 1791-2

sell it at auction. At this sale Alexander DeWitt bid $230 for the
land and $50 for the building. Afterward the vote to sell was recon-
sidered, there being no warrant for further jjroceedings, as the house
was to an important extent the property of the pew-holders. In
June, 183"), the town for the sum of §28 quitclaimed to Jasper
Brown its interests, requiring the building to be removed within six
months. Brown soon after bought the individual rights, and the
same year sold to Nahum Sibley, by whom the house was taken down
and removed. The question of the ownership of the land has never
been adjudicated.

Universalist Meeting-house. The third Meeting-house built
was the Universalist, which is now standing, although considerably
changed from its original plan. Its site is a part of the old Camp-
bell tavern estate, the lot having been leased to the Society by
Ebenezer Davis and Samuel Campbell.' At a meeting of the Univer-
salist Society, 14 Sept., 1791, it was voted to build a Meeting-house,
and on 12 Oct. Samuel Davis, Capt. Jonathan Davis and John Maj'o
were chosen to "superintend and build" the same. On 7 Nov.
voted to build a liouse 46 by 43 feet with a porch or tower at one
end, to be built in the Tuscan order, equal to the Ward Meeting-
house in quality, and to approp riate toward the building the money
due the Society from the town. It was also voted to let out the work
''by the great,"' the covering and painting the outside and laying the
lower floors, and the contract was awarded to Levi Davis of Charl-
ton for £271, the lowest bid. The amount apportioned by the town
assessors to the Society was £121. 13, this being their part of the
money arising from the sale of public securities by the selectmen. A
buildiug fund additional was raised by subscription, as follows :

Jeremiah Learned, £20; Capt. Jonathan Davis, £15; Samuel Davis, £6;
John Mayo, £G; Lt. Abijah Harris, £10; Joseph Healy, £3; Marvin Moore,
£6; Abiel Atwoocl, £2; Capt. Joseph Atwood, £2; Daniel Fisk, £6; Elijah
Davis, £5; Learned Davis, £5; Jeremiah Davis, £5; Abijah Davis, £6;
Thomas Davis, £;-5; Joseph Davis, £2; Craft Davis, 12s.; Ezekiel Davis, £2;
James H. Davis, £1; Phihp Brown, £2; John Pratt, £3; Collins Moore, £3;
Jeremiah Kini^sbury, .Tr., £3; Josiah Kingsbury, £2; Jacob Kingsbury, £3;
Henjamin Learned, £1; Thomas Clark, 10s.; Joseph Roekwood, (Js. ; Sibley &
Stockwell, £3; Isaac Mofhtt, £2; ,Ioel White, £1. 12; Ebenezer Robbins, 12s.;
Benjamin Fitts, Jr., 12s. ; David Fitts, 12s. ; Stephen Ward, 8s. ; Abel Bonzey,
12s.; James PhiUips, £2. 10; Lemuel MolHt, 10s.; James Bntlcr, £2. 14;
Andrew Sigonrney, £1. 10; Peter Jennison, £2. Charlton names: Levi
Davis, £5; P^benezer Davis, £10; Asa Davis, £4; Stephen Bullen, £2. 13;
Joseph Rich, £1 ; also a few in Sutton and Ward.

Bell. The buildiug Avas raised and covered probably during the
year 1791, as on 25 April, 1792, Samuel Davis, Jonathan Davis and

' No record of tliis lease Is known to exist, tlicli' MecliuK liouse as now fenced so long as

In the deed of sale of the Campbell tavern stand they shall maintain and keep a Jleetinp lioiise,

from l'",')eiif/.er Davis to Samuel Canipbell, Oct., accoidlng to the lease 1 and Samuel Campbell

17'.i'2, was a reserve "to the second IUHkIous have heretofore ^Ivcn them." Wore. Kec,

Society the use of the land under and around CXV., 610.

1793-1804 UNIVERSALIST MEETING-HOUSE. 89

John Mayo were authorized to procure a bell, and on 2 July they
"were empowered to build a cupola in order to hang it.^

On 5 Jan., 1793, Samuel Davis, Jonathan Davis and John Mayo
were instructed to let out " by the great" the finishing of the interior
and to superintend the same, which on 29th was let by auction to
Simeon Hathaway of Sutton at £237. Previous to this the pews
had been "dignified and appraised" by a committee consisting of
Ebenezer Davis, Jeremiah Learned and Jonathan Davis, and in the
disposition of them the highest proprietor was given the first choice
and so "in rotation to the lowest," This committee were authorized
to give deeds and were to hold the pews in their hands until sold as
security for the cost of finishing the house.

The following subscription appears :

Capt. Jeremiah Learned, £34; Jonathan Davis, £27; Abijah Harris, £18;
Samuel Davis, £11; Daniel Fisk, £10; Abijah Davis, £11; Elijah Davis, £8;
Jeremiah Davis, £8; John Mayo, £11. 4; Learned Davis, £7. 14; Ebenezer
Davis, Charlton, £19; John Pratt, £5. 5; Marvin xMoore, £10. 4; Collins
Moore, £4. 8; Jeremiah Kingsbury, Jr., £5. 18; Joseph Davis, £2. 10;
Jacob Kingsbury, £3 ; Joseph Healy, £3. 15 ; Josiah Kingsbury, £2.

Pew-holders. The pew-owners were as follows :

Joseph Healy, Josiah Kingsbury, Jacob Kingsbury, Gideon Sibley, Jeremiah
Davis, Elihu and Jeremiah Moffitt, Al)ijah Harris, John Mayo, Jonathan Rich,
Judah Waters, Jeremiah Kingsbury, Jr., Jeremiah Learned, Al)ijah Davis,
Ebenezer Rich, Elijah Davis, Henry Phelps, David Putnam, Learned Davis,
Stephen BuUen, John Sweet, Collins Moore, Samuel Davis, Amos Rich,
Philip Brown, James H. Davis, Joseph and Ezekiel Davis, Abiel Atwood,
Jonathan Davis, Peter Jennisou, Andrew Sigourney, John Pratt, Joseph
Putnam, Arthur Daggett, Asa Davis, Daniel Fisk, James Butler, Levi Davis,
Joshua Stockwell, James and Benjamin Davis, Samuel Kingsbury, Jacob
Gleason, Elijah Kingsbury, Thomas Davis, John Putnam, Eliphalet Holman,
Samuel Robinson, Reuben Rich, Parley Sibley, Stephen Marsh, Jr., Ebenezer
Lamson, Ebenezer Gould, Reuben and Simeon Waters, Israel Trow, David
Fitts, Samuel Campbell, Jr., Henry Wolcott, Nehemiah and Timothy Davis.

On 24 April, 1793, it was voted to employ some suitable person
" to keep the key of the meeting-house and to ring the bell one hour
before any stated meeting and at meeting time, and to toll at any
funeral if desired by the relatives of the deceased."

House completed. Oct. 4, 1793, is an account of expenditures
from which it appears the outside of the house was then finished,
the cupola built, and the bell in position. In the year 1794, the
interior was completed. On 8 Dec, the report, which does not appear
in the records, of a committee chosen to settle with the committee to
finish the inside of the house, was accepted by the Society. In 1796,
the bell having l)een broken, was recast. In the latter part of 1803,
a movement began having in view the purchase of a pijoe organ, a
rarity in country churches of that day. Payment was made by sub-
scription March, 1804. One hundred and forty dollars were sub-

' This bell weighed 713 pounds and cost at the foundry £71. 14s., and was paid for by a subscription.

90 HISTOIIY OF OXFORD. 1815-28

scribed by thirty-six persons, and the balance of the cost (being
$122.92), was paid by Jonathan Davis. The instrument was set up
early in 1804. Ebenezer, son of Jason Collier, then residing at
Charlton, was the first organist, and Ira Barton and Richard Moore
followed.

The plan of the interior was the same as that of the old house
at the north common, and it contained 60 square l)ox pews of panel
work, with seats facing in different directions. Stoves were intro-
duced about 1815. The front porch was about 12 feet square and
projected from the main structure at the centre. At the top,
sheltering the bell, was a circular cupola which was swept away
by the great gale of Sept., 1815, and for about two years the
bell stood exposed on the top of the tower. Between July and
December, of 1817, the spire as it now appears was built by Rufus
Moore, Jeremiah Mofflt foreman, and on 21 Dec, the sum of S550
was raised on the pews to meet the expense.

House remodelled. The building stood unaltered until 1845,
when a movement began for the remodelling and entire rebuilding of
the interior, and on 11 Oct., a vote was passed to this effect, and Ben-
jamin Barnes, Craft Davis, Luther Clemence, Samuel Mayo and John
Fitts were chosen a committee to carry out the vote. A floor was
thrown across the galleries and the main audience room finished in the
upper part, and below were made a spacious store and shops. In
order to effect these changes the pews were bought up by the Society
at an appraisal of $375, which amount was raised partly by sub-
scription and partly by the sale of pews after the changes were made.
A repair subscription was drawn and according to its terras the
profits of the basement story were to pass to the subscribers in pro-
portion to their payments. Nineteen persons paid in the aggregate
$1,225. The alterations were made in the winter of 1845-6, and on
21 Jan., 184G, it was voted to empower the building committee to
rent the basement. This vote was later rescinded, indicating that
there was doubt as to the Society's authority. On 21 Jan., 1846,
the building committee was instructed to procure a bell.

In 18G1, the lessees of the basement made alterations and fitted up
two stores instead of one, and l)rought tlie entrances from the south
to the east side, remodelling the whole front and adding a portico, in
which condition it remains at the present day. On 2 April, 1868, is
entered in the records an account of moneys spent in frescoing, car-
peting and painting the interior of the church, then completed.

Ne'W Congregational house. The next house of worship built
was that of the Congregationalists, on the common. On 21 April,
1828, at a meeting of tlie Society, a committee consisting of Jonathan
Davis, Abijah Davis, Peter Butler, James l^irwell, and Stearns Witt^
was chosen to consider the subject of building a new Meeting-house,

> This name was a little later changed to DeWitt.

1829-30 CONGREGATIONAL MEETING-HOUSE. 91

which reported on 12 May, to the effect that it was impracticable to
purchase the South Meeting-house or to repair the old one, and that it
was desirable to build a new one, and I'ecommended that measures be
taken to this end. This report was adopted, and Jonathan Davis,
Steai'ns Witt and Stephen Davis were chosen " to draft a constitution
by which the proprietors shall be governed in building a house, also
to select a site for the same and report at an adjourned meeting."

This committee reported the form of a general subscription pay-
able to a building committee — the pew-holders always to have con-
trol of the house, each one having one vote ; pews to be appraised
for enough to pay the expense of the house and a bell, and sold at
auction, and if sold for more than enough to pay expense of building,
the overplus to go to the Society, and if for a sum insufficient to pay
the expense the Society to make good the deficit to the subscribers.
The names of the subscribers do not appear. On 27 April, 1829,
Jonathan Davis, Stearns Witt and Stephen Davis were chosen build-
ing committee. The house was erected during the summer and
autumn of 1829, at a cost of about $6,000. The sale of the pews
amounted to $6,062. The dedication took place 3 November, 1829,
Rev. Ebenezer Newhall preaching the sermon.

Plan. The pulpit was placed at the south end of the audience
room and there were only two aisles, the entrance being on either side
the pulpit facing the audience. The singers' seats were at the north
end and narrow galleries ran on each side.

An act of incorporation of the pew-holders was procured, approved
12 March, 1830, by which Jonathan Davis, Stearns DeWitt, Stephen
Davis, Delano Pierce, Josiah Russell and their associates, were em-
powered to make by-laws, choose officers and raise money by assess-
ment to keep the house in repair, etc. The first meeting of the cor-
poration was on 14 April, 1830, at which a code of by-laws was
adopted. This organization was continued until 1857. Jonathan
Davis was chairman of a committee to confer with the officers of the
Second Religious Society concerning the organ and stoves in the
South Meeting-house. Later the organ was removed to the new
Meetiug-house, where it was used several years, Josiah Russell
organist, and was set aside into a corner of the gallery where it was
unused for a time and was taken down by Jeremiah D. Moore and
removed to the house of his father, Maj. William Moore.

Pew-holders. The following is the list of purchasers of pews :

Alexander DeWitt, .$16G; Stearns DeWitt, .$200; Delano Pierce, $199;
Stephen Davis, $180; Peter Shumway, $150; Sumner Bastow, $140; Andrew
Sigourney, $130; Seth Daniels and Sylvanus Harris, $115; Samuel Dowse,
$90; Joseph Brown, $80: John Hurd, $65; Jonathan Davis, 8 pews, highest,
$166; Peleg Foster, $50; Peter Butler, $146; Abijah Davis, $152; Jonathan
Davis, Jr., $160; Ira Barton, $150; John Wctherell, $150; Samuel Smith,
$140; Martin Sigourney, $130; Henry G. Learned, $115; Samuel Merriam,
$90; Jotham Merriam, $80; Luke 11. Stone, $«5 ; Sylvia Pope, $55; Nathan
Hall, ^110; Abijah, Erastus and Loring Davis, $75; Abigail Plummer, $60;

92 iiisToi:y of oxfdrd. 1838-85

Richard Olney, §100; Prince and Hand, SlOO; Thomas Nichols, §100 ; Shura-
way and Learned, §120; Jothain Eddy, §100; Nichols and Prince, §95; Wash-
burn Luuibard, §95; Benjamin F. Town, §75; John Mellish, §G5 ; Brown,
Ilurd and Moore, §65; David Nichols, §118; Josiah Russell, §75; Jonas
Larned, §00; Stephen Prince, §100; Daniel Moulton, §100; John Lamed, 3d,
§100; Rnfus Harris, §120; Stephen Davis, §100; Alfred Kinffsbury, §95;
Joab Maynard, §95; Justin Root and Israel Moore, §95; Charles P. Nichols,
$77 ; Jason Collier, §65 ; Joel Eddy, §65 ; Stearns DeWitt and Samuel Dowse,
§G5.

Removal. The building was erected at the north side of the
common fronting to the south, and formed with its setting of elms a
beautiful terminus to the street. But as in 1838 the highway, on
account of the railroad crossing, was laid out in a straight course
northerly, and passed very near the church, and building lots con-
sequently were opened north of it, its removal became desirable. In
April, 1852, the town voted that its present site might be occupied,
and 15 June, 1853, money having been subscribed to defray the ex-
pense, the proprietors consented to the removal, and in July, that a
basement story might be put under it for Church uses. In the
fall of 1853 the change was effected, and a large lecture-room fitted
up at a cost of nearly $1,600. In the spring of 1857 it was pro-
posed to bring the pews into a common stock. Many were freely
given up, and by a subscription of $1,335 those not given were
bouglit, and all, with a single exception, were made the property of
the Society. On 13 June, 1857, for the first time the pews were
rented at auction.

House remodelled. On 18 April, 1860, it was voted to pro-
ceed to make thorough repairs and to entirely renovate the building.
Samuel C. Paine, George Hodges and Loren C. Parks were chosen a
committee to supervise this work, which was done the following
autumn and winter. Pews, galleries, floor and pulpit were made
new, and pine and paint gave place to hard wood finish, at a cost of
$3,760.70, which was paid by subscription. The Society assumed the
debt of $300 which the Church owed on the basement, in considera-
tion of which the Church made over to the Society its ownership in
the same. At this time the lecture-room was remodelled and reseated.
The church building was re-opened with dedicatory services on 13
March, 1861.

Organ. The present organ, built by James D. Moore of Worces-
ter, was purchased for $1,400 of the builder in the summer of 1865.

In 1885 radical changes were made in the basement for better
accommodations for social gatherings, the entrance changed to the
front and the stone work relaid, involving a cost of $2,148.75, of
which sum Mr. Allen L. Joslin paid about one-third.

Baptist Meeting-house. In 1836, a demand existing in the
growing Nortli Oxford villages for church privileges, a Baptist Society
was formed and a movement began for a new Meeting-house. A

1836-41 BAPTIST MEETING-HOUSE. 93

subscription for the purpose, provided that the said house should cost
$3,000 and be divided into $50 shares, each to have a vote, the cost
to be averaged on the pews. The subscribers were :

Asa Cutler, Joseph Staflbrd and Geo. Torrey, 8 sliares ; the same, 2 shares
[bein<; the building spot] ; David Hall, G; David Holnian, 2; Stephen Barton,
Jr., 2; H. A. Pettiljone, 2; David Stone, 4; Warren Bruce, 1; Richard San-
ford, 1 ; J.Gardner,!; James Boomer, 2 ; AmasaEddy, 2; Ebenezer Newton,
i ; Amos P. Newton, 1 ; Samuel Warren, 1 ; Rev. John Paine, 2 ; Jonah G.
Warren, 1 ; Waterman G. Warren, 1 ; Elbridge G. Warren, 1 ; William G.
Davidson, 1 ; Ebenezer Coolv and Benjamin Tolman. 1 ; Martin Boomer, 1 ;
Damon and Bartlett, 2; Jennison Barton, 1; E])enezer Brown, .i ; R. Appleton
& Co., 3; William Copp, 1; Daniel Dow, i; Ansel Whitcomb, 1; Erastns
Torrey, h-

On 5 May, 1836, it was voted to buikl ou the lot west of the brick
store, the house to l»e completed by Dec. 1st, and chose Richard San-
ford treasurer, Robert Fitts of Auburn, James Boomer of Charlton
and Joseph Stafford, David Stone and David Hall building com-
mittee. William Howe of Spencer was builder. The laud was
deeded by Cutler, Stafford and Torrey, 16 June, 1836, to this com-
mittee, who, 15 May, 1837, conveyed it with the house to Jennison
Barton and William Copp, deacons of the Church.

Dedication. The dedication was 10 May, 1837, the day the
Church was recognized. The bell was bought with "choice money"
from the pews. A spire 95 feet in height originally existed, but was
swept away down to the belfry by a wind 1 April, 1859. The house
measures 53 by 41 feet; cost of building $3,200. For about eight
years the basement story remained unfinished. Ou 9 Sept., 1844, it
was voted to repair the house, and 29 Nov. to finish the basement
story, which was done in 1845, and dedicated 5 Jan., 1846.

Pews bought up. In the spring of 1856 the Society voted to
adopt the plan of renting the pews yearly to pay expenses, and pro-
ceeded to buy them up for this purpose. A few weeks later it was
voted to " take advantage of the acts of the Legislature on this sub-
ject, passed in 1845 aud 1854." The plan was carried out, and until
1884 the pews were rented annually. At the latter date the free seat
system was adopted and is now continued, expenses being paid by
voluntary subscription.

In 1878 changes were made in the interior, the singers' gallery
dropped and the house much improved. In 1888 decorated windows
were put in, and the walls frescoed.

The Methodist Chapel was erected in 1841 on Barton Street,
a few rods southwesterly from the site of the present building. On
8 June Richard and Abigail Olney deeded to the Trustees of the
Church, for $100, the lot for the same. It was a plain structure
without a tower, 33 by 40 feet, with two aisles and four tiers of pews,
the pulpit at the south end opposite the entrance and a singers' gallery
at the north end over the vestibule. The cost was about $1,500.

94 HISTORY OF OXFORD. 1865-67

More room hoing required, in 1843 an addition of 18 feet at the rear
was made at the expense of about SoOO, which was paid by Mr.
Jonatlian Sibley. This chapel was occupied about 25 years.

Meeting'-house. Preparations for a new house began in the
autumn of 18()'). On 20 Nov., Wilson Olney deeded to Lament B.
Corbin and William H. Thurston the lot on which it stands. In Jan.,

1866, it was voted by the trustees to procure plans, and in February
Mr. Corbin. Mr. Thurston and Daniel Rich were chosen a building
committee and were instructed to build a church about "48 by 80
feet," and on 5 March it was voted to set it "on the corner lot oppo-
site the parsonage." On 8 April, 1867, the pew-holders in the chapel
relinquished their rights that the building might be sold, and the pro-
ceeds went toward the expense of the new house. Later the chapel
was bought by Craft Davis, who removed it and fitted it up for
dwellings. The building of the new house went on during 1866, and
early in 1867 the vestry was occupied. The edifice was completed
in the spring of 18G8, and dedicated on 8 April. A bell weighing
about 2,500 pounds was put in the tower, and after a little more than
a year was broken and replaced by the present one, weighing about
2,000 pounds.

A clock also, now in the tower, built by Stevens of Boston, was
bought by subscri[)tion at a cost of S500.

Episcopal Church. The site was purchased 18 April, 1863, by
William A. Wheelock, who in May, 1864, conveyed it to George
Hodges, Joseph Burrough and Emory E. Harwood for the Protestant
Episcopal Church. Foundations were placed during the following sum-
mer, and the corner stone laid with ceremonies on 20 September. The
building is of a dark stone, quarried on the hill half a mile easterly
from the town hall, and was planned by A. H. Esty of Framingham.
It was first occupied 8 Oct., 1865, and consecrated by Rt. Rev. Man-
ton Eastburn, D.D., 16 Nov. following. The cost was not far from
$20,000, a large i)art of which was paid by George Hodges. An
organ, built by Johnson of Westfield at a cost of $1,800, was put
into the church, Dec, 1866.

"The whole edillce, externally and internally, is harmonious and elej^jant,
and highly credilat)le to the architect and the mechanics who have carried out
the details. It is an architectural ornament such as few country villages
possess." Worcester Spy, 17 Nov., 1865.

Catholic Church. On 12 Oct., 1853, Alonzo H. and Rufus R.
Dana deeded to John B. Fitzpatrick 35 square rods near the common,
about 20 rods north of the present edifice, where in 1857 a build-
ing was put up. It was a part of the present house and less than
half its size. On 2 May, 1866, a larger house being needed, the
present lot was {)urchased, the original building moved thither in

1867, and the large transept was added in its present form, making
the seating capacity about 500. On 12 March, 1867, John O'Shea,

1868-73 PARSONAGES. 95

the purchaser of the lot, deeded the same to Bishop John Joseph
Williams of Boston. The house was dedicated by Bishop Williams,
11 Oct., 1868.

Parsonages. The first parsonage in the town was built by an
incorporated association, the plan originating in 1815, during which
year subscriptions for it were made. On 11 Dec, 1816, Nathan
Hall, Elias Pratt, John Merriam, Stephen Prince, Sylvanus Town,
Charles Town, Peter Butler, Ebenezer Merriam, Abijah Davis, Archi-
bald Campbell, James Gleason, Samuel Coburn, Joseph Brown, Jr.,
Martha Kingsbury and David Nichols were incorporated under the
name of "Oxford Ministerial Association." These were authorized
to raise by subscription $4,000, to purchase land and build a house
and other necessary buildings for the use of the Congregational
minister in Oxford, under the direction of trustees ; to elect officers,
form by-lawa, etc. Peter Butler was treasurer, and on 18 March,
1817, Sylvanus Town deeded to him for $150 two acres of land near
the north end of Main Street, being H. 190. On 12 Feb., 1830,
Peter Butler quitclaimed the same to the Association.^ In 1833 the
shares were bought up by Washburn Lumbard and its use as a
parsonage terminated.

Methodist Parsonage. Late in the year 1845, Sumner Putnam
bought the lot on which the Methodist Parsonage stands, and in 1846
built the house which, on 27 Sept. of that year, he deeded to the
Trustees of the Society. It has been since occupied as a ministerial
residence.

Baptist Parsonage. On G Sept., 1867, John Rhodes and
Theophiliis W. Wilmarth deeded to Ebenezer Newton, Trustee of
the Society at North Oxford, land for a parsonage. The house was
built in 1868 and paid for by subscription.

Episcopal Parsonage. This house was built in 1834 by John
Wethei'ell for a residence. In Feb., 1848, he sold to George Hodges,
who remodelled and enlarged it, occupied it 13 years and removed
to his factory village. In November, 1873, he conveyed it to his
daughter, Mrs. Slater, who the succeeding April deeded it to the
" Trustees of Donations to the Protestant Episcopal Church."

The Congregational Parsonage was built by subscription
under the direction of Allen L. Joslin, Charles P'uller and George
F. Daniels, building committee, in 1871, on a lot which had formerly
been a part of the Stearns DeWitt estate. The cost was $4,570.98,
including land. The -Ladies' Society furnished necessary fixtures at
a cost of $312.61.

1 A certiflcjite, 1 Nov., 1830, by wliicli Abijah sijrned Peter BuUer, Treas. and Alex'r DeWitt,
Davis was made proprietor of share 11, was Clerk.

96 HISTORY OF OXFOKD. 1733-56

chaptp:r v.

EDUCATIONAL.

Public Schools. High School Tkacheks. Sklect Schools. Pastor's
Library. Social Library. Society Library. Library Association.
High School Library. Farmers' Library. Free Public Library.
Reference Library.

Schools. The first mention in the records of a school in Oxford
is 1 Oct., 1733, 20 years after the settlement, when the town instructed
the selectmen to hire a schoolmaster, from which we infer that the
village then contained at least 50 families, the law of 1692 requiring
every town of that number to "constantly provide a schoolmaster."
We have no knowledge of the incumbent previous to 1740. At that
date the selectmen hired Richard Rogers, previously of Worcester, at
a salary of 60 pounds per annum. ^ Mr. Rogers filled his office for
about 20 years. In 1751 a house was built for him, 16 by 18 feet
"beside convenient room for a chimney," at a cost of £13. 6s. 8d.,
which he occupied until his decease. Later it was used by tenants.
Its location was probably near the north common nor far from H. 179.

In 1734 £24 was voted for a school to be kept in four places in the
town. In Dec, 1735, it was voted to divide the town into four parts,
"for the scool to be kept at, Six weeks in each part." lu 1736 £23
was raised for school and sweeping the meeting-house.

School-houses. The plan of four places for the school was
soon given up, and in 1738 one central house was proposed and
a vote passed to build, 14 by 20 feet with a chimney at each end,
which vote was rescinded. Up to this time the school had been kept
in private houses. In 1740 several meetings were held to consider
the subject. On 11 June, at a meeting called at 6 o'clock in the
morning, it was voted that about 20 families on Prospect Hill might
build a house and draw their proportion of money for a school ; that
those living between "Prospect" and "y* brook that runs between
Mr. Campbell's and Joseph Rocket's" [at the north end of the Plain]
might do the same, and those south of said brook might also have
the same privilege, all houses to be built by subscription. In May,
1750, it was again voted that the school be kept in four places in
town, two at the north and two at the south. In 1756 another change
was made, and "the two houses in the north part of the town were

1 This \v;is a sum more than douhle that ralscii levy on tlie town at large, the selectmen were

by the town for I his purpose. It was not until required to furnish school privileges for all, and

many years later that the towns were required the expense above what was paid by towns was

to sustain free; public schools as they now exist, met by parents in projiortion to the number of

Such sums were voted as were thought proper to scholars.

1759-85 SCHOOLS. 97

brought into one," This caused dissatisfaction, and in 1759 a com-
mittee was chosen to consider the matter and report. The result is
not recorded, but it was not permanent. In March, 1760, a larger
committee was elected to devise a satisfactory system, which reported :
one place in the north part of the town "at the foot of the hill
between Leicester and Prospect roads," and for the south part " at
the two school houses." ^

In 1763 the people in the northeast part of the town, now
Auburn, were granted liberty for the year to lay out their proportion
of the money where they should agree. In 1766 the condition of
affairs being unsatisfactory to the remoter inhabitants, Edward Davis,
Esq., proposed the rescinding of all former votes and the adoption
of the following plan: "that liberty be granted to such as agree
thereto to set up a School-house in the south part of the town near
to Jonathan Fuller's on their own cost ;~ and also that there may be
another house in the north part of the town in the lane eastward
from Jonas Pratt's [near Town's Pond] ; also that Prospect Hill and
vicinity be allowed to build a house where they may agree and draw
their part of the monej^, except some small part towards the extra-
ordinary expense of hiring a grammar-school master, to prevent
the town from being liable to a fine.^ Also that all other remote
parts of the town may, if they choose, draw their mouej^ from year to
year, with the exception aforesaid, provided they use it for schooling."
This scheme was adopted, and the next year the house on the Plain
near Jonathan Fuller's was built, and also one not far from Jonas
Pratt's, east of Town's Pond. But dissatisfaction still existed, and
in 1768 another large committee was called to examine and report,
which recommended that a school should be kept in the house on the
six-rod road east of Jonathan Fuller's, one in the house on Jonas
Pratt's land, one on Prospect Hill, one northwest from Asa Conant's
[now Taft's mill. North Oxford], and one near Abial Lamb's [present
almshouse], "in case the inhabitants in the several divisions are
at the charge of building houses." This plan seems to have been
satisfactory, at least for several years. In Jan., 1775, Jeremiah
Shumway, Joseph Hudson and others on the hill northeast were
set off to have a school by themselves. In 1782 Edward Davis and
others in the east part of the town were set off in like manner,
and Ebenezer Humphrey, Joseph Hurd and others, their neighbors,
were set to Mayo district. Fort Hill.

Wards. In 1783 William Eddy, Aaron Parker and others,
their neighbors, were set to the northeast " squadron." In 1785
these divisions, which had before been called "squadrons," were
recorded as " wards," which as population increased became estab-
lished throughout the town.

'"The two school houses," of wliich we have 2 Jonathan Fuller lived near the site of Joslin's

no record, undoubteiUy stood the one not far shoe factory.

from the north comniou and the other on the ■■ In 17G7 the town was fined £5 for not koeidng

Plain. a grammar scliool.

!»8 HISTORY OF OXFORD. 1788-1846

District System. In 1788 Elisha Davis and Lemuel Crane were
deputed to suggest any plans thought advisable for the improvement
of the schools, who reported that each ward remain as then consti-
tuted and "continue to draw their proportion of money, that collectors
be appointed in each district, and that the committee of each ward be
empowered to employ and pay a teacher as by general consent shall
be thought best, to the amount of their funds." This report was
accepted, and thus was inaugurated the long-continued district-fiystem.
In 1792 a ward of 11 families was set off in the northwest part of
the town, but in 1801 was discontinued and its inhabitants set to the
north ward. On 29 Feb., 1800, a large committee was chosen to
consider the subject of re-districting the town. The result was a
report that no change could be made which would improve the plan
already in practice. In Nov., 1808, several families residing on
" Long Hill," in the northeast part of the town, were set to the
North Centre district.

Down to 1809 school-districts had been named after some leading
resident therein. In March, 1809, a committee of one from each
district was chosen to number, name and define each ward, which
reported as follows : The district known as Jonathan Davis' [east]
to be number 1 ; that known as John Mayo's [southeast], num-
ber 2; Jeremiah Kingsbury's [south], number 3 ; Elijah Learned's
[west], number 4; Ephraim Russell's [centre], number 5; James
Butler's [north centre], number G; Elias Pratt's [northeast], num-
ber 7; Sylvanus Learned's [north], number 8. After this date
school matters appear to have been not much agitated until April,
1815, when upon report of Jeremiah Kingsbury, Jonathan Davis
and Sylvanus Town, committee, it was voted that those living in
the part recently set to Oxford from Charlton might draw from
the treasury their proportion of school money and expend it in
Charlton or Dudley, as they chose, or join the centre or Plain dis-
trict in Oxford. In May, 1818, a committee reported that allow-
ing money raised in town for schools, to be paid in other towns was
"attended with very bad conse(|ueuces," and should be discontinued.
The report was adopted, and those who had been allowed that privi-
lege were annexed to the Plain district. In April, 1818, district No.
2 [Fort Hill] was discontinued and its inhabitants set to three adja-
cent districts.

Re-districting. From 1820 to 1845 the policy of increasing the
number of schools prevailed, and from time to time several districts
were set off in different parts of the town, unadvisedly, as results
proved.' In the spring of 1845 a committee of one from each district

1 1n ls-.)0 tlio Lunu'd iu:if;liliorhooii in tlu' west a school, and Saniiipl Slater, etc., were votetJ the

part of the town was made a district, but In 182-2 same prlvlle;{e. In 1831 a district was made in the

was annexed to tlie Plain. Tn 182(i the Thread I.ovett neighborhood in the east i)art of the town,

villafie. and in 18-.'!i the Oxford Woolen Co. were After the Incorporation of Webster all the south

permitted to draw their money, and each opened part of the town was set to the Plain district,

1845-54 SCHOOLS. 99

was chosen to return new districts with geographical lines, which
reported that the plan of small divisions, small schools and short
sessions was detrimental, and the benefits of larger and better graded
schools far overbalaoced the consideration of the travel necessary to
reach them. A division of the town into 9 instead of 11 districts
was advised, and geographical lines recommended as follows : No. 1,
to embrace the southeast corner of the town and the Lovett neighbor-
hood, H. 17 ; No. 2, the central southern part of the town, Fort Hill
and Main Street as far as the DeWitt and Dowse store ; No. 3,
the southwest portion of the town west of the river north to the
Woodbury farm, H. 75, including the hill neighborhood west ; No. 4,
the present Howarth and Buffum villages and Conlin's, H. 85 ; No. 5,
north end of the Plain to near, but not including, present Ithiel T.
Johnson's, H. 185 ; No. 6, from No. 5 north to the Kidder place, H.
133, with south part of Long Hill, extending from Charlton to Sutton
line ; No. 7, from No. 6 north to the Gore line, extending from
Charlton to Sutton line and including Wellington's, H. 129 ; No.
8, the North Gore ; No. 9, the northeast part of the town, including
the North Oxford depot neighborhood and Bradford G. Edson. The
inhabitants of the north part of No. 7 immediately moved for a
change, and in May, 1845, the district was divided near its centre,
the line east and west passing near the Baptist Meeting-house. Thus
Texas village and the west slope of Prospect Hill were made a dis-
trict, numbered 10. Minor changes were later made in other locali-
ties, but substantially the lines as described were adhered to until
the abolishing of the district system, and a subject which had been
more discussed and voted upon in town meetings than any other, was
finally disposed of.

Advanced Schools. In 1853, the law requiring a grammar
school, the subject was as usual referred to a committee, and Emory
Sanford, Ira Merriam, Theophilus W. Wilmarth, Stephen Barton,
Jr., Seth Daniels, Alexander DeWitt and Stephen Davis reported in
March, 1854, recommending the establishment of grammar schools,
not only because the law required it, but because "something should
be done to elevate the character and condition of our common
schools," and advising that $600 additional to the usual sum be raised
to establish two higher schools, one on the Plain and one at North
Oxford. This report was adopted.

Town System. In April, 1854, it was voted that the district
system be abolished and that the town system go into effect in March,
1855, and a committee was chosen to carry the vote into effect.
Great opposition arose in the outer districts to this action, and in
August it was reversed and a vote passed to adopt the district sys-
tem for three years. ^

making It so large that It was In 1833 divided Into sliould carefully supervise the schools according

three portions. to law and receive therefor the sum of $30.

Until March, 1836, the office of school commit- ' The law of 1853 gave school committees power

tee W!is merely honorary. It was then voted to abolisli districts unless the towns voted to

that the board should consist of three, who retain them,

L.ofC.

K>0 HISTORY OF OXFORD. 1864-67

Complaint. In September the district attorney notified the
selectmen that he had received a complaint against the town for not
keeping a grammar school, and that he would lay the matter before
the grand jury unless assurance was given him that the law would be
complied with, upon which, 23 Sept., it was voted 105 to 87 that the
action of the August meeting be rescinded and the town system be
adopted. A committee of one from each district was chosen to act
in the case, to receive estimates for a house on the Plain, to select a
spot for the same and to report.

High Schools. In March, 1855, this action was annulled. In
April a proposition to establish a school in the Town Hall was voted
dowu, and a vote passed to build a school-house on the Plain, and to
provide a place for a high school at North Oxford, and William Kim-
ball, Stephen Barton, Jr., and Moses Burdon were chosen to super-
vise the whole matter. The sum of $6,000 was raised to defray ex-
penses and the selectmen were authorized to take land for a house,
and on 10 Sept. their action in the selection of a lot near the
Methodist Chapel was approved. In the fall and winter of 1855-6
the house was built by Otis Learned at a cost of §2,850, the upper
room only being finished. The cost of the lot, 77^ rods, was S425.
The house was dedicated with appropriate ceremonies 9 Aug., 1856,
John E. Kimball, then a student at college, giving an address. In
1856 one-half the house and land in No. 7 was purchased by the town
for high school purposes at $1,500. In April, 1864, it was voted
that scholars from other towns be admitted to the high schools on
terms to be fixed by the school committee.

Town System established. In April, 1867, it was again
voted to abolish the district system and to "organize under the pro-
visions of Chap. 39, Sec. 3, of the General Statutes." A committee
of 11 was chosen to supervise the change and appraise the property
of the several districts as provided in the act. This committee con-
sisted of Rev. Daniel E. Chapin, Walter L. Rosebrook, Theophilus
W. Wilmarth, Lyman A. Wetherell, Edwin Bartlett, Cyrus Kidder,
Nathaniel Eddy, Albert Lackey, Jonathan P. Dana, George Hodges,
Isaac B. Hartwell. The appraisal was as follows: District No. 1,
$454 ; No. 2, $930 ; No. 3, $310 ; No. 4, $297 ; No. 5, $961 ; No. 6,
$509 ; No. 7, $896 ; No. 8, $91 ; No. 9, $173 ; No. 10, $147 ; total,
$4,771. Under this arrangement the process of grading was entered
upon so far as possible, the high school at North Oxford was dis-
continued, and a grammar school established instead (which since
has been mainly under the charge of male teachers), and a primary
department was opened on the lower floor of the North Oxford house.

Grammar School. The schools in the Plain districts being too
large the lower floor of the high school house was in 1867 fitted up
and a grammar school opened, made up of advanced pupils from
these districts. This school has 'been very prosperous and has been

1874 SCHOOLS. 101

in charge generally of male teachers. In 1868 a house near the
North Oxford railroad station was built at a cost of $2,787. In
1872 a house in district No. 8 [North Gore] was built and with fur-
nishing cost $1,376. In Sept., 1873, it was voted to sell the house
in No. 6 [north centre].

North Oxford School-house. In June, 1874, Rufus G.
Alverson, Joseph Dart, Lewis Stockwell, Charles H. Wellington and
Moses Burdon were chosen a committee to consider the subject of
the house at North Oxford and report. In July the sum of $3,000
was voted to be expended upon it so far as necessary in repairs,
and a thorough remodelling of it was effected by this committee at
a cost of $3,062. In April, 1877, the sum of $400 was voted to
repair house No. 4. In April, 1878, $750 was appropriated to
repair house No. 2. In 1879, $350 was raised to repair house No.
3. In April, 1881, it was voted to build anew at the north end of
the Plain, and $4,000 was appropriated for the purpose. The present
building accommodating two large schools, iuterraediate and primary,
was built that year, at a cost, including furnishings, of $4,601 exclu-
sive of lot, which cost $500.

Appropriations for schools began with £24 in 1734, fluctuating
with the value of the currency to 1740, rising gradually until 1750,
when £20 " hard money " was voted. This sum with slight variations
was granted annually until 1761, when it was raised to £30 and con-
tinued for six years. In 1767 it was increased to £40, and in 1768
to £50, at which point it continued until the Revolutionary war. No
money was voted in 1776 or 1778. In Dec. of 1777 £60 was raised.
In 1781, coming back to "hard money," the sum voted was £60,
each district to draw its proportion and the school tax to be made
separately. This was the annual grant for 24 years. In 1806 it was
increased to $400 and in 1812 to $500, and continued thus (with the
exception of 1821 and 1822 when it was $400) to 1826. In 1827 it
was increased to $600, continuing until 1835, when $800 was raised.
Subsequently the sums were as follows : 1836 and 1837, $900 ; 1838,
$1,200; 1839, $1,000; 1840 and 1841, $1,200 ; 1842, $1,100; 1843,
$1,000; 1844 and 1845, $1,200; 1846, $1,000; 1847 and 1848,
$1,400; 1849, $1,200; 1850 to 1856, $1,500 ; in 1856 the first money,
$1,000, was raised for a high school ; 1857, $1,500 to districts, $1,200
to high school ; 1858, $1,200 to districts, $1,000 to high school ; 1859
to 1861, $1,500 to districts, $1,000 to high school; 1862, $1,500 to
districts, $800 to high school ; 1863, $1,500 to districts, $600 to high
school; 1864, $1,600 to districts, $600 to high school ; 1865, $1,600
to districts, $800 to high school ; 1866, $2,U00 to districts, $1,000 to
high school ; 1867, $2,500 to districts, $1,200 to high school ; districts
abolished ; 1868, $4,000 for all ; 1869 to 1871, $4,500 ; 1872, $4,000 ;
1873, $5,000; 1874, $6,000; 1875, $5,000; 1876, $4,600; 1877,
$4,500 ; 1878 to 1880, $4,000 ; 1881 to 1884, $4,500 ; 1885, $5,000.

102 HISTORY OF OXFORD.

High School Teachers, Samuel W. Cook, summer 1856 to
summer 1858, now a dentist at Worcester ; John E. Kimball, fall
and winter of 1858-'J ; Jairus Lincoln, Jr., of Northboro', spring of
1859 ; Georij;e Mason, autumn 1859 to summer 1800, now at Wash-
ington, T). (". ; Joseph Lippitt, autumn 1800 to Marcli, 1864, now
accountant at Providence, R. I. ; Josiah B. Davis, autumn and win-
ter 1864-5 ; Charles R. Phipps, spring 1865 ; James B. Batcheller,
autumn 1865, son of Rev. David Batcheller and now deceased ;
Francis E. Buruette, winter 1865-6, now principal of McGaw
Institute, Reed's Ferry, N. H. ; Charles H. Goulding of Leominster,
spring 1866 ; John C. Hammond, winter 1866-7, spring 1867 and win-
ter 1867-8, now lawyer at Northampton ; Jesse R. Davenport, sum-
mer 1868 to July, 1869, now druggist at Putnam, Conn. ; Maria L.
Adams, fall of 1869 ; Mary E. Terry, 10 months in 1870, health
failed ; Newell Wedge of Sutton, spring 1871 ; A. E. Ford, autumn
of 1871 to spring 1873, now at Clinton; John A. Pierce of Edgar-
town, spring 1873 ; Stephen A. Snow, autumn 1873 to autumn
1875; Charles A. Buffum of Salem, winter and spring 1875-6, later
teacher at Easthamptou ; Cornelius E. Wood, autumn and winter
1876-7 ; J. B. Atwood of Somerville, spring of 1877 to July, 1879 ;
Fred. A. Holden, autumn and winter 1879-80, later, clergyman ;
Alfred S. Smith, and later L. B. Lane, spring 1880 to spring 1881 ;
Samuel A. Melcher, spring 1881 to close of 1883, now teacher at
Whitinsville ; D. H. Felch, spring and autumn 1884 ; George A.
Willey, winter of 1884 to present time, 1890.

North Oxford Teachers. James C. Mills, 1856 to 1858 ; F.
Tourtelotte, 1858 ; James C. Mills, winter 1858-9 ; Leander Poor,
1859 and 1800; Mr. Hatch of Peterboro, N. H., autumn and winter
1861; Nathaniel P:ddy, 1802; Charles H. Goulding, 1803; Charles
D. Thomas, began winter 1863, enlisted in the army ; Rev. Joseph
Smith, 1864 ; Charles R. Phipps, winter 1864-5 ; F. L. Smith, autumn
1865, teacher at Salem, 1890 ; Dwight S. Herrick, winter 1865-6 ;
John C. Hammond, autumn of 1860 and of 1807. Newell Wedge,
winter 1870 ; Miss M. E. Stone, 1871 ; Flora A. Lamb, 1872 ; Charles
H. Furber, autumn 1872 ; Ella J. Moore, 1873 ; Martha D. Cole,
1874 ; Miss M. L. Davis, 1875 ; Miss S. H. Munger, winter and
spring 1875-0 ; Alfred S. Smith, winter 1876-7 ; and later in succes-
sion : Stephen W. Ferguson, W. Palmer and G. W. Lyman.

Select Schools. So far as learned the first select school in
Oxford was that for young ladies, conducted by Misses Lua and
Abigail Thayer, sisters of Gen. Sylvanus Thayer, U. S. army, and of
Mrs. Moulton, wife of Rev. Josiah Moulton, the minister. It was at
first located at the Dr. Fisk house, opposite Town's Pond [H. 141],
and was opened about 1807, and continued for three years, having
been each year suspended during the winter. Mr. Moulton in build-
ing the large house near the common, now Campbell's, finished a
small hall for its accommodation and it was kept there the last year.

1810 SCHOOLS. 103

It was prosperous, pupils coming from other places and was well
patronized by the town's people. In addition to the common English
branches, the higher accomplishments were taught. This being a
new departure in the line of education the matter excited a general
interest among the people, and it was esteemed a very worthy institu-
tion. In 1820 Miss Bancroft of Worcester, a sister of the histo-
rian, taught a select school for young ladies for one season at the
"Gleason house," corner of Sigourney and Main Streets, H. 239.
In 1826 and 1827 Mrs. Martin Sigourney conducted a like enterprise
at the old Sigourney mansion, Sutton Avenue.

The most successful private school in Oxford was that of Richard
C. Stone and his successors. He first taught for a few months at the
Dr. Fisk house, H. 141, and removed to the Plain where he began in
1830 in a room fitted for the purpose in the rear of his house, H. 202
continuing until 1834. He had tact and energy, and pupils, male
and female, attended from many neighboring places. Natural philos-
ophy, chemistry, the higher mathematics and languages were tauo-ht.
Miss Eliza Whittemore, an accomplished graduate of Leicester
Academy, was assistant, giving lessons in French and the ornamental
branches. In the summer of 1834 Stone was succeeded by Orlando
Chester. He was a good scholar but lacked the skill and efficiency
of his predecessor. In the spring of 1836 he retired and J. Lewis
Stone, son of Richard C, came in and taught one term. In Oct.
1836, John O. Burleigh assumed charge. He was a well trained
teacher and managed successfully until the spring of 1842, when he
removed from town. James C, Seagrave of Uxbrido-e was next
master and taught through the spring, autumn and winter of 1842-3.
He was a college student, and left his studies temporarily on account
of ill health, and returned to college in 1843. No school was there-
after maintained at this location.

In the spring of 1843 Misses Mary B. and Celia E. Campbell
established at the mansion near the north common a boardino--school
for misses. Pupils attended from this and surrounding towns, and
several were from New York city. In the autumn of 1844 they
removed to Springfield. In 1854-6 Misses Mary B. and Elizabeth
DeWitl taught a young ladies' school at the family residence, H. 240,
receiving day pupils and boarders. Later there were from time to
time several small select schools, taught by ladies in different locali-
ties in the town.

Holbrook Lectures. Much interest existed in town in the
winter of 1826-7 in a series of popular scientific lectures by Prof.
Josiah Holbrook of New Haven. They were delivered at the hall of
the centre tavern, and extended through many weeks, with two lectures
a week, the subject being Natural Philosophy and Chemistry, illus-
trated by apparatus and experiments, which made them entertaining

104 HISTORY OF OXFORD.

as well as instructive. During this time Mr. Holbrook remained in
town and was the occasional guest of many of the families of the
vicinity.

"i'. Lamed Lectures, In the winter of 1884-5, through the liber-
ality of a former townsman, Mr. Charles Larned of Boston, a series
of free popular lectures and concerts was instituted, many of which
were of a high order. They continued four consecutive years and
were a source of much profit and enjoyment to the large audiences
which attended.

Pastor's Library. The first collection of books in Oxford con-
stituting a library, of perhaps not over ten volumes, was contributed,
a part as early as 1719, by Paul Dudley, Rev. Benjamin Wadsworth
and other gentlemen of Boston and vicinity, wx'll wishers of the town,
for the use of the minister. Several of these volumes were preserved
as late as 1840 in the receptacle of the Society Library, which was
formed later. Among them were large specimens of costly book-
making, finely printed and bound in the most substantial manner.
Some volumes are now in existence, two of which contain valuable
inscriptions ; the first, a scripture commentary printed in London
in 1624, was in 1701 the property of Mr. Wadsworth, minister of
the first church in Boston, once President of Harvard College. On
the margin of the fii'st leaf is written " For Oxford Library." Oppo-
site, on the blank page, " The gift of the Rev'd Benja. Wadsworth —
for the use of the Church or Parish Library of Oxford in the County
of Suffolk, 1719." The other is entitled " Hexapla," or commentary
on Romans. On the back of the title-page is written " Roxbury 3*
July 1736. For the use of the Parish Library in Oxford New Eng-
land the Rev Mr. Cambel being the present minister

Given by Paul Dudley."
Other contributions were a large folio in Latin, being "An Exposi-
tion of the Psalms, given by Rev. Dr. Colman," a volume of sermons
by Samuel Hieron, given by Samuel Taylor of Boston, and one
written by William Morice, P^sq., given by Paul Dudley. •

Social Library. The second, called the " Social Library," was
established about tlie time of the Revolutionary war through the
influence of Josiah Wolcott, Dr. Stephen Barton, Jonathan Davis
and others, and was an important institution of the village in the
latter part of the last century. Its early records are lost. It was
at first a stock company and the proceeds of the sales of shares
were expended in purchasing books. Donations of books were also
made by individuals. Its depository was for many years at the
Butler tavern, and later was removed to the dwelling-house of Peter

' K('v. J. (^ainplicll io his book publislied lu motes it amoiift 'ienUemen. Tlie Douors' names

174'! acknowleiiftes his indebtedness to tills col- are in a Cataloj^ue of the Books, in perpeiuam

led Ion, and adds: "Tlie lIonorabU'JudKe /Ju(Wey Doni tnemoriam; I liope their Names will be in

devised this liberal thing and sedulously pro- everlasting Remembrance witii the Lord."

LIBRARIES. 105

Butler, in whose care it remained until his decease in 1857. A cata-
logue and list of members, dated 1 March, 1818, gives 113 volumes
and 30 proprietors. Total cost of books, $254.27. The catalogue
was as follows :

British Album, Brown's Elements, Barclay's Apolog.v, Chesterfield Abridged,
Clark's Travels, 3 v., Campbell's Narrative, Dean's Husbandry, Dialogue of
Devils, Domestic Euc.yclopedia, 5 v.. Domestic Cookery, Enclyclopedia, 18
v., fl20, Franklin's Works, Female Biography, Goldsmith's Works, 6 v.,
Grandpre's Voyage, Holmes' Sketches, 2 v., The Hive, Herriot's Travels,
Heathen Gods, Indian Wars, Locke on the Understanding, 2 v.. Life of Wash-
ington, 6 v.. Paradise Lost, Memoirs of Cumtierland, Modern Europe, Pri-
deaux's History of the Bible, 4 v.. Parents' Friend, Pope's Works, 4 v., Parke's
Travels, Porteus' Evidences of Christian Religion, Kelly's Works, 2 v.. Rights
of Women, Rambler, i v., Rollin's Ancient History, 8 v., Robertson's America,
2 v., Seneca's Morals, Self Knowledge, Shakespeare, 6 v.. Spectator, 8 v.. The
Task, Thomson's Seasons, Telemachus, 2 v.. Thinks I to Myself, Vicar of
Wakefield, Views of Religions, Whitney's History of Worcester County, Mrs.
Williams' Letters, Winchester's Letters.'

The proprietors were :

James Butler, Peter Butler, Lemuel Crane, Jonathan Davis, Rufus Davis,
Abijah Davis, Nehemiah Davis, Stephen Davis, Jonathan Davis, Jr., William
T. Fisk, Asa Harris, Samuel Harris, Jonas Hai'twell, Bradford Hudson,
Jeremiah Kingsbury, Samuel Kingsbury, Stephen Kingsbury, Sylvanus Learned,
Abisha Learned, William Lamson, John Mayo, Richard Moore, Thomas
Meriam, Jotham Meriam, John Pratt, John Putnam, Amos Rich, Joseph Stone,
William Sigourney, Samuel Ward.

It is known that in 1841 a few shareholders drew out their propor-
tion of books permanently, but not nearly all did so, and on 7 March,
1859, the affairs of the association were closed by the sale of the
remaining volumes at auction, for $8.55, to Mr. Daniel Rich.

Society Library. In Jan., 1792, the Congregational Church
voted £30 from the Hagburn Fund toward a new library. Mr. Dudley,
the pastor, seems to have been the prime mover, and with Capt. Elisha
Davis, John Dana and Capt. Ebenezer Humphrey was deputed to buy
books. The record recites, " The following are the conditions on
which the Church agrees to lay out money ... in junction with
other gentlemen subscribers in the town." The following, outside
the Church, paid each 15 shillings and were members: John Ballard,
Jonas Eddy, Lemuel Crane, Anthony Sigourney, Simeon Kingsbury,
Ebenezer Shumway, Jr., Jesse Stone of Ward, Allen Hancock, Amos
Shumway, Jr., Joseph Hurd, Daniel Kingsbury, Ambrose Stone, Jr.,
Sylvanus Town ; Sigourney sold 1796 to Elias Pratt. In Feb., 1792,
books to the value of £27. 14s. were bought and the library was soon
opened. In accordance with the by-laws Mr. Dudley was librarian,
acting efficiently while he remained in town.

'In lSi9, Judge Barton, then of Worcester, be says: "In tendering It to your association I

presented to tlie lihrjiry four large supplcmen- shall only make a small but grateful return for

tary volumes of the British Encyclopedia with the pleasure and benefit I derived in the days of

a volume of plates. In his accompanying note my bovhood from their useful library."

1<»<) HISTORY OF OXFORD.

The titles of the books first purchased were :

Gibbon's Abridijment, 2 v., Robertson's America, 2 v., Gutlirie's Gnuiimar,
Morse's Graniiiiar, Dodd's Thoui^hts, Fordice's Sermons, Paley's Pliilosophy,
Citizen of tlie World, 2 v., BlaclvstDne's Commentaries, t v., Webster's Essay,
Paradise Lost, Ni,s;ht Tlioughts. Beattie's P^vidences, Beattie's Moral Science,
Stackhouse Ilis. of Biljle, G v.. The Task. Edwards on tlio Will, Jenyns' View,
Mason on Self Knowledge, Watts' Death and Heaven, Ramsay's History. Dodd-
ridge's Rise and Progress, Child's Friend, 2 v., Minot's Insurrections, Keats'
Pclew Islands, Vicar of WakeHeld, Edwards on Sin, Edwards on Redemption,
Gardiner's Life, Blair's Sermons, 2 v., Boston's Distinguished Characters,
Edwards on the Att'ections, Edwards against Chauncy, The Spectator, 8 v.,
Doddridge Sermons, Christian Theology, Pilgrim's Progress, Martin's Gram-
mar, Newton on Prophesies, 2 v., Seneca's Morals, Hopkins on Holiness,
Edwards on Virtue, American Preacher, 3 v., Butler's Analogy, Price's Dis-
sertations, Hervey's Meditations, Bigelow's Tour, 2 v.. Millot's Elements, 5
v., Locke's Essay, 2 v., Ferguson's Astronomy, Dean's Husbandry.

The library opened with about 80 volumes. Later, from time to
time, additions were made by gift and purchase, and the aggregate
was probably nearly double that number. It is no slight compliment
to the intelligence and good taste of the people of those times that,
as the records testify, these solid volumes were for many years ex-
tensively circulated and read throughout the town.

A prudential committee of five was chosen annually to manage its
general affairs, and for the first 20 years the following constituted
this committee : Ebenezer Learned, Elisha Davis, Samuel Harris,
Lemuel Crane, John Ballard, Ebenezer Humphrey, Joseph Hurd,
Joshua Turner, John Dana. On Mr. Dudley's removal in 1799
Jonathan Harris was chosen librarian and continued until Jan., 1806,
when Rev. J. Moulton became, ex-officio, the custodian. He retained
the position until April only, when Col. Sylvanus Town was elected,
serving until the settlement of Mr. Batchellor in 1H16. In Oct.,
1822, Mr. Batcheller died, and Jan., 1S2S, Calvin Perry was librarian,
at which time interest had much declined. In Jan., 1825, the Church
voted $CtO for new books, and Seth Daniels was chosen librarian.
About this time the name was changed from '■•Society Library" to
"Second Social Library." In July, 1831, John Wetherell was in
charge, continuing two or three years at least. Later the library was
removed to the vestil)ule of the new Meeting-house, where it has since
remained. It had no care, and being in a public phice many books
disappeared, there being at present only a remnant of about 25
volumes.

Liibrary Association. This was an organization of young
people, numl)ering 50 or more, formed in 1856. It first took the

1 Sdiiii' ol tlie fiiUifs on the rt'cords of lines ciindle on book." Amos Shuniway "blurred
are <|iilte svij?KesUve of tbe olden limes, as wbcn .losephus '" [snuff]. In Dec, l.S!H>, tlie few re-
Lemuel Crane "ftreased Blackstone." Peter malning voluincs of tills collection, and also of
Sliuniwiiy "dropijed tallow on the American I be tlrst or Pastor's Library, were by vote of the
Preacher.'' Silas Kddy " dropixMt tallow on and Church presented to the Free Public Library,
burnt Stackhouse." .lohu Uana"adrop of the

LIBRARIES. 107

form of a reading-club, meeting at private houses once in two weeks.
Conducted by its members was a literary paper called the Evening
Star. An attempt was made to raise funds by lectures, but was
unsuccessful. In December a dramatic entertainment was given
which put over $50 into the treasury which, with membership fees,
fines, etc., enabled the society in Dec, 1857, to buy 84 volumes and
a case, and a library was opened under the name of the "Association
Library." The public were given the use of it by the payment of
one dollar per annum for each person. The number of books was
increased until it reached about 150 volumes, and the selection was
good. Issachar Shumway was first librarian, and the books were
kept for a time at the oflSce formerly Dr. Nichols', near the present
Dr. Cushmau house, since removed to Barton Street. In Jan., 1860,
the interest in the society had fallen oflf. In February meetings were
suspended and a committee chosen to care for the library, funds, etc.
In November meetings by vote were discontinued. The books were
removed to the store of B. W. Childs, one of the committee,
remained there for several years, and later were transferred to the
Fi'ee Public Library.

High School Library. A year or two after the opening of the
high school in 1856, a small library had been gathered for its use,
chiefly by private contributions. At the same time the Library
Association flourished, and in May, 1859, with the design of con-
centrating the forces, the school voted to incorporate its collection
with that of this body. The books continued in the care of the Asso-
ciation for two years, and in May, 1861, the volumes received from
the school were returned, and with them a case in which the whole
had been kept, and the school library was re-established in its old
position. Additions to it have been made and the collection now
numbers about 250 volumes, and is a valuable adjunct to the educa-
tional appliances of the school.

Farmers' Library. The Oxford Agricultural Library Associa-
tion was formed 25 July, 1859. The town had been canvassed by an
agent of certain book publishers, and 68 shares at $3 each were sold.
A constitution and by-laws were adopted, and a library of 148 vol-
umes costing $225 was established. G-eorge Hodges, Jr., was first
president, and William E. Pease, treasurer and librarian, continuing
from first to last. The books were kept at the Post-office and were
read considerably for the first few years, but as additions were not
made to much extent the interest was not sustained and on 15 Aug.,
1870, the collection was by unanimous vote given to the town to be
incorporated in the Free Public Library.

School Library. In 1841 school libraries were being printed
and established in Massachusetts under the sanction of the Board of
Education. The plan contemplated 100 volumes at a cost of $57.
At this date 37 volumes had been issued and the sum of $23.55 was
raised by subscription in District No. 7, North Gore, and paid 17

108 UlSTOIiY OF OXFOUD.

March, 1S42. By-laws were adopted, officers chosen and the library
opened. In 1843 it became the property of the District, George W.
H:ul\vcll was chosen librarian, and tlie books were kept at his house.

Free Public Library. This institution owes its origin to the
kindly regard and generous impulses of a distinguished son of the
town — Hon. Ira M. Barton. Bearing in mind the benefits he in his
youth received from a simihir source and the appreciation in which
he liad been held by the people, he gave the town in his will the
sum of one thousand dollars "towards establishing a Free Public
Library." ' This gift was formally accepted in April, 1868. In
November, 1869, on the report of a committee appointed the pre-
vious April, it was voted to organize a Town Library under the pro-
visions of laws of the State. In April, 1870, an ante-room of the
High School-house was appropriated to its use, and a committee was
chosen to fit up the same, purchase books and provide for putting the
lil)rary in operation. The money refunded from the dog-tax was
appropriated to the same purpose in accordance with Chap. 2.50 of
the Acts of 1869. In the autumn of 1870 the library was opened.
April, 1871, Charles A. Angell, George F. Daniels and E. Harris
Howland were chosen committee, with power to employ a librarian
and to make by-laws. In 1874 the books, then numbering 1700,
were removed to the new Town Hall. The town has, since the begin-
ning, with the exception of one or two years, voted to it the dog-tax
fund, which, beside paying running expenses, has brought the num-
ber of volumes (April, 1890) up to over 4,000.

Reference Library. A very valuable feature of the institution
is the Reference Department with its cyclopedias, dictionaries and
books of reference on a great variety of subjects, numbering 450 vol-
umes. For this the town is indebted to the liberality of Hon. George
L. Davis of North Andover, who, appreciating the value of public
records, in 1876, proposed to the town to present to it $oOO for the
benefit of its library if it would cause its earlier records of bu'ths,
marriages and deaths to be copied and indexed. In April, 1876, this
offer was accepted and the proposed work was completed during the
following summer.

'.luilKo Barton's will, iUImX 1 June, 1867, con- la that town, iis an iiiacluqiKitc rotmn for the

taliieil tlu; [ollowlii«: "One Uioiisami dollarn to kindness and patronaitc of their t'athtrs In my

the hihahltants of the town of Oxford, luy native early professional life."
place, towards eslabllsliluK a Free Public Library

CHAPTER VI.

HIGHWAYS AND BRIDGES.

Main Strekt. Fort Hill Road. Sutton Road. Quaboag Lane. Mill
Road. Old Charlton Road. Dudley Bridge. New Charlton Road.
Post-road. Survey of Roads. Douglas Road. Highway Districts.
Douglas Turnpike. Millbury Road. Dudley Road. Hartford Turn-
pike. North Gore Roads. Streets Relocated. Stone Arch Bridges.

Eight-rod way. Three principal avenues existed in the town at
the time of the English settlement. .1. The "Eight-rod way," so
called, which, beginning at the fork of the present Thompson and
Webster roads, at H. 62, ran northerly over Johnson's Plain, the
Great Plain and Town's Plain to the north cemetery, a distance of
nearly three miles. Upon this central highway were located chiefly
the home lots of the English settlers. The selectmen, confirming
the original location, on 6 F'eb., 1714, laid out this way as follows :

" Beginuiug- at a white oake tree on Jousous plain ueer Woodstock path, run-
ing northwardly marked on the west sid to nelands feald on the great plain
by the old mill place, from thence marked on the east Sid by Staks and trees
tel it corns to the brooke on the northwardly Sid of peter Shumway's frame
of his house [now Ithiel T. Johnson's, H. 185] from thence on the west Sid of
the Swamp to and by the Ends of the home Lots of -John towne and Israel
towne and Daniel Eloit Juner sd way being Eight rods wide."

Two changes have been made in this way since its original location.
The first was that made by Rev. John Campbell in 1723. His peti-
tion to the proprietors was as follows :

" Gentlemen, whereas I have for the beneflt of Travellers and Inhabitants
Turned the eight rod highway opposite to my house and the two rod highway
that leads to the Great Meadow : the eight rod highway is shortened about 10
or 11 rods and the other about so many, as also it hath saved the makeing of
a bridge of some considerable charges and therefore I humbly request that
you would be pleased to accept of the turning of the above said ways at your
next meetinij.

" (Signed; John Campbell."

Granted 19 March, 1723.'

1 The original route was on tlie west side of at tlic stone bridge east of tlie railroad, and bear-

the common or "training-field" aiwl continued Ing westerly entering the original location about

across the flat, now called the "prairie," crossing 60 rods further north. A way from the Plain

the brook at its nortliern extremity. This ac- past Mr. Campbell's house to the great meadow

counts for the location of tlie first meeting-house w^s a necessity and as a bridge was needed there

being so far west of the main road: it was, when it was desirable that the main road should cross

built, directly on it. Tlie change Sir. Campbell the brook at the same place, instead of liavlng

made caused the .S-rod way to pass the ease side two bridges.
of tbe common, down the hill, crossing the brook

110 HISTORY OF OXFORD.

The second change was made in 1793. Until that time the road
near Peter Shumway's house on Johnson's Plain, H. 64, turned
to the east so as to pass around the hollow north of the site of the
Johnson house. At that date it vvas laid out directly across tlie hollow
in its present location.

Four-rod way. 2. The " four rod way" led from the main
road to the fort. This was at the same date laid out as follows :

" bei^iiiniiii; att the Eii^lit rod way on the Sonthwardly Sid of an orchard
necr the old mill riming over the old mill brook to a rock on the East of Said
hrooke from thence marked on the northwardly Side with mark trees tel it
corns to barnons land ncer the north East Corner of .Joseph Chamberliu's
Sener's home lot, said way being four rods wide."

Six-rod way. 3. That named in the records of home lots as
the '' six rod way," being the road to Boston through Sutton, of which
no description is recorded prior to May, 1729, when it was accepted
as a town road.

Quaboag Lane. Another of the oldest ways* in the town, and
one which probably had no legal status, perhaps originally an Indian
trail, was the "(.^uaboag" or Brookfleld ''Lane," which, fording the
river at the stone arch bridge, entered the 8-rod way from the west
near the house of the late Benjamin Paine, H. 221. In 1764 and m
1772 efforts were made to have this lane closed, but failed.

Of the old "Woodstock Path" — now the road to Webster — long
trod by Connecticut pioneers. Huguenots and others, there is no
de8crii)tive record.' On 24 Nov., 1729, it was voted that the bridge
over the river on Woodstock road be paid for by the whole town.-

In 1731 a road south toward Killingly was accepted.

Mill Road. Another highway travelled much in early times, not
accepted as a town road until 11 March, 1754, was the 2-rod way
beginning at the northeast corner of the burying-ground leading over
the hill to the mill, and on westerly. This and the Quaboag Lane
were the only roads to Sturbridge and the south part of Charlton
until after the Revolutionary war.

Charlton Road. March, 1731, a highway running from the 8-
rod road on the north side of Town's Pond past the little cedar
swamp and crossing the river near the Joseph Brown place, H. 88,
was accepteil, and soon opened. In May, 1738, a committee was
chosen to lix the location of a bridge over the river on this road.

Bridges. The tirst bridge of which there is any record was that
built over the mill brook in the 8-rod way one mile south of the
centre on the Webster road, voted 24 May, 1716. At the same date
it was also voted to build a bridge " made passabel for horses over
y* brook "on the road to the fort. There doubtless had been pre-
viously a foot-bridge here. Another was voted at the same time
over the brook 100 rods east of the centre on the Sutton road. There

1 In 1«7'2 was estabUsheiiu post route "to «oe -This bridge was near the location of the
monthly from New York to Boston," via Hart- present stone arch briUge on the Webster road,
ford, which undoubtedly followed this path.

1736-58 HIGHWAYS AND BRIDGES. Ill

is a tradition tiiat a beaver dam existed here on which a crossing
was made before the bridge was built. In 1736 the Court of Sessions
ordered a cart bridge to be built over the river in the North Gore
"on the road to Oxford."

Building a road was a thing unknown in the earlier days. " Ways "
were opened over the natural soil, and the people as best they could,
travelled them on horseback or in ox carts. After 10 or 12 years, in
March, 1728, a small sum was voted to repair them. In 1765 it was
voted to clear them of snow in the winter.'

Roads accepted. March, 1732, from Ebenezer Learned's,
towards Worcester and Leicester, two rods wide. 1740, from present
Rockdale west to Daniel Mclntire's, near Charlton line. 1742, that
ordered by the Court of Sessions, from Woodstock to Worcester,
Ebenezer Learned chairman of committee ; the way followed old roads
in Oxford.

Bridge on Dudley Road. In Nov., 1742, the town was " pre-
sented" before the court for not keeping a good bridge over the
river on the Dudley road. The bridge was repaired and the case dis-
missed. In 1759 the selectmen represented to the Court that they
had been at great expense in maintaining this bridge, that but two
families lived on the Dudley side of it, and it was little service to the
town but wholly used by travellers and inhabitants of Dudley ; that
it was then out of repair and must soon be re-built, asking that the
County assume the cost. This petition was dismissed.

Roads accepted. 1748, from Josiah Kingsbury's, now in Web-
ster, into the *' 8 rod" or Killingly road; from Roger Amidown's,
now Clark's, H. 39, to the "8 rod" way ; in 1749, from Jacob Town's,
H. 87, into the old Charlton road north of Town's Pond ; from
Blood's and Dresser's, later Charlton, to Ballard's mill, now Howarth's ;
in 1750, from Hudson's on Long Hill to the north Meeting-house;
from Ebenezer Mclntire's, Charlton, over Mashamucket Hill to the
north branch of Little River into the road from Dresser's to Ballard's
mill; in 1751, from Sutton line near Ensign Kidder's toward Oxford
over land of Hovey, Bogle and Oliver Shumway into a road near
Hudson's.

The road leading easterly from the north common existed before
1750. In March, 1753, the town accepted a way from Benjamin
Davis', then living near H. 22, northwest into this road, giving him
a way to the Meeting-house.

Soon after 1750 Duncan Campbell began erecting a house in the
8-rod road at the head of the common, the site of the present school-
house, H. 189. In March, 1754, the town voted to allow him to shut

' WithlQ the memory of many now livliij; the tlirough the length of the Plain, and not until

travelled way throuxh our beautiful Main Street the Kradin^ of the railroad in ISiS, when good

consisted of from one to lialf a dozen carriage materials were to be had in abundance, was the

patlis of ileep ruts cut in tlie loam, abounding in present straight and solid way constructed in

mire and mud-holes in the wet season, and wind- tlie middle of the street.
Ing in all directions from one side to the other

112 HISTOUY OF OXFORD. 1754-84

up four rods of the highway, the Court of Sessions granting him leave
"to turn the road near his improvements," provided he made the new
road as good as the old. In making this change a strip of land a
part of the 8-rod way was left on the west side of his house. In
March, 1771, this strip, 10 rods long, was voted by the town to Rev.
Joseph Bowman, then owner of the adjoining estate on the west.
On 11 March, 1754, the town accepted the County road to be four
rods wide from the stone bridge southerly to the common, passing
the Campbell or Wolcott house.

Roads accepted. March, 1700, from Ebenezer Merriain's,
North Gore, to Edwards' mill, later Lamb's; 1771, from Jacob
Shumway's, H. 170, and John Hudson's, southeast to Sutton line;
1772, from Israel Phillips' southerly through Freeland's land to the
Leicester road. In 1708, by order of Court was laid out a road from
Dudley to Worcester, following the old road in Oxford.

Charlton road. After Charlton had been about 20 years incor-
porated its people began to objefct to the indirect and hilly route to
Oxford, past the Augutteback mill and over Camp Hill, and moved
for a new way south of the falls, shorter and quite level, and peti-
tioned the Court of Sessions thereon. The result was that before
June, .1774, a road was laid out from Lieut. John Nichols' on the
Sturbi'idge road near the present school-house in the Buffum district,
easterly over the river at the present stone bridge, as it now is, and
entering tlie main street near the taveru at the centre. ^ This project
was considered a great undertaking, and the town opposed it until
forced by the authorities to act. In June, 1774, Ebenezer Learned,
Alexander Campbell and Capt. John Lamed were chosen to secure an
alteration in the route and to have it laid farther to the south, proba-
bly so that one bridge might be made to answer for both the Lamed
neighborhood and Charlton. But this plan failed. The Revolution-
ary war came on and for eight years we hear nothing of the matter.
In 17S2, a vote was passed to pay John Nichols £50 for the new
road going througli his land. In July of that year Abraham Hill,
Ebenezer Learned and Daniel Fisk were chosen to petition the General
Court for relief from extraordinary charge which fell upon the town
by the new County road going through the land of Lieut. Nichols and
others. In Nov., 1783, Ebenezer Learned, Daniel Fisk and James
Butler were chosen to petition the General Court for authority to
make a lottery " to build a bridge and make a road from Doct. Lord's
[the tavern keeper] to Lieut. Nichols'." In March, 1784, the select-
men were directed to petition the Court to discontinue this road, and
in Juno a committee was chosen to view the route with the Court's

1 Acotmnlltft! of the Court of Sessions reported report in detail frivos. " began four rods south of

Dec, 177;), on a road from Sturbrldge to Oxford, the house of Kzra Bowman [who had succeeded

••throu;;h Charlton near the house of C!ii>l- Ballard], Innliohler ... on [westerly] ... to a

Curtis, and tlirougli Oxfnrd near the house i.f i)opitle lu Qualiofr or town road, thence west to

Nichols till it meets the (jouiily road . . . the Kiver and Coburn's land, thence on near

south of Epliraim Ballard's, Innholder.'" A later John Nichols' house."

1785-97 HIGHWAYS AND BRIDGES. 113

committee.! No effort, however, could relieve the town from its
responsibility. In Jan., 1785, the project of a lottery was revived
and Daniel Fisk, Samuel Harris and James Butler were chosen to
again petition the General Court to grant leave to raise money by
such means, or failing in this, to ask that it be made a County
expeuse. After the failure of all expedients the town took hold of
the work in earnest, and in June, 1785, Capt. John Lamed, Ebenezer
Humphrey and Amasa Kingsbury were chosen to oversee the building
of the bridge, and in October surveyors were authorized to call upon
•' as many persons as they think proper to work on the new bridge,
and give each one shilling extra per day for their encouragement,
which makes 3s. per day." Soon thereafter, this enterprise which
had apparently so tried the courage and the resources of the town
for more than ten years was completed.'^

Roads accepted. 1788, past the Lovett farm, H. 17, to Sutton,
— " north end of the floom of Samuel Davis' mill," named in record.
March, 1786, from Dea. John Davis', H. 29, to Sutton road. 1791,
from Learned's village [Texas] west towards Charlton, 2 rods wide
[now discontinued]. May, 1793, from North Common west, as now
trod, to " the bridge west of the north meeting house," intersecting the
old road to Charlton north of Town's Pond, which was discontinued
March, 1819.

Post road. In 1796 was projected a great post route from Hart-
ford to Boston, passing through Sturbridge, Charlton, North Oxford,
Grafton, etc. In Jan., 1797, Sylvanus Town was sent as delegate
to a convention at Grafton to consider this subject. In May the
selectmen were directed to meet the Court's committee "respecting a
stage road through the town." In June the town remonstrated against
the plan. It, however, was pushed on and the road partly built. But
it was an ill-advised scheme so far as its location in Oxford was con-
cerned on account of the natural obstacles existing. From Charlton
line easterly its course was through Texas village, striking the foot of
Prospect Hill near the Severy place, H. 113, and leading over the
hill as it now exists in a direct line four rods in width, entering the
Worcester road near the house formerly of Joel Carter in Auburn.
But the descent on the easterly side was so abrupt that it was impos-
sible, without a heavy outlay, to make a passable stage road. There

1 A petition of the inliahitants of the town of must be kept in repair as two of the principal

Oxford was presented setting forth that " where- mills in said town stand on tlie old road "—and

as some time ago a road was laid out beginning therefore praying that the expense of the said

where the road from Boston enters the main road might be made a county charge, or be dis-

road in Oxford . . . and runs west about one continued, etc.

mile and a half as will appear by the records, -An explanation of the extraordinary action
that there are ali-eady within the extent of seven of the town in this matter is found In the
miles six good roads and bridges across a large straitened circumstances of the people, so heavj'
river called the French river, kept in constant was the already accumulated burden of the war
repair, at a very great cost to said town, besides debt, the ministerial debt and other unusual ex-
sundry other bridges over large mill lirooks; penses consenuent upon the war that the addi-
tliat the new road will be very little advantage tion of even a small amount was resisted as un-
to the inhabitants of said town, as the old road reasonable.

HI HISTOliY OF OXFORD. 1797-1800

the enterprise within Oxford limits terminated, and the road was built
on a new route two miles farther north in the valley through Rochdale.
Survey of roads. In 1797 all the roads in town were surveyed
and geograpliically described. Daniel Fisk, Sylvauus Town and
Jonathan Davis located the highway from Dudley to Ward line, fix-
ing the width of the main street at seven rods, and from the Plain to
the uortli common at six rods, in front of the north common at seven
rods and thence northward at six rods, reserving a former grant to
Josiali Wolcott [or Duncan Campbell] in 17.54. Marvin Moore,
.Jonathan Harris and Jeremiah Davis established the bounds of all
roads in the south part of the town excepting the above named : —

1, To Sutton; 2, from Sutton road southerly to the Major Moore place, H.
30 ; 3, the north road to Sutton [past Lovett's] ; 4, from the 8-rod road to the
Silas Fitts place, H. 30; 5, from the "training field" north of the cemetery
to Nichols' mill; 6, from the 8-rod road toward the old Fort; 7, from Kings-
bury's [now in Webster] to the Thompson road; 8, the Thompson road from
.Johnson's Plain south to village line; 9, from the north common to Sutton
line. They also refer to the " Nealand road," " Quaboag Lane," "Edwards'
road," " Dea. Harwood's road," H. iO, the County road toward Charlton, and
that to " Kobertson's [Robinson's?] mill."

Jeremiah Learned, Ebenezer Learned and Jonas Eddy reported for
the north part of the town : —

1, The road east from Carbuncle [Town's] Pond, following a track which
had long been open, between H. 139 and H. HI, past Ambrose Stone's, H. 166,
Crane's, H. 165, Shumway's, H. 164, Hovey's, H. 1G2, Kidder's, H. 161, Blan-
chard's, H. 160, across a corner of Sutton now Millbury, past Daggett's,
H. 159, and turning west to John Pratt's, H. 147, thence south past H.
151, H. 153, the present North Oxford railroad station, Adaans', H. 174,
Turner's, H. 175, back into the same road, at a point one-fourth of a mile
east of the pond, two rods wide, excepting that part from the pond
easterly to the intersection, which was to be two and one-half rods ; 2, from
the "great road" at Town's Pond west to the river, and on across " CoUi-
cum brook " to Charlton line ; 3, from the latter north over Mount Pleasant
[Kocky Hill] across the Mclntire road into the Leicester road ; 4, the Leicester
road from near the Ebenezer Learned place to the N. Gore south line; 5, from
Ebenezer Mcrriara's to the Leicestcsr road; (!, from the Uriah Stone place to
Richard Moore's [east of the river(?)] ; 7, from Lamb's mill up Prospect Hill
to Ward line; 8, from Israel Phillips' south to the Leicester road, and from
this road to Israel Trow's house; 9, the Mclntire road [west from Rock-
dale across the river to Charlton line] ; 10, from William Eddy's [now
Pope's], H. 132, to the County road near Kidder's, H. 133; 11, a road north
from the road between .John Pratt's, H. 147, and Arthur Daggett's, H. 168;
12, from Jonathan Kidder's, H. 161, southeast to Sutton line.

In Aug., 179!), a highway from the Salem Learned neighborhood
[southwest] to the new County road to Charlton, intersecting it one-
third of a mile west of Main Street, was accepted. This road crossed
the river at a ford with a foot-bridge a short distance north of the
present bridge.

Douglas road. In ISOO a County road from Cumberland, R. I.,
through Douglas and a part of Sutton and Oxford was laid out,Jand

1803-11 HIGHWAYS AND BRIDGES. 115

in March, 1803, Nathan Hall, Abijah Davis and Marvin Moore were
chosen to contract for its building in Oxford. In 1801 a County road
was laid out from Jeremiah Kingsbury's, now Webster almshouse,
southeast, near the pond, to Philip Brown's iu the South Gore, and
in August Jonathan Davis and Abijah Davis, committee, reported
that they had let it out to be built, 234 rods at $110.

Town districted. In 1802 the town was first districted for the
repairs of the highways. Surveyors had been previously chosen with
no special limits. This year five districts were made, viz. : the East,
South, North, Northeast and Centre. Before this date little labor was
bestowed upon the roads ; but as wheeled vehicles came into use there
was a demand for better ways and also better implements for repairs.
An attempt was made to purchase ploughs for the purpose but failed.
In May, 1802, a vote was passed authorizing the selectmen to buy
" six scrapers for use on the roads." In March, 1810, Mr. James
Butler proposed to furnish at his own expense "a suitable plough" to
be kept at his barn for the use of the town, which offer was accepted
with thanks.

Roads accepted. Sept., 1803, from present Howarth's village
north to Charlton road; May, 1804, from Thomas Davis', H. 28,
north to Sutton road ; Nov., 1805, from John Hudson's, H. 168,
south to William Hudson's, Long Hill.

The Freshets of the winter of 1806-7 were disastrous to the
bridges on the river, and all were more or less damaged. The dam
also at Aai'on Sibley's mill. North Oxford, was destroyed.

Bridge and Causeway. For many years the residents west of
the Maanexit and south of the " Little River" suffered great incon-
venience for want of means of crossing the main stream. They were
obliged either to ford it below the mouth of Little River, which they
did for a long time, or to ford the latter stream near its mouth and go
up to the bridge on the Charlton road in order to get to town. Several
ineffectual efforts were made by John Lamed and others to obtain
action in the matter. At length, in 1807, the town was induced to
listen to their appeals, and voted to build a road from Kingsbury's,
H. 74, to the County road to Charlton, including a bridge, and a
causeway across the meadow. Jeremiah Kingsbury, Jonathan Davis
and Jonathan Harris were chosen to contract for and supervise the
work, which was completed and accepted Oct., 1807. i

Roads accepted. March, 1808, from Solomon Harwood's, H.
40, to the town road ; from Dea. Dana's, H. 22, northwest to the
"eight-lots road"; April, 1810, from the Worcester road near its
junction with the Leicester road, east to near the present North
Oxford railroad station; May, 1811, on the west side of the river

iThe style of this first bridge was far different Impassable for pedestrians. The upstream end

from that of the present one . It was built very was lowest so that the water In flowing over

low to save expense of stone work, and at high pressed upon the planking which was held in

water for weeks at a time was submerged and position by stones piled upon it.

lit; HISTOUY OF OXFORD. 1812-27

south from the "great bridge" to Dudley line, nearly following the
old " Woodstock path" ; May, 1812, from near John Larned's barn,
now Moses Larned's, Webster, southwest toward the North Village ;
same date, from Elijah Rich's, H. 5, to old Douglas turnpike.

Turnpike. The Douglas, Sutton and Oxford turnpike was built
by a company of which Jonathan Davis was president, and was com-
pleted in 1810. A committee of the Court reviewed it and established
a toll-gate at the house of Abram Briggs. It was made a County
road in 1834. In 1817 at several town meetings votes were taken on
a new road from the " North Factory" toward Leicester, and a com-
mittee was chosen to petition the Court of Sessions for a discon-
tinuance. It was, however, ordered built and was finished in 1818,
Rul'ns Moore, William Moore and Stephen Barton having charge.

Roads accepted. July, 1817, from Nichols' mill east and south
by the pond to Charlton road ; a cart road with bars and gflte existed
here previously; March, 1819, from Joel Eddy's, now Pope's, H.
132, to Worcester road; May, 1819, from Joseph Elliot's factory
[Rockdale] to Mr. Adams' house; April, 1821, from Daniel Raw-
son's by Ephraira Kingsbury's to town road ; July, 1822, from Stephen
Prince's, now Conlin's, to town road.

In April, 1823, it was voted to pay interest to William Hurd on
money due him for "building the Great Bridge." This repairing was
probably done in 1822, and was a rebuilding of the wood-work. It
was what was termed a "gallows bridge," of heavy timber and
planking.

Millbury and Sutton roads. In 1823 a road from the north
common, east to Sutton line was planned, but was opposed by the
town. At the same time a movement was made for a road from
the same point northeast to Millbury ; on the latter it was voted
to leave it to the discretion of the town agent to oppose or not,
as he saw fit. This way had been laid out by the Court's com-
mittee in 1812. Both these roads were opened as County roads, and
1 Aug., 1825, $1,200 was raised by the town to meet the cost.
Stephen Barton, Stephen Davis and Joseph Lamb were building com-
mittee.

In Sept., 1824, a road from the Eliott mill, near the Hawes place,
southeast to the Joshua Turner house, H. 17,"), was discontinued.' In
Nov., 1825, was accepted a way from south of the mill at Buffumville
north to the Charlton road. In May, 1826, that part of the old
Worcester road between Rockdale [Bartlett's] and Nathaniel Lie's
residence, H. 125, was discontinued. In 1827 the Court of Sessions
ordered changes in the Sutton road from near Capt. Ebenezer Rich's,
H. 15, east a third of a mile or more to school-house No. 1. In June,

1 On 30 Oct., 1824, tliu heirs of Samuel Stone the Gore, about 62 rods froui Oxford line, "run-
executed a luuse to tlie town, while used for a nlng along near the river, three rods wide." The
lilKliwayandnolonKcr, of land for IV road from the original Is among the Ilartwell papers,
lower mill In Leicester to Luther Stone's mill In

1829-47 HIGHWAYS AND BRIDGES. 117

1829, Samuel Slater had petitioned for Improvements in the road from
Oxford to his factories, on which changes were made, the principal
one being near the town line, beginning at Oxford almshouse and
instead of passing over the hill continued directly at the west foot of
it in a level course. The work was completed in 1830.

Dudley road. lu Sept., 1829, Jonathan Davis, William Moore
and Benjamin F. Town were chosen to oppose a road from Dudley to
Worcester to pass through the west part of Oxford, which was done
successfully. As a compromise, perhaps, in 1830 the road from near
John Larned's, H. 71, southwest to the " Upham Neighborhood" in
Dudley was laid out, and in 1831 was built, and the old way past the
William Hurd place, H. 60, up the steep hill, was discontinued as a
County road. In 1832 the "new County road to Southbridge " is
named. It was built in the spring of that year, and in the main fol-
lowed the old road in Oxford.

Roads accepted. 1832, from Samuel Mayo's [Huguenot Fort],
H. 33, northwest to the " Harwood " road at Bondet Hill; from
Main Street at the Universalist Meeting-house west to the Charlton
road, called Barton Street, 35 feet wide ; 1833, from Andrew Fitts',
H. 31, to the house of Samuel Mayo [Fort Hill] ; in 1833 the road
from Charlton to Worcester through Texas village was laid out, and
built in 1834; 1834 from near Peter Shumway's, H. 64, to Bondet
Hill road ; 1835, from Isaac Bolster's, H. 6, to Thomas Rich's, H.
5 ; from North Oxford tavern north to the new Charlton and Worces-
ter road ; 1837, from the Thread village to Stephen Prince's, H. 85.

Hartford turnpike. The " Central Turnpike" to Boston, east
part of the town (Webster to AVest Sutton), built in 1826 and 1827
by a corporation of which Jonathan Davis was treasurer, was in 1838
laid out as a County road and accepted by the town.

Gore roads. The North Gore having been annexed to Oxford,
in March, 1838, the roads in that locality were accepted, viz. : that
from Leicester line to Oxford old line, 281 rods ; that past Jotham
Meriam's and that past Samuel Meriam's to Charlton line. Jan.,
1841, the bridge over the river at Cyrus Lamb's mill, North Oxford,
was rebuilt, the old one having been carried away by high water.

Roads accepted. May, 1841, from David Stone's, H. 125,
west to main road ; April, 1842, from Reuben Davis', H. 3, to
Douglas Turnpike; March, 1844, from Marshall Pratt's, H. 173,
south to Sutton road; April, 1844, from Simon Larned's, H. 73,
north to Dudley road; Nov., 1844, from Millbury line past Alger's,
H. 161, Hiel Day's, H. 162, Edson's, H. 163, and Luther Burnet's,
H. 166, to Millbury road near brick school-house ; April, 1845, from
the Mclntire road southwest past Thomas Appleby's, H. 94, to
Charlton line ; May, 1845, from Joseph Brown, Jr.'s, H. 22, south
to Sutton road; Nov., 1846, from Artemas Merriam's, H. 103, to
Rufus Eddy's, H. 105 ; April, 1847, from near Nehemiah Collier's,
H. 186, east past the John Campbell homestead [now Hull's], turn-

118 HISTORY OF OXFORD. 1847-54

iug south to the comniou ; Sept., 1847, from the Sutton road, near
H. 13, north through Succarappa and west to Francis Sibley place,
H. 19, ordered by County Commissioners; April, 1^47, from near
John Hurd's, H. 42, past David Day's [on Boudet Hill] and Nathaniel
Davis place to David Wait's, H. 28 ; Nov., 1848, from Ebenezer
Crane's to Charlton road near Horace Pope's, H. 89a; Sept., 1850,
from Charlton road near Methodist church south to Wheelock cottage,
4U feet wide; Nov., 1851, from Simon Larned's, H. 73, south to the
old Dudley road.

Main Street improved. In 1838 (?) Main Street was ex-
tended from the common north across the meadow, changing its
location to the west to avoid a railroad crossing, and was built by the
Norwich and Worcester R. R. Co., and as a compensation Ebenezer
Rich was authorized to deed the railroad a right of way across the
town farm. Later a committee was chosen to settle with the company.
In 1839, through the efforts of Samuel Dowse and others who sub-
scribed for the purpose, the roadway across the Plain had been
gravelled from the railroad excavation.

Streets re-located. In July, 1851, it was voted to request the
County Commissioners to relocate and establish the bounds of the
roads from Webster to Auburn, and from Sutton to Charlton line,
with Barton Street, aud Mr. Lester, surveyor, was employed to tind
the old lines. In Nov., 1852, it was voted that the County Com-
missioners be invited to review this survey aud to fix bounds. This
was done in Sept., 1853. ^

In May, 1852, after some controversy, the road from the railroad
station to the villages at North Oxford was laid out by the County
Commissioners. The same year was built that from Buffumville south
to Webster road.

Roads accepted. Nov., 1853, from North Oxford railroad
station east to near Shepardsou's, H. 165 ; March, 1854, from Sutton
road south, first street east of railroad ; 1856, from Conlin's, H. So,
north to Charlton road; April, 1866, the street running north from
the north side of the old cemetery, and east from this to Main Street
at S. C. Willis, Jr.'s, each three rods wide ; also from Main Street
at Lewis Stockwell's to the first named, two rods wide.

In 1854, Main Street from near the centre, nearly a half-mile north.

1 The line of Mala Street was established as of Allen L. Joslin, thence N. 15° E. -.'S rods and

follows: UeKlnnlnK at the south etui at nionu- 12 lial« [across the common] to monument No.

nient No. 1, i rods and li; links N. 50° E. of the 1 [at southeast corner of laud of B. F. WlUte, H.

northwest corner of the brick house, thence N. 244]. From No. 3 where the road is seven rods

.33° E. 24 rods aud S links to monument No. 2 wide, the road diverges to monument No. 4

[near H. Jiiil], thence .V. 14° 20' K. 219 rods and ti where It is 12 rods and halt a link wide; thence

links to moiiumenl No. ;i [near the tall elm from monument No. 1, N. 14° E. 99 rods to No.

nortli enil of the street], tlicnce N. 2t)° 10' E. 25 2, which Is six rods 17 links N.SU" 15' W. from the

rods an<l 5 links to monument No. 4 [in the door- northwest corner of the house of George Wicker,

yard of .lohn Shea's house]. This is tlie original From the head of the common where the road is

line of the street which from No. 1 to No. 3 Is six rods and 22 links wide the road converges to

seven rods wiile. Beginning at opposite No. 3, five rods and 18 links at No. 2.
at a monument a few rods north from the house

1868-89 HIGHWAYS AND BRIDGES. 119

was straightened and graded, the part across the meadow being raised
several feet and the approaches cut down, at a cost of $536. April,
1868, voted $500 to grade Main Street, to be done by the selectmen.
A much needed drainage was obtained, and the street improved by
forming gutters and raising the travelled way. In 1872 the road at
North Cemetery Hill, the most difficult in the principal highways of
the town, was improved at a cost of $1,672.

In 1872-3 a new road from near Rochdale to Texas village was
built, and thence south to the North Cemetery the old rebuilt,
costing $15,491, the heaviest and most important piece of work of
the kind done at one time in the town. In 1877 the Commissioners
ordered built on Long Hill toward Millbury, a road which was con-
structed that year by Wheelock and Shurtleff at a cost of $693.
April, 1877, May Street opened ; April, 1882, Wolcott Street accepted ,

1884, two streets running from Main west to Fremont accepted ;

1885, accepted Water Street, running east from the common. Nov.,
1887, from North Oxford railroad station to Charles H. Wellington's,
H. 129, and $700 voted for the same ; built by Wellington and
opened to travel May, 1888.

Bridges. In 1858, stone arch, on Webster road, built by Brigham
Converse, cost $665 ; winter of 1874-5, over the Maanexit on Charlton
road, nearly completed and fell, April, 1875; rebuilt by Charles N.
Walker, 1875, cost about $2,000 ; 1879, over the river in North Gore
by Wellington Brothers, cost $850 ; 1880, at Buffumville, by Joseph
L. Woodbury, cost $1,000 ; 1884, at Howarth's, by Joseph L. Wood-
bury, cost $2,000 ; 1889, over mill brook, east of centre, by William
Y. Woodbury, cost $392 ; 1889, over the river at Rockdale [Bart-
lett's], by P. F. and M. Kenney, cost $2,200.

CHAPTER VII.

MILITARY.

French War. French Neutrals. Revolutionary War. Gen. Learned.
State Government. Shays Rebellion. Adams' Army. Washington's
Funeral. Soldiers of 1812. Musters. Independent Military Compa-
ny. Minor Military Affairs. Civil War. Company E. Battles of
15th Regiment. Oxford Soldiers. Memorial Tablets. Grand Army
OF THE Republic. Sons of Veterans. Woman's Relief Corps. Decora-
tion Day. Company E Association.

French. War. There is no recorded action of the town on this
subject. The State raised nearly 7,000 soldiers for the war, the object
of which was the conquest of Canada, and the number which went
from Oxford indicates that the people were ready to meet the demands
of the times. Capt. Ebeuezer Learned was the most efflcieut military
man of the place, and was ably seconded by Rev. John Campbell, who
was skilled in army affairs. Very few appear to have entered the
service previous to 1756. Two companies of militia then existed,
commanded respectively by Edward Davis and Samuel Davis, brothers,
from both of which soldiers were enlisted in a new company under
Learned. Preparations for the campaign were made in the spring of
1756, the company had marched to the seat of war, and as a part of
Col. Ruggles' regiment was in camp at Lake George, 9 Sept. A roll
of this date numbers 51 men.

Rolls. The following are the names from Oxford, others were
from surrounding towns :

Ebeuczor Lcaruoil, Capt., a^c 28, b. at Ox. ; Elisha Rich [Sutton], Lieut..

a. 38, b. at IJullingliani ; Elijah Town, Sergt., a. 35, b. at Ox. ; privates : Joseph
Baker, a 25, sliop joiner, b. at Woodstock; Solomon Smellidyc, a. 22, b. at
Boston; Ebenezcr Davis, a. 18, b. at Sutton; Jolm Barnes, a. 1!». hlacksinith,

b. at Boston; Elijah Curtis [N. Gore], a. 19, b. at Topsdekl; Ilezekiah Eddy,

a. 23, b. at Ox.; Samuel .Vlannins;;, a. 17, b. at Salem; Jonathan Eddy, a. 20,

b. at Ox. [son of Samuel, d. at Fort Edward] ; Isaac Earned, Jr., a. 18, b. at
Ox.; Caleb Barton, Jr., a. 20, tanner, b. at Ox.; Stephen Shuiuwa.v, a. 20, b.

'atOx. ; Samuel Baker, a. 00, joiner, b. at Woburn ; Josiah Kinusbury, a. 24
[son of Josiah], clerk, b. at Ox., d. 1756.

Jeremiah Learned was Ensign under his brother Ebenezer. John
Wiley, Jr., and Joseph Phillips are on a previous roll, whether tliey
were in service does not appear. A roll, 12 Oct., 1756, gives
" Solomon SmcUidge, dead ; Stephen Shumway, sick ; Isaac Lamed,
Jr., sick at Albany." In his petition to the General Court, 27 May,

1767 FRENCH WAR. 121

1757, Isaac Larned says, " b}' reason of the small pox being there he
was removed to a barn, and continued very sick . . . suffered very
much by cold and hunger . . . T tarried with him about a week and
nursed him and then he died." ^ In May, 1757, Ebenezer Eddy and
David Town, Jr., were voted pay for assisting " sick and dying"
soldiers in returning from Crown Point expedition. ^ Caleb Barton
was voted £3 for expenses to Fort William Henry, where his son
'Caleb d. 1756. Experience Stockwell's husband Ichabod was in
Capt. Learned's company, set out for home, was taken sick at
Sheffield and d. Nov., 1756 ; she was allowed £2. 2s.

A roll of Philip Richardson's Co. in Ruggles' Reg't, 26 Aug.,
1756, gives Enoch Jones, Serg't, N. Gore, a. 22, b. at Sutton ; Noah
Mclntire, a. 30 ; Philip Mclntire, a. 58, both b. at Salem, both from
Oxford, Charlton District, Capt. Dresser. A roll of Capt. Joshua
Meriam, N. Gore, 26 Sept., 1758, gives Joshua Meriam, Capt., Uriah
Stone, clerk, Isaac Hartwell, Robert Meriam, Hezekiah Eddy, Elijah
Curtis, Ebenezer Lock — served three years, tradition — privates, from
Oxford, N. Gore. These were in service Sept., 1757; marched to
relieve the province forts, went to Sheffield, were out eight days, and
returned.

The results of the campaign of 1756 were indecisive, through the
inefficiency of Gen. Abercrombie. The year 1757 was disastrous to
the colonial arms.

Fort William Henry taken. On 3 Aug., 1757, Gen. Mont-
calm with a large force besieged Fort William Henry which, with
2,372 men, after a hard struggle capitulated on the 9th. The sur-
render was followed by a wanton massacre of nearly 300 of our sol-
diers by the Indians. Dismay seized the people of Massachusetts,
aud on all hands the militia hastened to the rescue." The enemy did
not, however, follow up his advantage, and the reliefs were ordered
back. Detachments from the two Oxford companies marched 10
Aug. as far as Sheffield, 105 miles, and were out 16 days, as follows,
first detachment, date of roll 18 Aug. : —

Edward Davis, Capt. ; John Edwards, Lieut. ; Jeremiah Learned, Ens. ;
Jedediali Barton, Sergt. ; Joseph Edwards, Sergt. ; John Town, Sergt. ;
Pliinehas Ward, Corp. ; Moses Town, Corp. ; Alexander Nichols, .Jacob
Comins, El)enezer Eddy, John "Wiley, William Eddy, Joseph Phillips, Jr.,
Israel Phillips ("detached and sent to Stockbridge"), Daniel Fairfield, John
Duncan, Hezekiah Merriam, Jr., Jonathan Phillips, Silas Town, .Samuel
Larned, Ebenezer Gale, Jr., Joseph Gleason, Samuel Eddy, Jr., ElishaGleason,
Moses Gleason, Jr., Joseph Goggins ("detached and sent to Stockbridge"),
Josiah Wolcott, Aaron Parker, Edmund Town, .Joseph Pratt, Jesse Pratt,
Nathan Shumway, David Pratt, privates.

The second detachment : —

Samuel Davis, Capt. ; John Larned, Capt. ; Elisha Davis, Sergt. ; John
Nichols, Sergt. ; Amos Shumway, Sergt. ; William Parker, Sergt. ; Jeremiah
Shumway, Corp.; John Davis, Corp.; Thomas Town, Isaac Larned, .Jonas

I Mass. Arch., LXXVII., 'A. 8 Ibid., LXXVII., J
17

122 HISTORY or oxfokd. 1757-6I

CoUer, John Shumway, William Nichols, John Barton, Jonathan Fuller,
Ichabod Town, Joseph Pratt, Jr., Stephen Jewett, Joseph Davis, Benjamin
Hudson, John Marvin, Isaac Town, Adams Strecter, Arthur Humphrey, Peter
SliuMiway, Jose[)h Kiuii^sbury, Jeremiah Kini;sl)ury, Roger Amidown, Abijah
Harris, Zebnlon Strecter, John Dana, Samuel Manning, John Watson, John
Jtobbins, J(dm Coburn, John Shumway, Jr., William Comins, William Learned,
Joseph Wilson, John Moore, privates.

The company were mounted and marched under Capt. Davis to ,
Springfield and thence to Sheffield under Capt. Larned.'

In October, 1757, Capt. John Larned with 29 men, of whom 12
were of Oxford, called the "Minute expeditiou," marched as far as
Westfield, being out from Oct. 20 to Nov. 11, three weeks and two
days. Roll:

John Larned, Capt.; .Tonathan(?) Nichols, Lieut.; .Jacob Cummins, Sergt. ;
Jeremiah Shumway, Corp.; Joseph Davis, John Duncan, El)enezer Fish,
Nathan Moore, Ebenezer Eddy, William Lamb, John Nichols, Elijah Larned,
Arthur Humphrey, privates.

A return of men enlisted in John Chandler's regiment for the inva-
sion of Canada under Gen. Amherst, 1758, gives :

John Bogle, a. 32; Elijah Town, a. 40; Abraham Pratt, a. 19; William
Lackey, a. 28, Serg. [was granted land] ; Joseph Goggins, a. 19 : - Moses
Town, a. 37; Solomon Comings, a. 18; Samuel Streeter, a. 17; Abijah Gale,
a. 30 [served several years, — ti-adition] ; John Duncan, a. 53; Nathan Moore,
a. 32; David Town, a. 24; John Ballard, a. 28; Abel Leavens, a. 17; Peter
Shumway, a. 24; Jonathan Phillips, a. 24; Elijah Larned, a. 19; Richard
Moore, 3d, a. 22 ; Zebulon Streeter, a. 21 ; all of Oxford.

On a roll of Capt. Newhall's company, Leicester, are Joseph
Goggins, Joseph Kingsbury, Israel Phillips, Zebulon Streeter, all of
Oxford. 3

In 17G0 Micah Pratt represented that his son David was, in 1758,
sick at Half-moon, 160 miles distaut ; that he hired a liorse, carried
provision for himself and horse and got his son home ; lost 13 days'
time and used 1 gal. of rum. Paid 34s. 4d. June, 1760, Edward
Davis' son Edward was in Jeremiah Learued's company, sick at
Ticouderoga ; he went for him and got him home. Allowed £1. 19s.
4d. March, 1761, Ebenezer Eddy's son Thomas in service under
Capt. White in 1758, was sick; his father went for him; he so far
recovered as to enlist again in 1759 under Jeremiah Learned; was
sick again and came home. Received £3. Peter Shumway in the
Canada expedition, 1759, was sick. Paid March, 1761, 12 shillings.
Same date Benjamin Fitts asked pay ; marched for relief of Fort

I Mass. Arch., XCV.. 518, 536. Capt Isaac Hartwell of the Country Gore Has

2Gof;({lns was hi Capt. White's company and hired Nathaniel Euestls o£ the ahove sd Charlton

served tliroiigh the canipaljcu. lu Feb., '7G1, he to Go into his Majesty's Service In the Expodl-

had been 3S weeks, live days In Capt. McFar^ind's tlon against Canada In his mans Room Ebnezer

company, and that month re-enllsted f or fui Mier Lanison by Name and I Accept him in sd 1am-

servlce. sons Uoom.

■■' Tlie following is sxtant : " JONATHAN TUCKER, Cap."

"Charlton Apl 15 day 1758.

" These may serly whome It may Consern That

1763 FRENCH WAR. 123

"William Henry — name left off the roll. Granted 24 shillings. David
Town, Jr., asked aid on account of sickness. Granted 35 shillings,
Nov., 1761. Nearly all these sums were paid to Capt. Edward Davis
for the petitioners.

Canada surrendered. In July, 1758, Louisburg, the key
of the Canadas, was taken. In July, 1759, Niagara yielded, and a
few weeks later Ticonderoga was surrendered and consequently
Crown Point abandoned. On 13 Sept. came Wolfe's victory at
Quebec. On 6 Sept., 1760, Gen. Amherst sat down with a large
force before Montreal, and two days later French dominion in Canada
ended, and " all that magnificent structure which the genius of Cham-
plain and the patient labors of the French Jesuits had devotedly
raised, vanished."

A roll of Capt. Jeremiah Learned's company, 6 Feb., 1760,
includes the following : —

Jeremiah Learned, Captain ; Jonathan Hohnan of Sntton, Lieut. ; William
Lamb, Samuel Learned, Reuben Barton, Corporals; David Pratt, Jr., Thomas
Eddy, Edward Davis, Jr., Hezekiah Meriara, Jr., Samuel Manning, Jr.,
Ebenezer Lamb, privates ; all of Oxford.

This company, most of the members of which were from Sutton
and Charlton, was in 1760, at Ticonderoga.

Other Oxford men known to have been in the service were : —

Israel Whitney in Cape Breton exp., 1745; Jonas Gleason, Cape Breton
expedition, Jan., 1752; William Campbell in Louisburg expedition, 1768;
Naphtali Streeter, 1759 ; llichard Rogers, the schoolmaster, 17G0 ; Edmund
Barton, Samuel Call. Jacob and Josiah Town, sons of Dea. Jonathan, were
at Fort Edward, 1755, and Jacob d. there. John Streeter d. 28 Nov., 1756, at
Sheltield. Benjamin Davis, Lieut., served many months. [Samuel Jennison,
Lieut, in 1756, not from Oxford.]

On a roll of Capt. McFarland's company, 3 Feb., 1761, are :

Abijah Gale, Micah Pratt, Abraham Pratt, Nathaniel Smith, Reuben, son of
Oliver Shumway, William Lackey and Joseph Guggins, all of Oxford, who
had then served from 35 to 38 weeks each.

At this date the war was nominally ended, but Massachusetts raised
a force of 3,000 men early in 1761.

After the close of -the war in the first regiment, AVorcester County
militia, March, 1763, were officers from Oxford as follows :

Edward Davis, Major. First Oxford Co., Elisha Davis, Capt. ; John Nichols,
Lieut.; William Earned, Ensign. Second Oxford Co., Jeremiah Learned,
Capt.; Jedediah Barton, Lieut.; John Town, Jr., Ensign — in 1771, Edward
Davis, Major. First Oxford Co., Elisha Davis, Capt. ; Ephraira Ballard, First
Lieut. ; William Watson, Second Lieut. ; Thomas Town, Ensign. Second
Oxford Co., Joseph Phillips, Capt.; Samuel Eddy, Lieut.; Isaac Putnam,
Ensign.

French Neutrals. A source of perplexity to the government
at the beginning of the war in 1755 was the plantation of French in
Nova Scotia. The number of these has been variously stated, the
lowest estimate being 7,000. Though British subjects their sympa-

124 HISTORY OF OXFORD.

thies were with theii- fellow-countrymen and it was charged that they
furnislit'd tiiein with provisions and other means of carrying on the
contest. After consultation the Governor and Council determined to
remove them by force. Their lands and other property were declared
forfeited, and from the town of Grand Prr alone nearly 2,000 were
removed. Some escaped, but to prevent their subsistence the country
was laid waste and buildings destroyed.'

"Where is the thatched roof village, the home of Acadian farmers,
Men whose lives glided on like rivers that water the woodland
Darkened by shadows of earth, but reflecting tiie image of lieaven?
Waste arc their pleasant farms, and tlie farmers forever departed !
Scattered like dust and leaves, when the mighty blasts of October
Seize them and wliirl them aloft, and sprinkle them far o'er the ocean.
Naught but tradition remains of the beautiful village of Grand pr6."*

Sent to the towns. These people were " scattered like dust
and leaves " throughout the colonies. About 1,000 were brought to
INIassachusetts, sent to the towns and bound out to service. Sixty-
three came to Worcester County, a large family named Dugar to this
region, two of its members to Sturbridge, three to Oxford, two to
Charlton and two to Dudley. They experienced many hardships,
families were separated, and being Roman Catholics prejudice existed
against them and they were treated little better than slaves. ^ A
petition for redress was sent to the General Court, signed by nine
persons from several towns, among them Claude Bennois of Oxford,
as follows, [translation] : —

" To his Excellency the Governor Genei^l of the Province of Massachusetts
Bay in New England, and to the honorable Gentlemen of the Council,

"We have taken the liberty to present to you this Request, inasmuch as we
are in Grief on account of our Children. The loss we have suffered [in being
deprived] of our habitations and brought hither, and in our Separations from
one another, is as Nothing Compared witli that which we experience now, in
having our Children taken by force before our very eyes. Nature itself can-
not endure this. Were it in our Power to take our Choice, we would choose
sooner to yield up our Bodies and our Sonls than to be separated from them.
Wlierefore we beseech you and your honours, that you would have the good-
ness to appease this Cruelty. We do not by any means Refuse to work for
the suppoi't of our Children provided it be endured foj our families [intact].
Beseeching you that you would have the goodness to regard our Request:
thus doing You will oblige Your very humble and very obedient servants."

On this petition it was ordered that the selectmen "desist from
binding out any of them — that houses be provided for each family so
they may keep together," and if any should be bound out "the assent

1 Eminent writers have characterized this action a By a law passed 10 June, 1756, selectmen and

of tlie iiiithorltles a.s uujustUlable and cruel In overseers of the poor were " ordered to keep tlie

the extri'nie. French reople from MliiiK and M'andering

-Evangeline, the heroine of this poem, was the about," and that none lie periulllcd to travel

(laughter of the wealtlilest farmer of Grand Pr6. from town to town without the leave of two,

Mr. Loujifellow wrote: " The poem of Evanpe- eitlier of the selectmen or overseers of the poor,

line is only lilstorical as It is hased on tlie fact of Prov. Laws, III., 900.
the dispersion of tlie Aeadians. The story Itself
is a tradition— the details and the name are of
my own invention."

1766-8 FRENCH NEUTRALS. 125

of two justices of y*" peace in y'' County be first had thereon, and all
of them treated with kindness and humanity." Passed by the Council
15 April, 1756. House of Representatives concurred 17 April, 1756.^

Claude Bennois. On 2 Feb., 1757, Gludo Beuway [Claude
Bennois, signer of the foregoing petition from Oxford ^] represented
to the General Court that he and his family were placed by the gov-
ernment at Cambridge and his children were by the selectmen of that
town afterward sent to Mr. [Duncan] Campbell of Oxford, whither
the petitioner and his wife followed them, that said Campbell dis-
persed their five children, whereupon the petitioner and his family
fled to Newtown, that the selectmen of said town refused to do any-
thing for them and "threaten to send them to Goal," — praying the
Court would provide some comfortable abode for them, they " being
willing to do all in their Power to Support themselves." On this it
was ordered that the selectmen of Newton be allowed to remove peti-
tioners to Cambridge, where they were originally placed. The
Council non-concurred, and on 8 Feb. voted that they be sent to
Dunstable. On this the House of Representatives ordered the petition
to "lye on the table," and Benway had no redress. On 11 April,
1757, Henry Gibbs, Esq., of Newton, asked of the Court that " Glude
Benua his Wife and Five Children," lately sent to Oxford, and then
of Newton be removed elsewhere — upon which it was ordered that
they be sent to Dedham, that the selectmen of that town receive them
"and govern themselves with regard to them according to law."^

Campbell's Petition. On 2 June, 1757, Duncan Campbell repre-
sented to the General Court " that the selectmen of Newton bound
out to him five children of some of the late inhabitants of Nova Scotia,
that on his placing them at Worcester their parents followed them
there, and as the result they all went away " ; asking allowance, on
which was voted him 42 shillings, 3^ pence.

In November Mr. Campbell presented another memorial setting
forth that : —

"last May session [he] preferred a petition to the honorable Coiii't that
£17. 13s. 4d. might be allowed [him] for transporting from Cambridge to
Oxford and keeping some French Neutrals . . . from which [he] hath never
received any profit or service, they refusing to work — that npon said petition
said Court was pleased to allow [him] no more than 42s. 3id.— that the honor-
able Board have sent your petitioners servants to the town of Dedham and
so he is deprived of any service from them until this time, notwithstanding
the great expense he was put to in maintaining them ..."

He prays he may be allowed the remainder of his account "or that
he may have an order from the honorable Court to take those that
were bound to him from Dedham and compel them to work."

The chief item in his bill was for boarding the family at Capt.
Thomas Stearns', Worcester. Upon this petition, on 20 March, 1758,

1 Mass. Arcli., XXIII., 49. into " way," as In " Chamois " to " Sliuunvay."

-This name furnislies anotlier instance of tlie api-ov. Laws., III., 1059.
changes In the early times of the French "ois"

126 HISTOIiY OF OXFORD. 1774

in the House of Representatives, five pounds, nine shillings and four
pence were ordered paid, but the Council non-concurred. ^

Expenses. On 26 Aug., 1757, a warrant was drawn to pay from
tlie treasury of the colony £15, 68. 6d. to the selectmen of Oxford for
the support of " French from Nova Scotia sent there."-

A large family named LeBlanc came to Oxford.^ Supplies from
10 March, 1758, to 24 May, 1759, were furnished them by Dr.
Alexander Campbell, for which he sent a bill of £21 to the Legisla-
ture. From May, 1759, to March, 1760, Edward Davis, Esq., pro-
vided for them at an expense of £18. This family, father, mother
and nine children, later removed to Brimfield.''

Revolutionary War. Two adverse influences combined to
modify in a measure public action in the time of the Revolution ;
first, the existence to a considerable extent, especially in the north
part of the town, of a sentiment opposed to the popular current; and
second, the limited means of the people.^ The majority, however,
stood firmly together, and were heart and hand in the great move-
ment, and although at times there was a lack of promptness, all
demands for men and supplies were met.

In May, 1774, an article in a warning for a town meeting was as
follows: "to see if the Town will give their Representative any
Instructions concerning the Making good the Damage don in destroy-
ing the Tea in the Harbor of Boston sometime past." This article
was '' not brought to a vote." A warning dated 12 Sept., 1774. has
an article •' To see if the town will pass a resolve that they will keep
strictly to our Province Laws made agreeable to our Charter and that
we will support the Justices and other Officers of the Town in the
Execution of their Offices agreeable to Said Laws, or act thereon."
A postscript to this warrant expressed the desire of several leading
citizens " that all the Officers and Soldiers may appear" at said meet-
ing " in Order to Consider of Some Measures to be taken to Govern
the Military Body of this town." The meeting was held 29 Sept.,
Edward Davis, Moderator, and passed the following : —

Resolves. —

''Jie.snlr.cd that as l)y tlic late acts of Parliament we are deprived of the
Constitutional Laws of the Government of the Massachusetts Bay we will
Indeavor so far as in us lies to Maintain and keep Peace & ijood order in this

' Province' Laws, VI., 98. •'' To give an Idea of the resources of the town,

-CoimcU Kec, XII., 2'.I0. we copy from tlie valuation list of 1771, the

'Pcrlia|)s the same as ordered 10 Sept., 17.Sfi, to returns of money at Interest: " Eilward Davis,

be removed from I'olnt Shirley to Needhani. £-.'0(): Ebenezer Learned, £200; John Xlchols,

Prov. Laws, III., ia')S. £liiO; William Davis, £50; Ellsha Davis, £50;

<On 24 June, 17r,(!, the Ilo\ise of Uepresenta- Isaac Hartwell, £80; John Larneil, £6.'); Sylvanus

lives, in response to a iietltion of Francis Town, £2-'i; William Nichols, £10; Jacob Shuni-

LeHlanc, ordereil the sum of £5. 2s.Sd.to he paid way, £10; Amasa Kintrshury, £10; John Har-

from the treasury for a doctor's hill as set forth wood, £12; Josiah Eddy, £6, total, £a'il ; consld-

lu said petition, and tliat Brimtleld should show crably less than $5,000. In a State return, 1781,

cause why said sum should not be added to its the amount of money on hand and at Interest

next province Ux. was given as £490.

1774-5 REVOLUTIONARY WAR. 127

Town and Support and uphold all Civil Officers in the Execution of their
Offices so far as they conform themselves to the Charter Rights of this Gov-
ernment, and assist them duly to punish all ottenders against the same laws
and do bear Testimony against all Riots as well as against any number of
men Collecting in Body's together to hurt the Personal Property of anyone.

"■Resolved that we Ever have and will be True and Loyal Subjects of our
most Gracious Sovereign George the 3d. King of Great Britain, so long as we
are permitted the free Execution of our Charter Rights.

"Besolved that considering the present Alarming and Distrest Circumstances
of this Province it is highly Necessary for the Militia Officers of this Town
to Resign their Commissions and therefore do advise the said Officers to
resign accordingly and for the Souldery as soon as may be to Elect the same
Officers to take the Command of the Difterent Corapanys in this Town if they
will accept and the Major Part of the Souldery shall Elect them and if any
Refuse to Serve then to Chuse others Experienced in the arts of War in their
Stead.

" "Voted and Chose Doctor Alexander Campbell and Capt. Ebenezer Learned
to Attend the Provincial Congress at Concord, the second tuesday of October
next, or at any other Town in the Province that shall be agreed on. The
foregoing Resolves are past with no other aim or View than to keep Peace
and Order in this Town untill we can hear of Some Measures taken by the
Continental Congress now sitting at Philadelphia to which we mean Strictly
to Adhear."

In November a meeting was called " to hear some Resolves of the
Grand Congress," and also of the Provincial Congress and act
thereon. At this meeting Edward Davis was moderator. Adjourned
to 16 Dec. " Then met" and voted " that the Province Tax in the
hands of the Constables be paid into the town treasury, and the town
will protect said Constables," and chose Lieut. William Campbell,
Daniel Phillips and Lieut. Samuel Eddy a committee of inspection to
see that the association of the Continental Congress be duly observed.^

Minute-men. In the warning for March, 1775, was an article
" To see if the town will use all proper ways and means in a Consti-
tutional way and manner to Defend themselves against any Invation
against them whatsoever : and Grant pay to the Minute-men so called
or act thereon." On which it was voted " That we will in all Reasona-
ble ways and means whatsoever Strive to maintain our Charter Rights
and priveledgs by all Constitutional measures even to the Resque of
our lives and property." " Voted That there shall be ten stands of
fire arms fixed with Bayonets provided by the Select Men at the Cost
of the Town and Kept for those that are not able to find themselves

' These articles of association were adopted iu shows, etc., to wear no mourning for deceased

Continental Congress, 24 Oct., 1774. By them friends excepting crape on the hat, or black

the members, for themselves and their constitii- ribbons and necklaces for ladles, and to furnish

ents, *' under the sacred ties of virtue, honor and no gloves at funerals; to take no advantage of a

love of country," agreeii not to import or use scarcity of an article to raise the price thereof,

English goods, not to import or purchase slaves, and to withdraw fellowship and patronage from

or tea brought from the East Indies, but to en- all who did not adhere to the scales of prices

courage the growing of wool, and the raising of which might be adopted. They also recom-

Jiner breeds of sheep, to favor frugality, econo- mended that in every State, county and town

my and Industry and promote agriculture, the committees be appointed to see that these artt-

arts and manufactures among the people ; to cles be observed,
discourage dissipation, horse-racing, gaming.

128 HISTORY OF OXFORD. 1775-fi

in arms in time of need." These provisions were for the " Minute
men," wlio IkkI been enlisted under an act of Provincial Congress,
26 Oct., 1771.

On 17 Ai>ril, 1775, Col. Kbenezer Learned moderator, it was voted
" that the Publick Money for 1773 be paid to Henry Gardiner, Esq.,"
receiver under the Provincial Congress. The town thus fully com-
mitted itself to the support of the new Provincial Government.

Liexington Alarm. Two days later at Concord and Lexington
active hostilities begun and the community was stirred by the prepa-
rations of its soldiers hastening to the scene of action. Ebenezer
Learned was the leading spirit of the hour, and the minute men
rallied under John Town as Captain, and with other companies in the
vicinage, under Learned as acting Colonel soon joined the army near
Boston.' They were, it appears, organized only as minute men until
after the action of the Provincial Congress, which, on 23 April, issued
a call for Li, 500 men for eight months. The Committee of Safety
urged their continuing in the service until permanent organization
could be effected. "-Beating papers," with an offer of Colonelcy,
were immediately given to Learned, who distributed them to captains,
by whom the men were enlisted. His regiment went into camp 19
May at Roxbury, and field and company officers' commissions were
issued on the 23d.-

Army supplies. On 29 June, 1775, Provincial Congress sent
to the towns a requisition for supplies for the army, including 13,000
coats which had been promised, one each, to the eight-months men.
On 30 Aug. the selectmen sent to the public stores live shirts, five
pairs of breeches and nine pairs of stockings, and on 16 Oct. 37
coats with the following notes : —

'•As thro' want of flax we could not send our proportion of shirts, &c., but
we have a prospect of getting our proportion of coats sometime in October,
that was set upon Oxford."

"We liavc provided thirty-seven coats, containing one hnndrod and thirty-
nine yards, and ono-lialf — making tliirty-seven coats, 4s. per coat £7. 8s. Total
value £47. Is. 9id." ^

Independence. In a warning, 6 July, 1776, was an article
" to see if tlie Town will instruct their Representatives about Inde-
pendence on Great Britain, or act thereon." The meeting was held
8 July at two days' notice, with Edward Davis as moderator. The
action of Congress had been anticipated and the town voted " to
advise their Representative in the General Court that if the Honora-
ble Congress should for the safety of these Colonies declare them
independent of the Kingdom of Great Britain, to Concur therewith,

1 Soiuf del alls ot I he purl noted by Uiese troops ^The average price of cloth was about 5s. per

are Klveii hcroattcr uiiili-r "Geu. Learned in the yard. James Brown the tailor cut these coats

Revolution." and made 2ti, "Mrs. ilurd" made live, "Mrs.

•■: Temple, Uis. N. BrookUeld. Allen " four and " Mrs. Amldown " eight.

1777-8 REVOLUTIONARY WAH. 129

and that the said Inhabitants do solemnly engage with their Lives
and fortunes to Support them in the Measure." ^

Tn the previous March, William Campbell, Samuel Eddy and Amos
Shuraway had been chosen a Committee of Correspondence and Safety.
At this meeting Reuben Lamb and Ezra Bowman were added. On 7
Feb., 1777, the selectmen were ordered to supply for the army shoes,
stockiugs and shirts, one-seventh as many as there were inhabitants
16 years old and upward. We find no recorded action on this order.
Feb. 24, 1777, at a town meeting. Col. Ebenezer Learned was mode-
rator, voted to raise money to enlist the quota of soldiers now sent
for to recruit the Continental Army ; to add to the bounties offered
by the American Congress and the " State," £14 to those enlisting
for three years or during the war before any draft be made in the
town. Voted and granted one thousand pounds "■ to be proportioned
on the Polls and Estates," making allowance for past services in the
present war, by actual service or hire ; and chose Col. Ebenezer
Learned, Reuben Lamb and Hezekiah Bellows a committee to adjudi-
cate said services.

Royalists. June, 1777, the town was called to choose a person
to "lay the evidence of the inimical dispositions of any in town to
the ' LTnited States of America,' " before the court as required by a
recent law, and chose Daniel Griflith for this service. Three weeks
later it was '' voted to Dismiss those that were in the List suspected
to be inimical to the States of America."

In Nov., 1777, Joshua Merriam, John Ballard and Andrew Patch
were chosen to take care of soldiers' families, as required by a late
law. In December it was voted to reconsider all action relating to
raising money for soldiers, which appears to have been in anticipation
of conforming to a new law of the Legislature.

Dark days. The summer of 1777 was a time of gloom and
apprehension. The British army under Burgoyne was on its way
southward from Canada, and the authorities were using every means
to put men into the field to meet the emergency. The 2sth day of
August was observed in Massachusetts as a day of fastiug and prayer
for the success of the American arms. Hopes were kept up that as
every movement of the enemy carried him further from his base he
might in the issue be defeated. These hopes were later realized, and
the crisis passed with victory on the side of the colonists. The
clouds for the time lifted and the 18th of December the people met to
give public thanks to Almighty God for His blessings on the cause.

On Jan. 1, 1778, it was voted to pay the town's proportion of the
State money agreeably to a late act of Court.

' The proclamation of tlie Declaration of Inde- after its receipt at the close of (iiviiio service,

penrlence was niailo in Massiicliuset ts on this after which it was to be (ielivered to the clerk of

wise. In Council, July 17ih, 177(i, it was ordered each town or district, who was required to enter

that said declaration he printed and a copy sent it in the i)ublic records, "there to remain as a

to the minister of each parish in the State of perpetual Memorial thereof." As such it stands

every denomination, to be read the flrst Sunday on the Oxford records.

loO HISTORY OF OXFORD. 1778-9

Confederation. At a meeting, 2 Feb., 1778, ''to see if the
town will Vote to accept the Terms of Confederation and Union as the
Congress set forth and published," Duncan Campbell, moderator, it
was "Voted to concur with the Confederacy proposed by the Ameri-
can Congress." As fitting action to accompany this declaration it
was " voted to pay the sura of £880. 14s. 9d. into the state treasury :
tlien the meeting was desolved."^ Notwithstanding this praiseworthy
action the town was behindhand in its quota of men. A few weeks
later a return was made on an order of the General Court, 8 Feb.,
1778, as follows: Whole number of male inhabitants in town, 16
years and upwards, 279, of which one-seventh was 40 ; there were
in service 29, showing a deficiency of 11 men.-

On 17 June, 1778, the General Court passed a resolve that towns
should furnish shirts, shoes and stockings for the army, of which
Oxford's share was 28 each. In September the town voted to pay
interest on money the selectmen might borrow to meet this demand,
and also chose .Joshua Merriam, .Jonathan Pratt, Jr., and Ebenezer
Coburn to provide for soldiers' families. In November £45 bounty
was " voted to soldiers who went to Providence for 6 months last
spring," and £200 for soldiers' families, also £213 '• to buy clothing
deficient last spring, and to pay for that provided by individuals."
On 6 .Jan., 1779, there were allowed to the town through William
Hancock, selectman, by the authorities, 28 shirts, 28 pairs of shoes,
28 pairs of stockings, valued at £133.

As time passed the state of affairs became more critical and at the
annual meeting for 1779, seven selectmen, Edward Davis, Esq.,
chairman, and five for a committee of " Correspondence, Inspection
and Safety," Reuben Lamb, chairman, were elected. There was,
however, little or no town action during the year on the subject of
the war. In October and November authority was given the treasurer
to l)orrow, not to exceed £700, for the use of soldiers' families.

The Town fined. By a vote of the Legislature, 9 June, 1779,
any town which should on the last day of July be deficient in its quota
of men was retpiired to pay a fine of £350 for each man lacking.
Oxford is in the list as deficient six men. There is a document in
the State Archives, ^ without date, but of 1779 or early in 1780, from
which we learn that previous to the time of its being drawn a requisi-
tion had been made for recruits of nine months' men, and that Oxford
was in arrears and consequently fined £3,000. The selectmen de-
murred and in tlicir memorial stated the town had raised one man
more than had been credited, and furthermore represented that

" there is a Gore of land between Oxford and Connecticut thiit is ordered to
do military duty in Oxford, whereby our proportion of Continental men is
three or four more than would have been our ' eota,' and as they do not live

'This record Is In ;in imusimlly bold liandwrlt- -Mass. Rolls, XLII., .'il.
Ingof De;i. Saimicl Harris, llie town clerk, and ■'CCCXVII.. 124.

evIdenUy was written under the influence oX the
" Spirit ot '7(i."

1780-1 REVOLUTIONARY WAR. 131

in Oxford we cannot tax them oni- fartbiuii towards i-aising men . . . said
Town hath completed every draft excepting this, and it is not for want of
good will, but by I'eason of thirty-seven persons in town that refuse to take
up arras by reason of their religious principles,"

whicb 37, with those in said Gore, amounted to "about one-third
part of the Training Band and Alarm List in Oxford."

A committee to whom this was referred reported that Oxford had
three men in the Continental army for which it had not had credit,
and therefore recommended that £1,800 of the fine be remitted — which
was voted 12 April, 1780. As there is no recorded action of the
town on the subject we infer that the men were later furnished and
no fine was exacted.^

Army Supplies. On 14 Oct., 1780, it was voted, in compliance
with a resolve of the General Court, 15 Sept., " to raise 5,760 pounds
of beef " for the army, which Sylvanus Town, Elisha Davis and
Amos Shumway, Jr., were chosen to provide. On 1 Jan., 1781, the
question of furnishing men and beef was again before the town,
a requisition having been made on 4 Dec, 1780, for 12 men and
11,062 pounds of beef. Edward Davis, Alexander Campbell and
Abraham Hill were chosen to petition the "General Assembly for
some relief in our Taxes, and More particularly about our Quota of
Men and Beef." At a meeting 5 Feb., 1781, it was voted not to
" raise the Beef," but to furnish the men. In May the town again
refused to furnish the beef, but on 19 July reconsidered the matter
and chose Ezra Bowman, Reuben Lamb, John Dana, Sylvanus Town
and Amasa Kingsbury a committee to provide it as required. Action
was, however, so tardy that "Sundry Gentlemen" were threatened
by the " Superintendent of the Commonwealth" with an execution to
enforce the requisition. These refusals were much deprecated by the
loyal citizens and an association was at once formed to meet, so far
as possible, personal responsibility. The following is in the town
archives : —

"An account of the names of the several persons in Oxford that when the}''
found they could not ol)tain a vote in the town to raise the beef ordered by
the General Court . . . being sensible of the great need of keeping up an
army and supplyhig them well in the field, we associated together and raised
money and paid the same into the hands of the agent to procure beef as by
receipts will appear, to the full value of our proportion of said beef when
carefully comi)ared with the whole town : Edward Davis, Ebenezer Learned,
Amos Shumway, Jeremiah Kingsbury, Joshua Merriam, p]zra Bowman, James
IJutler, John Ballard, Benjamin Hovey, Ellas Pratt, Jonas Eddy, Samuel
Harris, Ebenezer Humphrey, William Hancock, John Shumway, John Town,

' A plan often adopted in raising recruits for custom is recojrnized in the followin;; receipt:

the army was by "classing." The tax payers "Leicester, Aug. 30, 17.S1, this day recvd one

were grouped by the assessors, the rich and poor man for the town of Oxford to Sarve In the

In as ei|uitable a manner as possible, in as many army for three years for the clase whearof Mr.

divisions as there were men to be raised, and .Tames Merlam is Chearman.

each class was taxed to raise one man. This " SETII NVASUBURN, Superlnt."
was found to be a yery efficient nietliod. The

132 HISTORY OF OXFOIII). 1781

Josiah Kilmsbnry, David Xewcomb, William Eddy, Ambrose Stone, Nathaniel
Hamlin, Isaac IlartAvcU. Uriah Stone, Joshua Merriam, Jr., James Merriam,
Asa Conaiit, William Everden, Jcdcdiah Barton, Levi Davis, Joshua Turner,
Joseph Ilunl, Jolm Pratt, Heiijaiiiin Shuniway, Reuben Eddy, Wid. Content
llovey, Ebenezer Pray, Silas Eddy, John Nichols, Allen Hancock, Thomas
Pratt, Josiah Shumway, Amos Shumway, Jr., .Vbisha Shumway, Peter Shuni-
way, John Carriel, Bartludomew Woodbury. Samuel Rich. Jr., Daniel Har-
wood, Samuel Waters, Reuben LamI), Paul Sibley, Jason CoUer."

This may be regarded as a roll of honor. The amount which they
contributed was sufMcient to purchase, according to a moniorandum
attached to the list, 3,617 pounds of beef, leaving 7,445 pounds yet
to be furnished by the town.

Execution served. The threatened execution was served and
the balance of the beef consequently provided, as appears by the
following document addressed to the assessors of Oxford : —

"Whereas we the subscribers, inhabitants of the town of Oxford some
time past were arrested by one Benjamin Hovcy a Slieriff's Deputy for the
County of Worcester by virtue of an Execution issued by one Phelps, called
superintendant for purchasing beef and dictated by one Col. Davis, said to
be his agent ; have paid to said agent 7573 pounds of beef which with the
interest cost thirty three shillings per hundred ; we do therefore hereby
request the Gentlemen Assessors of the town of Oxford to assess the inhabit-
ants of the town for said money and to be paid in in equal proportion as the
law directs.

Abi:aiiam Hill,
Elisha Davis for self
and Brother John Davis,
Alex'r Campbell."
"Oxford, June 25, 1782."

In the General Court, 4 Feb., 1784, on the certificate of Jacob
Davis, agent of Oliver Phelps, that the town of Oxford had filled the
requisition of 4 Dec, 1780, for beef for the army, ^'■Resolved that the
Execution against the town be stayed, and there be no further process
thereon." The records of the General Court, 7 Oct., 1783, show
that the town had been fined £214. 2s. 6d. for failing to furnish
soldiers as required by resolve of Dec, 1780; but at that date it
appearing that the town's quota had been (illed it was ordered that
the treasurer credit Oxford the amount of the Ihie in the next State
tax. On '2'2 June, 1781, a third call for beef was made, which was
promptly met. A return of clothing and supplies, in 1781, gives as
received from Oxford, 19 pairs shoes, 19 pairs hose, 18 shirts, 10
blankets.^

The close of the war was now approaching. A receipt of Seth
Washburn, superintendent, dated at Leicester, 27 Dec, 1781, acknowl-
edges the lilliug of its quota of men for the public service by the
town of Oxford. A call for four men from Oxford was issued in
March, 1782, but we find no record of action upon it.

1 Mass. Arch.. CXL., 272.

1776-9 REVOLUTIONARY WAR. 133

Incidentals. In 1776, Stephen Streeter of Douglas, and two
well-to-do Oxford farmers, were by the authorities of tbese towns,
in the performance of their legal duties, ordered to march to reinforce
the American army, and refused. On 14 Jan., 1777, the General
Court considered a petition from these men stating that the select-
men, etc., of these towns, notwithstanding their claim to be Quakers,
had on their refusal, as aforesaid, "thrown them into AYorcester
Goal," asking relief. The Court replied that as in the act calling for
soldiers the duties of selectmen, etc., respecting Quakers had been
pointed out, if there had been abuse or wrong it should be tried in a
court of justice before a jury. We have no further light on this sub-
ject so far as concerns the Oxford men, but Streeter was persistent.
[See Streeter.]

On 6 Jan., 1777, in the General Court it was resolved that Alexan-
der Nichols shall have a hearing before the selectmen, company offi-
cers and Committee of Correspondence and Safety on his case. No
record of hearing found. The State owned a large quantity of salt;
by a resolve of the General Court a distribution of a part was made
among the towns, Oxford receiving, June, 1777, 66 busl)els at 10s. a
bushel. Edward Davis of Oxford represented to the General Court
that he had occasion for laborers in the '" farming way" and requested
that he might have one of the Brunswick prisoners "now on board
the guard ship in Boston harbor."

" 8 Oct., 1777. Ordered that the commissary of prisoners deliver to the peti-
tioner one of said prisoners to be employed in his family as a servant if they
should consent thereto, said Davis engaging to support them, allow them
reasouable wages and return them when the Council call for them, and pay
expenses of bringing them."'

George King and others stated to the authorities they had pur-
chased salt in Massachusetts to take to Windsor, Conn., which was
stopped by the committee of Oxford and taken ; prayed for relief. —
20 Aug., 1777, ordered the petition be granted and the committee
" are directed to deliver the salt to the petitioner." ^ In the Massa-
chusetts Spy of 16 Oct., 1777, Isaac Pratt gave notice that he was
about to start for the army and would carry letters and bring returns
at one shilling postage. 14 Feb., 1778, Jeremiah Kingsbury was
voted by the State authorities £13. 10s., which sum had been sent to
him to be expended for shoes, stockings, etc., for the army, but w^as
lost in the burning of his house.

"Pascal Nelson Smith sheweth that John Grinnell of Fairfield, Conn., on
15 Sept., 1779, two teams loaded with tea which said Grinnell imported from
Amsterdam, several barrels of Flour and Rum, some Dry Goods . . . and
sundry family utensils all the same being for the use of the family of said
Grinnell except the tea, Thaddens Burr, Esq., and other inhal)itants of Fair-
field who were bought out by the enemy and are now suffering the want of —
that the said teams were stopped at the town of Oxford several days before

1 Arch., CLXXIU., 467. Ubid., 357.

134 HISTORY OF OXFORD.

the Embargo was hiid Uy tlir lloiioraltlc (ieiioral Court, by the Committee of
said town and the <!rtccts taken from them, and the owners of the teams
oblijied to rctnrn witli tlicm empty — tliat aftenvard the Committee of Oxford
suffered the tea to go forward but they still detain the Sn<?ar, Rum, Dry
Goods and family utensils to the i^roat detriment of the said Grinnell," &c. —
He asked relief. 15 Oet., 1779, " Ordered that said John Grinnell be and hereby
is permitted to transport from Oxford to Fairfield, Conn., said goods and
ett'ects, any Embargo to the contrary notwithstanding." '

In 17H3 Capt. Joliu Town obtained judgment in court against the
town for .£'13(J, ''paid for procuring soldiers" in 1777.

Supplies in the line of shoes, stockings, shirts, etc., could not be
had on contract as at the present day. Requisitions were therefore
made for them on the towns as for men. Some orders sent to Oxford
were, 20 Jan., 1777, 14 blankets; 17 June, 1778, shoes, stockings
and shirts, 28 each; June, 1779, do., 28 each; May, 1780, do., 20
each and 10 blankets ; June, 1781, do., 19 each.

Demands of the war. Revolutionary papers of Isaac Hartwell
remain, and are interesting documents, suggesting what the great
struggle meant financially to one who did not enter the ranks. The
following payments are indicated, therie may have been others : On
24 July, 1776, £7 " for hiring samuel White for the service." White
served three years in Capt. Moore's Co. On 23 Sept., 1777, £15
fine, he having been drafted for eight months; 21 July, 1779. £30
"for a man to sarve in Road island" until 1 Jan. following; 13
Jan., 1781, £320 [currency] towards hiring three months men the
previous June; 18 Jan., 1781, he received an order for " foore
lioushels of Rye," to be his discharge towards raising three months
men July previous; 2 March, 1781, £224. 14s. "towards raising the
6 mos. men last June"; 7 April, 1781, £20. 3s. "hard money,"
towards paying Samuel White for three years, " agreeable to act of
the Assembly"; 18 July, 1781, "Six silver dollars for the hire of
tlu-ee-months men to West Point, N. Y."

Revolutionary soldiers. The largest call of Massachusetts for
men (after April, 1775, when 13,500 were required) was on 25 June,
1776, when 5,000 were called for, Oxford's quota 23; some later
calls were, 8 June, 1779, for 2,000, Oxford 6; 5 June, 1780, for
3,934, Oxford 13; 4 Dec, 1780, Oxford 12; 30 June, 1781, for
3,000, Oxford 9 ; March, 1782, for 1,500, Oxford 4.

The list of Oxford men must be for the present imperfect. From
the incomplete rolls in the office of Secretary of State and other
sources the following have been gathered. Capt. Town's Co., Col.
Learned's Reg., marched 20 April, 1775, on the " Lexington Alarm " :

,Tohn Town, Capt. ; Daniel Hovey, Lieut. ; Thomas Fish, Sec. Lieut. ;
Richard Ferrars, Serg. [deserted 11 Sept., 1775]; Samuel Manning, Serg. ;
Arthur iluni])lirey, Corp.; Phinehas .Mien, John Ballard, Samuel Haker,
William IJogle, John Campbell, Daniel Sabin, Abijah Harris, William Foster,
Joshua Turner, Allen Hancock, John Hudson [served 3 yrs., trad.], Robert

1 Arch., CLXXV., 013.

REVOLUTIONARY WAR. 135

Mannint?, Elias Pratt [later Capt. , served through the war] , Ebenezer Shura-
way, Anthony Slgourney, Timothy wSparhawk, David D. Town, Jonas Pratt,
Jr., Haines Learned [disch. 17 Sept., 1775], Abraham Merrifleld, Amasa Allen;
total, 7 officers, 21 privates.

In May there was a reorganization of troops. William Campbell,
previously in Capt. Craft's cavalry Co., Sturbridge, was made captain
of the Oxford company, and the following additional names appear
that year on its rolls : —

Sylvanus Town, Serg., from Craft's company; Abuer Shumway, drummer;
Moses Coburn, Jonathan Marsh [S. Gore], Thomas Bogle [took the place of
Asa Larned, disch.]. Frost Kockwood, Thomas McKnight, Jason Coller,
James H. Parker, John Conant, John Fessenden, JosiahEddy, Moses Knowland
[S. Gore], Paul Thurston, from Craft's company. Will [a negro, servt. of
Campbell ? disch. 5 Oct., 1775].

In Col. Learned's Reg., April, 1775, were also in Craft's Co.,
cavalry, Sturbridge, William Campbell, Lieut. ; Levi Davis, Joseph
Hurd, Sylvanus Town, Paul Thurston, John Walker, William Moore.

lu Capt. Curtis' Co., 1775, Robert Manning, corp. [transferred
from Town's Co.], Stephen Griffith, corp., d. 31 July, 1775, Daniel
Griffith, Isaac Pratt, Joseph Streeter, Moses Town, Elias Town, John
Mellen, Samuel Learned, Phinehas Allen, Benjamin Edwards.

In Capt. Healy's Co., 1775, William Moore, serg., transferred from
Craft's Co., Curtis Dixon, Aaron Wakefield, Amos Wakefield.

In Capt. Green's Co., Oct., 1775, Asa Meriam, Samuel Stone.
At Dorchester, 1775, for 3 months, in Dike's Reg., Richardson's Co.,
Ebenezer Fish, Samuel Kingsbury.

In Whitney's Reg., Carriel's Co., 4 mos. at least, 1776, at Hull,
Sampson Marvin, Corp., William Jordan, Jedediah Blaney, Richard
Moore, Moses Town, Elisha Town, Amos Parsons, Moses Knowland.

In Guild's Co., Wliiting's Reg., 1776, Nathaniel Wyman.

In Craft's Reg., Art. Todd's Co., 1776, Elisha Livermore, bom-
bardier, three months. This was not the limit of his service.

In Tyler's Reg., Ferrer's Co., Dec, 1776, Daniel P'isk.

The following enlisted early in 1777 for 3 years or during the war :
Benjamin Wakefield, Josiah Eddy, corp., John Hudson, corp., Josej)h
Cody, Corp., Peter Shumway, drummer, Moses Knowland, Richard
Moore, William Jordan, David Town, all in Capt. Moore's Co.^ In
Webb's Co., Sylvanus Learned, serg., Noah Harkins, serg., John
Harvey, David Manning.

Capt. Jeremiah Kingsbury's Co., Col. Jonathan Holman's Regt.,
Providence, 20 Jan., 1777, roll : —

Jeremiah Kingsbury, Capt. ; Silas Town, Lieut. ; Jonas Pratt, Levi Davis,
Jonas Eddy, Allen Hancock, Sergts. ; William Hudson, John Pratt, Amos
Shumway, Ebenezer Shumway. Corp's; Zaccheus Ballard, John Rawson,
Joseph Kingsbury, John xUlen, John Larned, Josiah Shumway, Curtis Dixon,
Sampson Marvin, John White, .Amos Wakefield, Thomas Wolcott, Jesse

1 Moore, first a private in Craft's troops, Sturbridge, was promoted and served through the war.

13f) HISTORY OF OXFORD.

Glwvson, Natluiii I'ratt, Keubun VaMv. Jonathan Coolidgo, Elislia Town,
Sylvanns Learned, Jesse Pratt, Jesse Merriam, Samuel Stone, Joseph Spar-
hawk, Aaron Parker, Jonathan Merriam, Jonas Davis, Benjamin Hovey,
William Lamb. Time in camp 43 days.

A detachment of this company was again in service beginning 27
Sept., 1777, " when the Militia marched to Reinforce General Gates'
Army at tiie Northward Agreeable to an order of the General Court."
They were out 30 days and marched 158 miles. Roll : —

Jeremiah Kingsbury, Capt. ; John Ballard, Lieut. ; Ebenezer Coburn, Haines
Learned. Sergts. ; .Tonas Eddy, Allen Hancock, Corps.; John Larned, Aaron
Parker, Jesse Pratt, Joseph Rockwood, Jesse Merriam, William Nichols,
Nathan Pratt, John Rawson, Ambrose Stone, Jonas Davis, David Stone,
Abraham Fitts, Amos Shumway, Anthony Sigourney.

Jesse Stone of Oxford was captain of a company which marched
on the •' Bennington Alarm," and was out from 19 July to 29 Aug.,
1777. There were no Oxford men in the ranks.

A reinforcement for Gates' army, in service from 1 Aug. to 29
Nov., 1777, was commanded by Abijah Lamb under Col. Cashing,
believed to have been in the Saratoga battles. The roll is as fol-
lows : —

Abijah Lamb, Capt. ; Ebenezer Humphrey, Sylvanus Town, Lieuts. ; Elijah
Larned, Arthur Humphrey, Sergts. ; Dana Town, Timothy Sparhawk, Corps. ;
Thomas.Baker, Jonathan Coolidge, Jason CoUer, Ebenezer Davis, John Fitts,
Joseph Hurd, Isaac Larned [a family record says Isaac Larned was bom-
bardier in Capt. Todd's Art. Company], Jonathan Merriam, Samuel Stone
[commissary], Ellas Town, Isaac Larned, Jr., privates.

In Sparhawk's Reg., Chase's Co., at Dorchester, 1778, Jesse Hill,
David Smith, Isaac Anabell.

Drafted in 1778, Jonathan Fuller, John M. Jewell, Eleazer Stowell.

In 1778, 9 months in Capt. Kingsbury's company, Jeremiah Kings-
])iiry, Capt. ; Eleazer Stockwell, David Chamberlin, Uriah Carpenter.

In Tyler's Reg., Fish's Co., Tiverton, R. I., Dec, 1779, G mos.,
Thomas Fish, Capt. ; Ebenezer Coburn, Lieut. ; Abisha Shumway,
Jacol) Works, Samuel Atwood.

In a list of "new levies," 1780, 6 months' men, are Thomas
Wolcott, Moses Baker, Elisha Town, David Town, Jacob Nichols,
James Atwood, Samuel White, Noah Dodge, Samuel Killey. On the
rolls for the same year appear also Samuel Wiley, Jacob Winslow,
Joseph Atwood, Benjamin Turner.

A pay roll, Capt. Ebenezer Humphrey, Col. Jacob Davis ; company
marched 30 July, 17.S0, to Rhode Island " on the alarm " : —

Ebenezer Humphrey, Capt. ; Levi Davis, Lieut. ; Joshua Turner, Sec.
Lieut.; Joseph Hurd, Ebenezer Humphrey, Jr., John Campbell, Amos Shum-
way, Sergt>. ; Benjamin Shumway, Jonathan Coburn, David Stone, Samuel
Stime, Corps.; Lemuel Cudworth, tlfer; Philii) Amidown, Ezekiel Coller.
Thomas Cain|)hcll, Solomon Covel, Joiuis Davis, Simon Gleason, Nathaniel
Hamlin, Jonathan Harris, Gideon Hovey, Jeremiah Kingsbury, Reuben Lamb,

REVOLUTIONARY WAR.

137

John Nichols, Jonas Pratt, Thomas Parker, Nathan Pratt, Ebonezer Redding,
Moses Rowell, Timothy Sparliawli, Josiah Shumway, Sylvanus Town, Archi-
bald Todd, Ambrose Stone, privates. Isaac Larned was in this expedition in
another company. Time of service about 13 days.

In Drury's Reg., Reuben Davis' Co., 1781, were William Tucker,
Corp. ; John M. Jewell, James Atwood, Ebenezer Stoue, Phiuehas
Jones, Jonas Cummings.

In Thomas' Reg., Elliott's Co., R. I., 1781, Lemuel Cudwortb,
served 4 m. 12 d.

The following list, without date, but near the close of the war,
gives names of men iu the Continental army from Oxford witb tinie
of service : — '

Richard Moore,*

44 m,

. 17 d.

invalid.

(^apt. Moore.

Jedediah Adams,

7 "

13 "

killed.

" Wiley.

Zaccheus Ballard,

37 "

15 "

" Moore.

Josiah Eddy,

48 "

" "

William Foster,

36 "

27 "

(i ((

John Florey,

48 "

John Fessenden,

9 "

5 "

dead.

" Coburn,

Jesse Forsyth,

46 "

22 '«

" Wiley.

Adonijah Gleasou,

40 "

17 "

deserted.

" Moore.

John Hudson,

48 "

William Jordan,

36 "

<< ((

Moses Knowland,

45 "

26"

invalid.

i< i<

Sylvanus Learned,

45 "

9 "

" Wells.

Samuel Putney,

38 "

27 "

deserted.

" Moore.

Ebenezer Bobbins,

37 "

" "

Peter Shumway,

45 "

7 "

It (C

David Scanning,

47 "

" Coburn.

William Steward,^

10 "

17 "

" Pierce.

Moses Town,

35 "

15 "

invalid.

" Moore.

David Town (son of Da

vid)

" Fowle.

Samuel White,

36 "

22 "

" Moore.

George Robinson, son-in-law of Gen. Learned, was in his brigade
and killed, it is said, at Saratoga."* Reuben, brother of George
Robinsou, was also in the service and died of fever in 1776.

The following names, gathered from pension rolls and other sources,
by Rev. H. Bardwell, D.D., are given iu Ammidown's Historical
Collections : —

Benjamin Vassal [said to have served through the war], David Lamb,
Ebenezer Pray, adjutant [served 3 years — tradition], William Simpson, George
Alverson, Caleb, son of John Barton, Abijah Kingsbury, James Mcriam,
Elisha Blanding [3 years], Francis Blandiug, Jonas Blanding, Arthur Daggett

[Sutton], Elisha Ward, Sewall, Richard Coburn, Jacob Larned, Silas

Eddy, Solomon Cook, Elijah Kingsbury.

1 Printed Con. Army Books, 1777 to 17S0.

- His time of service was from 5 Ajiril, 1777, to
22 Dec, 178(1, at wliicli <tate lie was discliarfjed as
an Invalid. Capt. Moore's Co. was ln4(li Keg.,
Col. Slie))ard.

^William Stuart, tailor, of Oxford was In

Pierce's Co., Col. Blgelow's Kejrt., 2(1 Feb.. 1780.
'■ Wlien he was about to die lie said to Adjutant
Pray, wlio was attendinjc liiin, " Kbeuezer, take
good care of Deborah," rcferrinff to his wife.
Pray heeded the charge, aud married her soon
after returning home.

138 HISTORY OF OXFORD.

Joseph Kiugsbury was drafted iu 1777, and Samuel, his sou, went
in his stead and was in the Saratoga battles.

Josiah, son of Jeremiah Kingsbury, joined the army at IG years of
age in 1775 aud served till the close of the war: was acting quarter-
master under Arnold at West Point, and ensign when discharged.

Others were as follows: James Hovey Davis, Samuel Jennison,
Lieut, and Quartermaster Nixon's Brig, at Saratoga battles; David,
sou of John Barton, sick at Richmond after Cornwallis' surrender;
William, son of Benjamin P>ddy, Parley, son of William Eddy, six
months; Jacob Fellows, Abijah, son of Abijah Gale, Brewer's Reg.,
d. in service; Jesse Gale, his bro., k. 24 March, 1780; Hezekiah
Larned, marched from Upton on Lexington alarm ; Abijah Conant,
son-in-law of Capt. John Nichols, went as servant to Nichols, d. in
service ; John Twichell, grandson of Benoni ; Gideon Sibley, from
Sutton on Lexington alarm ; Abijah and P^lihu, sons of David Thurs-
ton, in the same company and both k. in the same battle, Aug. (?),
1777 ; Jedediah Adams, seven mos., in Wiley's Co., killed ; Phinehas
Barton, Cai)t. John Nichols, joined the army 1777 ; Andrew Sigourney,
in battle at White Plains aud others, commissary with rank of Capt. ;
Anthony Sigourney in same Reg., Nathan Atwood, P^lijah Shuraway,
John Bowers, Benjamin Rider, Adams Sully, William Stowell, Joseph
Phillips.

On 29 Sept., 1777, Ezra Bowman was appointed by the Legislature
Adjutant of the Fifth Regiment and entered the service, contiuuing
until April, 1781, at least.

General Liearned. On 21 Sept., 1774, at a convention at
Worcester to consider public affairs, a resolution was passed recom-
mending the reorganization of the militia of the couuty. Accordingly
a meeting of the "commission officers" of the 2nd Regiment was
held 5 Oct., 1774, at Oxford, at which the following were chosen: —

Ebknkzkk Lkaknkd of Oxford, Colonel."
Timothy Sibley of Sutton, Lieut. -Colonel.
Daniel Plimpton of Sturbridge, First Major.
William Larned of Dudley, Second Major.

Learned had previously been elected delegate to the provincial
Congress at Concord, and on 12 Jan., 1775, he was again chosen to
the same body at Cambridge. During the autumn and winter of
1774-5 with his fellow-oHicers he was active in military preparations,
and when in April the first alarm of war sounded, was ready for
action. On the 21st of April, 1775, two days after the first engage-
ment, we lind him at Cambridge at the head of his command prepared
for service. He was ordered to Roxbury, under Gen. Thomas, where
he remained as reserve and doing guard duty during the siege of
Boston. Samuel Bixby of Sutton, one of his men, kept a diary dur-
ing the eight months spent here, and thus describes the battle of

1 A change was subseiiiifntly made and Learned placed In command of the Third Mass. Regiment.

1775 GENERAL LEARNED IN THE REVOLUTION. 139

Bunker Hill :—

June 17, Saturday.— Col. Putnam with a large party went on to a hill in
Charlestowii, called Bunker's Hill, last night to entrench, and this morning
the British discovered liim and commenced firing at the men on the hill. A
heavy fire was opened at Col. Putnam from the ships and also from the forti-
fications in Boston. The Regulars went over in barges in great numbers and
landed in Charlestown to attack Col. Putnam. Our men returned the fire
smartly, and the battle appeared to rage fiercely. The entrenchments were
not quite completed, and our men having spent their ammunition still defended
themselves bravely, but were obliged to retreat. The regulars set houses on
fire and did all manner of mischief, but Col. Putnam retreated to another hill
and went to entrenching there, while the British kept up a constant fire upon
him.

About noon we fired an alarm, and rang the bells in Eoxbury and every man
was ordered to arms as an attack was expected. Col. Learned marched his
regiment up to the meeting house and then to the burying yard, which was
the alarm post, where we laid in ambush with two field pieces placed to give
it to them unawares should the regulars come. About 6 o.c. the enemy drew
in their sentries and immediately a heavy fire was opened from the fortifica-
tion. The balls whistled over our heads and through the houses . . . The
enemy threw bombshells hourly into Roxbury during the night. Col. Learned
ordered his regiment to encamp in the safest place and we encamped behind
a hill.

June 29, Thursday. Haynes Learned [son of the Col.] crept down to near
the regular's guard last night, and fired at one of the sentries, and dropt him.

July 5, Wednesday. Both of the new generals, Washington and Lee came
into town [Roxbury] to day.

Nov. 23. Provincial Thanksgiving day. Rev. Mr. Bowman of Oxford
preached to us at the Col.'s as usual. Text Ps. 101, 1 v.

Dec. 12. Several companies of militia arrived in Roxbury to day and joined
Col. Learned's regiment.

Dec. 25. No chaplain in Col. Learned's regiment at present.

Jan. 1. Paraded, had our guns inspected and returned our ammunition. . . .

Jan. 2. This morning drums beat for prayers and we attended after which
the Col. dismissed us with honor.'

Evacuation of Boston.

A crisis in the siege was reached on the 16th of March, 1776, when Gen.
Washington sent a strong detachment of men to fortify Nook's Hill. This
decided Howe at once to evacuate, and on Sunday the 17th he began the em-
barkation of his army. Pi*feparations were at once made in the American
camp to enter the town. Putnam marched to Bunker Hill, and Ward with
five hundred troops from Roxbury, under the immediate command of Col.
Learned, who unbarred and opened the gates, entered the town in that direc-
tion. -

After the evacuation Learned, with his command, remained about
two weeks on the highlands south of tlie town where he could observe
the movements of the British fleet. On 20 March, Gen. Greene issued
the following order: "Col. Learned is directed to man six whale
boats every night while the enemy remain in the harbor, whose duty
it is to row about and make discoveries of any movement of the
enemy, that the garrison may be apprised thereof." On April 2

'Mass. His. Soc. Proceedings for 1877. Tills ^proUilnghaiu.
was H dismissal of the eight months men, whose
time then expired.

140 IIIS'K^RY OF OXFOltD. 1776-7

Learned and his regiment were relieved from dnty at Dorchester
Point, and were soon after ordered with the main body of the army
to the defence of New York. The next record found of hira in
military lif(* is of date 2 jMay, 1776, when he writes from that place
to Gen. \Vn5*liin<2;t()n as foihjws : —
Learned to Gen. Washington.

" Sir, with regret I must hunil)ly represent my case, Being so indisposed in
body that I am absolutely rendered unlit to serve the much injured and dis-
tressed publiclv with the alacrity and usefulness I could wish, or the impor-
tance of the cause requires; yet my hearty and greatest wish is that your
Excellency may receive renown, and the United Colonies' arms still be dis-
tiuguishod with success and victory, and in God's own time every worthy
memi)er in the struggle return to and enjoy his own habitation in peace. But
at present must request to absent myself from the Army in the manner your
Excellency shall prescribe; and if it should be thought most expedient I
should be dismissed the Continental service, if my past conduct is equal,
should pray I may be dismissed with honor and supported home. In obtain-
ing this I shall have fresh instances of your Excellency's favor; and lay me
under new obligations ever to remain your very humble servant

" EUENKZER LeaUNED." '

Addressed

To the Hon. His Excellency

Geo. Washington, Esq.

The action of Gen. Washington upon this we do not find, but it is
certain that Gen. Learned retired from the service May, 1776, on
account of ill health.

Early in 1777 a call was made upon Massachusetts for 15 battalions
to recruit the army. In the House of Representatives, 6 Feb., 1777,
choice was made of officers for these troops as follows : —

Ebenezer Learned, Esq., Colonel; Timothy Bigelow, Lieut. -Col. ;
David Bradish, Major. Learned declined the honor on the ground
that his commission did not bear equal date with others in similar
service. In closing his reply he says : —

" Also in justice to Colonel Bigelow I am bound to say when considering
his past services, his knowledge in discipline, so very necessary at this time,
as also the great confidence that will be put in iii^ in the County of Worces-
ter, it would in ray opinion much facilitate tlie raising of the Keginient if
your Honors Avould see tit to appoint hira to the chief coramand."

A commission for Learned was filled and signed by John Hancock,
"President," and forwarded to him, which he returned, saying he
could not accept it unless his commission could bear date equal to
otlier olliccrs.

Appointed General. What means were used hiter to secure
his promotion is not apparent. Evidently he was held in high regard
by men of influence, as on 2 April, 1777, Congress voted his appoint-
ment as Brigadier-General. Here he did not hesitate, but accepting
tlie honor ho soon joined the nortliern army under Gon. Schuyler, and
in the campaigns of that eventful year distinguished himself as a

1 Force's Arch., 4tU series, V., 1174.

1777 GENERAL LEARNED IN THE REVOLUTION. 141

soldier, and placed his name unquestionably among those of the
bravest and most efficient officers in the American army. His first
service under his new commission was at Fort Eldward, whence he
proceeded to Fort Ticonderoga, where he secured and removed valua-
ble stores before that fort was taken by Burgoyue in his progress
southward. On 8 July, 1777, he was in command at Fort Edward,
at which date he addressed the following : —
Learned to Schuyler.

" Hon' and Dear S' :

" I have the agreea)ile Tidings that our Men at Fort Ann are full of Resolu-
tion to Defend the Place and I am Supplying every Request from there
yesterday after Noon the Enemy appeared in sight our People out and
attacked tliem and Drove them 3 miles — Saw them carrying oft' Dead &
wounded — the Enemy consisted of Hessians, Canadians, & Indians we had 1
man Killed 3 Wounded —

" from Fort George Ave are informed that the Enemy have made appearance
7 miles from there on an island — 3 bateaux and 1 canoe — and Since we are
drove to the great Necessity to Defend ourselves in this bare Handed and
confused Situation we are Struggling to do it in the best manner we can.
Have but very little Artillery and that unmounted — but very little lead Balls —
but very few Tools for fortifying — no Tents more but few Kettles &c &c — but
in the midst of these Difficulties we tind the great Importance of Defending
this last security of our Country which God Grant we may never give up though
at Present are very Defenceless — I would ask your Particular Orders and
advice in this Critical Time — I have made all Dispatch to remove the most
valuable stores from Fort George not with any Design to leave it — but tind the
Necessity to save what few Medicines &c we have left.

" This moment received from Fort Ann: the Enemy made an attack very
near the Fort drove our People into the Fort — have heard no more
" S'^ your very Humble Serv'

" Eben' Li<:arned B. : G.

" Hon' Gen' Schuyler.

" This moment heard there were a Firing on Lake George we had boats
sent down &c." '

Notes from Col. Thomas Nixon's Orderly Book are of interest in
this connection : —

"July 12, at Fort Edward. This day Gen. Schuyler ordered Gen. Nixon to
immediately march his brigade to Fort Ann. . . .

"July 19. The Advance Brigades to keep scouts continually out: Gen.
Learned to send his up the Hudson river and Lake George, Gen. Nixon to send
his to South Bay, Skenesborough and Fort Ann." '^

These troops seem to have been watching and, so far as possible,
impeding the advance of the British army. That body, however,
continued its southward progress until it reached Saratoga and Still-
water, where tlie decisive battles a few weeks later were fought.

Achievements of 1777. In order to a satisfactory under-
standing of Gen. Learned's services it is necessary to review some of

' Gen. Learned's correspondence was limited 1890. The present possessor is Charles Robert,

and very few letters of his are extant. The Esq., of Phildelphla, to whose courtesy we are

original of this was in tlit; collection of Mr. Indebted for a copy.

Lossin;.', the historian, and was sold at a high '- Temple, His. Fram., 308.
price at an autograph sale In Boston In Feb.,

142 HISTOIJY OF OXFOKI). 1777

the leading events of the year, which can best be done by quotations
from authorities who have made thorough studies of the subject,
Clen. Burgoyne had early in the spring been put in command of the
British army, the plan of tUe season's campaign having Vjeen to move
from Canada southward by Lake Champlaiu and Ticonderoga to
Albany, there to join Gen. Howe, who was to ascend the Hudson
from New York, and thus by a line of military posts northward from
that point cut off Now Kugland from the rest of the country. In the
furtherance of tiiis design l>urgoyne on tlie 6th of July got possession
of the stronghold at Ticonderoga, the Americans retreating to Fort
Edward, and later to Stillwater on the Hudson.

Fort Stanwix. Meantime a detachment of the British under St.
Leger was sent up the St. Lawrence through Lake Ontario and the lesser
waters towards Fort Stanwix, an important post in the Mohawk valley,
about 45 miles northwest of Albany, with the intention of capturing
it and afterward joining the main army in the valley of the Hudson.
St. Leger reached the fort on the third of August. Peter Gansvoort,
a fearless soldier, was in command, but the garrison was small and a
protracted resistance impossible. Gansvoort sent for reinforcements
to Schuyler, who, knowing his needs, had already ordered Gen. Learned
with a part of his brigade forward to Fort Dayton. ^ Calling a council
of his under ofllcers Gen. Schuyler found them all opposed to weaken-
ing the main army by sending troops to aid Gansvoort, but he, feeling
it a necessity, decided to assume himself the responsibility and called
for a volunteer to lead the expedition. Not a brigadier responded.
But Maj.-Gen. Arnold being indignant at this treatment of Schuyler's
proposition offered to lead the movement, and very soon eight hun-
dred men volunteered under him, many of whom were of Learned's
brigade. 2 This body marched immediately, and on 20 Aug. joined
Learned at Fort Dayton. On the 21st Arnold called a council of
war, which decided it would be injudicious and hazardous to move
until further reinforcements had arrived.-^ Arnold, however, learning
that Gansvoort was hard pressed, overruled the council and pro-
ceeded at the head of 1,200 men toward Fort Stanwix. But no
besieging army was there. St. Leger having heard reports of large
coming reinforcements became alarmed and was making all haste
toward Lake Ontario, leaving cannon, stores and camp equipage to
fall into the hands of the Americans ; Stanwix was saved, and Arnold
and Learned marched back in triumph to the Hudson.

Saratoga battles. During their absence the battle of Benning-
ton had been fought and Schuyler had been superseded by Gen.
Gates. Burgoyne was preparing for an advance on Albany and to
oppose his progress Arnold and Kosciusko had selected a position to
fortify called Bemis' Heights, a rise of ground peculiarly appropriate
for the purpose, lying between the river (near which was the highest

1 Carrlnjrton, Battles of Uevolutlon, 324. »MS8., N. Y. His. Soc, IX., 70.

8Llfe of Arnold, 103.

1777 GENERAL LEARNED IN THE REVOLUTION. 14.3

portion) and Saratoga Lake about six miles from it. On this ground,
on the 19th of September, occurred the first of two hard fought
battles, and from the best evidence we have, Arnold was a lead-
ing spirit in the day's contest, and Learned, who commanded the
centre brigade, acted a very important part under him. Neilson in
describing this battle says, " towards the close of the day Gen.
Learned's brigade and another regiment, I think Marshall's, were
principally engaged on a rise of ground, west of the cottage (Free-
man's) with the British grenadiers and a regiment of British Infantry,
and bravely contested the ground till night." ^ Lossiug says, " But
for Arnold on that eventful day Burgoyne would have doubtless
marched into Alt)any at the Autumnal Equinox a victor." -
On 2Q Sept. Gen. Gates issued the following : —

"The Public business having so entirely engaged the General's attention
that he has not been properly at leisure to return his grateful thanlis to Gen.
Pooi''s and Gen. Learned's brigades, to the regiment of Riflemen, Corps of Light
Infantr.v, and Col. Marshall's regiment for their valiant behavior in the action
of the 19th inst. , which will forever establish and confirm the reputation of
the Arms of the United States."

The bravery and success of Arnold at once aroused the jealousy
of Gates and a quarrel ensued, resulting in a request from Arnold
to go to Washington, which Gates willingly granted, but his fellow-
officers besought him to remain until the decisive blow should have
been struck, to which he consented, although his command had been
transferred to another.

Second engagement. On the 7th of October the contest was
renewed and the great battle of the campaign fought.

"At half past two in the afternoon the battle began. The troops of Poor
[of N. Hampshire] and of Learned marched np the slope to attack the Grena-
diers and tlie Artillery under Ackland and Williams with orders not to
open fire until after the first discharge of the euemj-.^ Silently and steadily
they inarched forward, and were received by a discharge of musket balls and
grape shot which passed over their heads into the branches of the trees.
Instantly with a shout they rushed forward and delivered their fire. Then
followed a fierce assault and conflict. The Americans charged up to the very
mouths and among the cannon and were met with a stubborn resistance . . .
Finally after a terrible struggle, and when Major Ackland was severely
wonnded and Williams taken prisoner, the Grenadiers and Artillery fled, and
the Americans held the field." ^

During the early part of this contest Arnold was chafing in his
tent —

" Suddenly springing forward, he said to his aids, ' No man shall keep me
in my tent to-day, if I am without command I will fight in the ranks. . . .
Come on ! Victory or death ! ' and leaping into his saddle he plunged into

• The prrenadiers were llie flower of the British ♦Life of Arnold. "The headlonK impetuosity
army. -' Life of .Scliuyler, II., 349. of the attack confouuded tlie tacticians." — II'.

' The puttiiijr forward of tliese troops as leaders Irving.
in the attack was In military usage a recoguition
of superiority.

144 HISTORY OF OXFOHD. 1777

the thickest of tlie tlf?ht, and thn soldiers welcomed tlu-ir old and beloved
conimaiider with shouts and chei-rs which rose above the din and roar of the

conflict." '

We now quote from Gen. Canington i^

"At this stajjje of the battle Arnold no lonjjer under self-control burst from
the cunip and like a meteor rode to the front of Learned's Ijri.iiade, ichich had
been so rccentlij under his command, and dashed into the (lj;ht. He was
cheered as he rode past and like a whirlwind tlie regiments went with him
upon the broken British lines. Fraser fell mortally wounded in this assault,
and swiftly behind the half crazy volunteer came Ten Broeck with a force
nearly double that of the whole British line. That line was now in full
retreat.'' Phillips and Keidesel, as well as Burgoyne in person, exhibited
marvellous coura.Efe in an hour so perilous . . . but nothing could stop Arnold.
Wheresoever he found troops he assumed command and by the magnetism of
his will and passion he became supreme in daring endeavor. With a part of
the brigades of Patterson and Glover, he assaulted the intrcnchments of Earl
Balcan*as, but was repulsed. To the right of Balcarras the Canadians and
Koyalists were posted under cover of two stockade redoubts. Here again
Arnold met Learned's brigade, took the lead and with a single charge cleared
these works, leaving the left of Breyman's position entirely exposed."

Thatcher iu his military journal, in speaking of this movement,
says : —

"At length the Americans press forward with renewed strength and ardor,
and compel the whole British line, commanded by Burgoyne himself, to yield
to their deadly lire, and they retreat in disorder. The German troops remain
iirmly posted at their lines; these were boldly assaulted by Brig. -Gen. Learned
and Lieut. -Col. Brooks, at the head of their respective commands, with such
intrepidity that their works were carried and brave Col. Breyman, their com-
mander, was slain."

Liearned's efficiency. Gen. Wilkinson, who was Gates' Adju-
tant, and on tiie iield, says : —

"About sunset I ix'rccived (ien. Learned advancing toward the enemy with
his l)rigade, in open column . . . when I rode up to him. On saluting this
brave old soldier he ini|uired ' Where can I put in icith most advantage ? ' I
had particularly examined the ground between the left of the Germans and
the light infantry, occupied by provincialists, from whence I had observed
a slack lire : I therefore recommended to Gen. Learned to incline to his right
and attack at that point: he did so with great gallantry; the provincialists
abandoned their position and Med ; the German tlank was by this means uncov-
ered, tliey were assaulted vigorously, overturned in tive minutes and retreated
in disorder leaving tlieir commander . . . Breyman, dead on the field." ^

"The night was now closing in. Tlie victory of the Americans
was decisive." ■'

Disaster averted. A subsequent movement in which Learned
was prominent was that of the 11th of October, when, on a foggy

' Life of Aniolil. ^" BuTKoyne jtaed iip, like spur iiiul whip,
- Battles of the Kevolulimi, )). :)48. Till Fraser brave did fa', iiiau;

•• Memoir, I., 27'.'. Then lost his wliy, ae misty day,

6 WaslnuKtou Irving. Iu Saratoga shaw, man."— flur«s.

1777 GENERAL LEARNED IN THE REVOLUTION. 145

morning, Gen. Gates, with the belief that the enemy was in retreat
toward Fort P^dward, sent out a body of troops to occupy the camp
and follow in pursuit. The rising mists, however, revealed just at
hand the whole British army in battle array. A retreat was ordered
and a disaster averted. Wilkinson says of this movement : —

'• I hastened to head-quarters [when the facts were known], reported to the
General and received instructions to order Patterson's and Learned's brigades
to support Morgan. Having performed that duty and conducted General
Learned [Patterson being general otHcer of the day, both Maj. -Generals being
wounded] across the creek. I returned."

After describing other movements he adds : —

" We had not heard from the corps of Gen. Learned and it occurred to me
that, deceived by the tiring on the right he might be led into a disadvanta-
geous attack, I instantly clapped spurs to my horse, crossed the creek and
reached the front of the two brigades at about 200 yards from Burgoyne's
stronge-t post on the crown of a hill. The troops were advancing and had
just entered clear ground in front of the intrenchments, which were abbatized.
If I had been three minutes later our left wing would have been engaged and
the consequences might have been calamitous. I found Gen. Learned near
the centre, and begged of him to halt, which was immediately done bypassing
the word to the right and left. Then I observed to him that he must retreat.
' Have you orders? ' said he. I said ' No; as the exegencies of the case will
not allow me to see General Gates.' He replied, ' Our brethren are engaged
on the right, and the standing order is to attack.'' I informed him ' Our troops
on the right have retreated and the firing you hear is from the enemy.'"

Lossing says : —

" The brave veteran disliked the idea of retreating, preferring to carry out
the .standing order to the very letter, but on counselling Avith Cols. Brooks
and Tupper and some other officers a retreat was deemed advisable."

The two brigades fell back half a mile to a field, which they fortified
and held until the surrender on the 17th.

Seth Bannister, Brigade-Major under Learned, in a letter to his
wife describing the engagement of the 7th of Oct., says : —

" Brig.-Gen. Learned was left in possession and commander of a large
encampment of the enemy's with a number of his brigade and other troops,
till Generals Lincoln, Glover and Nixon relieved him, about twelve o'clock at
night." '

After disposition was made of the prisoners Learned and his
brigade made a forced march to Albany to oppose the approach of
the British from the south. Later his and other brigades were ordered
southward. On 2 Nov., 1777, Alexander Hamilton, Washington's
aid, wrote to him thus from Fishkill : "Gen. Learned's brigade,
Morgan's corps, etc., on their march on the west side of the river."
Eight days afterward he wrote from New Windsor that Poor's and
Learned's brigades still remained there and at Fishkill, and were in a
state of mutiny for want of their pay. Gov. Clinton, however, pre-
vailed on Learned's brigade, then under command of Col. Bayley, to

1 Massachusetts Spy.

146 HISTORY OF OXFORD. 1778

march to Goslieu in liopes they would continue on, and he expected
thus to get them to headquarters by means of five or six thousand
dollars, which ho borrowed to meet the emergency. On 12 Nov. he
wrote he hoped both Learned's and Parson's brigades would join
Washington in five or six days.

With tlie Saratoga battles the public services of Gen. Learned
ended. His increasing physical disabilities obliged him to retire, and
obtaining a furlough he soon returned home.

Washington to Heath. The next mention we find of him is
in a letter of Gen. Washington to Gen. Heath at Boston, bearing
date 9 Jan., 1778, at Valley Forge, which contains the following : " I
beg you will carefully forward the enclosed letters to Brigadiers
Glover and Learned. They contain orders for them to join their
respective brigades, with which they are much wanted." ' Gen. Heath
replied saying these letters had been forwarded as requested. Upon
the recei[)t of Washington's order Learned proceeded to Boston and
laid open his case to Gen. Heath, who on 7 Feb., 1778, wrote as fol-
lows to Gen. Washington : —

Heath's reply.

" P>riji -Gen. Learned called upon me a day or two since and requested that
I would transmit your Excellency the enclosed certificates and represent his
present state of health. In the canipaijin of 1775 by a violent fall lie received
a breach, which has been increased to a rupture, w'hich frreatly incapacitates
him for business, especially in the Winter. He cannot ride without much
inconvenience, and if he happens to wet his feet is attacked with the most
excruciatinir pain. He has proposed to rcsiiin his commission, but the Hon.
Mr. Hancock and myself have persuaded him to delay it for the present, as in
a summer campaign he may render his country essential service. He is anx-
ious to know your Excellency's pleasure."*

On 27 Feb., 1778, Gen. Washington replied as follows: —

" Consideriiiir Gen. Learned's ill state of health, I think his resignation had
better be accepted of, more especially as from the nature of his complaint it
does not appear that he can ever be able to bear the fatigues of a campaign, I
would therefore advise him to make his resignation, with the reasons for so
doing, to Congress, who are the proper body to receive it." ^

The purport of this letter was communicated to Congress and to
licarncd, who on 12 March, 1778, wrote and forwarded to that body
liis final resignation, as follows: —

Learned's resignation.

"Boston, March 12, 1778.

" Most Hon' Sk. 1 have served in this warfare since the begiiming as a
Col. of a Kegt. till May, 1776, when by indisposition liy reason of certain
fatigues in the army I found myself une(|ual and resigned the service.

" Since I recovered a little the Honorable the Contini'utal Congress on the
second day of April, 1777, appointed me to the command of a Brig. -Gen'. I
immediately took the Held, proceeded to Fort Edward, and at the evacuation

1 Coll. Mass. BlB. Soc, 5 series, IV., 82, 88. nbld. nbid.

1778-80 STATE GOVERNMENT. 147

of Ticonderoffa had great fatigue in securing the remains of our stores that
way. Direct!}' on that marched my brigade to the relief of Fort Stanwix.

" Immediately on return we had the satisfaction of reducing Burgoyne's
army with much fatigue and was personally and l)rigade in the severe but
victorious actions of Sept. 19 and Oct. 7, and after that army was imprisoned
we toolv a forced march to Albany to stop the progress of the enemy that way.
"All which brought on my former difficulties and by the advice of Doct.
Potts I took a furlough of Gen. Gates to retire from the army till I was well ;
the receipt of which with my surgeon's certificate I have enclosed.

" And I find I am quite unequal to act vigorously in my country's cause in
the field and to eat the Publick's bread and not do the service I am not dis-
posed. And I think I am better able to serve in a private or civil than in a
military character.

"All which considered I think it my duty to myself and my family, and
country to pray your Honor the Congress to discharge me from the service.
" And I shall remain as before
" Your Honor's

" Very Humble Serv't.

" Ebenezer Learned, B. : G." '

In Congress, 24 March, 1778, it was resolved that this resignation
be accepted."

State Government. In the midst of the excitement of the war
it became necessary to establish a new government to take the place
of that which had been repudiated. The General Court moved in this
matter, and on 30 Sept., 1776, the question whether the House of
Representatives with the Council should form a system of government
for the State came before the town. Alexander Campbell, PMward
Davis, Ebenezer Learned, Ezra Bowman and William Phips were
chosen to consider the subject, and reported that as the representa-
tion was unequal in the House it was uuadvisable that they should
proceed to form a government. This report was, on 7 Oct., unani-
mously adopted. Before May, 1 778, the General Court had formed
a " Constitution and Form of Government," which at that time was
laid before the town for consideration. Upon it was a unanimous
vote of disapproval. In May, 1779, the question was put whether
there should be a new constitution or form of government at this
time, and it was voted unanimously in the negative. By order of the
General Court, in Aug., 1779, two delegates, Ebenezer Learned and
Ezra Bowman, were chosen to meet in convention on Sept. 1 at
Cambridge for the purpose of forming a State constitution with
instructious to return to the town a copy of their proceedings for its
consideration. The convention met and agreed upoa a form of a
State constitution, which was presented to the town for action in
June, 1780, when it was voted to accept the same excepting the 1st,
2d, 3d and 29th in the Bill of Rights.

The Constitution received the requisite number of votes in the State
and was adopted. It did not, however, relieve the financial distress

' Wc are iadebted to tlie courtesj' of Tlieodore Washington, for a copy of this letter, which
Uwlght, Ebii., Llbrariaa of the L)ept. of State at came to light only after a long search.

-See Learned, UeiiealOKical Department.

148 HISTOUY OF OXFORD. 1786-7

which prevailed, but rather, by introducing legal machinery to enforce
the payment of debts, aggravated the evil. No permanent relief was
experienced until after the adoption of the Federal Constitution in
17.S8, when the permanence of the union became assured, contidence
gradually returned, and the people eschewing conventions and excit-
ing discussions cheerfully accepted the situation and set themselves
diligently, l)y industry and frugality, to the work of repairing their
lost fortunes. The clouds soon disappeared and from that day
onward general prosperity prevailed.

Shays' Rebellion. The few years following the Revolution
were years of business depression and discouragement. Many town
meetings and popular conventions were held for the discussion of the
situation, with a view to preventing the depreciation of the currency
and tlie regulation of prices of commodities which, through specula-
tion and monopolies, were becoming exhorbitant. Numerous com-
mittees were chosen to carry into effect, in the town, the action of
these conventions, but the result was only temporary, and deprecia-
tion continued until the currency became worthless, and the collect-
ing of dues almost an impossibility.

Lawsuits. Suing for debt became almost a mania ; the cases on
the Worcester docket, in 1784 and 1785, were numbered by thousands,
and much property was sacrificed on forced sales. General bank-
ruptcy threatened the community, and great distress prevailed. The
people of Newton, in their instructions to their representatives,
say :—

" We find by experience that we cannot obtain justice . . . without being
obliged to purchase it. . . . Great numbers of actions are brought at every
court wluch, together with the pernicious practices of some of our lawyers,
occasion delays, appeals, protracted judgments, loss of time, travel, attend-
ance, intolerable expenses, ... so that, unless the sum in dispute be con-
sideral)le, it is better to lose it than to seek recovery by law."

Out of this state of affairs, in the autumn of 1786, grew in cen-
tral and western Massachusetts the demonstration known as " Shays'
Rebellion," the declared ol)ject of which was not the overturning or
resisting of the government, excepting in the matter of preventing
the sitting of the courts in which these vexatious and expensive suits
were in progress, until desired legislation could be procured.

Shays, in a letter dated 30 Jan., 1787, to Gen. Lincoln, then
in command of troops at Hadley, says : —

"... The people are willing to lay dovpn their arms on the condition of a
general pardon, and return to their respective homes, as tliey are unwilling
to stain the hind which we, in the late war, purchased at so dear a rate, with
the blood of our brethren and neighbors. Therefore we pray that hostilities
may cease on your i)art, until our united prayers may be presented to the
General Court, and we receive an answer, as a person is gone for that pur-
pose. If this request may be complied with, government shall meet with no
interruption from the pcojile." . . .

1787 shays' rebellion. 149

Oxford was deeply stirred, and many of its citizens were active,
both as '' Regulators" and government soldiers. The people of the
north part of the town especially, were, with very few exceptions,
committed to the movement, and as a company was organized near
the town, in the south part of Ward, under Jonah Gouldiug, it is
probable that most of the Oxford men joined that organization.
According to tradition, Timothy Sparhawk's house was the Oxford
rendezvous, aud he, who had been a valiant soldier in the Revolution,
aud his neighbor, Reuben Lamb, who had been chairman of the town
Committee of Correspondence and Inspection, were earnest supporters
of the cause. 1

On 2 Feb., 1787, a company of the insurgents being gathered at
New Braiutree, Gen. Warren sent soldiers from Worcester to disperse
or take them. When ueariug their destination they were tired upon,
from behind a stone wall, by men who had secreted themselves there,
and were under the command of '' one Lamb."'^

Oxford, it has been said on high authority, was a " Shays town."
That a majority of its people sympathized with the general sentiment
in desiring relief from the existing embarrassments, is without doubt
true, and a tolerably sure indication of the readiness on the part of
the people to acquiesce in a change in the State administration, is
given in the vote for Governor at the spring election, 1787, at which
64 ballots were cast for John Hancock and two for James Bowdoin.
Furthermore, Capt. Jeremiah Learned, a decided supporter of Shays,
was kept in the representative's seat in the Legislature throughout
this stormy period, and was chosen in Dec, 1787, as delegate to the
convention for the formation of a State constitution. A single
reference only to the subject, and that of slight import, occurs in
Oxford records.

The disposition in the public mind, in former years, to deride and
censure this movement, has, in a measure, passed away. The fact
that Shays himself was pardoned, and that of the 14 men in the
State found guilty of high treason and sentenced to be hanged, not
one suffered the penalty, seems to warrant the inference that even in
the estimation of the people of that day the offence had much to
extenuate and excuse it.

Mr. E. B. Crane of Worcester, who has made a thorough study of
the subject, says : —

"The majority of the towns, in all the counties west of Middlesex, were in
favor of the movement, and a vast number of men who did not join the
insurscents gave their support in other ways. I think it was a popular move-
ment, and only checked l)y the disposition on the part of the Legislators to
correct the evils as fast as they could, which they did, and tlius renujved the
cause to some extent, and broke the strengtli and support of the insurgents."

lOn the authority of the late G. W. Hartwell. on tills subject, says this Lamb Is said to have
- Wor. Mag., 55'2. Mr. E. B. Crane, In his paper been Reuben Lamb of Oxford.

150 HISTORY OF OXFORD. 1799

"Adams' Army," During the progress of the revolution iu
France, near the close of the last century, that country became in-
volved in a war with England, and each party was solicitous lest
America should give aid to the opponent. France went so far as to
charge us with a disposition to side with her old enemy, and small
matters became so magnified through misunderstanding that serious
trouble was apprehended.^

Meantime our authorities saw fit to initiate precautionary measures,
and on IG July, 17y.s, a vote was passed in Congress to augment the
national army, and recruiting soon began.

Oxford a camp. In the autumn of 179y, the 14th, loth and
16th U. S. regiments, — a portion of this " provisional army," — were
ordered to Oxford as a rendezvous. These regiments were not nearly
full, but soldiers were being gathered from the several recruiting
stations, and here drilled by veterans of the Revolutionary War for
service should it be required.

Col. Nathan Rice was put in command. He was the son of
Rev. Caleb Rice of Sturbridge, had been aid to General Lincoln in
the Revolution, and was of good ability and a worthy man.-

The officers found quarters in various parts of the village, at
private houses. Some hired rooms, and having their families with
them lived independently ; others boarded in families of the villagers.
The head-quarters of Col. Rice were at the house of Capt. Abijah
Davis. Maj. Walker was quartered at the house of Nathan Hall, and
others lived at the hotels. ^ The camp was on the slope of the hill west
of the centre of the town. Coming in the fall, the soldiers soon began
their depredations among the neighboring farmers, and it became
necessary to early gather and house their crops in order to preserve
them, and even then they were not safe. Petty thieving was com-
mon, not only in this but in the neighboring towns, enclosures were
broken open, cellars entered, and pork barrels emptied of their
contents.''

As to their number we have no definite infornuxtion. According to
tradition it was 1,00U, but this is thought to be a low estimate. Col.

1 It was wliilu neKoUatious with Prance were ' DeserUons wore not uncoiiiiuon. The fol-

KoliiK on lliut. In reply to a sujjgestlon that lowing were advertised: Tlionius Hradley, a. 26,

money niij^ht inlluence the settlement of affairs, b. at old York, enlisted by Capt. Peabody at

Charles (!. IMuckney uttered the famous words, Haverhill; Bcnaiah Door, a. 24. b. at Plttston,

"Millions for defence, but not one cent for tribute.'''' enlisted by Capt. Blake at Castiue; William

- He was jjrailiiated at Harvard College In 177;i, Harrington, a. •.'(!. b. at Portland, enlisted by

resided at lllngliam, and removed to Burling- Lieut. Hradish at Hallowell: Joseph Powell, a

ton, Vt., where iie spent his later years. '!■<. b. at Andierst, N. II.; Harry Ureen, a. 19, b.

■'It Is related that when the specie with which at Hopkliilon; Daniel lioblnson, a. 21, b. at

to pay the troops arrived In town, there was Gloucester.

a|>prehension lest a raid should be made upon It. The late Ephralm l<:dson related his having

It was taken to Butler's tavern, where some of been present at the Campbell tavern on the occa-

the olllcers roomed, deposited in one of the up- sion of the punishment of one of the soldiers for

stairs bedroom closets, and a network of twine some misdemeanor. The culprit was tied to the

drawn across the door so that any attempt upon tavern slgn-i)Ost In the middle of the street, and

It might be detected. The nails on which tlds there Hogged iu the presence of a crowd who

screen was fastened remain at the present time, had gathered on the occasioa.

1800 ADAMS' ARMY. 151

Rice was officially the commander of the 14th Regiment, and John
Walker was Major of the same. John Rowe was Major in the 15th
Regiment, and Josiah Dunham, Captain in the 16th Regiment, was
acting Brigade Inspector. Capt. Tolman from Boston or vicinity, a
very worthy man, had command of a company. Lieut. Francis
Barker of Weymouth or vicinity was an officer. Eli Forbes and
Thomas Hale, both of North Brookfleld, were here, the former as a
lieutenant and the latter as captain in tlie 15th Regiment, later
teacher at Baltimore.

Recruiting suspended. Early in 1800 recruiting was sus-
pended.

" Brigade Orders, Camp at Oxford, 20 March, 1800.

"Extract of general Orders from the Adjutant General's office, dated 11
Mar., 1800.

"Agreeably to instructions from the department of 'War the recruiting
service as far as relates to 12 Regiments of Infantry and six troops of light
dragoons directed to be raised by act of Congress, 16 July, 1798, is for the
present suspended.

" All officers on recruiting service will join their regiments. The officers of
the 14th, 15th, and IGth, regiments will govern themselves accordingly and
repair immediately with the troops under their respective commands to the
Brigade Head Quarters at Oxford.

"By order of Commandant,
"J. Dunham,

"Acting Inspector of Brigade."'

Disbandment. On 20 May, 1800, the United States Senate
passed a resolution, nem. con., the House of Representatives concur-
ring, to disband the "Provisional Army" on or before the loth of
June following. This action applied to the infantry regiments from
the fifth to the sixteenth inclusive. Early in June preparations were
made here for compliance with this vote. On the 11th the Boston
Centinel contained the following : —

"Maj.-Gen. Hamilton, we learn has been at Oxford for some time, to give
the necessary directions for the preservation of the public stores in conse-
(juence of the disbandment of the army."

The visit of Gen. Alexander Hamilton to Oxford on the occasion
of the disbanding was a memorable event, as will be seen by the fol-
lowing letter written at Oxford and sent from Providence to the
Centinel, in which it appeared on 21 June : —

" Oxford, June 13.
"On Tuesday last Maj.-Gen. Hamilton with his suite arrived at this place,
and on the succeeding day he reviewed tlie Brigade under the command of
Col. Rice. On this occasion the troops performed their mauonivers with that
exactness and activity which manifested attention in the men and superiority
in the officers. The General expressed an uneiiuivocal approbation of tlie dis-
cipline of the army and beheld with pleasure the progress of subordination
and attention to dress and decorum. On Thursday the General made a public
dinner to wliich all the officers of the Brigade and several gentlemen of the
permanent army were invited. A convenient colonnade was erected for the

1 Adv. in Boston Centinel.

152 HISTORY OF OXFORD. 1800

purpose, over which the tla;; of the United Stales was displayed, and during
tiic entertainment the air was tilled with martial music from a new formed
l)and and from a large collection of drums and flfes. Hilarity and joy per-
vaded the guests . . . but when they drank to the memory of Washington I
and a parting sentiment was given by Gen. Hamilton a burst of extreme sensi-
bility sutl'uscd every cheek and demonstrated the agitation of every bosom.

" Hut Friday was reserved for a more prominent display of the passions of
the human mind. At 7 o'clock in ihe morning the Brigade was formed into a
hollow square when the General addressed his fellow-soldiers in a speech of
about half an hour in length. On this occasion the troops were moved, not
merely on account of this last interview with their General, but by the im-
pressive sentiments which fell from his lips, enforced by the most charming
eloquence and pointed diction. I cannot give even an epitome of this address.
SulHce it to observe that he inculcated sentiments suitable for directing the
conduct of the army subseciuent to its retirement into private life — such senti-
ments as awakened and I trust will keep alive the patriotism of the officers
and men : and induce them again, at the call of their country to make new
sacrilices for its defence.

" This day he sets out on a visit eastward." '

The Centinel of 18 June contained the following: —

" Maj.-Gen. Hamilton and his suite arrived in town on Saturday from
Oxford. Tomorrow a public dinner will be given him at Concert Hall."

This dinner w;is a grand affair, and many of the leading men of
Boston joined to do honor to their illustrious guest. Among the
toasts given were the following : —

" The late disbanded Army, — may we respect them for the services they would
have performed had our insidious Friends presented a bayonet instead of an
olive branch."

" T/ic Atlantic Ocean, — what God hath separated let not man put together."

Washington's Funeral. An impressive episode in the story of
this "'Army" was the funeral service in honor of George Washing-
ton. On 8 Jan.. 1800, by order of Col. Tvice, the following appeared
in the Massachusetts Spt/ : —

"FUNERAL HONORS AT OXFORD.

"Oxford, Jan. 4, 1800.
" Mkss. Tuomas & Son.

" The President having directed that Funeral Honors should be performed
at the several Military stations throughout the United States to the Memory
of our late beloved highly venerated and most illustrious Ct)MMANI)EK-IN-
CHIEF whose talents as an oliicer and virtues as a man had placed him above
all praise, 1 have directed that the same be performed at this post on Wednes-
day the Fifteenth instant.

"Confident that the most poignant grief for so great a National Calamity
hath pervaded (^very i)art of our country, and particularly the citizens of this
vicinity, and that it would aH'ord tiiem consolation to unite with us in per-
forming these sad rites. 1 re(iuest that through your paper information may

' CieorK<' Uavis, Ksi|., In Ills history of Stiir- li-Dops. .\U who liearii Iiiiii address tliem admired
bridge .says: " 'riic writer recollects very well liis extraordinary powers. He was a great man
when Gen. Humiltou came and Inspected these in the Ueld as well as In the cabinet.

1800 Washington's funeral. 153

be s:iven thereof. The Clergy — the Society of the Cincinnati and Officers of
the late Army — Officers civil and military — Citizens in general are invited to
attend : and it is hoped with the usual badge of mourning on the left arm.

" Tlie procession will be formed precisely at 11 O'clock and proceed to the
Meoting-house where it is expected divine worship will be performed; after
which it will proceed to the place representing that of interment, and the
ceremonies performed agreeable to the instructions therefor.

" It is requested that seasonable information may be given by the Com-
manding Officers of such Volunteer Corps and Uniformed Companies of
Militia as will attend on the occasion.

" N. Rice,
" Commandant of the 14th Regiment

and Commanding Officer at Oxford."

The Spy of 22 Jan., 1800, contained the following: —

" On Wednesday the 15th inst. Funeral Honors were paid l)y the troops
stationed at Oxford to the memory of their illustrious leader General GEORGE
WASHINGTON. At day break 16 guns were fired from the left of the Can-
tonment by a companj' of Worcester Artillery, commanded by Capt. Healy :
at sunrise another gun was fired, which was repeated each half hour through
the day. At 11 O'clock the troops having been formed, moved from their
parade by platoons and formed in the Main Street: a company of Cavalry
under the command of Capt. [Jeremiah] Kingsbury formed on their left, the
whole commanded bj' Maj. Walker of the 14th Regiment and two companies
of Artillery under the orders of Major Andrews on their right. Thus formed,
at 12 O'clock, the Hearse, covered with a black velvet Pall bearing an Urn
shrouded with black crape and accompanied by the Pall Bearers in mourning
and with white scarfs, was received by the troops with presented arms, the
drums Ideating a march while it passed slowly in front to the left : the Officers
and colors saluting as it passed ; from the left it was borne back to the cen-
tre where it halted and received the salute of all the Officers and colors alone.
It was then removed to its place in the procession, which then moved, by the
left, in the order following, the music playing a Dead March:
Company of Cavalry.
16th, 15th and 14th Regiments of United States troops.
Artillery.
Band of Music.
Drums and fifes of the Brigade.
[Drums covered with crape and muffled.]
Clergy.
Orator and ofticiating Clergyman with white scarfs.

Pall Bearers, f BIER 1 ^^^^ Bearers,

_, ^ ^ , , Beariut' the Urn, covered as before men- ^ ^ ^„,,. , ^

Capt. Balch. I ^5^,^^^,^ a ' W ' in sold cipher on the Urn, I ^apt- ^ iHmghast.

■i and a laurel wreath running spirally from ■
Maj. Jones. j tlie base to the top. The Generaf's Hat Maj. Lynde.

and Sword placed at the head of the Bier,

Maj . Winslow. [ which was borne by four Sergeant Majors, j Col. Ilunnewell.

THE GENERAL'S HORSE

Covered with black properly caparisoned, boots reversed, led by two

servants in livery.

Col. Rice, Commandant,

As chief mourner — with staff.

Officers of the Army

with badges of mourning.

Civil Staff of the Army.

154 HISTORY OF OXFORD. 1800

Members of the Society of the Cincinnati and

Ortlccrs of the late Army.

Brethren of the ' Morning Star,' ' Fayette,' ' Meridian Sun ' and

' Olive Branch ' Lodges in the following order :

Tyler

With a drawn sword, the hilt covered with crape.

Two Tylers, do.

Two Stewards

With white staves, the tops covered with crape tied with white

Ribands — blaclc and white tassels.

Brethren of tlic several Lodges.

Secretaries of the Lodges

With the records covered with crape.

Treasurers,

l^earing charters covered with crape.

Junior Wardens.

Senior Wardens

bearing their columns covered with crape.

Past Masters.

Three Master Masons wallving triangularly with the three candlesticks

covered with crape, lights extinguished.

Three Masons walking triangularly, each bearing a stall", the head of which

was covered with crape and a wliite silk cord — black and white tassels. On

each staff hung a pendant of white silk bordered with l)lack. On one pendant

was ' Wisdom,' on another ' Strength ' and on the third ' Beauty.'

Monumental Obelisk

borne by four oldest Master Masons supported by four more.

The Obelisk and its Pedestal were four and a half feet high, representing

black marble ; on the front of it was a bust of General Washington and over

it a motto, ' He lives in our Hearts ' ; above tlie motto tlie square and

compass. On the other three sides of the Obelisk wei*e represented Faith,

Hope and Charity, and above them the corresponding Masonic emblems; the

whole in Bas Relief. On the Pedestal was inscribed the General's name,

where born, when Commander of the late Army, when President of Congress,

&c., &c.

Two Master Masons bearing a large and elegant
SILVER URN
Ijeautif ully decorated with a wreath of evergreens intermixed Avitli
flowers and the [laurel branch] in front.
Three brethren walking triangularly with large silver candle-
sticks without lights.
Tyler
witli his sword as before mentioned.
The Constitution and Sacred Writings
on black cushions, &c., borne by two Past Masters.
Tiiree Masters of Lodges.
A brother of the Royal Arch
bearing a silver Urn.
Presiding Master.
Deacon. Deacon.

Each with a black staff, the head covered witli white crape tied with
black riband, black and white tassels.
Officers of the Militia.

Sherifls.

Justices of the Peace.

Gentlemen of the Bar and Physicians.

Otlier Citizens.

1800 MILITARY AFFAIRS. 155

"The citizens were marshalled by Capt. Hamilton of Worcester. It is
supposed the procession and the spectators amounted to 6,000 persons.

" On the arrival of the procession at the Meeting-house the troops formed
the lines, opened their ranlvs, and faced inward, resting upon their arras
reversed ; the procession passed through into the house, led by the clergy, the
band i)laying a solemn dirge ; the pulpit, communion table and galleries, were
wholly shrouded in black ; the hearse being placed at the head of the broad
aisle, tlie brethren of the Fraternity of Masons elevated the obelisk on the
right of the hearse, and on the left placed their lights, silver urn, &c., on a
large pedestal covered with black, during which the band from the gallery
continued to lill the house with solemn music ; thus arranged, the throne of
grace was addressed by Rev. Mr. Austin of Worcester, after which another
solemn dirge by the band. An eulogy was then pronounced by Capt. Josiah
Dunham, of the I6th regiment of United States Infantry, in which he strik-
ingly portrayed the virtues and services of the late Commander-in-Chief, and
observed justly that Five Millions of people were, with one voice, expressing
sorrow and grief at their loss. After the eulogy followed a solemn funeral
dirge by the Baud, during which the Fraternity, in mournful silence and in
proper order, deposited their large silver urn and raised the Obelisk over it.
A short but solemn funeral service was performed by the Fraternity, which
closed the solemnities in the Meeting-house.

" The procession was again formed, and left the Meeting-house in the same
order in which it arrived there ; marching one mile in the Main Street, which
being very broad, straight and level, aflbrded to a numerous body of specta-
tors an opportunity of viewing the whole procession at once, during which
time the bell, being muffled, tolled a solemn Knell, and minute guns were fired
from the Artillery. On the arrival at the place of Deposit the troops again
forming a line and resting on their arms reversed, the procession passed
through, and the Hearse, reaching its destined spot, the Urn was deposited in
the earth, the music again played a solemn dirge. The order of the Presi-
dent and of Gen. Hamilton was read to the troops, a detachment of Infantry
advanced and fired three volleys over the Urn, after which the Masonic
brethren placed a monument over it. The troops Ijeing again formed, the
colors were unfurled and the drums uumuffled, the troops wheeled to the
right by platoons, the President's March was played, and they moved to their
quarters and were dismissed. The Fraternity retired to their temporary
Lodge, which was immediately closed.

" The solemnities ended with the setting sun. The appearance and move-
ments of the troops gave great satisfaction, and bore honorable testimony of
the military address and executions of the officers."

For many years the " Urn " was preserved in the attic of the South
meeting-house, where the ceremonies were held, and later in the
house of Capt. AV)ijah Davis. It was of wood, about three feet in
height, and was silver gilt with a monogram " W." in gold, on the
side.

Soldiers of War of 1812. The muster rolls of this war are in
the archives of the nation, and now inaccessible. The following list,
which is incomplete, has been gathered chiefly from older people of
the town : —

George Blandin, d. in the service. Jesse Briggs, Rufus Briggs,
brothers. Rufus d. soon after his return. William Stiles, brother-
in-law of Briggs. Abijah, son of Doct. Daniel Fisk, in Jones' Co.,

156 HISTORY OF OXFOliD.

Miller's Reg., d. 1813 at Greetibush, of camp fever. Joseph Lamb,
musician, drafted. Russell White, came to Oxford after his return.
Sylvanus Town, Jr., in regular army on western frontier, from about
ISOO to 1M20, ret. to Oxford and d. here. David Wait, served three
months at Fort Warren, came later to Oxford. .1. Prentice, son of
Levi Lamb, d. in service. John Butler, went west before the war and
joined Gen. Wayne's army. [See Butler,] Edward H. Shumway,
drafted. Hovey Bounds, wounded at Queenstown. [See Bounds.]
John Alverson, son of George, killed in battle. Tisdale Atwood.

Minor Military affairs. We have few accounts of early mili-
tary operations. The law required the enlistment and training of all
able-bodied men between the ages of 16 and 60 years, and was doubt-
less duly observed. The frequency of military titles in the records
indicates that military office was considered honorable, and many of
these olHcers were prominent and influential citizens. The statutes
also recjuired that the towns should be provided with ammunition,
" which shall be a Barrel of good Powder, two hundred weight of
Bullets, and three hundred Flints for every sixty listed soldiers."^

In 1714 the town voted "to buy a stock of Ammunishuu, of 30
pounds of powder and bullits and flints answnirable."

In 1718, six pounds was raised to buy ammunition. In Jan., 1724,
during Father Ralle's War, a report was made of military stores, as
follows : 20 pounds powder, valued £3. 1.5s. ; twelve dozens flints,
6s. ; and 28 pounds of bullets, 16s. 4d. In INIarch, 172.5, 15 pounds
was voted for powder and ball.

In 1736, a committee was chosen to " search into the stock of am-
munition," and in Jan., 1737, nineteen pounds was voted to replenish
it. Nothing further appears to indicate active military operations
until 174S. when it was voted that those in the town who had been
iuq)ressed, and had been as soldiers six months in his Majesty's ser-
vice, should be freed from paying taxes for 1746.2 j^ 1757,
Phinehas Ward was paid eight shillings for casting bullets for the
town.

We find no further allusion to the subject until 1773. It appears
that Ebenezer Cutler, Doct. Stephen Barton and William Campbell,
then held a quantity of military stores belonging to the town, and in
March, 1773, Capt. Ebenezer Learned was appointed by the town to
sue for and collect the same, which he did.

In May, 1789, a committee on ammunition reported they had col-
lected 155 pounds powder, 587 pounds of balls, 1,083 flints, and had
obligations for 77 pounds additional of powder.

In July, 1794, the town voted, in addition to Federal pay, to non-
commissioned ollicers and privates who should enlist in the town's

1 Law of 1693. tliey were. From Queen Anne's war up to this

-Tliooia Frencli war be^an In 1744, In wliicli, time our frontier had been protected by troops,

as we loam fniiii tills vote, Oxford soldii-rs were Tin- Frcncli and Imlian war befran In 1753,

engaged. We have no means of knowing who although not formally declared until 175G.

MILITARY AFFAIRS. 157

quota of the 80,000 men ordered by Congress to be in readiness for
service at a minute's warning, as follows : £3 to a sergeant, £2. 4s.
to a corporal, £2. 4s. to a musician, and £2 to a private ; and in Sept.,
voted to raise the above to eight dollars a month per man, if called
iuto actual service, and to add one dollar bounty.

In Sept., 1796, the town voted to give ^ of a pound of powder to
each soldier for muster day.

Po"wder-house. In May, 1806, the town voted to build a
powder-house, and on 1 Dec, Sylvanus Town leased to a committee,
for the town, land near the north end of the plain for this building.
It was of brick, about seven feet square, and stood on land now
occupied by the Norwich and Worcester Railroad, near the common.
The building never had repairs, and at the time of grading the rail-
road was much dilapidated, and b}' vote of the town in May, 1837,
the selectmen were directed to dispose of it and its contents.

"Independent Company." From early times Oxford soldiers
were enrolled in two companies, north and south. In Feb., 1824,
the south was, on petition of Ebenezer Rich, captain, disbanded, and
an independent company authorized, to be called " Oxford Invinci-
bles " (later changed to -'Light Infantry"), provided 45 were
enlisted. The new company met 21 April, 1824, at Flagg's Hotel,
and chose Andrew Sigouruey, Jr., Capt. ; Elihu Harwood, Jr.,
Lieut. ; Archibald Campbell, Ens. The roll numbered 66. A uni-
form was adopted of " dark blue coats, leather cartridge boxes,
white belts and cross straps, black leather caps [high], black
[ostrich] plumes, white pantaloons." Company met 5 July, and
" trained all day." Attended muster 15 Sept., at wSutton ; in 1825,
at Millhury. Aug., 1827, Elihu Harwood, Jr., chosen Capt. ; Feb.,
1829, Hiram Moffltt chosen Capt., Nathaniel Emerson, Lieut., Jasper
Brown, Ens. Muster 1829, at Sutton. Sept., 1830, Nathaniel Emer-
son chosen Capt., Jasper Brown, Lieut., Erastus Evans, Ens. Mus-
ter 30 Sept., at Sutton.

In 1830 the 5th Regt. was disbanded, and this company transferred
to the 4th Regt. Muster, 1831, at Dresser Hill, Charlton, and 1832
at Southbridge. April, 1837, Jasper Brown chosen Capt., Erastus
Evans, Lieut., Robert Frair, Ens. Muster, 1837, at Dudle3^ the last
of the regimental reviews. The company soon after disbanded, and
its members were enrolled in the militia.^

Cavalry Company. A cavalry company existed in Oxford for
more than 25 years. Jeremiah Kingsbury, Jr., was in command in
1797. It was composed of men from other places, many being from
Sutton, and Asa( ?) Putnam of that town was for a time captain, and

• Soon after the orKanization a banner was ceremony took place, when the cavalry company

given the company by the ladles, at a cost of was the recipient of a standard. Miss Rider of

eighty dollars. The presentation was on the Charlton, then teacher here, making the address,

common In a speech by Sally Torrey, replied to by Capt. Putnam, of Sutton, being In command.
Archibald Campbell. A few years before a like

158 HISTORY OF OXFOIM). 1817-19

Rufiis Moore ufterward. In Feb., 1808, Kiugsbuiy h:ui been several
years Lieut. -Col. of a battalion of cavalry, 1st Brigade, 7th Division,
Mass. Militia, and then rcsigncfl. Andrew Smitii was the last captain
of the (Jxford coiiipaiiy, which was disbanded not far from 182.5.

Musters. The expanse of Oxford Plain rendered it peculiarly
appropriate for military reviews. ^ On the 30th of Sept. and 1st of
Oct., 1817, occurred a Brigade Muster, which was thus described in
the Massachusetts Spy : —

"His Excellency the Coimnander-in-Chief [Gov. Brooks], accompanied by
the Adjutant General and Major Brooks, a son of his Excellency, reviewed at
Oxford, on the 30th ult., and the 1st