DATE DUE
UNIVERSITY UBRARY
UNIVERSITY OF IVIASSACHUSETTS
AT
AMHERST
F
72
W9
H9
v.l
I
HISTOEY
OF
WORCESTER Gonn
MASSACHUSETTS,
BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES
OF MANY OF ITS
Pioneers and Prominent Men.
COMPILED UNDER THE SUPERVISION OF
I>. HAMILTON HURD.
VOL. I.
I Xj LTJ S T K. J^T E ID .
PHILADELPHIA:
J. W. LEWIS & CO.
1889.
piiess OF
JA8. U. RODOEItS I'lUNTlNQ COMPANY,
PHII.ADKI.PHIA.
11 ^
V,
Copyright, 1889,
By J. W. LEWIS & CO.
All Rights Reserved.
PUBLISHERS' PREFACE.
♦
In ])resenting the witliin History to the people of Worcester Comity '
INihlishers desire to state that when the preparation of the work had h
finally decided upon, an earnest effort was made to secure the leading literal
talent of this section of tlie Common weal tii to pi('[)are the uuinuscript. The
result was a gratitying success. Those most familiar with the historic litera-
ture of the County were engaged, whose names a[)pear at the head of their
respective chapters. These gentlemen approached the task with a spirit of
impartiality and witli a determinalion to prepare a work which shoivid
reflect credit alike upon the Country, its citizens and themselves, and the
Publishers feel tluit no eOort has been spared either by Publishers or
writers to faithfully i)reseut tlu' history of the territor\' eudjodied herein, from
its Indian oceu|)ancy to the present proud position it occupies among the
counties of the Commonwealth.
I'Hii.ADEl.l'HlA, Feliniaiv 20, 1880.
24
129
CONTENTS OF VOL. I,
GENERAL HISTORY.
CHAPTKR I.
Worcester County
CHAPTER II.
The Bench and Bar
TOWN HISTORIES.
chaptp;r I.
Lancaster .
Tfie Niisliaways and their Home — KinR's Purchase —
The Nashaway Plantere— The Town Grant— The Cove-
nant — Land Allotments — Death of Showanou.
CHAPTF.R II.
Lancaster — (Continued)
The First Minister— Arbitration — ("oinniissioners Ap-
pointed to Direct Town Affairs — Tlie First Highways —
Noyes' Snrvey — Disiiflection of the Indians — Monoco's
Raid — James Quanapang's Ficielity — Tlie Destruction of
Lancaster.
CHAPTER III.
»
Lancaster — (Continued)
The Resettlement — Fieiiili ami Indian Raids— The Gar-
risons — New IHeeting-IIonfie — The Aii<iitional Grant —
Early Scboulniastf rs — Lovt-well's War — Worcester
Comity Formed — Birth of lliirvani, Iltdtnii and Leo-
minster— Sieges of Carthiigona and Loni8lioiirK--Tlio
Coiiqnest of Canada.
CHAPTER IV.
Lancaster — (Continued)
The First Census — Organization for Revolution— Lex-
ington Alarm — Bunker Ilill and the Siege of Boston —
War Annals— Separation of Chocksett — Shays' Rebel-
lion — Bri<igo Lotteries.
CHAPTER V.
Lancaster — (Continued)
Hon. John Sprague — Cottim and Woolen-MiMs — The
Academy— War of 181-2— Tiio Wliitings- The Brick
Meeting-Huuse — Lafayette— The Piintiiig Enterprise—
Dr. Nathaniel Thayer— New Churches— Clinton Set Off
— Bi-CenteDuial — Schools — Libraries— Cenietertea.
CHAPTER VL
Lancaster — (Continued)
The Rebellion- The Town's History i'riiited— The
Town's Poor — Death of Nathaniel Thayer — General
Statistics. Etc.
CHAPTER VIL
Clinton
Prescott's Milla — Destruction of the Settlement by In-
dians — The Fii-st Highways — The Garnson Censns—
The Fii-st Families.
CHAPTER Vin.
Ctjnton — (Continued)
Tile Revoliiliun — The "Six Nations" — Immigration —
The Comb-makers— Poignand and Plant — Coming of
the Bigelows— The Ctiutou Company — The Lancaster
Quilt Company — The Bigelow Carpet Company — The
Lancaster Mills— Clint<invil!e, it.s Buildersand its Enter-
prises.
i6
25
31
40
46
50
I CHAPTER IX.
I Clinton — (Continued) 57
Tlie Incorporation— Favoring Anspices — New Enter-
prises and Clianges in the Old.
CHAPTER X.
Clinton — (Continued) 6i
Ctinton in the Rebellion — Soldiere' Boster.
CHAPTER XI.
Clinton — (Continued) 67
Horatio Nelson Bigelow — Banks— Town Hall — Bigelow
Free Library— Soldiers' Monument — Annals of Miitiu-
frtcturing Corpomtions- The " Wash-out " of is"!'. —
Franklin Forbes — Enistus B. Bigelow.
CHAPTER Xn.
Clinton — (Continued) 74
Schools — Cburcbes-Newspapfi-a — Water Supply— Slii-
tistics, Etc.
CHAPTER XIII.
Clinton — (Continued) 82
Masonic History.
CHAPTER XIV.
SOUTHBOROUGH 92
Location and Incorporation- Soil and Surface— Waters
— Productions — Agriculture — Manufactures and Mv-
cbanical Industries.
CHAPTER XV.
SouTHBOROi'GH — (Continued) 95
CHAPTER XVI.
Sturbridce 102
CHAPTER XVn.
TEMPLETON I2T
Location — Bouiuiary— Elevation — Streams — Ponds-
Soil — Productions — Population — Valuation — Business
Affairs of the Present Time.
CHAPTER XVIII.
TempleTon — (Continued) 124
Grant to the Township— The Proprietoi-s — Early Settle-
ments — Old Houses — Incorporation: Tenipleton, Phil-
lipston — County Relations — State Relations — Political
Parties.
CHAPTER XIX.
Templeton — (Continued) 129
Military Affairs: The Revolution — The Currency^
Second War with England- A Militia Muster— The
Civil War— The Sanitary Commission.
X
CONTENTS.
CHAPTKR XX.
Trmpleton — (Continued)
BttfiiietB A^lfalra : Manufactures^Early Slillj*— At Bald-
winville — (lii Tl"out Bniok — At Partridgeville and East
Teuiploton — At <ttter River — Hutels — Stores — Savings
Bank — Huails — Hailroadi*.
CHAPTER XXI.
Tkmpi.RTON — (Continued)
Post-* Jftices — The C'onimon — Cemeteries — Societies —
Warning 13nt — Tlie Great Load of Wood — Ctiaises —
Bounties on Wild Animals.
CHAPTER XXII.
TemplETOn — (Continued)
J-Ainciititnml A_it'airs: Schools — Private Schools — Public
High Schools — Teachers — Graduates — Libraries — Bojrn-
ton Public Library.
CHAPTER XXIII.
Templeton — (Continued)
134
140
'43
147
CHAPTER XXXVHI.
FiTCHBURG — (Continued)
History from ISIH) to ISVi.
CH.APTER XXXIX.
FiTCHBtiRG — (Continued)
22S
History of the Oily (1873-1888),
CHAPTER XI..
FiTCHiirRC, — (Continued) ....
History dnriii.L: the War of the ICebellion.
CHAPTER XI.I.
FiTCHBURG — (Continued)
Kcclesiastical History.
CHAPTER Xl.II.
FiTCHBURG — (Continued)
Fxdeai'uU'til Affiurn : The First Church— The Baptist
Church — The Trinitarian Church— The IniversalisI
Church — The Methodist Church — St. Jlartiu's ('hurch
— Memorial Church — Ministers.
CHAPTER XXIV.
Tp;mplETOn — (Continued)
Lawyei-s — i'hysicians — Hospitals — Prominent Men.
CHAPTER XXV.
U.XBRIDGK
CHAPTER XXVI.
t\\BRIDGE — iCoiiliiuied)
CHAPTI'.R XXVII.
I'.XBRinGE — (Continued)
CHAPTER XXVIII.
I'.XHRiriGK — (Continued)
CH.APTER -X.XIX.
UxBRiDGE — (Continued)
CHAPTER XX.X.
li.VBRiiiGR — (Continuedi
CHAPTER XXXI.
AUBUR.N
CHAPTER XXXII.
Auburn — (Continued) .......
CHAPTER XXXIII.
Auburn — (Continued)
CHAPTER XXXIV.
Auburn — (Continued)
CllAl>'n':R XXXV.
ASHBURNHAM .
CHAPTER XXXVI.
FiTCHBURG
lleHiTijiti Ve.
cii.\p'i'i;R x\x\ii.
FiTCHBURG — (Continuedi
Early History (17<i4-]71*'.t).
15"
■56
161
■65
169
173
176
1 84
I,S6
188
190
193
21)8
Educational History.
CHAPTER XI. rn.
FiTCHBi'RG — (Continued)
Manufacturing.
CHAPTER .XI. IV.
FiTCHBURG — (Continued)
I'ornniercial History.
CHAPTER XI.V.
FiTCHBURG — (Continued)
Hotels, Public Bnihlirigs and Business Blocks.
CHAPTER XI, VI.
F'lTCHBiiRG — (Continued)
City Hepartuients.
CHAPTER XLVII.
FiTCHHiiRG — (Continued)
(trgani/ations and Societies.
CHAPTER XI.VIII.
FiTCHBURG — (Continneii)
Professional.
CHAPTER XI.IX.
FiTCHBURG — (Continued)
Literary and Artistic.
CHAPTER I,.
FiTCHBURG — (Continued)
Jonriuilisin in Fitchburg.
CHAPTER I.I.
FiTCHBURG — (Continuedi
Cemeteries.
CHAPTER LII.
Barre
CHAPTER I. III.
Webster .
CHAPTER I. IV.
Mendon
Pioneer Life: Menilon the Mother of Towns— Compar-
ative Antiquity — Number of Towns once a Part of
Mendon — The FinJt Movement for a New Plantation —
The l>eed from the Iudiana~DiviBi<ui of Land— Names
of Proprietors — The Fii-sl Map— Inc.u'poration- The
Town in 1075 — The Nipuuicks' .\ttB<'k— The Settlers'
Return.
246
256
269
287
292
293
297
300
304
306
309
330
362
374
CONTENTS.
CHAPTER LV.
;\IEN'D0X — (Contiuuedl
Territorial uiid Polilu-nl Changes: The Town's Puverly
after t}ie War — Claims »f Rhode Island Territory — Tlie
"North Pnrchaae " — Annexation of "The Farms" —
Towns Claiming to be "Chililrenof Melidon" — Men-
don To-day.
chapt?:r i.vi.
Mkndon — ( Continued)
Mmiiifnt-tiires : The First Grist-Mill and Saw-Mill— Tlie
Snccessive Occnpanfa nf the Old Grist-Mill Site — Con-
tracts with Miliera and Blacksmiths — Torrey and War-
field Saw-Mills— Factories, Miscellaneous and Modern.
CHAPTER LVn.
Mkndon — (Continued)
CHAPTER LXX.
Petersh.^m
37S
Locality— Topography— Railway Connections— Histori-
cal Resources— Early Settlement— Petitioners and Pro-
prietors—Services in tht; Indian War— First Meeting—
Settlers- Relations with the Indians— Alarm— Armed
Woi'shippei'ri.
CHAPTER LXXI.
465
379
3S1
MilHanj History : Meridon in the French and Indian
War — The Revolution— SImys' Rebelliun— War uf 1S12
—The Rebellion.
CHAPTER LVIII.
Mendon — (Continued)
Ecdesiwiticitl HiMortj: Ministers and Meetjiig-Huuses,
l(;t;:i to I8I8— The Change to ruitarianism- The Meet-
iug-Honse of l^<-20-Paatora to 1888— The North Con-
gregational ('hurch and Pastoi-s— The Methodists in
Mendiiii — The Quakers.
CHAPTER LIX.
Mkndon — (Continued) 383
Ediu-uli'UKil Uintory nuil Clvsmy Rtfinurks : Early Records
and Tradition Concerning Schools — Notices of the
Earliest Teachers and School-Houses— School-Uames —
The District System — The High School — Some Note-
worthy EventH in Mendon's Recent llie^tury and its Pres-
ent Status.
CHAPTER LX.
Bkri.in .
CHAF'TEK I,XI.
HoPED,A.l,K
CHAPTER I.XII.
Northbriuge;
The Beginnings.
CHAPTER LXIII.
NoRTHBRlDGK — (Continued) ....
The New Town.
CHAPTER LXIV.
NoRTHBRiDGE — (Coiitinuec!) ....
The Later History.
CHAPTER LXV.
Northbridge — (Continued I. . . .
Religions .Societies.
CHAPTER LXVI.
Northbridge — (Continued) ....
Schools and Lihrary.
CHAPTER I.XVII.
Northbridge — (Continued)
^lannfactnres.
CHAPTER LXVIII.
Northbridge — (Continued). ...
387
406
424
42S
432
434
439
441
447
Petersh.\m— (Continued)
Incidents of the Kev(diition.
CHAPTER LXX 1 1.
Petersham — (Continued)
.Shays' Rehellion.
CHAPTER I.XXIII.
Petersham — (Continued)
The Churches.
CHAPTER I.XXIV.
Petersham— (Continued)
Schools — Indnstries — Wealtli — Population — Colle»fe
Gi-aduates — Congressmen — State Senatoi-s — Representa-
tives—Town Officers -Selectmen — Town Clerks— Town
Treastn-ers— .School Committee — Offirei-s, 1S8S.
CH.APTER LXXV.
Petersham — (Continued)
Biographical Notes.
CHAPTER LXX\I.
Petersham — (Continued i
The liebellion— Pnldio Spirit.
467
470
472
476
479
CHAPTER LXXVII.
Sterlini;
CHAPTER I.XXXIH.
Brook FiEi.n
CHAPTER LXXIX.
Brookfield — (Continued) ...
CHAPTER I.XXX.
North Brook i-iEi.n
CHAPTER LXX XI.
West Brookfikld . . .
:hapter lx.xxii.
Pa.xtox
CHAPTER LXXXIIL
West Bovlston
CH.APTER LX.XXIV.
Bi.ackstonf;
CFIAP'I'ER LX.XXV.
Spencer
CHAPTER LXXXVI.
Xi:\v Hraixtree
Individnals.
CHAPTER LXIX.
Northborough
453
C1I.\PTER L.\XX\II.
Leicester . .
Settlement.
484
486
510
5i«
540
554
568
5^0
607
631
667
686
CONTENTS.
CHAPTER I.XXXVIII.
CHAPTER CI I.
Leicester— (Continued)
691
Shrewsbury — (Continued)
787
French iilid IJevolutionary Whi-s,
The Jleeting-IIouse Lot and the Houses that were Bnilt
Thereon- The Parish Fund— Its Origin and Growth.
CHAPTER LXXXIX.
Lkichstkr — (Coulinued)
699
CHAPTER cm.
Statu Oonstitiitiun— Sliiiys' Insurrection— Fine for Nun-
Shrewsbury — (Continued)
789
Ro presentation in the General Court— Slavery in Lui-
The FiiBt Parish and Its Miriisters: Cnshing. Snmnor,
centor—" Instructions"— Jews.
Ingersoll, Whipple, George Allen, Averell, Williams,
CHAPTER XC.
McGinley, Dyer, Scudder, Frank H. Allen.
Lkickster— (Coutiuued)
701
CHAPTER CIV.
Eixhsiiistlciit : The First Cliurcli — Friends' Meeting—
Shrewsbury — (Continued)
793
Greenville Biiptiat Church — Second Congregational
Church.
The ."Second Parish— The Baptist, Universalist ami
niethodist Societies — The Roman f 'atholics.
CHAPTER XCI.
Lkicestkr — (Continued)
709
CHAPTER CV.
Schools: First Town Action — Schoolmasters — School-
SiiREWsiuiRY — (Continued)
796
Houses— Town Fines- District System—Amount liaised
for Schools— Districts Abolished- High School— Leices-
The French Ware, the Uevolution, (he War of IS12
ter AcaUtMny— Founding- Buildings- Teachers- Funds
and the Mi-xican War.
-Militiiry-Keorgani/atiou— Centennial Anniversary.
CHAPTER CVI.
CHAPTER XCII.
SHREWSBiiRY — (Continued)
79S
EKiCiiSTER— (Continued)
715
Showing the Part which Shrewsliniy b'ok in tlie Shays'
Jtmiiiess: Card Ilusiness—Woolfu Maiiufncture— Boot
lii'lH'llion.
and Sboe Business — Tanning and Currying Business —
Leicester National and Savings Banks— Miscellaneous
CHAPTER CVII.
Industries.
Shrewsbury — (Continued)
800
CHAPTKR XCIII.
The Slavehcdders' Relxdli.Mi.
Lkickster — (Continued)
723
The Ciril Win-: Sixth MataachuBetttj Kegiiiieiit — Wiu-
CHAPTER CVIII.
Meetings — Twenty-tifth Uogiinent — Fifteenth, Twenty-
first, Thiity-fonrtii, Forty-second— Action of the Town
Shrewsbury — (Continued)
S02
— tnher Suhliere—Kxi»en(ittnres—Casnalties— Close of
.\gricnltnre — The Stage Business - The Tanning and
the War.
Currying Business.
CHAPTER XCIV.
CHAPTER CIX.
Leickstek — (Continued)
])IisceUaiieiiic»: Individnals and liesidences — Physicians
72S
Shrewsbury — (Continued)
S05
— Lawyers -Items of Interest — Burying-Grounda— Post-
The Medical Profession—Grailuates of Collegt-s— Public
Oftices — Fire Department — Taverns — Libraries — Cherry
Education.
Valley Floud-IIistories— Celebrations.
CHAPTER ex.
CHAPTER XCV.
CrARDNEK
810
Chaki.Ton
745
Silualion, Ttipography, Setllenient, Incorporation, etc.
CHAPTER XCVI.
CHAPTER CXI.
LUNKNIiURC.
760
Gardner — (Continued)
820
Location— Ponds and Drainage— Original Grants— Set-
Town Htid County Ro.ids — Fifth Massachusetts Turn-
tlements — Incorporation — Proprietary Affairs — Koads —
The Town Divided — Personal Notices.
pike-Railways.
CHAPTER XCVII.
CHAPTER CXII.
T TlMWRllRfi f (^ntitimipH^
767
Gardner — (Continued)
H25
i^l' i. "•i. OU RL. 1 V.U11 LIU IICU I ,..,..
Iiulian Alarms — T!;e French uud Indian Wars — Cajitore
Induslria! Interests.
of John Filch— The Revolntion— The War of the Re-
bellion.
CHAPTER CXIII.
CHAPTER -XCVI 1 1.
Gardner — (Continued)
84S
I^unenhuko — (Continued)
774
Kducation — Schools and Libraries.
JOcclesiastlcal History — Schools— The Cunningham
Paiiei-s.
CHAPTER CXIV.
CHAPTER XCIX.
Shrewsbury
7S0
Gardner — (Continued)
S52
Religion, Houses of Worship, Parishes, etc.
Karly Land Grants.
CHAPTER C.
CH.A.PTER CXV.
SiiREvvsnuRY— (Continued)
7S2
Gardner — (Continued)
S62
The Marlhorongh Men and When Some of Them Settled.
lielations to the State and Nation. .
CHAPTER CI.
CHAPTER CXVI.
Shrewsbury — (Continued)
7S5
(irant of Township— Lay-out of Lotrt— Incorporation —
Gardner — (C'.ntinued)
865
Origin of the Name of the Town.
Miscellaiif ..lis Topics.
FRANK LiN
Vut^"^>S'^
■'•"■■■ H
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i D 1
'. fV
5r^i
'; Z V
o
H ISTORY
OF
WORCESTER COUNTY, MASSACHUSETTS.
OENERAL HISTORY.
CHAPTER I.
WORCESTER COUNTY.
BY WILLIAM T. DAVIS.
It is not proposed to include in this sketch any
matter which properly belongs to the histories of the
towns of which Worcester County is composed. Re-
ligion, education, manutactures and Indian history
will all be treated in the sketches of the various towns
with whose growth and traditions and present condi-
tion they are inseparably connected. It is proposed
to confine the sketch strictly to an investigation of the
affairs of the county proper, its incorporation, its
geograjdiical character, its boundaries, its courts, its
officers and such associations as have the county for
both the extent and limit of their operations.
Worcester County was incorporated by an act which
was passed by the General Court, April 2d, and pub-
lished April 5, 1731. The text of the act is as follows:
An Act lor erectiog, granting and making a County in the Inland
parts of tliis Province, to be called the County of Worcester, and for es-
tabliahiag Courts of Justice within the same :
Be it enacted by His Excellency the Governor, Council and Representa-
tives, in General Court assembled, and by the authority of the same :
Sect. 1. That the towns and places hereafter named and expressed ;
That is to say, Worcester, Lancaster, Westboro', Shrewsbiiry, Southboro',
Leicester, Rutland and Lunenburg, all in the County of Middlesex ;
Mendon, Woodstock, Oxford, Sutton (iucludiug Hassanamiseo), Uxbridge
and the laud lately granted to several petitioners of Medfield, all in the
County of Suffolk ; Brookfield in the County of Hampshire and the
South town laid out to the Narragansett soldiers; and all other lands
lying within said townships with the inhabitants thereon, shall from and
after the lUth day of July, which will be in the year of our Lord,
seventeen hundred and thirty-one, be and remain one intiro and distinct
County by the name of Worcester, of which Worcester to be the County
or shire town ; and the said County to have, use and enjoy all such
powere, privileges and immunities as by law other counties within this
Province have and do enjoy.
And be it further enacted by the authority aforesaid :
Sect. 2. That there shall be held and kept within the said County of
Worcester, yearly, and in every year at the times and places in this Act
hereafter expressed, a Court of General Sessions of the Peace and an In-
ferior Court u( Conmiou Pleas, to sit at Worcester on the second Tuesdays
of May and August, the first Tuesdays of November and February
yearly, and in every year until this Court shall otherwise order, a Supe-
rior Court of Judicature, Court of Assize and General Gaol Delivei-y, to
sit on the Wednesday immediately preceding the time by law appointed
for the holding of the said Court of Judicature, Court of Assize and
General Gaol Delivery at Springfield, within and for the County of
Hampshire ; and the Justices of the said Court of General Sessions of the
Peace, Inferior Court of Common Pleas, Superior Court of Judicature,
Court of Assize and General Gaol Delivery, respectively, who are or shall
be thereunto lawfully commissioned and appointed, shall have, hold, use,
exercise and enjoy all and singular the powers which arc by law already
given and granted uuto them within any other counties of the Province
where a Court of General Sessions of the Peace, Inferior Court of Com-
mon Pleas, Superior Court of Judicature, Court of Assize and General
Gaol Delivery are already established. Provided,
Sect. 3. That all writs, suits, plaints, processes, appeals, reviews, re-
cognizances or any other matters or things which now are, or at any
time before the said 10th day of July shaU be defending in the law
within any part of the said County of Worcester ; and also all matters
and things which now are, or at any time before the said loth of July
shall be defending before the Judges of Probate within any part of the
said County of Worcester, shall be heard, tryed, proceeded upon and de-
termined in the Counties of Suffolk, Middlesex and flanipshiro respect-
ively, where the same are or shnll be returnable or defending, and have
or shall have, day or days. Provided, also,
Sect. 4. That nothing in this Act contained shall be construed to dis-
annul, defeat, or make void, any deeds or conveyances of Uinds lying in
tho said County of Worcester, when the same are or shall be, before the
eaid mth of July, recorded in the Register's office of the respective
Counties where such lands do now lye ; but that all such deeds or con-
veyances, so recorded, shall be held good and valid, as they would have
been had not this Act been made.
i
HISTORY OF WORCESTER COUNTY, MASSACHUSETTS.
Ami bo it fuitlirr cnactpil by tlic iiiilliority ftforcsnid:
Sect. 5. TImt tliw .Iu3(ici-8 of tbi- Court of Gcncrjtl Sessions of tlie Pcnro
nt tbt'ir first liioi-Iiiig in tlie said County of Worcester, sliivll Iiavo full
powoi- niu\ iinllioiity to a])i>oitit some nnH-t i)eiA)n uilliin tlie said County
of WorciV'tev to be liegister of Deeds and Conveyances williin tlie aiine,
wlio bliull bu Hworn to tliu faitlifnl diselmi'gc of liis trust in the said
olli^-o, and sliall continue to hold and ex'-rcise the Bauic according to tliu
directions of llio law, until sonte jierson bo elected liy tlie frecboltlers of
tlio s.tid t'ounty of Worcester (who are hereby empowered to choose such
pcraon on the first Thursday of Seittemher next ensuin;;, by the methods
in the law already prescribed), to take upon liiin that trust ; and until
Blich Kegistcr shall be apiminted by the Slid Justices and sworn, all
deeds and conveyances of laml lying within any part of the sjiid County
of Worcester, which shall he recorded in the Kegister's office of the re-
lipective counties where such lands do now lye, shall he held and deemed
good nnil valid, to all intents and purjioseg, us to the recording thereof.
And bo it further enacted by the authority aforesaid :
Sect. G. That the methods, directions and ]»roccedingsby law, provided
ns Well for eleetini: and choosing a Register of Deedsand Conveyances as
a ("ounty Treasurei-, whiih ollicers shall be ajipointed in the KUno man
ner as is by hue ali-eady pioviiled, on the fii>t Tliui"sday of Sept'inber
next, and also for the bringing forward and trying any actions, causes,
pleas or snils, both civil and crindnal, in the scvelal Counties of tiiis
I'rovincc and Courts of Judicature within tlio same, and choosing of
Juries to servo at the Cotirts of Justice, slmll extend and be attended,
observed and put in practice within tlie said County of Worcester and by
the Courts of .Insticu within the same ; any law, usage or custom to the
contrary notwithstanding. Provided, ahvays,
SoL't. 7. That the inhabitants of the several towns and places herein
before enninerated and set offa distinct County, shall pay their propor-
tion to any County rates or taxes already made and granted iu the same
manner as they would have done had nut this Act been made.
A supplementary act was passed April 12tb, and
published April 14, 175.3, providing " that all the lands
wilhiii thi.-i Province, adjoining to the County of Wor-
cester, and not laid to any other County, shall be and
hereby are, annexed to the County of Worcester."
Hassanamisco, mentioned in the above act, was the
Indian name of a territory about four miles square,
which was reserved by the Sachem, John Wam-
pus, when he sold to the English settlers the tract of
land which afterwards became the town of Sutton.
This territory was afterwards also sold and became the
town of Grafton.
The South town, laid out to Narragansett soldiers,
also mentioned in the act, was subsequently incor-
porated as the town of Westminster. .In 1728 and
1732 the General Court granted seven townships
to eight hundred and forty survivors of the Narragan-
sett War and the legal heirs of such as had deceased,
assigning one hundred and twenty proprietors to each
township, on conditicn that sixty families be settled
in each place with a minister in the space of seven
years from the date of the grant, reserving in each
one right for the first minister, one for the ministry
and one for the school. A meeting of the grantees
was held in Boston on the Common, in June, 1732,
and dividing themselves into seven classes, drew lots
for the townships. The townships were laid out by
a committee of the General Court as follows : " Num-
ber one was located back of .Saco and Scarborough,
number two north of Wachusett Hill, number three
at Souhegan west, number four at Amariscogan,
number five at Souhegau east, number t-ix west of
number two, and number seven was not located."
South town was number two and was sometimes called
Narragansett number two ; number six is now Tem-
pleton.
The name of the city of Worcester, from which the
county derived its name, owes its origin to Worcester
in England, on the banks of the Severn, built on the
site of the castle of Hwiccia, called Hwic-wartvcea-ter.
The records of JIassachusetts colony state that in
1684, " upon the motion and desire of Major-General
Gookin, Cant. Prentice and Capt. Dan Ilincliman,
the CciUit grants their request that their plantation at
Quinsigamnnd be called Worcester and that Capt.
Wing be added and appointed one of the Committee
there in the room of the deceased and that their town
brand mark be )J(." The conjecture of Mr. William
H. Whitmorc that the name was given as a defiance
to Charles the Second, who was defeated at Wor. e>ter
by Cromwell, in l(i51, has been endorsed in a qualified
w.ay by Mr. William B. Harding, in his valuable and
interesting essay on the origin of the names of towns
in Worcester County, published in 1883. Tliouoh
it is true that at the time Worcester was named, in
11)84, the oppressive measures of Charles had rendered
him unpopular in the colonies, it is more than proba-
ble that the conjecture had its origin in one of those
baseless and vague traditions which have disturbed
the current of history, and that, like a large number
of other towns in New England, some emigrant from
old England desired to perpetuate the name of the
place of his birth in the new.
>\'orcester County is the largest county in the Com-
monwealth, occupying the central part of the State
and extending across its entire breadth froin north to
south. It has an area of about fifteen hundred
square miles, and is drained by the head-waters of
Miller's, Chicopee, Quinebaug, Thames, Blackstonc,
Nashua and other smaller rivers, which furnish power
to a large number of wheels of industry. Its surface
is undulating and its soil strong and productive, but
its farming interes's have been somewhat impaired
by the advancing and strengthening wave of manu-
facturing industry. The-e interests, however, are by
no means small. According to the census of 1880, in
a list of the two thousand (our hundred and sixty-one
counties in the United States, Worcester .stands nine-
teenth in farm values and tenth in farm product^
The determination of the shire-town of the county
was not reached without dilliculty. Sutton, Lancas-
ter, Jlendon, Brookfield and Woodstock stood higher
than Worcester, both in population and valuation.
But the central position of Worcester, together with
the influence of Joseph Wilder, of Lincaster, wdio
remonstrated against the administration of justice in
that town, settled the question. The first Court of
Probate was held in Worcester, .luly 13, 1731, the ■
first Court of Common Pleas and General Sessions of
the Peace the lOth of Auiust.and the S.iperiTr Court
of Judicature on the 22d of Sepeember in the same
year. The judgt^s of the Last court present were
Benjamin Lynde, chief justice, and Paul Dudley, Ed-
WORCESTER COUNTY.
miiiul Qiiincy and John Gushing, justices. Paul
Dudley, who was a judge I'rom 1718 to 1745, and chief
justice from 17-15 to his deatli, in 1751, was the first
lawyer who had ever sat on the bench.
At the time ot'lhe iMcorporaliun of the county nine
otlier counties had been incorporated in what is now
the State of Massachusetts, — Essex, Jliddlese.K and
Norfolk incorporated May 10, 1643; Hanipsliire, May
21, 1602; Barnstable, Bristol and Plymouth, June 21,
1G85; Dukes County, November 1, 168.3, and Nan-
tucket, June 20, 1690. Norfolk County w.as composed
of the towns of Haverliill, Salisbury, Hampton, Exe-
ter, Dover and Portsmouth (theu called Strawberry
Bank). Upon the separation of New Hampshire in
1680, the hist four towns were included within the
limits of that State, and on the 4th of February, 1680,
by an act of the court, the other towns were added to
Essex County, and Norfolk County ceased to exist.
At a later date the present Norfolk County was incor-
porated, March 26, 17!).3, preceded by Berkshire April
24, 1761, and followed by Franklin June 24, 1811, and
Hampden February 20, 1812. The towns composing
Worcester County at the time of its incorporation
were incorporated as follows: Brookfield, which had
borne the Indian name of Quaboag, was granted to
petitioners in Ipswich in 1660 and incorporated Oct.
15, 1673, and included in the county of Hampshire
by the act incorporating that county passed May 21,
1662; Lancaster, whose Indian name was Nash wash,
was incorporated May 18, 1653; Leicester, called
Towtaid, granted February 10, 1713, to Colonel Joshua
Lamb and others and incorporated in 1721 ; Lunen-
burg, the south part of Turkey Hdls, August 1, 1728;
Mendon, called Qunshapauge, May 15, 1667; Oxford,
granted to Gov. Joseph Dudley and others in 1682,
May 16, 1683; Rutland, called Nagueag, bought Dec-
ember 22, 1686, of Joseph Trask, a/ias Puagostion, by
Henry Willard and others of Lancaster, and incorpor-
ated February 23, 1713; Shrewsbury, December 19
1727 ; Soutliboro', set oft' from Marlboro', in Jliddlesex
County, July 6, 1727; Sutton, purchased of Sachem
John Wampus and incorpnrated June 21, 1715; Ux-
bridge, called Waeuntug, June 27, 1727; Wtstboro',
called Chauncey, November 18, 1717; Worcester,
called Quinsigamond, granted to Daniel Gookin and
others October 24, 1668, October 15, 1684 ; and Wood-
stock. The last-mentioned town was granted by the
Colony Court in 1686 to certain inhabitants of Rox-
bury, in the State of Massachusetts, and called New
Roxbury. Judge Samuel Sewall says in his diary,
under the date of 1690, that on the 18th of March he
gave "New Roxbury the name of Woodstock because
of its nearness to Oxford for the sake of Queen Eliza-
beth and the notable meetings that have been held at
the place bearing that name in England."
The transfer of Woodstock from Massachusetts to
Connecticut was owing to a change in the boundary
line between those colonies. The first boundary line,
known as the " Woodward and Safery line," was run
in 1642. Previous to 1642 Connecticut had claimed
Woodstock under the so-called charter by Robert,
Earl of Warwick, dated March 19, 1031. On the
13th of July, 1713, an adjustment of the old line was
reached, which declared the Woodward and S ifery
line erroneous, being six or seven mdes too far south,
and nearly all of Woodstock was found to be within
the territory covered by the charter of Connecticut,
issued by Charles the Second, April 20, 1652. Under
the adjustment of 1713 it was agreed that Woodstock
should remain under the jurisdiction of Massachusetts
on the condition that Connecticut should receive such
a number of acres from the unappropriated lands of
Massachusetts as should be equivalent to th;it part of
the territory which had been found south of the true
line. Enfield and Sulfield were also, found to be
south of the line, and as a consideration for these three
towns and for some other grants, south of the line,
made by M.assachusetts to individuals, Connecticut
received one hundred and seven thousand seven hun-
dred and ninety-three acres of land. But a feeling of
dissatisfaction grew up before many years among the
inhabitants of Woodstock, chiefly because the taxes
in JIassachusetts were higher than in Connecticut.
They claimed that they had been annexed without
their consent, and insisted on being restored to the
jurisdiction of Connecticut. In 1748 a memorial, in
which Enfield and Suftiehl joined, was presented to
the General Assembly of Connecticut, of which the
following is the text. They represented — •
Tli.at tliey Iiiid, witliout their consent or oven having been consnlted in
tlie matter, l)een jmt nnder (lie jnrisdictiou of Massachusetts ; tliat as
tliey wyro witliin tliu limits of tlio royal eliarter of Connecticut, they
liad a just anil legat right to the government and piivileges wliicll it
conferred, and tliat tltey were deprived of ttieir riglits by tliat cliarter;
tliat tlie Legislature had no light to put them under another govern-
ment, but that the charter required that the same protection, government
and privileges should bo extended to tlieni wliicli were enjoyed by the
utiier inhabitants of tlio colony. Kor thrse reasons they prayed to bo
taken nnder tlie colony of Connecticut, and to be admitted to the liberty
and privileges of its other iuhabitauts.
After several attempts on the part of Connecticut to
negotiate with Massachusetts with a view to reconsid-
ering theadjustment of 1713, its General Assembly, in
October, 1752, accepted Woodstock, Enfield, Suffield,
including the town of Somers, which had been taken
from Enfield in 1726, and has since held jurisdiction
over them. Massachusetts continued to tax the ia^
habitants on the disputed territory, but at the close of
the Revolution the whole matter was dropped, and .she
not only lost her towns but one hundred and seven
thousand seven hundred and ninety-three acres of
land which had been given as the consideration for
(heir possession. A more detailed account of the
transaction may be found in " Historical Collections,"
by Holmes Ammidown, to which the writer is indebted
for the few incidents concerning it here related.
Since the incorporation of the county, in 1731, the
following towns have been incorporated within its
limits: Ashburnham, granted to Dorchester men
who joined the Canada expedition and called Dor-
IV
HISTOKY OF WOECESTER COUNTY, MASSACHUSETTS
Chester Canada, was incorporated February 22, 1765 ;
Athol, called Paygiiage, or Poqiiaig, March 6, 1762 ;
Auburn, incorporated aa Ward April 10, 1778, and
receiving its present name February 7, 1837; Biirre,
incorporated as Rutland District March 28, 1753,
incorporated as the town of Hutchinson June 14,
1774, and receiving its present name in November,
1776; Berlin, incorporated as District of Berlin
March 16, 1784, and as a town February 6, 1812, un-
der its present name; Biackstone, March 25.1845;
Bolton, June 24, 1738; Boylston, March 1, 1786;
Charlton, Novembtr 2, 1754; Clinton, March 14,
1850; Dana, Feliruary IS, 1801; Douglas in 1746;
Dudley, called Chabanakongmum, originally granted
to Paul and William Dudley, February 2, 1731, old
style ; Fitchburg, February 3, 1764, as a town, and as
a cily March 8. 1872; Gardner, June 27, 1785;
Grafton, called Hassanamisco, April 18, 1735 ; Hard-
wick, bought of the Indians in 1686, by Joshua
Lamb and others, of Roxbury, and called Lambs-
town, January 10, 1738, old style; Harvard, June
29, 1732 ; Holden, January 9, 1740 ; Hopedale,
April 7, 1886; Hubbardston, June 13, 1767; Leo-
minster, June 23, 1740 ; Milford, called Wopowage,
and afterwards Mill River, April 11, 1780; Millbury,
June 11. 1S13; New Braintree, called Wenimesset,
granted to certain inhabitants of Braintree, and
called Braintree Farms, January 31, 1751; North-
borough, January 24, 1766; Northbridge, July 14,
1772; North Brookfield, February 28, 1812; Oak-
ham, called Rutlands West Wing, incorporated as
District of Oakham June 11, 1762; Paxton, Febru-
ary 12, 1765; Petersham, granted to John Bennett.
Jeremiah Perley and others, called Nitchawog, April
20, 1754; Phillipston, incorporated as Gerry Octo-
ber 20, 1786, and receiving its present name Febru-
ary 5, 1814; Princeton, called Wachusett, April 24,
1771 ; Royalston, called Royalshire, February 17,
1765; Southbridge, February 15, 1816; Spencer,
April 3, 1753; Sterling, April 25,1781; Sturbridge.
settled by Medfield people, and called New Medfield
until its incorpor.ation, June 24, 1738; Templeton,
called Narragansett No. 6, March 6, 1762 ; LTpton^
June 14, 1735 ; Warren, incorporated as Western
January 16, 1741, and under its present name March
13, 1834; Webster, March 6, 1832; West Boylston,
January 30, 1808 ; West Bro-kfield, March 3, 1848 ;
Westminster, called South Town, and laid out to
Narragansett soldiers, was incorporated April 26,
1770 ; and Winchendon, granted in 17.35 to the heirs
of Ipswich men who were in the Canada expedition
in 1690, and called Ipswich Canada, June 14. 1764.
According to the essny of William B. Harding, be-
fore referred to, Ashburnham derived its name from
John Ashburnham, the second Earl of Ashburnham,
and Athol from James Murray, the second Duke of
Athol. Both of these towns were named by Gover-
nor Bernard. Auburn was first named Ward, after
General Artemas Ward, and changed in 1837, in con-
sequence of its similarity to Ware. Barre, first
named after Governor Hutchinson, was changed to
its present name in 1776, in honor of Colonel Isaac
Barre, a friend of the Colonies in Parliament. Ber-
lin was named after the German city, and Black-
stone took its name from William Blackstone, the
first white settler in Boston and an early settler in
Rhode Island. Bolton was named by Governor
Belcher, in honor of Charles Powlet, third Duke of
Bolton, and Boylston was named after the Boylston
family of Boston. The name of Brookfield was sug-
gested by the natural features of its territory, and
Charlton was named by Governor Bernard, probably
ill honor of Sir Francis Charlton, Bart. Clinton
took its name from De Witt Clinton, Dana from the
Dana family and Douglas was named by Dr. William
Douglas, of Boston, who gave the town the sum of
five hundred dollars as a school fund and thirty
acres of land, with a house and barn, as a considera-
tion for the privilege. Dudley was named after
Paul and William Dudley ; Fitchburg after John
Fitch, one of its active citizens ; Gardner after Col-
onel Thomas Gardner, who was killed on Bunker
Hill; and Grafton was named by Governor Belcher,
in honor of Charles Fits Roy, Duke of Grafton, a
grandson of Charles the Second. Hardwick was
named by Governor Belcher, for Phillip York, Lord
Hardwick, chief justice of the King's bench; Har-
vard was named for John Harvard, the founder of
Harvard University ; Holden probably for Samuel
Holden, a director in the Bank of England ; Hub-
bardston for Thomas Hubbard, a Boston merchant ;
Lancaster for the old town in England, Leicester for
old Leicester and Leominster for the English town of
that name. Lunenburg took its name from George
the Second, one of whose titles was Duke of Lunen-
burg ; Oakham from Oakham in England, Oxford
from old Oxford, Paxton from Charles Paxton, one
of the commissioners of customs in Boston ; Peters-
ham from the English town of that name, Phil-
lipston, first named after Governor Gerry, from
Lieut. -Governor William Phillips ; Princeton from
Rev. Thomas Prince, the annalist, and Royalston
from Colonel Isaac Royal, one of the grantees of the
township, who gave the town twenty-five pounds to-
wards building a meeting-house. Rutland was
named after either the Duke of Rutland or Rutland-
shire in England; Shrewsbury in honor of Charles,
Duke of Shrewsbury, or perhaps after the English
town of that name ; Spencer after Lieut.-Governor
Spencer Phipps ; Sterling in honor of Lord Sterling,
Sturbridge after Stourbridge in Worcestershire, Tem-
pleton after the Temple fiimily, Uxbridge after either
the English town, or Henry Paget, Earl of Uxbridge ;
Warren after General Joseph Warren and Webster
after the great statesman. Westminster took the
name of the London borough of that name, and
Winchendon received its name from Governor Ber-
nard, who was the eventual heir of the Tyringhams of
WORCESTER COUNTY.
Upper Winchendon, Eugland. These derivations,
as given by Mr. Harding, are interesting, and wortliy,
with proper credit to their author, to be inserted in
this slcetch.
The following schedule shows the population of the
various towns according to the census of 1885, and
their valuations established by Chapter 73 of the
Acta of 1886 as the basis of apportionment for State
and county taxes until the year 1889:
TOWN. POPULATION. VALUATION.
Asliburnhara 2,058 8989, 4:i9
Atbol 4,758 2,513,312
Auburn 1,268 407,8M
Barre 2,U93 1,1C2,1U
Berliu 899 492,100
Blackstone 5,43Ii 2,343,002
Bultou 870 517,207
Boylston 834 499,8 j4
Brookfield 3,013 1,287,011
' Charlton 1,823 98.',445
aintou 8,945 5,329,252
Dana 695 293,473
Douglas ^. 2,205 l,034,n.-)0
Dndlej' 2,742 909,290
Fitchburg 15,375 13,011,878
GarUner 7,283 3,407,018
Grafton 4,498 2,354,744
Hardwick 3,145 1,3.33,258
Harvard 1,184 1,071,965
Holiieu 2,471 1,006,.357
Hubbardston 1,303 7.35,259
Lancaster , 2,0.50 2,875,700
Leicester 2,923 2,010,872
Leominster 5,297 4,050,835
Lunenburg 1,071 ()9B,.'>25
Mendon 015 004,0,33
Milford (including Hopedale) 9,343 ,5,711,201
Millbury 4,555 . 2,184,045
New Bniintroo 6.58 43>,472
North Brookfield 4,201 1,919,273
Northhorough 1,853 1,191,003
Nortbbridge 3,786 2,900,979
Oakham 749 343,443
Oxford 2,355 1,394,456
Pa.\ton 501 278,6.30
Petersham 1,032 689,700
Phillipston 630 274,632
Princeton 1,038 875,809
Royalslon 1,1.53 809,.)11
Rutland 903 404,099
Shrewsbury 1,450 1,042,445
Southborongh 2,100 1,500,838
Southbridge 4,.500 3,331,140
Spencer 8,247 4,210,985
Sterling 1,3.31 942,752
Sturbridge 1,980 984,082
Sutton 3,101 1,289,235
Templeton 2,627 1,207,125
Upton 2,265 880,247
Uxbridge 2,9)8 2,060.577
Warren 4,0.32 2,373,757
Webster 6,220 2,602,.576
■Westborough 4,880 1.173,443
West Bojlston 2,927 844,956
West Brooklleld 1,747 2,667,027
Westminster 1,666 805,577
Winchendon 3,872 2,057,308
Worcester 68,389 58,043,906
Total 244,039 8159,997,408
The various courts referred to in the act of incor-
poration were established'by the Court of the Prov-
ince of Massachusetts Bay soon after the union of the
Plymouth and Massachusetts Colonies. On the 28th
of June, 1692, it was enacted as follows :
Forasmuch as the orderly regulation and well-establishment of Courts
of Justice is of great concernment, and the public occasions with refer-
ence to tile war and otherwise being so pressing at this season that this
Court cannot now conveniently sit longer to advise upon and fully
settle the same, but to the intent that justice be nut obstructed or de-
layed, —
Be it ordained and enacted, by the Governor, Council and Represen-
t.itives, convened in General .\ssenibly, and it is ordained by the
authority of the same.
Sect. 1. That on or before the last Tuesday of July next there be a
general sessions of tlie peace held and kept in each respective county
within this province, by the Justices of the same county or three of
them at least (tlie first justice of the quorum tlien present to preside)
who are hereby empowered to hear and determine all matters relating
to the conservation of the peace and whatsoever is by them cognizable
according to law, and to grant licenses to such persons within the same
county, being first approved of by the Selectmen of each town, where
such persons dwell, wliom they shall think tit to be employed as inn-
holdei-s or retailers of wines or strong liquore. And that a sessions of
the peace be successively held and kept as aforesaid within the several
counties at tlie same times and places as the county courts or inferior
courts of common pleas are hereinafter appointed to be kept.
And it is further enacted, by the authority aforesaid ;
Se^t. 2. That the countj' courts, or inferior courts of common pleas,
bo held and kept in each respective county by the .instices of the same
county, or three of them at the least (the fii-st justice of the quorum
then present to preside), at the same times and places they have been
formerly kept according to law for the hearing and determining of all
civil actions arising or happening witliin the same, triable at the com-
mon law according to former usage ; the justices for holding and keep-
ing of the said court within the county of SulTolk to be pjirticularly ap-
pointed and commissioned by the Governor with the advice and consent
of tlie council. And that all writs or attachments shall issue out of
the clerk's office of the said several courts, signed by the clerk of such
court, directed unto the sheriff of the county, his under-sherifT or dep-
uty. The Jurors to serve at said courts to be chosen according to
fi-rnier custom, by and of the freeholdei-s and other inhabitants, quali-
fled as is directed in their majesties' royal charter.
This act to continue until other provision be made by the General
Court or Assembly.
This law was disallowed by the Privy Council
August 22, 169"). The letter from the Privy Council
disallowing the act stated that "whereas Inferior
Courts are appointed to be held by the Justices of
Peace in each county and the Justices of Peace in
the county of Suffolk are to be specially appointed
by the Governor with the consent of the council,
Whereby the powers of his Majesties Charter is en-
acted and established into a law and distinction made
by the said Act in the manner of appointing Justices
for the county of Suffolk and other counties, it hath
been thought tit to repeal the said Act."
On the 25th of November, 1692, an act was passed
which provided, among other things, as follows :
Sect. 1, That all manner of debts, trespasses and other matters not
exceeding the value of forty shillings (wherein the title of land is not
concerned) shall and may be heard, tried, adjudged and determined by
any of their majesties, justices of the peace of this province within the
respective counties where he resides. . . .
Sect. 4. That there shall be held and kept in each respective county
within this province, yearly at the times and places hereafter named
and expre.ssed, four courts or quarter sessions of the peace by justices of
■the peace of the same county, who are hereby empowered to hear and
determine all matters relating to the conservation of the peace and pun-
ishment of offenders and whatsoever is by them cognizable according to
law. . . .
Sect. 5. That at the times and places before mentioned there shall
VI
HISTORY OF WORCESTER COUNTY, MASSACHUSETTS.
bo lieUl and kept ill encb re«iicctivi' enmity niul islniuls, before imnied,
wiMiiii tbis ipvuvirico ini Iiifeiiur Cuuit uf Cuniini'ii I'loiis by fuiir uf tbe
Justices of mill Irbitling williin tlie mine iTniliIy iiliil isliiuiln n-s|ii'Ct
ively, to bi'iipiii'iiitu.l iiiiil eniiiiil^-i.ilK-il Ibnelo, any tliiei- of wliom to
bo 11 i)iiunnii, fur llio buiriii}; ami ilcti-riiiiiiiiig of all civil lulioiisariisiiig
or bapi>eliilig witliiii tlio siiliu', triable at tliu cuiiiiiiou law of uliat lia-
tlllc, kind or iiiiiilily Hocvcr. . . .
Skct. C. That tbera (-ball bo ii Siiiierior Court of Judiciiture over Ibis
wbole lu-uviiice, to be held and kc[it uiinnnlly at tbe le^jieiiiro times and
places i\H beieaflcr inenlioiied, by one Cbief Justice and four otlicr jiiS'
ticoi, to be appointed and cuminissioncd for tlio pmiie, three of whom to
be a iiiiornin ; wbosluill Inne cognizance of all pleas, real, pcr.-.onal or
mixed, as well in all jtlcas of the crown and in all niatUis relating to
the euliservation of the peace lillil piinislinient of olfendeisas in civil
Ciinses or aclious Iietween party anil j'alty, and between llieir nnijesties
ami any of their snl>jeits,v\lu-(liei' tile same do concern tbo lealtyiind
relate to any ri^'lit of freeliotd and inliel itiincr, or whether the same do
concern tbe personally and relate to matter of debt, contract, damage or
personal injury, and also iu all niixid actions wliicb may concern both
realty and personalty. . . .
Skct. 14. . . . that eitlicr party not resting satisfied with the judg-
ment or sentence of any of the said judicatories or conrls ill persunal
actions wherein tbe matler in diflerence doth exceed the value of tlireo
lliinilred pounds sterling (and no oilier), may appeal unto tlieir majes-
ties ill council, such appeal being iiiado in time, and Eecurily giveu ac-
cording to tbe directions tu tlio charier iu that bebalf. . . .
This act Wits nUo disallowea by the Privy Council
August 22, 1695, and it was stated by the Council that
Whereas by tbe Act divers courts lieing established by tlio said Act,
it is hereby further provided Ibat if eitlier party not being satisfied with
the juilgiuent of any of the said courts in personal actions not exceed-
ing ibreu bundled pounds (and no other), they may ii]>i)eal to His Ma-
jesty in Council, which proviso not being according to the words of the
charter and appca's to the King in eouiici] in real actions seeming
thereby to be excluded, it bath been thought fit to repeal the said Act.
On the 19th of June, 1097, another act was passed
providing for a Court of General Sessions of the
Peace, an Inferior Court of Common Pleas, and a
Superior Court of Judicature, Court of Assize and
General Gaol Delivery, the tenth section of which
provided " that all mutters and issues in fact arising
or happening in any county or place within this
province shall be tried by twelve good and lawful
men of the neighborhood, to be chosen in manner
following. . . ."
This act was disallowed by the Privy Council
November 24, 1698, for the reason that it provided
lor the trial of all matters and issues in fact by a jury
of twelve men, while the aut of Parliament entitled
'■ An Act for Preventing Frauds and llegulating
Abu<cs in the Plantalion Trade," provided that all
causes relaling to the breach of the acts of trade
may, at the pleasure of the officer or informer, be
tried in the Court of Admiralty to be held in any of
His Majesty's plantations respectively where such
offence shall be committed, in which court the
method of procedure under the law is not by trial by
jury.
On the 16th of .June, 1699, still another act was
passed cslablishing ;i Cuurt of Genertil Sessions of
the Peace in each county, " to be held by the justices
of ihe peace of the same county or so many of them as
are or suall be limited in the commission of the peace,
who are hereby impowered to hear and determine all
matters relating to the conservation of the peace and
punishment of offenders, and whalsnevcr is by them
cognizable accoriling to law and to give judgment and
award execution tlicreon."
On the loth of the .same month an act was passed
cslablishing an Inferior Cuurt of Common Pleas,
which "shall be held and kept in each re.'pcctive
county wilhin this province and at the Island of Nan-
tucket within the same, yearly and every year at the
times and places in this Act hereafter mentioned, and
cxpre-sed," " by four substantial persons to be ap-
pointed and commissioned as justices of the same court
in each county, any three of whom to be a quorum for
the holding of said court, who shall have cognisance
of all civil actions arising or happening within such
county tryabic at the common law, of what nature,
kind or quality soever."
On the 26th of the same montli an act was passed,
eslablishing a Superior Court of Judicature, Court of
Assize and General Gaol Delivery over the province,
" to bo held and kept annually at the respective times
and places mentioned in the act by one Chief Justice
and four other Justices to be app liiited and ciinmis-
sioned for thesame, any three of them to bea quorum,
who shall have cognizance of all pleas, real, personal
or mixed, as well all p'eas of the crown and all mat-
ters relaling to the conservation of the peace and
punishment of offenders, as civil causes or actions be-
tween party and party, and between his majesty and
any of his subjects, whether the same do concern the
realty and relate to any right of freehold and inheri-
tance, or whether the same do concern the personally
and relate to matter of debt, contract, damage or per-
sonal injury, and also all mi.\ed actions which concern
both realty and jHrsonalty, brought before them by
appeal, review, writ of error or otherwise, as the law
directs; and generally all other matters as fully and
amply to all intents and purposes whatsoever as the
courts of king's bench, common pleas and exchequer
within his majesty's kingdom of England have or
ought to have.''
These laws were substantially re-enactments of the
laws passed in 1692, and disallowed by the Privy
Council, and with amendments remained in force dur-
ing the existence of the province. Either by the act
establishing the General Sessions of the Peace or by
special acts afterwards jiasstd, the jurisdiction of this
court took a wide range. Besides its criminal juris-
diction it granted licenses to innholders and retailers
of liquor; it heard and determined complaints by the
Indians ; it provided at one time destitute towns with
ministers; it determined the amount of county taxes
and apportioned thesame among the towns; it had
charge of county property and expended its money ;
it laid out highways ; it counted the votes (or county
treasurer and audited his accounts ; it appointed mas-
ters of the House of Correction and made rules for the
government of the same ; it ordered the erection aud
repair of prisons and other county buildings, and had
the general care of county aftairs.
WOKCESTEll COUNTS.
vu
These province laws conccriiinj the judiciary were,
by ii graduil and natural process of cvoiulion, the
outgrowth of the early laws of the Mas^afhu.sett.s
colony. At first the General Court, consisting, until
1634, of the Governor, the assistants and freemen and
after that date of delegates instead of the whole body
of freemen, was held monthly "for the handling, or-
dering and despatching of all such business and occur-
rences as should from time to time happen touching
or concerning said company or plantation," "as well
for settling the forms and ceremonies of government
and magistracy and for naming and settling of all
sorts of officers needful for the government and plan-
tation," " as also fiir imposition of lawful fines, mulcts,
imprisonments or other lawful correction according
to the course of o'.lier corporations in this our realm.''
Next to the General Court was the Court of Assist-
ants, which, by a law passed in 1639, was to hold two
terms in Boston, and composed of the Governor and
Deputy-Governor and assistants, to hear and deter-
mine all and only actions of appeal from the inferior
cour.s, all causes of divorce, all capital and criminal
causes extending to life, member or banishment.
There were also established in 1639 County Courts,
which had the same jurisdiction as that covered by
the Courts of Common Pleas and Courts of Sessions
at a later day. There were also Strangers' Courts
established in 1639, or, as they were sometimes called,
Merchants' Courts, designed to meet the wants of
strangers who were unable to await the ordinary
course of justice. In addition to these there were
the Military Court, established in 1634; the Court of
Chancery, established in 1685; and some lesser courts,
such as those of the Magistrates', the Commissioners'
of s nail causes, and the Selectmen's Court, from
which appeals could be taken to the County Courts.
After the surrender of the charter and the appoint-
ment of Joseph Dudley as President, the Governor
and Council were made a Court of Record to try
civil and criminal matters and authorized to appoint
judges of sucli inferior courts a« they might create.
The judicial system under President Dudley consisted
of a Superior Court and Courts of Pleas and Sessions
of the Peace. Under his administration Judges of
Probate were first appointed.
After the arrival of Andros as Governor of New
England in 1686 the Governor and Council had full
powers of making, interpreting and e.Kecuting the
laws subject to revision by the crown. He issued an
order on the day alter his arrival, December 20, 1686,
continuing all officers then in power in their several
places until further orders and directed the judges to
administer justice according to the customs of the
places in which their courts were held. On the 3d
of March, 1687, an "Act for the establishing Cour:s
of Judicature and Public Jus. ice" was passed, under
which a system was organize J, which led to the judi-
cial system adopted under the charter of the United
Colonies in 1692. Under this act the jurisdiction of
justices of the peace was fixed, quarterly sess'ons
were established, the Inferior Court of Common Pleas
and the Superior Court of Judicature were created.
A Court of Chancery was provided for and a system
perfected which was not overthrown on the accession
of William and Mary in 1688 and on the deposition
of Andro.s, and which was practically continued
under the charter of the Province of Massachusetts
Bay.
Of the judges of the Superior Court of Judicature,
neither was a native of that part of the Province
which was included within the limits of Worcester
County. The first session of the Inferior Court of
Common Pleas held in Worcester County was held
at Worcester August lit, 1731, when Rev. John Pren-
tice, of Lancaster, preached a sermon from 2 Chron.
19: 6-7 : "And said to the judges. Take heed what ye
do: for ye judge not for man, but for the Lord, who
is with you in the judgment. Wherefore now let the
fear of the Lord be upon you ; take heed and do it:
For there is no iniquity with the Lord our God, nor
respect of persons, nor taking of gifts."
The court was composed of John Chandler, of
Woodstock, chief justice, who remained in otGce
until his death in 1743; Joseph Wilder, of Lancaster,
who continued to serve until 1757 ; William Ward,
of Southboro', who remained on the bench until 1740,
and Wm. Jennisoii, of Worcester, who died in 1743.
Joseph Dwight served as the successor of John
Chandler from 1743 to 1753, and Samuel Willard, of
Lancaster, as the successor of Wm. Jennison from
1743 to 1753. Nahum Ward, of Shrewsbury, served
as the successor of Wm. Ward from 1745 to 1762,
and Edward Hartwell, of Luneiibuig, as the successor
of Joseph Dwight from 1752 to 1762. Jonas liice, of
Worcester, served as the successor of Samuel Willard
from 1753 to 1756, and John Chandler, of Worcester,
son of the first Judge Chandler, and who had been
from the beginning clerk of the court, from 1754 to
1762. Thomas Steele, of Leicester, served as the
successor of Jonas Rice from 1756 to the Revolution,
and Timothy Ruggles, of Hardwick, as the successor
of Joseph \V'ilder from 1757 to the Revolution.
Joseph Wilder, sou of the first Judge Wilder, served
as the successor of Edward Hartwell from 1762 until
the Revolution, and Artemas Ward, of Shrewsbury,
as the successor of John Chandler, who resigned" in
February, 1762. The judges appointed for this court
after the beginning of the Revolution were Artemas
Ward, of Shrewsbury; Jedtdiah Foster, of Brook-
field; Moses Gill, of Princeton, and Samuel Baker,
of Berlin. They were commissioned October 17,
1775, and their first term was held December 5th of
the same year. On the 19th of September, 1776,
Joseph Dorr, of Ward (now Auburn), was appointed
to succeed Jedediah Fo=ter, who had been ajipoiuted
to the bench of the Superior Court of Judicature,
and as thus constituted the Inferior Court of Common
Pleas continued until July 3, 1782, when the Court
Vlll
HISTORY OF WORCESTER COUNTY, MASSACHUSETTS.
of Common Pleas was established, to be held in each
county at specified times and places, with I'onr judges
to be appointed by the Governor from within the
county. This court was substantially the same as
the Inferior Court of Common Pleas. The judges of
the old court were appointed to the new, and no
changes occurred until 1795, when Michael Gill, of
Princeton, and Elijah Brigham, of Westboro', suc-
ceeded Moses Gill, who was chosen Lieutenant-Gov-
ernor, and Samuel Baker. In 1798 John Sprague, of
Lancaster, succeeded Artemas Ward, who resigned,
and in 1800 Dwight Foster, of Worcester, .oucceeded
Michael Gill. Jn 1801 Jonathan Warner succeeded
John Sprague, and at a later date Benjamin Hey-
wood, of Worcester, was appointed, completing the
list of judges of this court up to its abolishment, June
21, 1811.
At the above date an act was passed providing that
the Commonwealth, except Dukes County and the
county of Nantucket, should be divided into six cir-
cuits as follows: the Middle Circuit, consisting of the
counties of Sufiblk, Essex and Middlesex ; the West-
ern Circuit, consisting of the counties of Worcester,
Hampshire and Berkshire; the Southern Circuit,
consisting of the counties of Norfolk, Plymouth,
Bristol and Barnstable ; the Eastern Circuit, consist-
ing of the counties of York, Cumberland and Ox-
ford ; the Second Eastern Circuit, consisting of the
counties of Lincoln, Kennebec and Somerset; and
the Third Eastern Circuit, consisting of the counties
of Hancock and Washington ; and that there shall
be held in the several counties, at the times and
places now appointed for holding the Courts of Com-
mon Pleas, a Circuit Court of Common Pleas, con-
sisting of one chief justice and two associate justices,
to whom were to be added two sessions justices from
each county to sit with the court in their county.
This court was abolished on the 14th of February,
1850, and the Court of Common Pleas established
with four justices, one of whom, it was provided by
law, should be commissioned chief justice. On the
1st of March, 1843, the number of judges was in-
creased to five; March 18, 1845, to six; and May 24,
1851, to seven. On the 5th of April, 1859, the court
was abolished, and the present Superior Court estab-
lished, with ten judges, which number was increased
May 19, 1875, to eleven, and to thirteen February 27,
1888.
The judges of the Common Pleas Court, founded
in 1820 and terminating in 1859, were Artemas Ward,
chief justice, commiasioned 1820; John Mason Wil-
liams, commissioned as judge in 1820, and chief justice
in 18.'39; Solomon Strong, 1820; Samuel Howe, 1820 ;
David t'ummins, 1828; Charles Henry Warren, 1839;
Charles Allen, 1842; Pliny Merrick, 1843 ; Joshua
Holyoke Ward, 1844; Emory Washburn, 1844;
Luther Stearns Gushing, 1844; Daniel Wells, chief
justice, 1845; Harrison Gray Otis Colby, 1845;
Charles Edward Forbes, 1847; Edward Mellen, 1847,
and chief justice, 1854 ; George Tyler Bigelow, 1848 ;
Jonathan Coggswell Perkins, 1848; Horatio Bying-
ton, 1848; Thomas Hopkinson, 1848; Ebenezer
Rockwood Hoar, 1849; Pliny Merrick, 1850; Henry
Walker Bishop, 1851; George Nixon Briggs, 1853;
George Partridge Sanger, 1854 ; Henry Morris, 1855 ;
and David Aikin, 185G, — the last five of whom, with
Judges Mellen and Perkins, composed the bench at
the time of the abolishment of the court.
The judges of the Superior Court, since its founda-
tion, in 1859, have been Charles Allen, commissioned
chief justice 1859; Julius Rockwell, commissioned
1859; Otis Phillips Lord, 1859; Marcus Morton, Jr.,
1859; Seth Ames, 1859, chief justice, 1867; Ezra
Wilkinson, 1859: Henry Vose, 1859; Thomas Rus-
sell, 1859; John Phelps Putnam, 1859; Lincoln Flagg
Brigham, 1859, chief justice, 1869; Chester Isham
Reed, 1867; Charles Devens, Jr., 1867; Henry Aus-
tin Scudder, 1869 ; Francis Henshaw Dewey, 1869 ;
Robert Carter Pitman, 1869; John William Bacon,
1871; William Allen, 1872; Peleg Emory Aldrich,
1873; Waldo Colburn, 1875; William Sewall Gard-
ner, 1875 ; Hamilton Barclay Staples, 1881 ; Marcus
Perrin Knowlton, 1881 ; Caleb Blodgett, 1882 ; Al-
bert Mason, 1882 ; James Madison Barker, 1882 ;
Charles Perkins Thompson, 1885; John Wilkes
Hammond, 1886; Justin Dewey, 1886; Edgar Jay
Sherman, 1887; John Lothrop, 1888; James R. Dun-
bar, 1888; Robert R. Bishop, 1888.
The Circuit Court of Common Pleas, founded June
21, 1811, had a Jurisdiction which was at various
times extended and diminished. Its history was
closely connected with that of the Court of General
Sessions of the Peace. The latter court remained
substantially the same during the life of the Prov-
ince and up to June 19, 1807, when it was enacted
that it should consist of one chief justice, or first
justice, and a certain number of associate justices
for the several counties, to be appointed by the Gov-
ernor with the consent of the Council. These jus-
tices were to act as the General Court of Sessions in
the place of the justices of the peace.
On the 19th of June, 1809, the powers and duties
of the General Court of Sessions were transferred to
the Court of Common Pleas, and on the 25th of June,
1811, it was enacted " that from and after the first
day of December next, an act made and passed the
19th day of June, 1809, entitled 'An Act to transfer
the powers and duties of the Courts of Sessions to the
Courts of Common Pleas,' be and the same is hereby
repealed, and that all acts and parts of acta relative
to the Courts of Sessions, which were in force at the
time the act was in force, which is hereby repealed,
be and the same are hereby revived from and after the
said first day of September next."
On the 28th of February, 1814, it was enacted that
the act of June 25, 1811, " be rei)ealed, except so far
as it relates to the Counties of Sufliilk, Nantucket
and Dukes County, and that all petitions, recogni-
WORCESTER COUNTY.
ziinces, warrants, orders, certificates, reports and
processes made to, taken for, or continued, or return-
able to the Court of Sessions in the several counties,
except as aforesaid, shall be returnable to, and pro-
ceeded in, and determined by the respective Circuit
Courts of Common Pleas, which was established
June 21, 1811." It was further provided "that from
and after the first day of June next, the Circuit
Courts of Common Pleas shall have, exercise and
perform all powers, authorities and duties which the
re.'ipective Courts of Se-sions have, before the passage
of this act, exenised and performed, except in the
Counties of Suffolk, Nantucket and Dukes C.)unty."
And it was further provided that the Governor, by
and with the advice of the Council, be authorized to
appoint two persons in each county who shall be
session justices of the Circuit; Court of Common
Pleas, and sit with the justices of said Circuit Court
in the administration of the afi'airs of their county
and of all matters within said county of which the
Courts of Sessions had cognizance. The affairs of
the county were thus administered until February
20, 1819, when it was enacted "that from and after
the first day of June next an act to transfer the
powers and duties of the Courts of Sessions to the
Circuit Courts of Common Pleas, passed February
28, 1814, be hereby repealed," and it was further
])rovided "that from and after the first day of June
next the Courts of Sessions in the several counties
shall be held by one chief justice and two associate
justices, to be appointed by the Governor, with the
a<lvice and consent of the Council, who shall have
all the powers, rights and privileges, and be subject
to all the duties which are now vested in the Circuit
Courts of Common Pleas, relating to the erection
and repair of jails and other county buildings, the
allowance and settlement of county accounts, the
estimate, apportionment and issuing warrants for
assessing county taxes, granting licenses, laying out,
altering and discontinuing highways, and appointing
committees and ordering juries for that purpose."
The management of county affairs remained in the
hands of the Court of Sessions until March 4, 1826,
when that part of its duties relating to highways was
transferre<l to a new board of officers denominated
" Commissioners of Highways." It was provided by
law "that for each county in the Commonwealth,
except the Counties of Suffolk and Nantucket, there
shall be appointed and commissioned by His Excel-
lency the Governor, by and with the advice and con-
sent of the Council, to hold their offices for five
years, unless removed by the Governor and Council,
five commissioners of highways, except in the Coun-
ties of Dukes and Barnstable, in which there shall
be appointed only three, who shall be inhabitants of
such county, one of whom shall be designated as
Chairman by his commission." It was further pro-
vided that the commissioners should report their
doings to the Court of Sessions for record, and that
said court should draw their warrants on the county
treasurer for the expenses incurred by the cummis-
sioners in constructing roads laid out by them.
On the 26th of February, 1828, the act establishing
the Courts of Sessions, passed February 20, 1819. and
the act in addition thereto, passed February 21, 1820,
the act increasing the numbers and extending the
powers of the justices of the Courts of Sessions,
passed February 6, 1822, and the act in addition to
an act directing the metiiod of laying out highways
passed March 4, 1826, were repealed. The repealing
act provided that " there shall be appointed and com-
missioned by His Excellency, the Governor, by and
with the advice and consent of the Council, four per-
sons to be county commissioners for each of the
counties of Essex, Middlesex, Norfolk and Worcester,
and three persons to be county commissioners for
each of the other counties of the Commonwealth,
except the county of Suffolk," " that the clerks of the
Courts of Common Pleas within the several counties
shall be clerks of said county commissioners," and
"that for each of the counties in the Commonwealth
except the counties of Suffolk, Middlesex, Est^ex,
Worce-ter, Norfolk and Nantucket, there shall be
appointed and commissioned two persons to act as
special county commissioners." Under this law Jared
Weed, Aaron Tuft-, William Eaton and Edmund
Cushing were appointed in 1828, and served until
1832, when James Draper succeeded Aaron Tufts.
No further changes occurred in the board until 1835,
when, on the 8th of April in that year, a law was
passed providing that in every county, except Suffolk
and Nantucket, the judge of Probate, the register of
probate and clerk of the Court of Common Pleas,
should be a board of examiners, and that on the first
Monday in May, in the year 1835, and on the first
Monday in April in every third year thereafter, the
people should cast their votes for three county com-
missioners and two special commissioners. Under
this law John W. Lincoln, William Crawford and
Ebenezer D. Ammidown werechosen in 1835; William
Crawford, Samuel Taylor and Ebenezer D. Ammi-
down, in 1838; William Crawford, David Davenport
and Charles Thurber, in 1841; William Crawford,
Jerome Gardner and Joseph Bruce, in 1844; the same
in 1847 ; Otis Adams, Bonura Nye and Asaph Wooif,
in 1850, and the same in 1853. On the 11th of March,
1854, it was provided by law that the county com-
missioners then in office in the several counties, except
in Suffolk and Nantucket, shall be divided into three
classes, those of the first class holding their offices
until the day of the next annual election of Governor,
those of the second class until 1855, and those of the
third class until the election in 1856, the commis-
sioners then ill office determining by lot to which
class each should belong, and that at each annual
election thereafter one commissioner should be chosen
for three years. Under the new law the office of
commissioner has been filled by Otis Adams, Bonum
HISTORY OF WORCESTER COUNTY, MASSACHUSETTS.
Nye, Asaph Wood, Zadock A. Taft, James Allen,
Veloru8 A. Taft, Amory Holman, J. W. Bi^elow,
William O. Brown, Henry G. Talt, H. E. llice, George
S. Diiell aiul James H. Barker.
The Superior Courl of Judicature which was fiually
established June 26, 1C99, but which had been in
operation since the act of November 2-5, 1692, which
was disallowed by the Privy Council, formed a part of
the judicial system of the province until February
12. 1781. It has been found difficult by some to draw
the line between the death of the Superior Court of
Judicature and the birth of the Supreme Judicial
Court. Aq act was passed February 12, 1781, fixing
the salaries of the justices of the Supreme Judicial
Court, and yet the law establishing that court was not
passed until July 3, 1782. Sufficient lijiht is thrown
on this discrepancy to explain it by an act passed
February 20, 1781, which in its preamble uses the
language, " Whereas by the Constitution and Frame
of Government of the Commonweaith of Massachu-
setts the style and title of the Superior Court of
Judicature is now the Supreme Judicial Cuurt of the
Commonwealth of Massachusetts," and which in the
body of the act uses the further language, " That the
Court which hath been or shall be hereafter appointed
and commissioned according to the Constitution as
the Supreme Judicial Court of the Commonweaith,
etc.'' During its esisteuce the judges on its bench
were :
Cutnmvisioueii
■Williiim Slougliton U92
Tlioiiiiis UiUiriiilli lCfl2
Wait Wiiithrop 1032
John Itichulds \mi
SaliHiel Sewull IGOj
Elislift Cuoko 1C05
John Wiilk-y 17(10
John Siilflli 17U1
Idiiao Adclingtuu 1702
Juhn Hiilliuine 1702
Julin Lcverelt 1702
Junathan Corwiu 170S
Beiijainiii Lyude 1712
Nathaniel Thomas 1712
Addiiij^ton l)avenitort 1715
Panl Dndl<-y 1718
Kdniund Qnincy 1718
Juhn Gushing 1729
Jonathan llt;niiii|;tun 17^11
Kichard Saltonstall 17;)ii
CommUsioned
Thomas Greaves 17;J7
Stephen Sewall 1730
Nathaniel Huhl>ald 1745
Benjamin Lynde 174j
Jolili Cushing 1747
Chambers Russell 175i
Peter Oliver 17JC
Thomas Hutcliiiison 17(31
Edmund Trowbridge 17(j7
Foster Uutchinsou J771
Nntlianiel Ropes 1772
William Cusliiiig 1772
William Browno 1774
Juhu Adams 177o
Nathaniel P. Sargent 1775
William Iteed 1775
Robert Treat Taiuo 1775
Jedcdiah Koster 1776
James Sullivan 177G
Daiid Sewall 1777
The chief justices of the court were, William
Stoughton, 1602; Isaac Addmgton, 1702 ; Wait Win-
ihrop, 1708; Samuel Sewall, 1718; Benjamin Lynde,
1718; Paul Dudley, 1745; Siephen Sewall, 1752;
Thomas Hutchinson, 1761 ; Benjamin Lyude, 1769 ;
Peter Oliver, 1772; William Cushing, 1775.
The Supreme Judicial Court, which superseded the
Superior Court of Judicature, was establislied by law
February 20, 1781. It was established with one chief
justice and four associate justices, which number was
increased to six in 1800, and the State divided into
two circuits — the East, including Essex County and
Maine, and the West, including the remainder of the
State except Suffolk County. In 1805 the number of
associates was reduced to four, and in 1852 increased
to live. In 187o the number of associate-i was increased
to six, making the court as since constituted to consist
of seven judges, including the chief justice.
The judges of the court have been
Commia&hiied
William Cushing 1781
Nathl. Peaslee Sargent 1781
James Sullivan 1781
David Sewall 1781
Iliercaso Snmner 1782
Francis lUina 1785
liobeit Treat Paine 17'JO
Nathan Cushing 17(10
Thomas Dawes 1702
Theoidiilns Bnulbury 1795
Samuel Sewall 1800
Simeon Strong 1801
George Tliaeher 1801
Theodore Sedgwick 1S02
Isaac Parker 18110
Theoj hilus Parsons 1800
Charles .lackson 18l;t
Daniel Dewey 1814
Samuel Putnam 1814
Samuel Sunnier Wilde 1S15
Levi Lincoln 1824
JIarcus Morton 1825
Lemuel Shaw 18'!0
Charles Augustus Dewey 1837
Samuel Ilubhnrd 1842
Charles Edward Forbes 1S48
ThcTOU Meltulf 1S4S
Citmmitsioned
Kichard Fletcher 1818
George Tyler Bigolow 1850
Caleb Cnshing 1852
Benj. Franklin Thomia 1853
Pliny Merrick 1853
Ebenezer Bjckwood Hoar..... 1859
Reiibeii Atwatur Chapman 18130
Horace Giay 1804
James Denison Colt, 1805
Divight Foster 18CS
John Wells ISOli
James Djnisoii Cult 1803
Seth Am-33 1809
Marcus Morton 18C9
Wm. Crowiiiush ield Elulicott..l.S73
Cliarlo< Devons 1873
Otis Phillips Lord 1876
Augustus Lord Soule 1877
Wolbridgo Abuer Field 1881
Cliarks Devens 1881
William Allen 1881
Charles Allen 1352
Waldo Colburn 1882
Oliver Wendell Holmes, Jr 1882
William Sewall Galdner 1885
Marcus Perriu Knowlton 1887
The chief justices of the court have been William
Cushing, 1781; Nathaniel Peaslee Sargent, 1790;
Francis Dana, 1791; Theophilus Parsons, 1806; Sam-
uel Sewall, 1814; Isaac Parker, 1814; Lemuel Shaw,
1830 ; George Tyler Bigelow, 1800 ; Ueuben Atwater
Chapman, 1868 ; Horace Gray, 1873 ; Marcus Mor-
ton, 1882.
The administration of probate aflairs up to the
accession of President Dudley, in 1685, Avas in the
hands of the County Court; Dudley assumed probate
jurisdiction, but delegated his powers in some of the
counues to a judge, appointed by himself. Under
the administration of Andros he assumed jurisdiction
in the settlement of estates exceeding fifty pounds,
while judges of probate had jurisdiction in estates of a
lesser amount. The provincial charter gave jurisdic-
tion to the Governor and Council in all probate mat-
ters, who claimed and exercised the right of delegat-
ing it to judges and registers of probate in the several
counties. On the 12th of March, 1784, a Probate
Court was established by law, of which the judge and
register were to be appointed by the Governor, until,
under an amendment of the Constitution, ratified by
the people May 23, 1855, it was provided by law that
in 1856, and every filth year thereafter, the register
should be chosen by the people for a term of five
years. In 1856 a Court of Insolvency was also estab-
lished for each county, with a judge and register, and
in 1858 the offices of judge and register of both the
Probate and Insolvency Courts were abolished, and
WORCESTER COUNTY.
the offices of judge and register of probate and insol-
vency were cstabli-lied. It was also provided that
the registers of probate and insnlvency should be
chosen by the people for a term of five years, in that
year and every fifth year thereafter. In 1862 the
Probate Court was made a Court of Record.
The judges of probate in Worcester County have
been
John ClmiKllcr, of Wooilstock lT3t to 1740
Joseph AVil.kT, of L:iiiciist<-r 17411 to l«uO
John Cli.iiidlcr, of \Vorci-»tcr 173U to 17G2
John ChiiiidU-r, .lr.,of Woiccslfl- 1702 to 1775
Jeileiliiili Foster, of BroolifithI 177.i to 1770
Artoiiiiis Wiiril, of Shrewsbury 1770 to 1778
Levi Lincoln, of Worcester 1770 tol78;j
Joseph Dorr, of Wiiril (Auburn) ......178:) to 18ol
Kiithuiiiel Piifuoof Worcester lS(rl to 1830
Ir.i M. Barton, of Worcester IMO to 1844
Beuj. F. Thonjiis, of Worcester 1844 to 1818
TlioniiisKiiiiiicutt, of Worcester 1848 to 1857
Puight Foster, of Worcester 1857 to 1858
llcnr.v Chnpin, of W,,rcesler (P. & In.) 1808 to 1878
Allan Th;i.ver, of Worcester (P. A In.) 1878 to 1888
Wm. T. Forbes, of Westboro (l". & In.) 1S8S
During the short life of the Court of Insolvency
the judges were Alexander H. Bullock and W. W.
Rice, and the register was John J. I'iper. The
registers of Probate have been John Chandler, Jr.,
of Worcester; Timotiiy Paine, of Worcester; Clarke
Chandler, of Worcester; Joseph AVheeler, of Worces-
ter; Theiiphilus Wheeler, Charles G. Prentice, John
J. Piper (P. & In.), Charles E. Stevens (P. & In.) and
Frederick W. Southwick (P. & In.).
During t!ie existence of the Massachusetts Colony
the executive officer of the court was called either
" beadle " or " marshal," except under Dudley, when
he was called " provost marshal," and under Andros,
when he was called "sherid'." Since the union of the
Plymouth atid Massachusetts Colonics, and the estab-
lishment of the |)rovince of Slassachnsetts Bay, in
1092, he has been called " sherif}'." Under the prov-
ince charter he was appointed by the Governor, and
continued to be after the adoption of the Constitution
until 1831. On the 17th of March in that year a
law was passed providing that tli'e Governor should
iippoint and commission sheriU's for terms of five
years, and giving him power to remove them from
office at pleasure. Uudi>r the nineteenth article of
amendments of the Constitution, ratified by the peo-
ple in 1855, a law was passed in 185G providing that
in that year, and every third year thereafter, a sheriff
should be chosen by the people of each county at
the annual election.
The sheriffs of Worcester County have been as
follows :
Daniel Cookin 1731
Beujautin Fliig^j {cice Gookiu, deceiisetl) 17-43
John C'luiiuller {ciijc Flugg, deccaseii) 1751
Giirihier Clmudler (rice Cliiindler, niailo,iudge) 17-2
Simeon Dm i^jlit Oimlel' the new order) 1775
WilLiuni Greenleiif {ftc« Dwijjht, deceiiscd) 1778
John Sprague 17S8
Dwigbt Foster (vice Sprague, resigned) 1792
Wiljiiim Caldwell 1703
Thomas \V. Waid 18U5
Calvin Willaid IS'-i-l
Joiin W. Lincoln 1844
James W. Kstabrook 1851
George W. Iticluudsou 1853
Choseii
J. S. C. KnowUon lS"iO
A. B. li. Spraguo 1871
In the colony of Massachusetts the clerks of the
courts were appointed by the courts. Under the
Province the clerks of the Ctftinty Courts and of the
Superior Court of Judicature, and afterwards of the
Supreme Judicial Court, nutil 1797, were distinct,
and the clerk of the two latter courts had his office
in Boston. The courts coniinued to hold the ap-
pointment of clerks until 1811, when it was trans-
ferred to the Governor and Council. In 1814 it was
given to the Supreme Judicial Court, and so re-
maitied until 1856, when it was provided by law that
in that year, and every filth year thereafter, clerks
should be chosen by the people in the several coun-
ties. The clerks of the courts in Worcester County
have been as follows:
Api>oiiited
John Clumdlcr (2d) 1731
Timotiiy I'aino 1751
Levi Lincoln 1775
JoH>pli .\Ilen 1770
William Sledntau 1810
Francis lllako 1814
Abijali Biselow 1817
Joseph O. Kendall 1832
Charles W. Hartshorn 1848
Joseph Mason 1852
Chosen
Joseph M.ason 1850
John A. Danii 1876
Theodore S. Johnson 1881
Timothy Paine, the second on the list of clerks,
was appointed joint clerk with John Chandler, and
continued sole clerk after the promotion of Mr.
Chandler to the bench.
The assistant clerks have been,—
William A. Smith 1847 to 'C4
John A. D.ma 1804 to '70
Wm. T. Iladowc 1870 to —
During the colonial period and up to 1715 clerks
of courts were registers of deeds, but on the 26th of
July, in that year, it w^as providtd by law ''that in
each county some person having a freehold within
said county to the value of at least ten pounds should
be chosen by the people of the county register of
deeds for the term of five years." This practice con-
tinued until 1855, having been confirmed and re-
newed by a law of 1781. Iii 1855 it was provided
that in that year and every third year thereafter a
register of deeds should be chosen for the term of
three years. The registers of deeds in Worcester
County have been :
Chosen
■ John Chnn.ller (2d) 1731
Timothy I'aine 1701
Nallian Baldwin 1775
Daniel Clapp 1784
OUvelFiske 1816
xn
HISTORY OF WOKCESTEE COUNTY, MASSACHUSETTS.
Artemns Ward 1821
Alexander H. Wilder 1846
Harvey B. Wilder 1873
Cbarlea A. Chase 187C
Harvey li. Wilder 1877
On the Gth of June, 1856, an act was jjassed jirovid-
ing that three terms of theCommon Pleas Court should
be held anuually in the town of Fitchburg, and thus
that town became a half-shire. On the 29th of Feb-
ruary, 1884, it was enacted by the General Court that
Worcester County should be divided into two dis-
tricts for the registry of deeds, one of which, includ-
ing the city of Fitchburg and the towns of Lunen-
burg, Leominster, Westminster and Ashburnham,
should be called the Northern District and the other,
including the rtiiiaiuder of the county, the Worcester
District ; the places of registry for the two districts
being Fitchburg and Worcester. It was also provided
that the register then in oliice should continue as the
register of the Worcester District, and that the Gover-
nor should appoint a register for the Norlhern District>
who should serve until a register was chosen and
qualified in his place. On the 15th of June, 1885, it
was provided by law that the County Commissioners
should cause copies of deeds to be made in one dis-
trict belonging to the other not exceeding twenty
years prior to August 1, 1884. The register at Fitch-
burg, under the new law, has been and continues to be
Charles F. Kockwood.
It was provided by law by the Court of the Massa-
chusetts Colony in 1654, that each county should an-
nually choose a treasurer. After the formation of the
province this provision was renewed by an act passed
in 1692, and again renewed the 23d of March, 1786,
and remained in force until 1855, when it was pro-
vided that a treasurer should be chosen in each county
in that year, and every third year thereafter, for the
term of three years. The treasurers of Worcester
County have been Beiijaniin Houghton, John Chan-
dler (2d) and John Chandler (3d) from 1731 to 1775;
Nathan Perry, from 1775 to 1790 ; Samuel Allen, from
1790 to 1831; Anthony Chase, from 1831 to 1865;
Charles A. Chase, from 1865 to 1876, and Edward A.
Brown, from 1876 to date.
The only courts remaining to be mentioned are the
Police and District Courts. The only Police Court is
that in Fitchburg, of which Thornton K. Ware is
justice, and David H. Merriam and Charles S. Hayden
are the special justices. The Police Court of Worces-
ter, of which Wm. N. Green was justice, no longer
exists. There are seven District Courts. The First
Northern Worcester Court is held at Athol and Gard-
ner, and has jurisdiction in Athol, Gardner, Peters-
liam, Phillipston, Royalston, Templeton and Hub-
bardston. Its officers are Charles Field, justice;
James A. Stiles and Sidney P. Smith, special justices.
The First Southern is held at Southbridge and Web-
ster, and has jurisdiction in Southbridge, Sturbridge,
Charlton, Dudley, Oxford and Webster. Its officers
are Clark Jillson, justice ; Henry T. Clark and Elisha
M. Phillips, special justices. The Second Southern
Worcester is held at Blackstone and Uxbridge and
hasjurisdiction in Blackstone, Uxbridge, Douglas and
Northbridge. Its officers are Arthur A. Putnam, jus-
tice; Zadoc A. Taft, and William J. Taft special jus-
tices. The Third Southern Worcester is held at Mil-
ford, and has jurisdiction in Milford, Mendon and
Upton. Its officers are Charles A. Dcwey, justice, and
James R. Davis and Charles E. Whitney, special jus-
tices. The First Eastern Worcester is held at West-
borough and Grafton, and has jurisdiction in West-
borough, Grafton, Nonhborough and Southborough.
Its <jfficers are Dexter Newtun, justice, and Benjamin
B. Nour.*e and Luther K. Leiand, special justices.
The Second Eastern Worcester is held at Clinton, and
has jurisdiction in Clinton, Berlin, Bolton, Harvard,
Lancaster and Sterling. Its officers are Christopher
C. Stone, justice, and Herbert Parker, special justice.
The Central Worcester is held at Wurcester, and has
jurisdiction in Worcester, Millbury, Sutton, Auburn,
Leicester, Paxton, West Boylston, Boylston, Holden
and Shrewsbury. Its officers are Samuel UUey, jus-
tice ; George M. Woodward and HoUis W. Cobb,
special justices, and Edward T. Raymond, clerk.
It is not proposed to include in this chapter any
allusion to the judges and members of the bar who
have illustrated the judicial history of Worcester
County. Another chapter will be specially devoted
to sketches of their character and lives. Until 1836
the bar was divided into two classes, attorneys and
barristers, though after 1806, under a rule of court,
counselors, were substituted for barristers, and in
1836 the distinction between counselors and attor-
neys was abolished. The writer will be excused if he
repeats in this place substantially what he has writ-
ten elsewhere concerning American barristers.
The term " barrister " is derived from the Latin
word barra, signifying " bar," and was applied to
those only who were penniited to plead at the bar of
the courts. In England, before admission, barristers
must have resided 'three years in one of the Inns of
Court if a graduate of either Cambridge or Oxford,
and five years if not. These Inns of Court were the
Inner Temple, the Middle Temple, Lincoln's Inn
and Gray's Inn. Before the Revolution this rule
seems to have so far prevailed here as to require a
practice of thiee years in the Inferior Courts before
admission as a barrister. John Adams says in hia
diary that he became a barrister in 1761, and was
directed to provide himself with a gown and bands
and a tie-wig, having practiced according to the rules
three years in the Inferior Courts. At a later day
the term of probation was four years, and at a still
later, seven. There are known to have been twenty-
five barristers in Massachusetts in 1768 — eleven in
Suffolk County: Richard Dana, Benjamin Kent,
James Otis, .Ir., Samuel Fitch, William Read, Samue
Swift, Benjamin Gridley, Samuel Quincy, Robert
WORCESTER COUNTY.
xui
Auehniuty and Andrew Casneau, nf Boston, and John
Adams, of Braiiitree; five in Essex: Daniel Farn-
ham and John Lowell, of Newburyport, William
Pvnchon, of Salem, John Chipman, of Marblehead,
and Nathaniel Peaslee Sargent, of Haverhill ; one in
Middlesex: Jonathan Sewell ; two in Worcester:
James Putnam, of Worcester, and Abel Willard, of
Lancaster; three in Bristol: Samuel While, Robert
Treat Paine and Daniel Leonard ; two in Plymouth :
James Hovey and Pelham Winslow, of Plymouth ;
one in Hampshire: John Worthington, of Spring-
field, then in that county. Fifteen others were added
before the Revolution — Sampson Salter Blowers, of
Boston, Moses Bliss and Jonathan Bliss, of Spring-
field, Joseph Hawlcy, of Northampton, Zephaniah
Leonard, of Taunton, Mark Hojskins, of Great Bar-
rington, Simeon Strong, of Amherst, Daniel Oliver,
of Hardvvick, Francis Dana, of Cambridge, Daniel
Bliss, of Concord, Joshua L'pham, of Brookfield,
Shearjashub Bourne, of Barnstable, Samuel Porter,
of Salem, Jeremiah D. Rogers, of Littleton, and
Oakes Angier, of Bridgewater. How many barristers
were admitted in Worcester County at later dates the
writer has been unable to discover, but it is known
that in 1803 Levi Lincoln had been added to the roll.
The following entry in the records of the Superior
Court of Judicature will throw light on the methods
which prevailed concerning the admission of barris-
ters:
Suffolk SS. Superior Court of Jndiciiture at Boston, third Tuesd.ay of
Februarjr, 1781 ; present — William Gushing, Nathaniel P. Sargeant,
David Sewall and James Sullivan, Justices ; and nuw at this term the
following rule is made by the court and ordered to be entered, viz.;
whereas learning and literary accomplishments are necessary as well to
promote the happiness as to preserve the freedom of the people, and the
learning of the law when duly encouraged and rightly directed, being as
well peculiarly subservient to the great and good purjioseaforeSiiid, as pro-
motive of public and private justice ; aud the court being at all times ready
to bestow peculiar marks of approbation upon the gentlemen of the bar,
who, by a close application to the study of the science they profess, by a
mode of conduct which gives a conviction of the rectitude of their minds
and a fairness of practice that does honor to the profession of the law,
shall distinguish as men of science, honor and integrity^ Do order that
no gentleman shall be called to the degree of barrister until he shall
merit the same by his conspicuous bearing, ability and honesty; and
that the court will, of their own mere motion, call to the bar such per-
sons as shall render themselves worthy as aloresitid ; and that the man-
ner of calling to the bar shall be as follows : The gentleman who shall
be H candidate shall stand within the bar; the Chief Justice, or in his
absence the Senior Justice, shall, in the name of the court, repeat to
him the qualifications necessary for a barrister at law; shall let him
know that it is a conviction in the mind of the court of his being pos-
sessed of those qualitications thrft iruluces them to confer the honor upon
him ; and shall solemnly charge him so to conduct himself as to be of
singular service to his country by exerting bis abilities for the defence
of her constitutional freedom ; and so to demean himself as to do honor
to the court and bar.
In the act passed July .3, 1782, establishing the Su-
preme Judicial Court, it was provided that the court
might and should from time to time make record and
establish all such rules and regulations with respect
to the admission of attorneys ordinarily practicing in
said court and the creation of barristers at law.
Under the provisions of this act the court adopted
the following rule:
Suffolk, SS At the Supreme Judicial Court at Boston the last Tuesday
of August, 1783; present— William Cushing, Chief Justice, aud Nathaniel
r. Sargeant, David .Sewall aud Increase Siunmer, Justices ; ordered that
barristers be called to the bar by special writ to be ordered by the Court
and to be in the following form :
CommfmvieaUh of Mftssachuselts.
To A. B., Esq., of Greeting : We, well knowing yonr ability,
learning and integrity, commaiid you that you appear before our Jus-
tices of our Suprenu- Judicial Court ue-\t to be holden at in and for
our County of on the Tuesday of then and there in our
said court, to take ujKin you the State and degree of a Barrister at law.
Hereof fail not. Witness, , Esq., our Chief Justice at Boston, the
day of in the year of our Lord , and in the year of our
Independence . By order of the Court. , Clerk.
Which writ shall be fairly engraved on parchment and delivered
twenty days before the session of the same Court by the Sheriff of the
same County to the pei-son to whom directed, and being produced ia
Court by the Barrister aud there read by the clerk and proper certificate
thereon made, shall be redelivered and kept as a voucher of his being le-
gally called to the bar ; and the Barristers shall take rank according to
the date of their respective writs.
In 1806 the following rule was adopted by the
court, which seems to have siibstituted counselors for
barristers :
Suffolk SS. At the Supreme Judicial Court at Boston for the County
of Suffolk and Nantucket, the second Tuesday of March, 180G ; present
Fi-ancis Dana, chief Justice, 'rheodi>re Sedgwick, George Thatcher and
Isaac Parker, Justices ; ordered : First. No .\ttorney shall do the business
of a counsellor unless he shall lu»ve been made or admitted as such by
the Court. Second. All attonu'ys of this Court who have been admitted
three years before the sitting of this Court, shall be and hereby are made
Counsellors, and are entitled to all the rights and privileges of such.
Third. No Attorney or Counsellor shall hereafter be admitted without
a previous examination, etc.
The rule of the Supreme Judicial Court, adopted in
1783, was issued under the provisit.ns of the law of
1782 establishing that court, but the rule adopted by
the Superior Court of Judicature in 1781 seems
to have been made in obedience to no law, but under
the general powers of the court. It is not known at
precisely what period barristers were introduced into
the Provincial courts, but it is probable that until
1781 the English custom and methods and qualifica-
tions were substantially followed without any rule of
court.
The earliest sessions of the courts were held in the
meeting-hou.se in Worcester, which was built in 1719
on the Common. This meeting-house stood until
1763. In 1732 it was decided to built a court-house.
The land for its site was given by Judge Jennison
and it was erected in 1733. The county tax in that
year was apportioned as follows:
Worcester 22
Lancaster 62
Mendon 3ti
Woodstock 32
Brookfield 27
Southborough 17
Leicester 13
s.
rf.
15
4
16
8
1
4
6
19
4
Rutland 7
Westborough 18
Shrewsbury 14
Oxford 14
Sutton 24
Uxbridge 12
Lunenburg 7
16
2
14
U
4
10
8
16
This court-hou.«e was situated near the site of the
present brick court-house near Lincoln Square, and
was opened February 8, 1734. It is believed that its
dimensions were thirty-six feet by twenty-six. In
1751 a new building was erected, forty feet by thirty-
six, on the Court Hill, corner of Green and Franklin
XIV
HISTORY OF WORCESTER COUNTY, MASSACHUSETTS.
Streets, and is now used as a residence. The corner-
stone of tlio brick building, now in use, was laid Oc-
tober 1, ISOl, under the direction of a building com-
mitlee comixised of Isiiiah Thomas, William Caldwell
and Salera Towne. The original building, since en-
larged, was fifty and a half feet long and forly-cight
and a half feet wide, and was opened September 27.
1S0?>, when Chief .Instice Robert Treat Paine, of the
Supreme Judicial Court, delivered an address. At
the February meeting of the County Commissioners
in 1842 it wa^ decided to build another court-house,
and the granite structure, now chiefly in use, was
erected at a cost of one hundred thousand dollars on
the site of the house of Isaiah Thomas, which was re-
moved to the re;ir and is still standing. This building,
which was originally one hundred and e'ght i'eet long
and tifty-seven wide, was enlarged in 1878. It was
opened September 30, 1845, on which occasion an ad-
dress was delivered by Cliief Justice Lemuel Shaw.
With regard to the erection of the first jail ihere
seems to be some conl'usion as to dates. As nearly as
can be ascertaincil, what was called a cage was built
before 1732, and in that year the Court of Sessions or-
dered that, "in lieu of the prison before appointed, the
cage, so-called, already built be removed to the cham-
ber of the house of Deacon Daniel Haywood, inn-
holder, and be the jail until the chamber be suitably
furnished for a jail and then the chamber be thejiiil
for the county and the cage remain as one of the
apartment'*." The inn of Deacon Haywood stood on
the site of the present Bay State House. In 1734, no
jail having been built, the Court of Sessions hired a
part of the house of Judge Jennison for prisoners;
very soon after this time, probably in 1734, a jail was
built on the west side of Lincoln Street. In 1753 a
new jail was built farther down the same street, thirty-
eight feet long and twenty-eight wide. In December,
1784, the Court of Sessions provided for the erection
of a stone jail, sixty-four feet by thirty-two and three
stories high, on the south side of Lincoln Square,
■which was completed September 4, 1788. This build-
ing was pronounced by Isaiah Thomas, then the edi-
tor of the <S)^y, as in public opinion the most important
stone building in the Commonwealth, next to King's
Chapel in Bjston. It was built of rough quarry stone
from Mill Stone Hill by John Parks, of Groton, who
gained a high reputation by his work. In 1819 a
house of correction was built, fifty-three feet by
twenty-seven, where the present jail star.ds on Sum-
mer Street. In 1832 it was rebuilt with forty cells,
each seven feet by three and a half, and with three
rooms for close confinement. In 1835 a part of the
building was arranged for a jail, and in 1873 it w.is
altered, remodeled and enlarged to its present dimen-
sions. A jail and house of correction were also built
in Fitchburg when that town was made a half-shire.
Under the Constitution of Massachusetts, adopted
by a convention of the people at Cambridge, Sept. 1,
1779, it was provided that there should be forty districts
in the State, created by the General Court for Council-
ors and Senators, and until iho General Court j-hoidd
act in the i)remi-e-i, the several districts, with the num-
ber of Councilors and Senators, in each should be as
follows: Suffolk county withsi.x; Essex, si.'c; Middle-
sex, five; Hampshire, four; Plymouth, three ; Barn-
stable, one ; Bristol, three ; York, two ; Dukes County
and Nantucket, one; Worcester, five; Cumberland,
one; Lincoln, one, and Berkshire, two. On the 24th,
1794, Suffolk was changed to four, Essex to five,
Middlesex to four, Hampshire to five, Bristol to two,
Plymouth was added to Dukes and Nantucket with
three, Bristol was changed to two, Norfolk, which
had been incorporated March 2G, 1793, received three,
and Lincoln was added to Hancock and Washington,
which had been incorporated with two. The appor-
tionment was again changed June 23, 1802, when the
number for \Voi cost er was changed to four; again
February 24, 1814, February 15, 1816, and at various
other times, which it is nnneccsssary to recount. By
the thirteenth article of amendment of the Constitu-
tion, adopted by the Legislature of 1839-40, it was
provided that a census of the legal voters of the State,
May 1, 1840, should be taken, and that on the basis
of the census the Senators should be apportioned
among the counties by the Governor and Council,
with not less than one Senator in each county. By
the twenty->^econd article of amendment adopted by
the Legislature of 185G-57, and ratified by the jieople
May 1, 18)7, it was provided that a census should
be taken and forty Senatorial districts created by the
General Court, and that in 1865 and every tenth year
thereafter a census should be taken, and a new appor-
tionment made. From the time of the ado])tion of
the Constitution up to the time of the creation of
Senatorial districts the following persons were chosen
Senators to represent Worcester County: Moses Gill,
of Princeton, Samuel Baker, of Berlin, Joseph Dorr,
of Ward, Israel Nichols, of Leominster, Jonathan
Warner, Jr., of Hardwick, Seth Washburn, of Leices-
ter, John Sprague, Abel Wilder, Amos Singleterry,
John Fcssenden, Joseph Stone, Jonathan Grout,
Timothy Bigelow, Salem Towne, Josiah Stearns,
Daniel Bigelow, Peter Penneman, Timothy Newell,
Elijah Brighara, Taft, Hale, Francis Blake,
Seth Hastings, Solomon Strong, Levi Lincoln, Jr.,
Moses Smith, Thomas H. Blood, Daniel Waldo, Salem
Towne, Jr., Aaron Tufts, Benjamin Adams, Nathaniel
Jones, S. P. Gardner, Silas Holman, John Spurr,
Oliver Crosby, James Phillips, James Humphrys,
Samuel Eastman, Lewis Bigelow, John Shipley, Na-
thaniel P. Denny, Joseph G. Kendall, William Eaton,
Nathaniel Houghton, William Crawford, Jr., Jonas
Sibley, B. Taft, Jr., Joseph Bowman, John W. Lin-
coln, Jose])h Davis, Edward Cushing, .loseph E-ita-
brook, Lovell Walker, David Wilder, Samuel Mi.xtor,
William S. Hastings, James Draper, Rufus Bullock,
Charles Hudson, Ira M. Barton, Samuel Lee, Rejoice
Newton, Charles Russell, George A. Tafts, Waldo
WORCESTER COUNTY.
XV
Flint, Charles Allen, Linu? Child, Ethan A. Green-
wood, WiUi.im Hancock, James G. Carter, Tbomas
Kiniiicutt, Artemas Lee, James Allen, Charles Sihley,
Samuel Wood, Jedediah Marcy, Benjamin Estabrook,
Nathaniel Wood, Ch. C. P. Hastings, Emory Wash-
burn, Alexander De Witt, Solomon Strong, Isaac Da-
vis, Ariel Bragg, Daniel Hill, Joseph Stone, John G.
Thurston, Stephen Salisbury, C.ilvin Willard, Jason
Goulding, George Denny, Nahum F. Bryant, Allred
D. Foster, Alanson Hamilton, John Brooks, Alexander
H. Bullock, Ebeuezer D. Ammidown, Paul Whitin,
Ebenezer Torrey, Pliny Merrick, John Raymond,
Amasa Walker, Edward B. Bigelow, Francis Howe,
Giles H. Whitney, Moses Wood, Freeman Walker,
Elmer Brigham, J. S. C. Knowlton, Albert Aklen,
Sullivan Fay, Elisha Murdock, Ivers Phillips, Charles
Tliurber, Anson Bugbee, Joseph W. Mansur, Joseph
Whitman, H. \V. Benchley, Albert A. Cook, Edward
Denny, Jabez Fisher, Alvan G. Underwood, F. H.
Dewey, Velorous Tail, J. F. Hitchcock, George F.
Hoar, William Mixter, Ohio Whitney, Jr.
Under the new sy.stem of Senatorial districts Wor-
cester County was divided into districts by itself, un-
connected with other counties until the api)ortion-
nient made on the basis of the census of 1885, and was
represented by Worcester County Senators up to and
inclusive of the year 1886. During this period the
following gentlemen represented the various districts
of the county: J. M. Earle, John G. Metcalf, Oliver
C. Fclton, Charles Field, Goldsmith F. Bailey. S.
Allen, Dexter F. Parker, Ichabod Washburn, Hartley
Williams, E. B. Stoddard, Alvah Crocker, Winslow
Battles, William R. Hill, Moses B. Soulhwick, Wm.
Upham, Nathaniel Eddy, Sylvester Dresser, Rufus B.
Dodge, Asher Joslin, John D. Cogswell, Emerson
Johnson, Jason Goiham, Freeman Walker, Henry
Smith, George Whitney, Charles Adams, Jr., William
D. Peck, T. E. Glazier, Israel C. Allen, Solon S. Has-
tings, Joel Meriiam, Abraham M. Bigelaw, John E.
Stone, Thomas Rice, Benjamin Boynton, Charles G.
Stevens, Hosea Crane, William Ru-sell,Milo Hildreth,
Lucius W. Pond, Jloses D. Southwick, Ebenezer Da-
vis, George S. Ball, F. H. Dewey, George M. Rice,
Adin Thayer, George F. Thompson, George F. Very,
Edward L. Davis, John D. Wheeler, Charles A.
Wheelock, J. H. Wood,S. M. Greggs, Jeremiah Get-
chell, Aaron C. Mayhew, Luther Hill, Frederick D.
Brown, Lucius J. Kuowles, George W. Johnson, A.
W. Bartholomew, Henry L. Bancroft, Washington
Tufts, Emory L. Bates, John G. Mudge, George M.
Buttrick, Baxter D. Whitney, N. L. Johnson, Moses
L. Ayers, Jidin H. Lockey, Francis B. Fny, Henry C.
Greeley, Gejrge A. Torrey, Amasa Norcross, C. H. B.
Snow, Elisha Brimhall, George S. Barton, Henry C.
R ce, William Knowlton, Ebenezer B. Linde, James
W. Stockwell, Alpheus Harding, Charles H. Slerriam,
Wm. Abbott, Charles T. Crocker, Thomas J. Hastings,
Chester C. Corbin, John M. Moore, Daniel B. Ingalls,
George W. Johnson, Charles B. Pratt, Charles P. Bar-
ton, Theodore C. Bates, Edward P. Loring, John D.
Washburn, Charles E. Whitin, Charles A. Denny,
Thomas P. Root, Martin V. B. Jefferson, Henry S.
Nourse, Arthur F. Whitin, William T. Forbes,
Chailes A. Gleason, Allen L. Joslin.
Under the census of 1885 a new apportionment was
made, under nhiuh the Senators for 1887 were chosen
in 1886. Under this apportionment there were four
districts confined to the county and one other, in-
cluding Athol, Barre, Dana, Gardner, Hardwick,
Hubbardston, New Braintree, Oakham, Petersham,
Phillipston, Rutland and Templeton in Worcester
County, and Amherst, Belchertown, Enfield, Granby,
Greenwich, Hadley, Pclh.im, Prescolt, South Hadley
and Warein Hampshire County, and called Worcester
and Hampshire District. LTnder this apportionment
the Senators have been Edwin T. Marble, William T.
Forbes, Irving B. Sayles, Harris C. Hartwell, Charles
A. Gleason, Silas JI. Wheelock and George P. Ladd.
The districts as formed under the census of 1885,
with a ratio of 11,382 for one Senator, are as follows :
First frorcesier Distnct. — Wards 1, 4, 5, 6, 7 and 8
of Worcester, with 10,780 legal voters.
Second Worcester Dutrici. — Berlin, Blackst one, Bol-
ton, Boylston, Clinton, Grafton, Harvard, Hopedale,
Mendon,Milfbrd, Northborough, Northbridge, Shrews-
bury, Southborough, Upton, Uxbridge and West-
borough, with ll,4:-!3 legal voters.
^-JThird Worcester District. — Auburn, Brookfield,
Charlton, Douglas, Dudley, Leicester, Milbury, North
Brookfield, Oxford, Paxton, Southbridge, Spencer,
Sturbridge, Sutton, Warren, Webster and West Brook-
field, with 11,217 legal voters.
Fourth Worcester District. — Fitchburg, Holden, Lan-
caster, Leominster, Lunenburg, Princeton, Sterling,
West Boylston, Westminster and Wards 2 and 3 of
Worcester, with 12,099 legal voters.
Worcester ami Hampshire District. — Athol, Barre,
Dana, Gardner, Hardwick, Hubbardston, New Brain-
tree, Oakham, Petersham, Phillipston, Rutland and
Templeton in Worcester County, and Amherst, Bel-
chertown, Enfield, Granby, Greenwich, Hadley, Pel-
ham, Prescott, South Hadley and Ware in Hamp-
shire, with 11,127 legal voters.
This i-ketch of Worcester .County would be incom-
plete without some allusion to the various orgaidza-
tious which have the county as the field and boundary
of their operations. The Worcester County Musical
Association had its origin in a musical convention held
in Worcester in 1852. Its olBcers are, Edward L.
Davis, president; William Sumner, vice-president;
A. C. Munroe, secretary, and J. E. Benchley, treasurer.
The Worcester County Musical School, which has been
in existence some years, was organized to furni-h in-
struction " in piano, organ, singing, violin, flute,
guitar, harmony and elocution," with an efficient
corps of instructors. Besides the Worcester Agricul-
tural Society there are in the county five distinct
societies — the Worcester West holding its annual
HISTORY OF WORCESTER COUNTY, MASSACHUSETTS.
exhibitions at Barre ; tlie Worcester Northwest hold-
ing its exliibitions at Athol ; the Worcester North at
Fitchbiirg ; the Worcester Southeast at Millbrd, and
the South Worcester. The Worcester Horticultural
Society was fornied in 1840. The Worcester County
HomtEopathic Medical Society was organized in 1866,
and its present otficers are : E. A. Murdock, of Spencer^
president ; K. L. Melius, of Worcester, vice-president;
Lamson Allen, of Southbridge, recording secretary
and treasurer, and J ;hn P. Rand, of Monson, corre-
sponding secretary. The Worcester County Law
Library Association was organized in 1842, and is
composed of the members of the county bar.
The Worcester County Mechanics' Association was
incorporated in 1842. Its officers are: Robert H.
Chamberlain, president; EUery B. Crane, vice-presi-
dent, and William A. Smith, clerk and treasurer.
The Worcester County Retail Grocers' Association
was organized in 1881, and its officers are : Samuel A.
Pratt, president; C. G. Parker, vice-president; E. E.
Putnam, secretary, and James Early, treasurtr.
The Worcester County Society of Engineers was
ibrmed in 1886. Its officers are: A. C. Buttrick,
president; Charles A. Allen, vice-president; A. .7.
Marble, secretary, and E. K. Hill, treasurer.
The Worcester County Stenographers' Association
was organized in 1887, and its officers are : Edna L.
Taylor, president; F. L. Hutchins, vice-pre-sident;
George E. Vaughn, secretary, and John F. McDuffie,
treasurer.
The Worcester District Medical Society was organ-
ized in 1804. Its officers are : George C. Webber, of
Millbury, president; J. Marcus Reed, of Worcester,
vice-president; W. C. Stevens, of Worcester, secre-
tary, and S. B. Woodward, of Worcester, treasurer.
Of county religious associations there are five
belonging to the Orthodox Congregationalist denomi-
nation. The Worcester Central Conference includes
the Worcester churches and those of Auburn, Berlin,
Boylston, Clinton, Holden, Leicester, Oxford, Paxton,
Princeton, Rutland, Shrewsbury, Sterling and W'est
Boylston.
The Worcester North includes the churches of Ash-
burnham, Athol, Gardner, Hubbardston, Petersham,
Phillipstou, Royalscon, Templeton, Westminster and
Wincheudon, with two churches in Franklin County.
The Worcester South include.-, the churches Of
Blackstone, Douglas, Grafton, Millbury, Northbridge,
Sutton, Upton, Uxbridge, Webster and Westborough.
The Brookfield Conference includes the churches
of Barre, Brookfield, Charlton, Dana, Dudley, Hard-
wick, New Braintree, North Brookfield, Oakham,
Southbridge, Spencer, Sturbridge, Warren and West
Brookfield, with lour towns outside the county. The
Middlesex Union Conference includes the churches
of Fitchburg, Harvard, Lancaster, Leominster and
Lunenburg, with eleven churches in Middlesex
County.
Of County Baptist Associations there are two — the
Wachusett, including the churches in Barre, Bolton,
Clinton, Fitchburg, Gardner, Harvard, Holden, Leo-
minster, Sterling, Templeton, West Boylston, West-
minster and Winchendon,and the Worcester Associa-
tion, including the churches of Worcester, Brookfield
Grafton, Leicester, Millbury, Northborough, Oxford,
Southbridge, Sturbridge, Spencer, Uxbridge, Webster
and Westborough.
Of the Methodist denomination there are, strictly
speaking, no county organizations. The New Eng-
land Conference, extending from the seaboard to the
Connecticut Valley, is divided into four districts,
which include most of the Methodist Churches in the
county.
Of the Unitarian denomination there is the Worces-
ter Conference of Congregational and other Christian
societies, which was organized at Worcester Decem-
ber 12, 1866. It includes the churches of Athol, Barre,
Berlin, Bolton, Brookfield, Clinton, Fitchburg, Graf-
ton, Harvard, Milford, Hubbardston, Lancaster, Lei-
cester, Leominster, Mendon, Northborough, Peters-
ham, Sterling, Sturbridge, Templeton, Upton, Ux-
bridge, Westborough, Winchendon and Worcester.
There is also a Ministers' Association belonging to
this denomination.
Of the Episcopal, Universalist and Catholic denomi-
nations there are no county organizations, and
sketches of their various churches will be included in
the histories of the towns in which they are located.
The Worcester County Bible Society was organized
September 7, 1815, under the name of " The Auxili-
ary Bible Society of the County of Worcester," but
has been more lately known as the Bible Society of
Worcester.
In closing this sketch a list of the present officers
of Worcester County should be added. It is as fol-
lows : Judge of Probate and Insolvency, William
T. Forbes; Register of Probate and Insolvency,
Frederick W. Southwick, of Worcester; Sheritt', Au-
gustus B. R. Sprague, of Worcester; Clerk of the
Courts, Theodore S. Johnson, of Worcester; Treas-
urer, Edward O. Brown, of Worcester; Register of
Deeds of Worcester District, Harvey B. Wilder, of
Worcester ; Register of Deeds of Northern District,
Charles F. Rockwood, of Fitchburg.
County Commissioners : George S. Duell, of Brook-
field, term expires December 1, 1888 ; William O.
Brown, of Fitchburg, term expires December 1, 1889;
James H. Barker, of Milford, term expires Decem-
ber 1, 1890.
Special Commissioners: Thomas P. Root, of Barre,
term expires December 1,1889; Charles J. Rice, of
Winchendon, term expires December 1, 1889.
Commissioners of Insolvency : Rufus B. Dodge, Jr.,
of Charlton; David H. Merriam, of Fitchburg ; An-
drew J. Bartholomew, of Southbridge; Daniel B.
Hubbard, of Grafton.
Trial Justices: James W. Jenkins, of Barre;
George S. Duell, of Brookfield ; Chauncey W. Carter
THE BENCH AND BAR.
xvu
and Hamilton Mayo, of Leominster ; Charles E.
Jenks, of North Brookfield; Frank B. Spalter, of
Winchendon; Luther Hill, of Spencer; Horace W.
Bu-<h, of West Brookfield ; John W. Tyler, of War-
ren, and Henry A. Farwell, of Hubbardstou.
CHAPTER II.
THE BENCH AND BAR.
BY CHARLES F. ALDRICH.
" It 18 not tliey who are oftenest on men's lips, wlio are clotlied with
a visilile authority, who bear tiie swoni and the ensign of State, that
eohti'iltute most to the well-being of a community ; but he, rather, wlig
sits apart in severe simplicity, and, in the supremacy of intellectual and
moral strength, adjusts the relation between man and man; and, with
an authority mightier than his who wields a sceptre, silently moulds
the .State, and interprets and dispenses the laws that govern it." — Bev,
Atotiso HiU^ remarlcs on the life of PUny Merrick.
By the act incorporating this county, passed by
the General Court of the Province in 1731, provision
was made for four annual terms of the Court of Gen-
eral Sessions of the Peace, and of the Inferior Court
of Common Plea.s, and for an annual session of the
Superior Court of Judicature, Court of Assize and
General Gaol Delivery.
The jurisdiction of justices of the peace and of judges
of Probate supplemented that of these more formal
tribunals, and the whole constituted a system of ju-
dicial machinery which served the needs of the
community, with but little amendment from 1699
until the adoption of the State Constitution. With
several changes of title and some amplification to
adapt it to the increased business and complexity of
interests in the modern highly organized society, its
principal features subsist in the .system of to-day.
The Superior Court was composed of a chief and
four associate justices. Its jurisdiction covered "all
matters of a civil and criminal nature, including ap-
pealsj reviews and writs of error ... as fully and
amply to all intents and purposes whatsoever, as
the Courts of King's Bench, Common Pleas and Ex-
chequer within his Majesty's Kingdom of England."
It also possessed very limited equity powers. The
home government had always exhibited a jealous
disposition to keep the Provincial courts closely
hemmed in by the rules of the common law. Ex-
cept in cases of the breach of the condition of a
bond or a mortgage, when the court might prevent
the exaction of the strict forfeiture on payment of
proper damages, no part of the great system of
equity jurisprudence, which, in England, was then
well advanced, was permitted to take root here.
This early discouragement has seemed, until very
recent years, to prejudice the minds of our law-mak-
ers and our courts against the granting or the exer-
cise of jurisdiction in equity.
The judges were appointed by the Governor and
his Council, and might, and frequently did, hold va-
rious other offices at the same time. Hutchinson,
when chief justice, was also Lieutenant-Governor,
member of the Council and judge of Probate for Suf-
folk. The principle of appointment to judicial
office thus established has been ever since adhered to
in this Commonwealth, and it is to be hoped that no
demand for popular elections will cause a seat upon
the bench to be set up as a prize of the caucus. By
the provision of the State Constitution the good
sense of our judges, and the increase in the number
of men competent and willing to perform the duties
of the various offices, our courts have, in the main,
been 2)resided over by men who held no other public
office, and gave all their energies to the labors of
their judicial station. It has thus most happily been
true of the administration of Massachusetts justice,
that it has been singularly free even from the suspi-
cion of partisan bias, and has retained the confidence
alike of bar and laity. Until the Revolution no res-
ident of Worcester County attained the dignity of
justice of the Superior Court.
The Inferior Court of Common Pleas w^as com-
posed in each county of four justices, three of whom
constituted a quorum for transacting business. Its
jurisdiction covered civil actions of every nature, ac-
cording to the course of the common law. From its
decision an appeal lay to the Superior Court.
The Court of General Sessions of the Peace was
held at the same times with the Common Pleas by the
justices of the peace for the county or such a num-
ber of them as were designated from time to time.
Its jurisdiction as a judicial tribunal covered only
criminal matters, and hence was limited to the trial of
offenses for which the punishment did not extend to
death, loss of member, or banishment. The same
tribunal had a supervision and control of the admin-
istration of the county finances, the laying out of
highways, etc., similar to the present powers of County
Commissioners.
Justices of the peace held courts in their various
places of residence, and were authorized to hear and
decide in a large variety of civil actions where
the damage did not exceed forty shillings. When
the title to land was concerned, however, the issue
was deemed too important for any court of less dig^
nity than the Common Pleas. In criminal matters
their jurisdiction extended to minor breaches of the
peace and disorderly conduct, and they could inflict
penalties of small fines, whipping and sitting in the
stocks. For offences beyond their jurisdiction they
were authorized to bind over persons accused to the
higher tribunals. From their decisions appeals lay
to the Court of Common Pleas.
In the Governor and Council was vested jurisdic-
tion over the probate of wills, the settlement of the
estates of deceased persons, the appointment of guard-
ians and the like. It was the custom, however, for
XVlll
HISTOKY OF WORCESTER COUNTY, MASSACHUSETTS.
them to appoint substitutes in the various counties,
who transacted the ordinary business subject to re-
vision on appeal to tlie Governor and Council.
These deputy courts were recognized by several laws
of the province, though their establishment was
never specially authorized by any act of the General
Court.
The history of the bar of this county is practically
covered by the professional activity of four of its
members. Joseph Dwight, admitted at the first term
of the Court of Common Pleas held in the newly-
established county, lived until 1765. John Sprague
was admitted to the bar in 1768, and died in 1800.
Benjamin Adams admitted in 1792, probably tried
cau.ses before Judge Sprague, and as he lived in Ux-
bridge until 1837, it is most probable th.-it the late
Peter C. Bacon, who was admitted in 1830, knew him
personally.
When Joseph Dwight, in 1731, took the oaths
of an attorney and became the only member of the
AV'orcester County bar, there were in the province but
few educated lawyers. Benjamin Lynde was chief
and Paul Dudley an associate justice of the Superior
Court, both of whom w.ere thorough lawyers. Through
the influence arid learning, especially of Dudley, the
forms of pleading were being brought into intelligible
shape, and the principles of law were becoming more
clearly understood by bench and bar. It was not at
all essential, however, that a judge should be a law-
yer. Many of those upon the Superior bench had no
legal education, and of fourteen judges of the Court
of Common Pleas for Worcester County before the
Revolution, only three were members of the bar.
Dwight was born in Hatfield in 1703, and received
his education at Harvard, where he graduated in
1722. After his admifsion to the bar for some years
he resided in Brookfield, and was repeatedly elected
its Representative to the General Court.
For one year during his service he held the position
of Speaker of the House. In 1743 he was appointed
to the bench of the Common Pleas, and retained his
commission until about the time of his removal to
Stockbridge, in Hampshire County, in 1751 or 1752.
There he was interested in the efforts which were
being made, under the direction of Jonathan Edwards,
to educate the Indians. Judge Dwight was a[)pointcd
a trustee of the schools, and for a year or more
remained closely associated with the learned divine,
for whom he always testified the highest regard. He
soon left Stockbridge for Great Barrington, and re-
sumed judicial functions in the Hampshire County
Court until Berkshire was set off, in 1761. For the
new county he became chief justice, and so con-
tinued till his death, in 1765. With his duties as
judge he combined the carrying on of a mercantile
business and the functions of an active military leader.
He held the rank of brigadier-general, and won the
commendation of his superior officers for services
against the French.
A contemporary of his, both at the bar and on the
benth, was jSahumAVaed, a resident of Shrewsbury,
and a judge of the Common Pleas from 1745 to 1762.
Not much is recorded of him, though he was in active
practice for several years. His son and grandson,
each bearing the name of Artemas, filled larger places
in the public eye, and each became judge of the same
court.
The only other lawyer on this bench until after the
Revolution was Timothy Ruggles, who was born in
Rochester, in the county of Plymouth, in 1711, and
graduated at Harvard in 1732. He was judge from
1757 until the Revolution, and chief justice after 1762.
His father, the Rev. Timothy Ruggles, endeavored to
turn the future soldier's thoughts to the study of
divinity, but it is probable that the combative in-
stincts of the son, so strongly developed later in life,
inclined him to a more stirring field of exertion. AVhm
only twenty-five he represented Rochester in the
Assembly. There he was instrumental in procuring
the passage of an act to prohibit sheriffs or their
deputies from making writs, a useful provision of the
public statutes to this day. As a lawyer he must
have been successful, for while still a residentof Plym-
outh County, he practiced in other courts, and was
often engaged in causes in Worcester County before
he removed to Hardwick, about 1753.
The fame of the soldier, however, generally obscures
whatever other reputation its possessor may earn. In
" Brigadier Ruggles" the judge was almost forgotten.
Like Dwight, he was actively engaged in several
military operations, and fairly won his distinction by
hard service. In 1755 he was next in command to
General Johnson in the battle in which the French,
under Dieskau, were badly defeated. Illustrative of
the brigadier's blunt manners, they say that when
during the day something was going wrong, he con-
soled his su])erior officer with the remark : " General,
I hope the damnable blunders you have made this
day may be .'anclified unto you for your spiritual and
everlasting good," an expres.sion rather of hope for
future improvement than of confidence in the present
abilities of his leader, which a more politic subordinate
would probably have confined to his own thoughts.
It was a matter of course that betook an active part
in political affairs. Hardwick sent him as its represent-
ative to the Assembly for several years, during two of
which he was Speaker of the House. He presided over
the convention of delegates from eight Colonies, which
met in New York, in 1765, to consider the grievances
imposed by the home government. His attachment
to the old order of things here manifested itself in his
refusal to join in the protest of the convention against
taxation by Parliament. As his opinions on this sub-
ject had been openly expressed, it is a singular evi-
dence of the great respect in which he was held that
he should have been chosen as a delegate. Sut
neither the consistency of his course nor his dignified
character excused him in the eye of the Provincial
THE BEiNCH AND BAR.
Legislature. In accordance with their vote he was
publicly censured by the Speaker, and from that time
his separation from the popular cause became more
and more apparent. When the discontent finally
became a revolution, he abandoned his property, his
dignities, and his home, and took up his part with the
supporters of the Crown. At this point, of course,
his connection with our county affairs ceased. He
died in Halifax, in 1798, having lived to see those
whom he had called rebels firmly established as citi-
zens of an independent State.
Eleven other judges of the Court of Common Pleas,
previous to the Revolution, were taken from various
vocations. They were men chosen for general good
sense, lor the respect in which they were held by
their neighbors, and for their integrity of purpose —
qualities which, in the scarcity of trained lawyers,
certainly entitled them to superintend the adminis-
tration of Justice.
John Chandler, of Woodstock, the first chief jus-
tice, was also the first judge of Probate. He was a
military oflicer of some distinction, and represented
his town in the General Court, and was chosen after-
wards a member of the Governor's Council. His son,
bearing the same name, was born in Woodstock in
1693, but removed to Worcester in 1731. He was the
first clerk of courts, register of probate and register
of deeds for the county in those days when one man
could discharge the duties of a multiplicity of offices.
While still holding those oflices he was appointed
sheriff of the county, and was for several yeara elected
selectman and a Representative to the General Court.
Later on he was appointed judge of the Court of
Common Pleas and judge of the Probate Court, thus
succeeding to the dignities of his father. He died in
1763.
Another father and son who occupied seats on the
bench of the County Court were the two Joseph Wil-
DERS^ of Lancaster. The elder wa.s influential in se-
curing to Worcester the distinction of being the
county-seat, as he objected to the selection of Lan-
caster, lest the morals of its people should be cor-
rupted by the sessions of the courts therein. He suc-
ceeded the first John Chandler as judge of Probate
and held both offices till his death, in 1757.
His son succeeded the second Chandler in the
Common Pleas, was Representative of Lancaster in
the General Court for eleven years, and was actively
engaged in business operations, in his native town,
until his death, in 1773.
Of most of the other judges little is known. Jonas
Bice was, in 1714, the sole inhabitant of Worcester,
all others having been driven away by the depreda-
tion of the Indians. His firm courage secured to
him, in the rebuilt town, the respect of his neighbors
and marked him as a man fit for responsibilities.
Practicing before the court thus composed, beside
the three who have been mentioned as elevated to
the bench, there were but fourteen lawyers from 1731
until the Revolution. Joshua Eaton was the first of
the profession who settled in Worcester. He was a
native of that part of Watertown now Waltham, and
was educated at Harvard, where he graduated in
1735, in his twenty-first year. He entered upon the
study of the law in the office of Edmund Trowbridge,
who was then just beginning his professional career,
in the course of which, as leader of the bar of the
Province and as judge of the Superior Court, he con-
tributed, perhaps more than any one man before the
Revolution, to the advancement of legal science.
Trained under this excellent master, Mr. Eaton
seems to have started upon a successful practice.
The early desire of his parents had been that he
should adopt the clerical profession, and after about
six years at the bar, his own feelings turned him in
the same direction. He studied for the ministry,
gave up a good and increasing practice and adopted
his new calling with such zeal and energy as to sub-
ject him to the censure of the church, which ap-
proved of more moderate ministerial devotion. He
soon, however, by a more quiet walk and conversa-
tion, commended himself to the church in that part
of Leicester now Spencer, arrd jthere was settled,
lived for nearly thirty years, and died, in 1772, re-
spected and beloved by his people.
A fellovv-t)wnsman of Eaton, in Leicester, was
Christopher Jacob Lawton, a lawyer who had been
admitted in Hampshire County in 1726. He prac-
ticed for some years in Springfield and in Suffield be-
fore his removal to Leicester. Except that he had a
clientage of only moderate numbers, little is known
of his professional attainments.
Stephen Fessenden was anotherstudentof Judge
Trowbridge, who opened his office in Worcester
about 1743. But he, too, from some unknown cause,
does not appear to have long clung to his professional
pursuits.
Perhaps the most learned and able lawyer of this
bar previous to the Revolution was James Pctnam,
who came here in 1749, fresh from his studies with
Judge Trowbridge, of whose encouragement and ad-
vice he seems to have profited more than those we
have mentioned. He was born in Danvers in 1725,
and after graduating at Harvard in 1746, betook
himself to the law with a zeal and industry that re-
sulted in placing him with the leaders of the bar in
the Province. Dwight was then the only lawyer re-
siding and practicing in the county, but Putnam had
to contend with the leaders from other counties, and
was proved a worthy opponent. He obtained a large
clientage not only at home, but in Hampshire and
Middlesex, and rose, by merit, to the position of At-
torney-General of the Province. This office he was
holding when the Revolution called upon men to
choose between King and country. Like most of the
other men of prominence and wealth, Putnam stood
by the old order, and like them he thereby lost his
home. He was rewarded for his loyalty to the Brit-
^
XX
HISTORY OF WORCESTER COUNTY, MASSACHUSETTS.
ish government by an appointment to the bench of
the Supreme Court of New Brunswick. There he
added to his reputation as a sound lawyer, and ac-
quired such a name for learning and impartial justice
that when a friendly biographer described him as
" the best lawyer in North America," the praise did
not seem unwarrantably extravagant. He lived un-
til after the inauguration of the tirst President of the
United States of America.
One of the judges of the Common Pleas for ten
years was Samuel VVillard, of Lancaster. His son,
Abel Willaud, born in that town in 1732, may, from
his father's position, have been naturally inclined to
the law. After graduating at the university, he
studied in Boston, and was admitted to this bar
in 1755. In his native town, then a rival of the
county-seat for population and business activity, he
found ample opportunity for the exercise of his tal-
ents. He illustrated the truth, too often forgotten,
that modesty, kindliness and aversion to strife are
not inconsistent with the successful practice of the
law. He performed the true function of the lawyer
in allaying rather than fomenting strife, in endeav-
oring to keep his client out of threatened difficulties —
methods which in no degree interfered with asserting
and maintaining his just rights when litigation could
not properly be avoided. In 1770 he formed with
John Sprague the earliest law partnership in this
c )unty. During the war he too left the country and
died in England in 1781.
Ezra Taylor, of Southborough, is to be included in
this list of lawyers, though whether he was regularly
admitted to the bar is uncertain. He at any rate
practiced law in Southborough, from about 1751 until
the Revolution, and continued so to do in Maine,
where he removed during the progress of the war.
A pupil of James Putnam was Joshua Atherton,
who was born in Harvard in 1737, and graduated at
Cambridge in 17G2. He began his practice in Peters-
ham, but did not long remain in this county. After
several changes of domicile, he settled in Amherst, in
New Hampshire. There he became a leader at the
bar, and Attorney-General of the State after the Revo-
lution, and died in 1809.
In 1765, the same year with Atherton, two other
young men began their professional careers in this
county. Daniel Bliss was a native of Concord, and
a graduate of Harvard in 1760, in his twentieth year.
Like Eaton, he was urged towards the ministry by his
parents, and somewhat by his own inclination. Some
influences turned him aside, and he studied law in the
office of Abel Willard. He made Rutland, where he
found his wife, the field of his early ventures in busi-
ness. About 1772 he returned to his first home in
Concord. He gained a good position at the bar, and
an enviable reputation as a thorough gentleman, but
he did'not sympathize with the cause of the colonists
against the Crown. Thus he, too, became an exile
from the country that be evidently loved, and the
friends who had honored him. After the war he was
appointed a judge in New Brunswick, and fulfilled its
duties with credit, as he seems to have discharged all
other duties until his death, in 1800.
Contemporary with Atherton and Bli-ss was Joshua
Upham, of Brookfield. Born in 1741 ; like nearly all
the lawyers we have mentioned, he had the advantage
of a college education at Harvard. His class-mate
and intimate associate was Timothy Pickering, with
whom he maintained a friendship that was interrupted,
not broken, by the war. After his graduation, in 1765,
he completed his professional studies in two years,
and was admitted to the bar a few months later than
Bliss. In Brookfield he built up an excellent practice,
continually increasing until 1776. It then became no
longer possible for one who was not heartily with the
popular cause to remain, and he removed to Boston,
and later to New York. Either from the fiiilure of
some business enterprises in which he was engaged,
or perhaps, more probably, on account of his Tory
predilections, he left the country after the peace and,
like Putnam and Bliss, found opportunity for the
exercise of his professional acumen on the bench of
New Brunswick. In the last year of his life he was
occupied in England in perfecting with the home
government a reorganization of the judicial sj'stem of
the British American provinces. This work he lived
to complete, but died in London in 1808.
Two sons of the second Judge John Chandler be-
came members of this bar. Rufus was born in 1747,
graduated in 1766 and admitted to the bar in 1768.
He studied with James Putnam and practiced In
Worcester until the laws became silent in the midst
of arms. He naturally imbibed the principles of his
father and his preceptor, and his name was included
with theirs in an act of banishment, passed while the
war was still in progress. He had already left the
country, and resided till his death, in 1828, in
London.
His brother, Nathaniel, born in 1750, followed
closely in his footsteps. After graduating at Harvard
in 1768, he took the place of Rufus in Putnam's office,
where he studied during the next three years. He
chose Petersham for his residence and practice, until
at the beginning of the war he took service with the
British in New York. Though he thus seems to have
taken a much more decided stand against the colonies
than his brother, or several others whom we have
mentioned, he was able to return to Petersham in
1784 and engage in mercantile pursuits. He did not
renew the practice of the law, nor long continue in
business, but soon came back to Worcester, where he
died in ISOl.
Of the lawyers heretofore mentioned, not one
remained in practice in this county after the Revolu-
tion. Nearly all of them cast in their lot with the
supporters of the old rigime, and the new condition of
affairs left them no place in their wonted sphere.
Some of them, as has been shown, found room for
THE BENCH AND BAR.
increased activity and usefulness in the provinces that
still remained subject to England. Some found a
refuge in the mother country.
John Sprague forms a connecting link between the
bar of the province and that of the independent State.
He was born in Rochester, Plymouth County, the
birth-place of Timothy Ruggles, in 1740. In the year
1765, when Joseph Dwight, the first member of this
bar, died, Sprague graduated from Harvard. His first
choice was the profession of medicine, but it evidently
did not suit his tastes, for after a few months' trial he
abandoned it for the law, and commenced studying
in James Putnam's office. Like a host of our New
England professional men, he taught school while
pursuing his studies, a kind of discipline whose bene-
fits appear in the acquired patience and facility in
imparting knowledge of those who have tried it suc-
cessfully. After his admission to this bar in 17G8, he
removed to Newport, Rhode Island, and thence to
Keene, New Hampshire. Finally he made Lancaster
his home, and in a business connection with Abel
Willard began a most extensive practice. Thus he
continued until it became necessary for him and his
partner to decide whether they would become rebels
with their countrymen, or cleave to their foreign alle-
giance. Willard, as has been seen, chose for the
latter. Sprague hesitated, as many a conscientious
and thoughtful man must have done. He went so far
as to leave Lancaster for Boston before the actual out-
break of ho.stilities. There, however, the advice of
friends at home, and his own reflection, induced him
to espouse what seemed the weaker cause, and he
returned to take his chance with the resisters of
oppression.
The end of the June term, 1774, brought to a
close the sessions of the Provincial Court of Common
Pleas for this county. During the interval before
the opening of the new court, in December, 1775, it may
well be that no one had time or thought for contests so
comparatively trivial as those of the forum. But this
state of things could not long continue. The every-
day affairs of life must receive attention, though the
fate of nations is in suspense. The Provincial Gov-
ernment commissioned judges, and before them
Sprague resumed his practice.
After the adoption of the Constitution he repre-
sented the county in the State Senate for two years,
and among his other public services he was one of
the few early advocates of the ratification of the
Constitution of the United States. Later on he be-
came high sheriff" of the county. Two years before
his death, which occurred in 1800, he was appointed
chief justice of the Court of Common Pleas, the first
lawyer on that bench after the Revolution.
Sprague appears to have taken no prominent part
in the stirring scenes that were being enacted about
him during the war. The name of another judge,
whose career helps us to bridge this interval, is most
frequently remembered in connection with his military
achievements. Artemas Ward was a justice of the
Common Pleas both before aud after the Revolution.
He was born in Shrewsbury and graduated at Harvard
in 1748. His father, Nahum Ward, has already been
mentioned as one of the earliest in practice in the
county. This is the third instance of a son succeed-
ing his father on the bench of the Common Pleas
of this county before the Revolution. That judicial
honors and the capacity worthily to wear them may
often be transmitted to descendants seems to be a
well-established fact in the history of this Common-
wealth. Whether Judge Nahum Ward continued in
oflice until the appointment of his son is not certain,
but it is stated by one authority that he died in 1762,
which was the year in which Artemas became a judge.
The latter had not adopted the profession of his
father, but soon after leaving college was actively
engaged in public affairs. He represented his native
town in the Legislature, and was a member of the
Governor's Council in 1774, when the home govern-
ment undertook to remove from the electors of the
Province the right to choose councillors and to vest
their appointment in the Crown. His acceptance of
such an appointment by Brigadier Ruggles had
been the final act which placed him in a position
entirely hostile to the popular cause. The manda-
mus councilors, as they were called, were among the
latest irritants of an exasperated public sentiment.
Before this time, however. Ward had served his ap-
prenticeship as a soldier. He was with Abercrombie
in the disastrous expedition against Ticonderoga,
and in the hardships and defeat of that campaign
his firmness and soldierly qualities seem to have been
well tested and approved. Soon afterwards we find
him a colonel of militia and busily engaged in mat-
ters of drill and evolution. All the while, however,
he shared in the growing popular discontent and openly
avowed his sentiments. So far did he go in publicly
stating his opposition to the measures of Parliament
that Sir Francis Barnard publicly deprived him of
his commission, and when his constituents elected
him a member of the Council, did him the honor
promptly to veto the choice.
The first Provincial Congress, of which he was a
member, elected him the first of three general officers
to whom they committed the charge of the motley
assemblage of volunteers which then represented the
military power about to engage in strife with Great
Britain. When General Ward assumed this com-
mand it certainly must have seemed that the result
most probable for him was defeat and a rebel's death.
He continued as general-in-chief until Washington
arrived and took command, when Ward for a time
assumed a subordinate position. He soon retired
from the service, however, on the plea of ill health.
His withdrawal resulted in a breach with Washington
which was never healed.
When the courts were re-opened, in 1775, he was
made chief justice of the Common Pleas, and in this
XXII
HISTORY OF WORCESTER COUNTY, MASSACHUSETTS.
ofiice ho continued until two years before his death,
which took place in 1800. Soon after the war the bur-
den of taxts, necessitated by the great debt contracted
during the conflict, the depression of business, so long
impaired and interrupted, the sudden release from
service of a large number of men who had become
almost unfitted for peaceful vocations, combined to
produce a feeling of discontent among the people,
which in Massachusetts culminated in "Shays's Re-
bellion." A principal ground of their complaints
was the machinery of justice, which compelled the
payment of debts, and courts and lawyers were the
objects of the bitterest hatred. They adopted as one
method of remedying their grievances the plan of
preventing the sessions of the courts.
In September of 1786, Judge Ward was to preside
over the regular session of his court in Worcester.
Threats had been freely made that he would not be
permitted so to do, and on the morning when, accord-
ing to custom, the judges and officers of the court pro-
ceeded in a body to the court-house, they found the
hill on which it was situated filled with a mob, and
the court-house itself with armed men. The judge
was too old a soldier to run away from bayonets, and
he stoutly pressed on through the throng, and up to
face the small body of insurgents who were under
the command of an officer, and maintained some ap-
pearance of discipline. His entrance to the court-
house was prevented, and neither by expostulation or
threat was he able to convince the insurgents of the
folly and danger of their course. It was impossible
to accomplish any useful purpose by carrying his
persistence further, and when, on the next day, it
was evident that the militia sympathized rather with
the insurgents than with the Government, the attempt
to hold court was abandoned. Somewhat similar
scenes were enacted in other counties, though we
do not read of other judges who so resolutely met the
law-breakers. The insurrection was rather of a
nature to fall to pieces by itself than to require a
great show of force, and it was not long before its
inherent weakness resulted in its entire collapse.
Timothy Ruggles and Thomas Steele, the associates
of Judge Ward on the bench of the Common Pleas
just before the KevoJution, were loyalists, and by the
progrei's of events became expatriated. When, in
1775, the Provisional Government issued its commis-
sion to General Ward as chief, Jedediah Foster,
Moses Gill and Samuel Baker were named associates.
Of the four, not one was a member of the legal pro-
fession.
Mr. Foster was born in Andover, and obtained at
Harvard a college education. He early made Brook-
field his home, and there was associated in mercantile
business with Joseph Dwight, who combined with his i
professional occupation several other activities. Mr.
Foster married the daughter of General Dwight, and
three of their direct descendants will hereafter require
honorable mention as members of this bar. of whom
two were promoted to the bench. Although not edu-
cated for the bar, it may be supposed that his associa-
tion with Judge Dwight gave him some insight into
legal principles. At any rate he became sufficiently
skillful as a conveyancer to command a considerable
business. His judgment was greatly relied upon by
neighbors and residents of other towns. Before he
was on the bench he was often appealed to to decide
controversies or to give advice on perplexing ques-
tions. For these services he made it a practice to
take no fees, a custom by which, perhaps, many a
young attorney might speedily build up a tremendous
clientage. In Foster's case, however, it was not true
that that which costs nothing was worth nothing.
His reputation for probity, wisdom and impartiality
was wide-spread, and caused his selection for numer-
ous positions of trust and responsibility. He was at
the same time judge of the Common Pleas and of the
Probate Courts, a delegate to the Provincial Congress
at Concord and a colonel of the militia. In 1776 he
was promoted to the bench of the Superior Court of
Judicature, the first Worcester County resident who
had that honor. A funeral sermon, preached in 1779
by his pastor, Nathan Fiske, testifies to his services to
the church, the town and the State.
Judge Moses Gill lived on a m.ignificent estate in
Princeton, which was described by President Dwight,
of Yale College, as more splendid than any other in
the interior of the State. These lands were the in-
heritance of his wife. His own fortune, accumulated
in mercantile pursuits in Charlestown, his native
place, had enabled him to improve and maintain an
establishment of extensive proportions. He was born
in 173.3, and lived in the place of his birth until about
1767, when he began to spend a portion of each year
amid the beauties of the Princeton hills. That town
he represented in the General Court, and was suc-
cessively State Senator, Councillor and Lieutenant-
Governor. From 1775 until his election to the office
of Lieutenant-Governor he was an associate justice
of the County Court. Both he and his associate,
Samuel Baker, of Berlin, were of the original board
of trustees of Leicester Academy. To have been in-
strumental in establishing an institution which has
contributed so largely from among its alumni to the
service of the State, and especially to the leadership
of the bar of this county, must be counted, perhaps,
the greatest of Judge Gill's distinctions.
Of Samuel Baker little can be added, save that for
twenty years, until his death in 1795, he faithfully
discharged his judicial duties. During a portion of
this time he represented his town of Berlin, aud was
several years a State Senator.
When Judge Foster was promoted to the Superior
Court, JosKi'n Dorr took his place in the lower tribu-
nal. His father, bearing the same name, was the pas-
tor of the church in Mendon for many years, a man
repected for his public spirit as well as for his faith-
ful discharge of ministerial duties. The son grad-
THE BENCH AND BAR.
uated at Harvard in his twenty-second year in the
class of 1752. He was never ordained, but he evi-
dently had some intention of adoptiog his father's
profession, for he preached in the pulpit occasionally.
He was a most earnest patriot and fully in sympathy
with the principles animating the Revolution. He
devoted almost the whole of his time for seven years
to the public service without any compensation, and
was one of those non-combatants who largely aided
the success of the cause bj' efficient moral support at
home. In any conflict all cannot be on the field of
action. It is the part of some to foster and preserve
the prize of the battle, — the institutions whose exist-
ence is at stake. Mr. Dorr was the town clerk and
treasurer of Mendon for a number of years. On the
records the Declaration of Independence is spread at
length in his handwriting, so beautifully legible as
to suggest at once the thought that he was not a law-
yer. On this bench, however, he presided with dig-
nity and acceptance for twenty-five years, and was
also judge of Probate from 1782 to 1800. During the
last years of his life he removed to Brookfield, where
he died in 1808.
The Court of Common Pleas, presided over in this
county by the gentlemen of whom we have spoken,
survived almost without change the political disturb-
ances of the time. Appointed in 1775 by the de facto
government, Ward and his as.sociates continued to
discharge the same duties after the Declaration of
Independence and under the Constitution of the
State.
No mention of this court appears in the Constitu-
tion, but in 1782 an act w;is passed " establishing
Courts of Common Pleas." This was in effect a
statute declaratory of the law as it wa-s then adminis-
tered. The jurisdiction granted was the same; the
right of appeal, the power to make rules and the
regulation of the business of the court were the same
as under the province charter.
The court was to consist of " Four substantial, dis-
creet and learned persons, each of whom to be an in-
habitant of the county wherein he shall be ap-
pointed," and these requirements were well fulfilled
by those who were upon the bench in this county
when the statute passed.
In the same year with the act just referred to were
passed statutes establishing " a Supreme Judicial
Court " and " Courts of General Sessions of the
Peace," both of which tribunals had been exercising
their functions before either Constitution or statute
were adopted.
In the convention which formed our State Consti-
tution, it was decided to simplify the rather cumber-
some title of the Provincial Court of last resort. Ac-
cordingly, all through the Constitution reference is
made to a Supreme Judicial Court, instead of the
Superior Court of Judicature, Court of Assize and
General Gaol Delivery. Among the early enactments
of the first Legislature under the new order of things
was a statute giving jurisdiction to the Supreme
Judicial Court of " all such matters as have hereto-
fore happened or that shall hereafter happen, as by
particular laws were made cognizable by the late
Superior Court of Judicature, etc., etc., unless where
the Constitution and frame of Government hath pro-
vided otherwise." After this very explicit recogni-
tion of its existence, an act establishing a Supreme
Judicial Court passed in 1782 seems, to some extent,
a work of supererogation. That act provides for one
chief and four associate justices, and grants very
broadly jurisdiction over all civil actions and all
criminal offences. It further authorizes the
control and correction of the proceedings of
the inferior courts by writ of ceiiiorari and manda-
mus. A full bench was to consist of at least three
of the judges. From the rulings of one justice at
nisiprius exception might be taken to the full bench,
which alone had the final decisions of questions of
law. Before three judges also were to be decided all
capital cases, divorce matters, and probate appeals.
Courts of General Sessions of the Peace, with juris-
diction over minor offences and with power to bind
over to the proper tribunals persons charged with
graver crimes, were provided for by another act of the
same year. Of the numerous justices of the peace
who exercised jurisdiction in this court it would be
impossible to obtain record or to make mention.
Some one or more of the Common Pleas Court usually
sat with them at the trial of offences. In 1803 the
criminal jurisdiction was transferred altogether from
the Sessions Court to the Common Pleas Court, leaving
to the former the supervision of county finances, the
laying out of highways and the like. After several
experiments in giving these latter powers also to the
Common Pleas, and after the Court of Sessions had
been twice abolished and twice revived, in 1827 the
act defining the power of county commissioners was
passed, and the Sessions Court finally disappeared.
Until 1811 the County Court of Common Pleas re-
mained the tribunal in which was carried on the
great bulk of ordinary litigation.
Upon the election of Moses Gill to the Lieutenant-
Governorship and his consequent resignation of his
seat on the bench, the position was offered to D wight
Foster, but was declined. Michael Gill was there-
upon appointed. Of him I learn nothing, save that
he was probably a nephew of his predecessor ; that
he resigned in 1798, and that he was living in 1826.
Elijah Brigham took the place left vacant by Judge
Baker's death in 1795. He was born in Northborough
in 1751 and graduated at Dartmouth College in 1778.
The study of divinity at first engaged his attention,
but that was soon abandoned for mercantile pursuits.
Senator, councillor and member of Congress success-
ively, he discharged the duties of each station with
propriety, though without leaving a great impress up-
on the times. He held the office of judge until the
abolition of the County Court in 1811. In 1816,
XXIV
HISTORY OF WORCESTER COUNTY, MASSACHUSETTS.
while attending the session of Congress at Washing-
ton, he very suddenly died.
PwiGiiT Foster accepted an appointment to this
bench in 1801. He was a son of the earlier judge,
and was born in Broolcfield in 1757. His classical
studies were pursued at Brown, where he graduated
in 1774. After studying his profession he commenced
its practice at home. At that time there was no
other lawyer within twenty miles of Brookfield. As
a consequence lie early gained a very great practice,
which his own abilities enabled him to keep and in-
crease. His health was never robust, so that all
through life he was obliged to husband his physical
resources. Yet by diligence during his working
hours, by a systematic arrangement of bis time and
by powers of application natural and cultivated, he
accomplished an enormous amount of labor. As a
conveyancer he was noted for accuracy and neatness,
— qualities of whose importance be was no doubt im-
pressed by his father, who had been obliged to acquire
what knowledge he had of that branch without the
aid of such an education as the son had enjoyed. It
was noted of the latter that he made it a constant
practice to rise and be at work early, invariably by
candle-light in winter. This discouraging propensity
is the only fault recorded of him.
His father had been chosen as a delegate to the
convention for framing the Constitution, but died be-
fore the session began. Dwight, then but twenty-
two, was chosen to fill the vacancy, — a proof of the
confidence which his townsmen already reposed in
his sound judgment and discretion. In 1792 be held
the office of high sheriiT of the county, and was the
same year elected to Congress, where he sat for three
terms. Later, he was a member of the United States
Senate. For ten years he was the Chief Justice of
the Common Pleas, succeeding Judge Sprague, and
lived until 1823, active until the last. His manners
are described as extremely courteous, and he exer-
cised a generous hospitality at his country home.
In the same year with Judge Foster, Benjamin
Heywood was elevated to a seat on this bench. He
was the son of a Shrewsbury-farmer, and had learned
and practiced in early life the trade of a carpenter.
His strong desire foran education overcame the diffi-
culties in his way, and he prepared for college and
entered Harvard in 1771. But here hindrances to the
pursuit of knowledge still met him. The country
was aroused to arms. With the other young men of
the institution, he felt the duty of bearing his share
in the impending conflict. At the opening of hos-
tilities he laid aside his books, followed the retreating
British forces after Concord fight, and wiis soon after
regularly commissioned an officer of the Provincial
Army. He rose to the rank of captain, and discharged
the difficult and responsible duties of regimental
paymaster with scrupulous fidelity and accuracy.
When, at the close of the war, the Continental Con-
gress found itself with a great debt, an army whose
pay was largely in arrears, and an empty treasury, a
most serious danger threatened the stability of the
independence which had been won. The soldiery
were naturally discontented and conscious of ill
treatment, and conscious also of their strength as a
united body. Captain Heywood was one of those
who at this juncture assisted Washington to allay
the growing impatience and to persuade the men to
disband peaceably, in the hope of justice from the
tardy people who had profited by their sufferings.
When, after peace was finally established, he returned
to his native town, he found himself called upon to
devote much of his time to the public. His neigh-
bors had learned to appreciate his integrity and the
soundness of his judgment. Later, he removed to
Worcester, where he cultivated a large farm, portions
of which remain in the hands of his descendants to
this day. In 1801 he succeeded Judge Dorr, and held
office so long as the court existed. He is the last
judge of any of the higher courts of this county who
was not educated for the legal profession.
John Sprague, who succeeded Artemas Ward as
chief of the Common Pleas, was, as has been
said, the only member of the bar before the Revolu-
tion who continued for any length of time to practice
in the courts under the new establishment. His first
competitor was Levi Lincoln, who was admitted
to the bar in Hampshire County, and began prac-
tice here as soon as the courts were opened in 1775.
Joshua Upham had not then abandoned his Brook-
field clientage, but remained only a few months
longer. Lincoln was the son of Enoch Lincoln, a
farmer of Hinghara, and had been apprenticed in
youth to a trade. In this employment he evidently
found he had no pleasure, and he succeeded, with the
assistance of friends who were impressed by his man-
ifest desire and aptness for learning and his serious
determination to obtain an education, in fitting him-
self to enter Harvard College. There he gradu.ated
in 1772, in his twenty-fourth year, and began the
study of the law in Newburyport. Later, he entered the
office of Joseph Hawley, of Northampton, who was
then of the highest rank in the profession, as well as
in the councils of the patriotic party. His studies
were interrupted by the call to arms in April, 1775,
but he soon returned to his books, and opened his
office in Worcester. At once he was made clerk of
the courts, and held the office a little over a year. No
doubt the duties interfered too seriously with the
great opportunity for professional business which lay
before him. Those who had been the leaders in every
walk in life, judges of the courts, lawyers, men of
wealth and cultivation, had in large numbers adhered
to the British cause, and were then in self-imposed
exile. To a man of Lincoln's superior ability it was
inevitable that the people should look for leadership
and advice. His powers matured early under the re-
sponsibilities which he was thus com|)elled to assume.
He possessed naturally great firmness of purpose and
THE BENCH AND BAK.
a sober judfrment, and throughout his long career,
much of which was passed prominently before the
public eye, what he accomplished was largely due to
the fact that what, on sufficient reflection, he felt to
be his duty, that he unfalteringly strove to do.
He had none of that long period of weary waiting
for clients which serves to some extent to winnow out
the wheat from the chafl' of modern aspirants for legal
honors. After the long vacation and the cessation
of general business natural to the beginning of so tre-
mendous a struggle as was then inaugurated, with
the first breathing space people realized that their
affairs at home still must receive attention. Lincoln
at once was overwhelmed with business. In 1779 he
was " specially designated to prosecute the claims of
government to the large estates of the Refugees, con-
fiscated under the Absentee Act." Mr. Willard says
of him : " He was without question at the head of the
bar from the close of the Revolution till he left our
courts, at the commencement of the present century.
His professional bus-iness far exceeded that of any
other member of the bar. He was retained in every
case of importance, and for many years constantly
attended the courts in Hampshire and Middlesex."
His great success shows that he made the best use
of his excellent opportunities. He was a most skill-
ful advocate before juries, pleasing in his address,
popular from his known public spirit, eloquent and
keen. It must have been a task most congenial to his
temperament when, as counsel in the celebrated case
involving the liberty of a negro, he was called upon
to maintain the equal rights of all men under the laws
of his native State. The suit was brought by one
Jennison against two of the name of Caldwell, for
enticing away a negro slave. Sprague was of counsel
for the plaintiff. Lincoln's argument, deduced from
the laws of God and nature, from the principles for
which the Colonies were even then contending, and
from the first article of the Massachusetts Bill of
Rights the proposition that in this State at least no
man could have the right to say that he was the
owner of another. So the court decided, and so, from
that day, has been the undisputed law.
With public duties and honors Lincoln's life was
replete. He sat in the convention to frame the Con-
stitution of the State, and in the Congress of the Con-
federation. He was State Senator, Councillor, Lieu-
tenant-Governor. In 1800 he was chosen to represent
his district in the Congress of the United States, but
had hardly taken his seat when President Jefferson
called upon him to enter the Cabinet as Attorney-
General. The duties of that station he discharged
with ability and faithfulness so marked as to cause
Jefferson to accept with the utmost reluctance and
with every evidence of regret bis resignation, after
four years of service.
In the more limited sphere of his native town he
was active for good. In the support of the freedom
of religious worship, of common-school education, of
advancement in the arts and sciences, in support of
government against faction and misrule, his voice and
influence were ever ready. The latter year.s of his
life he spent in a well-earned retirement, enjoying
the delights of literature, which his busy life had
only permitted him to sip. In 1820 he died, trans-
mitting to a line of descendants, as an especial legacy,
which they have never surrendered, his great quality
of faithfulness to duty.
In 1776 Mr. Lincoln was appointed judge of the
Probate Court for this county, and held the office for
six years. It was not until after the adoption of the
State Constitution that a law was passed establishing
and defining the jurisdiction of this court. As has
been said, the judges appointed from time to time had
been in theory the deputies of the Governor and
Council, in whom the jurisdiction really resided. In
1783 an act passed providing that an " able and
learned person" should be appointed in each county
for "taking the probate of wills and granting admin-
istration on the estates of persons deceased," for the
appointment of" guarclians to minors, idiots, and dis-
tracted persons," "examining and allowing the ac-
counts of executors, administrators, or guardians," and
other kindred matters.
One year after Lincoln, William Stearxs, of Lu-
nenburg, entered upon a brief career at the bar,
which was cut short by his death in 1784. Before he
decided upon making the law his profession he had
studied divinity and made a beginning in journalism.
He was a lovable man, who, even in the short time
he lived, made friends of all about him, and left a
reputation for kindness of heart, joined with talents,
that promised him a successful career. He was asso-
ciated with Sprague for the plaintiff in the case of
Jennison against Caldwell, to which reference has
been made.
The next admission was not until 1780. In that
year Dwight Foster, Dasiel Bigelow and Edward
Bangs took the oath. Bigelow was a Worcester man,
born in 1752. After graduation at Harvard he tried
his hand at pedagogy for a few months. Then, with
Stearns, he carried on a newspaper, which lived about
a year, when both its editors betook them to the law.
Bigelow settled in Petersham, and there won the con-
fidence of the community as a counsellor whose ad-
vice it was safe to follow, and as a suitable person to
be entrusted with legislative functions. For eight
years in House and Senate he represented his con-
stituents with fidelity, and until his death, in 1806,
retained the respect which he had fairly earned.
Edward Bangs, a native of Hardwick, was pursu-
ing his studies at Harvard when the news spread of the
British expedition to Concord, on the 19th of April.
He was a member of a company recruited from the
undergraduates, which had been drilled in anticipa-
tion that their services might be needed in some such
emergency. In the irregular warfare of that mem-
orable day he bore his part courageously. With true
HISTORY OF WORCESTER COUNTY, MASSACHUSETTS.
chivalry he made no war on the defenceless, and saved
the life of a wounded enemy whom others were about
to put to death. Although the regular course of
studies w!i8 interrupted by the exciting scenes that
followed, he continued to use his books at home, so
that when the recitations were resumed he was ready
to proceed with his class, and graduated in 1777, at
the age of twenty-one. Chief Justice Par3on<, then
practicing in Xewburyport, became his guide through
the mazes of the law, his college classmate, Rufus
King, being then also his fellow-student. After ad-
mission to the bar, in 1780, he formed a partnership
with Mr. Stearns for practice in Worcester, but after
two years concluded to try his fortunes alone. In
this he achieved a moderate success, though a biog-
rapher, from whom most of the material for these
sketches is drawn, says of him that " In his arguments
on questions of law ... he conceived the matter well,
and was methodical in his arrangement, and made
strong points, but was not sufficiently lucid in their
enunciation."
In 1805 he formed a partnership with William E.
Geeex, which continued till his elevation to the
bench, in 1811.
For several years he held the office of prosecuting
attorney for the county. From the asperities and dry
detail of his profession he found relief in the study of
the classics, in art, in music and in poetry. He was
a great admirer of the beauties of nature and a de-
voted horticulturist. At one time he tried his hand
at editing a newspaper, and was one of the eleven
members of this bar who, at different periods of its
precarious and stormy existence, endeavored to bear
up the jEffis which Francis Blake had intended should
throw its protection about the national policy of Mr.
Jefferson.
During the disturbance of 1780 and '87, known as
" Shays's Rebellion," he contributed by pen, voice and
arm to the upholding of the cause of order and good
government. When the rioters gained such numbers
and cohesion as to threaten some serious danger to
the State, he felt it his duty to enlist. The privations
of the campaign in the winter of 1786-87 — brief
though it was — were a severe strain upon his health,
the effects of which were felt through life.
In 1811 the old system of County Courts was abol-
ished, and the State divided into six circuits, for each
of which a Court of Common Pleas was established.
The Western Circuit consisted of Worcester, Hamp-
shire and Berkshire Counties. Each court consisted
of a chief and two associate justices, any two of whom
might hold the court. The jurisdiction was the same
as that of the County Courts which were superseded.
Mr. Bangs, who was then county attorney, was pro-
moted to a scat on the new tribunal, and retained that
position till the time of his death, in 1818.
The predecessor of Judge Bangs, in the office of
county attorney, was Nathaniel Paine ; born in Wor-
cester ; graduated at Harvard, and through life iden-
tified with the town of his birth. He studied law with
John Sprague, in Lancaster, who was then in himself
the bar of the county. That year (1775), however,
saw Levi Lincoln's entry upon his professional career,
and young Paine had before him most excellent ex-
amples in his instructor and his young rival. With
the exception of the four years immediately following
his admission to the bar, in 1781, when he lived in
Groton, Mr. Paine spent his life in Worcester. There,
one says of him, he " acquired a practice at one time
greater in extent, it is believed, especially in the col-
lection of debts, than was ever enjoyed by any other
professional man in the county." For thirty-five
years he discharged the delicite duties of judge
of the Probate Court for this county, succeeding
Judge Dorr, in 1801. In that court, where the widow
and the fatherless, the hapless victim of insanity and
the reckless prodigal are brought, in order that the
rights, which their own weakness is insufficient to
maintain, may be secured to them, it is needful that
a man of wide sympathies, of patience and of sound
judgmentshould preside. These qualities Judge Paine
possessed, and in his long term of service, which has
not its equal for duration in this county, and proba-
bly not in the state, they were ripened into the char-
acter of a model judge. Someone has observed that,
broadly speaking, in the course of a generation, less
than Judge Paine's official term, all the property of a
county passes through the processes of the Court of
Probate.
In 1817 an act was passed "to regulate the jurisdic-
tion and proceedings of the Courts of Probate," by
which all provisions of previous statutes were codified
and the methods of transacting the business of the
court established much as they are in vogue at the
present time. In 1823 thesystem of remuneration by
fees was abolished, and fixed salaries established for
judges and registers. In Worcester County the judge
was allowed six hundred dollars, and the register
eleven hundred dollars, the latter office, though of less
dignity, commanding a greater salary, inasmuch as it
occupied more thoroughly the time of the incumbent.
Judge Paine was distinguished for courtesy of man-
ner, for a habit of observation, a faculty of retaining
in his memory what he saw or heard, and great facility
in communicating his stores of anecdote thus treas-
ured up. He was accordingly a most delightful com-
panion — one who could entertain, by his own collo-
quial power, or who was ready to add to his acquisi-
tion by listening to others. He lived several years
after resigning his judicial functions, and died in 1840,
at the ripe age of eighty-two.
One of Levi Lincoln's students who obtained a
good standing at the bar was Seth Hastings, of Men-
don. He was born in Cambridge in 1762, and gradu-
ated at its university twenty years later. After com-
pleting his professional studies, he opened an ofllce
in Mendon, and made that town his home till the
close of a useful life of just three-score years and
THE BENCH AND BAE.
xxvu
ten. He was not a graceful orator, but a well-
grounded lawyer, in whom courts and juries recog-
nized a man who understood his subject, and rea-
soned it out in logical order. He was a member of
Congress for three terms and a State Senator later.
In 1819 be was made chief justice of the Court of
Sessions. Two of his sons adopted his profession,
and practiced in this county.
William Stedman was another Cambridge man
who settled in this county. He graduated from Har-
vard at nineteen in 1784, and entered the office of
Chief Justice Dana to fit himself for practice. Admit-
ted in Essex in 1787, he immediately chose Lancaster
for his field, and there obtained a considerable practice
as a counsellor. He filled the offices successively of
member of the Legislature, member of Congress and
clerk of the courts. He was well versed in the
learning of his profession, and greatly relied upon as
a counsellor, but did not obtain eminence as an
advocate. In Congress he was a general tavorite and
one of the wits of the House. His easy, affiible man-
ner, cheerlul disposition and ready fund of humor
made him popular in every circle. He was a strong
supporter of Federalist doctrines. At one time, in
retaliation for the imprisonment of some British-born
subjects who had become naturalized as American
citizens, a party of British officers were arrested in
this country. Ten of them were brought by the
United States mai-shal to Worcester for lodgment in
the county jail. The affair aroused considerable ex-
citement, and earnest protest was made by Francis
Blake, Stedman and others against the use of the
jail for such a purpose. Lincoln, on the other hand,
supported the demand of the marshal, and, after
some hot debate, persuaded the sheriff to permit the
incarceration of the prisoners. The sympathizers of
the latter endeavored to make the confinement as
tolerable as possible, and on one occasion gave them
an elaborate dinnerparty within the jail. Shortly
afterwards the prisoners overpowered their guard,
and effected an escape, and suspicion was not unnat-
urally directed to their late hosts as connivers at the
deliverance. This charge was many years later re-
futed by one of the officers themselves, who declared
that no assistance was rendered them by any Ameri-
cans. Mr. Stedman removed to Newburyport in the
latter part of his life, and. there died in 1831.
Pliny Merrick, the elder, was the son of a clergy-
man in Wilbraham, and, after graduation from Har-
vard, studied divinity, and for some years preached
occasional sermons. He had not sufficient health to
undertake the constant labors of a settled minister,
and felt obliged to try the milder climate of Vir-
ginia. There he was employed as a private tutor,
and improved his leisure in the study of the law.
Whether he thought the exactions of this profession
less arduous does not appear ; but he returned to
Massachusetts, completed his studies, was admitted
to the bar in Plymouth County, and announced his
readiness to receive clients in his native town. From
there he removed to Brookfield in 1788, and con-
tinued in practice till his death in 1814. He gave
evidence of fine talents as an advocate, and had
much of that rhetorical skill for which his son, the
late Judge Merrick, was distinguished. It has been
remarked that an unsuccessful lawyer often made a
good clergyman, but that one who left the pulpit for
the forum rarely bettered his condition. Mr. Mer-
rick seems to have been an exception to this general
statement ; for he gained a reputation as a sound
lawyer, while of his clerical efforts we learn little.
A rival of Merrick for the clientage of Brookfield
and its vicinity was Jabez Upham. He was born in
that town about the year 1764. His father was a
Revolutionary officer, holding the rank of captain at
the close of the war. The son more easily, if less glori-
ously, earned the title of major for peaceful service on
the staff of a general of militia. He showed his pluck
and persistence, however, by earning his way through
the coUegiate course. His class graduated in 1785, but
Upham disagreed with the faculty as to the just
rank which should be assigned him at commence-
ment, and left the college without the degree for
which he had made such exertions. He had, how-
ever, the more important acquisition, a mind well
trained and restored, and later received the diploma
which testified to the fact. After three years of
study in the office of Judge Foster he entered the
ranks of the profession, and looked about him for a
place in which to make essay of his powers. One or
two attempts in other towns convinced him that on
his native heath he was strongest, and in Brookfield
he passed his life, too early closed in 1811. Some
years before his death he met with an accident which
necessitated the amputation of a leg, an operation
from whose effects he never fully recovered. He was
twice chosen to a seat in Congress, succeeding Seth
Hastings as the representative of the Worcester
South District. Although he died at forty-seven,
when a lawyer is supposed to be at his best, he had
obtained a high position, and is spoken of with great
respect by contemporaries and men who knew his
reputation. His strength lay in a most painstaking
investigation of his case, and a persistence in bring-
ing out every point of law or fact on which he relied.
Nothing that he thought contributed to the strength
of his argument was omitted, even though the pa-
tience of his auditors was at times severely tested.
Not brilliancy, but unflagging effort was the means
of his success.
Not all the members of this bar have been high
examples of what is best in character and attain-
ments. Perhaps it is as well to remember by way
of warning that in the past, as now, men who have
set out with hopes as eager, with ambitions as lofty
and with opportunities apparently as favorable as
the most successful whom we have called to mind,
have fallen in the race or lagged very far behind the
HISTORY OF WORCESTER COUNTY, MASSACHUSETTS.
winners of the prizes. A very eccentric character
was a lawyer in Leominster. Of that town its local
historian remarks that it had been most fortunate in
the number of members of the bar there resident,
and follows this with the inexplicable jion-aequitur
that for the first half-century of its existence there
were no lawyers in the place.
Whatever subtle meaning may have lain in the
writer's mind, one of the lawyers must have furnished
some topic for tea-table gossip in the quiet village.
Asa Johnson graduated at Harvard in 1787, at an
age when most men are established in life. But his
career had theretofore been an exciting one. During
the Revolution he had served in the navy of the
Confederation, and had come out with quite a hand-
some share of prize money. With this he determined
to secure an education, and fitted himself for the bar
with credit. At one time he acquired a sufiicient
practice to lay by a competency, and was apparently
on the road to a respectable position as a country
counsellor. He was thoroughly honest, a good clas-
sical scholar and fond of his books. He possessed
an active intellect, and is described as an agreeable
conversationalist, quick at repartee when he could
be drawn into any social intercourse. But he was
one of those men in whom the social instinct seems
either never to have existed or to gradually disap-
pear. His religious views separated him widely
from the sympathy of his neighbors in that God-
fearing community. He was called an Atheist in
the days when a man who doubted the least of the
generally received dogmas was looked upon as in
serious danger of eternal punishment. Becoming
more and more a recluse, and permitting no one to
become intimate with him, the most fanciful stories
were told of his methods of life. It is said that he
cooked and ate cats, owls and reptiles in his lonely
home. His only intercourse with his fellow-men, at
length, was at the gaming table, and there he dissi-
pated the property he had laid by. In 1820, poor,
almost friendless and miserable, he died, an illustra-
tion, too often repeated, that man cannot fulfill the
aim of his being either to his own satisfaction or
with worldly success who lives wholly in and for
himself.
Prentice Mellen, who practiced law in Sterling
from 1789 to 1791, deserves a passing notice in these
chronicles, from the fact that in later years he be-
came chief justice of the highest court of the State of
Maine, and in that capacity reflected credit on the
State where he was educated, and the bar at which
his early impulse in the path of success was received.
The professional life of Benjamin Adam.s, cover-
ing close on to half a century, is one of those level
stretches of beautiful meadow which seems to S|)an
the interval between our point of departure and our
standing-ground, and to bring nearer to us the lofty
hills which we have left, and enable us to compare
them with the eminences close at hand. When Ad-
ams was admitted to the bar, in 1792, John Sprague
held the office of high sheriff, but that same year
resigned its duties to give his entire attention to his
large professional business. A few years later, as
chief justice of the Common Pleas, he doubtless in-
spired the young advocate with admiration for his
learning and dignity. Levi Lincoln was in the full
tide of a large and increasing practice, and was
already known as the man whose arguments had
abolished slavery on Massachusetts soil. The rugged
honesty of Artemas Ward secured for him the re-
spect on the bench even of the counsel, who appre-
ciated their superiority in knowledge of the law to
the old general, whose profession was rather of arms
than of briefs and writs.
Born in Mendon in 1764, Mr. Adams received a
liberal education at Brown University. He studied
law in Uxbridge with Colonel Tyler, who had been a
Revolutionary officer and was the first lawyer practic-
ing in the south part of the county. Tyler does not
seem to have obtained much eminence, or to have
long remained in practice. Soon after Adams was
admitted to the bar he succeeded to the business of
his preceptor, who then disappears from history.
Possessed of fair abilities and a steady purpose to
make the most of them, he acquired a substantial
practice and, what was better, the confidence of his
townsmen. On the death of Judge Brigham he was
elected to fill the vacant seat in Congress, and by suc-
cessive re-elections retained the office until 1823. In
that year he was defeated as a candidate by Jonathan
Russell, because of a speech made by Adams in favor
of the principle of protection. At that time Daniel
Webster had not seen the light which afterwards so
clearly illuminated his pathway as to cause him to
retrace his steps and forswear his logic. The great
statesman lent his matchless powers to exposing the
fallacies which Adams upheld, in so forcible a manner
that neither he nor any one who has come after him
has been able to answer the argument, and the result
was Adams's defeat. In very truth he was before hia
time. An ample fortune which he had accumulated
he lost by unfortunate investments in manufacturing
enterprises, and it may not be an unwarrantable in-
ference that his own ill success caused him to feel
more deeply the need of some protection by the State,
for business that in itself was profitless.
He is described as a man of peculiarly even tem-
perament, who did not sufl'er prosperity or adversity
to throw him from his balance. An upright Christian
gentleman, he did the duties that lay near him, use-
fully serving his community in whatever way his
hand found to do. In a county whose bar boasted be-
fore his death of the fame of the second Levi Lincoln,
of Charles Allen and of Emory Washburn ; his attain-
ments were not of an order to be loudly heralded.
None the less they were a distinct contribution to the
welfare of his neighborhood. His talents were hon-
estly put to their best use, so that it could be said the
THE BENCH AND BAR.
XXIX
world was better for his life. In 1837, a few years
after the late Peter C. Bacon came to the bar, he died
in Uxbridge, where his active life had been spent.
Of the fame of an orator only one who has listened
to the magic of the living voice, and felt his own en-
thusiasm aroused beneath the spell of the vivid elo-
quence, is fitted to speak with authority. Francis
Blake was pre-eminently a master of the art of
speech. His other titles to remembrance have been
subordinated to this in the minds of those who have
spoken and written in his praise. The late Judge
Thomas, a critic qualified by his skill in the same art,
has said of him: "In theCourt-House . . . he won by
his sweetness and commanded by his dignity ; where
his learning and logic convinced, where his wit and
humor convulsed Bench, Bar and Jury; where his
passion aroused to indignation or melted into tears;
where now his genius, his eloquence and his name
even are but a tradition ; where the orb has sunk long
since below the horizon ; and the eye catches only
the last lingering, fading hues of twilight. Such is
the history and the fate of forensic eloquence."
Mr. Blake was the son of a Revolutionary officer
who lived in Rutland until the boy was five years old
when he removed to Hinghara. In that town the
Reverend Joseph Thaxter, afterwards a distinguished
clergyman, taught the pupils of a grammar-school.
Under his excellent instruction Blake made such
rapid progress in preparation for college that he en-
tered Harvard much the youngest member of his
class and graduated in 1781), when only in his six-
teenth year. He was considered one of the brightest
and most accomplished scholars of his class; nor do
his faculties seem to have been unduly stimulated nor
his brain turned by his rapid advancement. He soon
began the study of the law in Mr. Sprague's office in
Lancaster, and at twenty was admitted to the bar,
thoroughly equipped for the race for legal distinction.
For a few years he tried the quality of his metal in
Rutland, his native village, where he obtained a busi-
ness sufficient to warrant his entering a larger field.
In 1802 he came to Worcester, and there practiced
until, in the year preceding his death, his failing
health compelled him to give up his severe labors and
assume the less exacting duties of clerk of the courts.
At the time that he came to Worcester the contest of
parties which had resulted in the defeat of the Feder-
alists was still exciting the i)ublic mind. Mr. Jeffer-
son's policy was fiercely attacked by the opposition,
and Blake's ardent temperament impelled him to
eagerly support the administration whose success he
had desired. The publication of a newspaper called
the National JEgis was begun, principally as a result
of his efforts, and he undertook the editorial duties.
Through a large part of President Jefferson's first
term Blake's pen and influence were constantly de-
voted to the promulgation and defence of the doctrines
of the Republicans, as they were then called. In
1804 he reiired from the field of journalism, leaving
the paper to other hands. Under the editorial guid-
ance of several different members of the bar it passed
through various experiences of the uncertainties of
newspaper life until its mission ended.
For two years Mr. Blake represented the county in
the State Senate, but aside from this held no political
office. His real triumphs were in the court-room.
For his success there it is instructive to learn that he
did not depend upon his abundant resources of intel-
lectual gifts.
Mr. Willard says, " It is a wrong impression that
Mr. Blake made but slight preparation in his causes.
But few could have discovered more investigation, or
have given more satisfactory proofs of diligent and
thorough study in the management of his causes. . . .
His briefs were remarkably full," and showed "that
mental effort had been tasked in a degree to which
few in full and successful practice are willing or able
to submit."
With powers apparently just developed to their
highest value, and the brightest prospect of an hon-
orable career, his physical health gave way. In 1817,
when only forty-two, he died poor, as is the lot of most
great advocates, but rich in friends and reputation.
One of Mr. Blake's law students and ardent ad-
mirers was a Worcester boy, Samuel Brazer, born in
1785. At the outset of his career he was placed in
the employ of a mercantile house in Boston, where
it was intended that he .should fit himself to become
<>ne of the substantial merchants of that thriving
town. He evinced, however, so decided a taste and
aptitude for literary pursuits, that he was allowed to
enter Leicester Academy to prepare fcr college. He
had that treacherous facility in acquiring knowledge
from books which often leads its possessor to rely on
hasty and superficial attention to his tasks. His
ready wit and spirit of mischief led him into some
pranks which resulted in his incurring the displeas-
ure of his instructors and the abandonment of his
plans for a college course.
Entering Blake's office, he found himself in the
midst of political turmoil, rather than an atmosphere
adapted to profound study, such as so volatile a char-
acter most required. He entered with zeal into the
exciting controversies of the day, contributed to the
^Egis, and evidently acquired a taste for politics,
«hich overcame every ether interest or ambition.
He was by no means unfitted fur jjublic life. Numer-
ous prose writings and occasional addresses show a
considerable ability, and a few ventures in the realms
of poetry prove his command of language and active
imiigination.
After admission to the bar he began practice in
New Salem, but its detail soon became distasteful.
He could not reconcile himself to the quiet life of
the country lawyer, waiting for clients. He moved
to Baltimore, and died there in 1823, without having
realized the hopes of his friends or the promise of
his youth.
HISTORY OF WORCESTER COUNTY, MASSACHUSETTS.
One of the justices of the Supreme Court in the
first years of the century was Simeon Strong, who
had been distinguished as a lawyer before the Revo-
lution, and had continued practice not only in his
county of Hampshire, but in our courts after the
war. His son, Solomox Strong, adopted his father's
profession, and was admitted to the bar in 1800, just
before his father was appointed to the bench. He
was born in Amherst in 17S0, and received his educa-
tion at Williams College. Somewhat of a rolling-
stone, we find him practicing successively in Royal-
ston, Athol, Westminster and Leominster. Notwith-
standing his apparent instability, he had acquired a
competent knowledge of the law and retained a good
clientage for many years. Two terms in Congress,
besides several in the Slate Legislature, showed that
he had the confidence and esteem of his constituents,
and his qualifications as a lawyer were recognized by
his appointment to the bench of the Circuit Court of
Common Pleas upon the death of Judge Bangs, in
1818.
By an act of the General Court, which took effect
in 1821, the system of Circuit Courts was abolished,
and the Court of Common Pleas for the Common-
wealth established. By its provisions four justices
were to be appointed, any one of whom could hold a
session of the court. The terms were to be held at
the same times and places as had previously been
provided for the Circuit Courts, and the jurisdiction,
rules, and methods of procedure of the new court
were changed in no essential particular. The act
provides "that the chief justice of said Court of
Common Pleas shall, during his continuance in oflice,
receive from the treasury of the Commonwealth, in
full, for his services, the sum of twenty-one hundred
dollars annually," and the associates in like manner
the sum of eighteen hundred dollars. All fees there-
tofore paid to the justices of the Circuit Courts are
directed to be paid into the treasury of the Common-
wealth. The change seems,on the whole, to have been
principally in the interests of economy, for under the
new statute four judges at fixed salaries took the
place of ten under the circuit system, who received
an uncertain rate of compensation, dependent largely
on fees.
The first chief justice was Artemas Ward, then of
Newton, son of the old general and judge. Judge
Strong was appointed the senior associate, and for
twenty-two years, until his resignation, continued to
discharge his judicial functions with dignity and
credit. He died in Leominster in 1850. During the
last years of his life, alter his retirement from the
bench, his patience was tried by disease and sufl^er-
ing. His cheerful courage sustained him through it
all, and added another to his titles to our respect.
When in the first year of the present century Levi
Lincoln assumed the duties of Attorney-General of
the United States he was in command of the most
extensive practice in this vicinity, often called into
adjoining counties, and in the foremost rank of advo-
cates in the Commonwealth. During his four years
service in Washington he could not have retained
the same control of his great clientage as formerly.
In 1805 he stated as one of his reasons for resisting
the urgent request of President Jefferson that he
would remain in the Cabinet, that his duties to his
family required his presence at home, and it appears
not improbable that he may have been thinking of
his son just completing his studies and ready to enter
upon a professional career, in the outset of which the
father's experience and established business connec-
tions would be of infinite value. The son taking up
the name, the profession, and the position in the
community of his father added, as time went on, new
dignities to each.
Born in Worcester in 1782, his reputation is the
peculiar pride of the city in whose growth and wel-
fare he always took the profoundest interest, and
where he made his home.
He graduated from Harvard in 1802, and studied
law in his father's oflBee, though without the advan-
tage of the daily presence and advice of the busy
Attorney-General. When he began his practice,
however, the senior Lincoln had returned from Wash-
ington, and for several years thereafter continued to
practice in our courts. The young counsellor needed
no outside influence to recommend him to those in
search of a sound legal adviser and earnest advocate.
He very early made his qualifications apparent,and with
such rivals as Jabez Upham, Francis Blake and John
Davis, the position of leadership at the bar, to which he
attained, was not won without many a hard-fought con-
test. The power of incessant application and a most
determined will were his, and by these he overcame
obstacles that sometimes seemed too great for him to
cope w'ith. He left the practice of the law at forty-
two, and survived all of his cotemporaries in the pro-
fession, so that we have not the testimony of those who
had heard him as an advocate. But he told friends
of "the overwhelming labor which his successes
cost him ; how he would watch the night out in the
study of his cases, and then go in the morning into
the court-room, with a throbbing brain, and speak for
hours." Efforts of such a character could only be
sustained by vigorous physical health, which to the
last years of his life Governor Lincoln possessed. As
a result of his careful preparation, he acquired a com-
plete mastery of his faculties, so that in the vicissi-
tudes of trials he was ready to use to the best advan-
tage all his mental resources. He had a great com-
mand of language and of admirably clear statement,
which entitled him to be called an eloquent speaker.
Certainly he was a most convincing one. His style
was not encumbered with rhetorical ornaments, but
plain, substantial and direct. When, in the year of
his appointment to the bench of the Supreme Court,
he gave up businefs, hehad acquired a position at the
bar second to none in the Commonwealth, and a
THE BENCH AND BAR.
competent fortune, which raised him above the need
of anxiety during the years which he devoted to the
pulilic service.
His political honors are naturally those which have
most prominently been associated with the memory of
his name. In 1812 he was a member of the Slate
Senate, and was a strong supporter of the administra-
tion in its measures which resulted in the war with
Great Britain. The majority in this State were in-
tensely opposed to the war, and here at tUe outset of
his career Lincoln exhibited his independence of'judg-
ment and courage in supporting his convictions. He
was rewarded by seeing a strong sentiment built up
in favor of sustaining the war after we were engaged.
In 1814, as a member of the House of Representa-
tives, he protested with vigor against the resolution
which resulted in our participation in the famous
Hartford Convention. Defeated by a large majority
in the General Court, he drew up a protest which was
signed by the minority, and widely circulated through
the country, bringing its author into national repute.
The convention was held, but its action, beyond fur-
nishing a test for secessionists' arguments in later
years, had no result, and aroused but short-lived
interest.
For several years Mr. Lincoln represented Wor-
cester in the Legislature — always with credit. In
1822 he was elected Speaker of the House, in which
a majority were of the opposite political party. This
is an evidence of that remarkable freedom from par-
tisan bias which he displayed on all occasions. Many
year.s afterwards, when a member of Congress, he felt
it his duty to reply to an attack which a member of
his own party had made upon the President, to whom
he was politically opposed, and did it with so much
dignity and efiTect that the supporters of the adminis-
tration published his remarks. He would not win by
any but the fairest means and the most direct argu-
ments.
His promotion was rapid. He left the Legislature
for the Lieutenant-Governorship, and while in that
office was appointed an associate justice of the Supreme
Court. On that bench he remained only a year, but
brought to the performance of its duties a learning
and a dignified urbanity, which gave evidence that
there als > he would have added to his reputation, and
to that of the court, already distinguished for its high
character. In 182-5 he received the nomination for
the ollice of Governor of Massachusetts from both
political parties. He said that, owing to his judicial
position, this was the only way in which he should
have considered it proper to accept the nomination.
For nine years he held the office by successive re-
elections, most of thom practically uncontested, and
no more faithful or efficient officer has filled the chair.
Interested in everything that could contribute to the
welfare of the Commonwealth, he imparted a stimulus
to internal improvements of all kinds. Canals and
railroads, the improvement of agriculture, the up-
building of manufactures, reforms of the prisons and
of hospitals for the insane, the establishment of
Normal Schools, all received his energetic attention.
Declining to accept a tenth terra as Governor, he
was persuaded to take the seat in Congress left vacant
by the election of John Davis to the gubernatorial
office. There he remained during four Congresses,
and again sought to retire among his friends and his
home enjoyments, free from the constant turmoil
of public life.
During the rest of his life this retirement was
broken only at intervals. In 1848 Worcester, having
received a charter, organized its municipal govern-
ment, and called upon him, as its first citizen, to
occupy the mayoralty. This duty ho cheerfully per-
formed for one year. For twenty years thereafter he
lived amid its growing population and thriving indus-
tries, always interested in every movement of progre.-s,
and contributing by his management of his large
landed property to rendering it a city of beautilul
streets and home-like residences. Much of his time
was devoted to the encouragement of agriculture. In
his own tine farm and herd of cattle he took infinite
delight, and the Worcester Agricultural Society, of
which he was president for thirty years, owed much
to his constant care. Though eminently a man of
affairs rather than of books, he took a deep and
rational interest in scientific and literary investigations.
The American Antiquarian Society acknowledges
its indebtedness for his contributions to its library,
and his own share in its proceedings.
His pastor, the Rev. Alonzo Hill, speaks of him as
a deeply religious man, constant in every good word
and work for the church and society which his father
had been largely instrumental in establishing. Regu-
lar in his attendance on public worship, his erect
figure was every Sunday to be seen on his way to the
church, a mile from his home, until the infirmities of
age in the last year of his life prevented.
One who knew him well says that his great charac-
teristic was faithfulness — a thoroughness in whatever
matter, large or small, that he undertook. He had
an ambition to possess the respect and good-will of
the public, but this ambition was subordinate to the
determination to deserve that esteem. No consider-
ations of present advantage or of personal friendship
were sufficient to deter him from the course which
seemed to him the proper one. This was well illu.s-
trated when, as Governor, it became necessary for him
to appoint a chief justice of the Supreme Court to
succeed Judge Parker. Resisting the claims of an
intimate friendship, the urgency of influential sup-
porters and a natural desire to gratify long-standing
expectations, he selected a man whom his judgment
a-sured him was best qualified for the office. Long
afterwards he used to say that the act of hia Governor-
ship on which he looked back with the most complete
satisfaction was the giving to the judicial history of
the Commonwealth the services of Lemuel Shaw, and
HISTORY OF WORCESTER COUNTY, MASSACHUSETTS.
every lawyer must sympathize with this self-congratu-
lation.
During the Civil War he was a most earnest sup-
porter of the government by word and act. Too far
advanced in years himself to take the field, his elo-
quent words incited others and his steady courage
sustained the drooping faith of those who doubted
our ultimate triumph. His last public service was to
act aa one of the electors-at-Iarge, and to cast a ballot
for Abraham Lincoln in 1864. A patriot to the core,
with a son and grandson in active service, he never
felt that he had done enough for his country while
there remained any service which in its hour of need
he could perform.
Judge Washburn has well summed up his virtue
when he says : " I have little hesitation in saying
that I have never known one whose life and character
had more of completeness in its composition than
his. Among his characteristics were a steadiness of
purpose, a quickness in expedients, a judgment cool
and well-balanced, discriminating nicely in the selec-
tion of agents and the application of means, and withal,
a courage that shrunk from no responsibility, and an
industry that was alike incessant and unwearied."
Long may such citizens be found among us, long
may we recognize and honor them, and God loitl save
the Commonwealth of Massachusetts.
In 1868, the year of Governor Lincoln's death,
there passed away a life-long friend who had arrived
at an equal length of days. Rejoice Newton was a
native of Greenfield, and a graduate of Dartmouth Col-
lege in 1807. After studying law for three years he
was admitted in Hampshire County, and was so for-
tunate as to form a partnership with Francis Blake,
then at the height of his successful practice in Wor-
cester. This connection continued for four years,
which must have been full of instruction and inspi-
ration to the younger man, while the latter's method-
ical habits and calm judgment must have been of
service to the brilliant orator. After the dissolution
of the partnership the friendly relations were still
maintained, as is evinced by letters written by Mr.
Blake in the last year of his life.
For seven years Newton discharged with efficiency
the duties of prosecuting attorney for the county.
At the end of that time, in 1820, he formed a part-
nership with Wm. Lincoln, the scholarly historian, a
brother of Governor Lincoln. As a lawyer, he was
respected as a safe and careful adviser. In the House
and Senate of the State he served usefully several
terras. In numerous business enterprises of the cily
he took an active interest, and his services were in
request on boards of directors of financial institu-
tions. By attention to business and judicious invest-
ments he accumulated a handsome property, and was
able to retire from active pursuitsand enjoy his books
and his farm during the last ten or fifteen years of
his life. Like Governor Lincoln, he had a great fond-
ness for
Heath and woodland
Tilth and vineyard, hive and horse, and herd.
His tastes in this respect he was able to gratify, for
his broad acres were his only care for many years.
One of the beautiful hills which overlooks the city of
his adoption still bears his name, and now, annexed
to an adjacent park, reminds us that the farms of a
few years ago are becoming the city locations of to-
day.
It was remarked of Mr. Newton that, winning or
losing in the court-room, his imperturbable temper
was never disturbed. Such a command over one's
«elf is invaluable to any man, but to none more than
to the advocate, when, iu the sharp contests of jury
trials, a keen opponent is ready to take advantage of
every lapse, and the twelve men are observing as
carefully the conduct of the counsel as the statements
of the witnesses.
At the ripe age of eighty-five Mr. Newton com-
pletely withdrew from that world which had become
accustomed to his absence by the strictness of his
retirement from active life. The papers of the day,
in alluding to his death, spoke of him as one not
known to their modern generation.
This bar has contributed largely from its numbers
to the ranks of historical scholars. In the case »f
Isaac Goodwin the taste for investigation of the rec-
ords of the past and for literary work was so strong
as to make the ordinary business of the lawyer a dis-
tasteful drudgery. Born in the town of Plymouth in
1786, and pursuing his studies there until he was ad-
mitted to the bar, in 1808, it would have been strange
if he had not imbibed a love and reverence for the
tradition of olden time. He did not receive a colle-
giate education, but, after passing through the com-
mon schools, entered the office of Joshua Thomas, a
dislinguished counsellor in his native town. His
first office he opened iu Boston, but, after a trial of
less than a year, sought a le^s thoroughly occupied
field for his unpracticed efforts in the town of Ster-
ling, in this county. There he undertook such busi-
ness as came to him, and found leisure for his favorite
studies. His contributions to legal literature were
works of considerable value. The first, a treatise on
the duties of town officers, was a much-needed guide
for the conduct of country selectmen through diffi-
culties that not infrequently perplex them. In later
years it was the foundation of a larger and more com-
plete work on the same subject by Judge Thomas,
which for years remained a standard reference book.
Whether such compilations do not as often mislead
the lay reader who relies on his own interpretation of
their language as they assist hira may be doubted,
but in the hands of the trained student they prove
most useful tools. " The New England SheriflF" was
his second venture in this field, and till this day that
work is a valued part of a lawyer's library.
In 1826 he removed to Worcester, where he had al-
ready formed strong literary friendships with William
THE BENCH AND BAR.
I^incoln and Christopher Baldwin, the editors of
Tlie Worcester Magazine, and other gentlemen of like
tastes. For this periodical he wrote a general history
of Worcester County, which continued through sev-
eral numbers, and also a history of Sterling. Both
these writings gave evidence of painstaking investi-
gation, and the earnest desire of the author for im-
partial accuracy. His style is not enlivened by
many of the graces of diction, but the plain tale is
set down with aJmirably terse exactitude. To state
the facts was the aim he set before him, and to do
that well is more than half the power of the success-
ful advocate.
He was often called upon to deliver addresses of an
historical nature. His oration on the one hundred
and fiftieth anniversary of the destruction of Lancas-
ter by the Indians, was one of the most noteworthy
of these. His death occurred in 1832, when in his
forty-seventh year.
For more than twenty years a most prominent fig-
ure at all sessions of the higher courts in this coun-
ty, adding dignity to every occasion, was that of
Sherifl' Willard. He was a native of Harvard, born
in 1784, and entered the bar in 1809, after a course of
study in the office of Richard H. Dana, in Boston.
For a short time he practiced in Petersham, but soon
removed to Fitchburg.
In 1824 Governor Lincoln, with his usual sagacity,
selected him for the office of high sheriff of the
county. His manner of discharging the duties of
that position was a model for all who should come
after him. Courteous and respectful to all, he in-
sisted that the decorum which he ob.served on public
occasions should not be infringed by others. With
the instincts of the old-school gentleman, he was
most careful in his regard for the etiquette to be
maintained in his relations to court and bar. To a
greater extent than in our modern haste we are apt
to imagine, a resjject for forms assists rather than re-
tards the proper dispatch of business, and the digni-
fied sheriff, Calvin Willard, ever entered his ear-
nest protest against any attempt to override the estab-
lished order, on the plea of a more expeditious re-
sult. After resigning his office in 1844, he lived in
Millbury and Worcester until his death, in the latter
city, in 1867.
For forty years of Worcester's steady growth in all
the arts of peace her prosperity was shared by Sam-
uel M. BuuNSiDE. The contrast between the sur-
roundings of his birthplace and of his mature life is
striking. He was born in 1783, in Northumberland,
then a frontier town in New Hampshire. There his
father, a typical frontiersman, who had fought in the
French and Indian Wars, had established a home in
the wilderness, and had maintained his foothold
despite rude climate and desolating s.avage. Through
the Revolution he served in military expeditions,
and in the intervals cultivated the land which
he had so hardly secured. From such environ-
c
ments the son went out to the life of a steady law-
yer, in a community remarkable for the quiet of
its every-day life, where nothing more terrilile than
the sham battles of training-day disturbed the seren-
ity of the inhabitants. He brought with him to his
work the same persistent energy which carried the
father over difficulties, and placed the son in posses-
sion of fortune and reputation. After graduating
from Dartmouth in 1S05, and a year or two of peda-
gogic experience, he entered the office of Artemas
Ward, then practicing in Charlestown. Mr. Burn-
side says that the practice of Judge Ward was then
immense, and that he was so much of the time ab-
sent from bis office that his students were left much
to their own discretion in their course of study. He
had, however, an opportunity to draw conveyances
and pleadings under the supervision of his preceptor,
which was of great value in forming habits of accu-
racy and conciseness of expression. In 1810 he was
admitted as an attorney in the Supreme Court with-
out having, as was the usual rule, been previously
sworn at the bar of the Common Pleas. In the same
year he came to Worcester, and commenced business
with an excellent preparation for success.
Those who knew him speak of his great industry
and his mastery of fundamental principles as the con-
spicuous elements of his power. Well read in the
learning of bis profession, he wisely diversified his
pursuits by a continued attention to the classics, and
in the latter years of his life, during which he gave
up active labors these studies provided a constant
source of enjoyment for his well-earned leisure. He
died in 1850, but his name is still associated with the
business interests of the city, where are the evidences
of his prosperous career.
Edward D. Bangs was the son of Judge Edward
Bangs, who has been mentioned. He was born in
Worcester in 1790 and studie 1 in his father's office.
Admitted to the bar in 1813, he at once formed a
partnership with William E. Green, who had been
associated with his father previous to the latter's ele-
vation to the bench. Though esteemed a good law-
yer and careful of the interests committed to him, he
never acquired a fondness for professional labors.
His mind rather turned towards purely literary in-
vestigations, and in his position as Secretary of State,
to which he was elected in 1824, he found duties
much more fitted to his tastes. He always seemed to
take pleasure in assisting the inquiries of others in
his department, and spent the happiest years of his
life in the Boston State-House. He was elected a
member of the Constitutional Convention of 1820,
and was associated in the representation of Worces-
ter with Levi Lincoln. His youth and modesty pre-
vented his taking an active part in the proceedings
of that body or of the House of Representatives,
where he sat for several years. He succeeded Re-
joice Newton in the office of county attorney, but re-
signed in a few months to assume the Secretaryship
HISTORY OF WORCESTER COUNTY, MASSACHUSETTS.
of State. His health had become so impaired in
1836 as to cause his retirement from office, and he
lived but two years longer. He was distinguished
for his gentlemanly bearing and invariable courtesy
of manners — ^jualities which he inherited from his
father. Like him, also, he was a devoted horticul-
turist — a tjiste which seems naturally asaociated with
gentle breeding.
Massachusetts was most fortunate in having in her
public service, at the same time, two such men as
Levi Lincoln and Joiix Davis, and that they were
trained to command the applause of listening senates
in the forensic contests of the Worcester Court-house
will always remain the pride and the incentive of the
young aspirant for legal honors at our bar. Born in
Xorthborough in 1788, some six years later than Gov-
ernor Lincoln, and finding more obstacles to his
rapid progress in youth than the son of the Attorney-
General, Mr. Davis, through life, pressed close upon
the footsteps of his predecessor, and in generous
rivalry left it doubtful which should deserve best of
the republic. He was descended of a line of sturdy
yeomen, the first of whom in this country was Dolor
Davis, whose name is found upon the Cambridge
records in 1634. His father, Isaac Davis, a respected
farmer of Northborough, found it a task sufficiently
laborious to force from the reluctant soil a comfort-
able living for his large family, and he of them who
would secure an education must struggle for it him-
self. Until he was nineteen years old John Davis,
by his own account, was employed most of his time
upon the farm. He, however, found sufficient time
for study by himself and in the district schools to fit
himself for Leicester Academy, where he made good
use of the short time at his disposal, and entered
Yale College in 1808. There he graduated in due
course with high honors. Francis Blake was, at that
time, in the very zenith of his brilliant power, and
his reputation attracted to his office the youth emu-
lous of his fame. After three years of study with
Mr. Blake, Davis was admitted to the bar in 1815.
For a few months he tried the worth of his acquire-
ments in Spencer, and no doubt was satisfied that he
could bear his part in a more crowded forum, for he
soon came back to Worcester and there set up his
standard.
The next year Mr. Blake's failing health compelled
him to withdraw from active practice, and Mr. Davis
succeeded to his office and his business. Undertak-
ing the task of wearing such a mantle and called
upon at once to contend with antagonists so formid-
able as Lincoln, Newton, and Burnside, his powers
were put to proof and rapidly developed. In the ten
years that elapsed before he entered Congress and
Lincoln became a judge he had attained a com-
manding position, and had increased the large client-
age which he inherited from Blake. As a lawyer it
was said of him that he did not possess a considerable
familiarity with reported decisions, but that his well-
trained judgment and clear perception of the funda-
mental principles of law generally brought him to a
correct conclusion as to what the law ought to be,
and he then proceeded to sustain his position by the
arguments which had convinced his own mind, and
by precedents illustrative of the principles which he
maintained. Courts learned to know that his argu-
ments were based on careful reasoning and might be
relied on to contribute something towards the deci-
sion of the issue, even though they might fail to
carry complete conviction. Before juries his evident
candor, his plain statement of the facts as he viewed
them, and entire comprehension of the way in which
his array of evidence would impress the mind of the
unprejudiced auditor, give him a power which pressed
strongly towards a favorable verdict. Judge Paine
remarked of him that he had more common sense
than any three lawyers of his acquaintance, and this
saving grace was conspicuous in all his actions and
utterances.
For a year previous to Mr. Lincoln's promotion
to the Supreme Court he joined forces with Mr.
Davis in practice. Afterwards the firms of Davis &
Charles Allen and Davis & Emory Washburn trans-
acted a large share of the business of the county, and
proved most formidable allies until 1834, when Gov-
ernor Davis finally retired from the courts to give his
attention exclusively to public duties. In the dis-
charge of these, as was most natural, he won his most
wide-spread distinction.
His political career began with his election to Con-
gress in 1824. During his first term he was rather
an observer than an active participant in debate, but
in 1827 he attracted attention by his earnest advocacy
of the so-called American system. From that time
onward he was an able champion of the protective
tariff on every occasion, and whatever may bethought
of the soundness of his deductions, it is certain that
he handled his facts with skill and presented with
utmost vigor the now hackneyed arguments which
have prevailed with the majority of New Englanders
to the present time. His speech in reply to iVIcDuffie,
of South Carolina, the leader of the free trade party
in the House, was esteemed his most powerful pre-
sentation of the case, and gave him a national repu-
tation.
A declaration made in one of his speeches is re-
markable by contrast with what any member of Con-
gress at the present day would be able to say on the
same subject. In defending his constituents from
the charge of self-seeking in their demand for tariff
legislation, he says: " During the seven years I have
held a seat on this floor, no one has applied to me to
'ask any favor of the Executive for him, nor has any
one sought my assistance in procuring an appoint-
ment of any kind, unless it is to be the deputy of
some little village post-office." If our representa-
tives could obtain a like exemption from vexatious
importunity, their undistracted attention to purely
1
THE BENCH AND BAR.
XXXV
legislative duties might bring forth at least some re-
sult.
In 1833 Governor Lincoln announced that he
should not again be a candidate, and the Whig Con-
vention, with practical unanimity, selected Mr.
Davis as their nominee. He accepted with evident
reluctance, feeling that his usefulness in Congress
was assured, while the new honor brought with it
untried responsibilities. His loss to the service of
the whole country was deplored outside of Massa-
chusetts, one of the influential journals declaring
that he was the right arm of the Massachusetts dele-
gation in Congress.
The Anti-Masonic party, then at the culmination
of its strength in this State, had put in nomination
John Quincy Adams, and Davis was made to feel it
his duty to accept the leadership of his party in a
dubious conflict, and such it proved to be. In the
popular election there was no choice, but in the
Legislature Davis received a majority. The difficult
task of acceptably filling the chair which his friend
Lincohi had so long adorned he accomplished with
credit, and was elected for a second term, but re-
signed when chosen to fulfill the more congenial du-
ties of United States Senator. In that august body,,
where he sat from 1835 to 1841, and from 1845
to 1853, he was cotemporary with the triumvi-
rate, Webster, Calhoun and Clay, whose overshad-
owing greatness tradition continues to magnify. But
reading the plain story of the times, it is evident
that Senator Davis was a potent factor in moulding
legislation, and that his grasp of national questions
was in most cases liberal and always strong enough
to make itself felt. Not only on the tarill'. but on
our commercial relations, the fisheries, financial
topics and our intercourse with foreign powers, he
made his opinion respected by making his knowledge
evident.
His two terms of service in the Senate were di-
vided by two years in the State Governorship and
two years of private life. He lived but one year
after retiring from the Senate, in 1853, to enjoy that
contemplation of a life well spent, which he might
so deservedly anticipate.
Two years after Mr. Davis' admission to the bar
there applied to the examiners for this county a tall,
slender youth, whose clear-cut profile, close curling
locks and keen glance gave to his countenance an
almost classic beauty. As his exarainatiou pro-
ceeded, the questioners became so interested in the
thoroughness of the knowledge he displayed, and the
aptness of his replies, that for their own gratification
they prolonged their inquiries after they were satis-
fied of the qualification of the candidate for en-
trance to the bar.
The young man was Charles Allex, then in his
twenty-first year. His father, Joseph Allen, was
clerk of the courts for this county for thirty-three
years, succeeding the elder Levi Lincoln in that ca-
pacity. He was a fine scholar, and a gentleman of
that refined and elegant school of manners often
spoken of as old, but by no means obsolete at the
present day. Charles Allen was born in Worcester
in 1797. Three generations back he counted as his
ancestor a sister of Samuel Adams, and the stead-
fast independence of that old patriot was clearly re-
flected in his kinsman of the later day. After pre-
paring for college at Leicester Academy he entered
Yale when onlj^ fourteen. There he remained only
a year, severing his connection for reasons that were
said by his pastor to reveal " the delicateness of his
sensibility, but reflected no dishonor upon him."
Immediately he entered the office of Mr. Burnside,
then in full practice, and so diligently improved his
youthful powers as to meet the examination in 1817
with the result described.
For six years he practiced in New Braintree, and
a discriminating eulogist says : " When, some twenty-
five or thirty years later, I commenced practice in the
same community, the reputation he had won there,
in those early years, was still spoken of with ad-
miration and pride by those who had been the clients
and friends of the young lawyer, and who had fol-
lowed him through all his subsequent and more con-
spicuous public career." In 1824 be removed to
Worcester, and became associated with John Davis,
who, though ten years his senior, had been but two
years longer at the bar. He was not a case lawyer
nor a reader of many books. Thoroughly well
grounded in leading principles, it was his habit to
think out his line of reasoning while pacing his of-
fice or walking in the open air. It was said that the
definitions of Blackstone were impressed upon his
memory almost verbafiin, and although he gave to
every case most careful preparation, it was rather a
process of reflection and logical deduction from es-
tablished premises than a resort to the writings or
decisions of jurists who had preceded him. His
great power lay in cross-examination. In the use of
this most dangerous weapon, more fatal to the un-
skillful wielder than all the armory of his opponent,
he was an adept whose superior, by the testimony of
living witnesses, most competent to judge, has not
arisen in this Commonwealth from his time to the
present. Terrible is the word used by one to describe
his treatment of a witness whom he believed to be
testifying to an untruth, and with merciless direct-
ness question would follow question till the best fab-
ricated story was exjjosed. He realized, too, the
danger of attempting too much with an adverse wit-
ness, and never committed the mistake of strength-
ening the direct testimony of his opponent by per-
mitting its repetition in reply to cross-questioning.
His general rule was never to examine an adverse
witness ; tlie exception he chose carefully and for
sufficient reasons. His intellectual processes were
rapid, and all his faculties and stores of knowledge
ready at any moment for their be.st service. With a
XXXVl
HISTORY OF WORCESTER COUNTY, MASSACHUSETTS.
remarkable mastery of the rules of evidence, he was
able, in the course of trials, as questions arose, to
take up his position and defend it by cogent argu-
ment upon the instant.
His public services included four years in the lower
and three in the upper branch of the State Legislature
and fouryearsasa Representative in C'oDgress. In 1848
he was a delegate to the Whig National Convention.
The representatives of Massachusetts voted steadily
for Daniel Webster, but the leading candidates were
Clay and Taylor. 'Sir. Allen, though up to that time
acting with the Whig party, was a stern Abolitionist
in faith and word. Hating slavery as a sin, and
convinced that the nomination of General Taylor
was a truckling to the power of the slaveholders, up-
on the announcement of the vote, he arose in his
place, denounced the act in incisive language, and
left the hall and the party, to go home and earnestly
engage in the formation of the Free-Soil party.
In 1853 he was a member of the convention called
to revise our State Constitution, and there his coun-
sels were sought by the leading lawyers of the State
who were found in that body.
But as Judge Allen he was best known and is still
remembered in this community. His first judicial
appointment was to the Court of Common Pleas in
1842. Two years later he, with most of his associates,
resigned, in consequence of a legislative spasm of
economy, which reduced their already modest sala-
ries. In 1858 he was appointed chief justice of the
Superior Court for Suffolk County, and in the follow-
ing year was fitly chosen to preside over the newly-
commissioned Superior Court of the Commonwealth,
which was substituted for the old Court of Common
Pleas. On this bench he remained until failing
powers induced his resignation in 1867, two years
before his death. Twice he was offered promotion to
the Supreme Court, and again on the retirement of
Chief Justice Shaw, but he i)referred to remain
where he wils. His physical health was not robust,
and he hesitated to assume duties that to him might
be more laborious. He was admirably fitted to pre-
side at nisi prius trials, where the quick grasp of the
facts, as they are for the first time presented, the
ability readily to conceive and apply the rules of
evidence and facility in clear, impromptu statement
of the law for the guidance of the jury, are essentials.
He was never fond of the patient reading and writing
necessary to the preparation of the elaborate opin-
ions of the Supreme Court. One of his friends and
admirers says of him that he was an indolent man,
never making more than just the absolutely neces-
sary exertion for his purpose, and ever ready to post-
pone, if possible, the undertaking of new effort. His
own explanation of this apparent sloth is found in a
remark to Judge Foster: " Few know how much phys-
ical weakness I have had to contend with through
life, and how nuich has been attributed to indolence
in me, that was caused by the necessity of nursing
my health." He possessed, however, an energy of
will that roused his latent powers to a height com-
mensurate with any obstacle, as opponents learned to
know full well.
Judge Allen was not a scholar. His reading was
confined in its scope, yet his mind seemed to broaden
and deepen by its own innate law of growth. The
concurrent testimony of those who knew him well,
with singular unanimity, dwells upon his intel-
lectual strength. "I think . . . for force of intellect
he was above any man whom I have known in this
commonweath ;" "No one who has ever lived in this
community was his equal in pure intellectual power;"
" He never called any man his intellectual master;"
"Among intellectual masters ranked with the very
first, not second to Daniel Webster himself," are the
expressions of four lawyers, who have had opportu-
nity to form correct opinions of the man.
Though reserved and dignified in manner and little
apt to display his feelings, he showed to his chosen
friends a kindly nature, ready to share in social inter-
course or extend the hospitable hand. Conscientious,
independent, reverent of the religious truths in which
he firmly believed, fearing his own disapproval and
else no mortal man, his was a proud position — as of
that
Promontory of ruck
Tliiit, compassed round with turbulent Bound,
In middle-ocean meets the surging eliock,
Tempest buffeted, citadel crowned.
Mr. Allen's most formidable antagonist before the
jury for many years was Pliny Mekrick, the son of
the gentleman of the same name, of whom we have
spoken. He was born in Brookfield in 1794, and
graduated from Harvard in the class with the historian
I'rescott in 1814. He had the advantage of studying
his profession in the office of Levi Lincoln,- then just
entering upon bis political career in the State Legis-
lature and in the midst of active practice. After his
admiss-ion to the bar in 1817, Mr. Merrick made sev-
eral attempts at settlement before adopting Worcester
as his home. For four years he practiced in Taunton,
and for a portion of that time was a partner of Gov-
ernor Morton. In 1824 he returned to Worcester to
undertake the duties of prosecuting attorney for the
county. In this capacity he acted until the division
of the State into districts under an act of 1832.
Governor Lincoln thereupon appointed his former
pupil attorney for the Middle District, which con-
sisted of Worcester and Norfolk Counties, and he
held the office until his promotion to the bench in
1843.
During these nearly twenty years of service in
conducting cases for the government in the criminal
courts his general practice was continually increas-
ing. He was on several occasions called into the
courts of Vermont, New Hampshire and Rhode Isl-
and, where his repulation httd become known and
valued.
His arguments are spoken of as masterpieces of
THE BENCH AND BAR.
rhetorical skill. His command of language was un-
surpassed by any of his cotem|)oraries, and his elo-
quent perorations are still vividly impressed on the
recollections of some who have listened to them.
With a keen wit and great quickness of apprehension
Le united an impulsiveness of temperament which
sometimes hurried him beyond the positions which he
had intended to maintain,but his readinessand his good
humor never failed him in these emergencies. Judge
Washburn says of him that " it was sometimes diffi-
cult for an antagonist to determine whether lie was
the most effectually subdued by his adroitness or his
courtesy."
One of the most conspicuous trials in which he was
engaged was that of Professor Webster for the murder
of Dr. Parkman. His defence of the prisoner, though
somewhat criticised at the time, is now admitted to
have been well conducted and a good struggle in a
hopeless cause.
In 1843 Mr. Merrick was appointed a judge of the
Court of Common Pleas, and held the office until
18-18, when he resigned and undertook the presidency
of the Worcester and Nashua Railroad. In 1850 he
returned to the bench, and after three years was pro-
moted to the Supreme Judicial Court. It was appre-
hended by many of his associates that the brilliant
rhetoric, keen wit and swift mental processes which
had formed great part of his strength at the bar
would unfit him for the duties of the judge, who must
often " halt between two opinions," till he is possessed
of all that can be said on either side.
But as a nisi prlus judge he exibited a most accu-
rate knowledge of the rules of practice and evidence,
which facilitated the progress of trials by avoiding
the necessity of long arguments as objections were
raised. He was quite apt to Ibrm a decided opinion
on the merits of the case, and in his charge to the
jury to make that opinion manifest with a distinc-
ness that the judge of to-day would consider excep-
tionable.
The present theory is that the presiding judge is
to be absolutely without sympathies and without
opinions on the right or wrong of the controversy,
but to state to the jury the rules of law which shall
govern them, in any conceivable aspect of the facts,
which may impress them as the true one. To so
austere a view of the functions of the judge Mr.
Merrick was never able to conform himself. His
statements of complicated series of fects were always
clear and of assistance to a jjroper understanding of
their relative value, but often of their value in the
mind of the judge. In the reports of decisions of the
Supreme Court, his opinions, especially upon the
criminal law of Massachusetts, are held in high re-
spect. For ten years his services became more and
more valuable, and he was recognized as a worthy
associate of Lemuel Shaw, our great chief justice.
He was an energetic worker and ready to assume
even more than his share of the labors of the bench.
In 1856 he removed to Boston, and there resided
till his death, in 18(37. The last three years of his
life were spent in retirement occasioned by disease.
Paralysis had suspended the use of some of his limbs.
But through it all he sustained his cheerful disposi-
tion and powerful will. When his right hand was
disabled, he learned to write with his left. Pre-
vented from going abroad, he found in the converse
of friends at home the means of keeping his mental
faculties in active use.
Mr. Merrick belonged to the political party which
was in the minority in this State, and held few elec-
tive offices. He served in both branches of the State
Legislature at intervals ; but, aside from that, hia
whole attention was devoted to his profession.
Joseph Thayer was an example, of which the law
does not furnish many, of a lawyer who, without
inherited property or remarkable legal attainments,
acquired, in the course of an honorable and useful
career, a handsome competence. He was born in
Douglas in 1792, graduated at Brown University in
1815, and after studying in the offices of Levi Lin-
coln and of Bezaleel Taft, of LTxbridge, he began
practice in that town. Without great learning in
the law, he possessed good practical judgment, on
which he was accustomed to rely, and which others
soon learned to respect. His perception of the real
gist of a controversy was seldom at fault, though
generally arrived at without the aid of labored rea-
soning. In financial matters his judgment was re-
markably accurate. He became interested in a large
number of business enterprises in his community.
Both the Blackstone Canal and its successor, the
Providence and Worcester Raih'oad, received, in
their inception and progress, his encouragement and
assistance.
His townsmen found in him one ready to use his
capital in sustaining those under temporary embar-
rassment, and to risk something rather than see his
neighbors go to the wall. He accordingly received
and retained their confidence, and was honored by
elections to various positions of trust. His political
services outside of L'xbridge were in the Constitu-
tional Convention of 1853, to which he was chosen a
delegate by general consent, and in the Legislature
of the State. He rounded out nearly four-scoie years
of honored and useful life, and died at the residence
of Judge Chapin, his son-in-law, in 1872.
It is proper to mention among the prominent men
who have been members of this bar, one whose life
was spent in other than professional pursuits, but
who always felt a pride in his connection with the
law, and who so well fulfilled the duties of his sta-
tion that the bar may well be proud to number him
among their honored dead.
Stephen Salisbury, the son of a Worcester mer-
chant bearing the same name, was born in 1798. His
father had been successful in establishing in the
small town an extensive business and a home where
xxxvni
HISTORY OF WORCESTER COUNTY, MASSACHUSETTS.
a refined and generous hospitalitj' was exercised.
From the iiilluence ol' the latter the son went out to
Leicester Academy and Harvard College, where he
graduated in 1817, carrying with him everywhere
the evidence of that home culture in his dignified
courtesy and unswerving integrity. He studied law
with Samuel Burnside, and was admitted to the bar,
though he had no need and prob.ibly no intention of
making professional labors his life-work. For seve-
ral years he assisted in the care of his father's prop-
erty, and in 1829, when he became its sole owner by
inheritance, he assumed the duties which he felt that
the possession of wealth devolved upon him, with an
earnest desire to conscientiously discharge every re-
sponsibility. Absolved from the necessity of any
labor if he had so chosen, he was one of the most
industrious of men. A diligent student, he made
himself familiar not only with classic authors, which
were perhaps his favorite recreation, but with a great
variety of lines of scientific and literary research.
For thirty years he presided over the American An-
tiquarian Society, and frequently contributed from
his pen to the publications of that body. His
wisdom was sought for in the conduct of financial,
charitable and scientific institutions, and to whatever
duties he assumed he applied the same conscientious
attention. His constant endeavor was to faithfully
perform that which he felt it right to undertake. The
Polytechnic Institute located in Worcester was a pecu-
liar object of his bounty and his care. As president
of its Board of Trustees he was unfailing in his atten-
tion to its interests. Till the latest period of his life
he was constantly growing in mental breadth, and
did not allow age or even later infirmity to repress
his eager interest in intellectual pursuits. Elsewhere
in these volumes his deeds will more fitly be described,
but as he always wished to be counted with the law-
yers when they gathered for any occasion of general
interest, so we cannot omit to claim some share in
his good fame whose training as a law-student must
have aided in making him what he was.
For the facts contained in most of the earlier
sketches in this chajitcr the writer is principally
indebted to the scholarly address delivered by Joseph
WiLLARD before the bar of the county in 1S29. He
was then but a little over thirty years of age, but the
address is characterized by thorough investigation, by
philosophical reflection and by inspiring views of the
nobility of the profession which he represented. His
father was president of Harvard College, and from a
line of ancestors he inherited a scholar's love for the
classics and for literary and historical investigation.
Born in Cambridge in 1798, he graduated in his nine-
teenth year, and at once began the study of law in
Amherst, New Hampshire. At this time he formed
the acquaintance of John Farmer, a zealous antiqua-
rian scholar, whose friendship and advice no doubt
gave a bent to the tastes of the young man towards
similar studies. After completing his professional
studies in the Cambridge Law-School, he began prac-
tice first in Wallham, and in 1821 in Lancaster.
There for ten years he gave attention to business
with considerable success. He could not forego liter-
ary work, however, and was one of the writers for the
Worcester Magazine, a periodical devoted to historical
and literary topics, especially those of a local charac-
ter. His most elaborate work, which a]>peared in
those pages, was a history of the town of Lancaster,
which exhibits his habits of careful and minute
investigation and his excellent taste and judgment
in the selection of his material.
In 18.30 he married a Boston lady, and soon after-
wards removed to that city, continuing to practice
until 1840. In that year he was appointed, by Gov-
ernor Everett, clerk of the Court of Common Pleas
for Suffolk County. This office, through the changes
of the style of the court, and after the clerkship be-
came an elective position, he held till a short time
before his death. With its duties he made himself
thoroughly conversant. On the great multiplicity of
questions of practice constantly arising, his opinion
came to be regarded as almost equal to a Supreme
Court decision. His methodical habits kept the large
accumulation of papers and records in perfect order
and available for instant reference, and he seems to
have transmitted to his son the same capacity for
the successful administration of that difficult position.
He found in retirement from practice more leisure
for his favorite historical studies. The Proceedings
of the American Antiquarian Society and the Massa-
chusetts Historical Society, of both of which learned
bodies he was an active member, are enriched by his
papers on a variety of topics. A work upon which
he was engaged at the time of his death was a life of
General Knox. The manuscript materials entrusted
to him were in a chaotic state, and the labor of ar-
ranging the letters and documents taxed his powers
for a long time. He became intensely interested in
the work, and after his strength was insuflicient for
any other exertion he insisted on the attempt to go
on with this labor of love. But it was not permitted
him to complete the task. In 18(3.5 he died, amid the
closing scenes of the conflict of arms which had
aroused his fervent patriotism and in which had been
sacrificed the life of his eldest son.
Mr. Willard had early connected himself with the
Free-Soil party. His conscience deeply felt the sin
of slave-holding, and he welcomed the war as the
means of deliverance from that burden. A letter
which he wrote to an English friend, in reply to
some hostile criticisms of the English pres.s, was
widely circulated and largely instrumental in inform-
ing public opinion in England on the true merits of
the Northern position.
Twenty-seven years after Mr. Willard's historical
sketch of our bar from its beginning, the tale was
taken up and carried on in graceful diction, with ad-
mirable skill, by Emory Washburn, a cotemporary
THE BENCH AND BAIL
XXXIX
and literary associate of Mr. Willard. From tliis
address are borrowed many of the details tliat have
appeared in these pages. Its author was born in Lei-
cester in 1800, and prepared for college in that admir-
able school, which has been the chief glory of the
town. His father died in the lad's seventh year,
leaving him to the care of his mother, to whom,
through her life, he manifested a most devoted at-
tachment, and of his pastor. Dr. Moore. This gen-
tleman was called to a professorship in Dartmouth
College, and took with him his protege, then only
thirteen years old. In 1815 Professor Moore became
president of Williams College, and thither Mr. Wash-
burn followed his fortunes, and there graduated in
1817. His experience in small colleges made him
a firm believer in the superior advantage of the more
intimate association of pupils with instructors there
possible. He was always a stanch and useful friend
of his alma mater. Part of his professional studies
were pursued in the office of Judge Dewey in Wil-
liamstown, and for a year he attended the Harvard
Law School. Soon after his admission, in 1821, he
opened an otfice in Leicester, where he remained for
seven years. During this period he served his town
as clerk and as Representative in the General Court.
Becoming interested with the founders of the Wor-
cetter Magazine in preserving the memorials of the
past life of this vicinity, he wrote with great fidelity I
and published in various numbers of that periodical
a history of Leicester and of its academy. In 1828
his mother died, and the chief tie which bound him
to the village having thus been broken, he removed
to Worcester. That town then had a population of
some four thousand, but among them was Lincoln,
the Governor of the State; John Davis, dividing his
time between the duties of a member of Congress and
a lawyer in active practice ; Charles Allen and Sam-
uel Burnside.
Mr. AVashburn's clients followed him from Leices-
ter and he soon attracted others. In 1831 he formed
a partnership with John Davis, succeeding Mr. Allen
in that relation. His faculty of making every man
who came to him for advice feel that he had found a
personal friend, that bis cause was in the hands of
one who had not only the ability but the sympathetic
interest to make the most of it, secured to Mr. Wash-
burn in a remarkable degree the affectionate adher-
ence of hosts of clients. His industry was incessant
and untiring, and his success proportionate. Gov-
ernor Bullock says of him, " His leading competitors
at the bar were clearer in statement, more incisive in
their arguments. Governor Washburn was never a
rhetorician. I perceived, however, that there was a
moral power of confidence behind him which was
equal to the power of eloquence." " His great source
of influence over juries was the kindliness, the
genuineness of his nature." Juries believed in the
honesty of the man. He was able so thoroughly to
identify himself with his client's view of the facts, as
to impress others with the sincerity of his own con-
viction of its truth.
In 1838 he was again a member of the House of
Representatives, and presented and ably supported
the first report in favor of a railroad from Boston to
Albany. In 1841 and 1842 he was chairman of the
Judiciary Committee of the Senate. For three years
he assumed the duties of a nisi priiis judge in the
Court of Common Pleas, and for two years more re-
sided in Lowell as the agent of a manufacturing cor-
poration, but the practice of the law in the county
where he was best known and best beloved was his
real vocation, and to it he returned with added zeal
and undiminished success.
One of the large number of tasks in which he found
pleasure and recreation, in the midst of his most ex-
acting professional cares, was the preparation of the
" Judicial History of Massachusetts " down to Revo-
lutionary times, a work involving a vast amount of
research and containing most valuable information
for the student of the growth of our modes of legal
procedure.
While absent in Europe in 1853 he was nominated
•by the Whigs for Governor of the State, and was
elected by a narrow majority. The next year he was
defeated by the " Know-Nothings," and returned to
the calling for which he was most fitted.
Whether his success w'as greater as an advocate or
as an instructor in the law, may be open to question.
In the year 1856 he became Bussey professor of law
in the Dane Law School at Cambridge, and for twenty
years lectured before successive classes of students
with ever-increasing reputation, and adding to the
ranks of his devoted admirers every disciple who had
the opportunity to listen to the kindly counsel which
he mingled with his instruction. It was said of him
that " Few professors have enjoyed in so full a meas-
ure the confidence and affection of the students of
that renowned seat of learning. None have been
more fortunate in the effort to inspire the young men
of the bar with lofty ideas and pure purposes. It was
not his power as a lecturer upon legal topics, though
respectable, by which he exerted the greatest influ-
ence on the mind and future course of the student,
but his private conversations and advice based on
long experience . . . and an earnest, unaffected in-
terest in the welfare and prospects of every young
man to whom he stood in the relation of instructor
and adviser." During his professorship he published
a treatise on the "American Law of Real Property,"'
which has passed through several editions, and is the
text-book of students and the reliable reference of
the practitioner to-day. Both this work and his vol-
ume on " Easements," are marked by the most careful
investigation of authorities and the presentation in
the fullest manner of every phase of the subject. In
the effort to cover the whole ground, the writer some-
times becomes prolix, but whatever of force is lost in
repetitions is compensated by the addition of prece-
xl
HISTORY OF WORCESTER COUNTY, MASSACHUSETTS.
dents and citations. In 1876 he resigned his profes-
sor's chair, but even then did not give up his
ambition to be u<eful. As a Representative in the
Oeneral Court during the last year of his life, he was
actively at work in the chairmanship of the judiciary
committee, and as senior member of the House ex-
liibited the same fresh interest in public matters as
when one of its youngest members he represented
Princeton, half a century before. In 1877 he died
■with mental powers in full activity, and the afl'ectibn-
ate eulogies which were pronounced by his fellows in
every relationship of his busy life testified to the
deep impression which his genial manners and uni-
ver^sal sympathy had made upon the hearts of all who
knew him.
When Judge Nathaniel Paine retired from his long
and honerable service of thirty-five years in the Pro-
bate Court he was succeeded by Ira M. Baetox, a
counsellor practicing in Oxford. In that town he was
born in 1796. During a portion of his course at
Brown University he was a room-mate of Horace
Jlann, whose friendship he enjoyed in their subse-
quent careers. After graduating in 1819, he studied
law with Sumner Bastow, in Oxford, with Levi Lin-
coln, and at the Harvard Law School, then recently
e.^tablished. He was one of the first three to graduate
from that institution. In 1822 he opened his office
in his native town, and there continued practice for
fourteen years. As an adviser he was careful and con-
scientious, desirous rather of avoiding danger for his
client than of risking his interests by over-boldness.
As an advocate he attained considerable success. Not
a brilliant orator, his efforts were characterized by an
earnest endeavor to perform his duty to the fullest
extent, and his well-known integrity secured to him
always respectful consideration by courts and juries.
From 1836 to 1844 he presided with impartiality in
the Probate Court, and by his kindly sympathy
maintained the traditions of that tribunal as the
guardian and protector of the helpless and the
afilicted. LTpon his resignation he formed a partuer-
shiji with the late Peter C. Bacon, to which Mr.
Barton's son was admitted later, and for several years
the business of the firm was of extensive proportions,
;ind its name familiar beyond the limits of the county.
In 1849 his feeble health compelled his retirement
Iroin active practice, but did not prevent his acting
as counsel in chambers during many years. In this,
perliaps the most agreeable branch of legal practice
to one of non-combative instinct, he found his judg-
ment sought and relied upon by a large circle of
client?. He took his fair share of the respon-'ibility
in matters of public interest. For three years he
represented Oxford in the Legislature, and was Sena-
tor in 18:52 and 1834. In the latter year he was
appointed one of the commissioners to revise the
statutes of the State, and bring into shape, available
for use, the mass of public legislation whicli had
grown to be an almost chaotic tangle of repeals and
amendments. The plan of this first revision has been
substantially adhered to in subsequent codifications.
His addresses on several occasionsgaveproof of tastes
for historical investigation, which were not, however,
developed to a considerable extent. He lived until
1867.
Alfred Dwight Foster should be included in
these sketches as one of a line of lawyers who have been
ornaments of this bar. His father and grandfather
have received notice as judges of our courts, and his
son attained the same title with even greater distinc-
tion. Mr. Foster was born in 1800, in Brookfield, the
residence of his ancestors. After graduating from
Harvard, in 1819, he studied with Mr. Burnside, and
was admitted to the bar in 1822. After only two
years attention to practice, he withdrew from business,
and lived a life of quiet and useful leisure until his
death, in 1852. He served in one or two public capaci-
ties after his removal to Worcester, in 1828, and
acquired and retained the entire respect of the com-
munity.
One of Judge Washburn's most intimate friends
through a score of years, until death severed the ties,
was Thomas Kinnicutt. Born in Rhode Island in
1800, the same year with Mr. Washburn, he graduated
with high honors from Brown University in 1822.
His law studies were pursued in the school at Litch-
field, in the offices of Francis Baylie, of Taunton, and
of Governor Davis. In 1825 he was admitted and
began business in Worcester. His physical power*
were never of the strongest, and his gentle nature
shunned the contests of the court-room and the politi-
cal arena. He did, however, serve several terms in
both branches of the State Legislature, and was twice
chosen Speaker of the House. He found his true
sphere on the bench of the Probate Court, where he
succeeded Judge Thomas in 1848, and presided until
a short time before his death, ten years later. His
winning presence, gentle manners and affectionate
disposition endeared him greatly to all with whom he
came in contact. With several of the financial insti-
tutions of the city he was connected, and his sagacious
judgment in their conduct was constantly approved.
His was one of those characters which, courting no
publicity, by its sweetness and purity helps to
brighten the aspect of a world sometimes too busy to
even notice the shadows which overspread it.
Isaac Davis' was born in Northborough, an agri-
cultural town in the eastern part of this county, June
2, 1799. His ancestors, for seven generations, had
been inhabitants of Massachusetts, and possessed
marked family traits; conspicuous among them were
rugged honesty, energy, independence of character,
industry and ])ublic spirit.
His earliest progenitor in New England was Dolor
Davis, the precise time of whose arrival on these
shores is not known, but he is believed to have been
* By J. Evarts Greene.
/^<g^
THE BENCH AND BAR.
xli
one of the earlier settlers in the Plymouth colony.
He is known to have dwelt in Cambridge in 1G34, to
have married Margery Willard, sister of Major Simon
Willard, formerly of Kent, England, and a distin-
guished soldier in the Indian wars of this colony, and
to have died in Barnstable, in the Plymouth colony,
in H;73.
Samuel, the younger of Dolor Davis' two sons, mar-
ried Mary Meads. Simon, the youngest of Samuel's
five sons, was born August 9, 1683, and attained the
age of eighty years. Of his sons, the oldest — bearing
the same name — was born in 1713, married Hannah
Crates, lived in the town of Holden and was the
father of eleven children. Isaac, the ninth of these,
was born February 27, 1749, married Anna Brigham
and lived in Northborough. Phiueas, the eldest of
his eleven children, was born September 12, 1772,
married Martha Eager, October 12, 1793, and, like his
father and grandfather, was blessed with a family of
eleven children.
Isaac, the subject of this sketch, was the fourth of
this numerous progeny. In his boyhood the industry
of the inland towns of Massachusetts was almost
wholly confined to farming, with some few primitive
manufactures. Even Boston, the metropolis of New
England, and the seat of a large foreign commerce,
had scarcely one-fourth as many inhabitants as Wor-
cester has now. Hampshire County, with its rich
farming lands, was by far the most populous county
in the State, Worcester and Essex approaching it
most nearly. Mr. Davis' father was a tanner and
currier, an upright and respected citizen. In his
household the homely virtues of piety, industry and
frugality were cultivated and flourished. The educa-
tion of the children, begun and continued at home by
the example and conversation of their parents, the
reading of a few but good books, and the early study
of the Bible, was pursued in the district school. The
time not so employed was given to the tasks of the
shop and the form.
The district schools of those days laid a substantial
foundation for the building of a serviceable and
comely edifice of mental attainment and culture, but
they did not carry the acquisition of knowledge very
far. A boy of an inquiring and eager mind soon
learned what they had to teach. The course of school
studies having been early completed, Isaac Davis
went to work in his father's shop, and might probably
have adopted his trade, but for an injury which dis-
abled him for a time from bodily labor. While re-
covering from this hurt, conscious of mental powers
to which the mechanical occupation of his father
would not give full scope, even if he should ever be
sound enough in body to resume it, his ambition,
stimulated, doubtless, by the example of his uncle,
John Davis, then beginning the practice of law, in
which, as in politics and statesmanship, he made an
illustrious reputatiou, the young man resolved to pre-
pare himself for professional life. The obstacles in
his way would now be thought great, but they were
not greaterthan those which theyoung menof thatday
who entered the professions were accustomed to sur-
mount, and Mr. Davis' energy and perseverance were
amply adequate to the task which he proposed for
himself His parents, burdened with the support
of a large family of young children, could give him
little assistance, and he depended largely on his own
exertions for support and the cost of his educa-
tion.
He began his preparation for college at Leicester,
and completed it at Lancaster Academy, and entered
Brown University in 1818, where he was graduated
with credit in 1822. Giving lessons in penmanship
and teaching school in winter were among the means
by which he paid bis way through college. After his
graduation he accepted the office of tutor in the uni-
versity, at the salary of four hundred dollars, and at
the same time began the study of law in the office of
General Carpenter, then one of the leaders of the
Ehode Island bar. After a few months' trial of this
divided emi>loyment he resolved to give his whole
time to the law, and, removing to Worcester, entered
as a student the office of Lincoln & Davis. The busi-
ness of the office was large and varied, and gave the
student excellent opportunities for learning the prac-
tical details of professional work in all its branches.
While pursuing his studies Mr. Davis earned some-
thing toward his support by employing the time
which a young man, less patient of continuous labor
and less eager for independence, might have given —
and perhaps wisely — to recreation, in copying deeds
in the office of the register.
Soon after he entered the office Mr. Lincoln, the
senior partner, was chosen Lieutenant-Governor, and
the year after was appointed a justice of the Supreme
Judicial Court. This appointment and the distin-
guished political honors, which soon followed, re-
moved him permanently from practice, and upon Mr.
Davis' admirsion to the bar, in 1825, he proposed to
his uncle, then conducting the business alone, to be-
come his partner, receiving as his share of the income
one-third of the profits of the business in the Court of
Common Pleas. . This offer was declined, and the
uncle advised his nephew to begin practice in one of
the smaller towns of the county, where the competi-
tion would be less active, with the purpose of remov-
ing to Worcester when he had established a business
and reputation. But the young lawyer had no liking
for a timid policy. He preferred to face the greatest
difficulties at once and had no distrust of his ability
to surmount them. He therefore opened an office in
Worcester, and it was not long before his talents were
discovered and employed by clients in such numbers
•IS amply to justify his confidence in himself.
The Worcester bar at that time was very strong.
It is doubtful whether in any county in the United
States was there then a group of lawyers more
remarkable for native ability, legal attainments and
xlii
HISTORY OF WORCESTER COUNTY, MASSACHUSETTS.
skill in advocacy than those strenuously competing
for the professional business of this little town of six
or eight thousand inhabitants. Francis Blake, then
near the close of his brilliant professional life, who
was said by f Jovernor Lincoln to be the most eloquent
man he had ever heard at this bar; Pliny Merrick,
Emory Washburn, Charles Allen, John Davis, Ira M.
Barton, each one of whom would have stood in the front
rank of lawyers anywhere, were in the prime of life
and in the full tide of their professional activity. Into
this distinguished company Mr. Davis came as a com-
petitor for the prizes and honors of the profession,
alert, intrepid, confident, as eager for work as for
honor, of exhaustless tenacity and endurance. His
office dockets show that, within three years of his ad-
mission to the bar, he had been employed in more
than two thousand cases. Long before the end of
that period his uncle had changed his mind about the
partnership, and had offered the successful young
lawyer much better terms than he had refused to con-
cede a year before. But Mr. Davis was not then
willing to be second in the management of his profes-
sional business, even to a man so eminent as his uncle,
John Davis, then was.
His success was remarkable, and the labor which
his constantly growing practice required was beyond
the capacity of most men. As his fortunes improved
his interests and cares extended beyond the lines of
his profession. He had an intelligent concern for the
growth and welfare of the town, and everything
which promised to advance its prosperity or its intel-
lectual, moral or religious improvement engaged his
attention and received the advantage of his helpful
counsel, powerful advocacy and financial support.
His surplus earnings were sagaciously invested in real
estate and in the shares of many industrial and finan-
cial corporations. His mind had that happy mixture
of enterprise and prudence which led him to avoid, as if
by instinct, though really by acute intelligence, wide
knowledge of business and swift computation of the
elements of success or failure, undertakings which,
though plausible, lacked substantial merit, and to
support by his capital and credit others in which,
while many prudent men deemed. them hazardous,
his shrewd insight discovered the germs of sure and
productive growth.
His services as trustee and director of moneyed and
manufacturing corporations were highly valued. He
was for many years president of the Quinsigamond
Bank, of the State Mutual Life Insurance Company and
of the Jlerchants' and Farmers' Mutual Fire Insurance
Company, a director of the Providence and Worcester
Railroad Company, and a large stockholder in other
railroads, in the Washburn Iron Company and in
many other industrial enterprises. His good fortune
gave, and his helpful spirit prompted him to improve,
frequent opportunities of aiding at a critical moment
men of enterprise and merit, whose business, gener-
ally sound, was straitened or threatened with dis-
aster by temporary causes. If his judgment approved
the risk, his assistance had no bounds except the limit
of his own resources. His confidence in the men
whom be trusted or in the reasonableness of their
hopes was rarely, if ever, misplaced. There nre many
prosperous men and valuable industries in Worcester
to-day that, but for his liberality, guided by a cool and
accurate judgment, would have been wrecked by dis-
aster in their beginnings. Mr. Davis did not in such
cases make hard conditions, or regard his adi'ances
of money or credit as speculations from which, in the
event of success, he had the right to exact extraordi-
nary profits in consideration of unusual risks. He
counted with confidence upon success and expected
no greater returns than from other prudent invest-
ments. He had, however, the further reward, most
gratifying to a man of bis public spirit, of the con-
sciousness of having given help when it was needed,
deserved and efficacious; having promoted the well-
being of the community and gained the esteem of his
fellow-townsmen.
Mr. Davis, in early manhood, adopted the political
principles of the Democratic party. If his conduct
had been guided by motives of personal advancement
only or chiefly, this would have been an unwise step,
for that party has been pretty constantly out of power
in the State, and especially in the city and county.
His party connection, however, did not prevent Mr.
Davis' election to several positions of political import-
ance. He was twice elected to the State Senate, in
1843 and 1854 ; once to the House of Representatives,
in 1852; to the Governor's Council in 1851; to the
State Constitutional Convention of 1853 and three
times to the mayoralty of Worcester, in 1856, 1858
and 1861. The Democratic party three times made
him its candidate for the office of Governor. He was
a member of the State Board of Education from 1852
to 1860 ; was twice appointed a member of the Board
of Visitors of the West Point Military Academy and
in 1855 was chairman of the board. President Pierce
offered him the appointment of Assistant Treasurer of
the United States, but he declined the oti'er.
Mr. Davis was always sincerely religious. Theo-
logically and ecclesiastically he adhered to the doc-
trines and discipline of the Baptist Church. He was
president, for several years, of the State Convention
of the denomination, and of the American Baptist
Home Mission Society, and gave liberally to the
charitable, religious and educational operations of
this sect. His Ijenefactions to the Worcester Academy
were especially liberal. He was president of its board
of trustees for forty years, and was also a trustee and
a Fellow of Brown University. He was for many
years a member of the Council of the American Anti-
quarian Society.
Mr. Davis will long be remembered among those
who were most influential in making Worcester what
it is. As a lawyer, while pre-eminence in learning or
eloquence is not claimed for him, he was remarkably
THE BENCH AND BAR.
xliii
successful in advocacy, and stood in the front rank,
in the extent of his business and the deserved confi-
dence of his clients, among the lawyers of his day.
He was a great force in the community. His vigorous
expression of positive opinions, his wise counsels, his
judicious investments and benefactions, made him one
of those who give impetus and direction to the activi-
ties of town or city, church. State and institutions of
learning.
The degree of Doctor of Laws was conferred upon
him by Columbia College, Washington, D. C, and by
Brown University.
In 1829 he married Mary H. Estabrook, daughter
of Joseph Estabrook, of Royalston, Mass. She died
in 1875. They had ten children, — four sons and six
daughters, — all of whom, with the e.xception of one
son who died in infancy, lived to be married.
Mr. Davis died at his home in Worcester, April 1,
1883, at the age of eighty-three years and ten months.
William Linoolx and Christopher C. Baldwin
were two kindred spirits whose tastes for letters led
them from the dusty purlieus of the law to more con-
genial historical studies. Tlie first, born in Worcester
in 1801, was of that sturdy stock of which two succes-
sive generations have received notice in these pages.
While one brother, Levi, was Governor of thi.s Com-
monwealth, another brother, Enoch, was Governor
of Maine, and another, John, was in the State Sen-
ate, William was creditably representing his native
town in the House of Representatives, — a record of
simultaneous public service perhaps never equaled
by the members of one family. The subject of this
sketch graduated at Harvard in 1822, and after
studies with his brother Enoch, with John Davis and
Rejoice Newton, was admitted to the bar in 1825.
For some years he was in partnership with Mr. New-
ton in practice, but his real interests were in another
line of thought. With Mr. Baldwin, who was ad-
mitted to practice in the year after himself, he
founded the Worcester Magazine, of which mention
has more than once been made, and in the editing
and writing for that publication each took more de-
light than in drawing conveyances or pre|iaring
briefs.
In 1836 Mr. Lincoln published his " History of
Worcester," a work containing a great amount of val-
uabte information relative to the early days of this
now prosperous city.
Mr. Baldwin was a native of Templeton, born in
1800, and was educated at Leicester Academy and
Harvard College. He practiced in Worcester, Barre
and Sutton, but was glad to finally abandon the pro-
fession when elected librarian of the American Anti-
quarian Society in Worcester. Among the books
and ancierfl manuscripts of that learned institution
be found his proper sphere of usefulness. He died
at thirty-five and his friend Lincoln survived him
but eight years. Both were of that modest disposi-
tion which loves best the scholar's seclusion, but
which in the glow of friendly intercourse, opens out
into kindly humor, and brightens with playful wit
the hours of social relaxation.
Mr. Baldwin's successor as librarian of the Anti-
quarian Society was also bred a lawyer. Samuel F.
Haven was born in Dedham in 18015 and attended
Phillips Academy in Audover and Phillips, Exeter,
before entering Harvard, in 1822. After two years
there he removed to Amherst, where he graduated in
1820. For a k\\ years alter admission to the bar
he practiced in Dedham and Lowell, but his life-
work, from 1838 until his death, in 1881, was as a
historical scholar and arch;eologist in the service of
the society which chose him for its officer.
By the act inctirporating the city of Worcester,
passed in 1848, a Police Court within and for the city
was established, whose jurisdiction was made exclu-
sive of that of justices of the peace in criminal mat-
ters, and concurrent with theirs in civil actions. At
that time claims for debt or damage which did not
exceed one hundred dollars in value were cogniz-
able by the justices of the peace. A provision was in
force for some years by which a jury of six might be
demanded and impaneled to try the issue where the
value sought to be recovered exceeded twenty dol-
lars. So long as this court was in existence it was
presided over by William Nelson Green, a native
of Milford, who had studied with Mr. Burnside, and
came to the bar in 1827. He was a son of William
E. Green, the partner of Edward Bangs and of Ed-
ward D. Bangs, heretofore mentioned. As a justice
of the peace he had, before the incorporation of the
city, had a considerable experience in hearing and
deciding criminal charges, so that his appoint-
ment to the bench of the new court was the most
natural selection. For twenty years he filled the
position, until in IStiS the name of the court was»
by statute, altered to Municipal Court, and, with al-
most identical powers and jurisdiction, continued
under the courtly guidance of Judge Williams. Judge
Green died two years later.
When, in 1859, a change of name was effected in
the long-familiar Court of Common Pleas, for which
was substituted the present " Superior Court," Judge
Edward Mellen, then in his fifty-seventh year, and
for twelve years accustomed to judicial duties, found
himself obliged to return to practice. He was a
native of Westborough, a graduate of Brown in 1823,
and had practiced in Middlesex from 1828 until his
accession to the bench in 1847. After'the abolition
of his court, of which he was chief justice at the
time, he found his long inexperience in the advocacy
of causes had left his weapons rusty, and dulled the
force of his attacks. The State had received the
benefit of his best years and left him at an advanced
age to begin anew as best he might. Surely there is
something of calculating ingratitude in such treat-
ment of faithful public servants, which gives credit
to the proverbial charge against republics.
xliv
HISTORY OF WORCESTER COUNTY, MASSACHUSETTS.
And now, with an affectionate reverence inspired by
personal association, and cultivated from boyhoood
through the changing years, until the writer was him-
self launched upon his professional career, it becomes
my delicate duty to speak of one who, for more than
fifty years of progress in the science of the law, kept
ever abreast of change and improvement, and whom
death found still faithful to his chosen calling, as
when, with youthful ardor, he first essayed its arduous
pathway.
Petek Child Bacon was born in Dudley in 1804.
His father, Jeptha Bacon, though not a lawyer by
profession, was, in his day, when every town had not
its resident attorney, resorted to by his neighbors for
advice in their affairs, wherein his judgment and ex-
perience were recognized as valuable assistance. Like
many other justices of the peace, he was often called
upon to draft conveyances and wills, and in the obser-
vation of his father's really considerable practice, it is
probable that Mr. Bacon acquired his first inclination
towards his life-work. After graduating at Brown in
1827, the latter entered tlie New Haven Law School,
and supplemented his studies there by reading in the
office of Davis it Allen, in Worcester, Judge Barton,
in Oxford, and George A. Tufts, in Dudley.
During these preparatory years it was his practice
to devote sixteen hours of the twenty-four to liis
books. Blackstone he read and re-read with earnest
attention, and for years after he had entered the bar
he annually reviewed the classic pages. For these
commentaries he always entertained the highest
opinion as a groundwork for a tliorough knowledge
of the law, placing it first in the hands of each of his
students, commending them to learn its definitions
ipsissimis verbis, and failing not to test their obedi-
ence to the injunction by his questions. For two
years he kept his office in his native town and for
twelve years more in the adjoining town of Oxford.
In 1844 he removed to Worcester and there, till with-
in four days of his death, with an interval of only
one year of rest, devoted himself exclusively to the
law.
It will be noticed that he came to the bar seven
years before the death of Benjamin Adams, of Ux-
bridge, wliose professional life carried us back to the
time of Judge Sprague, and thus connected the story
with the earliest stages of the county's progress.
Upon coming to Worcester Mr. Bacon formed a
partnership with his former instructor, Judge Barton,
who had just'rcsigned the probate judgeship. Levi
Lincoln was then occupied with the duties of the
gubernatorial chair. Pliny Merrick and Emory
Washburn had just taken seats on the bench of the
Common Pleas. Charles Allen, from the same bench,
in that year resumed his practice. Rejoice Newton
and Samuel Burnside were still at the bar. Isaac
Davis had liegun to interest himself more extensively
in other than professional employments. Alexander
H. Bullock, Henry Chapin and Francis H. Dewey
had recently established their offices. Of those now
in active practice only Joseph Mason, Esq., was then
admitted, and he was then in Templeton. Mr. Bacon
preferred to associate with himself in business some
brother lawyer to share the responsibilities of the
trial of causes, and especially after 1865, on his re-
turn from a needed rest in Europe, he left to younger
partners the transaction of the blisiness before the
courls. After Judge Barton retired from the firm of
Barton, Bacon & Barton, in 1849, he was for a short
time connected with the late Judge Dvvight Foster.
For eighteen years the firm of Bacon & Aldrich
carried on business in the most uninterrupted har-
mony and friendship between the partners, until the
junior member accepted his present position in the
Superior Court. W. S. B. Hopkins and Mr. Bacon's
son made up the firm of Bacon, Hopkins & Bacon,
which existed at the time of the veteran lawyer's
death.
When he came to the bar the whole number of
Massachusetts Reports was but twenty-five. Making
himself familiar with these, he read with care each
new volume as it was published, and his one hundred
and forty volumes are filled with marginal notes and
hieroglyphics, showing where his eye had marked an
important decision or a questionable dictum. He
made it a practice, which he recommended to his
students, to read the statement of facts in cases in-
volving vexed questions, work out his own solution
by investigation of earlier authorities, and then com-
pare his result with the reasoning of the opinion.
No question of law ever was suggested to him that he
did not endeavor to solve either at the time or at the
next leisure hour. He loved nothing better than to
sit with his students posing them with legal conun-
drums, or listening to the problems which perplexed
them and arguing out their moot cases. His office
thus became a model law-school, to whose instruc-
tions multitudes of lawyers still look back with affec-
tionate gratitude.
During his professional life almost the whole of
our system of equity jurisprudence was brought to
its present advanced condition. By piecemeal equity
powers were conferred by statute on the Supreme
Court, but it was not until 1857 that full jurisdiction
was granted, according to the usage and practice of
Courts of Chancery, and since that time, by the slow
process of judicial decisions and supplementary stat-
utes, great advances have been made in this most in-
teresting and valuable method of legal procedure.
Mr. Bacon was an equity lawyer, and owned and read
a valuable library of text-books on the subject long
before there was opportunity in our courts to avail
himself of most of its remedial processes.
Three timeii he saw the statutes of the State codi-
fied after growing to unwieldy proportions, and his
copies of the Revised, General and Public Statutes
each show his careful noting of subsequent amend-
ments. '■ Always consult the statutes; never give an
i
I
I
THE BENCH AND BAR.
xlv
opinion without seeing what the statutes say," was
his frequent admonition to his students. His learn-
ing covered every branch and phase of the wide field
of legal doctrine. Perhaps the law of real property
in general, and especially the Massachusetts doctrine
of the rights of mill-owners in the streams which
turn their wheels, and the law of corporations, nny
be mentioned as liaving attracted a large share of his
attention.
During the operation of the United States Bank-
rupt Law, from IStiT to 1878, Mr. Bacon was register
in bankruptcy for this district. Its complicated du-
ties he thoroughly mastered, and with patient fideli-
ty discharged its functions, which were principally
of a judicial character. It was the habit of his mind
to cautiously weigh the arguments on each side of a
((uestion on which his opinion was sought, and so
many were the possible objections which his wide
knowledge suggested to either view that his final de-
cision was long in maturing, and generally given
with some reservation of a possible modification.
Like Lord Eldon, he knew so much law that he
knew how little of it was absolutely uncontro-
verted.
His most valuable services were rendered as coun-
sel in chambers, where the whole wealth of his learn
ing and experience were at the service of his clients.
Yet, as an advocate before juries in the first thirty
years of his practice, he obtained a large influence
by the thoroughness of his preparation, and by that
evident sincerity which characterized his every utter-
ance. His arguments on questions of law were sure
to bring to the aid of the court all that could, by
research and logic, be found to sustain his posi-
tions.
Notwithstanding his enthusiastic devotion to his
profession. Dr. Bacon, as we loved tocall him, — for no
man more worthily bore the title of Doctor of Law.s, —
was interested in all that goes to make up a broad
and liberal citizen. His studies in metaphysics, in
history, in mathematics were the enjoyment of his
leisure hours. With the latest advances in modern
thought he kept himself fomiliar, and the writer re-
members listening with some surprise to remarks
which showed profound reflection on the latest de-
velopments of the theory of evolution.
For public otfice he was not at all ambitious, and
one term in the State Legislature and two years as
mayor of the city left him with a desire to do his
duty as a private citizen, and this he conscientiously
performed. During the war his patriotism was lofty
and courageous. Three sons he gave to the service
of his country, of whom but one returned. Deeply
as his atFectionate nature felt the loss, he was never
heard to murmur at the sacrifice. His nature was
singularly open and kind. It did not seem that the
thought of the possibility of adopting any but the
straightforward course ever occurred to his mind.
Duplicity and cunning were with him simply impos-
sible. His strong emotional tendencies he kept in
check by seldom speaking of the topics that aroustd
them ; but when he did have occasion to allude to a
friend who was no more, or any of the deep convic-
tions of his heart, it was evident that his feelings
were warm and tender as a woman's. In 1883, with
only a few hours interval, the Nestor of our law
passed from his busy office to the re.-.t that remaiu-
eth for such righteous mortals. With firm and ra-
tional faith, he had never shrunk from the last great
change, and, whatever that change betokens, no
man's life gave greater cause for calmness in await-
ing it than his whose kindly face in portraiture now
lends its silent inspiration among the books he
loved.
Benjamin Franklix Thomas.'— The subject
of this sketch was a grandson of Isaiah Thomas, the
patriot-printer of the Revolution, and was born in
Boston, February 12, 1813.
He was educated at Brown University, where he
graduated in 1830, at the early age of seventeen. He
studied law in Worcester, and was admitted to the
bar in 1834, acquiring, while siill young, a large and
excellent practice and growing influence in the
county.
In 1842 he represented the town of Worcester in
the State Legislature, and from 1844 to 1848 was
judge of Probate for Worcester County. Next to
Governor Washburn, he attained the largest practice
of the Worcester bar, at the time when eminence at
that bar was an exceptional distinction. Governor
Lincoln and Governor Davis were still among the
older members. Pliny Merrick, Charles Allen, Emory
Washburn, Henry Chapin, Peter C. Bacon, Ira M.
Barton were his contemporaries ; while a score of
younger lawyers, now achieving high distinction in
professional and public life, were just entering into
active practice.
Upon the resignation of Mr. Justice Fletcher, in
1853, Judge Thomas was appointed, when barely forty
years of age, a justice of the Supreme Judicial Court,
holding that position for six years, and gaining a dis-
tinguished reputation as an able and learned jurist.
In 1859 he resigned his seat on the bench on ac-
count of the great inadequacy of the salary, and
removed to Boston, where he practiced and held a
position in the front rank at the bar. In 1861-63 he
served one term in Congress, and in 1868, upon the
retirement of Chief Justice Bigelow, he was nomin-
ated, by Governor Bullock, to the Council for chief
justice of the Commonwealth, but, after an unpleasant
controversy, failed of confirmation.
This is but a slight outline of the relations Judge
Thomas held to the public at large.
The greater part of his active life was spent in the
discharge of professional duties which have small
place in history, and will pass from memory to tradi-
1 By Delano GoddarU.
xlvi
HISTORY OF WORCESTER COUNTY, MASSACHUSETTS.
tion with the generation that knew and trusted and
honored him.
He was particularly skilled in the law of wills and
trusts, and in this brancli of the law had no rival.
On tlie bench he was distinguished for the tenacity
with which he defended the constitutional privileges
secured by the Declaration of Rights, and especially
trial by jury.
His most celebrated opinion is the powerful dis-
senting Judgment delivered in the case of tlie Com-
monwealth I'f. Anthes, 5 Gray, in which he vindicated
the right of juries to determine, under the general
issue, the law as well as the facts in criminal trials.
His view was subsequently sustained by the Legisla-
ture, which re-enacted the statute in 1860.
His studies, both in law and government, took a
wide range, and he was well read in history and in
English literature. With the bar he has ever been
very popular.
His as.sociates, and especially those younger than
himself, were attracted to him not more by his varied
learning and talents than by his pure and amiable
character. The greatest regrets were e.xpressed when
he left the bench, and no man has ever been more
highly respected at the bar.
Id the heat of controversy excited by his nomina-
tion as chief justice, he was opposed on grounds
chiefly political, but also on the ground of a habit of
dissenting, which at that time was looked upon as a
serious disqualification.
But Governor Bullock, in justifying his nomination
to the Council, replied that, of the nineteen hundred
cases reported during the six years that Judge Thomas
held a seat upon the bench, he dissented in only four,
not by pride of opinion, but by the interests of truth
and justice. And a member of the Suffolk bar, then
and now one of its wisest and most learned members,
writing upon the same objection, said :
" It is undoubtedly desirable that the court should
stand together. Division is sometimes an indication
of weakness. But it is a much greater weakness to
insist upon this point to the e.xchision of the qutstion
of what is right ; and when n judge is held up to
ridicule merely because he differs from his associates,
it will be the saddest sign of all. We have yet to
learn that the honest dissent of an able magistrate,
althougli repeatedly exercised, is ever regarded with
contempt by honorable associates, by the piddic, or
by the legal i)rofe3sion."
Tills, hovvever, was but a pretext brought up by zealous
opponents to re-enforce the political and personal rea-
sons on which their opposition was mainly grounded.
But it is not worth wliile to revive the memory of
these forgotten strifes. The wounds inflicted then
were long ago healed. And among those who ftdlowcd
Judge Thomas to the grave, there were none who did
so with more sincere and unaffected sorrow than those
who questioned the wisdom of his nomination, and
joined in the effort to defeat it.
In politics Judge Thomas was, in early life, a
Whig, and when the dissolution of that party came,
and the war .suddenly presented grave prolilems of
government for immediate solution, it was harder for
him, than lor most men in public life, to look with
patience upon the torture to which the Constitution
was exposed.
He was always conservative, with a tendency to
the technical side of disputed questions, always re-
strained and controlled by a quick moral sense and an
unfailing love of justice.
His brief term of political service happened to fall
upon a period of intense and exciting feeling, when
constitutional scruples were looked upon with little
patience, and were indulged at much personal peril.
But no man ever took the unpopular side of grave
public questions under a more commanding sense of
public duty than Judge Thotnas took his upon the
constitutional questions forced upon him by the ex-
igency in which he was placed.
As an orator. Judge Thomas seemed born to high
distinction, if his ambition in that direction had been
equal to his rare gifts.
His formal addresses on anniversary and other mem-
orial occasions, are of a very high order of excellence ;
but, besides these, there are many among us who will
remember the brilliant and sometimes electric elo-
quence with which, in his earlier days, he took part
in the political and other public interests of the time.
His command of language was always pure, rich and
abundant ; his manner was spirited, fervent and stim-
ulating ; and when he finished there was always,
among those who listened, regret that one endowed
with such gifts was so little inclined to exercise them.
Judge Thomas received the degree of Doctor of Laws
from Brown University in 1853, and from Harvard
College in 18u4. He was, at the time of his death,
September 27, 1878, vice-president of the American
Antiquarian Society, a member of the Massachusetts
Historical Society and of the American Academy of
Arts and Sciences.
Our county has been singularly fortunate in the
character and ability of the gentlemen who have
presided in its Probate Court. In 1858, the year of
Judge Kinnicutt's death, the offices of judge of the
Court of Probate and of the Court of Insolvency were,
by act of the Legislature, united in one person in each
county. To this double trust Henrv Ciiapin was ap-
pointed, and for twenty years most admirably dis-
charged its functions. He was born in Upton in 1811,
and left at fourteen to provide largely for his own sup-
port. For some months he was engaged in learning a
trade. The necessity for such an occupation of course
rendered it diliicult for him to procure an education,
but he was not driven from the undertaking, and
succeeded in fitting for college, and in graduating
from Brown in 1835. After gaining some exper-
ience and a small financial capital as a teacher in
the common schools of Upton, he began his legal
^:^^i^-<^t.^yc <Si>^ o^^» A^- ^^^-l^'^-J^O-e^/L
THE BENCH AND BAR.
xlvii
studies with Emory Washburn, and followed them at
the Cambridge Law School. On admission to the
bar he chose Uxbridge for his opening career, and
remained there till his removal to Worcester in 1846,
when Rejoice Xewton made him a junior partner. As
an advocate he obtained a large and profitable prac-
tice. He possessed a shrewdness, a homely, kindly
method of address, and an entire absence of stiffness
or formality which procured him great influence with
juries. For tlie duties of Probate judge he was ex-
ceiJtionally fitted. His fund of patience seemed
inexhaustible. In that court no strict rules of pro-
cedure are maintained ; much of the business is trans-
acted without the aid of counsel, and by pei"sons who
come to the judge to learn what they ought to do, and
how to do it. For all such he had a kindly reception,
listened to their statements (generally involved, and
often incoherent), and let them feel that they had
found a friend as well as a help out of their difficul-
ties. Towards members of the bar also, and especially
the younger element, his manners were courteous, and
commanded in turn respect. In the law governing
the eases under his consideration he was thoroughly
versed, and his decisions stood the test of appeal, with
but a small proportion of adverse rulings by the
higher court. Although for the last six months of
his life he was unable to attend in the court-room, his
courage did not permit him to surrender, and up
till the very day before his death, in 1878, he con-
tinued occasionally, at his house, to attend to matters
of routine, hoping constantly that his usefulness was
not yet to end, and determined that it should con-
tinue with his life. Mr. Chapin was a public-spirited
citizen, alive to the importance of the performance by
every man of his political duties. He was an early
member of the Free Soil party, and an efiective
speaker during the anti-slavery agitations. For one
year he represented Uxbridge in the General Court,
and in 1853 he was its delegate to the Constitutional
Convention.
Worcester made him its mayor in 1849 and 1850, and
would have had him serve again had he not declined
the honor. In 1870, when, by the sudden death of
Mayor Blake, a vacancy occurred during a term, the
City Council turned at once to him as the man most
suitable to fill the emergency, and he consented so to
do until a successor could be chosen by the usual
methods of election. He was not ambitious for
political office, and declined to stand as a candidate
when nominated by the Republicans for Congress in
185(5. As a speaker on public occasions he was fre-
quent!}' in demand, and his quaint humor and well-
told stories interested his audiences and impressed his
meaning on their minds.
With various business organizations he was actively
connected, and, by the exercise of a sagacious judg-
ment in investment, added to his accumulated prop-
erty. To the religious organization with which he
was connected he gave earnest support and valuable
assistance in many ways. His religious convictions
were deep and sincere, though rarely brought into
notice, except with intimate friends ; but their fruit
was shown in his discriminating and kindly benevo-
lence and readiness to further charitable organiza-
tions which commended themselves to his judgment.
An exemplary citizen, an upright judge and an hon-
est, man.
Alexander Hamilton Bullock.' — Governor
Bullockstands conspicuous in the listof Ma.ssachusetts'
chief magistrates ; even in the whole list, extending
through Colonial, Provincial and Constitutional
times; conspicuous in respect to patriotism, ability
and conscientious devotion to the public interest.
And for the very reason that he occupies so promi-
nent a position in our history, the writer is spared the
attempt at any extended delineation in this place, where
space is so limited. But with the portrait, in which his
features are so faithfully and so artistically presented,
it is necessary that something should appear respect-
ing his various characteristics and family connections,
with allusions at least to certain passages in his pub-
lic career.
He was born in Royalston, Worcester County, on
the 2d of March, 1816, and was the son of Rufus and
Sarah (Davis) Bullock. His father, who was born on
the 23d of September, 1779, was a school-teacher in
his early manhood, but soon became a country mer-
chant. Quitting that vocation in 1825, he engaged
in manufacturing, and in due time amassed a hand-
some fortune. He was somewhat in public life ; was
five years a Representative in the General Court, and
two years a Senator ; was a member of the conven-
tions of 1820 and 1853 for revising the State Consti-
tution ; and was Presidential elector in 1852.
Alexander H. Bullock, the subject of this sketch,
entered Amherst College in 1832, was a diligent
student, and on his graduation, in 1836, delivered the
salutatory oration at commencement. In the cata-
logue of his college contemporaries are found the
names of Rev. Richard S. Storrs, Rev. Henry Ward
Beecher, Bishop Huntington and others of wide
reputation. Alter graduating he taught a school for
a short period, but, partly by the urgency of his father
and partly from his own inclination, he applied him-
self to the study of law, entering Harvard Law School,
then under the presidency of Judge Story. After
leaving the Law School he spent a year in the law-
office of the w-ell-known lawyer, Emory Washburn, of
Worcester, where he gained a good knowledge of the
various details of legal practice. He was admitted to
the bar in 1841, and soon began practice in Worcester.
As a pleader he does not seem to have aimed to
become conspicuous. Senator Hoar says : " He dis-
liked personal controversy. While he possessed
talents which would have rendered him a brilliant
and persuasive advocate, the rough contests of the
1 By Hon. J. E. Newhall.
HISTORY OF WORCESTER COUNTY, MASSACHUSETTS.
court-house could never have been congenial to him.
He was associated with Judge Thomas as junior coun-
sel in one important capital trial, in which he is said
to have made an eloquent opening argument. He
had a considerable clientage for a young man, to
whom he was a safe and trustworthy adviser. But he
very soon established a large business as agent of
important insurance coni|)auies, and withdrew him-
self altogether from the [iraetice of law.''
In 18-1-1 Governor Bullock married Elvira, daughter
of Col. A. G. Hazard, of Enfield, Ct., founder of the
Hazard Gunpowder Manufacturing Company. Their
children were Augustus George ; Isabel, who married
Nelson S. Bartlett, of Boston ; and Fanny, who
married Dr. William H. Workman, of Worcester.
The widow and all the children are yet living.
From early manhood Governor Bullock took a de-
cided interest in politics, but did not allow it to ab-
sorb an undue portion of his time till the period ar-
rived when he could safely make it a leading object.
In constitutional law he was particularly well versed,
and that fact, in connection with his decided opinions
on all public questions, gave him in debate and in
action very great advantage. In party affiliation he
was of the old Whig school.
A brief recapitulation of some of his efficient ])ul>-
lie services may here be given. He was a member of
the Massachusetts House of Representatives lor eight
years: first in 1845, and last in 18(3.5. In 18(j2, '63,
'64 and '65 he was Speaker. And what Governor
Hutchinson says, in his history of Speaker Burrill,
may well be said of him, namely, that the House
were as fond of him " as of their eyes;" the historian
adding, in a note, " I have often heard his contempo-
raries applaud him for his great integrity, his ac-
quaintance with parliamentary form.s, the dignity
and authority with which he filled the chair, and the
order and decorum he maintained in the debates of
the House."
Governor Bullock was also, in 1849, a State Sena-
tor. He was judge of the Worcester County Court
of Insolvency for two years, 1856-58, having, under
a previous jurisdiction, served as commissioner of
insolvency from 1853. He was mayor of Worcester
in 1859. But the most prominent event in his public
life was his election to the gubernatorial chair, which
he occupied three years — 1866, '67 and '68. At the
first election he received nearly fifty thousand votes
more than the opposing candidate.
He undoubtedly could have held prominent posi-
tions in national affairs had he been so disposed ; but
his ambition seems not to have run in that direction.
He never held office under the general Government,
and all the incidents of his political life must be
looked for in the history of his native State, where a
rich store is to be found.
On the 5th of Janu.iry, 1879, Hon. George F. Hoar
was authorized by President Hayes to ask Governor
Bullock if he would accept the then vacant Eng-
lish mission. In answer the following letter was re-
ceived :
WoncEsTER, Dec. 8, 1879.
My Dear Sir: I rfCuiveU yesterday your favor of the 5th iust., in
which you kilully iiir|iiue, in bflialf of tlio Presideut, wliether I
would undcrtalic Uu- Missiou to England. I have felt at liberty to
take to myself twenty-four hours lo consider this qucBtion, and I
now apprise ycni of the conclusion to whicli my i-etlecliou has, with
uiucli reluctauco brought nie. I ani compelled, by the hituation of
iuy family, to reply that it would be pi-aclically iinjiossible for me to
accept this apiiointnient.
I particularly desire to express to tlie Presideut my profound and
grateful acknowledgment of the high distinction he has olTered to
confer upon me, aud to jissure him of my purpose in evei'y way asa
private citizen to uphold him in his wise and patriotic admiuisti-atiou
of the government.
Your conininnicatiou has been and will cnnlinue to be treated by
me as confidential.
I remain with j;reat respect ami esteem,
Tru y and failbluUy yours,
Alexander H. Bullock.
The Hon. Geo. V. Hoar, U.S.S.
In financial, humane, and all reformatory move-
ments Governor Bullock was active and efficient. He
was president of the State Mutual Life Assurance
Company, and of the Worcester County Institution
for Savings, a director in the Worcester National
Bank, chairman of the Finance Committee of the
Trustees of Amherst College and a life-member of the
New England Historic-Genealogical Society. He was
a writer of much more than ordinary ability, and
while editor of the y^'j/ts newpaper, which position he
held for several years, established an enviable repu-
tation as a journalist. The degree of LL.D. was con-
ferred on him by Harvard and by Amherst.
During the Civil War Governor Bullock was an
efficient co-laborer with Governor Andrew, so appro-
priately called the " War Governor of Massachusetts."
His eloquent voice was often raised to cheer the
gathering crowds of patriots in various places, and
Faneuil Hall, too, resounded with his stirring ap-
peals.
He was a great friend of learning; and all institu-
tions of instruction, from the elementary common
school to the best endowed college, had his counsel
and encouragement.
And there was in him a vein of true democracy,
often manifesting itself in anxiety to guard against
any attempt by legislative, judicial or any other
power to override the soverign right of the people ;
and hence, as might naturally have been expected,
he remained a firm friend to the principle of " Local
Option," in law, so far as it could in any way be made
expedient. He vetoed, to the surprise of many of his
party friends, one or two enactments, considered
important, for the simple reason that he viewed
them a-s trenching on some general right of the
people.
In 1869 he visited Europe with his family, and on
his return the following year the civic authorities and
citizens of Worcester gave testimony of their appreci-
ation of his character and his services by a public
reception. After his retirement from the Governor-
<^^>^<C2>^i,<>if,^ i^^. aS-^^C-C^^e^
THE BENCH AND BAR.
xlix
ship he heUl no other public ofliee, and declined to
entertain any of the suggestions made to him of
further political service, which would involve, to
some extent, the abandonment of those studies and
employments which were so agreeable to him.
Governor Bullock waa an orator of great power, and
the volume of his addresses recently published con-
tains many models of pure style and elegant scholar-
ship. Speaking of him la this connection, Senator
Hoar says : " Above all, he possessed, beyond any of
his living contemporaries, that rare gift of eloquence
which always has been and always will be a passport
to the favor of the people where speech is free."
He was a lover of scholarship, a citizen of many
resources and large usefulness, whose life diffused all
around it au influence and charm, which elevated-
the standard of the domestic and moral life of the
community. In January, 1882, with startling
suddenness, he died amid the scenes of his activities.
The world owes much of its brightness and beauty
to the people whose cheerful disposition and faculty
for cordial greetings make others ashamed of melan-
choly dullness and drive away worry and vexation
from their presence.
Such a blessing to his friends was the companion-
ship of the late Judge Dewey.
In 1814 Daniel Dewey was appointed to the bench
of the Supreme Judicial Court, and held the office
only about one year until his death. In 1837 his
son, Charles A. Dewey, received a like distinction,
and for nearly thirty years discharged his duties
with learning and fidelity. Francis H. Dewey, with
this distinguished legal lineage, was born in Wil-
liamstown in 1821. A few years later his father re-
moved to Northampton. In that town and in Amherst
his studies preparatory to college were pursued.
From Williams College, where his ancestora for
three generations had held office as trustees, he
graduated in 1840, and proceeded at once to fit
himself for his inherited profession in the law schools
of Yale and Harvard College. He also gained prac-
tical experience in the office of Charles P. Hunting-
ton, in Northampton, and of Emory Washburn, in
Worcester. With the latter he formed a partnership
soon after his admission to the bar, in 1843, a fact
which testifies to the elder man's appreciation of Mr.
Dewey's abilities even at that early stage. The man-
ner in which he entered upon the work of this es-
tablished office, and assumed its responsibilities alone
upon Judge Washburn's promotion to the bench in
the very next year, tested his powers and gave him a
high standing at the bar in the earliest years of his
practice. During this time his utmost diligence was
constantly required to attend to the multitude of
causes in which Mr. Washburn had been engaged.
It would have been most natural if clients who had
sought out so distinguished a counsellor to whom to
entrust their important affiiirs should have desired to
place them in other hands than those of an inex-
D
perienced young attorney ; but Mr. Dewey gave such
evidence of fitness for the task and of devotion to
business, that he retained almost the whole of the
clientage, and increased it as the years went by. In
1850 he associated with himself in practice Hartley
Williams, then just admitted to the bar, and contin-
ued the connection for thirteen years. From 1866
till 1869 Frank P. Goulding, Esq., was his junior
partner. During his whole life, and in all his varied
lines of employment. Judge Dewey was incessantly
active. No other adverb can describe the nature of
his activity. Always brisk, apparently in a hurry,
yet with his faculties alert and undisturbed, he went
from one task to another, without apparent thought
or need of rest. In the trial of causes before juries
his manner was restless, almost nervous ; but his
watchfulness of every movement, his quick seizure of
every slight advantage and his thorough familiarity
with the facts proved to opposing counsel that there
was nothing to be hoped from the inattention of his
adversary. Throughout the most heated controver-
sies he preserved his courteous tones, his pleasant
smile and his real composure. Some men are able
to hide beneath immovable features and thoroughly
controlled muscles disturbed feelings and discomfited
plans of action. But Mr. Dewey's mental quiet was
preserved under what seemed a physical necessity
for movement.
His closing argument was always to be dreaded as
likely to present some unexpected view of the evi-
dence or some shrewd suggestion which his opponent
had left unobserved and unanswered. He seemed to
take the jury into his confidence, to talk to them in
a friendly, common-sense manner, without attempt
at eloquence, but with remarkably convincing eflect.
In 1869 Governor Claflin appointed him an asso-
ciate justice of the Superior Court, — a position which
he occupied until 1881. There he became a most
useful presiding officer, despatching the business of
the courts with the celerity which characterized his
private business, treating with courtesy and patience
counsel and witnesses, and assisting the jurymen by
impartial, lucid statements, summing up the evi-
dence and explaining the legal jirinciples which
were to guide them.
Mr. Dewey's energies were by no means confined
to professional employments, exacting as those were.
The number of business enterprises and charitable
institutions in which he was interested as an officer,
and to each of which he gave faithful attention,
would seem to have furnished sufficient occupation
for the whole time of an active man. Yet he did not
seem to be oppressed by the burden of responsibili-
ties. He possessed the happy faculty of laying aside
all worry over affairs, when he had done the best
that his judgment dictated for their proper conduct.
He was president of one railroad company and a
director in another, and acquired a considerable
familiarity with the methods of management of these
I
HISTORY OF WORCESTER COUNTY, MASSACHUSETTS.
modern systems of transportation, while his sagacity
as a financier was of the greatest service to his stock-
holders. After his resignation from the bench, in 1881,
he gave the largest share of his time and thought to the
service of the Washburn & Moen Manufacturing Com-
pany, the largest business establishment of the city.
He invested largely in its stock, was one of its
directors, and until his death acted as the general
legal adviser of the concern. To the interests of the |
Episcopal Church, where he was a constant attendant,
and of various public charities, he gave willing and
faithful service. In him Williams College had a con-
stant friend. From 18C9 to his death he was one of
its board of trustees, an office to which he was called
by heredity as well as individual fitness, and Presi-
dent Carter testifies to the worth of his ever-ready
advice, skillful management of the investments of its
funds, and loyal support on all occasions.
In social life he was a most delightful companion,
overflowing with good humor, entering with zest into
the spirit of any gathering for recreation, whether
the company were youngsters or those of his own age.
His love for children was a conspicuous and charm-
ing trait, exhibited not only to those of his own
family, but in his fondness for gathering about him,
whenever opportunity aflbrded, the playmates of his
grandchildren, and encouraging their sports.
In 1887, while still as deeply engrossed as ever in
his multifarious cares, without apparent diminution
of his capacity or desire for work, he was suddenly
stricken down without a moment's warning. Yet it
is difficult to call his death untimely. His life had
been a singularly successful one, whether we regard
his legal attainments, his acquisition of property, his
friendships or his family relations. He left his work
well done, and saw his sons ready and able to take it
up and carry it forward. Without pain or lingering
he passed away. If one could choose his exit from
the world's stage, could he choose better?
Judge Dewey's partner for thirteen years was
Hartley Williams, whose graceful dignity long
adorned the bench of our Municipal Court. He was
born in Mercer, Maine, in the year 1820. As one of
a large family of children, in a community where
every one was diligently at work, wresting from an
unwilling soil the means of subsistence for himself
and those dependent on him, his time was largely
occupied by the duties that usually devolve on a farm-
er's boy, and his opportunities for education were
restricted. At nineteen years, however, he had made
such good use of the fiicilities at his command as to
be prepared to undertake the instruction of others,
and first in a neighboring town, later in Fall River
and Rhode Island, he taught schools with good suc-
cess. He must have been a most helpful and lovable
teacher, with those kindly manners, that unselfish
interest in the welfare of those about him, and that
long-suffering patience which characterized the ma-
ture man whom we knew.
While still engaged in this work he formed the in-
tention of entering the legal profession. In 1843 he
came to Worcester, and for several years was engaged
in mercantile pursuits, all the while cherishing his
resolution to become a lawyer, and giving what time
he could to study. In 1848 he gave up business, and
entered Mr. Dewey's office as a student. To a share
in the burdens of that busy office he was admitted in
1850, directly after he had passed his examinations for
the bar. His early habits of industry, cultivated
through his varied employments, now served him
well. By constant, regular attention to his business,
and an ability to so control his mental operations as
not to worry over it, he accomplished a very large
amount of work with an appearance of little etlbrt,
certainly without any evidence of haste. As an ad-
vocate, he was one to whom juries were glad to listen,
and obtained a good measure of success. His clients
found him a wise and safe counsellor, with an intelli-
gent business judgment, enlightened by careful read-
ing and excellent grasp of legal principles.
In matters of public interest Mr. Williams exerted
a wholesome influence, unostentatiously performing
the duties of a good citizen on the side of morality
and progress. His experience as an instructor made
him a valuable member of the School Committee,
and for many years he gave much of his time and
valuable suggestions to this mobt important depart-
ment of public usefulness. He served his city as an
alderman, and during the Civil War was a member
of the State Senate for two years, and of Governor
Andrew's Council in 1864 and 1865. In the latter
capacity he became a trusted adviser of the Gov-
ernor, and formed strong ties of friendship, not only
with him, but with other members of the Council,
which were cemented in an association formed by
those who had been Councillors during the war. At
the annual meeting of the Andrew Councillor Associ-
ation he was a regular and most welcome attendant.
This only illustrates the nature of the man. He was
social in his instincts, loved to meet his friends, to
bind them to him by acts of kindness, and disliked to
allow change of situation to interfere with friendly
relations once formed.
His most important public service was in the court
over which he presided. To this position he was
appointed in 1868, while holding the office of district
attorney, to whicli he had been elected in 186(5.
The act abolishing the Police Court, which had been
in existence since the incorporation of the city, and
establishing with the same jurisdiction the Munici-
pal Court, took effect in July, 1868, and from that
time until the beginning of his fatal illness Judge
Williams administered the law with impartiality,
wisdom, and with a constant urbanity which made
the duties of counsel before him a pleasure. His
patience was inexhaustible, and, while he maintained
the dignity of his position, he was always easily to
be approached and ready to listen with kindly sym-
THE BENCH AND BAR.
pathy to tlie oft-recurring tales of misery and suffer-
ing whicli were poured out to him by offenders await-
ing his decision.
In 1872 the Municipal Court was abolished by the
act creating the Central District Court, which is now
in force. The jurisdiction of the new tribunal cov-
ered not only the city, but several of the neighbor-
ing towns, and formed part of a system of District
Courts, which were established to take the place
in most of the towns of trial justices. Mr. Williams
was immediately commissioned as judge of this
court.
In 18S2, while presiding at a meeting of an asso-
ciation of natives of Maine, in the formation of ,
which he had taken great interest, he sufl'ered a par-
alytic shock, from the effects of which he did not re-
cover, and died after a few months' illness.
In 1878 an address was delivered before a social
gathering of the bar of the county by Judge Dwight
Foster, in which he supplemented the previous ad-
dresses of Mr. Willard and Judge Washburn by add-
ing biographical sketches of some of our lawyers who
had passed from the stage since 1856. From each of
these sources has been derived much of the material
for the present chapter. Mr. Foster was not, at the
time mentioned, a resident of this county, but his
interest in its bar, where his early associations were
formed, continued through his life. He was born in
the city of Worcester in 1828. The names of three
generations of his ancestors have appeared in these
pages, two of them as judges. His father had prac-
ticed so short a time as almost to interrupt the chain
of legal heredity, but the son possessed the family
genius in fullest measure. He was one of those
whose ability shows itself in the earliest stages of
their development.
In 1848 he graduated from Yale College with the
highest honors of his class, and only one year after-
wards was admitted to the bar in his native city. For
a short time thereafter he was a partner of Mr. Ba-
con, and, for a few months before the promotion of
Judge Thomas to the bench, was associated with
hira. He thus became early inducted to a considera-
ble practice. For a short time after Judge Kinni-
cutt's retirement, in 1857, he held the office of judge
of Probate.
In 1861 he was elected Attorney-General of the
State, and held the office by successive re-elections
during the following three years. Here he deservedly
acquired a high reputation for his mastery of our
criminal law. In the trial of a capital case during
the first years of his incumbency, where the evidence
was almost entirely circumstantial, he won the admi-
ration of experienced lawyers for his management of
what all had looked upon as a difficult and doubtful
undertaking. As the adviser of the government in
the midst of the novel exigencies arising out of the
war, his promptness and clear-sightedness were in-
valuable. Questions were constantly presented to
him by the Governor, by heads of departments and
by military officers, which were without precedent in
their official experience, and yet which called for
.speedy solution. Mr. Foster realized that it was more
important, in that time of peril, that the various offi-
cers should have some rule to guide them immediately
than that a laborious examinationof authorities should
be made while the time for action was slipping by. His
opinions were accordingly given without delay, and
with clearness and positiveness sufficient to assure a
doubting interrogator and inspire him with confi-
dence to proceed with his new duties.
From 1866 to 1869 he was an associate justice of
the Supreme Judicial Court. In that short term of
service he evinced admirable qualifications for the
position, presiding at nisi prius with dignity and
courtesy, and in his published opinions dealing with
questions of law concisely and logically. One reason
given by him for his retirement from the bench was
the inadequacy ,of the salary, — a just reproach to the
system which endeavors to procure for the State the
services of the highest legal talent at lower rates of
compensation than are ofi'ered by private corpora-
tions.
From this time on he made Boston his permanent
home, and acquired a very lucrative practice. For
several years he delivered lectures on "Equity" in
the Boston University. With this branch of the law
he was especially familiar, and was accustomed to
make use of its methods for obtaining relief whenever
practicable, so that his instruction must have been
very valuable as containing the results of his own
experience in addition to the theory of the books.
One of his distinguished services was as counsel
for the United States before the commissioners to
whom was referred the question of the rights of our
fishermen under the treaty with Great Britain. At
the time of his death, in 1884, and for several years
previous thereto, he acted as the counsel of the New
England Mutual Life Insurance Company, and their
business occupied the princip.al portion of his time.
As an advocate he rarely aroused the sympathy of
juries by any attempt to enlist their feelings, but
rather relied on clear and logical appeals to their rea-
son. His own apprehension of the evidence was dis-
tinct, and he was able to present it to the jury forci-
bly and in the simplest form. He had a just reliance
on his own powers, and did not hesitate to assume
responsibility or engage any adversary. At the same
time he appreciated and gave generous praise to the
merits of brother lawyers. In private life he was a
genial host and an attractive guest. His mind was
well-stored with varied information, and he possessed
the faculty of imparting that in an agreeable man-
ner. His mental operations were exceedingly quick
and his power of observation ever on the alert, so
that all his surroundings contributed to his stock of
knowledge and filled his conversation with ever-fresh
interest. The honorable line of lawyers,'of which he
lii
HISTOKY OF WORCESTER COUNTif, MASSACHUSETTS.
was the brightest ornament, is not yet extinct.
Though the Worcester bar cannot claim his sons as
members, they still uphold the ancestral reputation
in other scenes.
Geor(if. F. Verry was one of the best illustrations
which this bar has furnished of the value to a lawyer
of the qualities of self-reliance and perfect imper-
turbability. His success may be as fairly traced to
his possession of the.se traits as to any other cause.
He was born in Mendon in 1826, and had the advan-
tage of his father's care for only two or three years.
His education was obtained in the common schools
and during a partial course at the Andover Academy.
From that preparatory school he had hoped to enter
college, but his plans were interrupted, and he left
his studies to engage in learning the business of a
manufacturer. After a few years' trial, however, he
determined to fit himself for the bar, and began his
studies in the office of Henry D.Stone in the year 18-19.
Admitted to the bar after the usual three years of
preparation, he was in a short time received as a part-
ner by Mr. Stone, and so continued until 1857. Thus
entering upon a business already well-established, he
had the opportunity to learn, by actual use, the value
of his' acquirements. This was largely the process of
his attainment to that degree of forensic skill and
knowledge of the law which secured his high rank
among our advocates. He was not a learned student
of books or precedents, but to the questions involved
in each case in which he was concerned he gave close
attention and consulted the books with reference to
those particular topics. With a retentive memory
and a clear common-sense judgment, he thus became
familiar with the current of decisions upon almost the
whole of the great variety of controverted doctrines
which have been debated in our courts. After the
dissolution of his connection with Mr. Stone, he con-
tinued business alone with a rapidly increasing
clientage until 1875, when he formed a partnership
with Francis A. Gaskill, the present district attorney,
and Horace B. Verry, his adopted son, which con-
tinued till his death.
A large part of Mr. Verry's reputation was won in
the conduct of the defence of criminal causes. In
several capital trials which attracted wide attention,
his skill in the examination of witnesses, his readi-
ness to meet sudden emergencies, and his thorough
grasp of the bearing of evidence were shown in a
manner which placed him among the leaders in that
department of practice. On the civil side of the
court, also, the possession of the same resources
brought to him, perhaps, the most lucrative clientage
of any of his contemporaries during the ten years
before his death. In the progress of the most excit-
ing trial he preserved a most absolute control of all
his faculties. Forcible in the presentation of his
own views, keen, and often severe in his examination
of witnesses, he never allowed any exhibition of
temper to weaken his influence with the jury, or ob-
scure his calm watchfulness of every mananivre.
His arguments seldom appealed to the emotional
nature, but were admirably lucid in their logical pre-
sentation of the facts. From the very outset of his
career he boldly confronted every adversary, however
more ample his experience, and learned even in defeat
to reserve for his client whatever of advantage there
remained to him. In social life he was a most genial
comrade. Especially towards younger members of the
profession were his manners and expressions of friend-
ship cordial at all times. The writer well remembers
many words of kind encouragement which helped to
make his student-days and first years of practice more
hopeful and less irksome. Mr. Verry did not hold
many public offices. In 1872 he was mayor of the
city of Worcester. The problem of the proper assess-
ment of the expense of a great system of sewers had
long been deferred ; with characteristic energy he
sought a .solution. Principally under his direction, a
plan was adopted which was finally sustained by the
courts, though opposed by leading citizens and able
counsel. His acceptance of this responsibility cost
him his re-election the next year, but stands as an
evidence of his independence and sagacity. He served
two terms in the State Senate, the second year as
chairman of the Judiciary Committee. As a Demo-
crat during the last ten years of his life, he was most
frequently in the minority in the State, and though
several times a candidate, held no other elective
oflSce.
In 1883 he died, leaving, it is believed, only friends
among the members of the bar, and only firm ad-
herents among his host of clients.
The death of Judge Adin Thayer is still sodeejjly
felt, not only in the community where he lived, but
in the councils of the leaders of the State, where his
presence had become well-nigh essential, that it
seems unnecessary in so brief a sketch as is here pos-
sible to rehearse the well-known story of his life.
But neither the histt^y of our bar nor that of the
Commonwealth for the past forty years can properly
be written without the mention of his share in the
progress of each. He was the son of Caleb Thayer,
a farmer of Mendon, not rich in material possessions,
but with a sturdy independence and an innate love
of liberty, wliich evinced itself in the early espousal
of the anti-slavery cause when the unpopularity ot
its adherents amounted to ostracism. His grand-
father was a Revolutionary soldier, and the combative
tendencies of the descendants seem to have come by
right inheritance. Born in 1828, his early life was
spent upon the farm, with only the occasional oppor-
tunities for education afforded by the district schools.
Later on he attended the Worcester Academy, and,
with some thought of adopting the profession of a
teacher, he took a course in the Normal School at
Westfield. After short trial of school-room life, how-
ever, he made up his mind that he could not be satis-
fied with that career, and began the study of the law
/>^? '^>«=^
/'
THE BENCH AND BAK.
liii
with Henry Chapin, whom he was destined to suc-
ceed upon the bench. In 1854 he entered upon his
practice in the city of Worcester, and attained a good
success as an adviser, especially in the management
of business concerns. His judgment was clear and
reliable, and marked by the plainest common sense.
As an advocate he did not appear with great fre-
quency before the courts, but his management of
causes entrusted to him was careful and intelligent,
tenacious of his clients' interests and mindful of de-
tails.
Though he gave diligent attention to his profes-
sional pursuits and acquired a lucrative clientage, it
was in political life that he found his greatest useful-
ness and rose to his greatest eminence. He was an
early and intiuential member of the Free-Soil party,
eager in his opposition to the encroachments of the
slave-power, and roused to indignation by the pro-
ceedings under the Fugitive Slave Law on the soil of
his native State. With Charles Sumner and John
A. Andrew he formed an intimate friendship, and
was their active co-worker and enthusiastic supporter
throughout their political contests. In his devotion
to the principles which he believed should govern
the State and Nation he was unseltisli and consistent.
Though undoubtedly he would have been gratified by
the evidence of the appreciation of his services and
abilities, which an election to important office would
have aflbrded, he never faltered in his exertions for
the success of his party because others were assigned
to more conspicuous stations. He enjoyed the pos-
session of inlluence over the minds of his fellow-
citizens, and to that influence he was justly entitled,
since it was always exercised in the cause of what he
believed to be the truth. He was the friend and ad-
viser of all the prominent leaders of the Republican
party from its formation, and to his powerful assist-
ance the State owes in a large degree the fact that
she has been able to retain in her service some of her
ablest representatives. In the best sense or the term
he was a partisan. Thoroughly convinced of the
righteousness of his cause, conscientiously believing
that it was the dutyof*every good citizen to take part
in the decision of public questions, he threw himself
into a canvass with the spirit of a soldier, determined
that failure should not result from any lukewarmness
on his part. He was a great believer in the necessity
for organization in political work. The campaigns
which he directed were marked by the most thorough
attention to details and by the seizure of every hon-
orable method of securing victory. He did not often
appear as a public speaker, but when he did his lan-
guage was forcible, clear and charged with his earnest
convictions. Some of his addresses upon general
political topics are adiuirable in style and logical
completeness.
His offices were few. For several years under Lin-
coln, and again under Grant, he was collector of
internal revenue [for this district. For two years he
served In the State Senate. Perhaps his most promi-
nent political service was as chairman of the Repub-
lican State Committee in 1878, when, with all his
power, he successfully combated what he believed to
be a great danger to the welfare of the State.
Upon Judge Chapin's death, in 1878, he was ap-
pointed to succeed him in the Probate Court. The
nomination excited some opposition among those who
had become accustomed to regard Mr. Thayer as solely
a politician. But by his ten years of impartial, faith-
ful discharge of the duties of the office, he approved
the wisdom of the selection, and earned the approba-
tion of the bar and the public.
His natural disposition was genial and sympathetic.
A fund of quiet humor made him a most agreeable
companion in hours of relaxation. Towards the latter
part of his life ill-health from time to time clouded
the usual brightness of his temper, and induced
periods of depression, through all of which, however,
he preserved his kindly interest in others and his
affection for his friends. He had interested himself
in several of the business enterprises of the city,
where his foresight had been of great service. But
these cares, added to his other activities, were too
great a strain upon his physical and mental powers.
He was oppressed by the thought of gradually losing
his capacity for usefulness on the stage where he had
tilled so honorable a part. In the summer of 1888,
when his friends were looking forward to his restora-
tion to health as the result of a contemplated season
of rest and travel, in a moment of aberration he died
by his own hand. Massachusetts has lost no more
devoted lover, no more staunch defender.
In several instances to which our attention has
been attracted the honors of the profession, together
with the mental traits befitting the wearers of those
honors, have seemed to be transmitted from father to
son as a natural inheritance. Others, from the most
unpropitious antecedents, have achieved success and
high position. In truth, the pathway is open to all ;
to all it presents difficulties hard to overcome. Few
have had to contend with greater obstacles, or have
done it- with so good courage, as Matthew J. McCaf-
FERTY. Born in Ireland in 1829, his parents brought
him to this country during his infancy. They were
poor, hard-working people, and at an early age the
lad must assist in his own support. In 1841 the
family moved to Lowell, and Matthew began as an
operative in the great mills there. Later on he
learned the trade of a machinist. While so employed
he was inspired with the ambition to become a law-
yer, and devoted his evenings and spare moments to
reading such law-books as he could obtain. In 1852,
having saved some little capital from his trade, he
entered the office of Brown & Alger, in Lowell, and
regularly devoted himself to study. After two years
he found it necessary to replenish his funds, and be-
took himself once more to his trade in Worcester.
With his determination still unchanged he spent his
liv
HISTORY OF WORCESTER COUNTY, MASSACHUSETTS.
evenings reading in Mr. Bacon's office. A fellow-
student at that time was Hamilton B. Staples, now
an associate justice of the Superior Court.
For a short time Mr. McCati'erty tried the rule of an
actor, but soon found it neither agreeable nor remu-
nerative, and returned to rely uijon his shop to fur-
nish him the means of living until better times. His
generous, filial disposition is illustrated by the fact
that, after having with some difficulty saved money
enough to carry him through college, he gave it all
to his mother, whom he visited in Lowell and found
lacking some of the comforts to which her age and
infirmities entitled her. Soon after this Benjamin F.
Butler became interested in the young man's sturdy
struggle, and assisted him through a partial course in
the College of the Holy Cross at Worcester. In 1857
he was admitted to the bar in Lowell, and soon alter
opened his office in Worcester. He was a natural
orator, warm-hearted, impulsive, sympathetic, and
came to be regarded as the special champion of his
race in the city of his adoption. When the call for
volunteers was issued in 1861, he enlisted a's second
lieutenant in the Emmet Guards, a company com-
posed of men of Irish descent, in which he had pre-
viously served as captain. After its three months'
service had expired, he received the commission of
major in the Twenty-fifth Massachusetts Regiment.
With this command he rendered gallant service in
several battles until March, 1SG2, when be resigned
on account of some difference with his colonel which
could not be adjusted. Returning home, he con-
tinued to support the government by his eloquent
speeches on public occasions. He served four terms
in the Legislature, and one as alderman of the city.
In 1883 his early friend and constant political ally.
Governor Butler, appointed him an associate justice
of the Municipal Court of Boston. In this capacity
his impartiality and his kindness of heart made him
an excellent police magistrate. In the short time
before his death, in 1885, he had approved himself to
the profession in his new sphere of action, where at
first there had been a disposition to cavil at the ap-
pointment of a judge from another county.
The career of Francis T. Blackmer compressed
within less than twenty years an amount of profes-
sional labor which might well have formed the em-
ployment of an additional decade, and would then
have left him but little of that leisure he so much
neglected. He seems to have felt that his time for
work was short, and that in the days allotted him he
must accomplish what would suffice for the years of
a longer pilgrimage. He was born in Worcester in
1844, but passed his boyhood in the towns of Prescott
and Hardwick, where his father carried on the oc-
cupation of a farmer at successive periods.
In the district schools and at Wilbraham Academy
he received all the instruction which he obtained be-
fore beginning his legal studies. In later life he
keenly appreciated the advantages bestowed by a
more extended course of education, and expressed
his regret that he was unable to receive a college
training. Yet the reflection is inevitable that it is
not the schools that make the man. We cannot be
sure of the effect of the same discipline upon ditier-
ent minds, and Mr. Blackmer certainly profited ad-
mirably by the limited facilities which he enjoyed.
When twenty years of age he returned to Worcester,
and entered the office of William W. Rice. During
his studies, and for some years after his admission to
the bar, he was employed by Mr. Rice, on terms con-
tinually more advantageous, as he demonstrated his
capacity for work and his mastery of the law. Sub-
sequently a partnership was formed under the name
of Rice & Blackmer, which continued until after Mr.
Rice's Congressional duties called him away from
regular attention to professional employments.
Mr. Blackmer had a remarkable facility in forming
acquaintances. There was not the slightest formality
or diffidence about him. In the same easy, off-hand
manner he met every new-comer, and inspired him
with confidence in his own ability to conduct his
business. His addresses to the jury were marked by
the same familiar style. Brought up like many of
them, in a farming region, familiar with the habits
of thought of our New England country people, he
talked to them as a friendly adviser, citing homely
incidents of country life to illustrate his meaning,
and in language and accent showing clearly that he
was one of them. It was here that he achieved his
principal success. Day after day during the sessions
of the court he appeared on one side or the other, ot
almost every case, and probably became personally
known to more of the inhabitants of the county
than any other of the advocates at the bar during
his later years.
His arguments did not pursue a logical order; but
neither did the usual train of thought of the majority
of his hearers in the jury-box. He weut over the
story of the evidence as it arranged itself in his
mind, and when he had finished, there was no point
which he had forgotten, no inference which had not
been suggested. In his examination of witnesses he
showed a remarkable knowledge of human nature
and an adroitness which was rarely matched. Never
losing his temper, he was prepared to meet any sur-
prising development of testimony with unruffled
composure and the best resources at his command.
His profession thoroughly interested him. He loved
to talk over his cases with students or brother law-
yers, and was ever ready to receive new suggestions
or to state his own views when they were called for.
Before the Supreme Court he argued questions of
law with care and skill, thoroughly appreciating the
value of the distinctions on which he relied and the
eflect of earlier decisions upon the point in issue.
In 1875 he was chosen city solicitor, and so con-
tinued until 1881, when he resigned, to take the
place, as district attorney, of .fudge Staples, then
J
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2^
THE BENCH AND BAR.
Iv
promoted to the bench. In both these capacities,
calling for the exercise of quite different talents, he
acijuitted himself with credit.
His interests outside of his profession were few, for
he gave himself little time for other pursuits. In
local political contests he took part from time to time.
The parish to which he belonged was always an object
of his attention. In his brief hours of social relaxa-
tion he showed himself an affectionate and sunny-
tempered friend. But his constitution was not strong
enough to endure the strain to which he subjected it.
In 1883 he was obliged to give up work, and seek in
absolute rest the reinvigoration of his enfeebled
energies. During the fall he returned to his oflBce,
and was so far encouraged to believe in his restora-
tion to health as to accept a re-election to the district
attorneyship. The apparent improvement was but
temporary, however. His ta.sks were done, as his
brethren at the bar sadly noted when he appeared
among them at the opening of the December term of
court. Again he left his clients, and, hopeful to the
last, took his way toward a Southern climate. But
his disease had taken too firm a hold while he had
refused to leave his post of duty, and in January of
1884 he died in the city of Washington.
He came to the bar the latest of those whom we
have mentioned. Many who saw his earliest efforts
are still in the full vigor of their usefulness, but as
we close these records with his name, let it be said
that none among them all more diligently followed
the injunction : " Work while the day is, for the night
Cometh."
In these imperfect sketches an attempt has been
made to preserve some memorial of a few of those
who have completed their life-work and are to be re-
membered as representatives of that ability and in-
tegrity which has characterized the administration of
justice in this county and Commonwealth. Neces-
sarily the names of many who have largely contrib-
uted to the establishment of this reputation are
omitted. The records of a lawyer's life are too often
written in water. The writer has mainly selected
those who have seemed to him to leave some lasting
imi>ression on their times and to furnish examples
for the edification of their successors in the same
field of enterprise. To learn that the qualities which
secured their successes are still exhibited among us,
it needs only to glance over the honored list of names
which now adorns the roll of this bar. A Senator of
the United States, a justice of the Supreme Court of
the State, two justices of its Superior Court and one
of the United States District Court, and two recent
members of Congress figure in the list. In active prac-
tice are advocates as skillful and eloquent, counsel as
sagacious and learned as any who have gone before.
LIVING LAWYERS.
Charles Devens.^ — Prominently identified with
1 By the Editor.
the military and judicial history of the State of Massa-
chusetts is the Hon. Charles Devens, one of the
justices of the Supreme Judicial Court. General
Devens was born in Charlestown, Mass., April 4, 1820.
He graduated at Cambridge in 1838. He studied law
at the Harvard Law School, and subsequently with
Messrs. Hubbard & Watts, in Boston, and was admitted
to the bar in 1840. He first commenced practice at
Northfleld, where he remained until 1844, when he
removed to Greenfield and formed a co-partnership
with Hon. George T. Davis, which continued until
1849, when he was appointed by President Taylor
United States marshal for the district of Massachu-
setts. This office he held until his resignation in 185.3.
While residing at Greenfield he represented Franklin
County in the State Senate. Upon resigning the office
of marshal, he located in Worcester and resumed the
practice of his profession, forming a partnership with
Hon. George F. Hoar and J. Henry Hill. Soon after
Mr. Hill retii'ed, and the firm of Devens & Hoar
continued until 1861. During his residence in Wor-
cester he served as city solicitor in 1856, 1857 and
1858.
Upon the breaking out of the Rebellion, Mr. Devens
promptly responded to the President's call for troops,
and entered the service as major of the Third Battalion
of Infantry. He soon after became colonel of the
Fifteenth Ma.ssachusetts Regiment, and from this date
until the close of the war he was in active service.
He received his baptism of fire on the disastrous field
of Ball's Blurt', and in 18G2 was made a brig-ulier-
general for gallantry on this memorable field of car-
nage. From the very beginning General Devens saw
severe service. In the battle of Fair Oaks he w^s
severely wounded, also at Chancellorsville, in 1863,
and at Antietam his horse was shot under him. His
distinguished bravery before Richmond was especially
commended by General Grant, and he was commis-
sioned major-general for gallantry at the capture of
the city. At the close of the war he was appointed
military governor of the Eastern District of South
Carolina. This position General Devens held until
June, 1866, when he was mustered out of the service.
Civil honors seemed to await him upon his return
to his native State, and in the following year, 1867, he
was appointed a judge of the Supreme Court, and in
1873 became an associate justice of the Supreme
Judicial Court, and remained upon the bench until
1877, when he was appointed Attorney-General of the
United States by Presideuc Hayes. At the expiration
of four years he returned to Massachusetts, and in
1881 was re-appointed to the bench of the Supreme
Court. Notwithstanding the exacting duties of a
judicial life Judge Devens finds time to manifest his
interest in military aff"airs, and has been president of
the Society of the Army of the James ; president of
the Society of the Army of the Potomac, and of the
Sixth Army Corps. He has been National Com-
mander of the Grand Army of the Republic, and was
Ivi
HISTORY OF WORCESTER COUNTY, MASSACHUSETTS.
for nine years Commander of the Military Order of
the Loyal Legion for Massachusetts.
Judge Devens is eminently an orator, and his public
addresses and eulogies have been many and varied.
He is a member of various societies and clubs, and as
statesman, judge and general ranks among Massachu-
setts' most distinguished citizens.
(JEOROE Frisbee Hoar ' was born in Concord,
Mass., Angust 29, 1826. His ancestons, from the early
days of the Massachusetts Bay Colony, were men of
action and courage, humane, and always in advance
of their times, but not so radical as to be parted in
sympathy from their contemporaries, and to lose
the influence which their character, talents and pub-
lic spirit deserved. John Hoar, Senator Hoar's ear-
liest ancestor in Massachusetts, was one of three
brothers who came, with their widowed mother, from
Gloucestershire, England, among the early colonists.
He was a friend and co-laborer of Eliot, the apos-
tle to the Indians, and after the niiissacre at Lancas-
ter, in King Philip's War, followed Philip's band into
the wilderness with a single Indian guide, and ran-
somed Mrs. Rolandson, one of the Lancaster captives.
His brother, Leonard Hoar, was one of the early
presidents of Harvard College. Senator Hoar's
father, Samuel Hoar, was one of the great Massachu-
setts lawyers, contemporary with Mason, Webster and
Choate. His aspect inspired reverence, which was
increased bj' knowledge of his character. He was a
Representative in Congress, and was chosen by Mas-
sachusetts to protect in the courts of South Carolina
her colored ciiizens unjustly imprisoned there. He
was expelled from the State by force, and was not
allowed to discharge his mission ; but his conduct
throughout was marked by dignity, firmness and
courage. Senator Hoar's mother was the youngest
daughter of Roger Sherman, of Connecticut.
The village of Concord, where Mr. Hoar's boyhood
was passed, was full of fine influences. No place
could h.ive been better for the forming of character
and preparation for a life of public or private useful-
ness. After his school-days there he entered Harvard
College, and was graduated in 184(). Choosing the law
for his profession, he studied at the Harvard Law
School and in the office of the late Judge Thomas, in
Worcester. Upon his admission to the bar in 1849,
he began ])ractice in Worcester, and this city has
ever since been his home.
He was for a time associated in practice with the
late Hon. Emory Washburn, and later with the Hon.
Charles Devens and J. Henry Hill, Esq. Mr. Hoar
rapidly rose to a very high rank in his profession.
The native capacity of his mind, disciplined by edu-
cation and superbly equipped by study, was supple-
mented by uncommon industry and assiduous devotion
to the business of his clients.
His practice when he entered Congress in 1809,
' Itv .1, Kv;irtf* Orcfiie.
after twenty years at the bar, was probably the largest
and most valuable in the State, west of Middlesex
County. Mr. Hoar married, in 1853, Miss Mary
Louisa Spurr, whe died a few years after, leaving a
daughter and a son, both of whom are now living.
He married, in 1862, Miss Ruth Ann Miller.
Mr. Hoar's first appearance in political life was as
chairman of the committee of the Free-Soil party for
Worcester County in 1849, which was more efficiently
organized here than in any other county of the
United States. In 1851, at the age of twenty-five,
Mr. Hoar was elected a representative to the General
Court. He was the youngest member in that body,
but became the leader of the Coalitionists in law
matters, and to him was given the task of drawing
resolutions, protesting against the compromise meas-
ures of the National Government in 1850.
So manifest at this time to the people of this dis-
trict was Mr. Hoar's fitness for public service that the
way was open to him to succeed the late Hon. Charles
Allen as the Representative of this district in Con-
gre.-s.
But he put aside all suggestions tending that way,
because it seemed to him that to enter Congress then
would be to make politics instead of the law his pro-
fession. If his decision had been otherwise, his ener-
gy, courage, eloquence and firm grasp of constitu-
tional principles would doubtless have placed him in
the very front rank of the statesmen of the civil war
and reconstruction period. Although refusing Con-
gressional service, he did not decline such duty in
the State Legislature as was pressed upon him. In
1857 he was a member of the Senate, and chairman ot
its Judiciary Committee. In that capacity he drew a
masterly report, defining the boundaries of the exec-
utive and legislative authority.
He made many political addresses, as varying occa-
sions called for them, and was always ready with ser-
vice in behalf of enterprises for the public welfare in
his own city. He aided in the establishment of the
Free Public Library and reading-room, was a member
of the l)oard of directors and one of its early presi-
dents. His counsels and eflbrts were of great value
in the founding of the Worcester County Free Insti-
tute of Industrial Science, now the Worcester Poly-
technic Institute, whose usefulness as a pioneer in a
new field and conceded eminence now are due to the
wisdom with which its foundations were laid by that
group of sagacious and public-spirited men of whom
Mr. Hoar was one. His argument for technical edu-
cation before a committee of the Legislature in 1869
was, if not the first, among the earliest adequate pub-
lic statements of the claims of this branch of educa-
tion. He was also an early advocate of woman suf-
frage, having made an address on that subject in
Worcester in 1868 and before a legislative committee
ill 1869.
Ill 1868 Mr. Hoar was elected a Representative in
Congress, as the successor of the late Hon. John D.
&"
> /^
THE BENCH AND BAR.
Ivii
Baldwin. In this, the Forty-first Congress, he was a
member of the Committee on Education and Labor,
and his cliief work was the preparation and advocacy
of the bill for national education. The bill ditfered
widely in its details from that now pending and
known as the Blair Bill, but its purpose — to give
national aid to education where illiteracy most pre-
vails and where, through poverty or indifference, the
State and local governments inadequately provide for
public schools — was the same. The bill did not pass
in that Congress, and Mr. Hoar reported it with some
changes in the Forty-second and again in the Forty-
third Congresses, when it was passed by the House,
but failed in the Senate. In his first term in Congress
Mr. Hoar, by a timely and convincing speech, saved
the I5ureau of Education when the Committee on Ap-
propriations had reported it ought to be abolished.
In this Congress, too, he vindicated tTeneral Howard
from the charges preferred by Fernando Wood, sup-
ported Sumner in his opposition to President Grant's
scheme for the annexation of Santo Domingo, and be-
came known as a formidable antagonist in debate by
his |)rompt and severe treatment of Mr. D. W. Voor-
hees and Jlr. S. S. Cox, of New York, who ventured
to " draw" the new member. His retort upon Mr.
Cox was much relished by his associates. Mr. Cox,
then the triumphant wit of the House, had been carp-
ing at Massachusetts and daring Mr. Dawes, already
a Congressional veteran, to come to her defence, assur-
ing him that her stoutest champion was needed.
" Troy," said Mr. Cox, " was defended by Hector, yet
Troy fell." Mr. Hoar's reply was quick and scathing.
" Troy," said he, " did not need her Hector to repel
an attack led by Thersites."
In the Forty-second Congress Mr. Hoar, as a mem-
ber of the Committee on Elections, drew the report
in the case of Cessna against Myers. Many ques-
tions of great interest were discussed and decided in
this report, which has been an authority ever since,
being frequently cited in election contests both here
and in England. In this case the report assigned the
seat to Myers, the Democrat. Mr. Hoar's dealing
with election cases in this Congress and in the next
was recognized by his associates of both parties as
judicial and conscientious, and when the charge of
undue partisanship was afterwards brought against
him, he was defended by Mr. Giddings, a Texas
Democrat. In this Congress Mr. Hoar made an elo-
quent appeal for the rebuilding, at the national ex-
pense, of the College of William and Mary in Vir-
ginia, which was destroyed by fire while national
troops were encamjied in its neighborhood during the
Civil War.
In the Forty-third Congress Mr. Hoar, besides ob-
taining the vote of the House for his Education Bill,
reported and carried through the House a bill to es-
tablish a Bureau of Labor Statistics, and was chair-
man of a special committee to investigate the polit-
ical disorders in Louisiana. The fairness of the in-
quiry and report of this committee was conceded
even by the Democratic counsel employed in the
case. In this Congress Mr. Hoar delivered his eulo-
gy of Senator Sumner.
By the elections of 1874 the Republicans, who had
held undisputed control of the House of Representa-
tives for fifteen years, were outvoted in so many dis-
tricts that in the Forty-fourth Congress the Demo-
crats were a majority of the House. In this Congress
Mr. Hoar made a number of notable speeches. At
his suggestion the Eads' Jetty Bill, which was in
danger of failure, was put into such form as to win
favorable action from the committee and Congress;
and thus, as Captain Eads himself testified, it was
through Mr. Hoar's eflbrts that New Orleans was
opened to ocean commerce. He was one of the man-
agers of the impeachment of Secretary Belknap, and
as such made an argument so convincing and pow-
erful that it not only changed the opinions of several
Senators on the question of jurisdiction, but it awoke
the conscience of the people and gave the initial im-
pulse to the wave of official and ])olitical reform,
which has not yet spent its force. But Mr. Hoar's
most distinguished service in this Congress was that
with which it closed — his work for and as a member of
the Electoral Commission. He was a member of the
special committee which prepared the bill establish-
ing the commission, was its advocate in the House,
and was chosen by the House a member of it, his
associates being General Garfield, Judge Abbott, of
Massachusetts, General Hunton, of Virginia, and
Mr. Payne, of Ohio. In 1872 and again in 1874 Mr.
Hoar had given notice to his constituents of his wish
to retire from public life, but had yielded to the gen-
eral and imperative demand for his further service.
In 187(5 his resolve not to be a candidate for re-
election to the House was announced as final, and
the people, accepting it, elected his successor. But
in the winter following the Legislature chose him as
Mr. Boutwell's succe.ssor in the other branch of Con-
gress, and he took his seat in the Senate in March,
1877, at the opening of President Hayes' administra-
tion, of which he was one of the few steadfast Sena-
torial supporters. In the Senate Mr. Hoar has been
a member, and for some years chairman of the Com-
mittee on Privileges and Elections and a member_of
the Committee on Claims, on the Judiciary, on the
Library, and others of less importance. Besides con-
ducting many inquiries, preparing many reports, in-
volving large pecuniary interests or deciding weighty
questions of individual right or public policy, he is
the author or was the leading advocate of several
measures of first-rate importance. Among them are
the bill for distributing the balance of the Geneva
award, the Lowell Bankruptcy Bill, the bill for
counting the electoral votes for President and Vice-
President, the Presidential Succession Bill, the repeal
of the Tenure of Office Act and the resolution for
amending the Constitution so as to make the Presi-
Iviii
HISTORY OF WORCESTER COUNTY, MASSACHUSETTS.
dential term and the term of each Congress begin
with the 3{)tli day of April instead of the 4th day of
March. All of these measures passed the Senate,
and most of them became laws.
In general Mr. Hoar has occupied himself in Con-
gress with matters of wide scope and of fundamental
importance rather than with those measures of nar-
rower range and temporary application, upon which
most of the labor of Senators and Representatives is
spent. His success in gaining for so many of these
larger measures the attention and favorable action of
a body somewhat dilatory, apt to be engrossed with
the affairs of the moment, and seldom looking farther
forward than to the next Presidential campaign, is
proof of his powers of convincing and persuading
and of the confidence of his associates in his wisdom
and the purity of his motives.
Mr. Hoar was re-elected to the Senate by the
Legislature in January, 1883, and again in 1889.
His election for the third time by the unanimous
vote of his party in the Legislature, without a note
of dissent or the public suggestion of any competi-
tor, was a distinction not accorded to any man in
Massachusetts for many years before, and proof that
the people have learned to set a value upon his ser-
vices not less than that which they assigned in ear-
lier days to those of Webster and Sumner.
Mr. Hoar has four times been chosen to preside
over Republican State Conventions. In 1880 he was
president of the National Convention at Chicago by
which General Garfield was made the Republican
candidate for President of the United States. His
dignity and courtesy, his prom])t and impartial de-
cisions, and the easy mastery by which he held the
great convention to its work amid the enthusiasms
for rival leaders and the disturbing hopes and fears
and other strong excitements of the occasion, com-
manded general applause, and gave to the public of
the United States a better knowledge of his strength
and breadth of character.
Besides his political, legislative and professional
activity, which has been briefly outlined above, Mr.
Hoar has been and is usefully busy in other ways.
He has written valuable papers for the magazines;
has delivered many addresses on other than political
subjects; has been a member of the Board of Over-
seers of Harvard College ; an active member and for
some years the president of the American Antiqua-
rian Society; a trustee of the Worcester Polytechnic
Institute; a regent of the Smithsonian Institution,
and was selected by Mr. Jonas G. Clark as one of
the corporators of Clark University. He has re-
ceived the degree of Doctor of Laws from William
and Mary College, Amherst, Yale and Harvard.
P. EiubRY Aldrich,' of Worcester, an associate
justice of the Superior Court of Massachusetts, is a
native of New Salem, Mass. His family is of the
' nv till' Kilitor.
early New England stock, he being a lineal descend-
ant of George Aldrich, who eniigated from England
in 1635 and settled at first in Dorchester, but after-
wards became one of the original founders of the
town of Mendon. Members of this family in the
seventh and eighth generations from the founder are
now living in nearly every State of the Union; it has
had its Representatives in both Houses of Congress
and in all the learned professions; several of the
lineage have been judges in the courts of different
States. The family, in some of its branches, has been,
and is, honorably known in literature and commerce;
but a great majority of the race have been farmers.
As a race they are distinguished for longevity and
vigor of physical constitution and an inflexible will
in the jjursuit of the objects of their choice.
The subject of this notice attended the district
school in his native village until he was sixteen years
old, and then became himself a teacher. He received
an academical education, and thereafter taught in the
schools of this State and Virginia; pursuing at the
same time a course of studies, such as were at that
day usually found in the curricula of New England
colleges. While teaching in Virginia he began the
study of law, which he continued at the Harvard Law
School in 1843-14, and graduated with the degree of
LL.B.
After that, returning to Virginia and resuming
there for a definite period his former vocation of
teaching, he was admitted to the bar upon examina-
tion by the judges of the Court of Appeals at Rich-
mond in 184.5. He did not, however, enter upon prac-
tice there, but returned the same year to his native
State, and after six months' study in the then well-
known office of Ashman, Chapman & Norton, of
Springfield, he was admitted to the bar at the spring
term of the old Common Pleas Court for Hampden
County in 1846.
Subsequent to his admission he passed a few months
in Petersham in the oflice of F. A. Brooks, Esq., who
had been a fellow-student of his at Cambridge ; and
in December, 184i5, he began practice in the town of
Barre, Worcester County, and continued there during
the following seven years. For about three years of
the seven he was editor and publisher of the Barre
Patriot. He represented the town of Barre in the
Constitutional Convention of 1853. In May, 1853,
he was appointed by Governor Clifford district attor-
ney for the Middle District, which office he con-
tinued to hold, with an interval of a few months in
1856, until 1865. In the spring of 1854 he removed
to Worcester and opened an office in that city, and in
January, 1855, he formed a law partnership with the
Hon. P. C. Bacon, which partnership continued until
he left the bar for the bench in October, 1873. He
was mayor of Worcester for the year 18G2.
Upon the organization of the State Board of Health,
in 1870, Jlr. Aldrich was appointed a member of the
board by Governor Claflin, and remained a member
(/ ^^zt^-7^ ^A^^^^^e-A,
t^iy-rYal.
THE BENCH AND BAR.
lix
till his appointment to the bench of the Superior
Court. While he was a. member of the Board of
Health he prepared an historical paper, relating to the
use of and the legislative regulation of the sale of in-
toxicating liquor, which was published in one of the
annual reports of the board. He was one of the
Representatives from Worcester in the State Legisla-
ture in the years 1866 and 1867 ; he took an active
part in the debates and business of the House. In
18.66 he was one of the minority dissenting from the
decision of the Speaker of the House upon the
question of the right of an interested member to vote.
Mr. Aldrich prepared at that time an elaborate report
upon the subject, which was published under the title
of "The Right of Members to Vote on all Questions
of Public Policy Vindicated." The prinoii>les of
parliamentary law and practice contended for in that
report were, at a later date, held to be correct, both
in the Federal House of Representatives and in the
British House of Commons. Judge Aldrich is a
member of the American Antiquarian Society and
one of the council of that venerable and learned
body.
As a member of the society and council he has pre-
pared several papers on historical, legal and literary
subjects, which have been published with the proceed-
ings of the society. He has written and delivered
addresses before other societies and associations upon
various aspects of social science and education, and
upon the right of the State to provide not only for the
elementary education of its children, but also for their
higher education in high schools, etc. For the last few
years he has given much time and study to the cause
of technical education. He has long been one of the
trustees of that admirable institution — the Worcester
Polytechnic Institute.
Since he left the bar he has written a work on
" Equity Pleading and Practice," which was pub-
lished in 1885. In 1886 he received the honorary
degree of LL.D. from Amherst College. In 1850 he
married Sarah, the eldest daughter of Harding P.
Wood, Esq., late of Barre.
WlLLi.\M W. Rice,' son of Rev. Benjamin Rice, a
Congregational clergyman, was born in the historical
old town of Deerfield, Mass., on the 7th of March,
1826. His collegiate education was acquired at
Bowdoin, whence he graduated in 1846. And
it may be mentioned, in passing, that his alma
mater in 1886 conferred on him the degree of LL.D.
After graduating he spent four years as preceptor of
the far-famed Leicester Academy, and in 1851 com-
menced the study of law in the office of Emory Wash-
burn, then in full practice in Worcester. After the
usual course of three years' study he was admitted to
the bar; and from the first year of his professional
life to the present time has been a prosperous and
highly-esteemed practitioner. His courtesy of man-
By Hon. J. R, Newhall.
ner, his feirness towards opposing parties and uniform
deference to the court have marked him as a gentle-
man as well as advocate.
The career of Mr. Rice as a lawyer, successful as it
has been, by no means exhibits his whole character —
perhaps not the most useful or conspicuous part. He
has been almost constantly called by his fellow-citi-
zens to fill positions of honor, trust and responsi-
bility.
In the municipal administration of Worcester he
has served in various capacities, particularly in those
connected with the educational interests. In 1860 he
was mayor, and administered the duties of that high
office with efficiency and universal satisfaction. In
the capacity of special justice of the Police Court
and as occupant of the bench of the County Court of
Insolvency his course met with marked approval.
The duties of the office of district attorney or pub-
lic prosecutor for the Worcester District, to which he
was elected in 1868 and which he held five years, he
discharged with signal ability, with fidelity to the
State and a manly regard for the rights of those
whom it became his duty to prosecute. Few offices
are beset by more difficulties and annoyances, the
duties being always arduous, often disagreeable and
sometimes of doubtful justice ; and he who success-
fully discharges them is worthy of the highest prai.se.
But perhaps it was as a member of Congress that
Mr, Rice has become most widely known. He was
for ten years a member of that august body, having
been first elected in 1876. In the discussions there
his speeches had much influence and his committee
work was often of the greatest importance. There, as
well as at the bar, he was courteous and forbearing,
though never shrinking from the enforcement of his
convictions with ardor and eloquence. By his fellow-
members of all parties he was regarded with great
respect, for every one recognized him as honest and
patriotic. He was able in debate and not liable to
be taken unawares on any current subject, was intelli-
gent, earnest and persistent as a worker in the inter-
est of his constituents, and exhibiting the same zeal
that characterized his etforts for clients at the bar.
But it would savor a little of ostentation and at the
same time add nothing to the reputation of Mr. Rice
to further pursue this ph-ase of his career.
Some men possess such magnetic power that they,
without a particle of self-assertion, draw to them-
selves the sympathy and confidence of all with whom
they are brought in contact. And such have a
controlling influence in the common affairs of
life. There are others, on the contrary, who seem
always surrounded by a chilling atmosphere, impene-
trable to any brotherly feeling or confidential near-
ness. Those who best know Mr. Rice will have no
difficulty in which class to place him. Assuredly he
does not belong to the latter.
Politically, Mr. Rice is a member of the Republi-
can party, and ranks as the first Republican mayor of
I
Ix
HISTORY OF WORCESTER COUNTY, MASSACHUSETTS.
the city. In the War of the Rebellion his voice gave no
uncertiiin sound in urging upon every one the duty of
doing their utmost to preserve tlie integrity of the
Union ; and it was not by speech alone that he forti-
fied his patriotic sentiments. In his religious senti-
ments he is a Unitarian.
Mr. Rice was united in marriage November 21,
1855, with Miss Cornelia A. Moeu, of Stamford, Conn.,
by whom he had two sons, — the eldest, William W.
Rice, Jr., dying in childhood, and the youngest,
Charles Moen Rice, a graduate of Harvard, is now a
member of Mr. Rice's law firm. His first wife died
June IG, 1862. In September, 1875, he married Miss
Alice M. Miller, daughter of Henry W. Miller, Esq.,
of Worcester.
Fraxk Palmer Goulding.' — The subject of this
sketch is descended from Peter Goulding, who lived
in Boston in KifJo, and afterwards in Worcester and
Sudbury. Palmer Goulding, son of Peter, had a son
John, who was born in Worcester, October 3, 1726, and
inherited from his father the business of tanning. He
removed early in life to Grafton, and died November
22, 1791. His wife, Lucy Brooks, of Concord, died
at the age of thirty-eight, the mother of ten children.
Ephraim Goulding, one of the children, was born
September 4, 1765, and married, March 6, 1792,
Susannah, daughter of William and Sarah (Prentice)
Brigham. He was a prominent man in the town,
serving as moderator of annual town-meetings eleven
years, as selectman si.x, as assessor one year and as
member of the School Committee six years. He died
January 14, 1838. Palmer Goulding, son of Ephraim,
was born October 11, 1809, and died in Grafton,
March 22, 1849. He married, first, Fanny W. May-
nard, who died August 9, 1839, having had three
children — John C, who was born in 1832, and died in
1839; Susan E., born in 1835, and Frank P., the sub-
iect of this sketch, who was born in Grafton, July 2,
1837. By a second wife, Ann Cutting, whom he
married June 2, 1842, he had Fanny A., born May 4,
1843.
Frank Palmer Goulding while a boy lived in Graf-
ton, Holden and Worcester, his father having at
various time.s occupation in those places, but on the
death of his father, in 1849, returned to Grafton, and
at the age of twelve years was apprenticed to learn
the business of making shoes. From 1853 to 1S57 he
worked at his trade in Worcester, and at the latter date,
at the age of twenty, entered the academy at Thotford,
Vt., and prepared for college. He graduated at Dart-
mouth in 1863, and at once began the study of law in
the office of Hon. George F. Hoar, in Worcester. A
year at the Harvard Law School completed his pre-
liminary law studies, and in 1866 he was admitted to the
Worcester County bar. In the same year he became
a partner with Hon. Francis Henshaw Dewey, then
in full practice, and remained with liim until Mr.
1 My W. T. Ilavis.
Dewey was appointed a justice of the Superior Court
in 1869. Mr. Goulding then formed a partnership
with Hon. Hamilton Barclay Staples, which con-
tinued until Mr. Staples was appointed a Superior
Court justice in 1881. Since that time he has been
alone, enjoying a large and increasing practice, to
which has been added the performance of the duties
of city solicitor, which office since 1881 he has con-
tinued to hold.
It is not difficult to form an estimate of the charac-
ter and intellectual powers of a man who, with slen-
der educational advantages in early life, has reached
the professional position enjoyed by Mr. Goulding.
At a bar excelled by none in the State beyond the
limits of Suffolk County, he at an early day in his
career secured a rank which he has not only sus-
tained, but steadily advanced. His appointment as
one of the trustees of the new Clark University at-
tests both the confidence of the community in which
he lives in his business methods and sound judg-
ment and their respect for his mental attainments
and culture.
There are other evidences of the regard in which
he is held. He was one of the Presidential electors
chosen on the Republican ticket at tlie last election ;
he is also one of the trustees of the Worcester
County Institution for Savings, a director in the
First National Fire Insurance Company, and either a
present or retired member of the Worcester School
Board. With the pressure of professional business,
his political aspirations have been satisfied by two
years of service in the House of Representatives.
Mr. Goulding married, March 29, 1870, Abbie B.
Miles, of Fitchburg, and has two children of fifteen
and tea years of age.
Hon. John D. Washburn.- — John Davis Wash-
burn is a native of Boston, where he was born March
27, 1833, being the eldest son of John Marshall
Washburn, who married, in 1832, Harriet Webster,
daughter of Rev. Daniel Kimball (Harvard Univer-
.sity, 1800).
His parents removed to the grand old town of Lan-
caster, in Worcester County, when he was five years
old, and his early youth was passed amid those beau-
tiful surroundings.
At the age of twenty he graduated in 1853 from
Harvard University, and entered the profession of law,
studying first with Hon. Emory Washburn and
George F. Hoar in 1854, and later receiving a diplo-
ma from the Harvard Law School in 1856.
He practiced law in Worcester, in partnership with
Hon. H. C. Rice, and, by a development of his pro-
fessional business and inclinations, made a prominent
place, first, as an insurance attorney, and lastl}', suc-
ceeding the late Hon. Alexander H. Bullock as gen-
eral agent and attorney of the insurance companies, in
1866.
•-liy till' ICiliti.r.
I
^Ky/A-^ixk.ia^''i-v'u/
f
^2^^-^/
THE BENCH AND BAR.
Ixi
By his friendship with Governor Bullock he became
associated with his military family as the chief of his
staff, from 1866 to 1869, receiving a colonel's com-
mission.
During the period from 1871 to 1881 he was a trus-
tee of the Worcester Lunatic Hospital, and from 1875
to 1885 filled the same relation to the Massachusetts
School for the Feeble-minded. He was a member
of the House of Representatives from 1876 to 1879,
and a Senator from the city of Worcester in 1884,
rendering the excellent public service to be expected
from his knowledge of affairs and his general sympa-
thies with all matters of care and concern in the Com-
monwealth.
His association has always been sought in corpor-
ate and financial affairs. From 1866 to 1880 he was a
director of the Citizens' National Bank.
He has been a member of the Board of Investment
of the Worcester County Institution for Savings since
1871, and a trustee and treasurer of the Memorial
Hospital since 1872.
He has been a director of the Merchants' and Far-
mers' Insurance Company since 1862, and succeeded
the Hon. Isaac Davis as president in 1883.
His large humanitarian instincts and tastes, taking
hold on all matters that have to do with educational
and intellectual advancement, have made for him a
congenial field where associates have warmly wel-
comed him in the numerous relations he has sustained
to our higher institutions and learned societies. Since
1871 he has been a councilor and secretary of the
American Antiquarian Society, and is a couneilo-r of
the Massachusetts Historical Society.
He is also an original member of the American
Historical Association, and has been, since 1884, a
corresponding member of the Georgia Historical So-
ciety. It is much to say of one that he stands high
with his own alma mater. Colonel Washburn is a
member of the overseers' committee on the govern-
ment of Harvard University, and one of the directors
of the Alumni Association of the same institution.
He is one of the Board of Trustees and secretary of
the new Clark University of Worcester.
This is a good record for any man to have won in
middle life, and opens afield of service worthy of the
best ripened powers, such as promises to give the
subject of this sketch many years of useful citizen-
ship.
Colonel Washburn is a man of commanding pres-
ence, with a kindly dignity always open to approach.
He married, in 1860, Mary F., daughter of Charles
L. Putnam, Esq. (Dartmouth College, 1830), and has
one daughter, Edith, who married, in 1884, Richard
Ward Greene, Esq., of Worcester.
Edward Livingston Davis," son of Isaac and
Mary H. E. Davis, was born in Worcester, April 22,
1834. He began his education in the public schools
^ By J. Evarts Greene,
of his native town, completing his course at the High
School in 1850 and was graduated at Brown University
in 1854. Having studied law in the office of his father
and at the Harvard Law School, he became a mem-
ber of the Worcester County bar in 1857.
He gave up the practice of the law the following
year, and associated himself with Nathan Washburn
and George W. Gill in the manufacture of railway
iron, locomotive tires and car-wheels, a business es-
tablished in 1857 in Worcester, which soon gave
profitable employment to a large capital. In 1864 a
corporation was formed, under the name of the
Wasliburn Iron Company, for carrying on the same
business. Mr. Davis was the treasurer and one of
the chief stockholders in this company, and contin-
ued to hold that office until 1882, when, upon the
death of his associate, Mr. Gill, he sold his interest
and retired from the corporation.
Since that time, as indeed before, he has been
much occupied with various business engagements
and public and private trusts, which the care of his
own property and the confidence of others in his
capacity and faithfulness imposed upon him. He
has been a director of the Boston and Albany, the
Norwich and Worcester, and the Vermont and Mas-
sachusetts Railroad Companies, president of the pro-
prietors of the Rural Cemetery, president of the Wor-
cester County Jlusical Association, member of the
Council of the American Antiquarian Society, and
director and trustee of many other institutions and
companies in his native city, and actively and help-
fully concerned in all enterprises designed to promote
the welfare of the city and its people.
While not ambitious of official honors or political
influence, Mr. Davis has not refused to bear his part
when his services were required in responsible posi-
tions in the government of the city or State. He
was elected a member of the Common Council for
1865 and held the office for three years, for the last
year being president of the board. He was mayor of
Worcester in 1874. During his administration im-
portant public improvements were carried out, nota-
bly the construction of a portion of Park Avenue,
whose value has since been recognized. While
holding this office Mr. Davis saw the growing need
of the city for additional parks and play-grouuds,
which he has since in another official capacity and
privately, so efficiently helped to supply.
While he was mayor, the Soldiers' Monument on
the Common was publicly accepted by him on behalf
of the city, and it was formally dedicated with ap-
propriate ceremony. It is an interesting coincidence
that his father, the Hon. Isaac Davis, accepted for
the city the monument erected on the Common in
memory of Colonel Timothy Bigelow, Worcester's
most distinguished soldier of the Revolution. This
dedication took place on the 19th of April, 1861, at
the moment when other Worcester soldiers, among
the first to be in arms in defence of the Union against
Ixii
HISTORY OF WORCESTEE COUNTY, MASSACHUSETTS.
foes of its own household, were attacked in the
streets of Baltimore, and the first blood was shed in
the great Civil War, whose heroes are commemorated
by the monument dedicated by the second Mayor
Davis thirteen years later. These two monuments in
memory of the soldiers of two wars — for independ-
ence and for union— are the only memorial structures
on the Common.
Mr. Davis was a member of the State Senate in
1876. He has since repeatedly declined to be the
candidate of his party for various positions, includ-
ing that of Representative in Congress, preferring
private to political life.
He has not, however, declined employments of a
public nature other than political, and has been
chairman of the commissioners of the city's sinking
funds, an office of financial respon.sibility, and a
member of the Parks Commission. In this latter ca-
pacity, as well as by his gift of a portion of the Lake
Park and a fund for its improvement, he has con-
tributed materially to devise the present comprehen-
sive scheme of public parks and play-grounds, and to
secure its adoption, as well as to remove obstructions
from the Common and prevent encroachments upon
it, and thus to preserve it for the free use of the people,
as a ])lace of recreation and an adornment of the city.
Mr. Davis is a member of the Protestant Episcopal
Church and has long been senior warden of the parish
of All Saints. When the present church was built,
from 1874 to 1877, he was chairman of the building
and finance committees, and contributed in time and
money more than any other member of the parish.
He has repeatedly represented the parish in the Dio-
cesan Convention, has been for several years a mem-
ber of the standing committee of the diocese, and
twice one of the four lay deputies of the diocese to the
general convention of the church.
Mr. Davis has been twice married. Hannah Gard-
ner, daughter of Seth Adams, Esq., of Providence,
Rhode Island, to whom he was married in 1851), died
in 1861, leaving a son, who survived her but a few
days. He married, in 1869, Maria Louisa, youngest
daughter of ' the Rev. Chandler Robbins, D.D., of
Boston. They have two daughters, Eliza Frothing-
liam and Theresa, and a son, Livingston.
James Edward Estabrook.' — For nearly sixty
years the name and title " Colonel Estabrook," de-
scending from father to son, has been familiarly
known and respected, both within and beyond the
borders of this community.
" Colonel '' James Edward Estabrook, the subject
of this sketch, may be said to have inherited the
title, by courtesy, from hi.s father, Colonel James Es-
tabrook, of the State Militia, the gallant commander
of the last Worcester County Regiment of Cavalry,
and who had the honor of leading the escort at the
reception of Lafayette in 1824.
1 By John J. Jewett.
The genealogy of the family is easily and clearly
traceable iis far back as 1413, to the Estebroks in
Wales.
The American line begins with the Rev. .Joseph
Estabrook, born in Enfield, England, who came to
Concord, Mass., in 1660, was graduated from Harvard
College in 1664, and soon after was settled as a min-
ister in Concord, Mass., where he was a colleague for
many years of the famous Rev. Edward Bulkeley,
remaining there during a pastorate of forty-four
years until his death, in 1711. Shattuck's " History
of Concord" refers to him as:
" A man of great worth, and eminently fitted for
his office. His appearance carried with it so much
patriarchal dignity, that people were induced to love
him as a friend and reverence him as a father. These
distinguished traits obtained for him, in the latter
part of his life, the name of The Apostle."
In an obituary notice, the Boston News Letter of
September 18, 1711, says: " He was eminent for his
skill in the Hebrew language, a most orthodox,
learned and worthy divine, of holy life and conver-
sation."
Three of his four sons became mini.<ters, the eld-
est, Joseph, settling in Lexington, Mass., and refer-
ence is made to this branch in Hudson's "History of
Lexington," as "the noted ministerial family."
Ebenezer Estabrook, the father of Major James
Estabrook, and grandfather of James Edward, of
Worcester, removed from Lexington to the neighbor-
ing town of Holden about the time of the Revolu-
tion and founded the Worcester County branch of
the family.
Colonel James Estabrook removed from Holden,
his native place, to Rutland and thence to Worcester
in 1828, and, with the exception of a few years sj^ent
in Bostion, his active business life was closely identi-
fied with the rapidly developing town and city of
Worcester until his death, in 1874.
During the administration of Governor Boutwell
he was appointed sheriff of Worcester County, from
which office he was removed, for political reasons
only, on the return of the Whig party to power.
Colonel Estabrook was a devoted and distinguished
member of the order of Free Masonry, and as early
as 1825, on the organization of the Worcester County
Commandery of Knights Templar, he was elected
the first Eminent Commander of that honorable
body. Always a respected citizen, he was entrusted
with many local interests, was an honored and in-
Huential member of the Old South, and later of the
Union Church, and was among the first to take an
active and leading part in the early development
of the real estate and mechanical interests of the
city.
As one of the well-known men whose lives form an
important part of the history of their times, we quote
the following extract from an extended tribute in the
records of that honorable and exclusive organization
«.-^
^0>^-y^Z..^^
SSx:^X^-^.
■CtyTydy
THE BENCH AND BAR.
Ixiii
known as the Worcester Fire Society, of which he was
a member, being the only person selected lor this dis-
tinction at the annual meeting in 1830:
" Colonel James Estabrook was a man of marked
intelligence, who accomplished more by knowledge
later acquired than have many men, whose education,
begun at college, seems to have been absolutely dis-
continued then and there."
From the same authority, the Hon. John D. Wash-
burn, we also quote the following paragraph, not only
as a faithful description of the founder of the Worces-
ter branch of the family, but also as a remarkably
terse and vivid pen-picture of his son, Colonel James
E. Estabrook, the present postmaster of Worcester, in
whom the type and characteristics are faithfully per-
petuated:
" In stature he was below middle height, but made
the most of such height as he had by the erection of
his figure and military bearing. His complexion was
very dark, and in this, as well as his features, he re-
sembled the great Democratic leader, Stephen A.
Douglas. His manner was quick, his eye bright and
intelligent. Opposed to the party usually dominant
here, he held few offices, though counted a politician,
but he never adopted the coarser modes of warfare in
politics, was courteous to his opponents, refrained
from the imputation of unworthy motives, and carried
none of the bitterness of party contest into the rela-
tions of private life."
This latter trait is especially true of his son, James
Edward, who has been a life-long Democrat and a rec-
ognized leader and oracle of his party, not only in
Worcester County, but also prominent in the party
councils of the State and nation for a quarter of a
century.
He has been a delegate to every National Conven-
tion of his party since the close of the war to the time
of his appointment to a Federal office in 1887. He
has served as chairman of the State Executive Com-
mittee, and of the County, District, Congressional and
City Committees through many years of his party's
minority in the State, and has ever been held in high
e.steem as an honest and honorable politician even by
his political opponents.
In this connection, his life-long friendship with the
late lamented Judge Adin Thayer, one of the ac-
knowledged leaders of the Republican party in the
State, will be recalled by their fellow-townsmen, among
whom it had been long a matter of common remark
that these two natural leaders of opposing forces only
suspended their intimate social relations for a few
weeks, during the active hostilities of a State or na-
tional campaign.
Colonel Estabrook has served his party in every
capacity that choice or party exigency imposed upon
him, with or without hope or prospect of reward, and
his selection by President Cleveland to till the office
of postmaster, to succeed General Josiah Pickett, was
received with a very general expression of approba-
tion from his fellow-citizens, without regard to politi-
cal affiliation, as a well-deserved recognition of his
long and faithful devotion to the principles of his
party.
As a member of the School Board, president of the
Common Council and for two years, 1874 and 1875, as
a representative of the city in the General Court of
Massachusetts, Colonel Estabrook rendered able and
faithful service, and discharged his duties with credit
to his constituents and with honor to himself.
He is now one of the directors of the Free Public
Library of Worcester, an honor peculiarly in harmony
with his tastes and acquirements, and his long famili-
arity with the good society of books.
Born in Worcester October 29, 1829, he prepared
for college in the Worcester High School, and was
graduated from Yale in 1851. He then studied law
with Judge Benjamin F. Thomas, attended the Har-
vard Law School, and was admitted to the Worcester
bar in the autumn of 1853, at the age of twenty-three.
Later he became the law partner of Judge Dwight
Foster, of the Supreme Court, and practiced his pro-
fession until the breaking out of the War of the
Rebellion.
Early in that critical period of the nation's life
Colonel Estabrook promptly tendered his services to
the government, and was assigned to duty on the staff
of General Charles Devens, and later on the staff of
General Butler, in the Department of the Gulf
Compelled to resign from active service, by reason
of sickness, in 1862, he returned to Worcester, and
has since devoted his fime to the care of his valuable
estates, the duties of political life, the genial society
of his chosen friends and the daily companionshij) of
his library of classic, historical and standard authors.
Few, comparatively, of his many friends and ac-
quaintances know or appreciate the fact that this
modest, genial and unassuming gentleman is still, at
three-score years, a familiar student of the classics,
and is the owner of one of the largest and choicest
libraries of rare editions of both ancient and modern
literature in the city.
Colonel James Estabrook, the father, married Al-
mira Read, of Rutland, Mass., and to them were born
five children — one daughter and four sons. Two of
these children are now living — the present postmaster
and his brother, Arthur Edgar Estabrook, an esteemed
citizen of Worcester, who shares with his brother the
care of their joint interest in the family property.
Colonel James Edward Estabrook remains a ripe and
genial bachelor, having never married.
Hon. E. B. Stoddard.' — Elijah Brigham Stod-
dard, the son of Col. Elijah Stoddard, a worthy and
esteemed citizen of Upton, Mass., was born in that
town on June 5, 1826.
At the age of twenty-one he was graduated from
Brown University, and soon after came to Worcester,
1 Bv J. H. Jewett.
Ixiv
HISTORY OF WORCESTER COUNTV, MASSACHUSETTS.
where he siiulied law with Hon. John C. B. Davis,
and was admitted to the Worcester County bar in
June, 1840.
For nearly forty years he has been a widely-
recognized factor in the professional, political and
social life of Worcester, and has filled many public
trusts with distinction.
"Colonel" iStoddard, as the subject of this sketch
is familiarly known, was the first commander of the
Third Battalion of Worcester County Rifles, organized
in 1858, and w'as later a member of the military staff
of Governor N. P. Banks, in 1800, and on the occa-
sion of the reception to the Prince of Wales, during
that year, Colonel Stoddard was one of the officers
assigned to duty as personal escort to the prince.
On his admission to the bar in 1849 he began
the practice of law in partnership with Hon. John
C. B. Davis, under the firm of Davis & Stoddard,
which continued until 1852.
He then became the law-partner of his father-in-
law, Hon. Isaac Davis, a man of great prominence
and large estates in the community, which association
continued until 1857, ivhen Colonel Stoddard was
appointed district attorney for Worcester County,
succeeding John H. Matthews, Esq., deceased in
office. This position he held for about six months,
until the expiration of the term. For nearly twenty
years he was engaged in the regular practice of his
profession, withdrawing somewhat from active prac-
tice in the courts in ISGG, to accept the responsible
duties of secretary and business manager of the Mer-
chants' and Farmers' Fire Insurance Company, a
position which he has ably and faithfully filled for
the past twenty-two years and which he still holds.
Colonel Stoddard has, in fact, always been a man
of affairs, prominent and helpful in the public con-
cerns of the city, dealing with the affairs of men and
property on a large and varied scale, and intrusted lay
his fellow-citizens with the care of large corporate
and individual interests.
Beginning his public duties as the Representative
of the city of Worcester in the Legislature of 1856,
he has since ably served the city and State in many
capacities. He was president of the Common Council
in 1858; later, a member of the Board of Aldermen
for two years ; twice elected to the Massachusetts
Senate (1863-64), and served two terms as State
Councilor of this district (1871-72).
Elected mayor of Worcester in 1882, his adminis-
tration was able and dignified, and his judgment in
matters of grave importance to the city has been
confirmed by subsequent events as both broad and
judicious.
Always actively interested in the progress of popu-
lar education, he has been a member of the School
Board for nine years, and for the past ten years has been
a member of the State Board of Education, where he
has rendered zealous and lasting service. His native
tact and business discretion has been recognized by
thirty years of continuous service as a director of the
Providence & Worcester Railroad, as a solicitor and
trustee for many years of the State Mutual Life In-
surance Company, and as the trusted counselor of
various public and private enterprises.
In addition to his other duties, he is now the presi-
dent of the Quinsigamond National Bank, and also
president of the Worcester Five Cent Savings Bank.
Personally Colonel Stoddard is a gentleman of pure
and upright life, uniting a kindly disposition with a
natural dignity of manner.
He has been a life-long Republican, an earnest
worker and a faithful friend and ally of moral and
political progress.
He married, in 1852, Mary E., the eldest daughter
of Hon. Isaac Davis, by whom he has three children
now living — two daughters and a son.
Edwin Conaxt. ' — One of the earliest European
lodgments in Massachusetts, as distinguished from
Plymouth, was made in the year 1625, at Cape Ann.
It was a little planting and fishing station, under the
superintendence of the sturdy Roger Conant, who
had previously been at Plymouth and Nantasket. He
was a native of Budleigh, in Devonshire, England,
born in 1593, and came to America in 1623, soon be-
coming a prominent character among the settlers. He
was a remarkable man — remarkable for firmness, for
self-reliance, and, it may be added, for utter contempt
of the common and smaller hardships and annoyances
of life, that so distress some and trouble most of us.
The fishing and planting were not successful, and
the station was broken up in the autumn of 1626,
and Conant, with most of the company, removed to
the territory now forming Salem, and settled on the
tongue of laud through which Bridge Street now
runs. This settlement was permanent, and made
before Endicott or Winthrop came.^
1 By J. R. Newhall-
2 The severity of tlie winter, Added to the privations they endured, so
discouraged the little band that some of them proposed abandoniDg the
enterprise. Not 60 with Conant. llis mind was fixed, and go he would
not. He had suffered hardships in other places and surmounted many
ditliculties, but liere lie liad set liis foot, and was determined to make iu
this vicinage a permanent stand. He says in a petition to the court,
Blay, 1671 : " I was .... one of the first, if not the very first, tliat re-
solved and made good my settlement in matter of plantation witii my
family in this colony of Miissachusetta Bay, and have bin instrumental
both for the fotindiug and carrying on of the same, and when, in the in-
fancy thereof, it was in great ha'/.ard of being deserted, I was a means,
through grace assisting me, to stop the flight of those few that there
were heire with me, and that by my utter deniall to goo away with them
who would have gon either for Kngland or mostly for Virginia, l)ut
thereupon staid to the ha'^ard of our lives.*' It is stated, on very good
authority, that bis son Roger Wiis the first white child born iu Salem ;
but an ancieut record says that at a church-meeting, in ITisi, the old
church liiWe wiui presentedto John Massey, a son of Jeffrey Mussey, a
companion of Conant, as the *' first town-born child."
Conant via likewise among the first settlers of Beverly, which is just
on the other side of Bass Kiver— Beverly, whoso beautiful shores have
now for years been the summer resort of the wealthy and refined from
far and near, and which, during the last year or two, lias so agitated
our Legislature on the question of territorial division. Beverly was set-
tled as a part of .Salem about 1030, and by 1649 the settlers were suffl-
ciently numerons to ask of the Salem Church "that some course he
I
^v:
THE BENCH AND BAR.
Ixv
It is interesting to dwell upon the life of Roger
Conant, so grand a type of the primitive and true New
England character; to trace along the line of descent
from him, the headof one of our largest and best New
England families.
Edwin Conant, the subject of this sketch, and
many other well-known individuals can trace their
lineage directly to him, and well may they be proud
of their descent, though better, perhaps, that they
should endeavor to emulate his virtues.
Edwin Conant, whose portrait appears in connec-
tion with this sketch, was born in Sterling, Worcester
County, on the 20th of August, 1810. After pursuing
the usual course of preliminary academic training, he
entered Harvard College, where he graduated in
1829. Proposing to make the law his life business,
he prepared himself for the duties of that honorable
tliough often perple.ving profession, under the direc-
tion of well-qualified instructors, and in 1832 com-
menced practice. After continuing in that calling
lor some ten years, his attention was directed to other
pursuits, and he did not return to the law.
In his religious views Mr. Conant has been a con-
sistent Unitarian, thus swerving from the rigid Cal-
vinistic faith of his early ancestors. Politically he
was an adherent of the old Whig party, but on the
taken for the means of grace amoog theiuselvee, because of the teilious-
ness and diflictiltiea over the water, and other inconveniences," The
town was incorporated in l(J(J8 by its present name— a name, however,
which was not satisfactory to several of the principal settler-s, especially
to Conant, who, in the petition above referred to,sa)'s: "Kow my umble
suite and request is unto this honourable Court onlie that the name of our
town or plantation may be altered or changed fl'om Beverly, and bo
called Budligb. I have two reasons that have moved me unto this re-
quest, — the Urst is the great dislike and discontent of many of our peo-
ple for this name of Beverly, because (weo being but a small place) it
hath caused on us a constant nickname of be-jgartij being in the
mouths of many, and no order was given, or consent by the people to
their agent, for any name until they were shure of being a town granted
in the first place. Secondly, I being the first that had house in Salem
(and neither bad any hand in naming either that or any other lowne),
and myself, with those that were then with me, being all from the west-
ern part of England, desire this western name of Budtigh, a market
town in Devonshire, and neere unto the sea, aj we are lieere in this
place, and where myself was borne."
Roger Conant appears by every one to have been regarded as a very
upright man ; and the Kev. Mr. \Vliite, who took so active an interest
in the settlement of Massachiuietta, styles him *' a pious, sober and pru-
dent gentleman." That he was deeply pious, no one can doubt on re-
viewing bis course. The petition for the change of name from Beverly
to Budleisrh ends in this strain : " If this, my sute, may find acceptation
with your worships I shall rest umbly thankful!, and my praiers shall
not cease unto the throne of grace fo.- God's guidance and his blessing to
be on all your weigbtie proceedings, and that iustice and righteousness
may be overie where admiuistered, and sound doctrine, truth and holi-
ness everie where taught and practised throughout this wilderness to all
posterity, which God grant. Amen." The court, however, did not
grant the " umble petition," and Beverly the name is to this day.
It has been claimed that, strictly speaking, Roger Conant was the first
colonial Governor of Massachusetts. Probably the Eudicotts and Win-
throps would not concede that. Yet there is no doubt that he was Gov-
ernor of the little colony that first made a permanent settlement within
our borders.
The picturesque little island in the bay, now generally known as Gov-
ernor's Island — sometimes as Winthrop's — was first named Conant's
Island, in honor of the worthy old Boger. In 1632 it was granted to
Governor Winthrop for a garden. Thence it was called Winthrop's or
Governor's Island.
disruption of that he joined the Democratic ranks
and still maintains his JefTersonian principles. He
has not been much in public office, though always
interested in public afl'airs; has been something of a
military man, though not e.xposed to the "shocks of
war," as he served in peaceful times; has held
brigade and staff offices, and been a judge advocate.
Sterling, Mr. Conant's native place, is much in-
debted to him in various ways, especially for the
generous gift of the funds for the erection of the brick
edifice for the Free Public Library, and offices for the
town authorities. The building was dedicated to the
memory of his eldest daughter, Elizabeth Ann
Conant.
Mr. Conant has been twice married. His first wife
was Maria Estabrook, daughter of Hon. Joseph Esta-
brook, of Royalston, whom he married in October,
1833, and by whom he had two daughters, neither of
whom are living. His second wilie was Elizabeth
S. Wheeler, granddaughter of Rev. Joseph Wheeler,
Unitarian minister and register of probate. She was
also a granddaughter of Rev. Dr. Sumner, so long the
able minister of the First Church of Shrewsbury.
A genealogy of the Conant family has been pub-
lished, by which the lines may be traced to the good
old settler Roger, and wherein the notable achieve-
ments of some of the later members may be found
recorded.
Hon. Chaele.'S Augustus De'svey." — Judge Dewey
is deservedly pre-eminent among Milford's most dis-
tinguished, honored and trusted citizens. His pedi-
gree, heredity and education gave him an auspicious
introduction to public life, which he has worthily
justified by his own exertions. He was born in
Northampton, Mass., December 29, 1830. His father
was Hon. Charles Augustus Dewey, for nearly thirty
years judge of the Supreme Court of Massachusetts,
and his mother a sister of Governor De Witt Clin-
ton, the pride of New York's executive chair. He
was fitted for college at Williston Seminary, East-
hampton, and graduated from Williams College in
1851. He first studied law with his brother, the late
Hon. Francis H. Dewey, of Worcester; then a year
at the Harvard Law School, and afterward in the
city of New York, where he was admitted to the bar
in 1854. Having practiced law there till the fall of
1856, he went to Davenport, Iowa, and pursued his
practice for two years. He came to Milford in
March, 1859, and for the next two years was a pro-
fessional partner of Hon. Hamilton B. Staples.
In 1861 he was appointed trial justice. In 1864
the Police Court of Milford was established, and he
was appointed judge. He held this office till the
Third District Court of Southern Worcester was or-
ganized, in 1872, when he was appointed judge of
said court, and has since discharged the duties of
that office down to the present time. Meanwhile he
> By Bev. Adin Ballon.
Ixvi
HISTORY OF WORCESTER COUNTY, MASSACHUSETTS.
has served seven j'ears on the School Committee of
Milford, and for some time as its chairman. For
nearly twenty years he has been a trustee of the
town library and of late chairman of the board.
In all these professional and official positions
Judge Dewey has discharged his responsible duties
not only with admirable ability, fidelity and prompt-
itude, but to such complete satisfaction of all parties
concerned as rarely falls to the lot of one obliged to
deal with so much conflicting mentality and interest.
He has won for himself a remarkable amount of
approbation and very little censure even from those
whose passions and prejudices he has crossed. He is
learned in legal lore, wears an inherited mantle of
judicial rectitude, and holds the scales of legal equity
with a firm hand of clemency. At his bar the inno-
cent and guilty are alike sure of both justice and
kindness. In public and private intercourse he is
intelligent, candid, conscientious and courteous, and
therefore universally respected. In social life he is
urbane, genial, modest and dignified, and so welcome
to every reputable circle. In politics he is a stanch
Republican, in religion an exemplary Congregation-
alist, and in literature an amateur of the best. He is
simple in his personal habits, temperate, physiologi-
cally circumspect and averse to all forms of extrava-
gance. In social and domestic affairs he is unosten-
tatious, prudent and economical, without stinginess,
and puts intellectual entertainments far above sensu-
ous luxuries. His health is delicate rather than
robust, and he watches over it so as to make the best
of it, thereby managing to execute a large amount of
business on a small capital of physical strength. He
is a man of strong convictions on subjects be deems
important, and pronounces his opinions without
equivocation when properly necessary, but is not a
controversialist from choice, and never puts on airs
of dogmatic assumption or offensive severity towards
opponents. He evidently desires to be the friend
and well-wisher of his race, and, so far as compatible
with true moral integrity, to live peaceably with all
men. Of the many commendable ways in which he
is practically exemplifying this laudable desire, it
will hardly be expected that a brief biographical
sketch should make detailed mention. Perhaps the
few already indicated may suffice.
Judge Dewey was married to Miss Marietta N.
Tliayer, daughter of Alexander W. and Marietta
(Dustan) Thayer, born in Worcester, June 22, 1847;
ceremony in Milford, March 12, 1867, by Rev. George
G. Jones. She has the ancestral honor of being a
descendant of the celebrated Hannah Dustan, of
Indian captivity renown. This marriage was one of
mutual, intelligent afl'ection, and has been a happy
one. Mrs. Dewey has proved herself worthy of her
husband, and their connubial house has been a plea-
sant one. They have one promising daughter, — Maria
Thayer Dewey, born in Milford, August 8, 1872. May
many divine benedictions rest on this family group.
Thomas H. Dodge" was born September 27,
1823, in the town of Eden, county of Lamoille,
State of Vermont, being the fourth son of Malachi
F. Dodge and his wife, Jane Hutchins, who were
married in Belvidere, Vt,, Jan. 9, 1812. His father,
Malachi F., was born in New Boston, N. H., Aug.
20, 1789; his grandfather, Enoch Dodge, was born
in Beverly, Mass., 1762, and where his great-grand-
father, Elisha Dodge, was born May 19, 1723, and
who was the fifth and last child of Elisha Dodge, of
Beverly, and his wife, Mary Kimball, of Wenham,
Mass., who were published Oct. 8, 1709. Young
Dodge had the advantages of good district schools,
his father being a well-to-do farmer. The family
subsequently moved to the town of Lowell, Vt., and
resided on a farm there until Thomas was about four-
teen years old, when his eldest brother, Malachi F.,
Jr., having secured a desirable position with the
Nashua Manufacturing Co., of Nashua, N. H., a
change of residence was made by the family to that
place.
At Nashua, Thomas H. attended for a time the
public schools, and then entered Gymnasium Insti-
tute, at Pembroke, N. H. At this institution he
made rapid progress, and ranked among the first in
his class.
Returning to Nashua, he secured a position in the
spinning and weaving departments of the Nashua
Manufacturing Co., which gave him an opportunity
to become familiar with those departments, in the art
he was desirous of fully understanding. In this po-
sition he remained until he gained a full knowledge
of the processes while at the same time earning money
sufficient to permit him to take a course of study in
the Nashua Literary Institute, then under the charge
of Prof David Crosby. In the meantime he had
been pursuing a course of study in elementary law,
the books being obtained from one of the leading
law firms of the place, who encouraged him in his
studies. He also continued his studies in Latia un-
der a private tutor.
Diligent and careful investigations and study into
the early rise and progress of cotton manufactures in
the United States had also engrossed his attention,
as being intimately connected with the business in
which he was engaged, — he was, in fact, an enthusiast
in those early years upon the great good and national
prosperity that would result from mechanical and
manufacturing industries if properly encouraged, and
in the year 1850, he published his " Review of the
Rise, Progress arid Present Importance of Cotton Man-
ufactures of the United States; together with Statis-
tistics, showing the Comparative and Relative Remun-
eration of English and American Operatives."
When he first became a resident of Nashua, the
Nashua Gazelle was printed in a rear room in which
the post-office was located, and young Dodge would
1 Kxtracta from cxteuded biography.
.#
'^
if/'7^2^^0'X:y^ ■ '5^'
^-^£^
THE BENCH AND BAR.
Ixvii
go in and watch the operation of the hand-press used
for printing the paper, and his quick mind at once
ran to devising some way to print on a plane surface
and yet use a rotary motion, so as to print fi-om a roll
of blank paper. The Nashua and Lowell Railroad
was something new, and he took an interest in look-
ing at trains as they came in, and one day he noticed
that the parallel-rod, which connected the driving-
wheels, had the very motion which he wanted, and
he drew the plan of a pre.ss, and later made one
which worked perfectly and attracted much notice.
One day, shortly after a description of the press had
appeared in the public journals, a gentleman called
to see Mr. Dodge, who found him to be a Boston
manufacturer by the name of John Bachelder. Mr.
Bachelder frankly made known his business and the
object of his visit. He was largely engaged in the
manufacture of cotton bags for salt, ilour and similar
materials. He said he had seen the notice of the
press and came to see it, since he thought it was just
.what he wanted. Said he wanted to print the cloth
direct from the bale, and should like to see it work.
The press worked perfectly, was bought by Sir.
Bachelder and patented, and came into very general
use.
The publicity of this invention was the beginning
of a new era in machinery for printing paper, which
resulted in the production of the lightning presses of
the present day. Being now in the posses.<ion of suf-
ficient funds, he decided to study law.
In 1851 he entered the ofBce of Hon. George Y.
Sawyer and Colonel A. F. Stevens, of Nashua, N. H.
As an illustration of the quick appreciation and util-
ization by Mr. Dodge of favorable opportunities, he,
while a law student, saw that the prospective city of
Nashua must necessarily extend in a short lime to
the south, and with two other gentlemen purchased
a large part of the Jesse Bowers farm, lying on the
west of South Main Street, and had it surveyed and
platted as an addition to Nashua.
The lots were in demand as soon as offered, and
this investment proved very profitable, while, at the
same time, adding much to the prosperity of the new
city, which was soon after chartered, Mr. Dodge
being elected a member of the first City Council. He
was admitted to the bar December 5, 1854, and com-
menced practice in Nashua. Aside from his position
as a lawyer, he was extensively and publicly known
as a ^killed manufacturer, a meritorious inventor and
a man of science, and which attainments having at-
tracted the attention of Hon. Charles Mason, then com-
missioner of patents, he was, in March, 1855, appointed
to a position in the examining corps of the United
States Patent Office, Washington, D.C. At first heheld
the position of an assistant examiner, but was soon
promoted to the position of exaniiner-in-chief.
When the famous Hussey Guard patent for mowing
and reaping-machines came up for an extension,
many of the ablest lawyers in the United States were
engaged as counsel, either for or in opposition to the
extension. Judge Mason referred the application to
Mr. Dodge, who reported the invention both new and
novel at the date of the patent, and that, under the
law, Hussey was entitled to the extension. This re-
port and decision was confirmed by Judge Mason,
and the extension granted. Litigation in the Fed-
eral Courts soon followed, to test the validity of such
action and the patent, and both were fully confirmed
in the Circuit Courts of the United States, and which
decisions of the Circuit Courts were subsequently
sustained, on appeal, by the Supreme Court of the
United States.
While Judge Mason remained at the head of the
Patent Oflice the assistance of Mr. Dodge was con-
stantly required in appeal cases, and upon the ap-
pointment of Judge Holt his services were still relied
upon by the new commissioner of patents.
Judge Holt, in the administration of the office,
reached the conclusion that a permanent court or
board of appeals ought to be established to meet the
public wants, and he appointed the three chief ex-
aminers, viz. : Thomas H. Dodge, DeWitt C. Law-
rence and A. B. Little. The establishment of this
board was a movement of great importance.
The decisions of the Board of Appeals, under the
direction of Mr. Dodge, changed the entire aspect of
the business before the Patent Oflice ; order, justice
and promptness in its official actions were recognized
by applicants throughout the country, while a stimu-
lus was given to the inventive skill and ingenuity of
the nation that resulted largely, no doubt, in the
production of many of the great and valuable inven-
tions of the past thirty years. He resigned Novem-
ber 2, 1858.
Mr. Dodge was admitted to practice in the Supreme
Court of the United States, and for twenty-five years
and more, thereafter, he had a very large and profita-
ble law practice in patent causes, and was, during
that time, actively engaged in the great suits relating
to the sewing machine, mowing and reaping machine,
corset, horse hay-rake, wrench, loom, barbed wire,
machines for making the same, and numerous other
valuable patented inventions involving millions of
dollars.
In the early part of 1864, Mr. Dodge located in.
Worcester, where he had previously had a law-office
in the city, and besides was one of the active man-
agers of the Union Mowing Machine Company.
It was while residing in Washington that Mr.
Dodge devised the present plan of returning letters
uncalled for to the writers thereof, and on the 8th of
August, 1856, submitted in writing a detailed state-
ment of his plan to the Postmaster-General, Hon.
James Campbell, and in due time it received the
sanction of law, and the present generation receives
and enjoys advantages resulting from the change.
Mr. Dodge was a strong supporter of the Union
cause during the Rebellion, and while he remained
lx\
HISTORY OF WORCESTER COUNTY, MASSACHUSETTS.
in Washington his house was open to those engaged
in relieving the sick, wounded and dying soldiers ;
Mrs. Dodge, too, also joining with others in visiting
the hospitals to distribute food and delicacies sent
from the North to Mrs. Harris and Miss Dix, for the
sick and wounded. His youngest brother, Capt.
Eli?ha E. Dodge, of the Thirteenth New Hampshire
Regiment, fell mortally wounded in the assault on
Petersburg, Va., in June, 1864, and died at Fortress
Monroe, June 22, 1864.
In 1881 he, in connection with Mr. Charles G.
Washburn, organized the Worcester Barb Fence
Company, he being president and Mr. Washburn sec-
retary and manager, and for which company the late
Stephen Salisbury, Esq., built the large factory at
the corner of Market and Union Streets. The plant
and patents were subsequently sold to the Washburn
& Moen Company.
Mr. Dodge was married, June 29, 1843, to Miss
Eliza Daniels, of Brookline, N. H.
In the grounds of Mr. Dodge is the " Ancient
Willow." (See illustration and poem by Harriett
Prescott Spoiford, elsewhere in this work.)
Augustus George Bullock.' — Mr. Bullock is
a son of the late Governor Alexander H. Bullock,
whose portrait, with a biographical sketch, appears
elsewhere in this work. He was born in En-
field, Conn., on the 2d of June, 1847, and was edu-
cated in private schools, being fitted for college by
the late E. G. Cutler, who was afterwards professor
of modern languages in Harvard College. He en-
tered Harvard in 18G4 and graduated in 1868.
After traveling a year in Europe he commenced
the study of law, pursued the usual course, and in
due time was admitted to the bar in Worcester. He
soon went into practice, occupying offices with Sena-
tor Hoar.
In 1882 his father, Governor Bullock, who had
then recently been elected president of the State
Mutual Life Assurance Company, died ; and during
the year it was determined to change the policy of
the company, which had been of a somewhat limited
character, and make it one of the leading institutions
of the kind in the country.
It was in January, 1883, that the affairs and inter-
ests of this now widely-known and popular a-surance
company were submitted to the management of the
subject of this sketch, he being elected president and
treasurer. He accepted the responsible position, en-
gaged earnestly in the work, arduous as it promised
to be, and has been eminently succe.-sful. The sug-
gestions for extended usefulness were efficiently and
rapidly carried forward, and new life and healthful
growth became visible in every department. Since
his instalment, which was but about six years ago,
the business of the company has been more than
quadrupled, and is adding to its assets accumulations
' By Jumea R. Newhall.
of nearly half a million dollars annually. Its opera-
tions and reputation are not now by any means lim-
ited to Massachusetts or New England, it having
attained a large business, especially in the Middle
and Western States.
But it is not alone as president and treasurer of the
State Mutual Life Assurance Company that Mr. Bul-
lock is well and widely known. He is a director in
the Worcester National Bank, in the Worcester Gas
Light Company, in the Norwich and Worcester Rail-
road, in the Worcester County Institution for Sav-
ings, and president of the State Safe Deposit Com-
pany. He is also a trustee of the State Lunatic
Hospital and of the Free Public Library, and a mem-
ber of the American Antiquarian Society.
For an intelligent appreciation of literary and
social observances of the higher order Mr. Bullock is
well fitted by education and taste. And few places
afford better opportunities for the development of
refined sentiment than cultured Worcester. He has
many of the genial traits of his honored father,
many of his common-sense views and approachable
amenities — trails and habits that never fail of leading
to high social position. So then we find him, now
in middle life, sustaining in the business world a high
reputation for financial skill and ability, and in so-
cial life a position well worthy of aspiration.
In religious sentiment Mr. Bullock ranks with the
Unitarians, having departed somewhat from the
chosen faith of his fathers. His grandfather was of
the rigid old New England "orthodox" type; but
his father, after reaching manhood, embraced the
faith of the Protestant Episcopal Church, and to the
end of his life delighted in its charming liturgical
form of worship. In political sentiment he ranks
with the Democratic party.
Mr. Bullock was united in marriage, October 4,
1871, with Mary Chandler, daughter of Dr. George
and Josephine Rose Chandler, and four male chil-
dren have been born to them, one of whom died in
infancy.
Francis Almon Gaskill ' was born in Black-
stone, Worcester County, on the 3d day of January,
1846. Until the year 1860 he lived in that town. In
1860 he moved to Woonsocket, R. I., and in the High
School of that town, under the instruction of Howard
M. Rice, Esq. (now one of the proprietors of the well-
known Mowry and Goff School in Providence), he
fitted for college. In the autumn of 1862 he en-
tered Brown University, and was graduated in 1866.
He was occupied as private tutor to the sons of Mr.
Clement B. Barclay, of Newport, R. I., from October,
1866, till June, 1867, and thus had the advantage of
that most excellent mental instruction which comes
from teaching others.
In September, 1867, he entered the Law School
of Harvard University, and remained there, a close
- Bv Herljclt Paik.;r.
/p\
a.
THE BENCH AND BAR.
Ixix
student, till October, 186S, when, at the request of the
late Hon. George F. Verry, he eutered his office as
clerk, and was duly admitted to the bar of this county
March 3, 1869. Later he was associated with Mr.
Verry as his partner, and so continued till Mr.
Verry's death, in 1883.
Mr. Gaskill was married, October 20, 1869, to Miss
Katherine Mortimer Whitaker, of Providence. For
a considerable time Mrs. Gaskill was an invalid, and
for the last few years of her life suffered almost con-
stantly from a paioful illness, which she bore with a
truly beautiful fortitude and cheerfulness. She died
January 25, 1889, leaving two children.
In 1875-76 Mr. Gaskill served as a member of the
Common Council of the city of Worcester. In 1876
he was chosen one of the trustees of the Worcester
Academy, and has served in that capacity contin-
uously till the present time. He was elected a
trustee of the Free Public Library of Worcester for
six years from 1878 to 1884, and in 1886 was elected
to fill a vacancy in that board, of which he was presi-
dent in the year 1888.
In 1884 he was elected one of the trustees of the
People's Savings Bank, and still serves on that board.
In 1888 he was elected one of the trustees of Brown
University. He is also a director of the State Mu-
tual Life Assurance Company of Worcester, an insti-
tution whose standing and reputation in the financial
world is such as to make a position in its directorate
one of great honor and importance.
In 1883, during the illness of the district attorney,
Hon. Frank T. Blackmer, Mr. Gaskill filled that
office by appointment. In 1886 he was elected dis-
trict attorney, to serve from January, 1887, to January,
1890, succeeding Col. W. S. B. Hopkins, whose bril-
liant and distinguished abilities and character had
made his administration memorable.
It will thus be seen, from the preceding recital
of some of the various positions of importance and
responsibility to which Mr. Gaskill has been called,
that he has possessed in a large measure the confi-
dence and esteem of those to whom he has been
known. In the discharge of the duties of educa-
tional, charitable, financial and professional trusts, it
is obvious that he has had a training and experience
that has fitted him to deal judiciously with the mul-
titudinous interests which may be involved in the
discharge of his existing official duties.
He has had personal and continuous acquaintance
with and has shared in the direct management of
affairs which make up and are essential elements in
our complex industrial, social and governmental sys-
tem. He has had an active and successful pro-
fessional life.
Mr. Verry, with whom he was long associated, was
one of the acknowledged leaders of the bar: his cool
judgment, marvelous readiness in the crisis of a case
and his brilliant powers as an advocate rendered him
almost invincible, in the trial of causes. Mr. Gaskill
was far too apt and able a pupil to fail to profit from
his close professional and personal intimacy with Mr.
Verry. The opportunity for study thus given him
in the practice of the law has abundantly equipped
him for his arduous and responsible duties as prose-
cuting officer. While Mr. Gaskill was acting dis-
trict attorney the now famous case of Commonwealth
vs. Pierce came before our Criminal Court. The de-
fendant was a so-called physician, and, by reason of
treating a patient with baths and poultices of kero-
sene oil, finally produced her death. He was in-
dicted for manslaughter. It was extremely doubtful
whether the defendant Pierce could be convicted, by
reason of a much questioned decision of the Supreme
Court in an early cise. It was, however, of grave
moment to bring this vexed question again to the bar
of the Supreme Court for revision. The indictment,
a remarkably skillful piece of criminal pleading, was
drawn by Mr. Gaskill, with the able assistance of C.
F. Baker, Esq., then assistant district attorney. Later,
after a closely contested trial. Col. Hopkins, then dis-
trict attorney, managing the government's case, a ver-
dict of guilty was rendered ; and after exhaustive argu-
ments of the law questions before the Supreme
Court the conviction of the defendant was sustained,
largely through the courage and confidence which
Mr. Gaskill had in the righteousness of this cause,
the original prosecution of which was instituted by
him. We now have the decision of the Supreme Court
that homicidal medical pretenders shall not escape
responsibility for the fatal results of their incompe-
tency on the plea that ignorance and not malice
caused the death of their victim.
In a large number of the important legal contro-
versies in our county Mr. Gaskill has been of coun-
sel. His clients, no less than his opponents, know
the zeal, the energy and the learning which he dis-
plays in the preparation and trial of his cases. To
the discharge of the duties of the office of district
attorney he has brought all the fidelity and ability
which have given him success and honorable reputa-
tion at the bar, on the civil side of the court. With
unflagging constancy and integrity he has conducted
the aflairs of the people entrusted to his hands.
In the two years now expired of his current term of
office, prosecutions of great interest have been con-
ducted by him, one among many being that of a no
torious mal-practitioner, whose victim had made a
dying declaration charging the crime upon the ac-
cused ; but, by reason of the inapt phraseology of the
statute, it was held by the court upon the trial that
the dying declaration could not be used in evidence
upon a trial for abortion; the case was given to the
jury without this evidence, and a verdict of guilty
followed, which, for insufficiency of evidence, was Set
aside. Thereupon an indictment was found for
manslaughter by negligence, which was a sagacious,
but by many lawyers thought a futile, eftbrt to pre-
vent the escape of a guilty person, by reason of an
Ixx
HISTORY OF WORCESTER COUNTY, MASSACHUSETTS.
inefficient statute. Mr. Gaskill brought the accused
to trial on the charge of manslaughter, and, though
defended with great zeal and ability, the prisoner
was convicted ; for in this case the dying declaration
was unquestionably admissible, and was admitted.
After mature consideration by the counsel for the de-
fense, the exceptions were waived, and sentence was
imposed upon the defendant.
This successful prosecution is adverted to as dem-
onstrating the vigilance and energy of Mr. Gaskill's
methods, manifested as well in his prompt and sys-
tematic management at each term of the Criminal
Court, where everything upon the docket which can
be tried is brought forward and disposed of. In this
district at least, there exists no complaint of an ac-
cumulation of untried cases.
Sureties, who have pledged themselves to secure
the attendance of an accused person for his trial,
have learned that a bail bond is a stern and inex-
orable compact, which they cannot evade ; no less
have persons who appeal from sentences in the
lower courts learned that they must speedily answer
on trial in the Superior Court.
It is a noteworthy fact, and one upon which Mr.
Gaskill may well look with legitimate pride, that in
the two years of his term of office as district attorney
no indictment drawn by him has been quashed for
any insufficiency in form.
Happily, the time has not yet come for writing a
completed biography of the subject of this sketch ; his
life-work is not yet done, and it may be confidently
hoped that many years of usefulness are yet before
him; here only brief mention can be made of some
of the events (and those chiefly professional) of his
past life.
The biographer of one still in active life must
carefully observe a due consideration for him whose
life and character is under discussion, and so scrupu-
lously avoid anything by way of seeming eulogy,
however well deserved and just such eulogy may be.
The mere recital of the events of Mr. Gaskill's life,
the positions of honor and trust to which he has
been called, the distinguished reputation he has
gained in his profession, the respect and esteem in
which he is held by his cotemporaries, all make up a
more eloquent eulogy than the pen of any biographer
could frame.
It is fitting to add, however, what no one can or
would wish to gainsay, that Mr. Gaskill has fully
maintained the high moral and professional standard
established by his most distinguished predecessors in
the office. In him the county and the people may
see the realization of those rare qualities of mind and
character which are required of him, who is at once
prosecuting officer of the Commonwealth, but no less,
in accordance with the merciful and just considera-
tion of our criminal jurisprudence, " the prisoner's
attorney."
Theodoee S. Johkson.^— AVorcester County has
been exceptionally fortunate during its history in
securing for clerk of the courts men of high character
and pronounced ability. It is an office of dignity
and of great responsibility, requiring exact legal
knowledge, and a ready fund of fertility upon which
instant drafts must frequently be made. It is en-
riched with ample compensation, only slighly below
that established for a justice of the Superior Court.
Some of the incumbents of the office have yielded
to its attractions after distinguished service in Con-
gress, others after effective labors in other capacities,
while still others have relinquished it for a seat in
Congress.
The term of service of most has been long. Since
the incorporation of the county, in 1731, a period of
nearly one hundred and sixty yeare, there have been
but eleven different persons holding the office. No
fairer test than this can be applied to determine the
measure of satisfaction with which the affairs of the
office have been administered.
The incumbent is judged by two standards— one
adopted by the judges and lawyers, with whom he is
brought into closest relations ; the other, proceeding
from parties in causes, jurors and the public at large.
The former is applied more particularly to his legal
capacity and general administration of the office; the
latter to his characteristics. The combination of
qualities to satisfy both tests is not often found.
The eleventh clerk of the courts for Worcester
County is the subject of this sketch.
Theodore S. Johnson was born in Dana, in this
county, in 1843. After attendance in the common
schools of his native town and at the High School and
Wilbraham Academy, he came to Worcester in 1864,
and entered as a student the law-office of Dewey &
Williams. He was admitted to the bar in 1866, and
immediately began the practice of his profession in
Blackstone. In 1867 he was appointed trial justice
by Governor Bullock, and held the office till 1871.
In the latter year Hon. Hartley Williams, in whose
office Mr. Johnson had studied law, was judge of the
Municipal Court of Worcester, and a vacancy occur-
ring in the office of clerk of that court, he quickly
turned to Mr. Johnson as admirably qualified to fill
the position ; he was at once appointed and continued
as such and as clerk of the Central District Court of
Worcestf r till 1881. The sagacious treatment of the
great volume and variety of business in those courts re-
quiring the action and attention of the clerk during
those years certainly justified the judgment of his
friend and instructor, Judge Williams.
In 1881 Mr. Johnson was elected to his present
office as clerk of the courts for Worcester County
for the term of five years, and in 1886 was re-elected
for a similar term.
Mr. Johnson's activities have not been confined
1 By F. A. Gaskill.
I
^^ ^ S ^<yVvvvx2ijv\J
THE BENCH AND BAR.
Ixxi
solely to these duties, though never for an instant
neglecting them.
He was captain and judge advocate on the staff of
the Third Brigade Massachusetts Volunteer Militia
from 1874 to 1876, inclusive. He was selected in 1878
by Governor Talbot as colonel and aide-de-camp up-
on his Gubernatorial staff.
Mr. Johnson's discriminating political judgment,
as well as his prominence as a citizen of Wor-
cester and his earnest belief in the Republican party,
led naturally to his selection as Worcester's represen-
tative on the Kepublican State Central Committee
from 1881 to 1884, inclusive.
In 1883 he was elected a director of the Quinsiga-
mond National Bank, and has retained the position
ever since.
In 1873 he married Miss Amanda M. Allen, of
Blackstone.
Valuable as his other services have been, honorable as
the other positions are which he has held, identified
as he has been with other material and social inter-
ests of Worcester and Worcester County, yet his ad-
ministration of the office of clerk of the courts has
been by far his most significant and successful
service.
The writer of this sketch can best apply the legal
test hitherto spoken of, and Mr. Johnson can securely
rest in the confidence and approbation of the bar
when that is invoked. His generous courtesy and
ready service to his brethren of the bar and to others,
and his unimpeachable character never fail to satisfy
the other test.
JUDGES or THE HIGHER COURTS RESIDENT IN
WORCESTER COUNTY.
Superior Court. — Jedediah Foster, on the bench
1776-79.
Supreme Judicial Court. — Levi Lincoln, on the
bench 1824-25; Benjamin F. Thomas, 1853-59;
Pliny Merrick, 1853-64; Dwight Foster, 1866-69;
Charles Devens, 1873-77, 1881-.
County Court of Common Pleas. — Artemas Ward,
on the bench 1775-99 (C. J.); Jedediah Foster, 1775-
76; Moses Gill, 1775-94; Samuel Baker, 1775-95;
Joseph Dorr, 1776-1801 ; Michael Gill, 1794-98 ; Eli-
jah Brigham, 1795-1811; John Sprague, 1799-1801
(C. J.); Dwight Foster, 1801-11 (C. J.); Benjamin
Heywood, 1801-11.
Court of Common Pleas for the Western Circuit. —
Edward Bangs, on the bench 1811-18 ; Solomon
Strong, 1818-20.
Court of Common Pleas for Commomcealth. — Solo-
mon Strong, on the bench 1820-42 ; Charles Allen,
1842-44; Pliny Merrick, 1843^8, '50-53; Emory
Washburn, 1844-47; Edward Mellen, 1854-59.
Superior Court for the Commonwealth. — Charles
Allen, on the bench 1859-69 (C. J.); Charles Devens,
1867-73 ; Francis H. Dewey, 1869-81 ; P. Emory
Aldrich, 1873- ; Hamilton B. Stapler, 1881-.
Probate Court. — John Chandler, on the bench
1731-40; Joseph Wilder, 1740-56; John Chandler
(2d), 1756-62; John Chandler (3d), 1762-75 ; Jede-
diah Foster, 1775-76 ; Artemas Ward, 1776 ; Levi
Lincoln, 1776-82; Joseph Dorr, 1782-1801 ; Nathan-
iel Paine, 1801-36; Ira M. Barton, 18,36-44; Benja-
min F. Thomas, 1844-48 ; Thomas Kinnicutt, 1848-
57 ; Dwight Foster, 1857-58.
Court of Probate and Insolvency. — Henry Chapin,
on the bench 1858-78; Adin Thayer, 1878-88; W.
Trowbridge Forbes, 1888-.
List of Me.mbers of the Bar. — In the follow-
ing list it is intended to give the names of all persons
who were members of the Worcester County bar Jan-
uary 1, 1889, and of those who had been members of
it at any time since the establishment of the county,
with the date and place of the birth and graduation
of each (if graduated), the date of admission to the
bar, and the place or places where they have prac-
tised, so far as it has been practicable to obtain the
facts.
Explanations. — The ' indicates that the person was
dead January 1, 1889; r., removal from the county.
The colleges at which persons named were graduated
or attended are indicated by initial letters, thus :
H. C, Harvard College ; B. U., Brown University ;
A. C, Amherst College ; Y. C, Yale College ; W. C,
Williams College ; D. C, Dartmouth College ; M. U.,
Michigan University ; W. U., Wesleyan University ;
U. v., University of Vermont ; U. C, Union Col-
lege; B. C, Bowdoin College; N. U., Norwich Uni-
versity; U. of C, University of Cal.; H. Cr., Holy
Cross College; McG., McGill University; C. U.,
Colby University; T. C, Tuft's College; St. M., St.
Michael's College ; N. D., University of Notre Dame.
Thomas Abbott, r., born in Canada; admitted 1849 ;
practised in Millbury and Blackstone.
Benjamin Adams,' born in Mendon, 1764; gradu-
ated at B. U., 1788 ; admitted 1792 ; practised in Ux-
bridge.
Charles L. Adams, born in Westboro', 1861 ; ad-
mitted 1887 ; practised in Westboro',
Henry Adams,' graduated at H. C, 1802; practised
in Ashburnham.
Zabdiel B. Adams,' graduated atH. C, 1791 ; prac-
tised in Lunenburg.
Henry W. Aiken, born in Millbury, 1857 ; gradu-
ated at Y. C, 1880; admitted 1884; practised in
Millbury.
Charles F. Aldrich, born in Worcester, 1858 ; grad-
uated at Y. C, 1 879 ; admitted 1881 ; practised in
Worcester.
P. Emory Aldrich, born in New Salem, 1813; ad-
mitted 1846 ; practised in Barre and Worcester.
Charles Allen,' born in Worcester, 1797 ; admitted
1818; practised in New Braintree and Worcester.
Frederic H. Allen,' graduated U. V., 1823; ad-
mitted 1818; practised in Athol.
Ixxii
HISTORY OF WORCESTER COUNTY, MASSACHUSETTS.
Samuel H. Allen,' born in Mendon, 1790; gradu-
ated at U. C, 1814 ; practised in Mendon and Graf-
tOD.
Joseph Allen,' born in Leicester, 1773 ; graduated
at H. C, 1792; admitted 1795; practised in Worces-
ter, Warren and Charlestown, N. H.
Albert H. Andrews, born in Waltham, 1829; ad-
mitted 1850 ; practised in Nebraska, Minnesota, Ash-
burnliam and Fitchburg.
William S. Andrews,' r., born in Boston; graduated
at H. C, 1812; admitted 1817; practised in Spencer
and Worcester.
Joshua Atherton,' born in Harvard, 1737 ; gradu-
ated at H. C, 1762 ; admitted 1765 ; practised in
Petersham.
Edward Avery, r., born in Marblehead, 1827; ad-
mitted 1849 ; practised in Barre, Worcester and Bos-
ton.
Erasmus Babbitt,' born in Sturbridge, 1765 ; grad-
uated at H. C, 1790; practised in Charlton, Grafton,
Oxford, Sturbridge and Westboro'.
Henry Bacon, bora in Oxford, 1835 ; admitted 1859;
practised in Worcester.
Peter C. Bacon,' born in Dudley, 1804 ; graduated
at B. U., 1827 ; admitted 1830 ; practised in Oxford,
Dudley and Worcester.
Goldsmith F. Bailey,' born in Westmoreland, Vt.,
1823 ; admitted 1848 ; practised in Fitchburg.
Harrison Bailey, born in Fitchburg, 1849 ; gradu-
ated at A. C, 1872 ; admitted 1874 ; practised in
Fitchburg.
Charles F. Baker, born in Lunenburg, 1850; gradu-
ated at H. C, 1872; admitted 1875; practised in
Fitchburg.
Christopher C. Baldwin,' born in Templeton, 1800;
admitted 1826 ; practised in Sutton, Barre and Wor-
cester.
George W. Baldwin, r., born in New Haven ; grad-
uated at Y. C, 1853 ; admitted 1858 ; practised in
Worcester and Boston.
Isaac Baldwin, admitted 1853 ; practised in Clin-
ton.
George H. Ball, r., born in Milford, 1848 ; gradu-
ated at H. C, 1869 ; admitted 1871 ; practised in
Worcester.
George F. Bancroft,' admitted 1874 ; practised in
Brookfield.
James H. Bancroft, born in Ashburnham, 1829 ;
admitted 1868 ; practised in Worcester.
Allen Bangs,' r., born in Springfield ; graduated at
H. C, 1827; practised in Springfield and Worcester.
Edward Bangs,' born in Hardwick, 1756 ; gradu-
ated H. C, 1777; admitted 1780; practised in Wor-
cester.
Edward D. Bangs,' born in Worcester, 1790 ; ad-
mitted 1813 ; practised in Worcester.
William B. Banister,' r., born in Brookfield, 1773 ;
graduated at D. C, 1797; practised in Brookfield and
Newburyport.
Forrest E. Barker, born in Exeter, N. H., 1853 ;
graduated at W. U., 1874; admitted 1876; practised
in Worcester.
Merrill Barlow, r., admitted 1848 ; practised in
Southbridge and Columbus, O.
Frederick J. Barnard, born in Worcester 1842 ;
graduated at Y. C, 1863; admitted 1867; practised in
Worcester.
L. Emerson Barnes, born in Hardwick, 1843; grad-
uated at A. C, 1871; admitted 1873; practised in
North Brookfield.
Andrew J. Bartholomew, born in Hardwick, 1833 ;
graduated at Y. C, 1856; admitted 1858; practised
in Southbridge.
Nelson Bartholomew,' born in Hardwick, 1834 ;
graduated at Y. C, 1856 ; admitted 1858 ; practised
in Oxford.
William O. Baitlett, r., born in Smithfield, R. I.;
admitted 1843 ; practised in Worcester and New York.
Ira M. Barton,' born in Oxford, 1796; graduated at
B. U., 1819 ; admitted 1822 ; practised in Oxford and
AVorcester.
AVniliam S. Barton, born in Oxford, 1824 ; gradu-
ated at B. U., 1844; admitted 1846; practised in
Worcester.
Ezra Bassett, practised in New Braintree.
Sumner Bastow,' born in Uxbridge ; graduated at
B. U., 1802 ; admitted 1811 ; practised in Sutton and
Oxford.
Liberty Bates,' graduated at B. U., 1797 ; practised
in Grafton.
Robert E. Beecher, r., born in Zane.sville, O., 1839;
graduated at AV. C., 1860; admitted 1868; practised
in North Brookfield.
Joshua E. Beeman, born in Westboro', 1844; ad-
mitted 1879 ; practised in Westboro'.
Felix A. Belisle, born in St. Marcelle, P. Q., 1857;
admitted 1888; practised in Worcester.
Daniel H. Bemis, born in Billerica, 1831 ; admitted
1860 ; practised in Clinton.
Abijali Bigelow,' born in Westminster, 1775 ; grad-
uated at D. C, 1795; admitted 1817; practised in
Worcester and Leominster.
Daniel Bigelow,' born in Worcester, 1752 ; gradu-
ated at H. C, 1775; admitted 1780; practised in Pe-
tersham.
George P. Bigelow, admitted 1881 .
Lewis Bigelow,' born in Petersham ; graduated at
AV. C, 1803 ; practised in Petersham and Peoria,
111.
Tyler Bigelow,' graduated at H. C, 1801 ; practised
in Leominster and AValtham.
Arthur G. Biscoe,' born in Grafton ; graduated at
A. C, 1862 ; admitted 1864; practised in AVestbor-
ough.
J. Foster Biscoe, r., born in Grafton ; graduated at
A. C, 1874; admitted 1877.
Jason B. Blackington, r., graduated at B. U., 1826;
practised in Holden.
THE BENCH AND BAR.
h
Francis T. Blackmer,' born in AVorceater, 1844;
admitted 1867 ; practised in Worcester.
Fred. W. Blaclimer, born in Hardwick, 1858 ; ad-
mitted 1883; practised in Worcester.
Francis Blake,' born in Rutland, 1774; graduated
at H. C, 1789; admitted 1794; practised in Rutland
aud Worcester.
Jesse Bliss,' born in Brimfield; graduated at D. C,
1808; admitted 1812; practised in W. Brookfield.
Daniel Bliss,' born in Concord, 1740; graduated at
H. C, 1760; admitted 1765; practised in Rutland
and Concord.
William Bliss,' graduated at H. C, 1818 ; practised
in Athol.
Jerome B. Bolster,' born in Uxbridge ; admitted
1865 ; practised in Blackstone.
Frederick W. Botham,' born in Charlton, 1811 ;
admitted 1835; practised in Southbridge and Douglas.
Frederick W. Bottom,' born in Plainfield, Conn.,
1785; graduated at B. U., 1802; practised in Cbarl-
, ton, Southbridge and Sturbridge.
Lewi4 H. Boutelle, r., practised in Westborough.
Charles D. Bowman,' born in New Braintree, 1816;
graduated at H. C, 1838; admitted 1845; practised
in Oxford.
Lucian C. Boynton,' admitted 1847 ; practised in
Worcester.
Albert E. Bragg, r., admitted 1884 ; practised in
Worcester and Boston.
Samuel Brazer,' born in Worcester, 1785 ; practised
in Worcester.
Benjamin Bridge, practised in Uxbridge and Win-
chendon.
O. L. Bridges,' r., born in Calais, Me. ; practised in
Boston and Worcester.
William H. Briggs, born in Andover, 1855 ; ad-
mitted 1876; practised in Worcester.
David Brigham,' r., born in Shrewsbury, 1786 ;
graduated at H. C, 1810 ; practised in Fitchburg,
Leicester, New Braintree and Shrewsbury.
David T. Brigham, r., born in Shrewsbury, 1808 ;
graduated at U. C, 1828 ; admitted 1831 ; practised
in Worcester.
Charles Brimblecom, born in Sharon, 1825 ; ad-
mitted 1848; practised in Barre.
Aaron Brooks,' born in Petersham ; graduated at
B. U., 1817 ; practised in Petersham.
Calvin M. Brooks, r., graduated at Y. C, 1847 ; ad-
mitted 1848 ; practised in Worcester, Boston and N.
Ashland, Conn.
Francis A. Brooks, r., born in Petersham, 1826 ;
attended H. C. ; admitted 1845 ; practised in Peter-
sham and Boston.
Bartholomew Brown,' graduated at H. C, 1799;
practised in Sterling.
John F. Brown, admitted 1880.
Luke Brown,' graduated at H. C, 1794 ; practised
in Hardwick.
William E. Brown,' born in Sidney, Me., 1831 ; ad-
mitted 18G8 ; practised in Fitchburg-
Nahum F. Bryant, r., born in New Salem, 1810;
admitted 1835; practised at Barre and Bangor, Me.
Walter A. Bryant,' born in New Salem, 1817; ad-
mitted 1839 ; practised in Barre and Worcester.
Alexander H. Bullock,' born in Royalston, 1816 ;
graduated atA. C, 1836; admitted 1841; practised
in Worcester.
Augustus George Bullock, born in Enfield, Conn.,
1847; graduated at H. C, 1868; admitted 1875;
practised in Worcester.
Gardner Burbank, graduated at B. U., 1809; prac-
tised in Worcester.
Silas A. Burgess, born in Goshen, 1826 ; admitted
1852; practised in Blackstone and Worcester.
Henry M. Burleigh, r., practised in Athol.
Samuel M. Burnside,' born in Northumberland, N.
H., 1783 ; graduated at D. C, 1805 ; admitted 1810 ;
practised in Westborough and Worcester.
Albert C. Burrage, r., born in Ashburnham, 1859;
graduated at H. C, 1883 ; admitted 1884; practised
in Boston.
Charles D. Burrage, born in Ashburnham, 1857;
graduated at U. of C, 1878 ; admitted 1882 ; prac-
tised in Baldwinville and Gardner.
Stillman Cady,' practised in Templeton.
Joseph B. Caldwell,' born in Rutland ; graduated
at H. C, 1802 ; practised in Grafton, Rutland and
Worcester.
William Caldwell,' graduated at H. C, 1802; prac-
tised in Rutland. •
George W. Cann, born in Easton, Pa., 1849; at-
tended Pa. C, 1869; admitted 1872; practised in
Fitchburg.
James B. Carroll, r., born in Lowell, 1856 ; grad-
uated at H. Cr., 1878 ; admitted 1880 ; practised in
Springfield.
Peter T. Carroll, born in Hopkinton, 1857 ; attend-
ed H. Cr. ; admitted 1882 ; practised in Worces-
ter.
Chauncey W. Carter, born in Leominster, 1827 ;
admitted 1857 ; practised in Leominster and Gardner.
Frederick H. Chamberlain, born in Worcester,
1861; admitted 1886; practised in Worcester.
Leon F. Chamecin,' born in Philadelphia, 1861 ;
admitted 1882 ; practised in Boston and Templeton.
Nathaniel Chandler,' born in Worcester, 1750 ;
graduated at H. C, 1768 ; admitted 1771 ; practised
in Petersham and Worcester.
Rufus Chandler,' born in Worcester, 1747 ; grad-
uated at H. C, 1766; admitted 1768; practised in
Worcester.
Charles S. Chapin, r., born in Westfield, 1859;
graduated at W. U., 1880; admitted 1884; practised
in Worcester.
Henry Chapin,' born in Upton, 1811 ; graduated at
B. U., 1835; admitted 1838; practised at Uxbridge
and Worcester.
Ixxiv
HISTORY OF WORCESTER COUNTY, MASSACHUSETTS.
]^inus Child,' born in Woodstock, Conn., 1802 ;
graduated at Y. C, 1824; admitted 1826; practised
in Southbridge and Boston.
F. Linus Childs, born in Millbury, 1849; graduated
at B. U., 1870 ; admitted 1873 ; practised in Wor-
cester.
Ambrose Choquet, born in Varennes, P. Q., 1840 ;
graduated at McG., 1865; admitted 1865; practised
in Montreal, Rochester and Worcester.
Charles W. Clark, r., born in Worcester, 1851 ;
graduated at Y. C. ; admitted 1876; practised in
Worcester.
Edward Clark,' born in Ch.arlton ; practised in Sut-
ton and Worcester.
Henry J. Clarke, born in Southbridge, 1845 ; grad-
uated at Boston U., 1875 ; admitted 1875 ; practised in
Webster.
Samuel Clark, born in Dedham, 1809 ; graduated
at B. U., 1836; .admitted 1841; practised in North-
borough.
Peter Clarke,' graduated at H. C, 1777 ; practised
in Southborough.
Hollis W. Cobb, born in Boylston, 1856 ; graduated
atY. C, 1878; admitted 1881; practised in Wor-
cester.
John M. Cochran, born in Pembroke, N. H., 1849;
admitted 1870 ; practised in Palmer and Southbridge.
John B. D. Cogswell, r., born in Y'armouth, 1829 ;
graduated at D. C, 1850; admitted 1853; practised
in Worcester, Milwaukee, Wis., and Yarmouth.
James D. Colt, r., born in Pittsfield, 1862 ; grad-
uated at W. C, 1884 ; admitted 1887 ; practised in
Boston.
Joseph B. Cook, r., born in Cumberland, R. I.,
1837 ; admitted 1860 ; practised in Blackstone.
Edwin Conant, born in Sterling, 1810; graduated
at H. C, 1829; admitted 1832; practised in Sterling
and Worcester.
John W. Corcoran, born in New York, 1853; gradu-
ated at H. C, 1875; admitted 1875; practised in
Clinton.
Oliver S. Cormier, r. ; admitted 1884 ; practised in
Worcester and Manchester, N. H.
Mirick H. Cowden, born in Rutland, 1846 ; admitted
1875 ; practised in Worcester.
John G. Crawford, born in Oakham, 1834; admitted
1865; practised in Michigan, New Hampshire and
Clinton.
Austin P. Cristy, born in Morristown, Vt, 1850;
graduated at D. C, 1873 ; admitted 1874; practised
in Worcester.
Samuel M. Crocker,' graduated at H. C, 1801 ;
practised in Douglas and U.Kbridge.
Amos Crosby,' born in Brnokfield, 1761 ; graduated
at H. C, 1786; admitted 1804; practised in Brook-
field.
Eph. M. Cunningham,' gradu.ated at H. C, 1814;
practised in Ashburnham, Lunenburg and Sterling.
Albert W. Curtis, born in Worcester, 1849 ; gradu-
ated at Y. C, 1871; admitted 1873; practised in
Worcester and Spencer.
Wolfred F. Curtis, admitted 1878.
Elisha P. Cutler, graduated at AV. C, 1798; prac-
tised in Hardwick.
Louis Cutting,' born in West Boylston, 1849;
admitted 1888 ; practised in West Boylston and Wor-
cester.
Samuel Cutting,' graduated at D. C, 1805 ; practised
in Templeton.
Appleton Dadmun,' born in Marlborough, 1828 ;
graduated at A. C, 1854 ; admitted 1857 ; practised
in Worcester.
John T. Dame, born in Orford, N. H., 1817 ; gradu-
ated at D. C, 1840 ; practised in Clinton and Marl-
borough.
Richard H. Dana,' born in Cambridge, 1787 ; gradu-
ated at H. C, 1808; admitted 1811; practised in
Sutton.
I. C. Bates Dana, born in Northampton, 1848 ;
admitted 1872 ; practised in Worcester.
John A. Dana, born in Princeton, 1823; graduated
at Y. C, 1844; admitted 1848; practised in Wor-
cester.
William S. Dana, admitted in 1878.
Mat. (Jas.) Davenport, graduated at H. C, 1802;
practised in Boylston.
Andrew J. Davis,' r., born in Northborough, 1815 ;
admitted 1834; practised in Worcester and St. Louis,
Mo.
Andrew McF. D.avis, born in Worcester, 1833 ;
admitted 1859; practised in Worcester, New York
and San Francisco.
Charles T. Davis, r., born in Concord, N. H., 1863 ;
graduated at H. C, 1884; admitted 1886; practised
in Boston.
Edward L. Davis, born in Worcester, 1834 ; gradu-
ated at B. U., 1854; admitted 1857 ; practised in Wor-
cester.
George Davis,' practised in Sturbridge.
Isaac Davis,' born in Northborough, 1799 ; gradu-
ated at B. U., 1822 ; admitted 1825 ; practised in
Worcester.
James R. Davis, born in Boston, 1816 ; admitted
1869 ; practised in Milford.
John Davis, Jr.,' born in Shirley ; practised in
Lancaster and Charlton.
John Davis,' born in Northborough, 1788 ; gradu-
ated at Y. C, 1812 ; admitted 1815 ; practised in
Northboro', Spencer and Worcester.
John C. B. Davis, r., born in Worcester, 1822 ;
graduated .at H. C, 1840; admitted 1844; practised
in Worcester and New York.
William S. Davis,' born in Northborough, 1832;
graduated at H. C, 1853; admitted 1855; practised
in Worcester.
John E. Day, born in Killingly, Ct., 1851 ; gradu-
ated at A. C, 1871; admitted 1874; practised in
Worcester.
THE BENCH AND BAE.
Ixxv
Francis Deane, born in Shrewsbury, 1804; gradu-
ated at B. U., 1826; admitted 1830; practised in
Southboro', Uxbridge and Worcester.
Frederick B. Deane, r., born in Uxbridge, 1840;
admitted 1860 ; practised in Worcester.
Louis E. Denfield, born in Westboro', 1854; gradu-
ated at A. C, 1878 ; admitted 1881 ; practised in Web-
ster and Westboro'.
Robert E. Denfield, r., born in Westboro', 1853 ;
graduated at A. C, 1876 ; admitted 1882.
Austin Denny,' born in Worcester, 1795; graduated
at Y. C, 1814; admitted 1817; practised in Harvard
and Worcester.
Natlianiel P. Denny,' r., born in Leicester, 1771 ;
graduated at H. C, 1797 ; practised in Leicester.
Charles Devens, born in Charlestown, 1820; gradu-
ated at H. C, 1838; admitted 1840; practised in
Greenfield and Worcester.
Charles A. Dewey, Jr., born in Northampton, 1830;
admitted 1859 ; practised in Milford.
Francis H. Dewey,' born in Willfamstown, 1821 ;
graduated at W. C, 1840; admitted 1843; practised
in Worcester.
Francis H. Dewey, born in Worcester, 1856; grad-
uated at W. C, 1876; admitted 1879; practised in
Worcester.
George T. Dewey, born in Worcester, 1858; gradu-
ated at W. C, 1879; admitted 1882; practised in
Worcester.
John C. Dewey, born in Worcester, 1857 ; gradu-
ated at W. C, 1878; admitted 1881; practised in
Worcester.
Samuel Dexter,' graduated at H. C, 1781 ; admitted
1784; practised in Lunenburg.
Charles S. Dodge, born in Charlton, 1859; admitted
1885; practised in Connecticut and Worcester.
Rufus B. Dodge, Jr., born in Charlton, 1861; ad-
mitted 1885 ; pr.".ctised in Worcester.
Thomas H. Dodge, born in Eden, Vt., 1823; ad-
mitted 1852 ; practised In Nashua, N. H., Washington
and Worcester.
Samuel W. Dougherty, r., born in Worcester, 1848;
admitted 1876; practised in Worcester.
Nathan T. Dow, r., graduated at D. C, 1826; prac-
tised in Grafton.
James J. Dowd, born in Worcester ; graduated at
St. M., 1880 ; admitted 1882 ; practised in Worcester,
Brockton and Boston.
J. W. Draper, r., admitted 1851 ; practised in Wor-
cester.
John Danforth Dunbar,' graduated at H. C, 1789;
practised in Charlton.
Thatcher B. Dunn, born in Ludlow, Vt., 1844;
admitted 1873 ; practised in Gardner.
Alexander Dustin,' born in N. Boston, N. H., 1776;
graduated at D. C, 1799; admitted 1804; practised
in Harvard, Westminster and Sterling.
Joseph Dwight,' born in Hatfield, 1703 ; graduated
at H. C, 1722 ; admitted 1731 ; practised in Brookfield.
Luke Eastman,' graduated at D. C, 1812; practised
in Barre and Sterling.
Samuel Eastman,' graduated at D. C, 1802 ; prac-
tised in Hardwick.
Joshua Eaton,' born in Waltham, 1714; graduated
at H. C, 1735 ; admitted 1737 ; practised in Worcester
and Leicester.
James Eliot, practised in Worcester.
John E. Ensign, r., born in Cleveland, 1852 ; gradu-
ated at J[. U., 1874; admitted 1876; practised in
Cleveland and Worcester.
James E. Estabrook, born in Worcester, 1829 ;
graduated at Y. C, 1851; admitted 1853; practised in
Worcester.
Constantine C. E-tty, r., born in Newton, 1824;
graduated at Y. C, 1845 ; practised in Milford and
Framingham.
Henry E. Fales, born in Walpole, 1837 ; admitted
1864; practised in Milford.
Lowell E. Fales, born in Milford, 1858 ; admitted
1881 ; practised in Milford.
Farwell F. Fay,' born in Athol, 1835 ; admitted
1859 ; practised in Athol and Boston.
Daniel H. Felch, admitted 1881.
Cornelius C. Felton, born in Thurlow, Pa., 1863;
graduated at H. C, 1886 ; admitted 1888 ; practised
in Philadelphia and Clinton.
I Frank G. Fessenden, r., born in Fitchburg, 1849 ;
admitted 1872 ; practised in Fitchburg and Greenfield.
Stephen Fessenden,' born in Cambridge; graduated
at H. C, 1737; admitted 1742; practised in Worcester.
Charles Field, born in Athol, 1815 ; admitted 1843;
practised in Athol.
Charles Field, Jr., born in Cambridge, 1857 ; gradu-
ated at W. C, 1881 ; admitted 1886 ; practised in Athol.
Maturin L. Fisher, r., born in Danville, Vt. ; ad-
mitted 1831; practised in \V^orcester and Iowa.
Joel W. Fletcher,' born in Northbridge, 1817 ;
graduated at A. C, 1838; admitted 1840; practised in
Leominster and Northboro'.
Waldo Flint, r., born in Leicester, 1794 ; graduated
at H. C, 1814 ; practised in Leicester and Boston.
George Folsom,' r., born in Kennebunk, Me., 1802;
graduated at H. C, 1822; practised in Worcester.
W. Trowbridge f'orbes, born in Westborough, 1850 ;
graduated at A. C. 1871; admitted 1878; practised in
Westborough.
Alfred D. Foster,' born in Brookfield, 1800 ; grad-
ated at H. C, 1819; admitted 1822; practised in
Worcester.
Dwight Foster,' born in Brookfield, 1757 ; gradu-
uated at B. U., 1774; admitted 1780; practised in
Brookfield and Rutland.
Dwight Foster,' born in Worcester, 1828 ; gradu-
ated at Y. C, 1848; admitted 1849; practised in Wor-
cester and Boston.
John M. Foster, practised in Warren.
Barlow Freeman,' r., practised in Charlton and
Southbridge.
Ixxvi
HISTORY OF WORCESTER COUNTY, MASSACHUSETTS.
Elisha Fuller,' born in Princeton, 1795 ; graduated
at H. C, 1815 ; practised in Concord, Lowell and
Worcester.
Frederick W. Gale,' born in Northborough ; gradu-
ated at H. C, 1836 ; admitted 1839 ; practised in St.
Louis, Mo., and Worcester.
Thomas F. Gallagher, born in Lynn, 1855 ; gradu-
ated at N. D., 1876; admitted 1878; practised in
Lynn and Fitchburg.
George E. Gardner, born in East Brookfield, 1864 ;
graduated at A. C, 1885; admitted 1887; practised
in Worcester.
Francis A. Gaskill, born in Blackstone, 1846 ; grad-
uated at B. U., 1866 ; admitted 1869 ; practised in
Worcester.
Charles B. Gates, born in Worcester, 1851 ; gradu-
ated at M. U. ; admitted 1875 ; practised in Wor-
cester.
William H. Gates, born in Worcester, 1857 ; grad-
uated at W. C. ; admitted 1882 ; practised in Wor-
cester.
Frederick A. Gauren,' born in Grafton, 1854; grad-
uated at H. Cr., 1875 ; admitted 1879 ; practised in
Worcester and New York.
Richard George,' practised in West Brookfield.
George A. Gibbs, admitted 1887.
Arad Gilbert, r., graduated at B. U., 1797 ; prac-
tised in Hanover, N. H., Lebanon, N. H., and North
Brookfield.
Daniel Gilbert,' born in Brookfield, 1773 ; gradu-
ated at D. C, 1796 ; admitted 1805 ; practised in
North Brookfield.
William A. Gile, born in Franklin, N. H., 1843 ;
admitted 1869; practised in Greenfield and Wor-
cester.
Moses Gill,' graduated at H. C, 1784 ; practised in
Mendon.
Samuel B. I. Goddard, born in Shrewsbury, 1821 ;
graduated at A. C, 1840; admitted 1843; practised
in Worcester.
Samuel W. E. Goddard, born in Berlin, 1832 ; ad-
mitted 1852 ; practised in Belchertown, Boston and
Hubbardston.
Jesse W. Goodrich,' born in Pittsfield, 1808 ; grad-
uated at U. C, 1829 ; admitted 1838 ; practised in
Worcester.
Isaac Goodwin, r., born in Plymouth, 1786 ; admitted
1808 ; practised in Boston, Sterling and Worcester.
J. Martin Gorham,' born in Barre, 1830 ; graduated
at H. C, 1851 ; admitted 1854 ; practised in Barre.
John S. Gould, born in Webster, 1856 ; admitted
1884 ; practised in Webster.
Francis P. Goulding, born in Grafton, 1837 ; gradu-
ated at D. C, 1863 ; admitted 1866 ; practised in Wor-
cester.
Isaac D. Goulding,' born in Worcester, 1841 ; ad-
mitted 1877 ; practised in Worcester.
Samuel L. Graves, born in Groton, 1847 ; graduated
at A. C, 1870 ; admitted 1872 ; practised in Fitchburg.
James Green, Jr., born in Worcester, 1841 ; gradu-
ated at H. C, 1862 ; admitted 1866 ; practised in
Worcester.
William E. Green,' born in 'WTorcester, 1777 ; grad-
uated at B. U., 1798; admitted 1801; practised in
Grafton and Worcester.
William N. Green,' born in Milford, 1804 ; admit-
ted 1827 ; practised in Worcester.
Timothy Green,' graduated at B. U., 1786 ; prac-
tised in Worcester.
J. Evarts Greene, born in Boston, 1834 ; graduated
at Y. C, 1853 ; admitted 1859 ; practised in North
Brookfield.
Joseph K. Greene, born in Otisfield, Me., 1852 ;
graduated at B. C, 1877 ; admitted 1879 ; practised
in Worcester.
Jonathan Grout,' practised in Petersham.
William Grout,' born in Spencer; admitted 1850 ;
practised in Worcester.
Franklin Hall, r., born in Sutton, 1820 ; admitted
1846 ; practised in Worcester.
Alexander (Edward) Hamilton,' born in Worcester,
1812; admitted 1835; practised in Barre and Wor-
cester.
Elisha Hammond,' born in 1781; graduated at Y.
C., 1802 ; admitted 1S06 ; practised in West Brookfield.
William B. Harding, born in Tilton, N. H., 1844;
admitted 1867 ; practised in Worcester.
Frederick B. Harlow, born in Worcester, 1864;
graduated at A.. C, 1885; admitted 1888; practised
in Worcester.
William T. Harlow, born in Shrewsbury, 1828 ;
graduated at Y. C, 1851 ; admitted 1853 ; practised
in Spencer, Red Bluffs, Cal., and Worcester.
Jubal Harrington, r.,' born in Shrewsbury, 1803;
graduated at B. U. ; admitted 1825 ; practised in
Worcester.
Nahum Harrington,' born in Westborough, 1778 ;
graduated at B. U., 1807; admitted 1811; practised
in Westborough.
Henry F. Harris, born in West Boylston, 1849;
graduated at T. C, 1871 ; admitted 1873 ; practised
in Worcester.
Joel Harris,' graduated at D. U., 1804 ; practised
in Harvard.
Charles W. Hartshorn, r., born in Taunton, 1814;
graduated at H. C, 1833 ; admitted 1837 ; practised
in Worcester.
Harris C. Hartwell, born in Groton, 1847 ; gradu-
ated at H. C, 1869; admitted 1872; practised in
Fitchburg.
H. Spencer Haskell, born in Petersham, 1863; ad-
mitted 1886 ; practised in Worcester.
Daniel W. Haskins, born in Hardwick, 1829; grad-
uated at A. C, 1858; admitted 1862; practised in
Worcester.
Charles C. P. Hastings,' born in Mendon, 1804;
graduated at B. U., 1825 ; admitted 1828 ; practised
in Mendon.
THE BENCH AND BAR.
Ix
Seth Hastings,' born in Cambridge, 1762 ; gradu-
ated at H. C, 1782 ; admitted 1786 ; practised in
Mendon.
William S. Hastings,' born in Mendon, 1798 ; grad-
uated at H. C, 1817; admitted 1820; practised in
Mendon.
Samuel F. Haven,' born in Dedliara, 1806 ; gradu-
ated at A. C, 1826 ; practised in Worcester.
Charles S. Hayden, born in Harvard, 1848 ; admit-
ted 1871 ; practised in Fitchburg.
Stillman Haynes, born in Towusend, 1833; admit-
ted 1861 ; practised in Townsend and Fitchburg.
Daniel Heusbaw, r.,' born in Leicester, 1872; grad-
uated at H. C, 1807 ; practised in Winchendon, Wor-
cester, Boston and Lynn.
Levi Heywood,' graduated at D. C, 1808; prac-
tised in Worcester.
Charles B. Hibbard, admitted 1879.
James H. Hill,' admitted 1852; practised in North
Brookfield and New York.
Henry E. Hill, born in Worcester, 1850 ; graduated
atH. C, 1872; admitted 1875; practised in Wor-
cester.
J. Henry Hill, born in Petersham; admitted 1844;
practised in Worcester.
Samuel Hinckley,' graduated at Y. C, 1781 ; prac-
tised in Brooktiekl.
Ephraim Hinds,' r., graduated at H. C, 1805
practised in Athol, Barre and Harvard.
Benjamin A. Hitchborn,' graduated at H. C, 1802
practised in Worcester.
Pelatiah Hitchcock,' graduated at H. C, 1785
practised in Brookfield and Hardwick.
George F. Hoar, born in Concord, 1826 ; graduated
atH. C, 1846; admitted 1849; practised in Wor-
cester.
Rockwood Hoar, born in Worcester, 1855 ; gradu-
ated at H. C, 1876 ; admitted 1879 ; practised in
Worcester.
George W. Hobbs, born in Worcester, 1839 ; grad-
uated at N. U., 1857 ; admitted 1860 ; practised in
Uxbridge.
Henry Hogan, born in Pembroke, Me., 1864; ad-
mitted 1888; practised in Athol.
Charles A. Holbrook,' born in Grafton, 1821 ; ad-
mitted 1857; practised in Worcester.
Lcander Holbrook, born in Croydou, N. H., 1815 ;
admitted 1847 ; practised in Milford.
Leander Holbrook, Jr., born in Milford, 1849;
graduated at H. C, 1872; admitted 1875; practised
in Milford.
S. Holman, r., admitted 1850 ; practised in Fitch-
burg.
George B. N. Holmes, practised in Oakham.
William R. Hooper, r., born in Marblehead, 1819;
admitted 1849; practised in Worcester.
John Hopkins, born in Gloucester, Eng., 1840 ;
graduated at D. C, 1862 ; admitted 1864; practised
in Worcester and Millbury.
William 8. B. Hopkins, born in Charleston, S. C,
1836; graduated at W, C, 1855; admitted 1858;
practised in Ware, New Orleans, Greenfield and Wor-
cester.
George W. Horr, born in New Salem, 1830 ; ad-
mitted 1860 ; practised in New Salem and Athol.
Nathaniel Houghton,' born in Sterling ; admitted
1810 ; practised in Barre.
Ephraim D. Howe, born in Marlborough, 1842;
graduated at Y. C, 1867 ; admitted 1870 ; practised
in Gardner.
Elmer P. Howe, born in Westboro', 1851 ; gradu-
ated at Y. C, 1876; admitted 1878; practised in
Boston.
Estes Howe,' graduated at D. C, 1800 ; practised
in Sutton.
Frederic Howes, practised in Sutton and Temple-
ton.
William H. Howe,' graduated at Y. C, 1847; ad-
mitted 1849; practised in Worcester.
George H. Hoyt,' born in Athol, 1839; admitted
1859; practised in Athol.
. Daniel B. Hubbard, born in Hiram, Me., 1835 ;
graduated C. U., 1858; admitted 1879; practised in
Grafton and Worcester.
John W. Hubbard,' graduated at D. C.,1814; prac-
tised in Worcester.
Henry S. Hudson, r., admitted 1852; practised in
Worcester.
Joseph W. Huntington,' born in Middlebury, Vt.,
1807 ; graduated at H. C, 1832 ; admitted 1837 ;
practised in Lancaster.
Benjamin D. Hyde,' born in Sturbridge, 1803 ; ad-
mitted 1831; practised in Sturbridge and South-
bridge.
Albert S. Ingalls,' born in Rindge, N. H., 1830 ;
admitted 1858; practised in Fitchburg and Arlington.
Eleazer James,' born in Cohasset, 1754; graduated
at H. C, 1778 ; practised in Barre.
John F. Jandron, born in Hudson, 1863; attended
H. Cr. ; admitted 1887 ; practised in Marlboro' and
Worcester.
Samuel Jennison,' graduated at H. C, 1774; prac-
tised in Oxford.
William H. Jewell, admitted 1883.
Asa Johnson,' born in Bolton ; graduated at H. C,
1787; practised in Fitchburg and Leominster.
Charles R. Johnson, born in Dana, 1852 ; gradu-
ated at H. C, 1875; admitted 1878; practised in
Worcester.
George W. Johnson, born in Boston, 1827 ; admit-
ted 1863 ; practised in Brookfield.
Theodores. Johnson, born in Dana, 1843; admit-
ted 1866 ; practised in Worcester and Blackstone.
Silas Jones, r., practised in Leicester.
Jeremiah R. Kane, born in North Brookfield, 1855;
admitted 1883 ; practised in Spencer.
James P. Kelly, r., born in Boston, 1848; admitted
1876 ; practised in Worcester.
Ixxviii
HISTOKY OF WORCESTER COUNTY, MASSACHUSETTS.
William H. Kelley, born in Liberty, Me., 1855;
graduated at C. U., 1874; admitted 1882; practised
in Warren.
Joseph G. Kendall,' born in Leominster, 1786;
graduated at H. C, 1810 ; practised in Leominster
and Worcester.
Charles B. Kendrick, r., admitted 1885.
Thomas G. Kent, born in Framingham, 1829;
graduated at Y. C, 1851 ; admitted 1853 ; practised
in Milford.
Francis L. King, r., born in Charlton, 1834; ad-
mitted 1859 ; practised in Boston and Worcester.
Henry W. King, born in North Brooktield, 1856 ;
admitted 1880; practised in North Brookfield and
Worcester.
Thomas Kinnicutt,' born in Warren, R. I., 1800;
graduated at B. U., 1822; admitted 1825; practised
in Worcester.
Edward M. Kings1)ury, admitted 1879.
Edward Kirkiand,' r., admitted 1834 ; practised in
Templeton and Brattleboro', Vt.
Daniel Knight,' graduated at B.U., 1813 ; practised
in Leicester and Spencer.
Robert A. Knight, r., born in North Brookfield,
1860 ; admitted 1887 ; practised in Worcester and
Springfield.
Lincoln B. Knowlton, r., practised in Millbury.
Joseph Knox, r., practised in Hardwick.
Thomas F. Larkin, born in Ireland, 1864; admit-
ted 1888; practised in Clinton.
Christopher J. Lawton,' admitted 1726; practised
in Leicester.
Frank D. Leary, r., born in Worcester, 1852 ; at-
tended at H. Cr.; admitted 1879; practised in Wor-
cester and Peoria, 111.
Seth Lee, born in Barre ; admitted 1810 ; practised
in Barre.
Benjamin Lincoln,' graduated at H. C, 1777 ; prac-
tised in Mendon.
D. Waldo Lincoln,' born in Worcester, 1813 ; grad-
uated at H. C, 1831; admitted 1834; practised in
Worcester.
Edward W. Lincoln, born in Worcester, 1820 ;
graduated at H. C, 1839 ; admitted 1843 ; practised
in Worcester.
Enoch Lincoln,' born in Worcester, 1788 ; gradu-
ated B. C, 1811 ; admitted 1811 ; practised in Wor-
cester.
Levi Lincoln,' born in Hingham, 1749; graduated
at H. C, 1772 ; admitted 1775 ; practised in Wor-
cester.
Levi Lincoln,' born in Worcester, 1782 ; graduated
atH.C, 1802 ; admitted 1805 ; practised in Worcester.
William Lincoln,' born in Worcester, 1801 ; grad-
uated at H. C, 1822; admitted 1825; practised in
Worcester.
William S. Lincoln, born in Worcester, 1811 ;
graduated at B. C, 1830 ; admitted 1833 ; practised
in Millbury and Worcester.
George W. Livermore, r., graduated at H. C, 1823;
practised in Millbury.
Edward P. Loriug, born in Norridgewock, Me.,
1837 ; graduated at B. C, 1861 ; admitted 1868 ; prac-
tised in Fitchburg.
Aaron Lyon,' burn in Southbridge, 1824 ; gradu-
ated at Y. C, 1849 ; admitted 1851 ; practised in
Sturbridge.
Peter S. Maher, r., born in Boston, 1848 ; admitted
1882 ; practised in Worcester and Boston.
Charles F. Maun, born in Worcester, 1849 ; admit-
ted 1873 ; practised in New Y'ork and Worcester.
David Manning, Jr., born in Paxton, 1846 ; gradu-
ated at Y. C, 1869; admitted 1872; practised in
Worcester.
Jerome F. Manning, r., born in Merrimack, N. H.,
1838; admitted 1862; practised in Worcester.
Jacob Mansfield,' r., born at Lynn ; practised in
Warren and New York.
Charles Mason, born in Dublin, N. H., 1810; grad-
uated at H. C; admitted 1839 ; practised in Fitchburg.
Joseph Mason, born in Northfield, 1813; admitted
1837 ; practised in Templeton and Worcester.
John H. Mathews,' born in Worcester, 1826 ; ad-
mitted 1848; practised in Worcester.
Wm. B. Maxwell, r., born in Biddeford, Me.; prac-
tised in Lowell and Worcester.
Lewis A. Maynard, born in Shrewsbury, 1810 ;
practised in Worcester.
James J. McCafferty, r., born in Lowell, 1852;
admitted 1873 ; practised in Worcester and Lowell.
Mathew J. McCafferty,' born in Ireland, 1829;
admitted 1857 ; practised in Lowell and Worcester.
Andrew D. McFarland,' born in Worcester, 1811 ;
graduated at U. C, 1832; admitted 1835; practised
in Worcester.
John Mcllvene, r., born in Scotland, 1850; ad-
mitted 187G ; practised in Grafton.
Herbert Mcintosh, born in Doyles'own, Pa., 1857 ;
graduated at B. U., 1882; admitted 1888; practised
in Worcester.
Edward J. McMahon, born in Fitchburg, 1861;
admitted 1885; practised in Worcester.
James H. McMahon, born in Ireland, 1850 ; ad-
mitted 1877; practised in Fitchburg.
Prentice Mellen,' graduated at H. C, 1784; prac-
tised in Sterling.
Edward Mellen,' born in Westborough, 1802 ; grad-
uated at B. U., 1828; admitted 1828; practised iu
Wayland and Worcester.
George H. Mellen, born in Brookfield, 1850; grad-
uated at A. C, 1874; admitted 1882; practised in
Worcester.
Charles H. Merriam,' born in Westport, N. Y.,
1822 ; admitted 1852 ; practised in Leominster.
David H. Merriam,' born in Essex, N. Y., 1820;
admitted 1850; practised in Fitchburg.
Lincoln A. Merriam,' admitted 1851; practised in
Fitchburg.
THE BENCH AND BAR.
Ixxix
Pliny Merrick,' born in Wilbraham, 1756 ; gradu-
ated at H. C, 1776 ; admitted 1787 ; practised in
Wilbraham and Brookfield.
Pliny Merrick,' born in Brookfield, 1794; gradu-
ated at H. C, 1814; admitted 1817; practised in
Worcester, Charlton, Swansey, Taunton and Boston.
Henry K. Merrifield, born in Worcester, 1840 ;
admitted 1862 ; practised in Blackstone.
Charles A. Merrill, born in Boston, 1843 ; gradu-
ated at W. U., 1864; pi'actised in Minneapolis and
Worcester.
Clough R. Miles,' born in Westminster, 1796 ; grad-
uated at H. C, 1817; admitted 1820; practised in
Townsend, Milibury and Athol.
Jonathan Morgan,' graduated at U. C, 1803 ; prac-
tised in Shrewsbury.
David L. Morril, r., born in Goffstown, N. H.,
1827; graduated at D. C, 1847; admitted 1850;
practised in Winchendou, West Brookfield and Wor-
cester.
Francis M. Morrison, born in Worcester, 1850 ;
admitted 1880 ; practised in Worcester.
Adolphus Morse,' r., admitted 1849; practised in
Worcester.
Andrew Morton,' graduated at B. U., 1795; prac-
tised in Worcester.
Daniel Murray,' graduated at H. C, 1771 ; prac-
tised in Rutland.
T. Edward Murray,' born in Worcester, 1842; ad-
mitted 1872; practised in Worcester.
Daniel Nason, r., admitted 1884.
Harry L. Nelson, born in Mendon, 1858 ; gradu-
ated at H. C, 1881; admitted 1882; practised in
Worcester.
Thomas L. Nelson, born In Haverhill, N. H., 1827 ;
graduated at U. V., 1840; admitted 1855; practised
in Worcester.
Joseph W. Newcomb,' r., born in Greenfield ; grad-
uated at W. C, 1825; (iractised in Templeton, Salis-
bury, Worcester and New Orleans.
Horatio G. Newcomb,' admitted 1850 ; practised
in Templeton.
Benjamin F. Newton,' born in Worcester, 1821 ;
admitted 1850; practised in Worcester.
Rejoice Newton,' born in Greenfield, 1782; gradu-
ated at D. C, 1807; admitted 1810; practised in
Worcester.
Amasa Norcross, born in Rindge, N. H., 1824 ;
admitted 1848 ; practised in Fitchburg.
David F. O'Connell, born in Ireland, 1857 ; ad-
mitted 1879; practised in Worcester.
John F. O'Connor, born in Worcester, 1859 ; grad-
uated at H. Cr., 1882 ; admitted 1888 ; practised in
Worcester.
Charles J. O'Hara, born in Ireland, 1861 ; gradu-
ated at H. Cr., 1884; admitted 1887; practised in
Worcester.
Daniel Oliver,' born in Middleborough ; graduated
at H. C, 17G2; admitted 1781 ; practised in Hardwick.
Henry Paine,' born in Worcester, 1804; admitted
1827 ; practised in Worcester.
Nathaniel Paine,' born in Worcester, 1759; gradu-
ated at H. C, 1775 ; admitted 1781 ; practised in
Groton and Worcester.
John Paine,' born in Sturbridge ; graduated at H.
C, 1799.
Timothy Paige.
George G. Parker,' born in Ashburnham, 1800;
graduated at Y. C. ; practised in Ashburnham.
George G. Parker, born in Acton, 1826; graduated
at U. C, 1852; admitted 1857; practised in Milford.
Grenville Parker, r., born in Chelmsford ; admitted
1860 ; practised in Lowell and Worcester.
Henry L. Parker, born in Acton, 1833 ; graduated
atD. C, 1856; admitted 1859; practised in Milford
and Worcester.
Herbert Parker, born in Charlestovvn, 1856 ; attend-
ed H. C. ; admitted 1882; practised in Worcester and
Clinton.
Frank Parsons, admitted 1881.
George W. Parsons, born in Rochester, N. Y.,
1857 ; attended B. U. ; admitted 1880 ; practised in
Worcester.
G. Willis Paterson, admitted 1885.
Isaac Patrick.
Silas Paul,' graduated at D. C, 1793 ; practised in
Leominster.
H. B. Pearson,' admitted 1844; practised in Har-
vard.
Lucius D. Pierce,' born in Chesterfield, N. H.,
1819; graduated at N. U., 1846; admitted 1854;
practised in Nashua, N. H., and Winchendon.
Edward P. Pierce, born in Templeton, 1852; at-
tended H. C. ; admitted 1878; practised in Fitchburg.
Lafayette W. Pierce, born in Chesterfield, N. H.,
1826; graduated at N. U., 1846; admitted 1854;
practised in Oxford, Westborough and Winchendon.
Charles B. Perry, born in Leicester, 1858 ; admitted
1884; practised in Worcester.
William Perry,' born in Leominster, 1786; admitted
1828; practised in Leominster.
Luther Perry,' practised in Barre.
Onslow Peters, r., born in Westborough, 1803 ;
graduated at B. U., 1825; practised in Westborough.
Alfred S. Pinkerton, born in Lancaster, Pa., 1856;
admitted 1881 ; practised in Worcester.
Francis Plunkett, born in Ireland, 1840; admitted
1874; practised in Worcester.
Thomas Pope,' born in Dudley, 1788 ; graduated at
B. U., 1809; practised in Dudley.
Burton W. Potter, born in Colesville, N. Y., 1843 ;
admitted 1868 ; practised in Worcester.
Wilbur H. Powers, admitted 1878.
Calvin E. Pratt, r., born in Shrewsbury, 1827 ; ad-
mitted 1853 ; practised in Worcester and New York.
William Pratt,' born in Shrewsbury, 1800 ; gradu-
ated at B. U., 1826 ; practised in Shrewsbury and
Worcester.
Ixxx
HISTORY OF WORCESTER COUNTY, MASSACHUSETTS.
Joseph Prentice, r., admitted 1838; practised in
Douglas.
Addison Prentiss, born in Paris, Me., 1814; prac-
tised in Lee, Me., and Worcester.
Charles G. Prentiss,' born in Leominster, 1778;
practised in Oxford and Worcester.
Joseph Proctor,' graduated at D. C, 1791 ; prac-
tised in Athol.
James F. Purcell,' born in Weymouth, 1852 ; ad-
mitted 1876; practised in Worcester.
Arthur A. Putman, born in Danvers, 1832; admit-
ted 1875 ; practised in Danvers, Blackstone and Ux-
bridge.
George E. Putman, born in Fitchburg, 1853; grad-
uated at M. U., 1875 ; admitted 1875 ; practi.sed in
Fitchburg.
James Putman,' born in Salem, 1725; graduated
at H. C, 1740; admitted 1748; practised in Wor-
cester.
Eufus Putnam,' born in Warren, 1783 ; graduated
at W. C, 1804 ; practised in Rutland.
Abraham G. Randall,' born in Manchester, 1804 ;
graduated at H. C, 1826 ; admitted 1831 ; practised
in Millbury and Worcester.
Richard K. Randolph, Jr., admitted 1879.
John B. Ratigan, born in Worcester, 1859 ; gradu-
ated at H. Cr., 1879 ; admitted 1883 ; practised in
Worcester.
Warren Rawson,' born in Mendon, 1777; gradu-
ated at B. U., 1802; practised in Mendon.
Louis W. Raymenton, r., born in Chester, Vt.,
1853; admitted 1879 ; practised in Minneapolis and
Worcester.
Edward T. Raymond, born in Worcester, 1844 ;
admitted 1880; practised in Worcester.
Charles M. Rice, born in Worcester, 1860 ; gradu-
ated at H. C, 1882 ; admitted 1886 ; practised in
Worcester.
Henry C. Rice, born in Millbury, 1827 ; graduated
at B. U., 1850 ; admitted 1852 ; practised in Wor-
cester.
Merrick Rice,* graduated at H. C, 1785 ; practised
in Harvard and Lancaster.
William W. Rice, born in Deerfield, 1826; gradu-
ated at B. C, 1846; admitted 1854; practised in Wor-
cester.
Jairus Rich,' practised in Charlton.
George W. Richardson,' born in Boston, 1808; grad-
uated at H. C, 1829; admitted 1834; practised in
Worcester.
Artemas Rogers, r., practised in Fitchburg.
Edward Rogers, r., practised in Webster and Chi-
cago, 111.
Henry M. Rogers, born in Ware, 1837; attended
A. C. ; admitted 1883; practised in Worcester.
Clarence B. Roote, born in Francestown, N. H.,
1853 ; graduated at W. C, 1876 ; admitted 1884 ;
practised in Barre and Ware.
Arthur P. Rugg, born in Sterling, 1862; graduated
atA. C, 1883; admitted 1886; practised in Worces-
ter.
Charles M. Ruggles, born in Providence, R.I., 1836;
admitted 1860 ; practised in Worcester.
Timothy Ruggles,' born in Rochester, 1711 ; gradu-
ated at H. C, 1782; admitted 1735; practised in
Rochester, Sandwich and Hardwick.
Stephen Salisbury,' born in Worcester, 1798 ; grad-
uated at H. C, 1817 ; practised in Worcester.
Stephen Salisbury, Jr., born in Worcester, 1835 ;
graduated at H. C, 1856 ; admitted 1863 ; practised
in Worcester.
Simeon Saunderson,' admitted 1820 ; practised in
Westminster and Athol.
Edward B. Sawtell,born in Fitchburg, 1840 ; grad-
uated at H. C, 1862 ; admitted 1871 ; practised in
Fitchburg.
Emory C. Sawyer, admitted 1875 ; practised in
Warren.
John S. Scammell, born in Bellingham, 1816 ; grad-
uated at B. U. ; admitted 1840 ; practised in Miltbrd.
Livingston Scott, admitted 1886.
William Sever,' graduated at H. C, 1778 ; practised
in Rutland.
John W. Sheehan, born in Millbury, 1866 ; attend-
ed H. Cr. ; admitted 1888 ; practised in Worcester.
John Shepley,' practised in Worcester.
Jonas L. Sibley,' born in Sutton, 1791 ; graduated
at B. U., 1813 ; practised in Sutton.
Willis E. Sibley,' born in New Salem, 1857 ; admit-
ted 1888 ; practised in Worcester.
William F. Slocum, r., born in Tolland, 1822; ad-
mitted 1846 ; practised in Grafton and Boston.
Henry O. Smith, born in Leicester, 1839 ; gradu-
ated at A. C, 1863; admitted 1866; practised in
Worcester.
Jonathan Smith,' born in Peterboro', N. H., 1842 ;
graduated at D. C, 1871 ; admitted 1875 ; practised
in Clinton.
Jonathan Smith, born in Peterboro', N. H., 1842;
graduated at D. C, 1871; admitted 1875; practised
in Manchester, N. H., and Clinton.
Moses Smith,' born in Rutland, 1777 ; admitted
1802 ; practised in Lanctister.
N. J. Smith, r., practised in Blackstone, Spencer
and Aurora, 111.
Sidney P. Smith, born in Princeton, 111., 1850 ;
graduated at A. C, 1874 ; admitted 1883 ; practised
in Chicago and Athol.
William A. Smith, born in Leicester, 1824 ; gradu-
ated at H. C, 1843 ; admitted 1846 ; practised in Wor-
cester.
Charles H. B. Snow,' born in Fitchburg, 1822;
graduated at H. C, 1844 ; admitted 1847 ; practised
in Fitchburg.
Frederick W. Southwick, born in Blackstone, 1843;
admitted 1868 ; practised in Worcester.
William L. Southwick,' born in Mendon, 1827 ; ad-
mitted 1849 ; practised in Hopkinton and Blackstone.
THE BENCH AND BAR.
h
Frank B. Spalter, Ijorn in Groton, 1845; admitted
1<S7I ; practised in Wichendoii.
(Clarence Spooner, r., admitted 1883.
Edmund B. Sprague, r., attended H. C. ; admitted
1880 ; practised in Worcester and Denver, Col.
Franklin M. Sprague, r., born in East Douglas,
1841 ; admitted 1870 ; practised in Worcester.
John Sprague,' born in Rochester, 1740 ; graduated
at H. C, 1705 ; admitted 1708 ; practised in Newport,
R. I., Keene, N. H., and Lancaster.
Samuel J. Sprague,' graduated at H. C, 1799; prac-
tised in Lancaster.
Peleg Sprague,' born in Rochester ; graduated at
D. C, 1783; admitted 1784; ])ractised in Lancaster,
Winchendon, F"itchburg, and Keene, N. H.
Homer B. Sprague, r., born in Sutton, 1829; grad-
uated at Y. C, 1852 ; admitted 1854 ; practised in
Worcester and New Haven.
William B. Sprout, born in Enfield, 1850; gradu-
ated at A. C, 1883 ; admitted 1885 ; practised in
Worcester.
Hamilton B. Staples, born in IMendon, 1829; grad-
uated at B. U., 1851 ; admitted 1854 ; practised in
Miltbrd and Worcester.
William Stearns,' born in Lunenburg ; graduated
at H. C, 1770 ; admitted 1770 ; practised in Wor-
cester.
Daniel Stearns,' born in Fitcliburg, 1831 ; gradu-
ated at D. C, 1855; admitted 1859; practised in
Fitchburg.
Heman Stel)!)ins,' born in W. Springfield ; gradu-
ated at Y. C, 1814 ; practised in Brookfield.
William Ste<Iman,' born in Cambridge, 1705 ; grad-
uated at H. C, 1784; admitted 17.S7; practised in
Lancaster, Charlton and Newburyport.
Charles F. Stevens, born in Worcester, 1855; grad-
uated at H. C, 1876; admitted 1878; practised in
Worcester.
Charles ({. Stevens, born in Claremont, N. H., 1821 ;
graduated at D. C, 1840; admitted 1845; practised
in Clinton.
Isaac Stevens,' born in Wareham, 1792; admitted
1821 ; practised in Middleboro' and Athol.
James A. Stiles, born in Fitchburg, 1S55; gradu-
ated at H. C, 1877; admitted 1880; jiractised in
Fitchburg and Gardner.
Amos W. Stockwcll,' r., born in Sutton ; graduated
at A. C, 1833; admitted 1837 ; practised in Worcester
and Chicopee.
.lohn H. Stockwell,' born in Webster, 1838; admit-
ted 1859; practised in Webster.
Elijah B. Stoddard, born in Upton, 1826 ; gradu-
ated at B. U., 1847; admitted 1849; i)ractised in
Worcester.
Henry D. Stone,' born in Soulhbridge, 1820; grad-
uateil at A. C., 1844; admitted 1847 ; practised in
Worcester and New Orleans.
Isaac Story,' graduated at H. C, 1793 ; practised in
Rutland and Sterling.
Martin L. Stowe,' practised in Southboro' and
Northboro'.
Asa E. Stratton, born in Grafton, 1853 ; graduated
at B. U., 1873; admitted 1875; practised in Fitch-
burg.
Ashbel Strong,' practised in Fitchburg.
Simeon Strong,' graduated at Y. C, 1780 ; practised
in Barre.
Solomon Strong,' born in Amherst, 1780 ; gradu-
ated at W. C, 1798; practised in Athol, Lancaster
and Westminster.
John Stuart.'
John E. Sullivan, born in Worcester, 1857; gradu-
ated at H. Cr., 1877 ; admitted 1879 ; practised in
Worcester.
Bradford Sumner,' graduated at B. U., 1808 ; prac-
tised in Brookfield, Leicester and Spencer.
George Swan, born in Hubbardslon, 1826; ad-
mitted 1848 ; practised in Hubbardston and Wor-
cester.
Samuel Swan,' born in Leicester, 1778 ; graduated
at H. C, 1799; practised in Hubbardston and Oak-
ham.
Arthur M. Taft, born in Uxbridge, 1866 ; admitted
1882 ; practised in Worcester.
Bezaleel Taft, Jr.,' born in Uxbridge, 1780 ; gradu-
ated at H. C, 1804 ; i)ractised at LIxbridge.
George S. Tatt,' born in Uxbridge, 1820 ; gradu-
ated at B. U., 1848 ; admitted 1851 ; practised in Ux-
bridge.
George S. Taft, born in Uxbridge, 1859 ; graduated
at B. U., 1882; admitted 1887; practised in Wor-
cester.
Jesse A. Taft, born in Mendon, 1857; admitted
1883; practised in Miltbrd.
William E. Tatum, admitted 1887.
Ezra Taylor,' born in Southborough ; practised in
Southborongh.
Marvin M. Taylor, born in JeHerson, N. Y., 1860;
admitted 1885 ; practised in Worcester.
Adin Thayer,' born in Blackstone, 1828; admitted
1854 ; practised in Worcester.
Amasa Thayer,' graduated at H. C. ISKi; prac-
tised in Brookfield.
Francis N. Thayer, born in lilackstone ; admitted
1870; practised in Blackstone.
John R. Thayer, born in Douglas, 1845; graduated
at Y. C, 186!t ; admitted 1871 ; practised in Worces-
ter.
Joseph Thayer,' born in Douglas, 1792; graduated
at B. U., 1815; admitted 1818; practised in Ux-
bridge.
Webster Thayer, born in Blackstone, 1857; gradu-
ated at D. C, 1880; admitted 1882; practised in
Worcester.
Levi Thaxter, practised in Worcester.
Benjamin F. Thomas,' born in Boston, 1813; grad-
uated at B. U., 1830 ; admitted 1833 ; practised in
Worcester and Boston.
Ixx
HISTORY OF WORCESTER COUNTY, MASSACHUSETTS.
E. Francis Thompson, born in Worcester, 1859;
admitted 1884; practised in Worcester.
Henry F. Thompson, born in Webster, 1859 ; at-
tended W. C; admitted 1887 ; practised in Webster.
Oliver H. Tillotson,' born in Orford, N. H.; ad-
mitted 1855 ; practised in Worcester.
Seymour A. Tingier,' born in Tolland ; graduated
at W. C, 1855; admitted 1857; practised in Webster.
Joseph A. Titus, born in Leicester, 1842; gradu-
ated at A. C, 18()3 ; admitted 18G8 ; practised iu
Worcester.
Paul P. Todd, r., born in .\tkinson, N. H., 1819 ;
graduated at D. C, 1842 ; admitted 1847 ; practised
in Blackstone, Boston, St. Louis and New York.
John Todd, r., practised in Westminster and Fitch-
burg.
Ebeuezer Torrey,' born in Franklin, 1801 ; gradu-
ated at H. C, 1822; admitted 1825; practised in
Fitchburg.
George A. Torrey, r., born in Fitchburg, 1838;
graduated at H. C, 1859 ; admitted 1861 ; practised
in Fitchburg and Boston.
Newton Tourtelot, r., admitted 1853 ; practised in
Webster.
William M. Towne,' r., born in Charlton ; gradu-
ated at A. C, 1825; admitted 1828; practised in Wor-
cester.
Louis K. Travis, r., born in Holliston, 1852; ;i<l-
mitted 1875; practised in Westborough.
Joseph Trumbull, r., born in Worcester, 1828; ad-
mitted 1849; practised in Worcester.
George A. Tufts,' born in Dudley, 1797; graduated
at H. C, 1818; admitted 1821 ; practised in Dudley.
Stephen P. Twiss, r., born in Charlton, 1830; ad-
mitted 1853; practised in Worcester and Kansas City.
Benjamin O. Tyler, r., practised in Winchendon.
Nathan Tyler,' graduated at H. C, 1779; practised
in Uxbridge.
Nathan Tyler, Sr.,' practised in Uxbridge.
Adin B. Underwood,' born in Milford, 1828; grad-
ated at B. U., 1849 ; admitted 1853 ; piactised in Mil-
ford and Boston.
F. H. Underwood, r., practised in Webster.
Jabez Upham,' born in BrooktieUl ; graduated at
H. C, 1785; admitted 1788 ; practised in Sturbridgc,
(^laremont, N. H., and Brookfield.
Joshua Upham,' born in Brookfield, 1741 ; gradu-
ated at H. C, ]7(J3; admitted 17ti5 ; jiractiseil in
Brooktield, Boston and New York.
John L. Utley, r., born in Brimfield, 1837 ; ad-
milted 1874; practised in Blackstone and Worcester.
Samuel Utley, born in Chesterfield, 1843; admitted
1867 ; practised in Worcester.
Krnest ]I. Vaughn, born in Greenwich, 1858 ; ad-
mitted 1884; i)raitised in Worcester.
(ieorge F. Verry,' born in Mendon, 1826; admitted
1851 ; practised in Worcester.
Horace B. Verry, born in Saco, Me., 1843; admitted
1864; practised in Worcester.
Edward J. Vose,' born in Augusta, Me., 1806 ; grad-
uated at B. C, 1825; admitted 1828; practised in
Worcester.
Richard H. Vose,' graduated at B. C, 1822; prac-
tised in AVorcester.
Charle.s Wadsworth, r., practised in Barre and Wor-
cester.
Lovell Walker,' born in Brookfield, 1768; gradu-
ated at D. C, 1794; admitte<l 1801 ; practised in Tem-
pleton and Leominster.
Andrew H. Ward,' graduated at 11. ('., 1808; prac-
tised in Shrewsbury.
Nahum Ward, born in Shrewsbury; admitted 1731 ;
practised in Shrewsbury.
J. C. B. Ward, r., practised in Athol.
Charles E. Ware, born in Fitchburg, 18.53 ; gradu-
ated at H. C, 1876; admitted 1879; practised in
Fitchburg.
Thornton K. Ware, born in Cambridge, 1823; grad-
uated at H. C, 1842; admitted 1846; |)ractised in
Fitchburg.
Emory Washburn,' born in Leicester, 1800; gradu-
.ated at W. C, 1817; admitted 1S21 ; practised in
( Jharlemont, Leicester, W^jrcester and Cambridge.
John D. Washburn, born in Boston, 1833 ; gradu-
ated at H. C, 1853 ; admitted 1856 ; practised in
Worcester.
Asa H. Waters,' born in JMillhury, 1808; practised
in Millbury.
Paul B. Watson, r., liorn in Morristuwn,N. .1., 1861 ;
graduated at H. C, 1881 ; admitted 1885 ; practised
in Boston.
Francis Wayland, ,Ir., r., born in Providence, R. I.,
graduated at B. U., 1846; practised in Worcester and
New Haven, Conn.
Jared Weed,' born in New York, 1783; graduated
atH. C, 1807; admitted 1810; practised in Peters-
ham.
Charles K. Wetherell,' born in Petersham, 1822;
admitted 1844 ; practised in Petersham, Barre and
Worcester.
George A. Wetherell,' born in Oxford, 1825; grad-
uated at Y. C, 1848; admitted 1851; practised in
Worcester.
John W. Wetherell, born in Oxford. 1820; gradu-
ated at Y. C, 18-14; admitted 1846; practised in
Worcester.
J. Allyn Weston, ' r., born in Duxbury ; graduated
atH.C, 1846; admitted 1849; practised in Worcester
and Milford.
Charles Wheaton,' r, born in Rhode Island, 1828;
admitted 1851 ; practised in Worcester.
George Wheaton,' graduated at H. C, 1814; prac-
tised in Uxbridge.
Henry S. Wheaton,' r., graduated at B. U., 1841 ;
admitted 1844; practised in Dudley.
Otis C. Wheeler,' born in Worcester, 1808 ; admitted
1830 ; practised in Worcester.
J. C. Fremont Wheelock, born in Mendon, 1856;
n
THE BENCH AND BAR.
attended Y.C. ; iidmitled 1883; practised in South-
bridge.
Peter Wheelock,' graduated at B. U., 1811; prac-
tised in Jlendon.
William J. Whit)ple,' graduated at H. C, 1805;
practised in Dudley.
William C. White,' practised in Ciraf'ton, Rutland,
Sutton and Worcester.
William E. White, born in Worcester, 18()?, ; ad-
mitted 18S7; practised in Worcester and Leominster.
Solon Whiting, i)racti8ed in Lancaster.
Abel Whitney,' graduated at W. C, 1810 ; practised
in Harvard.
Giles H.Whitney,' born in Boston, 1818; graduated
at H. C, 1837; admitted 1842; practised in West-
minster, Templeton and Winchendon.
Milton Whitney,' r., born in Ashburnhani, 1S23;
admitted 184(i ; practised in Fitchburg aud Balti-
more, Md.
Abel Willard,' born in Lancaster, 1732; graduated
at H. C, 1752; practised in Lancaster.
Calvin Willard,' born in Harvard, 1784 ; graduated
at H. C. ; admitted 1S0!>; jjractised in Barnstable, I'e-
tersliam and Fitchburg.
Jacob Willard,' graduated at B. 1'., 18(t5; ])raclised
in Fitchburg.
Joseph Willard,' r., liorn in t!amliridge, 17'JS ;
graduated at H.(_'., ISlfi; admitted 181',); practised in
Waltham and Lancaster.
Levi Willard,' graduated at H. C, 1775; practised
in Lancaster.
Elijah Williams,' graduated at H. C, 17lJ4; prac-
tised in Deerfield and Mendon.
Hartley Williams,' born in Somerset, IMe., 1820 ;
admitted ISriO ; practised in Worcester.
James O. Williams,' born in New Bedford, 1827 ;
graduated at H. C, 1849; admitted 1853 ; practised in
Worcester and St. Louis, Mo.
Lemuel Williams,' born in Dartmouth, 1782 ; grad-
uated at B. U., 1804; admitted 1808; practised in
New Bedford and Worcester.
Lemuel S. Williams,' born in New Bedford, 1812;
graduated at H. C, 183(j ; practised in Dedham aud
Westborough.
William A. Williams, born in Hubbardston, 1820;
admitted 1848; practised in Worcester.
John Winslow,' graduated at B. U., 1705 ; practised
iu Northboniugh.
G. R. M. Withington, born in Boston ; graduated at
U. v., 1825; admitted 1829; practised in Boston and
Lancaster.
Charles W. Wood, born in Worcester, 1844 ; admitted
1883 ; practised in Worcester.
Harry Wood,' born in Grafton, 1838 ; practised in
Grafton.
Cortland Wood, r., born iu Plaintield, Ct., 1850;
graduated at Y. C, 1871 ; admitted 1873 ; practised in
Oxford.
Joseph H. Wood, born in Mendon, 1853; admitted
1877 ; practised in Milford.
Nathaniel Wood,' born in HoMeti, 1797 ; graduated
at H. C, 1821 ; practised in Fitchburg.
Samuel F. Woods,' born in Barre, 1837 ; graduated
at Y. C, 1856; admitted 1858; practised in Barre.
George M. Woodward, born in Worcester, 1838;
admitted 1800; practised in Worcester.
James M. Woodbury, born in Templeton, 1819;
admitted 18(>2; practised in Fitchburg.
H ISTORY
WORCESTER COUNTY, MASSACHUSETTS.
TOWN HISTORIES.
CHAPTER I.
LANCASTER.
BY HON. HENRY S. NOURSE.
TIte Nfifhawni/s and Ihfir Home— Kittfi' f Ptirchose — The N'lshnwtitf Plftiiters
— The Toicn Grant — The Covenant — Land AltotmeuU — Death of Sliotca-
JWll.
At the time the Massachusetts Company were lay-
ing the foundations of their settlements on the river
Charles, there dwelt in the northeastern part of what
is now Worcester County a small tribe of red men,
generally known as the Nashaways. They were an
independent clan, though evidently of the same origin
and speaking the same tongue with the natives of the
coast, and the Nipmucks, Quabaugs and River In-
dians south and west of them. A close defensive al-
liance bound together these Massachusetts tribes, and
this bond was their only safeguard against the mur-
derous incursions of the Mohegans and Mohawks,
their traditional foes.
Of the Nashaways there were three groups or vil-
lages, — one at the eastern base of Mt. Wachusett,
another at the Waahacum ponds, and a third about
the meeting of the two branches of the river which
the pioneers called " Penecook," but which is now
known as the Nashua. By the custom of the period
the location of a native village or planting-field gave
name to those there resident, and we find these Indians
called indiscriminately, by the English, Washacums
and Wachusetts,as well as Nashaways. They proudly
cherished traditions of great former prowess and pros-
1
perity, but war and pestilence had greatly reduced
their numbers before the coming of the white man,
and in 163.3 the small-pox swept away hundreds more,
leaving but a comparatively enfeebled remnant be-
hind; although they were even yet numerous enough
to be styled "a great people" by Daniel Gookin.
The sachem holding mild sway over the Nashaways
was Showanon or Nashowanon, also called Sholan,
Shaumauw.Shoniowand Nashacowam — for an Indian
chief of repute always had sundry aliases, each, per-
haps, indicative of some specially memorable deed or
personal experience. His home was upon a plateau
between the little lakes of Washacum, about which
were clustered the wigwams of his central and largest
village. He appears not infrequently in early colonial
history and always greeting the white man with wel-
coming words and generous hospitality. Finally the
saintly Eliot joyfully proclaims that his personal min-
istrations have won Sholan and many of his followers
to the Christian fold. Before this the chieftain Iiad
made many English acquaintances in his visits to the
Bay, and among them Thomas King, of Watertown,
gained his special favor. He persuaded King to visit
his domain, and made him generous offers of a land
grant, desiring him to establish a trucking-house,
where his people could exchange their peltry for
much-coveted iron weapons, kettles, cloths, and the
various novelties brought by the strangers from over
the seas.
The country of the Nashaways lay among lofty,
smoothly-rounded hills, sloping gently down to broad
meadows, through which coursed rivulets of pure, cool
1
HISTORY OF WORCESTER COUNTY, MASSACHUSETTS.
water; while numerous little lakes slept in conceal-
ment of the forest. It was a famous hunting-ground,
prolific of deer, beaver, wild turkeys and small game.
Occasionally the swan wandered hither from the Mer-
rimack, and moose, elk, bears, wolves and wild-cats
were sometimes met with. Samuel Maverick tells us
also that the waters were noted for excellent salmon
and trout. For the capture of the migratory shad and
salmon on their return towards the ocean, the Indians
had built a weir at the shallows in the main river,
while the frequent falls and rapids in the branches
afforded convenient spots for the successful plying of
spear and net, when the fish were ascending in spawn-
ing time.
The hunters or traders of Concord and Sudbury,
adventurous enough to push fifteen miles westward
into the wilderness, found a feeble band of the Natick
Indians living at Okommakameset (now Marlborough)
and a little beyond could look over the summit of the
lofty Wataquadock hills into the paradise of the
Nashaways. The widely-extended view with its deli-
cate hues varying with sun and season, which there
met their gaze, is the same that attracts so many ad-
mirers to-day; for even two hundred and fifty years of
civilization cannot avail to mar, or add to, the grand
features of so broad and varied a landscape. To the
north the horizon is bounded by the picturesque
mountain peaks of New Hampshire, blue or violet
with distance. The shapely dome of Wachusett at
the west dominate-i the scene, and, near at hand, little
valleys creeping out from the shadows of the George
and Wataquadock ranges of hills, join to form the
broad, fertile intervales, dotted with hickory, syca-
more and stately elms, which sweep northward, bear-
ing the rivers towards the sea. All is gentle undula-
tion, charming, restful — nothing awe-inspiring or
grand, perhaps, certainly nothing precipitous or even
abrupt — nothing suggestive of the ferocities of nature,
save the sharp cone of Monadnock, dimly to be seen
in the middle distance.
Nor was the landscape then a " howling wilderness,"
gloomy with primeval forest and impassable coppice,
as so generally it has been depicted in story; for in
the vicinity of the Indian plantations, twice in the
year the woods were purposely fired to free them of
the brushwood that could hide a stealthy foe, or ob-
struct pursuit of game. Therefore, in time, extensive
areas came to wear a park-like appearance, resembling
the similarly formed "oak-openings" of the West,
everywhere i)assablc, even for horsemen. The more
fertile meadows, where not too wet, were swept bare
of tree and underwood and clad in summer with a rank
growth of coarse grasses, "some as high as the should-
ers, 80 that a good mower may cut three loads in a
day," as William Wood testified in 1634.
At how early a date the pioneer pale-face first
looked down from its southern barrier of hills upon
Sholan's beautiful domain is not known. John Win-
throp relates that the Watertown people began a set-
tlement at Nashaway in 1()4.S. Before that Thomas
King had accepted the invitation of the sachem, and
selected a location for a trading post on the sunny
slope of George Hill, near the parting of two trails
which led from the " wading-place" of Nashaway,
westward to Wachusett, and southwesterly by Washa-
cum to the land of the Quabaugs. King was a young
man of limited means, and had formed a partnership
with Henry Symonds, a freeman, a capitalist, and an
enterprising contractor, living near the head of what
is now North Street, in Boston. By a little brook that
came brawling down the divide over which the west-
ern trail ran, the trucking-house was built, probalily
in 1(542, certainly before the summer of 1G43. Sy-
monds, the moneyed partner, died in September of
1643, and King survived him little more than a year.
In the inventory of King's property there is no hint
of any estate at Lancaster. This is confirmation of
the statement made by Rev. Timothy Harrington in
1753 — doubtless recording a tradition — that a company
bought such projirietary rights at Nashaway as King
had obtained by his bargain with Sholan. No deed
of a sale is found, but the price of the grant, as agreed
upon with the Indians, was twelve pounds. The ter-
ritory acquired was nominally ten miles long from
south to north, by eight miles wide. It included a
few fiimilies of Indians, dwelling about the rivers and
ponds, though these, perhaps, joined the Washacum
village, when, in 1663 and 1669, the warriors of the
tribe were (lecimated in contest with the bloodthirsty
Mohawks. A provision in Sholan's deed, however,
restricted the purchasers and their successors from
"molesting the Indians in their hunting, fishing, or
usual planting places." Joint occupancy was the evi-
dent intent of the conveyance.
The Nashaway Company, having signed a compact,
at once began the assignment of home lots among
themselves, and sought from the authorities legal
sanction of their enterprise. Favorable res]i()nse was
made to their petition. May 29, 1644, and the names
of the foremost undertakers thereafter appear from
time to time in various records. They were chiefly
from Boston and Watertown. At the head of the first
list of the proposed planters found, stand the names
of two graduates of Cambridge University, England —
Nathaniel Norcross and Robert Childe. The former
had been promised adequate settlement as pastor of
the plantation, but growing impatient of delays in the
gathering of his parish he soon departed for England,
bearing the manuscript of the broken contract with
him. Robert Childe was a scholar of varied learning.
He had traveled in many lands, was a close observer,
pretended to considerable knowledge of chemistry and
metallurgy, was ambitious and restlessly energetic.
He gave books to the infant college of Harvard, in-
vested largely in the iron works at Lynn and Brain-
tree, shipped from England vines, grafts of plums, and
various seeds and plants to his intimate friend John
Winthrop, Jr., and to all appearances wholly merited
LANCASTER.
the commendation of that Puritan unimpeachable,
Hugh Peters, who wrote of him in June, 1045: "that
honest man who will bee of exceeding great vsc if the
Country know how to improue him, indeed he is very
very vsefull. I pray let us not play tricks with such
men by our jelousyes."
But in that age toleration had no home on earth ;
and why should Massachusetts be specially reproached
because she ottered no asylum for original thinkers
upon religious or political subjects'? Jesuits and
Quakers, rhapsodists and philosophers, bedlamites and
seers were alike crushed by the despotism of dogmas,
— a despotism which now seems the more strange be-
cause wearing the cloak of liberty. Vane, Vassal and
later William Pynchon fled the country in disgust at
the intolerance of the majority in power; Coggeshall
and Coddington were spurned, to be esteemed a great
gain in the colony of Khode Island, and Childe, de-
spite the warning afforded by the fate of such able but
unseasonable reformers, and overestimating his own
strength, began a crusade against the theocratic re-
striction of suffrage to a select few. England was then
shaken by the fierce contest for supremacy between
Presbyterian and Independent. Childe and his fellow-
agitators were probably feared, and perhaps justly, as
being secret emissaries of Presbyterianism, and Puri-
tanism rudely and speedily thrust them out of the
Commonwealth. Thus the Niishaway Company lost
its master of arts.
The third co-partner upon the list was also a noted
personage in colonial history. Steven Day, a lock-
smith by profession, had in 1039 set up at Harvard
College the first English printing-press in America,
and on it had printed the Book of Psalms in KUO. He
was a man of worthy aims and rare energy, but so
lavish or improvident that his earnings and the sales
of lands granted him by the General Court, in reward
for his art, could not keep him out of debt. He was
an ardent promoter of the company's interests, often
traveling to Nashaway, and entertaining Indians and
proposed planters at his Cambridge home. His neces-
sities forced him to sell the lots first assigned to him,
but a few years later he acquired another with a
dwelling upon it — yet never resided there, and died in
January, 1GG8, a journeyman at the press he had
founded. He had long before forfeited his proprietary
rights at Nashaway by his inability to improve, or pay
tithe for, his allotments.
Besides Day, four other workers in iron were prom-
inent in the company: John Prescott, Harmon Gar-
rett, John Hill and Joseph Jenkes. This fact, joined
to the leadership of Childe, whose letters to Winthrop
show him to have been enthusiastic in his estimate of
the mineral wealth concealed in the New England
hills, warrants the supposition that the inspiration of
this proposed settlement, so far from tidal waters, was
not alone the profitable trade in furs, but the expecta-
tion of discovering valuable ores, and especially iron.
Prescott was obviously from the first the soul of the
undertaking, and ultimately, after one by one his
original associates yielded to discouragements and
abandoned him or died, he alone, undismayed and
equal to any emergency, with unbending will, hard
common sense, and marvelous practical ability,
fought the long battle with obstructive men and re-
luctant nature, and won. Prescott was the founder
of Lancaster, and there existed no rival claimant to
that honor. Garrett, the blacksmith of Charlestown,
though he expended some time and means in the
earliest days of the plantation, and clung to his land-
title for several years with the avowed intention of
becoming a resident, finally drops out of sight. Hill,
a Boston smith and a freeman of influence, business
associate and neighbor of Henry Symonds, died July
27, 1(540. Joseph Jenkes was a prototype of the
Yankee mechanical genius. A smith employed at the
Lynn Iron Works, he was granted the first patent in
America for a water-mill. May 10, 1040, and thence-
forward proved himself a bold, ingenious and success-
ful experimenter in the mechanic arts, being selected
by the Assistant in 16.52 to make dies for the pine-
tree coinage of Massachusetts. He became too busy
and prosperous to keep up his interest in the Nash-
away scheme.
The other co-partners disclosed by various petitions
and records were : John Fisher, of Medfield ; Ser-
geant John Davis, a joiner of Boston ; John Chand-
ler, of Boston ; Isaac Walker, a trader of Boston, who
married the widow of Henry Symonds ; Thomas
Skidmore, of Cambridge ; John Cowdall, a trader of
Boston, who is found possessing the Symonds and
King trucking-house after the death of the original
owners ; James Cutler, of Watertown, who married
the widow of King ; Samuel Bitfield, a cooper of
Boston; Matthew Barnes, a miller and influential
citizen of Braintree ; John Shawe, a Boston butcher ;
Samuel Rayner, of Cambridge ; George Adams, a
glover of Watertown. With the exception, perhaps,
of Cowdall, Adams and Rayner, we have no proof
that one of these men ever became actual residents at
Nashaway, or took active steps to further its settle-
ment after 1645. Chandler, Walker and Davis for
some reason became actively hostile to the company's
interests in 1647, as shown by the records of court,
and Cowdall sold his land and improvements to
Prescott the same year. Adams had his home-lot
assigned him upon George Hill, but occupied it briefly,
if at all.
The first two years after the General Court's sanc-
tion of the plantation saw little advance in the pre-
parations for settlement. The first step taken by the
associates was to send out fit pioneers to build houses,
store provender for wintering cattle, enclose with
paling a "night pasture," and prepare fields for grain.
Richard Linton and his son-in-law, Lawrence Waters,
a carpenter, and John Ball, all of Watertown, were
employed and given house-lots. Linton and Waters
built themselves houses upon lands assigned them
HISTORY OF WORCESTER COUNTY, MASSACHUSETTS.
near the wading-place in the North River, which
were the first erected after the trucking-house. The
covenant entered into by the proprietors with their
minister contemplated the occupation of the valley
during the summer of 1645.
Prescott, who had a considerable estate in Water-
town, sold it, and packing his household goods upon
horses, set out with his family through the woods for
their new home. At the very outset of the journey
he met with serious misfortune. " He lost a horse
and his lading in Sudbury Kiver, and a week after,
his wife and children being upon another horse, were
hardly saved from drowning." This sad experience
Governor Winthrop seriously records as a special prov-
idence — divine punishment of the brave pioneer for
his sympathy with that dangerous schismatic, Robert
Childe ! The other proprietors seem to have been
completely dismayed by this disaster to their leader,
and forthwith — June 12, 1645 — petitioned the author-
ities to order this yawning chasm in their path to be
bridged. There is no reason to think that they ex-
aggerated the formidable nature of the crossing, for
more than one hundred years later the bridge and
causeway at the same place were complained of as
dangerous and in time of freshets impassable, and
lotteries were granted, the proceeds of which, amount-
ing to over twelve hundred pounds, were expended
upon them. The petitioners in 1645 declared it " an
vtter Impossibilitye to proceede forwards to plante at
the place aboue sayd [Nashaway] except we haue a
conuenient way made for the transportation of our
cattell and goods ouer Sudbery River and Marsh."
Two years before, a cart-bridge had been begun by
the town's people, but left incomplete, and the swamp
remained unimproved. The court contributed twenty
pounds towards finishing the bridge and causeway,
stipulating that they should be completed within a
year.
Whatever was done to render the way less perilous
was done too late or too ineH'ectually to encourage
Norcross or his parishioners, other than the indomit-
able Prescott, to venture across it with their cattle
and household goods, during either 1645 or 1646 ; and
by that time their patience or pluck was exhausted,
the surviving Boston members of the company were
trying to have the grant rescinded to relieve them-
selves of any responsibility incurred by their cove-
nant, and the minister had abandoned his parish. To
the difficult task of obtaining planters to make good
so wholesale a defection, Prescott and Day seem to
have devoted much time and energy with very mode-
rate success.
The i)lan of settlement contemplated two groups or
double ranges of house-lots, in sight of each other,
but about a mile apart, the North River and its inter-
vales lying between. The trucking-house formed the
starting-point of the western range ; the eastern lay
along the plateau, then (as now) called the Neck, be-
tween the main or Penecook River and the North
Branch. Prescott, who had chosen his first home-lot
in the eastern range, covering the site of the present
Lancaster House, sold it to Ralph Houghton and
made his home at the trucking-house. Philip Knight,
of Charlestown, built a house on the lot which he
bought of Steven Day, adjoining Prescott's on the
north, and upon the next two lots were John and
Solomon Johnson, of Sudbury, a roadway separating
their dwellings. Upon the south corner of Solomon
Johnson's lot now stands the George Hill School-
house. Thomas Sav/yer, a blacksmith of Rowley,
married Mary, the daughter of Prescott, in 1647 or
1648, and set up a home near his father-in-law, in a
range of lots parallel to and south of those above
named. Mrs. Sally Case's residence is nearly upon
the site of the Sawyer house. These were probably
the first five dwellings south of the North River. Wil-
liam Kerley perhaps moved upon his house-lot in the
upper range not much later, and Daniel Hudson, a
brickmaker from Watertovvn, occupied John Moore's
lot certainly as early as the spring of 1651.
On the Neck side, Lawrence Waters sold his house
to John Hall, whose wife Elizabeth occupied it, her
husband going to England. Waters built himself a
second house nearer the shallows in the river, a few
rods west of the one sold. Ralph Houghton soon
came up from Watertowu and set up his roof-tree on
the Neck. A petition of the inhabitants to the Gene-
ral Court of May, 1652, asking township rights, states
that there were already living at Nashaway " about
nine familyes." They must be selected from those
already named. Before this date there had probably
been ten white children born in the settlement: two
to Prescott, five to Lawrence Waters, two to Sawyer,
and one to Daniel Hudson. The answer to the peti-
tion is the so-called Act of Incorporation of the
Town of Lancaster. The first draft of the answer
was passed upon by the deputies in May, 1652, and in
this the name given to the town was Prescott, as had
been requested by the petitioners, paying deserved
honor to their generous, spirited and able leader.
The naming of a town for its founder had then no
precedent in New England. Not even a magistrate
or Governor had been so greatly honored. Probably
the assistants or executive refused thus to exalt a
blacksmith who was no freeman, and had but recently
taken the oath of fidelity. They may have recalled
also his sympathy with the agitation by Childe. The
name Prescott was promptly refused, and alter further
consideration the name West Towne was inserted in
the answer. This title, entirely wanting appropriate-
ness and euphony, satisfied no one, and further dis-
cussion carried the matter over another year. Pres-
cott's force of character and liberality had won not
only the admiration of his neighbors, but friendly
interest in many and high quarters. He had proved
very useful to Rev. John Kliot in his visits to the
Indian tribes about and west of Nashaway. He had
in 1648 been the pioneer of a " new way to Connect!-
LANCASTER.
cut by Nashaway, which avoided much of the hilly
way," and which Governor Hopkins, of Connecticut,
as well as the leading ministers interested in the work
of converting the Indians, esteemed a public benefac-
tion. When, therefore, the inhabitants, disappointed
of their first choice, petitioned asking to borrow a
title for the new town from the English shire in which
Prescott was born, the suggestion was adopted, and
Lancaster began its legal existence May IS, 1653. It
was the forty-fourth town chartered in the Common-
wealth, and the tenth in Middlesex County.
Three copies of the "Court's Grant" exist— one
forming the first page of the town records, one an
official copy by Secretary Rawson in Massachusetts
Archives cxii. 54-55, and the original record of the
court. They difier somewhat in orthography. That
of the town records is as follows :
COPPIE OF THE COURT'S GRANT.
At a Gen'^^ Court of Election held at Boston the IS'** of May 1G53.
1. In answer to the Peticon of the Inhabitants of Nashaway the Court
finds according to a former order of tlie Geu""" Court in Anno 11.47 no tJ :
95 : That the ordering and disposeing of the Plantatiou at Nashaway is
wholly in the Courts power.
2. Considering that there is allredy at Nashaway about nine ffarailits
and that sevenill both freemen and othera intend to goe and setle there
boine whereof are named in this Petition the Court doth Grant them the
libertie of a Towneshipp and others that bensforth it sliall be called Lan-
caster.
3. That the Bounds thereof shall be sett out according to a deede of
the Indian Sagamort;, viz. Nashaway Riuer at the i)assing ouer to be
the Center, liue miles North fine miles south flue miles east and three
miles west by such Comissionei-s as the Courte shall appoint to see their
Lines extended and their bounds Umitted.
4. Tluit Edward BrecU, Nutlianiell lladlocke, William Kerley, Thoma«
Sayer, John Prescot and Ralph Houghton, or any foure of them, whereof
the niaior Parte to be freemen to be for present the prudentiall men of
ihe said Towne both to see all aliottments to be laid out to the Planteia
in due proportion to theire estates and allso to order other Prudentiall
afaires vntill it bhall Appeare to this Court that the Place be so fai r
seated with able men as the Court may Judg meet, to give them full
liberties of a Townshipp according to Lawe.
5. That all such Persona whoe haue possessed and Continued Inhabi-
tants of Nashaway shall haue their Lotts formerly Laid out confirmed
to them provided they take the oathof fidellitie
6. That Sudhery and Lancaster Layout highwaies betwixt Towne and
Towne according tu order of Court for the Countrivs vse and then re-
paire them as net^dtr shalbe
7. The Court Orders That Lancaster shall be rated w'^iin the County of
Midlesex and the Towne hath Liberty to c Jooae a Constable.
8. That the Inhabitants of Lancaster doe take care that a godly min-
ester may be maintained amongst them and that no evill persons Ene-
mies to the Lawes of this Comonwealth in Judgment or Practize be Ad-
mitted as Inhabitants amongst them and none to haue Lott^ Confirmed
but such as take the oathe t»f fidellitie
9. That allthough the fii-st Uudertakersand partnere in the Plantacon
of Nashaway are wholy Evacuated of theire Clainies in Lotts there by
order of this Courte yet that such persons of th^m whoe haue Expended
either Charge or Labor for the Benefitt of the place and haue helpped on
the Publike workes there from time to time either in Contributing to
the minestrie or in the Purchfise from the Indians or any other Publike
worke, that such persons are to be Considered by the Towne either in
proportion of Land or some other way of satisfaction as may be Juat and
meete. Provided such Persons do make such theire expences Cleerly
Appeare within Twelue monethes after the end of this Sessions for such
demaudes and that the Interest of Harmon Garrett and such others as
were firet vndertakers or haue bin at Great Charg<^s there shalbe madt^
good to him them his or theire heires in all Aliottments as to other the-
Inhabitants in proportion to the Charges expended by him and sucli
others aforesaid. Provided they make Improuem' of such AUotmt* by
building and Planting w'^iin three yeares after they are or shalbe Laid
out to them, otherwise theire Interest hereby Provided for to bee voyde,
And all such Lands soe hereby Reserved to be theuctorth at the Townea
Dispose : In further Answer to this Peticon the Court Judgeth it meete
to Confirm the aboue mentioned Nine perticulers to the Inhabitants of
Lancaster, and order that the bounds thereof be Laid out in proportion
to eight miles square.
Of the six prudential men, the first three only were
freemen, and the death of Hadlocke, in Charlestown,
very soon deprived them of a legal quorum, according
to strict construction of the fifth article. In October,
1653, however, they agreed upon a " covenant of laws
and orders," which all who were accepted as citizens
of the town were required to sign. As of the signa-
tures to this, ten were dated a year before, it was un-
doubtedly an obligation entered into by the earlier
comers adopted by the new ofllicials. This covenant
served as a Constitution by which the internal econo-
mies of the town were administered for very many
years, and is therefore worthy to be given here in full,
with the signatures, as found in the town records :
1653 18: 8 m". The bond to binde all comers. Memorandum, That wee
whose Names are subscribed, vppon the Receiueingand acceptanc of our
severall Lauds, and Aliottments w"' all Appurtinuuces thereof, from
those men who are Chosen by the Generall Court to Lay out and dispose
of the Lands within the Towne of Lanchaster heertofore Called by the
name of Nashaway doe hereby Covenant i binde ourselues our heires
Executf^ & Assignes to the observing and keepeing of these orders and
Agreements hereafter mentioned and Expressed.
Church Lands, fflrst ffbr the maintainanc of the niinistiee of Gods holy
word wee doe Allowo Covenant and Agree that there be laid out Stated
ftud established, atid we doe hereby estate and establish as Church Land
with all the priuilledges and .\ppurtinances therevnto belonging for
ever, thirty acors of vppland and fortie acors of Entervale Land and
twelue acors of meddowe with free Libertie of Commons for Pasture
and fire wood, The said Lands to be improved by the Plantation or
otherwise in such order as shulbe best Advised and Concluded by the
Plantation without Rent paying for the same, vntil the Labours of the
Planters or those that doe improue the same, be ffully sattisfied. And
wee do© agree that the Plantation or Sellect men shall deterndne the
time, how Longe every man shall hold and Improue the said Lauds for
the prottit thereof. And then to be Rented according to the yearly valine
thereof and paid in to such persons as the Plantation or Sellectmen shall
Appoynt to ami for the vse of and towards the maintainanc of the mines-
ter Pastor or Teacher for the time being, or whomesoever may bee stated
to preach the word of God among vs : or it may be in the Choyce of the
minester to improue the said Lands himselfe.
Meeting hi luse. And ffurther wee doe Covenant and Agree to build a
Convenient meeting house for the Publique Assembling of the Church
and People of God. to worshipp God according to his holy ordinances in
the most eaquall and Convenient place that may be Advized and Con-
cluded by the Plantation.
Miniaters house. And to Build a house for the Mine»ter vppon the said
Church Land.
house lotts to pay lu» p ami to the minegter. And ffurther we doe Engage
and Covenant every one for himselfe his heires Executors & A.'signes to
pay to and for the vse of the minestree aboues;tid the some of ten shTTIilie's
a yeare as for and in Consideracon of o' home Lotts yearly fur ever, our
home Lotts to staud Engaged for the payment thereof, and what all this
shall fall short of a Competent maintainanc we Covenant to make vpp
by an equall Rate vpjion o"^ Goods, and other improved Lands (not home
lots) in such way and order as the Country rate is Raised. And in case
of vacansy of a minester the maintainanc Ariseing from the Church
Land and home Lotts abouementioued, shalbe paid to such as shalbe
Appoynted for the use of a scoole to be ad a stock : or as stock towards
the maintainanc of the minester, as the Plantation or Sellect men shall
think meelest.
To bnill hihtihit dx in a ijetir or loose all and pny 5 : t^ And for the bet-
ter Promoteing and seting forward of the Plantation wee Covenant and
Agree, That such person or persons of vs who haue not inhabited this
Plantation heretofore and are yett to come to build Improue and li]-
habitt That we will (by the will of God) come vpp to build to Plant land
and Inhabit at or before one whole yeare be passed next after o^ accept-
HISTORY OF WORCESTER COUNTY, MASSACHUSETTS.
ance of o' AMottments, or elc to Loose all our Charges about it, and uur
Lotts to Return to the Plantation, and to pay flue poumls for the vse of
the Plautatiun.
What Inhahiiant.* not to be Admited. And for the Better preserveing of
the puritie of Religion ami oursehies from infection of Error we Cove-
nant not tu (lifitribiite Allottments ami tu Keceiue into the I'lant^ition as
Inhabitants any exconiinicat or otherwise propliane and scandalns
(known so to bee) nor any notoriously erring against the Docktrin and
Discipline of the Churches and the state and Governing of this Com
onweale.
to end all di/renc ly Arhitracoii. And for the better preserveing ot
peace and love, and yet to Uoppe the Rules of Justice and Kquitie amonge
ourselues, we Covenant not to goe to Lawe one with an other in Actions
of Debt or Damages one towards an other eitlier in name or state bnt to
end all such Controversies among onrselues by urbitmtion or otherwise
except in cases Cappitall or Criminall that sinn may not goe vnpunished
or that the mater beubone our abillilies to Judge of, and tliatit bee witli
the Consent of the I'hintatiun or Sellett men thereof.
Tu /)<!// lOs /( Li'tl. And fur the Laying ont measureing and bounding of
our Allottments of this first Diuision and for and towards the Safisfieing
of our Eugagein'^ to the Generall Court, to make piiyment for purchase
of the Indians wo Covenant to pay ten shillings every one of vs for our
severall AUottm'^, to the Sellect men or whome they may Appoynt tu Re-
ceive it.
Egtiall Lotts Jhsl DittUion, in 2'td Diiiitwns ncurd to Estntes : And. wherens
Lotta are Now Laid out for the the most part Equally to Rich and poorc,
Partly to keepe the Towne from Sc;iteriiig to farr. and partly out of
Charitie and Rcsjiect to men of meaner estate, yet that Ecjuallitie (whith
is the Rule of God) may be observed, we Covenant and Agree, That in
a second Devition and so through all other Devitions of Imnd the mater
shall he drawne as neere to eiiuuUttie according to mens estates as wei-
are able to doe. That he which hath now more then Iiis entate iJeserveth
in home Lotts and entervale Lotts shall haue so much Less: and he that
hath now Less then his estate Deserveth shall bane so much more. And
that wee may tlie better keepe due proportion we Covenant and agree
thus to account of mens esUUes (viz) ten pounds a head for every person
and all other goods by duo vallue, and to proportion to every ten poundt^
three acora of Land two of vpland and one of Entervale and we giue a
years Libertieto Euery man to bringe iu his estate.
Gifts free. Yet Nevertheless it is to be vmlerstood That we doe not
lieereby preindice or Barr tlie Plantation from AcconuMlateing any man
by Gifft of Land (which proply are not AUottm":) but wee doe reserve
that in the free i'ower of the i-*lantation as occation may hereafter be
offered: And in Case The Planters estate be Lowe that he can clainn-
Nothing in other diuitions yet it is to be vnderstood that he shall enioj
all the Land of the first Devition.
ill 2nd iJeiiitiuH. And further we Covenant That if any Plariter do
desire to haue his proportion in the second <levition it slialbe Granted.
Rules fur PtoporcoH of Medduirs. And flurfher wee Covenant to lay
ont Medduw Lands according to the preaaent estates of the Pluntei-s, with
respect to be liad to Remoteness or Neereness, of that which is reinute to
giiie the more and of that web is neere to giue the I^ess.
And Concerning the 3n acors of vppland and 40 acora of EntervaK-
aboue Grunted as Church Land. It is agreed and concluded to Lye
bounded by John I'rescotts Ditch vppon (lie South and the North Riner
over an ends [nnenat\ Lawrenc Waters vppon the North and so Raugeing
allong westwanl.
And for the Preventing of inconveniences and tiie more peaceable
Isuing of the business about bnildingof a meeting house it is Considered
and Concluded a« tlm most eqiiall i)lace that the meeting house he
builded as neere to the <'burch Land and to the Neck of Land as It can
bee without any notable incunvtuiiencie.
And it is allso agreetl That in all partes and Quarters of the Towne
where Snndry liOtts do iiie together they shalbe tl'enced by a Common
ffenc according to proportion of acors by every planter, Andyett not to
barr any man from pertlculer and prinat Imrlosnre at bis pleasure.
This is a true Coppie of the Lawes and orders flirst Enacted atul made
by those Appoynted a[id Jmpowered by the <;enrall Court as it it. found
in the old book.
ThOHE NaMKS VT KAUE SUH8CUIBF,n TO THK8E ORDERS:
I I subscribe to this for my selfe and for my sonn
Edwiud Hri-k ! Hjbert sau*' that it is agreed that we are not bound to
Robrt Brek: ! come vpp to inhabit wt''in a years time in our uwne !
pei"8ons: Tlii« is a tine Coppie: 1
Jn" I'reacott.
William Kerly
Thomoa Sayer
Ralph Haughton
J
J
These 8ul>scribed together the Hrst
n" Whitcomb Seni': )
n" Whitcomb Junif: j
i
Subscribed 10 : day: 9 ni": 1(;52
lltt. :
Subscribed : 4t'' : 9
first m«
Subscribed : la*h : 1 m"
H;53
." : 1054
1653
H;53
Richard Linton.
Jn"* Johnson.
Jeremiah Rogers j
Jn^ Moore : Subsciibed :
William Lewes : |
Jn" Lewes.
Th" : James: mark 21'*" 3 ni" :
Edmund Parker. ]
Beniamine Twitchell ' Subscribed : 1"' : H m« : 1G62
Anthony Newton.
Steephon Day ) Subscribed : 15"' ; 1 m" ; 1053
James Aderton I both of y™.
Henry Iverly : I
Richard Smi?h.
William Iverly Jlln^ |- Subscribed 15: 1 m" :
Jn" Smith. I
Lawrenc Waters
Jno White; Subscribed - !»»> May 1G.53
Jn<^ffarrer: Subscribed: 24 : Septendi' 1653
Jacob ffarrer : Same date
John Haughton | „ . ,
, „ >Sub" : same
^tnnuel Deane
James I)raper. |
... , „ ^ -, ^Subscribed ;
Steephen Gates : Sen' : i
James Whiting or Witton : Subscri : Ap'" 7*'' :
Jn'\ Moore and
Edward Kibbie
1053
•^4 : 7 m" : 1653
Aprill 3: 1654
1054
13:
2 m« : 1051 Subscribed
13: 2 ni": 10.54
Subscribed is : 2 m" : 1654
Jn'* Mansfield
Jn" Towers : ]
Richard Dwelly j.
Henry Ward.
Jn" Peirce, )
»r-i,. .>•>.■ r Subscribed 4tti: 7 ni" : 10:4.
William Billing I
Richard Sutton: ap'" 1653.
Subscribed the 12"' : 9 mo : 1054. and there is
Thomas Joslin. I granted to them both SOacrea of vpland it Swamp
Nathaniel! Joslin I together for theire home lotts and allso forty
acora of Entervale.
John Rugg: Subscribed, 12"": 12 ni": 1654
Joseph Rowlandson :
eire names iCnteroil ac-
ok A Coppied jier Jn"
Subscribed 12* : 12 m" : 1654 : and it is agreed
by the Towne that he shall haue 20 accora of
vpland A- 40 acors of Entervale in the Night
i'asture :
Jn-Rigghy: Subscribed 12"': 12"' m" : 1054 and lit; is to haue 20 acora of
vpland & ten acors of Entervale
Jn" Roper: Subscribed 22 : 1"" mo": 1056
All these before mentioned are subscribed A tin
cording to theire Severall Dates in the old Bm
Tinker Clerk
Jn" Tinker Subscribed y* first of ffebb' : 1657.
Mordica Maclodo his - mark set 1 march i « g 7
T« 5 s
JvUdtt Jl'airbiiiiku : Subsciibed the 7"' : 2 m-* : tifSS.
Jonas ffairhanks
Hotjei Suinuer Bubscribeil the: 11"' of Aprill : 1G'<J.
Roger Sumner
(;<iiiitdii:H Beinaiid Subscribed : the 31"'. of may I05i* ^
Gamaliell tt BfUiand
his niarke
Th^ntm Wiji'lder : Subscribed the 1"> July 1630
Thomas Wyellder
himifll (i<iiiie» Subscribed the tenth day of march l.?|^
I)aniel Gaiens
Twelve of these fifty-five signers — Twitchell, New-
ton, Deane, Draper, Whiting, Mansfielfl, Towers,
LANCASTER.
Dwelly, Ward, Peirce, Billings and Sutton — never
became residents, and were not recognized in land
allotments. Steven Day and Robert Breck re-
ceived house-lots, but never occupied them. Kibble
was probably a resident for a brief time, but re-
ceived no lands. Philip Knight, though one of the
earliest houseluilders, seems not to have signed, and
removed. Elizabeth Hall went to her husband in
England, selling his house and lot to Richard
Smith. Cowdall and Solomon Johnson had sold out
to Prescott and Day, and Ball returned to Water-
town.
The organization of the corporation being thus
complete, the townsmen diligently applied them-
selves to securing the most obvious necessities for
comfortable living as a Christian community. Cow-
dall's deed of 16-17 informs us that Linton and
Waters had raised corn upon the fifty-acre intervale
lot lying southerly from the present Atherton
Bridge before that year, and the deep, rich soil
guaranteed a sufficient yield of grain for the plant-
ers and their cattle; but there was no mill nearer
than that at Sudbury. Prescott had already been
taking some steps to supply this prime need of
the town. He had at least chosen the site and bar-
gained with a millwright, as is shown by the formal
contract made between him and the town November
20, 1653. Six months later his grist-mill was at
work.
The assignment of home and intervale lots also
engaged the attention of the prudential men in No-
vember. The allotments which had been made by
Prescott, Day and others in the infancy of the
plantation, and subsequent jiurchases based upon
them, were confirmed. Actual settlers were given
in the established ranges of lots twenty acres each
of upland for a dwelling-place and twenty acres of
intervale for planting.
Lancaster has often been called a Watertown
colony because John Winthrop so styled it in 1643.
But of the fifty-five who signed the covenant,
twelve were from Dorchester, six were of Sudbury,
six of Hingham and five each from Roxbury and
Watertown. The others came from eight or ten dif-
ferent localities. The most prominent of the Dor-
chester colonists was the first prudential man named
in the incorporating act, Edward Breck. He had
been one of the selectmen of Dorchester for several
years, and upon his ability and experience great de-
pendence was placed by the Lancaster men. He
built a house near the wading-place of Penecook,
and retained his land, but lived here only for a brief
period. His continued absence and the death of
Hadlocke seriously obstructed the conduct of the
town's prudential afl'airs, and early in 1654, there be-
ing about twenty families in the town, the majority
petitioned that they might be relieved from their
probationary condition, and allowed full liberties of
a town according to law, electing their officers and
transacting business by legal town-meetings. There
were then but four resident freemen : William
Kerly, Thomas Rowlandson, Thomas Sawyer and
William Lewis; but the petition was granted, and
Lieutenant Edward Goodnow, of Sudbury, and
Thomas Dan forth, of Cambridge, were at the same
time deputed to lay out the bounds of the town's
grant, a duty they never found time to perform.
For the needs of the pioneer the meadows, as nat-
ural grass lands were called, came next in value to
the house-lot and planting-field, and a first division
of these open tracts wherever found in the town
limits was agreed upon — four acres to be set to each
one hundred pounds of estate. During the year
1654 the first legal town-meetings were held. At
the earliest " the plantacion upon legall warning as-
sembled ;'' formally confirmed the recorded acts of the
prudential men appointed by the General Court the
year before, some of these, as has been noted, not be-
ing strictly in conformity with rei(uirements of law.
At another town-meeting it w'as voted " that there
should not be taken into the Towne above the num-
ber of thirty-five families." The greed of land
was strong, but this short-sighted restriction had but
a brief life. In the same territory over three thou-
sand families now find " ample room and verge
enough."
During the autumn of this year the Christian
Sagamore Showanon died. Reverends John Eliot
and Increase Nowell were at once sent to Washacum
by the court, to prevail if possible, with the Indians,
to elect Matthew, nephew of the dead sachem, as
his successor. They were successful. There seems
to have been some reason to fear that the choice
might fall upon another chief, also in the line of
succession, whose drunken habits and dislike of the
colonists made his accession to power much dreaded.
Thus far the friendly relations between the English-
men and the Nashaways seem to have been in no
way strained. The very rare mention of the tribe in
the town annals goes to prove that no quarrels or
grave jealousies interrupted friendly feeling. More-
over, Eliot gratefully records Showanon's loving hos-
pitality, and the generous care he showed in protect-
ing him with a body-guard on his journeying to the
interior. He once comjilains that the Indian wizards
or " powows " had not been wholly silenced; but all
Christendom then believed in the reality of demo-
niacal possession, and little more than a year had
passed since Margaret Jones, the witch, had been si-
lenced by hanging in Charlestown. The unregener-
ate, credulous children of the forest feared sorcery,
just as did their enlightened neighljors, only they had
not learned the refinements of the English methods
of dealing with sorcerers. When the)' found that
drugs were far more efficacious to relieve pain and
sickness than charms and juggling tricks, powowing
lost its hold upon their credulity.
Standing off at this historic distance, the position
HISTORY OF WORCESTER COUNTY, MASSACHUSETTS.
of Sholan and his people living on terms of friendly
intimacy with the adventurous pioneers whom they
had invited to share the beautiful land of their in-
heritance, glows with only pleasing and romantic
hues.
CHAPTER II.
LANCASTER— ( Continued).
The Firfil MittitilfT — Arbitrfilion — Commimntiers Appfiinleil to Lnfct Torm
Affnirs— The First Highmtys—Noyes' Survey— DisaJfcHi'in of Ihr In-
dums — Monoco'sRaid — James Quanaputig's Fidelity — The Destntclion
oj Lancaster.
The years 1653 and 1654 saw the addition of seven
families to the town, those of Thomas and Nathaniel
Joslin, John Rugg, John Rigby, John Moore, Sr.,
Stephen Gates and Thomas Rowlaudson. The year
1G54 was also graced by the coming of their chosen
pastor, Master Joseph Rowlandson, of Ipswich. His
signature to the covenant is dated February 12,
1654, and he, perhaps, did not begin preaching be-
fore that time, although he had been listed among
the townsmen the March previous. Other ministers
had doubtless been solicited to the charge after the
disappearance of Norcross, but a church in the wil-
derness, with its little group of poor immigrants, had
small attractions for men of education, unless they
were largely endowed with the missionary spirit.
We find, therefore, the first clergyman called to
Lancaster a youth of twenty-two years, fresh from
Harvard College, the lone graduate of 1652; one,
moreover, but recently escaped from a whipping-
post and penance for a collegiate prank — the pen-
ning and posting upon Ipswich Meeting-House of a
doggerel satire, which the civil authorities dignified
as a " scandalous libell.'' Master Rowlandson seems
at once to have won the respect and love of those
among whom he had cast his lot, and to have as-
serted his own dignity and that of the church ; for
the saucy maiden, Mary (rates, who contradicted him
in public assembly, and the aged reprobate, Edmund
Parker, who wouldn't sit under the dropjdngs of the
sanctuary, were alike speedily humbled and subjected
to ecclesiastical and civil discipline. His father aud
mother came to Lancaster with him, but before two
years had passed he was married to Mary, the
daughter of John White, then the richest of his
parishioners. A parsonage had been built in a cen-
tral position between the two villages. The meeting-
house was not yet raised, but the site had been
already chosen, about twenty rods southeast of the
parsonage, on the highest ground in the present Mid-
dle Cemetery. A long narrow knoll, a little to the
east of the meeting-house site, was set apart for a
burial-place.
The prudential men elect soon found the ordering
of the town's affairs to be neither an easy nor a
pleasant task. Although the divisions of land were
governed so far as possible by casting lots, they gave
rise to some bickering, and various questions arose
about which the managers themselves seriously
differed. The Kerly family began to display their
characteristic firmness in their own opinions. The
salary of Master Rowlandson became a knotty subject
of debate. Plainly there was occasion to make trial
of the arbitration provided for in the covenant.
Major Simon Willard, of Concord, Captain Edward
Johnson, of Woburn, and Edmund Rice, of Sudbury,
being summoned as arbitrators in April, 1656, by their
"determinacions " settled twenty-four mooted points.
The minister's salary was fixed at fifty pounds a year,
and as in a rural community without money, church
tithes must be paid chiefly in products of the land,
wheat as a commercial standard was to be reckoned at
sixpence per bushel less than the price at the Bay, and
other grain in the same proportion.
Stephen Gates had been chosen the first constable,
an office of larger dignity and more varied duties than
now appertain to it. He neglected to notify the four
freemen at the proper time to send in their votes for
nomination of the magistrates, was fined, and his
black staff of office passed to Prescott.
Ralph Houghton was nominated the first clerk of
the writs, and confirmed by the County Court in
October, 1656. He was an able penman, and thence-
forward methodical records of the town's transactions
were faithfully kept by him during twenty years.
John Roper, a much esteemed addition, was accepted
a townsman this year, and given the home-lot origin-
ally Solomon Johnson's. In 1656 also the first county
road, that to Concord, was laid out.
Another petition from Lancaster this year demanded
the attention of the court. Out of the thirty heads
of families there were but five freemen in all, and two
! of these were disabled by years. The law requiring
that in any action by selectmen the " major part" should
be freemen, it followed that Kerly, Lewis and Sawyer
by necessity could control all such action. Two of
these, at least, being men of stubborn character, their
opinions doubtless sometimes traversed those of more
able and wiser citizens, or denied the just dimands of
the ma.jority. The only remedies were, to transact all
business details by formal town-meetings — which, " by
reason of many inconveniences and incumbrances,''
was not to be thought of — to obtain more freemen, or
to petition to be relegated to the care of commissioners.
The town " by a general vote " petitioned for the last,
and May 6, 1657, Major Simon Willard, Captain
Edward Johnson and Thomas Danforth, three of the
ablest men in the commouweallh, were appointed
commissioners, and empowered "to order the afaires
of the said Lancaster, and to heare and determine
their seurall diffrences and gricuances which obstruct
the iiresent and future good of the towne, standing in
power till they bee able to make returne to the Genrall
LANCASTER.
Court that the towne is siifisiantly able to order its
owne affaires according to Law."
The first meeting of this august board of advisers
was held at the house of John Prescott, in September,
and found abundant matter requiring; their adjudica-
tion. By this date Lancaster had won a valuable
accession in the person of Master John Tinker, who
had purchased of Richard Smith the house originally
built by Waters, and also the Knight house upon
George Hill. Tinker, who had been a resident of
Groton for a short time before coming to Lancaster,
was a freeman of education aud clerkly ability. He
had bought the monopoly of the fur trade of Lancaster
and Groton for the year 1657, paying eight pounds for
it. A gift of land called Gibson's Hill — upon the east
end of which now stands the mansion of the late
Nathaniel Thayer— was made to Master Tinker by the
town at this time, and indicates that there was mate-
rial reason for his change of residence. The com-
missioners appointed Jdhn Tinker, William Kerly,
John Prescott, Ralph Houghton aud Thomas Sawyer
selectmen, and instructed them in part as follows :
2. Eiicwu'jt Dinsler Rowlandson. That the eaid Selt-cttmen take Care,
fur the due enciuagnient of nuister Rowlandson who nuw Liihoiireth
amongst them iti the miiiistne of gods holy word, And alsoe that they
take care for erecting a meeting liouse, poniid and stokes. Aud that
they see to the Laying out of towne aud Countrie high waies and the
towne bounds, and the making aud executing of all such orders and by
Lawes as may be for the Comou good of the plac (i o) respecting Corue
feilds, medowes, Oomon pasturag Land, fences, herding of Catell aud
restraint of damage by swine and for the recouring of thos fines and
forfitures that are due to the towne from such psones as haue taken vp
land and not fullfilled the Condiciuns of theire respectiue grants wherby
the Cumon good of the Plantaciun hath beene and yett is much obstructed,
3. Paymt. of toivne debts. That they take Care for the payment of all
towne debts and for that end tliey are herby impowred to make such
Levies or rats from time to time, m they shall see needful! for the dis-
charge of the Comon ChargeB of the towne, And in Case any of the
inbabitance shall refuse or neglect to niak due payment both for ijualify
and (juantitie upon resonable demand, they may then Levie the same bv
distresse, And areimpowered alsoe to take 2' raor aud aboue such fine or
liate as is due to bee paid for the satisfacion vnto your oficer that taketh
the distress for his painot* tlieiriu.
4. manor of ascsmeiits. Tliat in all their asesments, all Lauds apro-
priated, (Land giuen for addittions excepted) shall bee valued in manor
following (i e) home Lotts the vnbroken att 20" p accor and the broken
Tp at thirtie shillings by the accor the entervaile the broken at fowertie
shillings the accor and the vnbroken at thirtie shillings the accor, and
medow Land att thirtie shillings, aud in all rates to the ministrie The
home Lotts to pay tenn shillings p ann. according to the towne order.
And this order to Continue fi)r fine yeares next ensuing. Alsoe that the
selectmen takspesiall Care for the preseruing and safe keeping the townes
Records. And if they see it need full, that they pcuro the same to bee
writen out fairly into a new booke, to be keept for the good of posterity,
the charge wherof to bee borne by the pprietors of the said Lands
respectiuely.
5. nojie freed from I'uts vnUss tht^ij relinquish vndcr hand. That noe
man be freed from the Rates of any Land granted him in pprietie eccept
h« mak a release and full resignation theirof vnder his hand, And doe
alsoe relinquish and surender vp to the vse of the towne, his home Lott
Intervaile and medow, all or none.
6. accomodacons for 5 or 6 : he Left before 2 dinision. That their be
accomodaciuus of Land, reserued for the meet encuragment of flue or six
able men to com and inhabit in the said place (i e) as may bee helpfull
to the encuragment of the worke of god their, and the Comon good of
the place. And that no second deuision be Laid out vnto any man vntil
those Lotte bee sett apte for that vse ; by the selectmen, that is to say
home Lotts entervaile and medow.
7. master Rowlandsons deed of gift. The CumisionerB doe Judg meet
li
to Confirme the deed of gift made by the towne vnto master Rowlandson
(i e) of a house and I-and which was sett a part for the vse of the minis-
trie boring date l'^" CA^ mon IC.^h vpon Cuiidicion that master Rowlandson
renioue not his habitarion from the saiti place for the space of three yeare
next ensuing, vnlesse the said inhabitance shall consent theirto, And the
Comisioners aproue theirof.
**********
Jinalhj arjst uimtites. That none be entertained into the towne as in-
mates, tenants, or otherwise to inhabit within the bounds of the said
towne, without the Consent of the selectmen or the maior pte of them,
first had and obtained, and entered In the record of the towne as their
act, vpon penalty of twenty shillings p month both to the pson that shall
soe offend by intruding himselfe, Aud alsoe to the pson that shall ofend
in receiuing or entertaining such pson into the towne.
Ih-imdedyrs d' voats. And that noe other pson or psones whatsoeuer
shalbe admited to the Inioymeut of the priualedges of the place and
towneshipp, Either in accomodaccions vots elections or disposalles of
any of the Coniou priualedges and interests theirof, saue only such as
haue beene first orderly admited and accepted {as aforesaid) to the enioy-
ment theirof.
The order against entertaining strangers is, of course,
an echo of Governor Winthrop's order of court passed
in 1637, which was so unpopular at the time that its
author felt called upon to publish an elaborate defence
of so obvious an infringement of the people's rights.
John Tinker inaugurated a more systematic method
of recording the town's business, first copyinof into a
new book the contents of the "Old Town Book." The
selectmen during 1657 and 1658 ordered that all high-
ways, whether town or county, should be amply re-
corded for the information of posterity, and the way-
marks be annually repaired. All lands granted with
butts or bounds were ordered recorded by the town
clerk, for which special fees were to be paid him. The
valuable registry of lands in four large volumes, be-
ginning in 1657 and ending with the last division of
common land in 1836, is the fruit of this order. Mor-
decai McLeod, a Scotchman, was admitted to citizen-
ship. A letter was sent to Major Willard inviting
him to make his residence in Lancaster, with certain
proposals " concerning accomodacions,'' which proved
sufficiently attractive to be promptly accepted. The
selectmen ordered that the inhabitants on the Neck
should build a cart-bridge over the North River near
Goodman Waters' house, and that those living south
of that river should build a similar bridge over the
Nashaway at the wading-place. These bridges were
completed that year, and stood, the first a few rods
above the present Sprague bridge, the other at or near
the site of the present Atherton bridge. The existing
highways were duly recorded as follows :
Ctiiifric way. One way for the Cuntrie Lyeth ; from the entranc in
to the towne on the east pte from Wataquadocke hill, downe to the
Swann Swampe, aud oner the wading place through Penicooke riuer :
that is by the indian warre [woir] and soe along by master Rowlandsons
ground and the riuer and againe vp to goodman Waters his barne be-
t^^■eene old goodman Breckes lott and that which was Richard Smithes
now in the posession of John Tinker. To bee as it is staked out, att the
Least fine Rods wide, on the neck, and to be as wide as can be on the
I'ast side of the riuer vnder tenn Rodt? and aboue fine, and soe from good-
man Waterses ouer the north riuer, vp by niiuster Rowlandsons the
breadth as is Laid out and fenced and marked and staked up to goodman
Prescotis Ry feild and soe betweene that and John mores lott aud Crosse
the brook and vpp betweene John Johnsons and John Ropers Lotts flue
Rods wide ; And soe beyond all the Lotts into the woods.
Way to quasaponikin medow. one way: from goodman Watersea barne
10
HISTORY OF WORCESTER COUNTY, MASSACHUSETTS.
ii) quafyiponiUtn niedowes Iieforo the houses of goodman gates and both
goodman Josllins Ac : as it is laid out and marked ; tiue rods wide and in
the euteriiaille '2 rods wide.
To quanapnnikin hill, one way ; from goodman Breckes house through
tlie end of liis ground, and Ratpli Ilonghtons James Athertons gondnian
Whites and goodman Leweises Ac, to quasajionikin hill tine Rods wide.
To the mill, one way tx> the mill att the heads of the Lotts of John
Prescott Thomas Sawyer Jacuh ffarer &c fine Kods wide from the Cnntrie
highway to the mill.
Stref/ in 7/" mnth atd of yt lowne. one way Called the Street or Cross
way : from goodman Kerleyes entervaile and the rest of the entervaile
ljott« ; And 6oe south beetweene the double rang of Lotta : fine Rods wide
and Boetowards wawhaconie when it is past J.icob ffarers Lott : .\nd alsoe
Itt runes the same wiilneea betweene the house Lotta and ©ntervaile lotts
northward to the wallnnt swampe :
from the Omlrif highway to ;/' eitt^rroile of Jo: Preecolt toe tn H'n/o*
quail/tlte. one way from the mill way aft the end of goodman Prescott.^
Ry feeiUI, to the Kntrauce of his entervaile fine Rods wide, And through
the entervailes oner Nashaway Riuerand the Still riuers, to the outslil
fenc, of Jacob ffarere Lott, two Rods and half wide.
Wmi to the pliiititrcea ti- tjroten. Oneway: from that entervaile way
downe along all the entervailes to the Still riuer and towards groten on
the east side of the riuer two rods wide.
With the exception of the last, which was removed
to higher land, these ways are all in use to-day, with
a few local alterations of line and a general contrac-
tion in width.
The minister's maintenance was no small burden
upon his little flock, so few and so poor, and there
was evidently much dilatoriness and uncertainty in
the payment of the stipend. Suddenly, in 1658, it
was noised about through the settlement that Master
Rowlandson was about to accept an invitation to the
church in Billerica. The selectmen at once visited
him to learn if the report were true, and became con-
vinced of his determination to go. Twelve days later
the messengers from Billerica came " to fetch Master
Rowlandson away." The people assembled, and unan-
imously voted to invite him "to abide and settle
amongst them in the worke of the ministrie," and to
allow him " fiftie pounds a yeare, one halfe in wheat,
sixpence in the bushell viider the Curant prises at
Boston and Charlstowne, and the rest in other good
curant pay in like proporcion, or otherwise fiftie and
fine pounds a yeare, taking his pay att such rats as
the prises of Corne are sett eurie yeare by the Court."
The meeting also confirmed the deed of house and
land which had been made in his favor the preceding
August. Mr. Rowlandson accepted the invitation
upon the terms proposed. The first house for public
worship was completed this year, if not earlier. All
previous meetings of the selectmen had been at pri-
vate dwellings, but that of June 22, 1658, was "at the
meeting-house."
Thus far in the town's history houses must have
been constructed of logs or hewn timber, stone and
clay. Prescott's saw-mill was in operation early in
1659, after which more commodious framed structures
doubtless began to appear. It having been found im-
possible to obtain the services of either of the sur-
veyors designated by the court to lay out the bounds
of the town, consent was given for the employment of
Ensign Thomas Noyes, of Sudbury, a return of whose
survey is as follows :
April V^, 1659 In obedience to the order of the honoured generall
Court to the now inhabitants of lancaster layd out yo bounds of lancaster
accordinge to the sayd grants, wee begane at the wading place of nasBua
riuer and rune a lline three mille vpon a west northwest poynt one
degree westerly, and from the end of y three mill we rune two perpen-
dicular lines beingo fine mills in length each linn, the one line runing
north north est one degree northerly, the other line running fioiith south
west one degree southerly wee made right angis at the ends of the ten
mille line, runing two perpendicular lines, runninge both of them vpon
an east south east poynt on degree esterly, one of the sayd lines beinge
the north line wee did rune it eight mill in length the other being the
south line, wee did rune it six mill and a halfe in length and ther meet-
ing \v*i> the midell of the line, which is the line of the plantation granted
to the petition" of Sudbury whos plantation is called Whipsuffrage and
so nininge their line four mill wanting thre score peiche^ to the end of
their line at the nor west .\ngle of Whipsviffrage plantation and from the
«iyd angle of Whipsufrage runing six mille and three quarters ther
meeting with y* fore sayd east end of the eight mile line and soe period
all the sayd lines and bounds of lancaster which sayd grants rune eighty
Hqnare milles of land
this by me Thomas Noyes
The deputyes approue of this returne. our Ilono^'^ Magist" consenting
hereto. 14 October 1672. William Torrey, Cleric.
The magist" consent thereto prouided a farme of a mile square 640 acres,
he layd out w'^in this liounds for the countrys vse in such place as is not
already Appropriated toany — their brethren the deputyes hereto consent-
ing. And that Miyor Willard, Ralph Houghton & Jno Prescot see it
donne.
Consented to by y* deputies Edwd Rawson Secretary
18 , 8 . 72 William Torrey, Cleric.
Why the report was not approved until thirteen
vears after the actual survey, and six years after the
death of the surveyor, does not appear in records.
Neither is there further allusion anywhere found to the
mile appropriated for the State, and the provision was
perhaps disregarded at first and finally overlooked.
The measurements of the survey were made with the
liberal allowance usual at that time in laying out town
grants, and can hardly be explained by the allowance
for swag of chain and irregularity of ground, that
being customarily only about one rod in thirty. The
ten-mile line of Noyes was, by modern methods of
survey, over eleven miles in length, and the other di-
mensions were proportionably generous. The method
of defining the limits of a purchase from the Indians,
by distances and courses from a central point, was not
unique. Major Simon AVillard, in bargaining for
Concord in 1636, " poynting to the four quarters of
the world, declared that they had bought three miles
from that place east, west, north and south, and the
s'' Indians manifested their free consent thereto." So
Sholan and the white men probably stood, in 1642, at
the wading-place of the Nashaway, which was very
near the bridge known as Atherton's, and agreed
upon the transfer of a tract of land five miles north-
erly, five miles southerly, five miles easterly and three
miles to the westward. John Prescott, who was per-
haps present at the time of purchase, and certainly
the only one of the first proprietors now resident in
the town, and acquainted with the exact terms of the
compact, accompanied Noyes to see that the mutual
intention of grantor and grantees was satisfied. It is
to be presumed that the three-mile base-line was run
twenty-three and one-half degrees north of a true east
and west course, to accord with Prescott's knowledge
LANCASTER.
11
of that intent. In running the southern boundary
Noyes came upon the north line of the Whipsufferage
plantation, which had been settled by court grant and
laid out the year before. He could not therefore com-
plete the rectangle called for by Sholan's deed, but
added a sufficient triangle on the east to make up for
that cut otr by this Marlborough grant. The original
Lll TLETOi
NOYES- SUF{y£Y, I6SS
"TM£ mile"
"NE.W GfiANT" 5URVev./7//
TOWN I-/M/TS /ase.
nAO/VG PLACES X
territory of Lancaster was therefore an irregular pen-
tagon containing, by Noyes' record of survey, eighty
and two-tenths square miles, but actually embracing
not far from one hundred.
The extent of their magnificent realm and its ca-
pacity for human support seems to have dawned upon
the town after the viewing of their boundaries, for this
year the restriction of families to thirty-five was re-
scinded, and a new policy declared that "soe many in-
habitants bee admitted as may be meetly accommo-
dated, provided they are such as are acceptable."
From his letters it may fairly be inferred that Master
Tinker was neither by physical constitution nor tastes
well .adapted to the rough life of the pioneers, and this,
added to the fact that his ambition and abilities natur-
ally demanded a larger sphere for their exercise, de-
prived Lancaster of his services. In June, 1C59, he
had removed to New London, Ct., and died three years
later, when on the high road to wealth and political
preferment. There were accepted as citizens during
the year before, Major Simon Willard, Jona.s Fair-
banks, Roger Sumner, Gamaliel Beman. Thomas Wil-
der and Daniel Gaiens. Wilder was at once appointed
selectman in place of John Tinker, bought the lot
next north of the trucking-house and there resided
for the rest of his life. He came from Charlestown.
Roger Sumner was of Dorchester, and was, like Wilder,
a freeman. He had, in 1656, married Mary, the daugh-
ter of Thomas Joslin. He seems to have been the
first deacon in the Lancaster Church, although but
twenty-eight years of age; being dismissed from the
Dorchester congregation August 26, 1660, " that with
other Christians at Lancaster a Church might be begun
there." At this date doubtless Mr. Rowlandson was
ordained — though no record of such fact is found —
and the church thus formally organized. Beman also
came from Dorchester, bringing a large family. Both
he and Sumner were assigned home-lots upon the
Neck. Jonas Fairbanks, of Dedham, and Lydia Pres-
cott, the youngest daughter of John, were the first
couple whose marriage was solemnized within the
limits of Lancaster, the ceremony being performed by
John Tinker by authority of special license. They
set up their roof-tree upon the next lot south of Pres-
cott's on George Hill, now owned by Jonas Goss.
Daniel Gaiens, so far as is known, brought no family
with him. He was assigned a house-lot between Rugg
and Kerly in the George Hill range.
Major Willard succeeded to the greater portion of
Tinker's Lancaster land rights, and occupied the house
before often mentioned as the first built in the town.
Its site is in the garden of Caleb T. Symmes. Whether
the major rebuilt or enlarged the dwelling which had
been occupied successively by W^aters, Hall, Smith
and Tinker is not told, but the Willard home must
have been of ample proportions to fill the needs of his
natural and enforced hospitality as a magistrate, and
also furnish the suitable accommodations for a garri-
son and military headquarters. That it was a substan-
tial stnicture, largely of brick or stone, we know from
the fact that at its abandonment in 1676 it was partially
blown up, which means would not have been used
if fire alone could have effected its destruction. It was
probably surrounded by a stockade, being the chief
garrison. Here Major Willard lived for about thir-
teen years, often called from home for public duty,
now in Council, now in " Keeping County Courts," now
in exercise of his military office.
The three commissioners continued to appoint select-
men until, in March, 1664, the town leg.illy assembled
confirmed all that had been done and recorded in past
years, and elected Major Willard, John Prescott,
Thomas Wilder, John Roper and Ralph Houghton
selectmen, empowering them "to order all the pru-
dencial afairs of the towne only they are not to dispose
of lands." This action of the people was accompanied
with a request to the commissioners to ratify their
doings and allow them thereafter the full liberty of a
town, to which they gladly consented. The General
Court did not formally discharge the commissioners,
however, until May 7, 1672.
12
HISTORY OF WORCESTER COUNTY, MASSACHUSETTS.
For several yeara the town's affairs apparently moved
on in very quiet fashion. Lancaster had become a
vigorous, healthful community, with as much indi-
viduality as the jealously paternal nature of the colo-
nial government would permit. The few scant records
of town-meetings tell only of the harmonious and com-
monplace, for under the discreet leadership of Major
Willard and Prescott the contentious and the busy-
bodies were soon silenced. That a minority existed
who led unedifying lives in the midst of the children
of grace is now and then disclosed by the Middlesex
County Court records, but seldom were the sins of
these such as would call for any court's attention now-
adays.
A sermon-scorner, Edmund Parker, who lived
squalidly in a hovel, was arraigned, convicted and ad-
monished "for neglect of God's public worship;"
Daniel James was presented before the grand jury
"for living from under family government;'" John
Adams was summoned to answer "for lying and false
dealing;" William Liucorne "for forcing of himselfe
into the towne as an Inhabitant," contrary to law, was
warned out and had his goods attached to secure the
fine. Nothing more criminal than the.se examples ap-
pears. It may be deemed rather complimentary than
otherwise that the town was once presented for not
having stocks; it had no use for them.
January 2, 1G71, Cyprian Stevens married Mary,
the daughter of Simon Willard, and the next year is
found in possession of the " Houseings, Barns, Sta-
bles, Orchards, Lands, Entervales, meadow lying and
being in Lancaster," lately the property of his father-
in-law, who had removed to his Xonaicoiacus Farm,
then within the bounds of Groton.
No record of the town's doings between 1G71 and
1717 are found, save in the register of the proprietors'
divisions of common land. This lamentable gap in
the manuscript annals of the town is by tradition
attributed to the loss of a volume of records by fire.
Whatever church records may have existed prior to
the pastorate of Rev. John Prentice, in 1708, have
likewise disappeared. The facts of the town's history
for this period of forty-six years must be chiefly
gleaned from county and State archives.
Daniel Gookin, writing the year previous to the
breaking out of war with the Wampanoags, says the
Nashaways had become reduced by disease and battle
with the Mohawks to fifteen or sixteen families ; that
is, to less than two hundred men, women and children.
Matthew, the Englishmen's friend, was dead, and his
nephew, the treacherous Sam, alias Shoshanim, alias
Upchattuck, reigned in his place. The tribe was not
only few in numbers, but sadly degenerate. In fact,
the average savage was always a dirty loafer, often
besotted, who would not work so long as he could
beg or live upon the toil of the women of his wigwam.
The tidy English housewife shuddered whenever she
flaw one entering her kitchen. His habits were
repulsive, his presence unsavory, his api>etite insa-
tiate. He was quick to take offence, and never forgot
an injury or slight.
The Nashaways at first stood in great awe of the
white men as superior beings ; feared their far-reach-
ing muskets ; hoped for their protection against the
predatory Mohawks, and craved the hatchets, knives
and other skilled handiwork of the smiths, and the
cloths, kettles, fish-hooks and gewgaws of their traders-
In Sholan's day the strangers were few and gracious,
brought with them valued arts, and were much to be
desired as neighbors. But familiarity cast out awe
and was fatal to mutual respect. The younger war-
riors, after a time, began to look askance at the
increasing power, encroachments and meddlesome-
ness of the English, and the planters made little con-
cealment of their contemjit for the communists of the
forest. When, in 1663, the Mohawks made a san-
guinaiy raid into Central Massachusetts, the white
men stood aloof, offering no aid to the children of the
soil against the marauders. When again, in 16G9, the
Nashaways, Nipmucks and other Jlassachusetts tribes
combined in an expedition to wreak vengeance upon
their life-long foes, the English proffered no assist-
ance. This species of neighborliness was not likely
to be forgotten by the defeated warriors. Most of the
braves now possessed guns and had learned to use
them with more or less skill.
So early as 1653, George Adams, who lived at Wa-
tertown, but claimed proprietorship in Lancaster, was ■
convicted of selling guns and strong waters to Indians,
and, haviug nothing to satisfy the law, was ordered to
be severely whipped the next lecture day at Boston.
When a valuable otter or beaver skin could be got in
exchange for two or three quarts of cheap rum, the
temptation was too great for Adams, and he was per-
haps neither poorer nor less honest than other traders.
Even John Tinker broke the law, by his own confes-
sion. The red men had not learned the white man's
art of transmuting grain into intoxicating drink, but
they had quickly acquired the taste for rum, and like
wilful children indulged their appetites without
restraint when opportunity offered.
Then, as now, there were stringent laws restrictive
and prohibitory respecting the sale of strong drink.
Then, as now, these laws were evaded everywhere and
constantly. Then two sure roads to financial pros-
perity were the keeping of a dram-shop and buying
furs of Indians. What with the refusal to aid against
the Mohawks, the peddling of rum, the greed of the
peltry-buyers, and the nagging of proselyting preach-
ers and laymen — very few of whom possessed a tithe
of the prudence and willingness to make haste slowly
which characterized the Apostle Eliot — it is hardly to
be accounted strange that degenerate sagamores,
succeeding the generous Sholan and ]\Iatthew, fol-
lowed their savage instincts ; and that a harvest of
blood followed where folly had planted.
Early in June, 1675, before the actual breaking out
of hostilities between the coloni,sts and the Wampa-
LANCASTER.
13
noags, it was suspected that Philip had solicited the
assistance of the Nipmucks, and agents were sent to
discover tlieir intentions. The Nashaways were ap-
parently not distrusted. The agents were deceived,
and returned with renewed pledges of friendship from
the older chiefs. A shrewder messenger, Ephraim
Curtis, familiar with Indian wiles, in July came from
a similar mission, bringing news that startled the
Governor and Council from their fancied security.
The inland clans were already mustering for war, and
with them were Shoshanim and Monoco, leading the !
Nashaways. The Council promptly sent a mounted
troop to treat with the savages, or if needful to " en-
deavor to reduce them by force of arms." Counting,
in their foolish self-confidence, one trooper equal to
ten Indians, this platoon, which should have been a
battalion, invited ambush and met disastrous defeat
at Menameset, August 2d. Major Willard, at the head
of less than fiftj' men, set out from Lancaster on the
morning of August 4th, under instructions from the
Council "to look after some Indiana to the westward
of Lancaster," probably the Nashaways. While on
the march, new.s came to him that Brookfield was
beleaguered, and he hastened to the rescue, re-enforc-
ing the besieged garrison the same night. In that
quarter he remained until September 8th, five or six
companies arriving from the Bay to join his command.
Lancaster and Groton were thus stripped of their
natural defenders, and wily foes recognized the
opportunity.
The Nashaways, led by their two bloodthirsty and !
cunning sachems, Sam and One-eyed John — who was
also known as Monoco and Apequinash — had been
conspicuous in the Brookfield fight. On the 15th
of August, in the evening, Captain Mosley with a
company of sixty dragoons arrived at Lancaster,
having been sent thither by Major Willard to pursue
a band of savages, reported to be skulking in the
woods about the frontier settlements. On the 16th
Mosley started out in search of the enemy, but their
chief, Monoco, intimately acquainted with all the
region around, warily avoided the troopers, got into
their rear, and on August 22d made a bloody raid upon
Lancaster. Daniel ( rookin says that twenty of Philip's
warriors were with Monoco, and this is plausible, for
Philip, who came into the camp of the Quabaugs with
the small remnant of his tribe the day after the siege
of Brookfield was raised by Major Willard, there met
the one-eyed sachem and gave him a generous present
of'wampum. From that time Philip seems to have
been no more seen in battle, and if his men fought at
all, it must have been under other leaders.
Monoco gave no quarter. The foray was made in
the afternoon of Sunday. The house of Mordecai
McLeod, which was the northernmost in the town
situated somewhere near the North Village Cemetery,
was burned, and McLeod with bis wife and two
children were murdered. The same day three other
men were slain, and a day or two after a fourth, all
of whom were mangled in a barbarous manner. Two
of these victims, George Bennett and Jacob Farrar,
Jr., were heads of Lancaster families; the others,
William Flagg and Joseph Wheeler, were probably
soldiers detailed for service here from Watertown and
Concord. This massacre was but the prelude to a
more terrible tragedy, the most sanguinary episode in
Lancaster history.
Over thirty years had passed since the building of
the first dwelling in the Nashua Valley. There had
been one hundred and eighty-one recorded births in
the town, and, including the recent murders by the
savages, there had been but fifty-eight deaths. Ten
of the oldest planters had died in Lancaster and five
elsewhere : Thomas Rowlandson, Thomas James,
Thomas Joslin, John Whitcomb, Stephen Gates,
John Tinker, Edward Breck, Richard Linton, Thomas
Wilder, Steven Day, Philip Knight, John Smith,
William Kerly, William Lewis, John White. The
sons, as they reached manhood, had usually sought
wives among their neighbors' daughters, built homes
on the paternal acres, and their families grew apace.
John Prescott could number thirty-five grandchil-
dren, nearly all living in sight of the old trucking,
house. With its two mills, its skilled mechanics, its
spinning-wheels buzzing in every cottage, the town
was independent of the world. Its nearest neighbors
were Groton and Marlborough, ten miles away.
Numerous barns and granaries attested the farmers'
prosperity. Cattle, horses, sheep, swine and poultry
had multiplied exceidingly. Time and thrift had
increased domestic comforts. Frame houses, in
which the windows, though small, were glazed, had
succeeded the gloomy log-cabins. Orchards had
come into bearing and yielded bountifully. All
kinds of grain flourished. Wheat was received for
taxes at six shillings the bushel, corn at three shil-
lings six pence, and apples were sold at a shilling
per bushel. Potatoes were unknown until fifty years
later, but of most other vegetables, and especially of
peas, beans and turnips, large crops were raised.
The dwellings, as at first, were mainly in two scat-
tered groups of about equal numbers, one occupying
the Neck, the other extending along the slope of
George Hill. But Prescott with two of his sons now
lived near his grist and saw-mills, a mile to the south,
the "mill-path" leading thither. John Moorelind
James Butler had built upi^n Wataquadock. Several
of the houses were more or less fortified, being fur-
nished with flankers or surrounded with a stockade.
Of those known were: Prescott's, at the mills; Rich-
ard AVheeler's, in South Lancaster ; Thomas Saw-
yer's, not far north from the house of Sally Case, his
descendant ; Rev. Joseph Rowlandson's and Cyprian
Stevens'. It is supposed that a few soldiers from
the older towns were distributed among these garri-
sons.
The Christian Indians, despite the flagrant abuse
with which they were treated after the breaking out
14
HISTORY OF WORCESTER COUNTY, MASSACHUSETTS.
of war, generally proved faithful to the English, and
their services as scouts were invaluable. Among
these none deserves better to be honored in Lancas-
ter story than James Wiser, alias Qtianapaug or
Quanapohit, whose courage and fidelity would have
saved the town from the massacre of 1676, had not
his timely warning been unwisely discredited by the
apparently lethargic Governor and his slumberous
Council.
Quanapaug was a Xashaway, for he owned lands at
Washacum in 1670. He was so noted for his brave
conduct in the contests between the English and the
Wampanoags, when he served as captain of the Chris-
tian Indians, that Philip had given orders to his lieu-
tenants that he must be shown no mercy if captured.
Governor Leveret having ordered that scouts should
be sent out to ascertain something of the numbers,
condition and plans of the foe, Major Gookin selected
James Quanapaug and Job Kattenanit for this peril-
ous enterprise, and these two men, carrying a little
" parcht meal " for sustenance and armed only with
knives and hatchets, made the terrible journey of
eighty miles upon .snow-shoes to the Indians' camp
at Menameset, setting out from Cambridge December
30th. They were greatly mistrusted and their lives
threatened by some of the Indians ; but fortunately
James found a powerful friend in Monoco, who re-
spected him as a brave comrade in the Mohawk War,
and took him into his own wigwam. But James
knew that his every motion was watched by suspi-
cious enemies, and that even Monoco's protection
might be powerless in the presence of Philip, who
was expected soon. Finding that a meeting with
that dangerous personage was inevitable if he de-
layed longer, and having effected the main purpose of
his errand, he escaped by stratagem, and on the 24th
of January, 1676, brought to the Massachusetts au-
thorities full information respecting the hostile camp,
and especially the intentions of the sagamores ; Mo-
noco declaring that "they would fall upon Lancaster,
Groton, Marlborough, Sudbury and Medfield, and
that the first thing they would do should be to cut
down Lancaster bridge, so to hinder their flight and
assistance coming to them, and that they intended to
fall upon them in about twenty days from Wednesday
last."
It can scarcely be believed, but the result proves
that no heed was paid to this seasonable warning;
no steps were taken to ward off the coming blow. A
body of troops, who had been in pursuit of the flee-
ing Narragansetts not far from Marlborough, had,
less than a week before, because of a lack of provi-
sions, been withdrawn to Boston instead of being
used to garrison tlie threatened towns. Even the
chief military ofiicer of the State, Daniel Gookin,
afterwards confessed that the report of Quanapaug
" was not then credited as it should have been, and
consequently no so good means used to prevent it, or
at least to have lain in ambushments for the enemy."
The fact is, little energy or skill of generalship was
shown then or afterwards, and the savages wreaked
their vengeance in due time upon all the towns
named according to Monoco's programme.
Meanwhile some premonition of the approaching
tempest reached the valley of the Nashua, and in
fear and discouragement the people wrought at such
defences as were possible. The outlying houses were
abandoned or visited only by day. The chief mili-
tary officer, Henry Kerly, the minister and perhaps
some of the other prominent citizens finally went to
Boston to beg for additional soldiers. In their ab-
sence the storm burst upon the devoted town. About
ten o'clock at night of the 9th of February, Job
Kattenanit reached the door of Major Gookin in
Cambridge, half dead with fatigue. He had left his
wife and children in the hostile camp at New Brain-
tree, and traveled night and day to notify his Eng-
lish friends of their imminent peril. He confirmed
every word that his fellow-spy, Quanapaug, had
told. On the morrow Lancaster was to be assaulted,
and Job had seen the war-party of " about 400 " start
out upon their bloody errand.
Shortly after the attack upon the Narragansett
fort, December 19th, the remnant of that tribe, of
which about five hundred were reputed "stout war-
riors," abandoned their homes. Late in January
they joined the Quabaugs and Nashaways in their
winter-quarters. The snow lay deep in the woods
and the weather had been of unwonted severity, but
before the close of the month a thaw suddenly swept
away the snow, and the country became again passa-
ble. Philip, with his feeble following, seems to have
lost that importance as a military leader which
tr.adition has persisted in attributing to him, and had
become at best only an artful political general ; mali-
ciously instigating animosities, but never appearing
in the fight, and often overruled in council. Quana-
paug reported the fighting men at Menameset to be
"the Nipmuk Indians, the Qnabaug Indians, the
Pacachooge Indians, the Weshakum and Nashaway
Indians.'' The accession of the Narragansetts more
than doubled the force, and a part of them partici-
pated in the raid upon Lancaster, which was led by
Shoshanira and Monoco, of Nashaway, Muttaump, of
Quabaug, Quinnapin, a Narragansett sachem, bro-
ther-in-law of Philip, and probably Pakashoag and
Matoonas, of the Nipmucks. The unqualified state-
ment made by Rev. Timothy Harrington, in his
Century Sermon, that Philip was present at the
burning of Lancaster with fifteen hundred men, it
must be said, wholly lacks the support of any con-
temporary authority. Sewall in his diary speaks of
Maliompe (alias of Muttaump) as "the general at
Lanca.ster;" and some slight deference may have
been paid to that sachem by the otiiers to ensure
concert of action ; but Sagamore Sam and Monoco
doubtless planned the attack. From his prominence
in the subsequent correspondence with the authorities
LANCASTER.
15
and the price set upon his head, it is evident that in
popular estimation, Shoshanim was at least second
devil, Philip being first.
Awakened to the emergency, Major Gookin has-
tened to consult with his neighbor, Thomas Danforth,
a member of the Council, and a post-rider was at
once despatched to order what soldiers there were
stationed at Concord and Marlborough to the aid of
Lancaster. About forty men, the company of Cap-
tain Wadsworth, were on duty at the latter place.
Upon the arrival of the messenger at break of
day, Thursday, February 10th, this little force, under
their gallant commander, marched immediately for
I^ancaster Bridge, ten miles distant. They reached it
to find the planks removed so as effectually to prevent
the passage of horsemen — the river being unfordable
at that season ; but the troopers did not arrive to be
of assistance. Captain Wadsworth forced his way
over, and, avoiding an ambush laid on the main
road, safely marched by another route to the garri-
son-house of Cyprian Stevens, near the North Bridge,
and only a rifle-shot distant from the minister's.
The assault of the savages was made at sunrise,
and simultaneously in five places. The people were
nearly all in shelter of the feebly fortified garrison-
houses. John Ball, who had for some reason re-
mained in his own dwelling, was butchered together
with his wife and an infant; and two older children
were carried away captive. Though the position of
Ball's house is not e-xactly known, it was probably on
the George Hill range. At John Prescott's, his
grandson, Ephraim Sawyer, was killed. Of the gar-
rison of Richard Wheeler, which was in Soutli Lan-
caster, five were slain : Richard Wheeler, Jonas Fair-
banks, Joshua Fairbanks, Henry Farrar and another
unknown. The first three were shot by Indians, who
climbed upon the roof of the barn and could thence
fire down over the palisades. The other two were
waylaid while out of the garrison upon some errand.
But the chief slaughter was at the central garrison,
that of the minister. For about two hours the sav-
ages beset this house in overwhelming numbers,
pouring bullets upon it " like hail," and wounding
several of its defenders, among whom was the com-
mander. Ensign John Divoll. Unfortunately there
was no stockade about the house and its rear flanker
was unfinished and useless. The besiegers were
therefore able, without much exposure, to push a
cart loaded with flax and hemp from the barn, up
against a lean-to in the rear, and fire it. One heroic
man rushed out and extinguished the kindling
flames ; but a renewal of the attempt succeeded, and
soon the inmates of the burning house had to choose
between death by fire and the merciless rage of the
yelling demons that stood in wait for them without.
There were forty-two persons in the dwelling accord-
ing to the best contemporary authorities, of whom
twelve were men. By some marvel of daring or
speed or strategy, Ephraim Roper burst through the
horde of savages and escaped. Eleven men were
killed, and the women and children that survived
this day of horrors were dragged away captive.
We gather our knowledge of the incidents of the
massacre and captivity mostly from the pious narra-
tive of Mrs. Rowlandson, first printed in 1682. No
literary work of its period in .America can boast equal
evidence of enduring popular favor with this of a
comparatively uneducated Lancaster woman ; and
very few books in any age or tongue have been hon-
ored with more editions, if we except the imagina-
tive masterpieces of inspired genius. Mrs. Rowland-
son states that there were thirty-seven in the house,
and that twenty-four were carried captive, twelve
were slain and one escaped. It is probable that she
omits five soldiers casually stationed in the garrison.
She gives no names and a full list of the victims can-
not now be made. The following includes all that
are known :
Kilhd in Rowlandson Garrison.
Dnsi^n John Divoll.
.loeiah Divoll, son of John, aged 7.
Daniel Gilins.
Abraham Joslin, aged 26.
John M.icljoud.
Thomas Rowlandson, nephew of the minister, aged 19.
-lohn Kettle, aged 36.
John Kettle, .Tr.
.Joseph Kettle, son of J«hn, aged 10.
Mrs Elizabeth Kerley, wife of Lieut. Henry.
William Kerley, son of Lieut. Henry, aged 17.
Joseph Kerley, do., aged 7.
Mre Priscilla Roper, wife of Ephraim.
Prlscilla, child of Ephraim, aged 3.
14
Carried Captive from Roivlandmn Garrison.
Mrs Mary Rowlandson, wife of the minister, ransomed.
Mary Rowlandson, daughter of the minister, aged 10. ransomed.
Sarah Rowlandson, do., aged fi, wounded k died Feb. 18.
.Foseph Rowlandson, son of the minister, aged 13, ransomed.
Mrs Hannah Divoll, wife of Ensign John, ransomed.
lohn Divoll, son of Ensign John, aged 12, died captive?
William Divoll, do., aged 4, ransomed.
Hannah Divoll, daughter of do., aged 9, died captive?
Mrs Ann Joslin, wife of Abraham, killed in captivity.
Beatrice Joslin, daughter of Abraham. do.
Joseph Joslin, brother of Abraham, aged 16.
Henry Kerley, son of Lieut. Henry, aged IS.
Hannah Kerley, daughter of do., aged 13.
jMary Kerley, do., aged 10.
Martha Kerley, do., aged 4.
.\ child Kerley, name A age unknown.
Mrs Elizabeth Kettle, wife of John, ransomed.
Sarah Kettle, d.a\ighter of John, aged 14, escaped.
Jonathan Kettle, son of John, aged 5.
A child Kettle, daughter do. 20
Ephraim Roper alone escaped during the assault. 1
One of Wadworth's soldiers, George Harrington,
was slain near Prescott's Mills, a few days later, and
John Roper fell on the day the town was abandoned.
.\8 the total casualties by reliable authorities were
fifty-five, the names of seven sufliereis remain un-
known. The other garri.sons made successful resis-
tance, and the Indians, after plundering and burn-
ing most of tlie abandoned houses, withdrew with
their terror-stricken prisoners to the summit of
16
HISTORY^ OF WOKCESTER COUNTY, MASSACHUSETTS.
George Hill, and passed that night in triumphal
orgies, cooking and feasting on the spoils of the
farm-yards and storehouses. "This," writes Mrs.
Rowlandson, "was the dolefullest night that ever my
eyes saw. Oh, the roaring and singing, and dancing
and yelling of those lilack creatures in the ni^ht,
which made the place a lively resemblance of hell."
By Saturday afternoon most of the blood-stained
crew were again in their camps at Menameset.
The mounted cump:inies arrived the next day, and
drove away the skulkers engaged in jilunder. The
minister and Captain Kerly returned in time to as-
sist in burying the mangled and charred relics of
their dead relatives and neighbors. Those of the in-
habitants who had a place of retreat in the seaward
towns and means to remove, soon fled, and those who
were forced to remain behind crowded into the
strong garrisons of Thomas Sawyer and Cyprian
Stevens. With them were eighteen soldiers. Thence
they sent forth, March 11th, an eloquently pitiful ap-
peal to the Governor and Council for help to re-
move to a place of safety.
On March 2tith, Major Willard sent a troop of
forty horsemen, with carts, who carried the sur-
vivors and some portion of their goods and provi-
sions to Concord. The buildings not before de-
stroyed were soon after burned by the Indians, two
only being left standing in the town — presumably
those of Butler and Moore, upon Wataquadock.
The valley of the Nashua, blood-stained and dis-
figured by fire-blackened ruins, lay desolate, and so
remained during four years. The quick succeeding
raids of the stealthy foe spread dismay even to the
sea-coast throughout the English plantations. No
outlying town but experienced their barbarity, and
several were abandoned. The contest, one of racial
antipathy, was now mutually recognized as for ex-
istence. In the knowledge of the horrors of defeat,
the white men fought with the courage of despera-
tion, and soon learned to meet the cunning tactics of
the savages with superior wiles. The Indians, un-
able to procure a regular supply of food, and often
nearly starved, were gathered into villages on both
sides of the Connecticut a few miles above North-
field. Early in April the head sachem of the Nar-
ragansetts, Canonchet, whose controlling genius held
together the incongruous alliance of rival tribes, was
fortunately captured and put to death. Distrust and
jealousy soon Ijegan their work, and a few days later
Philip was on his way with the Nashaways to their
hunting-grounds about Wachusett. Quinnai)in ac-
companied him, with a portion of the Narragansetts,
and with him was Mrs. Rowlandson, his prisoner, the
servant of Weetamoo, one of his three wives. A ma-
jority of the Nipniucks and Quabaugs soon joined
them.
Messengers were sent to Wachusett by the authori-
ties at Boston to negotiate for the redemption of the
captives and especially Mrs. Rowlandson. Philip
fiercely opposed any bargaining with the English, but
his blood-thirsty counsels no longer found listening
ear*. Some of the prisoners had fallen under the
tomahawk, and others had succumbed to exposure
and starvation. Most of the survivors were freed
during May, for a stipulated ransom. The Nashaway
sagamore, though yet far from humble, was evidently
tired of hostilities. If we may believe his own letter
to the Governor, he even journeyed to the villages of
the river Indians to recover certain captives there.
In his absence. Captain Henchman, under the guid-
ance of Tom Dublet, an Indian scout, surprised a
party of thirty-six Indians fishing at Washacum, of
whom he killed seven and captured the others. The
prisoner^i were mostly women and children, and
among thera were the wives and sons of Shoshanim
and Muttaump. After this stroke of ill fortune, the
proud boasting of the sagamores was turned to ser-
vile supplication. Philip and Quinnapin, fearing
treachery, fled to their own land.
Early in September, the harassed and repentant
chiefs, Shoshanim, Monoco and JIuttaump, worn out
with privation and trusting to some alleged promise
of pardon from the Council, surrendered themselves
and their men at Cocheco. September 26th, the
three sagamores with others were hanged at Boston.
Their wives and children, with other undistinguished
captives, were sold as slaves and shipped to the Ber-
mudas. The score or two of the Nashaways that may
have escaped or were allowed to go free joined the
Pennacooks. The Indian who captured Hannah
Dustin, in 1697, and was killed by her, was one who
had lived in Lancaster. A few who had embraced
Christianity, like Quanapaug and George Tahanto,
probably dwelt at Natick. The tribal history of the
Nashaways had reached its finis.
CHAPTER III.
t,A.NCASrER-( Co)iiiinied.)
Tlte liMtillcjtuut — French and l)idia}i Ituidg — The Garrisons — New Metting-
hcntse — The Additional Grant — Early Srhool-mnMers — Laveweirs U'nr —
Worcester Conntij Fonned — Birth of Harvard^ Bolton and I^ominsttr
— Sieges of (Jarlhageiia and Louisbonrg—The Conquest of Canada.
The Lancaster exiles were widely scattered as they
■iought refuge with relatives and friends in the Bay
towns. Many of them, so soon as bullet and gallows
had avenged their slain kindred and made return
possible, looked with longing towards their farms, or-
chards and gardens, purchased so dearly with years
i)f toil and anxiety, and final blood sacrifice. But
first shelter had to be built and leave of court ob-
tained ; for the re-occupation of a deserted town, by
an order of General Court, was placed in the same
class with new plantations, requiring preliminary
petition and the appointment of a fatherly committee
LANCASTEK.
11
to view, aud hear, and consider, and order, and enjoin
obedience to, a form and manner of resettlement.
Probably some buildings were erected and some of
the proprietors were upon their lands when John
Prcscott, with two of his sons, his two sons-in-law,
Thomas Sawyer and John Rugg, his grandson,
Thomas Sawyer, Jr., and Thomas Wilder, John
Moore and Josiah White, sent to the'court their pe-
tition, in 1679, asking for a committee that they
Blight, together with others, speedily " proceed to set-
tle the i)lace with comfort and encouragement." The
committee were appointed and, although no record of
their conclusions is known to exist, births in Lancas-
ter were recorded during 1679 and 16S0. In 1681
seventeen or eighteen families had returned and peti-
tioned for exemption from " country rates " success-
fully.
Their minister was not with them. In April, 1677,
Mr. Rowlandson had accepted liberal offers from
Wethorsfield, and was settled as colleague to Rev.
Gershom Bulkeley. In that oiBce he died, aged forty-
seven years, November 24, 1678, " much lamented."
In December, 1681, John Prescott, the founder and
the oldest inhabitant of the town, died. The meet-
ing-house having been burned during or afler the
destruction of the town, a new one was built upon
the same site, probably in 1684. Among the new-
comers was Samuel Carter, a graduate of Harvard
College in 1660, who bought the Kerly homestead
on George Hill, and probably served the people as
teacher and minister for a time, but accepted a call to
Groton in 1692. His sons continued in Lancaster,
and the femily so multiplied that the Carters soon
rivaled the Wilders and Willards in the town census.
William Woodrop and Edward Oakes also temporarily
preached here, but there was no regular pastor until
December 3, 1690, when John Whiting, a Harvard
graduate of 1685, was ordained, after preaching on
probation for nine months.
Upon the revolutionary deposition of Andros by the
people, in 1689, the magistrates and other prominent
gentlemen of the colony recommended the towns to
Bend instructed delegates to form an Assembly and
assume the responsibility of reorganizing the govern-
ment until orders should be received from England.
Lancaster's action in response was the election of
Ralph Houghton as representative, instructed to favor
there-assumption of government by the Governor and
assistants elected in 1686. This seems to have been
the last public service of Ralph Houghton for the
town. He spent the declining years of life with a
son in Milton, where he died in 1705. At his departure
the most able man of affairs in the town was John
Houghton, second of the name, and upon him the
duties of town clerk devolved.
Soon the horrors of Indian warfare again menaced
the frontier, and a general retreat of the inhabitants
was imminent, when a special act was passed forbid-
ding removal from outlying towns under severe pen-
2
alty. One of the towns named in the act was Lan-
caster. Some hunters, in April, 1692, reported seeing
about three hundred Indians in the neighborhood of
Wachusett, and they were suspected of hostile designs.
By day or night mothers grew pale at every half-heard
cry of bird or beast, imagining it the death-shriek of
a dear one, or the dread war-whoop of the savage.
The able-bodied men and boys had to delve all day in
the planting seasim, or expect to starve the next
winter, and their uuintermitting toil ill fitted them to
watch every second night, as they were obliged to do
in garrison. If they remained in their unfortified
houses they were exposed to worse than death in case
of an attack. But they could hope for little help from
the Bay towns.
There were now eight garrisons in Lancaster : —
Josiah White's, of ten men, upon the east side of the
Neck; Philip Goss', nine men, near the North River
bridge ; Thomas Sawyer's, eleven men, in central
South Lancaster; Nathaniel Wilder's, eight men, at
the old trucking-house site on George Hill ; Ephraim
Roper's, seven men, a little to the north of Wilder's;
Lieut. Thomas Wilder's, thirteen men, on the Old
Common; Ensign John Moore's, eight men, on Wata-
quadock; Henry Willard's, eight men, at Still River.
These embraced fifty families, and indicate a popula-
tion of about two hundred and seventy-five.
July 18, 1692, a small band of Indians surprised
the family of Peter Joslin, on the west side of the
Neck, while he was absent in the field, killed Mrs.
Sarah Joslin, Mrs. Hannah Whitcomb and three
young children, and took away as prisoners Elizabeth
Howe, the sister of Mrs. Joslin, and Peter Joslin, aged
about six years. The boy was butchered in the wilder-
ness. Elizabeth, a girl of sixteen years, when the
Indians approached the house, was singing at the
spinning-wheel, and tradition says escaped the fate of
her sister because of her captors' admiration for her
song. She was ransomed from Canada after four years
of captivity.
For several years the townspeople lived in a state of
continual " watch and ward," plowing, sowing and
reaping in fear of the skulking, relentless foe. There
were occasional alarms, the garrisons were strength-
ened at great expense of labor, and in them the whole
community huddled together for defence at every
rumor of danger. The town became very much im-
poverished, and the General Court allowed them
twenty pounds " for encouragement," October 20, 1694.
One Sabbath, in the autumn of 1695, Abraham
Wheeler, when on his way from Sawyer's garrison to
his own house near the river, was mortally wounded
by an Indian lying in wait for him. September 11,
1697, in the forenoon, when the men were many of
them in their fields or at their own houses, and the
garrison gates were open, a band of savages who had
been larking in the woodland watching for a favorable
opportunity, made a sudden dash upon the western
portion of the settlement. Their plan had been to
18
HISTORY OF WORCESTER COUNTY, MASSACHUSETTS.
first carry by assault the garrison of Thomas Sawyer, 1
but as they were preparing to rush upon it, Jabez
Fairbank galloped at full speed into the gate coming
from his own house, and the Indians, supposing that I
they were discovered — though such was not the fact — l
turned their attack upon those in the fields and
defenceless houses. They surprised the families of ,
Ephraim Roper, the widow John Rugg, Jonathan
Fairbank, John Scateand Daniel Hudson, murdering ,
capturing or wounding nearly every member of them, j
and burning their houses and barns. Meeting the
minister, Rev. John Whiting, at a distance from the i
garrison, they attempted to take him captive, but "he
chose rather to fight to the last," and was slain and
scalped. Ephraim Roper's was a strongly garrisoned
house, and that of Daniel Hudson was lortified. The
killed numbered nineteen, the captives eight, five of
whom ultimately returned ; two others wounded, re-
covered. Capt. Thomas Brown with fifty men pursued
the enemy for two days, during which they came
upon the mangled corpse of one of the captured
women, probably Joanna or Elizabeth Hudson, whom
the retreating savages had slain.
Utterly disheartened, the people in their new dis-
tress appealed for exemption from taxes, aid to pro-
cure a minister and the help of soldiers in their gar-
risons. They were given only twenty pounds. As
temporary preachers, John Robinson, Samuel Whit-
man and John Jones served them in the pulpit, and
in May, 1701, Mr. Andrew Gardner, a Harvard grad-
uate of lt59(i, was invited to preach. The following
September he accepted an invitation to become their
settled pastor. Before this the minister's salary had
been in part paid by an annual assessment of ten
shillings upon each original home-lot. As these lots
were many of thtra abandoned, and the rule in other
respects bore unequally upon the proprietors, the Leg-
islature, upon petition, ordered the levying of their
church rate upon all inhabitants in the same way as
other taxes.
The regular garrisons in 1704 were eleven in num-
ber, and their location and the number of their fam-
ilies mark a very important change in th« growth of
the town. As one bloody raid after another strewed
the slope of George Hill with ruins, the fact that in a
military sense the east side of the rivers was much
the more secure from surprise, and the most defensible,
became obvious ; and thither the increase in popula-
tion tended. The garrisons on the Neck were : Ser-
geant Josiah White's, seven men ; Ensign Peter Jo.s-
iin'8„nine men. Those on the west side were : Rev.
Andrew Gardner's, nine men ; Lieut. Nathaniel Wil-
der's, on George Hill, seven men ; and John Pres-
cott's, four men, at the corn-mill. East of the rivers
were : At Bride Cake Plain (now the Old Common),
Capt. Thomas Wilder's, fifteen men. LTpon Wataqua-
dock and eastward: John Moore's, nine men ; Josiah
Whetcomb's, eight men ; Gamaliel Beman's, eight
men. At-Still River: Simon Willard'g, twelve men.
At Bare Hill : John Priest's, ten men. There were
seventy-six families, indicating a population of about
four hundred and twenty-five, of which two-thirds
lived on the east side of the rivers. The only inn-
keeper was Nathaniel Wilder, who had for twenty
years been " licensed to sell beer, ale, cider, rum, etc."
In the summer of 1704 a large force of French and
Indians, under " Monsieur Boocore,'' who had de-
signed the destruction of Northampton, finding that
place prepared, became disorganized. A portion re-
turned to Canada, but about four hundred determined
upon a raid eastward. On Monday, July .31st, early
in the morning, this force made a furious onslaught
upon Lancaster, and first, as usual, upon the George Hill
garrisons. The brave Lieutenant Nathaniel Wilder
was here mortally wounded. Re-inforcements from
Marlborough and other towns, under Captains William
Tyng and Thomas Howe, promptly came, and the
enemy were finally driven off with considerable loss.
Besides Lieut. Wilder, threesoldiers — Abraham Howe,
Benjamin Hutchins and John Spaulding — were killed.
A French oflBcer of note among the assailants was
also slain, " which so exasperated their spirits that in
revenge they fired the Meeting-house, killed several
cattle and burned many out-houses." Four dwellings
at least were destroyed — those of Ephraim Wilder,
Samuel Carter and Thomas Ross upon George Hill,
and that of Philip Goss near the meeting-house and
upon the same site as the Rowlandson garrison de-
stroyed in 1676.
Hostile bands continued to prowl about the frontier
towns during the summer and autumn, occasionally
scalping some unfortunate victim. During the alarm
after one of these murders a pitiful accident deprived
Lancaster of her third minister. On Thursday, Octo-
ber 26lh, in the night, Samuel Prescott — being the
sentinel on duty at the garrisoned house of Rev. An-
drew (Gardner, walking his beat within the stockade
— suddenly saw a man " coming down out of the upper
flanker," and having challenged him twice and re-
ceiving no reply, he fired upon him, in his surprise
supposing him to be " an Indian enemy." To his
own grief and horror, as well as that of the whole
community, it was found that he had mortally
wounded the minister, who had gone up into the
watch-tower over the flanker to keep guard by himself,
probably in distrust ofthe wakefulness of thesentinels,
who had been scouting in the woods all day. The
following May, Rev. John Prentice began his ministry
in Lancaster, and on December 4, lior-i, married the
widow of his predecessor. He was not ordnjned until
March '29, 1708. For nearly two years the Sabbath
exercises were held at the parsonage, there being no
meeting-house.
October 15, 1705, tl\e savages again invaded the
town. There were at this date two saw-mills in Lan-
caster, Thomas Sawyer, Jr., having, in 1608 or 1699,
built one upon Dean's — now called Goodridge's —
Brook, at the existing dam near the Deer's-horn's
LANCASTER.
19
School-house. At this mill the luJians captured
Thomas Sawyer, Jr., his son Elias, a youth of sixteen,
and John Bigelow, a carpenter of Marlborough. The
three were taken to Canada, where Sawyer was res-
cued from torture and death at the hands of his cap-
tors by the intervention of the Governor, on condition
that he and his companions would build a saw-mill
upon Chambly River. The mill was built, being the
first in all Canada, and the captives returned in safety.
Forty pounds had been granted by the General
Court, after the burning of the meeting-house in 1704,
towards the building of a new one, to be paid upon
the erection of the frame. A large majority of the
inhabitants now living upon the east side of the rivers,
it was voted in town-meeting to place the building
upon Bride Cake Plain, a mile eastward of the old
site, and there a frame was set up in 1706. The new
location roused a tempest in the community. A com-
mittee of four from other towns was appointed to
settle the dispute, and being equally divided in opinien
made the quarrel worse. Then the Council and the
Deputies took opposite sides. Finally, as winter drew
near, the majority were given their way. John
Houghton donated the land for the building site,
Thomas Wilder gave a lot for the burial-ground on
the oppos^ite side of the highway, Robert Houghton
with his assistants covered in the summer-seasoned
frame, and peace reigned once more in the parish.
In 17<I7 Jonathan White, a youth of fifteen years,
was killed by Indians, and August lOth a band killed
a woman and captured two men near Marlborough,
one of whom escaped. Tlie other, Jonathan Wilder
— whose father, Lieut. Nathaniel, had fallen three
years before — was murdered when his captors were
overtaken by a force which hastily pursued them. In
the fight that ensued, Ephraim Wilder, brother of the
captive, was severely wounded. Ensign John Farrar,
a native of Lancaster, but resident of Marlborough,
was killed. Two others of Marlborough sufferedi
Richard Singletary losing his life and Samuel Stevens
being badly wounded. The fight took place in the
northwest corner of the "Additional Grant" of Lan-
caster. For a year or two soldiers were quartered in
the town to aid in its protection. The last to be killed
by the enemy was an Indian servant of the Wilders,
August 5, 1710. He was at work in the field upon
George Hill with Nathaniel Wilder, who was wounded
at the same time.
In 1711 there were eighty-three families and four
hundred and fifty-eight inhabitants in Lancaster,
divided among twenty-seven garrisons; and twenty-
one soldiers were stationed in the town. Ten years
before the proprietors had purchased of George Tahan-
to, "in consideration of what money, namely, twelve
pounds, was formerly paid to Sholan (my uncle), some-
time sagamore of Nashuah, for the purchase of said
Township, and also six shillings formerly paid by
Insigne John Moore and John Houghton of said
Nashuah to James Wiser, alias Quenepenett (Quana-
paug), now deceased, but especially for and in con-
sideration of eighteen pounds, paid part and the rest
secured to be paid by John Houghton and Nathaniel
Wilder, their heirs, executors and assigns forever, a
certain tract of land on the west side of the westward
line of Nashuah Township. . . ." At that time pe-
tition was made to the Legislature for sanction of the
purchase, which was given, and a committee appointed
to view and report. The matter lay dormant until
February 15, 1711, when a new committee was au-
thorized and the land surveyed. June 8, 1713, the
grant was duly confirmed to the town. Certain parties
laying out new townships to the westward in 1720,
alleged that the committee surveying this grant had
given more generous measure than the terms of pur-
chase warranted, but after a year's wrangling the
bounds were again confirmed as conforming to the
marks by which the Indian grantors had designated
them. Out of this added territory have since been
shaped the two towns of Leominster and Sterling, be-
sides a considerable tract given to the Boylstons.
During 1713 and 1714 the growth of enterprise in
the town was marked by the erection of two saw-
mills — one by Samuel Bennett up the North Branch,
and the other by Jonathan Moore on Wataquadock
Brook by the Marlborough road. The town was ad-
vancing more rapidly than ever before. In December,
1715, the selectmen appeared before the County Court
to answer for not having a grammar school according
to law. This proves that there were one hundred
families within the town limits. For several years
the versatile John Houghton, conveyancer, inn-keeper,
justice, selectman, representative to General Court,
etc. — who served the town as clerk from 1(384 to 1724
— had also acted as schoolmaster, and is the first
named, although the ministers, during earlier days,
served in that capacity. Now the town jjrocured the
services of a college graduate, Mr. Pierpont, of Rox-
bury, as master of their grammar school, and no no-
tice of another is found until 1718, when Samuel
Stow, probably of Marlborough, a Harvard graduate
of 1715, was elected master at a salary of forty pounds
per annum. The minister's salary was then raised
from seventy to eighty-five pounds per year.
In 1717 Lancaster was presented "for neglecting to
repair ye great bridge," and a special town-meeting,
March 10, 1718, considered the rebuilding of the
"neck bridge." This is the first mention found of
any crossing of the Penecook save by wading-place
or canoes. The accounts of the destruction of the
town in 1G7G point plainly to the existence of two
bridges only, one upon each branch. In the discu.s-
sion of 1705 relative to the location of a new meeting-
house, the wording of a petition implies the same
condition as existing. Some cheap structure, within
the means of the impoverished town, probably was
thrown across the main river after the building of the
church upon the east side. The bridge of 1718 was
ordered to have five trestles and to be thirteen feet
20
HISTORY OF WORCESTER COUNTY, MASSACHUSETTS.
wide. Thirty-five pounds were approjtriated for its
erection ; tlie townspeople were all, liowever, expected
to assist at the raising, which douhtless was a season
of extraordinary jollification.
During Lovewell's War, as it is called, from 1722 to
172G, Lancaster was at no time entered by any con-
siderable force of Indians, but her young men were
forward in carrying the war into the enemy's country.
An act of 1722 ofl'ered one hundred pounds for the
scalp of a male Indian over twelve years of age, and
half that sum for a woman or child, dead or alive.
This proved a sufficient inducement to enlist in the
terrible perils and hardships of the scouting parties
many bold spirits under popular leaders. Of these,
Capt. John White, an associate of Lovewell, won
great repute as a successful Indian fighter. Dying in
the service, he was eulogized by a contemporary as "a
man of religion, probity, courage and conduct, and
hearty in the service of his country against the Indian
enemy." Capt. Samuel Willard here began a military
career that reflected honor upon the town, leading
what he dignified in his journals as an "army" — two
companies of about ninety men each — to and from the
head-waters of the Saco and Pemigewasset, a march
of five hundred miles through a pathless wilderness.
The numerous bands of rangers not only carried deso-
lation into the strongholds of the savage, but discov-
ered the fertile, sheltered valleys beside the beautiful
rivers and lakesof New Hampshire, and the log-cabins
of venturesome pioneers soon rising here and there
proved that the partisans had well noted the advant-
ages of the land.
Lancaster was no longer a border town, but the
mother of new frontier settlements. In a single de-
cade its population had doubled. In 1726 the meet-
ing-house had to be greatly enlarged, and two years
later the minister's salary was raised to one hundred
pounds. There were now four licensed inn-holders:
Capt. Samuel Willard, who had moved to the Neck
and probably built the hfiuse still standing near the
railway crossing; John Wright, at Still River; Oliver
Wilder, upon George Hill, and Thomas Carter, where
H. B. Stratton until lately resided. Among the chat-
tels of the latter was "one old Indian slave," valued at
twenty-fivepound-i, who lived until 1737. The orchards
of the town had become famous, and much of the fruit
was converted into cider. What was not "drunk upon
the premises" had a ready sale both at Boston and in
the new towns. Even the minister in 1728 was credited
with a product of sixty-one barrels at the cider-mill
of Judge Joseph Wilder.
About the more important garrisons little villages
had grown, where the cottagers, with their household
industries and simple wants, were almost independent
of other communities, except that all gathered at one
common meeting-house on the Sabbath to listen to
the fervid exhortation of Rev. John Prentice, and all
sought Prcscott's mill with their grist. In cases of
a broken limb or alarming illness, .Jonathan Prescott,
with his saddle-bags full of drastic drugs, galloped up
from Concord when summoned, and for an astonish-
ingly small fee. If the need of medical skill was less
pressing, the local herbalist, Doctress Mary Whitcomb,
sufficed. Edward Broughton was school-master,
graduating the length of his terms according to the
taxes contributed, now teaching on the Neck, now at
Still River or Bare Hill, or on Wataquadock, until
1727, after which, apparently, the custom came into
vogue of employing young Harvard graduates as
teachers for short terms. From fifty to sixty pounds
per annum were appropriated for the town's schools.
In 1728 a movement began looking to the formation
of a new county from certain towns of Suflblk and
Middlesex. The town was deeply interested in this
project and voted to favor it, provided the superior
courts should be held at Marlborough and two infe-
rior courts at Lancaster annually. The next year, on
February 8d, the vote was reconsidered, a new plan
being then under consideration, "for erecting a new
county in ye westerly part of ye County of Middle-
sex." The meeting favored petitioning for the new
county and chose James Wilder and Jonathan Hough-
ton to act for the town in the matter. It is traditional
that the Lancaster peojde fully expected that two
shire-towns would be designated, and that Lancaster
would be one. No hint of this, however, appears in
the recorded action of the town-meetings. Lancaster
was not only the oldest, but the wealthiest and the
most populous of the fourteen towns set oft" April 2,
1731, to form the county of Worcester. It remained
so until the Revolution was over, save that Sutton for
a brief time had a few more inhabitants. Jonathan
Houghton, of Lanc.i.ster, was chosen the first county
treasurer and Joseph Wilder was made judge of the
Court of Common Pleas.
In 1731 the first public library of Lanca-ster was
established. It comprised but a single volume,
though that was a bulky quarto of nine hundred
pages. Rev. Samuel Willard's "Complete Body of
Divinity," by vote of the town, was purchased and
kept " in the meeting-house for the town's use so that
any person may come there and read therein, as often
as they shall see cause, and said Book is not to be
carried out of the meeting-house at any time by any
person except by order of the selectmen."
A petition from a m.qjority of thope living in the
northerly part of the town in May, 1630, eng.ngcd the
attention of a special town-meeting. The proposi-
tion at first was to cut ofl^ about one-third of the
original township on the north, which, with addi-
tions from Groton and Slowe, should form the new
town. After two years' discussion at town-meetings
and in the Legislature, the town of Harvard was
created by an act published July 1, 1732. This took
from Lancaster an area of about eighteen square
miles, and included the villages which had sprung up
al)out Bare Hill and Still River.
About ten years before this some of the proprietors
LANCASTER.
21
of the "Additional Grant," Gamaliel Beman heading
the movement, had set up new homes among the hills
of Woonksechocksett, as the Indians called the re-
gion north of Washacum. Emboldened by the suc-
ce:5sful secession of the people in the northeast cor-
ner, these residents of tlie southwest corner of Lan-
caster, to the number of about a dozen householders,
petitioned for separate town organization in May,
1733. The same day there appeared a demand for
another precinct or township from some of the resi-
dents of Wataquadock and vicinity, proposing to di-
vorce from the old town all the territory east of the
rivers not taken by Harvard. Both requests received
repulse, and attempts were made to appease disaffec-
tion by the introduction of proposals to build three
new meeting-houses, so situated as better to accom-
modate the scattered population. For several years
discussion and precinct strategy made town-meetings
frequent and lively, and annually some plan for the
dismemberment of the town went before the Legisla-
ture. The act erecting the new town of Bolton was
published June 27, 1738, its western boundary being
parallel with the western boundary of the original
township and four miles from it. Out of the area
thus taken, — about thirty-five square miles, — Berlin
and a part of Hudson have since been carved.
Meanwhile the attractions of the valley of the
North Nashua in the Additional G.rant had drawn
thither many Houghtons, Wilders, Carters, Sawyers
and others, chiefly the grandsons of the early propri-
etors. Being more incommoded because of theii
greater distance from the meetinghouse, and soon
becoming more numerous than those living al
Woonksechocksett, they had a better reason for seek-
ing independence, and complicated the situation by
presenting, in February, 1737, their petition for sepa-
ration. They moreover shrewdly joined with the old
town to defeat the aims of other petitionei-s, in order
to gain consent to their own scheme, and July Uj,
1740, the act was published which severed about
twenty-six square miles more from Lancaster under
the title of Leominster. This area was wholly from
the Additional Grant, excepting the farm of Thomas
Houghton, exsected from the northwest corner of th(
old township. The Chocksett people were not dis
heartened. They grew more numerous year by year,
and Gamaliel Beman did not recognize defeat. The
town finally consented to allow them their wish,
provided they would assume perpetual support of the
river bridge, now known as Atherton's. This propo-
sition did not please, and, after another year's wran-
gle, in January, 1742, the "Chocksett War" was in-
terrupted by a truce, the town voting to build two
meeting-houses.
The house of worship for the Second or Chocksett
Precinct, "near Ridge Hill," was completed so that
the first service was held in it November 28,1742.
That for the First Precinct was delayed by the diffi-
culty of agreeing upon its location. The aid of a
legislative committee had at last to be invoked for
the settlement of the question, and School-house Hill
was selected as the most central site. Two hundred
pounds were appropriated to build the Second Pre-
cinct house, and four hundred for that of the First
Precinct, which stood nearly in front of the present
residence of Solon Wilder. The meeting-house upon
the Old Common was torn down, and the materials
divided between the two parishes to aid in the build-
ing of school-houses. These, three in number, were
placed : one on the Neck, not far from the meeting-
house, but on the opposite side of the road ; one
nearly opposite the present Deershorn's School-house,
and the third near the Chocksett meeting-house.
Each of them was twenty-four by eighteen feet, with
seven fool studding.
The new First Church building was nearly square
in plan, being about fifty-five by forty-five feet, with
entrance doors in the middle of the north, east and
south sides. Across the same three sides were gal-
leries to which stairs led from the side-aisles. One
of these was assigned to men exclusively, the oppo-
site one to women. Special seats apart were for
" negroes." Directly before, and forming a part of
the pulpit, was a deacon's seat. On a part of the
floor the wealthier families were permitted to build
family pews at their own cost. These were square,
mostly about six feet by five, ranged along the walls
from the pulpit, while in the centre of the floor, on
either side of a central aisle were long seats, the fe-
male part of the congregation occupying one side,
the male the other. The pews were " dignified," the
size and position of each marking pretty well the
wealth and social rank of its owner in the com-
munity. The sequence of the first families in 1644
appears nearly this: Rev. John Prentice, Deacon
Josiah White, Colonel Samuel Willard, Captain
John Bennett, Hon. Joseph Wilder, John Carter,
Thomas Wilder, etc.
In 1742 the north part of Shrewsbury was set off as
a precinct, and Lancaster surrendered to it about five
square miles from the most southerly part of its do-
main. This was the foreshadowing of a new town,
which, with slightly altered bounds, was created in
1786, under the name of Boylston.
Although three towns and two precincts had lieen
peopled from the Lancaster hive, attempts at further
swarming were not over. In December, 1747, four-
teen residents of Lancaster, under leadership of
Henry Haskell, covenanted with citizens of Harvard,
Groton and Stow, with the intent to be incorporated
into a township. This attempt, which signally failed,
proposed taking two or three square miles from the
northeast corner of the town. When the district of
Shirley was finally authorized, in 1753, Lancaster's
bounds were not disturbed.
The avocations of peace had been unbarassed by
war alarms for fifteen years, when, in 1740, a recruit-
ing ofiicer drummed for volunteers in Lancaster, and
22
HISTORY OF WORCESTER COUNTY, MASSACHUSETTS.
succeeded in persuading eigliteen or nineteen of her
young men to wear the cockade. Captain John
Prescott, of Concord, a lineal descendant of the father
of Lancaster, was the senior officer of a battalion of
five hundred men raised by Massachusetts to join the
expedition of Vice-Adrairal Vernon against Cartha-
gena, and Jonathan Houghton, of Lancaster, was one
of his lieutenants. Those who enlisted with Hough-
ton from this town, so far as known, were: Daniel
Albert, David Farrar, Nathan Farrar, Ephraim
Fletcher, Benjamin Fry, John Hastings, Thaddeus
Houghton, Ezekiel Kendall, Peter Kendall, Joshua
Pierce, Benjamin Pollard, (xideon Powers, Timothy
Powers, Oliver 8paulding, Darius Wheeler, William
Whitcomb, Jacob Wilder. Few, if any of them,
ever saw their homes again, giving their lives for the
King in a quarrel of doubtful justice, not in the front
of victorious battle, but slain by virulent disease j
after defeat.
Upon the breaking out of the war for the Austrian
Succession it was not to be hoped that the New Eng-
land colonies could remain at peace with their French
neighbors. Governor Shirley was gifted with suffi-
cient sagacity to see that only by the capture of
Louisbourg could Massachusetts retain her valuable
cod fisheries, or expect exemption from invasion.
Against that fortress, upon which had been lavished
all the resources of military art, he skilfully organ-
ized an expedition, which accomplished his desperate
behest by sheer audacity, the sublime pluck of the
New England rank and file and happy fortune,
rather than by any prescience or rare judgment of plan.
February 17, 1745, Colonel Samuel Willard re-
ceived orders to take command of the Fourth Massa-
chusetts Infantry, enlisted for this expedition. The
regiment numbered about five hundred men in ten
companies, and, as the fleet sailed from Boston,
March 24th, was recruited within thirty days. This
speaks well for the popularity and energy of its
leader, but the enterprise itself took on much of the
nature of a crusade. Thomas Chandler, of Worcester,
was lieutenant-colonel and Seth Pomeroy major of
the regiment. Colonel Willard's own company had
for its officers: Captain-lieutenant, Joshua Pierce;
Lieutenant, Abijah Willard ; Ensign, John Trum-
bull. Abijah Willard, the colonel's second son, was
soon promoted a step, and another son, Levi, became
ensign. In this company doubtless were many men
of Lancaster and vicinity, but the majority of Lan-
caster soldiers were probably in the Fourth Company,
the officers of which were: Captain, .Tolin Warner;
Lieutenant, Joseph Whetcomb ; and Ensign, William
Hutchins. Unfortunately, the muster-rolls of this
expedition are not known to exist, and the names of
the soldiers are mostly unknown. Captain Warner
died in hospital and Thomas Littlejohn fell in action.
Many of their townsmen probably succumbed to the
rigors of the climate and the toils of the siege, for the
victims of disease were counted by hundreds.
January 6, 1748, Rev. John Prentice died. For
forty-three years he had preached, and during forty
was the ordained pastor of the town. He was the
son of Thomas and Sarah (Stanton) Prentice, born in
Newton, 1682, and a graduate of Harvard in the
class of 1700. By his two wives — Mrs. Mary Gardner
and Mrs. Prudence (Foster) Swan — he had ten chil-
dren. His contemporaries prized him for his learn-
ing, his humility and his steadfastness. His juniors
tell of his sturdy dignity and Puritan manners. His
four printed sermons suggest that as a preacher he
was orthodox, clear in his convictions, earnest and
explicit in his exhortations. He was selected to de-
liver the Election Sermon at Boston, May 28, 1735.
Reverends Benjamin Stevens, William Lawrence,
Stephen Frost and Cotton Brown temporarily sup-
plied the vacant pulpit, but in February the last
named was invited to become pastor of the parish.
He declined, and August 8th the church made
choice of Timothy Harrington to be their minister.
November 16th of that year he was installed. He
had been pastor of a church at Lower Ashuelot, a
town abandoned during the Indian raids of 1747.
November 19, 1752, Colonel Samuel Willard was
seized with apo'Jjlexy and died the next day. He
was the wealthiest citizen of Lancaster, and. Judge
Joseph Wilder perhaps excepted, the most promi-
nent socially and politically. For twenty-five years
he had been the highest military officer of the dis-
trict, and for nearly ten judge of the Court of Com-
mon Pleas. He was a grandson of Major Simon and
son of Henry Willard, born in Lancaster, 1690.
Judge Joseph Wilder died March 27, 1757, aged
seventy-four. His contemporaries unite in lavish
praise of his virtues and abilities. Rev. Timothy
Harrington in a funeral sermon speaks of him as fur-
nished " with a penetrating judgment, strong rea.son
and a tenacious memory, and all, so far as we can
judge, were consecrated to the honour of the Most
High." Appointed judge at the organization of
Worcester County, he was chief justice of the Court
of Common Pleas at his death. He Wfis a son of the
second Thomas Wilder.
The one hundredth birthday of Lancaster, May 28,
1753, was appropriately celebrated by a "century
sermon" in the First Parish meetinghouse. This
discourse was printed, forming a pamphlet of twenty-
nine pages, and contains the early annals of the town
in sadly condensed form. Unfortunately, the author.
Rev. Timothy Harrington, bound by the mode of his
times, was more anxious to preserve the pulpit dig-
nity of his rhetoric than to gather and embalm for
posterity the reminiscences of the gray-headed vet-
erans among whom he daily walked. He devotes
half his pages to the history of the Jews and primi-
tive Christians, and accords but half a dozen lines to
the hospitable Sholan and the Nashaways. He gives
details of the various sieges of Jerusalem, but omits
all mention of the deeds of Colonel Willard's regi-
I
LANCASTER.
23
ment at Louisbourg, and the pitiful sacrifice of Lan-
caster youth at Carthagena.
The town entered upon its second century pros-
perous and free from internal dissension. The Second
Precinct, temporarily content with its gain of semi-
autonomy, had, December 19, 1744, secured Rev.
John Mellen for their pastor, a Harvard graduate of
1741. He had married Rebecca, the daughter of
Rev. John Prentice, the year after her father's de-
cease, and had given token of abilities that soon
placed him in the very front rank of the ablest
clergymen of his day. The repayment by England
to Massachusetts, in 1749, of its expenditures in the
late war, made possible the redemption of the paper
currency, which had greatly depreciated, aud specie
again appeared in the channels of trade. But life in
Lancaster was with most a struggle for shelter, food
and raiment. The only measure of wealth was the
ownership of acres and cattle. Few things better
illustrate the simplicity or luxury of a community
than its conveniences for travel. In 1753 Lancaster
paid tax to the I'rovince upon three chaises; in 1754
upon one chaise ; in 1755 upon two chaises and three
chairs ; in 1756 upon two chaises and two chairs —
while most of the younger towns, until recently Lan-
caster soil, had neither chair nor chaise. The heavy
carts and wagons of the farm were the only wheeled
vehicles.
No census of the town was taken until ten years
later, but the population of its centennial year can be
fairly estimated from an existing tax-list of 1751,
jiractically a census of the heads of families at that
time. Although by the dowering of Harvard, Bolton,
Berlin and Leominster it had lost more than half its
area, its gain by births, and by immigration from
other towns, had fully made up the loss of inhabit-
ants. The rate list of 1751 contains two hundred
and eighty-five names, representing three hundred
and fifty-five polls. The population at that date did
not, therefore, fall far short of fifteen hundred souls.
That of the towns excised from Lancaster amounted
to nearly as many. Provision, generous for the times,
was annually made for educating the young. Rev.
Josiah Swan was generally the teacher of the Neck
School from 1747 to 1760, and Rev. Josiah Brown was
schoolmaster at Chocksett for as many years. For
the third school the teachers were successively : Ste-
phen Frost, Edward Bass, Joseph Palmer, Moses
Hemmenway and Samuel Locke — all Harvard grad-
uates — the last named a resident of the town, after-
wards president of Harvard College.
Seven years of pretended peace between Canadian
Jesuit and New England Puritan passed, and again
the British colonies were hurrying preparations for a
decisive struggle with their alert and aggressive foes.
During the autumn of 1754 several mechanics of
Lancaster, under Capt. Gershom Flagg, were engaged
in the construction of Fort Halifax. Others of her
citizens were serving on the eastern frontier in the
regiment of Col. John Winslow, and Ensign John
May led thirteen soldiers to join Col. Israel Williams
at the western frontier.
Of the four great expeditions planned in 1755 to
break through the cordon of French occupation that
extended from the Ohio to the month of the St.
Lawrence, Lancaster was represented in two — that
against Crown Point, and the Acadian campaign. In
the former Samuel Willard, the eldest son of the
deceased colonel of the same name, was commissioned
to raise a regiment of eight hundred men. John
Whitcomb, of Bolton, was second in command; but
Col. Willard died at Lake George shortly after joining
the army, and Whitcomb was promoted to the va-
cancy. In the regiment were seven men of Lancas-
ter, including two lieutenants, Hezekiah Whitcomb
and William Richardson, Jr. Lieut. Benjamin Wil-
der led a mounted troop of thirty-three volunteers
from Lancaster and its neighborhood, serving in the
regiment of Col. Josiah Brown. But the majority of
the Lancaster men, fifty -one in number, fought in the
regiment of Col. Timothy Ruggles, under three Lan-
caster captains — twenty-four with Capt. Joseph Whit-
comb, sixteen with Capt. Asa Whitcomb, and eleven
with Capt. Benjamin Ballard. All three companies
were in the bloody melee of AugustSth, known as "the
morning fight," when the valor of the New England
rustics snatched victory from what at first seemed
defeat. On that day ten of the fifty-one were killed
or mortally wounfled: Ithamar Bennett, Samuel Fair-
banks, William Fairbanks, Isaac Kendall, Peter
Kendall, Oliver Osgood, Josiah Pratt, Jr., Phineas
Randall, Joseph Robbius, Jr., John Rugg. Others,
enfeebled by camp fevers, in the lale autumn dragged
themselves homeward, or were brought thither by
short stages through the wilderness upon horseback.
The campaign, a barren one save for the experience
and confidence in themselves gained by the colonial
officers and soldiers, ended with the year.
The Acadian expedition, though even more in-
glorious than that against Crown Point, is far more
famous in story, and Lancaster's part in it was a more
prominent one than has ever been given it in history.
Of the force of two thousand men embarking from
Boston May 20, 1755, under Col. John Winslow, for
the purpose of dislodging the French from the regions
bordering on the Bay of Fundy, one company of one
hundred and five men, allotted to the Second Battal-
ion, was organized at Lancaster and officered by men
of that town. These were : Capt. Abijah Willard,
Lieut. Joshua Willard, Second Lieut. Moses Haskell,
Ensign Caleb Willard. Thirty-six of the rank and
file were credited to Lancaster, of whom W^illiam
Hudson was killed in the attack made by the Aca-
dians upon the force engaged in burning the "Mass
House" at Peticodiac. The company took part in
the capture of Beau Sejour. Capt. Willard was se-
lected by Lieut.-Col. Monkton, the King's officer in
command, to lead a detachment to Tatmagouche.
24
HISTORY OF WORCESTER COUNTY, MASSACHUSETTS.
There, opening his sealer! orders, to his great surprise
and pain he found assigned to him the ungracious
task of laying waste that whole fair district to the Bay
of Verts, and removing the residents to Fort Cum-
berland. Amid the wailing of women and children,
and the smoke of blazing cottages, barns and store-
houses, Capt. Willard marched from hamlet to ham-
let, leaving dosolaticpn behind, in accordance with the
letter of his orders, but tempering them with such
mercy as he could ; his kindly heart, as his journal
testifier, bleeding lor the distress he was compelled to
inflict.
Leaving their families among the smoking ruins of
their homes, the Acadian men werg marched to Fort
Cumberland, and Capt. Willard received the gracious
commendation of the British officer. During the
rigors of a Canadian winter the Lancaster men, ill
provided with food and clothing, remained in bar-
racks at the fort, but were allowed to return home the
following April. Massachusetts was ordered to care
for one thousand of the " French neutrals," and ap-
portioned three families — twenty persons — to Lan-
caster. There these exiles lived in the wretchedness
of squalid poverty, disease and homesickness for ten
years, housed, fed and cared for by the town author-
ities. The last of them were finally shipped to
France.
The general plan of the campaign of 175ti was
almost identical with that of the previous year, but
Shirley was superseded by pcmipous and loitering
officers of high rank in the British army. Their con-
ceit and inactivity gave the daring Montcalm an
opportunity to win some glory, and neutralized the
enthusiasm and costly preparations of New England.
The Lancaster soldiers were in the field as early as
the opening of spring would permit military opera-
tions, building roads and bridges and transporting
stores up the Hudson to Fort Edward, and thence to
Fort William Henry. Col. John Whitcorab was one
of the Committee of War for Massachusetts. William
Richardson and Hezekiah Gates were efficient agents
of the committee for procuring and forwarding mili-
tary supplies. Twenty soldiers from Lancaster were
in the regiment of Col. Jonathan Bagley, mustered in
the company of Capt. Benjamin Ballard, and eight
or ten others are found serving in other regiments
and am(jng the artillerymen of Fort William Henry.
The year 1757 saw a new plan of operations, but the
campaign under the same haughty and inefficient gen-
erals ended as before in discomfiture. Several Lan-
caster men served in the regiment of Col. Fry, who,
with most of his command, were in the massacre which
followed the surrender of Ft. William Henry to Mont-
calm, and escaped with the loss of everything but life.
Nine others were in the regiment of Col. Israel Wil-
liams. The fall of Ft. William Henry spread conster-
nation through the colonies, for it was expected that
the French would follow up their success by an inva-
sion of the English settlements. The militia were
hurriedly sent towards Albany. Capt. John Carter
with a mounted troop, and Capt. Nathaniel Sawyer
with an infantry company — one hundred men in all —
marched as far as Springfield whence they were re-
called, Montcalm having returned to Canada with his
easily-won spoils.
With the year 1758 the inspiration of a new war
policy, that of William Pitt, was felt throughout the
colonies. They obtained payment for their military
expenses and were promised relief from the extortion
and insolence they had constantly experienced from
Crown officials. The impetuous Wolfe and the chiv-
alrous Lord Howe were sent with some of the best
troops in England, to infuse energy into the campaign,
and the slothful Loudoun retired. The ministerial
orders required vigorous assault along the wliole fron-
tier. The enthusia.sm awakened in Massachusetts is
apparent in the zeal which Lancaster evinced in the
contest.
Col. Jonathan Baglcy's regiment in Abercrombie's
advance upon Ticonderoga was in the van of the right
division, and charged upon the French at the time
Lord Howe lost his life. It was also engaged in the
assault upon Ticonderoga and met with some loss. Of
this regiment John Whitcomb was lieutenant-colonel,
and his brother, Capt. Asa Whitcomb, served in it with
forty of his Lancaster neighbors. Six of them laid
down their lives in the service: William Brabrook,
Eben Bigelow, Jonathan Geary, Philip (ieno, John
Larkin, Jacob Smith. In Colonel Timothy Ruggles'
regiment, under Capt. Joseph Whitcomb, of Lancaster,
and Capt. James Reed, of Lunenburg, were twenty-
one more Lancaster men, of whom one, Simon Ken-
dall, lost his life; eleven others served in other organi-
zations, making at least seventy-three known to have
enlisted in the campaign. Capt. Aaron Willard, who
led a light infantry company in the regiment of Col.
Oliver Partridge, was shot through the body in the
murderous assault upon Ticonderoga, but survived to
take part in the war for independence. After the un-
timely death ol Lord Howe the imbecility of Aber-
crombie had again nullified the sacrifice and bravery
of the provincials. The veterans who had fought at
Louisbourg in 1745 under Pepperell, and conquered
under Lyman at Lake George in 1755 were fast learn-
ing to despise as well as hate the supercilious British
regular officers, who contemptuously spurned the coun-
sels of soldiers like Pomeroy, and always were defeated
by inferior forces of the enemy.
The campaign of 1759, under Amherst, directed
towards the same strategic points as those of two years
before, brought to the front once more Capts. Aaron
Willard and James Reed, and with them were forty-
five Lancaster men, three of whom — George Bush,
Stephen Kendall and Reuben Walker — died during
the campaign. These two officers' companies served in
Col. Timothy Ruggles' regiment. Abijah Willard also
appears again, now as colonel of a regiment of eigh-
teen companies; Cyrus Fairbanks was his adjutant
LANCASTER.
25
and Manasseh Di vol his quartermaster. Capt. Thomas
Beraan, with twenty-two other men of Lancaster, served
in Willard's command, and five more were in other
companies.
Amherst did nothing to add to his own reputation,
and, in disregard of Pitt's positive orders, displayed no
energy in the movement to assist Wolfe. The younger
general's fame shone the brighter, and all New Eng-
land mourned him as their preserver. Col. Willard and
his fellow-townsmen marched home before the snows
fell and rested by their own firesides through the win-
ter, preparing fur the final struggle.
With the spring Col. Willard again led his regiment
to the frontier. In his staff were most of the old mem-
bers, but Samuel Ward, of Worcester, afterwards to
become one of Lancaster's most valued citizens, was
made his adjutant. Capt. Beman again accompanied
him, with Sherebiah Hunt for his lieutenant, and thirty
enlisted men of Lauca.^ter formed a part of his com-
pany. Rufus Putnam, who in Revolutionary days
became chief engineer and brigadier-general in the
patriot army, was his ensign.* Six Lancaster volun-
teers served in other companies of Willard's regiment.
In Col. Ruggles' regiment were Captains Aaron Wil-
lard and James Reed, with eighteen Lancaster soldiers.
Col. John Whitcomb also served in the campaign of
1760, and with him were Lieuts. Ephraim Sawyer and
Henry Haskell, with eighteen others of Lancaster.
Sergt. Josiah Prentice died and Joseph Stewart was
drowned during the year. Under Col. William Havi-
land, these two regiments leisurely rowed down Lake
Charaplain in batteaux about the middle of August.
Arriving at Isle au Noix, Col. Whitcomb was ordered
to throw up defences while the rest of the army moved
to attack the fortified post; but the enemy did not
await assault, and Haviland moved on towards Mon-
treal. September 8th, orders were read announcing to
the troops the closing act in the conquest of Canada,
the capitulation of the Marquis Vaudreuil. On the
10th the Massachusetts regiments began the march
back to Crown Point, where for two months they were
engaged in the construction of earthworks and bar-
racks. In November Cols. Whitcomb and Willard
led their commands through the wilderness across
Vermont to Charlestown, N. H., and by the forest
paths to Lancaster, where they were disbanded about
December 1st.
For six years the town had, with the coming of
each spring, sent forth to the blood-stained frontiers
scores of her stalwart sons under their chosen leaders.
About seventy-five of her citizens annually were, for at
least eight or nine months, in the army. At least thirty-
three of these are known to have perished by bullet,
tomahawk or disease while on duty. Of the wounded
no record v/as kept.
CHAPTER IV.
LANCASTER— (0)«//««^rf).
Thf Firnt Census — Organizntiou for Hevohdion — Lexington Alarm — Bunker
llill and the Siege of Boston — War Antiah — Separation of Chockaetl
• — Shays^ Rebellion — Bridge Lotteries.
The long war between alien races and religions was
hardly ended before the domestic "Chocksett War"
again broke out. But the town-meeting vote of 1762
proved that the Second Precinct was not yet strong
enough to carry its point. It persisted in its endeavors
year after year, but whenever the proposition to divide
the town gained a favoringvote, it was always upon con-
dition that the support of some bridge of vagrant
habits should be perpetually borne by the seceders.
To this they refused consent, and the contest was pro-
longed until all local questions were forgotten in the
turmoil of the struggle for national existence. The
two parishes were nearly equal in population. The
town-meetings were sometimes held in the Second
Precinct meeting-house, and the grammar-school was
kept alternately at Ridge Hill and on the Neck — the
proportion of the two terms being decided in town-
meeting.
The first colonial census, that of 1764, gives Lan-
ca-ster 1999 inhabitants, living in three hundred and
twenty-eight families and three hundred and one
houses, classified as follows :
MalPS. Females.
Under 16 years of age 514 421
Over 16 years of age ottS 632
Colored 12 14
Indiaus 1
How many of the twenty-six colored were slaves is
not told. Ten years before this there were but five
''servants for life" in the town. Seven years later
than this five slaves were reported between the ages
of fourteen and forty-five. At least ten slaves are
known to have died between the two dates. The
total population of the four towns included in the
original Lancaster grants was four thousand eight
hundred and one. Notwithstanding the great waste
of human life in the war, the town's growth had been
steady and healthy, and so continued. It will be seen
that the average family then numbered over six indi-
viduals. In the latest census, omitting the State
school, the average family is less than four and fonr-
tenths persons.
The direct descendants of the first proprietors were
yet largely in the majority, gave character to the
town, and almost monopolized the management of its
affairs. But into the procession of the town's life had
come several prolific families, and some men of politi-
cal weight and large social influence. John Warner,
of Woburn, appeared about 1700 ; the Osgood family,
always prominent in the church, first came in 1710,
Hooker Osgood, a saddler from Andover, purchasing
the Rowlandson estate of Philip Goss. About the
same date, and from the sime source, came Edward
26
HISTORY OF WORCESTER COUNTY, MASSACHUSETTS.
Phelps, the weaver, and bought lands not far from
Lane's Crossing. Soon followed John Fletcher, from
Chelmsford, progenitor of a sturdy race that peopled
a portion of George Hill. Thomas Whitney, of Stow,
and his sons John and Jonathan, about 1720 built
upon Wataquadock Brook. From Woburn, William
Richardson came in 1721, found a wife in Captain
Ephraim Wilder's daughter, became a prominent jus-
tice and represented the town several years in the
Legislature. Samuel Locke, al«o of Woburn, and
connected by marriage with the Richardsons, came to
Lancaster in 1742, and kept a famous tavern where
Wm. A. Kilbourn now lives. Nathaniel and Abijah
Wyman, from Woburn also, about the same tiiLe
bought homes upon the Neck. Benjamin Bal'ard,
from Andover, a little earlier founded a new home
upon the norlhern portion of the George Hill range
and gave his family name to that section of the town.
The Dunsmoors appeared first about 1740 and fur-
nished the town two physicians, father and son. The
last. Dr. William Duiismoor, in whose veins flowed
mingled Sawyer and Prescott blood, developed politi-
cal abilities that soon placed him in leadership of the
revolutionary spirits of the neighborhood, and gave
him prominence even in colonial councils. The
Thurstons, Peter and Samuel, second cousius (the
first from Exeter, the second from Rowley), appeared
about the middle of the century.
In 1768 Lancaster received an addition to its terri-
tory — a tract of land at its southwestern corner about
three miles long by one and one-half wide, known a-<
" Shrewsbury Leg." It included the site of the present
village of Oakdale, but then contained less than a
dozen families. The same year a trader came from
Groton to form a mercantile partnership with Levi
Willard. The store of the firm was at the cross-roads
of South Lancaster, and became the widest known
and best patronized of any in the region. The senior
partner sometimes made a journey lo England to buy
goods. He lived in a house which stood near the well
on the lawn of E. V. R. Thayers residence. The
junior partuer, Captain Samuel Ward, already men-
tioned as holding a commission in the French and
Indian War, purchased an ancient house and lot upon
the oppoBite corner, being a part of the Locke farm,
and the eastern end of the original home-lot assigned
to John Moore in 1653. Captain Ward was not only
a man of unusual business ability, but his rare intel-
lectual powers, quick and accurate judgment of
character, jjrudence and shrewd management of men
would have given him exalted political place had he
not resolutely shunned all official positiou. He soon
became a conservative leader in the town.
It was apparently a season of calm and prosperity.
War had left few visible scars. The British govern-
ment had re-imbursed to the colony the sums con-
tributed in aid of the expulsion of the Bourbons from
America, and plenteous harvests had gladdened the
farmers. But a jealousy of all authority not delegated
by popular suffrage everywhere began to appear, per-
vading church as well as state politics. The pulpits
about Lancaster were all jarred, and some severely
shaken, by a revolt against clerical councils; and the M
orators proclaimed the divine right of an anointed f
king subject to the divine right of the majority. The
veteran soldiers had not forgotten the insults they had
borne, year after year, from the King's officers, nor the
needless campaigning and bloodshed chargeable to the
incompetency of the generals set over them. The
nagging encroachments of the British ministry upon
charter rights found the majority of the colonists
already on the verge of rebellion, for which seven
years of war had been a practical school of arms.
The first town-meeting record in Lancaster for
1773 anticipates by three and one-half years the lib-
erty-breathing sentiments of the Declaration of Na-
tional Independence. The action of that meeting
took form in written instructions for the guidance of
the town's representative, Capt. Asa Whitcomb, and
a series of resolutions drawn up by a " Committee for
Grievances,'' as follows:
****** «*««
1. liea'>lt-cfl, Thiit this and tvery Town tit thie Province have an
undoubted Right to meet togetlier and consult upon all Matters inter-
esting to them when and so often as they shall judge fit : and it is
more especially their Duty so to do when any Infringement is made
upon theirCivil or Religious Liherties.
2. Resolved, That the raising a Revenue in the Colonies without
their Consent, either by themselves or their Representatives, is au In-
fringement of that Right which every Freeman has to dispose of his
own Property.
3. Ilesoli-ed, Tliat the gninting a Salary to his Kxcellency, the
Governor of this Province, out of the Revenue unconstitutionally
raised from us, is an Innovation of a very alarming Tendancy.
4. RcaoheiJ, That it U of the highest Importance to the security Of
Liberty, Life and Property, that the publick Administration of Justice
should be pure and inipaitial, and that the judge should be fiee from
every Bias, either in Favour of the Crown or the Subject.
5. liesolved. That the absolute Dependency of the Judges of the
Superior Court of this Province upon the Crown for their Support
would, if it should ever take i'lace, have the strongest Tendancy to
bias the Minds of the Judges, and would weaken our Coutidence in
them.
6. Resolved, That the Extension of the Power of the Court of Vice-
Admiralty to its present enormous Degree is a great Grievance, and de-
prives the Subject in many Instances of that noble Privilege of Eng.
lisbmen, Trials I'y Juries.
7. Resolved, That the Proceedings of this Town be transmitted to
the Town of Boston.
These resolutions were signed by the committee :
Dr. William Dunsmoor, John Prescott, Josiah Ken-
dall, Ebenezer Allen, Nathaniel Wyman, Joseph
White and Aaron Sawyer. The instructions to the
town's delegate breathe the same spirit, and enjoin
him to use his "utmost efforts ... to obtain a
Radical Redress of our Grievances.''
The organization of revolution began the next
year, with the plan of establishing permanent Com-
mittees of Correspondence in the towns throughout
Massachusetts. The members of the first Lancaster
Committee, chosen September 5, 1774, were Dr.
William Dunsmoor, Dea. David Wilder, Aaron
Sawyer, Capt. Asa Whitcomb, Capt. Hezekiah Gates,
John Prescott, Ephraim Sawyer. The chairman
LANCASTER.
27
was the youngest of the number. The next day the
patriots of the town marched to Worcester, where an
armed convention of tlie people gathered on the
green, prepared to give a warm reception to the force
of British troops which Governor Gage had pro-
posed to send for the protection of the court. As
the reguhirs did not appear, attention was turned to-
wards the royalists. The justices, who recently had
sent a loyal address to the Governor, were compelled
to sign a recantation, and appear before the assem-
blage to acknowledge it. Of these justices were
Joseph Wilder, Abel Willard and Ezra Houghton^
of Lancaster.
During the same month the town voted " That
there be one hundred men raised as Volunteers, to
be ready at a minute's warning to turn out upon any
Emergency, and that they be formed into two Com-
panies, and choose their own officers," and that
these volunteers should be " reasonably paid by the
Town for any services they may do us in defending
our Liberties and Privileges." One company was
enlisted in each precinct. The Committee of Cor-
respondence was also authorized to purchase two
field-pieces, and two four-pounders were at once ob-
tained from Brookline, for which eight pounds were
paid. One of these was stationed in each parish,
with a supply of powder, ball and grape-shot.
Capt. Asa Whitcomb and Dr. William Dunsmoor
were chosen to represent the town in the First Pro-
vincial Convention. The constables were instructed
to pay over the taxes, when collected, to a special
committee — Aaron Sawyer, Ephraim Sawyer and Dr.
Josiah Wilder — who were to account for the same to
the patriot receiver-general. The same committee
were ordered " to Post up all such Persons as con-
tinue to buy, sell or consume any East India Teas,
in some Public Place in Town." In the town-meet-
ing of January 2, 1775, a committee was chosen to
receive donations " for the suffering poor of the
Town of Boston, occationed by the late Boston Port
Bill." It was also then voted " to adopt and abide
by the spirit and sense of the Association of the late
Continental Congress, held at Philadelphia," and a
committee of fifteen were selected " to see that the
said Association be kept and observed by all."
The whole male population was now training for
the conflict seen to be inevitable. The re-organiza-
tion of the militia began in 1774, by a popular de-
mand for the resignation of all military commissions.
The Second Worcester was known as the Lancaster
Regiment, and consisted of ten companies and a
mounted troop, four companies and the troop being
of Lancaster, including all the able-bodied males be-
tween sixteen and fifty years of age, save a few by
law exempts. With the division of the training-
bands into minute-men and militia, new company
officers were chosen, young men aglow with the hot
temper of the times. These line officers elected the
brothers John and Asa Whitcomb, two veterans of
the French War, as their colonels — the former of the
minute-men, the latter of the militia. Abijah Wil-
lard was perhaps the most gifted and experienced of-
ficer in the town, but unfortunately favored the side
of the King. Dr. William Dunsmoor and Ephraim
Sawyer were the majors of the minute-men, and
David Osgood the quartermaster. Col. John Whit-
comb was chosen a major-general in February, by
the Second Provincial Congress.
Every soldier was expected to furnish himself with
arms and equipments, and if too poor to do so, he
was supplied by the town, or by contributions from
the more wealthy. No attempt was made to secure
uniformity in dress ; each wore his own home garb,
and as there was a much greater variety in the color
and form of men's wear then than now, the ranks
always presented a motley appearance.
There were at this period but seventeen towns in
Massachusetts which could boast a larger population
than Lancaster. It had a greater proportion of me-
chanics and traders than other inland towns — fulling-
mills, tanneries, potash boilers, a slate quarry and
even a little furnace for casting hollow-ware. But its
farmers raised nearly ten bushels of grain for every
man, woman and child in the town, and four times
as many cattle, sheep and Bwine per inhabitant as
were credited to the town in the census of 1885.
There was, therefore, a large surplus above the needs
for home consumption. Pork was sold at six pence,
salt beef at three pence, mutton at two pence, cheese
at four pence and butter at eight pence, per pound ;
corn meal at three shillings, beans at six shillings,
potatoes at one shilling four pence per bushel ; cider
at seven shillings eight pence per barrel. There was
no public conveyance for travelers, no post-office
nearer than Cambridge. Silent Wilde, the news-
carrier, rode out from Boston on Mondays, with the
papers for regular subscribers, and jogged through
Lancaster on his way to the Connecticut River
towns and back once a week. His trips were soon to
cease, and the day fast approached which was to test
anew Lancaster's patriotism.
On the morning of April 19, 1775, a post-rider
came galloping in hot haste through the town shout-
ing to every one he saw that the " red coats " had
come out from Boston. The tidings, long expected,
were spread by mounted messengers and the firing of
cannon ; the minute-men were soon hurrying down
the Bay road, and the militia followed not far behind.
Two hundred and fifty-seven men marched from the
town to Cambridge that day. General John Whit-
comb reached the scene of action before the running
fight ended and took part in directing it ; but it is
hardly probable that any great number of his regi-
ment, save the mounted troop, perhaps, kept pace
with him. The six Lancaster companies were :
two troops of thirty-two men each under Captains
John Prescott, Jr., and Thomas Gates ; two com-
panies of minute-men, with Captains Samuel Sawyer
28
HISTORY OF WORCESTER COUNTY, MASSACHUSETTS.
and Benjamin Houghton ; and two companies of
militia led by Captains Joseph White and Daniel
Robbins. They remained at Cambridge about two
weeks.
The Provincial Congress immediately resolved upon
the enlistment of an army of thirteen thousand men
for eight months. Col. Asa Whitcomb was one of
those authorized to raise a regiment, and, on May
25th, reported his command containing eleven com-
panies, five hundred and sixty men — one company
above the complement. Ephraim Sawyer was major,
and Dr. William Dunsmoor surgeon of the regiment.
The Lancaster men were mostly in the companies of
Captains Andrew Haskell and Ephraim Richardson.
There is a tradition in old families that on the day of
the battle of Bunker Hill the Lancaster regiment was
stationed at Cambridge, but was ordered to iurnish re-
inforcements to Prescott, and some of its companies
reached the hill and fought in the final struggle,
while others were coming up when the retreat began.
The historian Bancroft says : " From the regiment
of Whitcomb, of Lancaster, there appeared at least
fifty privates, but with no higher officers than cap-
tains.'' If he had written thrice fifty he would have
been more nearly just. By official returns the regi-
ment lost five killed, eight wounded and two missing,
which was a larger list of casualties than was
credited to eight others of the si.xteen regiments
in which casualties of battle occurred. Daniel
Robbins was killed upon the hill and Sergt.
Robert Phelps was mortally wounded and died
a prisoner in Boston. Both were in Haskell's com-
pany. Sergt. Israel Willard and Joseph Wilder were
probably wounded, the former mortally, as special
allowance was made for them by the Legislature at the
same time as to the heirs of Robbins and Phelps.
Evidence is found in petitions for aid, showing that
Burt's Harvard and Hastings' Bolton company were
also in the fight, and the historian Frothingham
supposes Wilder's Leominster company to have been
engaged. Capt. Andrew Haskell so commended him-
self by his conduct at Bunker Hill, that he would
have been promoted but for certain unofficer-like
traits which he seemed unable to overcome.
During the siege of Boston the Lancaster regiment
was brigaded with the Rhode Island troops under
Gen. Greene and stationed on Prospect Hill. Col.
Whitcomb was one of the wealthiest farmere of the
town, a deacon in the Second Parish, a sterling
patriot, and evidently, from his enduring popularity,
gifted with noble qualities of heart. He was also a
brave and experienced soldier, but too amiable to
preserve proper discipline in his command. Upon
the consolidation of the Provincial regiments to
bring them to the Continental model, sundry super-
numerary officers were discharged, and Washington,
with the concurrence of Greene, selected Whitcomb
as one whose services should be spared. His men re-
sented this, and refused to re-enlist under another
commander, when Col. Whitcomb reproached them
for their lack of patriotism, and offered to enlist as a
private with them. Washington, hearing of this, re-
instated him and complimented him in special orders
for his unselfish zeal. The worthy colonel's military
service ended April 1, 1777, however, and he returned
to his farm. Impoverished by his sacrifices for coun-
try, he was compelled to part with his lands, removed
to Princeton, and there died, March 16, 1804, aged
eighty-four years.
In the closing scenes of the siege, March 9, 1776,
Dr. Enoch Dole, of Lancaster, was killed on Dor-
chester Heights by a cannon-ball. The town had
.several soldiers with Arnold and Montgomery at the
gates of Quebec, and t vo or three were there wounded
and captured.
About five thousand refugees from Boston during
the siege were scattered through the inland towns,
and to these were added the people of Charlestown
after the burning of that place. One hundred and
thirty of the homeless were assigned by the Provin-
cial Congress to the charity of Lancaster, but the'
actual number seeking refuge here was much greater,
for the proposed formal distribution of the exiles had
speedily to be abandoned as impossible. Many
sought Lancaster who added to its social force ; such
were Daniel Waldo, Edmund Quincy, Esq., and Na-
thaniel Balch. A few became permanent residents of
the town ; for example, Josiah Flagg and John New-
man.
In August, 1776, the Court of General Sessions, in
authorizing five hospitals for inoculation for small-
pox, appointed Doctors William Dunsmoor and Josiah
Wilder directors of one at Lancaster. There is no
record of the location of this hospital, but fourteen
years later, when this scourge of humanity became
again virulent. Dr. Israel Atherton established one for
the same purpose upon Pine Hill, where it was kept
during four years.
After the departure of the American army for New
York, the defences of Boston Harbor were entrusted
to the militia, and during 1776 about fifty men of
Lancaster served in two regiments stationed at Hull,
with Capt. Andrew Haskell and Lieuts. John Hewitt
and Jonathan Sawyer for their officers. A requisition
upon the State for five thousand militia to tempora-
rily re-enforce the army at New York came from
Congress in June, and Lancaster's quota for four
months' service was seventy-two men. They served
under Capt. Samuel Sawyer and Lieuts. Salmon God-
frey and Nathaniel Sawyer, in the regiment of Col.
Jonathan Smith. The whole command was a hurried
levy of rustic youth, wholly undisciplined. Septem-'
her 15th, at Kip's Bay, they met the splendidly-'
drilled Hessian corps, and came off with scant honor.
Four Lancaster men were then missing — probably
killed — and several were wounded.
Capt. Aaron Willard, who still suffered from his
terrible wound received at Ticonderoga in 1758, un-
LANCASTEE.
29
like his more noted cousins and neighbors — Abijah,
Abel and Levi Wilhird — was earnest in the patriot
cause. He was one of the two commissioners ap-
pointed by Washington to visit the Acadians, in order
to ascertain the strength of their alleged sympathy
with the revolutionists. The mission was found so
hazardous that the commissioners made their report
from information gained without entering the prov-
ince. Willard received a commission as colonel of
a regiment drafted to strengthen the northern army
under Schuyler, but was prevented from service by a
painful accident. Capt. Manasseh Sawyer, August
18th, marched to join the regiment of Col. Nicholas
Dike at Dorchester, with a company of ninety-two
men, enlisted for eight months. Thirty-two of these
were of Lancaster. Henry Haskell, who had distin-
guished himself in the battle of Bunker Hill as cap-
tain of a Shirley company, was lieutenant-colonel of
the regiment. Capt. Daniel Goss and Lieut. Jabez
Fairbank, with a company of militia, chiefly Lancaster
men, served at Dobbs' Ferry, in a regiment of which
their townsman, Ephraim Sawyer, was lieutenant-
colonel.
October 7, 1776, the town voted to empower the
House of Representatives " to draw up a Form of
Government" for the State, stipulating that it should
be sent to the people for ratification. Dr. William
Dunsmoor was at the same date elected representa-
tive.
The popular colonial system of short enlistments
forbade the growth of a well-disciplined national army
and menaced the success of any complex campaign.
A complete re-organization was resolved upon by the
formation of eighty-eight three-years' regiments of six
hundred and eighty men each. Fifteen of these were
demanded from Massachusetts, and it required one
man in every seven to fill the call. A bounty o^
twenty dollars and one hundred acres of land was
promised volunteers, and the monthly pay of privates
was fixed at six and two-thirds dollars. December 9,
1776, the male inhabitants of Lancaster over sixteen
years of age numbered six hundred and seventy-two
including thirteen negroes. Her quota was, therefore,
ninety-six men, and that number volunteered in due
time. Three more levies for three years were made
during the war. Ten soldiers were sent by the town
to the Continental army in the spring of 1780, thirty-
five in the spring of 1781, and seven in March, 1782,
the sum of the quotas being one hundred and forty-
eight. These men were all volunteers, the draft being
resorted to only for short-service calls. Large bounties
had to be paid at last, and a few non-resident substi-
tutes were hired. The men were scattered through
the Massachusetts regiments, the town being repre-
sented in every one but the First and Ninth. The
largest numbers were in the Tenth, Fourteenth and
Fifteenth. Most of them participated in the battles
which compelled the surrender of Burgoyne. Those
holding commissions were :
Henry Haskell, lieut.-col. loth.
I-phmini Sawyor, capt. ICth.
AVilliam HalTis, paymaster ICth.
JonatliaD Sawyer, lieut. 14th, hilled.
John Hewitt, lieut. loth.
John "WhitiDg, lieut. 12th.
Philip Corey, lieut. lOtli.
.Joseph House, lieut. 2d.
Winslo-iv Phelps, ensign 13th.
Jonathan AVheelock, drum-major
nth.
The year 1777 was marked in Lancaster for a perse-
cution of suspected loyalists by the extremists of the
patriot party. A resolve of the Legislature concerning
" the danger from internal enemies " gave reason for
the creation of a committee to search for and obtain
evidence against such suspects, and Col. Asa Whit-
comb was selected. A black-list was presented by
him in September, bearing the names of Moses Ger-
rish, Daniel Allen, Ezra Houghton, Joseph Moore,
Solomon Houghton, Thomas Grant, James Carter
and Rev. Timothy Harrington. Abijah and Abel
Willard and Joseph House had fled with the British
upon the evacuation of Boston, and their estates had
been confiscated. .Levi Willard and Joseph Wilder
were dead. Of those in Whitcomb's black-list, Ger-
rish, Moore and Ezra Houghton were imprisoned,
Solomon Houghton escaped from the country. Car-
ter's and Allen's names were stricken from the list in
town-meeting, and Grant is found serving in the
patriot ranks. The attempted proscription of Har-
rington was apparently the more bitter because of his
connection with the troubles in the Bolton parish. He
made a shrewd and spirited defence, when called into
town-meeting to face his accusers, signally triumphed
over them, and was held in increased respect thence-
forward.
The loss of Ticonderoga and the victorious ad-
vance of Burgoyne southward spread dismay through-
out New England. One-half of the alarm list were
hurriedly marched from Lancaster to Bennington in
August, mostly embraced in companies led by Cap-
tains John White and Solomon Stuart. During the
autumn months of 1777 about thirty men of the town
participated in the Rhode Island expedition of Gen-
eral Spencer.
February 5, 1778, it was voted " to accept the
Articles of Confederation and Perpetual Union be-
tween the United States of America," and May 18th
the town voted upon the acceptance of the new State
Constitution, when one hundred and eleven were
found in favor of and forty-one against it. It was,
however, rejected by the people. Four thousand
and forty-nine pounds were appropriated to pay the
soldiers hired to serve for eight and nine months'
service in the Continental Army. These men were
thirty-two in number and joined the forces stationed
along the Hudson. Captain Manasseh Sawyer and
over fifty Lancaster men were engaged in the unsuc-
cessful attempt to drive the British from Newport
and fought at Quaker's Hill under General Sullivan.
There were also constant details for guard duty.
Frequently twenty or more of the town's youth were
at Cambridge or Rutland in charge of prisoners.
The paper currency had steadily depreciated and
30
HISTORY OF WORCESTER COUNTY, MASSACHUSETTS.
counterfeit money was so abundant that the most
reputable persons innocently received and paid itout.
Trade was last becoming a system of barter. Foolish
attempts were made to fix the prices of common
necessities by law, and annually committees were
chosen by the town to make up a schedule of these
prices. June 28, 1779, the town solemnly voted
"that the price of the Comodityes of the farmer and
any other article do not rise any higher than at this
time."
Eighteen men of the town were mustered June 25,
1779, for nine months, to re-enforce the Continental
Army, and a company of militia were serving at
Claverack with Captain Luke Wilder, Andrew Has-
kell being his lieutenant.
The State Constitution was voted upon May 13th,
and one hundred and three favored it, while only
seven declared against it. Dr. William Dunsmoor,
Captain Ephraim Wilder and Captain William Put-
nam were Lancaster's delegates in the convention
which formed it. In June, 1780, the town was called
upon to furnish forty men for six months' service.
Certain of the radical leaders, and especially Josiah
Kendall, who had been vociferously patriotic in the
earlier days of the war, avowed their belief that the
men could not be obtained, and counseled non-com-
pliance with the demand of the government. Cap-
tain Samuel Ward, who had narrowly escaped pro-
scription for his conservative views, saw his oppor-
tunity and promptly advocated in an eloquent
harangue immediate obedience to the requisition,
at whatever cost. He was made chairman of a com-
mittee of twelve empowered to hire the soldiers " on
any terms they think proper." The forty men with-
in twelve days were on their way to the camps, each
having been promised " £1400 lawful money, or £13
6s. 8d. in Corn, Beef and Live Stock or any Produce
as it formerly used to be sold." From this the silver
dollar would seem to have been worth one hundred
and five paper dollars at that date.
During both 1780 and 1781 a full company of mili-
tia served in Rhode Island for from three to five
months, and others were stationed for similar terms
of service on the Hudson. The rolls found indicate
that fully one-quarter of the whole male population
of Lancaster above the age of sixteen, were kept
constantly in the army during the most eventful years
of the struggle for freedom. Over six hundred names
of Lancaster soldiers in the Revolution are already
listed. Almost no records of casualties are discovered
in muster-rolls, but they disclose the names of thirty
men of Lancaster who died of wounds or disease be-
tween the battle of Lexington and 1779. Those who
for any cause were exempted from military service
lived lives of toil and sacrifice. Money was annually
appropriated for the care of soldiers' families, and
the widows and orphans received systematic aid after
the war, the town's expenditure being finally re-
funded by the State. Lancaster is credited with
having paid for such purposes from 1781 to 1785 the
sum of £1852 1«. 4'/.
Twenty-three residents of the extreme southerly
portion of the town, May 15, 1780, presented a peti-
tion to be set off to Shrewsbury. To this public con-
sent was given in June, and an act of Legislature
consummated the division February 2, 1781. The
area thus parted with was about six square miles, and
was incorporated with Boylston in 178(j. TheSecond
Precinct had by 1780 so grown as to outvote the
older portion of Lancaster, and the autonomy it
had long sought could no longer be denied. April
25, 1781, Chocksett was incorporated under the name
of Sterling, in honor of General William Alexander,
Earl of Sterling. By this change Lancaster lost over
half of its population and but thirty-six and one-half
square miles of its territory remained.
The noise and smoke of rejoicing over honorable
victory and independence won soon passed, and
there was time for the town to reckon up its sacrifices
and take account of domestic resources and necessities.
The outlook was not encouraging. The paper cur-
rency had become worthless and disappeared. Farmers
and mechanics were crushed with debt, and half
maddened by burdensome taxation, while lawyers and
merchants were reaping a golden harvest. Bankrupt
sales were advertised on every hand. Soon a spirit
of anarchy was born of the general discontent, which
culminated in Shays' Insurrection. No citizen of
Lancaster is known to have joined the armed force of
malcontents, and very few sympathized with the
appeal to violence. The town sent delegates to the
county conventions, voted in favor of enactment of
laws to alleviate the distress of the people, and re-
commended relieving the farming interest by excise
and import duties.
But when, January 16, 1787, the two militia compa-
nies were called out by Col. William Greenleaf, the
sheriff, the men were found almost unanimously in
favor of supporting the law, and upon his calling for
twenty-eight volunteers to march to the defence of
the courts at Worcester on January 28d, thirty-one
offered themselves. Lancaster was the rendezvous of
the troops from the eastern part of the county, and
Captains Nathaniel Beaman and John Whiting led
companies in the regiments which, under General
Benjamin Lincoln, pursued Shays and scattered his
" regulators." The service was not long nor attended
with bloodshed, but it was arduous in the extreme.
Those who participated in it often grew eloquent in
reminiscence of the terrible night march from Hadley
to Petersham, February 3, 1787, facing a furious snow-
storm in a temperature far below zero. Among those
serving as privates was Captain Andrew Haskell.
Three years later this veteran soldier was slain in
battle with the Indians at the defeat of General
Arthur St. Clair. Hon. John Sprague accompanied
the expedition against Shays upon the stafl' of General
Lincoln, as his legal adviser.
LANCASTEE.
31
Authority had been obtained by an act dated Feb-
ruary 15, 1783, for lotteries to meet the extraordinary
cost of rebuildine and repairing bridges and cause-
ways. Twelve classes of the Lancaster Bridge Lottery
were drawn — the net proceeds of which amounted to
only £3286; and the results in other respeits did not
encourage the continuance of the scheme.
By this time there were ten bridges over the Nashua
rivers, and eight of them were a public charge. They
were all built with one or more trestles in the bed of
the stream, and an ice jam or unusually high freshet
often tore several of these from their anchorage.
A September flood in 1787 swept away the Pouikin
saw-mill_ and damaged or demolished half the bridges
in town. The Sprague, Ponikin and Atherton bridges
were rebuilt in 1788. The Sawyer bridge, so-called,
on the site of the present Carter's Mills bridge —
whither it had been moved from the discontinued
Scar road in 1742 — was rebuilt in 1789.
The majority in Lancaster were opposed to the
ratification of the National Constitution, and elected
Hon. John Sprague their delegate to the State con-
vention of January, 1788, with the usual instructions
as to their wishes. Mr. Sprague, however, finally
favored the ratification, although but six of his Wor-
cester County associates voted with him. This use of
his discretion did not seriously offend his constituency
for at the first meeting for choice of a Presidential
elector, December 18, 1788, he received thirty-one of
the sixty-two votes cast in Lancaster.
Rev. Timothy Harrington became physically unable
to attend to the duties of his pastorate in 1790, and
on October 9, 1793, Rev. Nathaniel Thayer was
ordained as his colleague, receiving as a settlement
two hundred pounds, with a yearly salary of ninety
pounds. Mr. Harrington was born at Waltham, Feb-
ruary 10, 1716, was graduated at Harvard College in
1737, and died at Lancaster, December 18, 1795, having
been pastor over the church here forty-seven years.
By a first wife, Anna Harrington, he had two sons and
four daughters. He married Ann, the widow of Rev.
Matthew Bridge, April 11, 1780. He was a lovable
man, attracting young and old by his gentleness,
affability and simplicity of manners. He wai espe-
cially remarkable for his day, because of his liberality
of sentiment, shown in speech and conduct — a broad
charity toward all humanity. Three of his sermons
were published, and his century discourse was re-
printed in 1806 and 1853.
In 1791, February 7th, the proprietors voted " to re-
linquish to the several towns in the bounds of Old
Lancaster all their right to roads in the respective
towns."
An increased interest in the subject of education
began to be visible in 1788. Some of the leading
citizens organized a central grammar school, and
Timothy Whiting and Jonathan Wilder were elected
a town visiting committee — the first recorded — to
serve with the minister and two others chosen by the
supporters of the school. The following year, under
a new State law, the town was divided into districts,
thirteen in number. In 1790 a new building for the
grammar school was erected on common ground
"opposite General Greenleaf's garden." The next
year one hundred and fifty pounds were appropriated
for education, one-third of which was devoted to the
grammar school, one hundred being divided among
the districts. From 1792 Rev. Nathaniel Thayer be-
came chairman of the school committee annually
elected by the town, which at first consisted of seven,
but was increased to eleven in 1796.
Numerous landed estates passed from the owner-
ship of the older families shortly after the Revolu-
tion, in all sections of the town, and many new names
began to appear in the tax-lists. The ruling spirits
in the town management were Hon. John Sprague,
Capt. Samuel Ward, General John and Judge Timo-
thy Whiting, Sheriff William Greenleaf, Michael
Newhall, Col. Edmund Heard, Ebenezer Torrey,
Joseph Wales, Merrick Rice, William Stedman,
Jonas Lane, .Tohn Maynard, Jacob Fisher, Eli Stearns
and John Thurston, not one of whom was a lineal
descendant of the early settlers. At the north part of
the town many of the old residents became converts
of Mother Ann Lee, and joined the Shaker commu-
nity. A little colony of Reading families succeeded
to their farms. At the south end, as the nineteenth
century opened, the Burditts, Lowes, Rices and Har-
rises, mostly from Leominster and Boylston, came,
bringing with them the horn-comb industry. For a
few years, besides the saw and grist-mills of Col.
Greenleaf, at Ponikin, a trip-hammer and nail-cutting
machine were in operation. The quarry in the
northern end of the town sent annually to Boston a
large quantity of roofing-slate ; but these industries
were short-lived. The first post-office was established
in Lancaster, April 1, 1795, with Joseph Wales as
postmaster. Jonathan Whitcomb carried the mails
and passengers daily to and from the city, by the
" Boston, Concord and Lancaster mail line" stages,
when the century closed.
CHAPTER V.
LANCASTER— ( ro«/z««<(?a') .
Hon. John Sprague — Cotton and Woollen MilU — The Academy — War of
1812— The Wtulingt— The Bnch Meeting-hotae— La/aijette — The
Printing Enterpriee — Dr. Nathaniel Thayer — Neia Churches — (Linton
Set Off — Bi-Centennial — Schools—Libraries — Cernderies.
September 21, 1800, Lancaster lost her leading
citizen by the death of Hon. John Sprague. He had
been for thirty years resident of the town, coming
from Keene, N. H., in 1770, to form a law partnership
with Abel Willard. He was a son of Noah and
Sarah Sprague, of Rochester, Mas-"., born June 21,
1740, and was graduated at Harvard College in 1765.
He served the town ten years as Representative and
32
HISTORY OF WORCESTER COUNTY, MASSACHUSETTS.
two as Senator, was sheriff for three years, and for
two years was chief justice of the Court of Common
Pleas. He was widely respected as a peacemaker, a
safe iidvi?er. a learned lawyer and an impartial judge.
In 1S05, Moses Sawyer and Abel Wilder built the
dam and first mill, at the bridge over the Nashua in
the village then called New Boston. This water-
power soon came into possession of Elias Bennett, and
a fulling-mill was started in addition to the saw and
grist-mills. The clothiers and wool-carders succes-
sively here were Ezekiel Knowlton, Asa Buttrick and
Ephraim Fuller. Asaliel Tower, Jr., also operated a
nail-cutting machine in connection with the saw-mill.
Samuel Carter purchased the property, and, about
1844, built a cotton factory, which was leased to the
Pitts Brothers and others. This was burned .July 7,
1856, and the present factory built upon the same site.
In 1809 Poignand & Plant founded the first cot-
ton factory in Lancaster on the site of Prescott's
mills, and James Pitts, in 1815, built the second,
upon the Nashua. The details of these important en-
terprises will be found in the history of Clinton.
Burrill Carnes, Sir Francis Searles and Capt. Ben-
jamin Lee, three Englishmen of wealth, during about
ten years successively owned and lived upon the
Wilder farm, on the Old Common, now occupied by
the State Industrial School, and by lavish e.xpendi-
ture gave it the semblance of an old-world baronial
estate. In 1804 the place was bought by Maj. Joseph
Hiller, of Salem, who resided here until his death, in
1814. He was an officer of the Revolution, had been
appointed by W.ishington the first collector of Salem,
and was an ardent Federalist, a Christian gentleman
and a very valuable accession to Lancaster. His two
highly accomplished daughters became the wives of
their cousins, Capt. Richard J. and William Cleve-
land, who also came to reside here, and won promi-
nence in town councils. As children came and grew
to boyhood Capt. Cleveland and his wife felt the need
of a higher education fur them than the town's gram-
mar school could give, and persuaded several gentle-
men to join in establishing the Lancaster Latin
Grammar School in 1815.
This classical school was kept for about eleven
years upon the Old Common. The teachers' names
best tell the quality of the education there afforded:
Silas Holman, 1815; Jared Sparks, 181(5 ; John W.
Proctor, 1817 ; George B. Emerson, 1818-19 ; Solomon
P. Miles, 1820-21; Nathaniel Wood, 1822-23; Levi
Fletcher, 1824 ; Nathaniel Kingsbury, 1825. These
scholarly young men, together with Warren Colburn
and James G. Carter, at the most enthusiastic period
of life's work, sitting at the hospitable board of the
Clevelanda, discussed with tlie cultured host and
brilliant hostess the need of a new education which
should develop the rpasoning powers of youth ; and
here they formed the opinions upon which some of
them, as the most irillucniial factors, remodeled the
common-school system of the State.
September 15, 1808, Maj. Hijler, Hon. William
Stedman and Capt. Samuel Ward were chosen by the
town to draft a petition to President Jefferson for a
suspension of the embargo, which it was alleged had
closed the chief sources of the nation's wealth and
destroyed the customary incentives to enterprise and
virtuous industry. The friends of the French party,
as the Jetfersonians were nicknamed, were but few in
Lancaster. At a special town-meeting, June 24, 1812,
resolutions remonstrating against declaring war with
England as suicidal and unnecessary were passed by
a vote of one hundred and fifteen to fifteen. August
20th, Rev. Nathaniel Thayer, it being a fast day,
preached a sermon denouncing what he termed the
iniquitous policy of the President. But when, in Sep-
tember, 1814, the British fleet appeared off the coast,
and Boston was fearing an attack, there was no lack
of belligerency. Among the first military companies
to report to the Governor, in answer to his summons,
were the light artillery and an infantry company
of Lancaster, who, after a service at the meeting-house,
on Sunday, September 14th, proceeded to Cambridge.
Capt. Ezra Sawyer marched his infantry command
back the same week, having been ordered out by mis-
take. The artillery, forty men all told, remained on
duty until November 5, 1814. Capt. John Lyon, who
led the company from Lancaster, was .superseded
by Capt. Silas Parker. Henry, Levi and Fabiua
Whiting served with distinction in the regular army,
attaining the rank of first lieutenant during the war.
Henry Moore was killed at Brownstown, JosiahRugg
died in the army, and Nathan Puffer served in the
United States artillery.
September 3, 1810, John Whiting died at Wash-
ington, aged fifty years. He had been commissioned
lieutenant-colonel of the Fourth United States In-
fantry in 1808. Both he and his brother Timothy,
Jr., served throughout the War of the Revolution,
during which their father came from Billerica to
Lancaster. Both became associate justices of the
Court of Sessions, and were more than once candidates
of the .leffersonian party for Congress. An indication
of John Whiting's ability, probity and lovable char-
acter is found in the fact that when two Lancaster
men were candidates for Congressional honor, in
1804, he received eighty-four votes, while William
Stedman, the regular Federalist nominee, had but
seventy-six, although it was a fevered period in par-
tisan politics and the town's voters were usually more
than three-fourths Federalists. Tradition still recalls
Whiting's suave dignity when presiding over a town-
meeting and his courtly grace in social assemblies.
He was deacon in the church and brigadier-general
in the militia. His daughter, Caroline Lee, as Mrs.
Hentz, became a very popular writer of verse and fiction.
His son, Henry, Brevet Brigadier-General, U. S. A.,
published two volumes of poetry, and contributed ar-
ticles to the Noith American Review.
The corner-stone of the brick meeting-house was
LANCASTEK.
33
laid with appropriate ceremony July !», 1810. Two
acres for the site were purchased for $(533.33, being part
of a farm belonging to Capt. Benjamin Lee. The de-
signer of the building was Charles Bulfinch, the
earliest professional architect in New England, who
also designed the State House in Boston and that at
Augusta. Thomas Hersey wa.s the master-builder.
The cupola has been pronounced by competent
critics to be almost faultless in its proportions. On
Wednesday, January 1, 1817, the building was dedi
cated. The final cost of the structure complete was
i{520,428.!t9, and it was proposed to pay tor it by sale o(
the pews. They were accordingly appraised, eighteen
being given the highest valuation, $230, the lowest
being priced at $:!0. At the auction sale Capt. Ward
paid the highest sum, $275, for pew No. 4 ; Capt. Cleve-
land paid $255 for pew No. 57. A bell weighing
thirteen hundred pounds was jjresented to the parish
by several gentlemen. It was cracked within a few
years, had to be recai^t, and now weighs eleven hun-
dred pounds. The old meeting-house stood until
1823, and was used as a town-house. In that year a
new town-house was built largely from the material
obtained in tearing down the old one.
In the year 1823 the town dared a temporary de-
parture from the old style of bridge construction.
For twenty years the subject had been an.xiously dis-
cussed by special committees and town-meetings_
One committee had presented and advocated a plan
for a double arch stone bridge, but the cost was great
and there was a well-founded fear that the central
|iier would seriously obstruct the passage of ice.
The town also seriously considered a curiously un-
scieutitic wooden structure, in which the planking
was to be laid upon the top of seven timber arches,
unbraced and without chords. Almost yearly one or
more of the trestle bridges yielded to ice or freshet,
and was whirled down stream. Daniel Farnham
Plummer, a wheelwright of South Lancaster, exhib-
ited for several years a model of a wooden arch
bridge, which he claimed to have invented. This
model, three or four feet in length, made of hickory
sticks about as thick as one's finger, readily bore the
weight of a man ; and the town, when the Atherton
and Centre bridges next went seaward, voted to
adopt riummer's principle. The new bridge was out
of the reach of Hood, but had in itself sufficient ele-
ments of instability, and the wonder is that it stood
ten years. The town returned to the stereotype tres-
tle form again, except at the Centre, Ponikin and
North Village, where covered lattice girders were
built, which did good service for from thirty-five to
forty years. The river bridges were all finally re-
placed between 1870 and 1875 with iron structures,
for which, including the thorough rebuilding of most
of the stone abutments, the total expenditure was
thirty-five thousand eight hundred and fifty dol-
lars.
Friday, September 3, 1824, is a date famous in the
3
annals of Lancaster, because of the visit of Lafay-
ette, the nation's guest. The general had passed the
night at the mansion of S. V. S. Wilder in Bolton,
and at half-past six in the morning, escorted by cav-
alry, proceeded to Lancaster by the turnpike. He
was received at the toll-gate with a national salute
from the artillery, and upon arrival near the meeting-
house was met under an elaborately decorated arch
by the town's committee and conducted to a platform
upon the green. There, in the presence of an im-
mense concourse from all the country around, he was
welcomed in an address by Dr. Thayer, to which he
made brief response, evidently deeply aflected by
the eloquent words to which he had listened, and by
the spontaneous homage of a grateful people. After
a brief stay, during which the surviving soldiers of
the Revolution were presented to him, amid the
booming of cannon and the tearful acclamations of
the multitude, the cavalcade moved on towards Wor-
cester.
To this time and for a decade later the martial
spirit of the people was kept bright by the militia
laws. At least once a year the peaceful highways of
the town were wont to bristle with bayonets; and the
rattle of drum, the squeak of fife and the odor of
burnt cartridges overpowered all the sweet sounds
and smells of Nature. This was the " May training."
The " muster-fields " are historic, and old citizens
continue to recount the humors of the parades and
sham -fights. The original territory of Lancaster had
sixteen military companies, which, with half a dozen
from adjoining towns, made up the Lancaster regi-
ment. The town kept up a mounted troop until
1825, and also had a light artillery company and one
of light infantry, besides the ununiformed militia.
The one hundred and fiftieth anniversary of the
destruction of the town by the Indians was cele-
brated February 21, 1826, when an oration was de-
livered by Isaac Goodwin and a poem read by Wil-
liam Lincoln. The former was printed.
So early as 1792 public attention was called to the
desirability of a canal from the seaboard to the Con-
necticut, through Lancaster and Worcester, and pre-
liminary examination of a route was made. This
[>roject was again brought forward in 182(i, and Lan-
caster was earnest in its promotion. Loammi Bald-
win made a survey through Bolton and Lancaster, his
line crossing the Nashua at Carter's Mills ; but capi-
tal failed to forward the enterprise. The traffic, as
before, continued to be conducted by heavy wagons
drawn by teams of horses. Forty such wagons daily
passed through the town to and from Boston, bearing
as many tons of merchandise or farm products. At
intervals of a mile or two stood taverns, which enter-
tained many wayfarers, and nightly attracted to their
sanded-floored bar-rooms a jovial company, which
grew hilarious as the hours sped, under the inspira-
tion of unlimited flip. The most direct route for the
Boston and Fitchburg Railway lay through Lancas-
34
HISTORY OF WORCESTER COUNTY, MASSACHUSETTS.
ter and Bolton, but the blind selfishness of inn-keep-
ers and stage proprietors was able to create sufficient
hostility to the road to carry it by a more tortuous
line through towns then less populous. Repentance
Boon followed, and upon the inception of the Worces
ter and Nashua road its projectors were met in liberal
spirit. Hopes of a more direct connection with Bos-
ton have been often raised, and, finally, April 30,
1870, the Lancaster Railroad Company was incorpo-
rated. Its road was built by George A. Parker, who
became president of the company, but has never been
used owing to a controversy between the Fitchburg
and Worcester and Nashua Railway corporations.
Capt. Samuel Ward died August 14, 1826, aged
eighty-seven. He had for fifty-nine years been resi-
dent in Lancaster, an active and liberal citizen.
Born in Worcester, September 25, 1739, he was for a
time a pupil of John Adams, but entered the army
when a boy of sixteen. His career to the date of his
coming to Lancaster has been outlined in a previous
page- He was devoted to mercantile pursuits until
the last twenty years of his life, which he spent in
the care of his ample landed estate. His generous
hospitality brought many guests to his board, and the
charm of his bright presence and richly-fraught
speech glows for us in the grateful reminiscences of
those who were blessed by his friendly interest. He
left a legacy of five hundred dollars, the income of
which he desired should be annually distributed " to
those who are unfortunate and in indigent circum-
stances " in Lancaster. This sum has been increased
by sundry similar legacies, and forms the Lancaster
Charitable Fund. Capt. Ward had outlived wife
and children many years, and willed his estate
to his niece, Mrs. Dolly Greene, wife of Nathan-
iel Chandler. Squire Chandler, as he was always
called, thenceforward resided in Lancaster. He was
a man of culture, bright wit and quaint individuality ;
born in Petersham, October 6, 1773, graduate at Har-
vard College in 1792, died June 4, 1852. Madame
Chandler survived her husband seventeen years, liv-
ing to the age of eighty-five. Their daughter, Mrs.
Mary G. Ware, remains in possession of the home-
stead.
During 1826 a brick, two-storied structure was
built a little south of the meeting-house, and the
Latin Grammar School was removed thither from the
Old (Common. Hitherto a school for boys only, from
this time both sexes were admitted. The building
was paid for by subscription, and the ground for it
was the gift of George and Horatio Carter. An act
of incorporation was obtained February 11, 1828, by
the subscribers, under the title of the Lancaster
Academy. April 7, 1847, a second corporation with
the same title took possession of the building by pur-
chase, and, in 1879, the town having bought it, tore it
down to make room for the present grammar-school
house. The first teacher of the academy in this lo-
cality was Nathaniel Kingsbury. He had numerous
successors ; among those who served for several years
were Isaac F. Woods, Henry C. Kimball, A.M., and
William A. Kilbourn, A.M.
The year 1826 was also memorable for the publica-
tion of the first systematic history of the town, under
the title of " Topographical and Historical Sketches
of the Town of Lancaster," occupying ninety pages
of the Worcester Magazine. Its able and painstaking
author, Joseph Willard, Esq., was descended from a
Lancaster family, and practiced law here from 1821
to 1831. He proposed publi.shing a more comprehen-
sive history of Lancaster, and made valuable col-
lections of material for it, but it was postponed for
other literary work, and at his death, in 1865, was
found too incomplete for print.
During 1827 the brothers, Joseph and Ferdinand
Andrews, wood and copper engravers, came to Lan-
caster from Hingham. The latter had been editor of
the Salem Gazette. George and Horatio Carter built
the brick house nearly opposite the hotel, in Lancas-
ter Centre, for a book-store and printing oflice, and
thence, March 4, 1828, the first number of the Lan-
caster Gazette was issued. It was a sheet of five
columns to the page, edited by Ferdinand Andrews,
and printed every Tuesday. One of its standing
advertisements was : " Wood, corn and oats re-
ceived in pay for the Lancaster Gazette." The
last number was printed April 13, 1830, and Lancas-
ter had no new'Sjiaper again until the birth of the
Lancaster Courant, in lS4<i.
Maps had been i)rinted and colored here as early as
1825 by the Carters, who were copper-plate printers.
Although the newspaper enterprise did not prosper,
the firm of Carter & Andrews did an extensive busi-
ness in book publishing, engraving on wood, copper
and steel, map printing and coloring, book-binding,
etc., employing nearly one hundred persons. A type
foundry was established by Charles Carter, and a
lithographic press was set up by Henry Wilder in
connection with the firm. In 1834 the business
passed under control of Andrews, Shephard & Has-
tings, and, in 1835, Marsh, Capen, Lyon & Webb took
possession, using for their publication title " The
Education Press." The enterprise was abandoned in
1840. Among many books printed in Lancaster
were: "Peter Parley's Works," "Farmer's General
Register of the First Letters of New England," "The
Comprehensive Commentary," "The Common School
.Tournal," various standard school books, " The
(iirl's Own Book," by Lydia M. Child, a series called
"The School Library," etc. 'J'he wood engraving
was superior to any work of the kind before that
date in the United States.
The Lancaster Bank was incorporated in the name
of Davis Whitman, Jacob Fisher, Jr., Stephen P.
Gardner and associates, April 9, 1836, with a capital
of one hundred thousand dollars. This was increased
by twenty-five thousand dollars in 1847, again by
twenty-five thousand in 1851, and by fifty thousand in
LANCASTER.
35
1854. In 1876 the capital waa reduced to the original
amount, and in 1881 the bank was removed to Clinton.
The first president was James G. Carter, who was suc-
ceeded iu 1840 by Jacob Fisher, Jr. He resigned in
1874 and George W. Howe was chosen president.
Caleb T. Syranies, who had been cashier for thirty
years, retired in 1874 to be succeeded by Wm. H.
McNeil. Closely connected with this was the Lancas-
ter Savings Bank, incorporated in 1845, which, after an
exceptionally prosperous career, was ruined by a series
of unfortunate investments and placed in the hands
of receivers. The deposits amounted to about one
million dollars, of which the depositors have received
fifty-three and one-third per cent., and a small balance
awaits the settlement of the Lancaster Bank affairs.
The dam and mills at Ponikin, from the first saw-
mill built there in 1713 to the existing cotton factory^
have seen many changes in ownership, location and pro
duction. The chief proprietors have been Samuel Ben-
nett, Joseph Sawyer, Col. Joseph Wilder, Col. William
Greenleaf, Major Gardner Wilder, Charles E. Knight,
Charles L. Wilder, etc. When the last-named built the
present dam, only traces of the older ones, lower upon
the stream, were visible, but about a mile up the
river stood a prosperous saw and grist-mill, owned by
the Shakers, but built by Sewall Carter about 1828^
near the site of a saw-mill founded by David Whit-
comb as early as 1721. This mill was bought by the
American Shoe Shank Company, and for several years
leather board, patent shanks, etc-, were manufactured
there. The works were burned in December, 188.3.
While journeying for health and recreation Nathan-
iel Thayer, D.D., died very suddenly at Rochester,
N. Y., June 23, 1840. There had been for nearly two
centuries but one meeting-house, one religious society
in Lancaster. Sectarian differences there were, but
they seldom disturbed the harmony of social relations.
The revered pastor was always the prominent central
figure of the community, the father of the parish.
Nathaniel Thayer was twenty-four years of age when
he began his ministerial labors as the colleague of
Rev. Timothy Harrington, having been born at Hamp-
ton, N. H., July 11, 17G9. He was the son of Rev.
Ebenezer and Martha (Cotton) Thayer. His mother
was a lineal descendant of John Cotton, the first minis-
ter of Boston, and through her he is said to have inher-
ited certain mental and moral features which had dis-
tinguished her ancestors, — " an uninterrupted succes-
sion of clergymen for nearly two hundred and thirty
years." He was fitted for college in the first class at Phil-
lips Exeter Academy and graduated at Harvard in
1789. Two years after his coming to Lancaster, on
October 22, 1795, he was married to Sarah Toppan, of
Hampton, and made his home at first in the old house
now generally known as Mrs. Nancy Carleton's, remov.
ing, after the death of his venerable colleague, to the
parsonage which stood a few feet south of the well in
front of Mrs. Nathaniel Thayer's present residence.
He received the degree of S.T.D. in 1817.
Dr. Thayer was in person not over medium height, nor
was he otherwise of rare mould, but his dignified mien
and a melodious voice of great compass and flexibility
gave impressiveness to his oratory. Twenty-three oc-
casional sermons of his have been printed. Though
always appropriate and sometimes rich in thought
happily expressed, the effectiveness traditional of his
discourses was largely due to the thrilling tones and
skilful emphasis of the orator. He was conscientiously
averse to repeating an old sermon even when his time
was overtasked. Because of his power in the pulpit
and wisdom in church polity he was frequently sum-
moned even from great distances to aid in ordination
and council.
But not alone nor chiefly for his public teachings
was he prized by his people. His benignant presence
was sought as a blessing in times of joy, a comfort in
great sorrow. The prayer from his lips was the never-
omitted prelude to business at the town-meeting.
The young bashfully, the old unreservedly confided
their hopes, soul experiences and troubles to him,
assured of hearty sympathy and wise counsel. He
was the depositary of family secrets ; the composer
of neighborhood disputes ; the ultimate referee in
mooted points of opinion or taste. To a gravity
which might have graced the Puritan clergymen, his
maternal ancestors, he joined an affability that showed
no discrimination in persons, and made him beloved
of children.
The day was never too long for his activity. In the
summer mornings by five o'clock the early travellers
saw him tilling his garden by the roadside. In the
alter part of the day he rode about his extended
parish, stopping to greet every one he met with kindly
inquiry, carrying consolation to the sick and sorrow-
ful, help to the destitute, the refreshment of hope to
the despondent, cheerfulness and peace to all. The
charm of his fireside, with its hearty hospitality, freely
and unostentatiously open to every chance guest, its
frugal comforts made sweeter by abounding Christian
graces,was never forgotten by those who came under
its influence. The wife and mother, who presided with
simple dignity over the household, survived her hus-
band exactly seventeen years, falling asleep at the
ripe age of eighty-two. In 1881-82 an dpse was added
to the brick meeting-house, called the Thayer Memo-
rial Chapel, in honor of Dr. Thayer and his wife_^ In
it, besides the spacious chapel, are an elegantly
appointed church parlor, a kitchen with closets, etc.,
a Sunday-school library room, basement and entrance
hall. Its cost, amounting to about fifteen thousand
dollars, was defrayed by a popular subscription among
the friends of the church, and its memorial character
is indicated by portraits and a suitably inscribed wall-
tablet.
Rev. Edmund Hamilton Sears, of Sandisfield, grad-
uate of Union College, 1834, was installed as Dr.
Thayer's successor December 23, 1840. Failing health
compelled him to obtain rest from the cares of so
3G
HISTORY OF WORCESTER COUNTY, MASSACHUSETTS.
large a parish, and his pastoral connection with the
First Church closed April 1, 1847, to the great grief
of his people, and the regret of all citizens of the
town; for his presence had ever been a quickening
influence to true and earnest living. His subsequent
life was largely devoted to literary labors, and of his
writings, both prose and poetry, some have won a
wide reputation, and that not confined to the so-called
religious circles. In 1871 Mr. Sears was honored by
Harvard College with the degree of S.T.D. He
died at Weston, January 16, 1876. Before him no
minister of the First Church had asked or received
dismission.
It is now two hundred and thirty-five years since
Master Joseph Rowlandson began his ministrations in
the Nashua Valley, and there have been but eight in-
cumbents of the pulpit in tlie church he founded, two
of wliom were slain when their joint service amounted
to but twelve years. The present pastor, George
Murillo Bartol, was unanimously called to his office a
few months after the loss of Mr. Sears, and the fortieth
anniversary of his ordination was feelingly celebrated
by his parishioners on August 4, 1887. He was born
at Freeport, Me., September, 18, 1820, fitted for col-
lege at Phillips Exeter Academy, was graduated at
Brown University in 1842, and from the Cambridge
Divinity School in 1845. His power for good has not
been limited by parish confines, nor restricted to the
stated religious teachings of his order. The clergy
in Lancaster had ever been held the proper super-
visors of the schools, and upon his coming Mr. Bar-
tol was at once placed in the School Board, and was
annually rechosen, until, having given faithful service,
usually as chairman of the board, during twenty-one
years, he felt constrained to ask relief from this oner-
ous duly. From the establishment of the public
library he has always stood at the head of the town's
committee, entrusted with its management, and in its
inception and increase his refined taste, rare knowl-
edge of books and sound literary judgment have been
invaluable. With talents and scholarship that in-
vited him to a much wider field of service, he has
clung lovingly to his quiet country parish, making it
the centre of his efforts and aspirations. He is an en-
thusiastic lover of Nature in all her moods, a discrimi-
nating admirer of beauty in art, earnest in his soul
convictions, although averse to sectarian cotitroversy
— and so tender of heart as to seem charitable to all
human weakness, save that he is intolerant of intol-
erance.
The Universalist Society was organized April 3,
1838, and held its meetings for several years in the
academy building. Rufus S. Pope, James S. Palmer,
Lucius R. Paige, 8.T.D., and John Harriman succes-
sively supplied the i)ul[iit uutil 1843. A meeting-
house was built in South Lancaster, and dedicated
April 26, 1848, but seven years later was closed, in
ISaS was sold to the State, and now stands in the
grounds of the Industrial School. Rev. Benjamin
Whittemore, born in Lancaster, May 3, 1801, son of
Nathaniel, was pastor of the society from 1843 to
1854. He received the degree of S.T.D. from Tufts'
College in 1867, and died in Boston, April 26, 1881,
having been totally blind for the last ten years of his
life.
The First Evangelical Congregational Church was
organized at the house of Rev. Asa Packard, a retired
clergyman resident in Lancaster, February 22, 1839.
Mr. Packard was a fifer in the Continental Army, was
seriously wounded at Hacrlem Heights, entered Har-
vard College and was graduated in 1783. He was
for many years a noteworthy figure in the town, by
reason of his old-school manners and dress. He
wore knee-breeches and silver buckles, the last seen
in Lancaster. March 20, 1843, he was found dead in
his chair, being then eighty-five years of age. He
preached here but a few times. Rev. Charles Packard
was ordained "January 1, 1840, resigned his pastorate
here in 18.'i4, and died at Biddeford, Me., February
17, 1864. He was the son of Rev. Hezekiah Packard,
born in Chelmsford, April 12, 1801, and was graduated
at Bowdoin College, 1817. During his valuable min-
istry in L.ancaster, Mr. Packard was familiarly known
and greatly esteemed by all classes. Firm in opinion,
outspoken where a principle was involved, he was,
nevertheless, genial, resiiectful to the convictions of
others, and always a preserver of peace. The meet-
ing-house was dedicated December 1, 1841, was en-
larged in 1868, and its accommodations increased in
1852 and 1884, by the addition of a chapel, church
parlor, etc.
The successors of Mr. Packard have been : Franklin
B. Doe, graduate of Amherst, 1851, ordained October
19, 1854, resigned September 4, 1858; Amos E. Law-
rence, graduate of Yale, 1840, installed October 10,
1860, resigned March 6, 1864; George R. Leavitt,
graduate of Williams, 1860, ordained March 29,1865,
resigned 1870; Abijah P. Marvin, graduate of Trin-
ity, 1839, begun preaching here 1870, was installed
May 1, 1872, and asked dismission September 12,
1875, but remains a resident of Lancaster, and an
actively useful factor in its affairs; Henry C. Fay,
graduate of Amherst, employed 1876 ; Marcus Ames,
acting pastor, 1877 ; William De Loss Love, Jr.,
graduate of Hamilton, 1873, ordained September 18,
1878, dismissed July, 1881; Darius A. Newton,
graduate of Amherst, 1879, ordained September 21,
1882, dismissed 1885; Lewis W. Morey, graduate of
Dartmouth, 1876, is now acting jjastor.
The New Jerusalem Church of Lancaster was not
legally organized until January 29, 1876, but neigh-
berhood meetings had been held by believers of
Swedenborg's doctrines so early as 1830, and for many
years Reverends James Reed, .\biel Silver and Joseph
Pettee at intervals visited the town and held services,
usually in an ante-room of the town hall. Ridiard
Ward was called as the first pastor in 1880, and was
installed on the same day with the dedication of the
LANCASTER.
37
chapel, December 1, 1880. Besides the tasteful
chapel, the society owns the parsouage and a small
fund, due to the beneficence of Henry Wilder, who
was for about twenty yeara the reader at meetings of
the New Church believers. At his death his prop-
erty was found to be willed for the establishment of
this church.
The Catholic chapel was consecrated July 12, 1873.
The parish is in charge of Rev. Richard J. Patterson,
of Clinton.
The Seventh-Day Adventist Church in South Lan-
caster was organized in 1864, and its meeting-house
was dedicated May .5, 1878. Stephen N. Haskell was
ordained its elder in August, 1870.
The old town-house being inadequate to the public
needs, in April, 1847, it was voted to erect a new one
of brick " between the Academy and the brick meet-
ing-house,'' if land could be obtained, in accordance
with plans furnished by John C. Hoadley, a noted
civil engineer then living in Lancaster. The building
was completed in 1848, costing about seven thousand
dollars. It had only a single story at first, but the
hall proved almost useless as an auditorium because
of echoes, and in 1852 a second story was added at
an expense of twenty-five hundred dollars. This has
been used ever since as a school-room. The annex
at the rear was built in 1881.
Under the stimulus of the comb manufacture and
the temporary prosperity of the cotton factories of
Poignand & Plant and James Pitts, the southerly
portion of Lancaster had slowly grown in population
to nearly fifty families by IS'M), and became known as
the Factory Village. The valuable water-power of
the locality was not half developed for lack of enter-
prise and capital. In due time these came, and com-
bined with them came rare inventive genius. The
Clinton Company began its prosperous career in the
manufacture of the Bigelow coach-lace in 1838. In
1841 the Bigelow quilt-looms were started. In 1844
the foundations of the great gingham-mills on the
Nashua were laid. Soon after the Bigelow power-
looms revolutionized the making of Brussels carpet-
ing. Lancaster suddenly awoke to find, built upon
Prescott's mill-site, the bustling, ambitious village of
Clintonville, embracing within a single square mile
more people than dwelt _in all its borders elsewhere.
Another division of the old town was seen to be in-
evitable, and Lancaster, on the l/ith of February,
1850, granted to her daughter, Clinton, 4907 acres of
land and independence, which grant the Governor and
Legislature confirmed on March 14th.
June 15, 1853, a great multitude from near and afar
assembled in Lancaster to commemorate the two
hundredth anniversary of the incorporation of the
town. After exercises at the meeting-house, which
included an oration by Joseph Willard, the historian,
a procession was formed and marched to the elm-
shaded lawn at South Lancaster, where three of the
town's ministers. Whiting, Gardner and Prentice, had
lived and died. There hosts and guests found tables
loaded with food, and the usual social exercises ended
the festivities. The proceedings of the day were
published, forming a volume of two hundred and
thirty octavo pages, containing much local history.
The eminent educator. Professor William Russell,
established the New England Normal Institute in
Lancaster, May 11, 18.J3. It had but a brief life,
though a very useful one, ceasing to be in the autumn
of 1855. Dependent for support upon the fees
received of students, it could not longer compete with
the free normal schools of the State. Professor Rus-
^^ell thenceforward made Lancaster his home, and
here died August 10, 1873, "universally beloved and
respected for his many virtues. Christian graces and
scholarly attainments." He was a native of Glasgow,
Scotland, born April 28, 1798, and a graduate of
Glasgow University.
Lancaster began the printing of its annual school
reports with that of Rev. Edmund H. Sears for the
school year 1842-43. The first free high school was es-
tablished in 1849, but was discontinued after the sepa-
ration of Clinton in 1850, although the town from
time to time voted to pay the tuition at the academy
of scholars qualified for a high school course. In
1873 the free high school was re-established and located
in the u)iper rooms of the town hall, and the academy
ceased to exist. In 1851 the town, by authority of a
recent enactment, abolished the school districts, since
which year four of the original eleven district schools
have been abandoned, and all schools of suitable size
have been graded into primary and grammar depart-
ments. New school buildings, with modern furniture
.ind appointments, also have replaced the time-worn
structures owned by the districts. The town has
nearly always stood firat in rank in the county, and
among the first twenty-five of the State in its expen-
diture for education. The appropriation for 1888 is
six thousand eight hundred dollars, the children of
school age numbering three hundred and twenty-
four.
It is now one hundred years since the first recorded
election in Lancaster of a school visiting committee.
Dr. Thayer became chairman of the board in place
of Rev. Timothy Harrington in 1794, anil held the
position forty-six years, until his decease. Silas
Thurston, a veteran schoolmaster, was first elected iu
1820 and served for thirty-seven years. He also died
in oflice, October 25, 1868. Capt. Samuel Ward
served about twenty-five years between 1788 and
1816. Rev. George M. Bartol was of the school com.
niittee during twenty-one years between 1848 and 1872.
Solon Whiting served sixteen years between 1820 and
1843. Fifteen others have been membere of the
School Board ten years or more each.
After the destruction of Lancaster in 1676, Master
Rowlandson's books are spoken of by Mather as
though a considerable part of his loss. Mention is
often found in earlv inventories and elsewhere of
38
HISTORY OF WORCESTER COUNTY, MASSACHUSETTS.
respectable literary collections in the possessiou of
Lancaster scholars. But the first considerable library
of a public character here was established by an asso
elation of citizens in 1790, and known as the Lancaster
Library. This society was reorganized in 1800 as the
Social Library Association. In 18.50 the books were
sold at auction to the number of a little over a thou-
sand. The Library Club was organized the next
year, and in 1862 its collection, numbering over six
hundred volumes, together with one hundred and
thirty volumes of the Agricultural Library Associa-
tion, were ottered in aid of a free public library, pro-
vided the town would assume its support and increase
as authorized by statute. The town accepted the
gift, added the little school libraries which had been
purchased in 1844, and opened the collection to the
public October 4, 1802, in an upper room of the town
hall.
January 22, 1866, Mr. Nathaniel Thayer proffered
the town a permanent fund of eight thousand dollar?^
the income of five thousand to be expended in the
purchase of books for the library, and that of the
remainder for the care of the public burial-grounds.
The trust was accepted at the next town-meeting with
grateful acknowledginents. At this date there had
been some discussion about the erection of a monu-
ment to those men of Lancaster who had given their
lives for their country during the Rebellion. It was
wisely decided at the town-meeting of April, 1866, that
the memorial should take the form of a useful public
building, with suitable tablets and inscriptions upon
its inner walls. The town voted the sum of five
thousand dollars for the erection of a library room,
to be known as Memorial Hall, provided an equal
amount should be obtained by private subscription
The building was completed and dedicated June 17,
1868, Rev. Christopher T. Thayer being the orator ot
the day, and Nathaniel Thayer presiding. The cost
of this memorial was nearly thirty thousand dollars,
of which Nathaniel Thayer defrayed nearly two-
thirds..
Hon. Francis B. Fay subscribed one thousand dol-
lars, and afterwards gave one hundred dollars more
for a clock. Colonel Fay had been a resident of the
town for about ten years, having built a mansion in
1859 upon the site now covered by the country-house
of E. V. R. Thayer. He was born in Southborough
June 12, 1793, had served in both branches of the
Legislature for Chelsea, of which city he was the
first mayor, and for a brief time was Representative
in Congress, being appointed by Governor Boutwell
to fill the unexpired terra of Hon. Robert Rantoul,
deceased. He died in 1876.
George A. Parker presented the library with a
large collection of costly works relating to the fine
arts, selected by himself and valued at over five hun-
dred dollars, and gave seven hundred dollars for the
purchase of books of similar character. This en-
lightened benefaction of Mr. Parker claims the
gratitude of the community not only, nor chiefly, for
its munificence, but because it richly endowed a de-
partment which must otherwise have been meagrely
furnished, — aflbrds the means for gratifying the love
of beauty, innate in all humanity, — combats utilita-
rianism and teaches refinement — exerts a humanizing
and exalting influence by appeals to hope and imagi-
nation from beyond the dry line of knowledge. The
nature of the gift discloses something of the charac-
ter of the donor, who was a man of broad intellect,
keen powers of observation and comprehensive views
upon measures of public utility. Extensive travel
had developed in him cosmopolitan tastes, he had
acquired a wide acquaintance with English literature,
and his private collection of books was of choice
selection and the largest in the town.
George Alanson Parker was born May 9, 1822, at
Concord, N. H., one of thirteen children. Being
early thrown upon his own resources, he was forced
reluctantly to abandon cherished hojjes of a classical
education, although fitted for entrance to Harvard
College, and began his life's work in the ofiice of the
noted civil engineer, Loammi Baldwin. In 1842 he
opened an engineering oflice in Charlestown, Mass.,
associated with Samuel M. Felton, whose youngest
sister became his wife. Among other public works
in which he was engaged during this part of his
career were the surveys of the Fitchburg, Peterboro'
and Shirley and Sullivan roads, and the building of
the Sugar Biver and Bellows Falls bridges. In the
spring of 1857 he came to Lancaster to reside. He
i)ecame the chief engineer for the Philadelphia, Wil-
mington and Baltimore Railway, and during a long
illness of President Felton was acting president of
the corporation. The building of the Susquehanna
Bridge at Havre de Grace, Md., was his most cele-
brated professional success, and one which gave him
a national reputation. In the earlier stages of ils
construction he patiently overcame almo.st insuper-
able natural difficulties, and when the superstructure
was well advanced a tornado destroyed, in a few
moments, the labors of months. This terrible mis-
fortune he bore with cheerful fortitude, displaying
great fertility of expedient and fresh energy in the
reconstruction. During the Rebellion he was agent
of the government for supplying rolling-stock to the
roads used by the War Department. His latest work
was the building of the Zanesville and Ohio River
Railway. He was for many years consulting engineer
of the Baltimore and Ohio Railroad corporation. He
freely gave his townsmen the benefit of his large ex-
perience and skill for the permanent improvement of
the public ways and bridges, and served them faith-
fully for three years in the Legislature.
Throughout a life of unusual activity and grave
responsibility never did his home in Lancaster fail
to give him peace, rest and inspiration for new work.
For Lancaster he always had a devoted affection,
and for her people a sincere regard, which displayed
I
iyj^ JL ^^^CJiZ.^^
LANCASTER.
39
itself in earnest and ready sympathy in time of need.
Tlioiigh too busy a man to be greatly given to social
rerreation, his hospitality was unbounded, and he was
one of the most entertaining and genial of hosts, the
most kindly and helpful of neighbors. He lived in
closest sympathy with Nature, having the tenderest
appreciation of every beauty in her realms of field,
forest and stream. In the marvelous order of the
seasons, in the development of animate and inani-
mate creation, he recognized the law and beneficence
of the Almighty and found confirmation of hisstrong
and abiding religious faith. By the roadsides and
within the borders of his own estate remain the ever-
growing evidence of his love for trees and his thought
for his children's children and the townspeople.
In the graceful outline and the grateful shade of a
stately tree he felt truly that to them who should
live after him he had left a kindly memory.
He died very suddenly April 20, 1887, before any
waning of bodily or mental vigor was discernible in
him, and before he bad reached the span of life
allotted to man ; but he had done a full life-time's
work. Death came as he would have had it — in his
own home and when his earthly labors had found
successful conclusion.
Hon. George Bancroft, September 20, 1878, in
memory of kindness received in boyhood of Oapt.
Samuel Ward, asked the town to receive one thousand
dollars in trust, the income " to be expended year by
year for the purchase of books in the department of
history, leaving the word to be interpreted in the very
largest sense." The trust was accepted with proper
expression of thanks, and is entitled the Bancroft
Library Fund, in memory of Capt. Samuel Ward.
The income of two thousand dollars, the bequest of
Rev. Christopher T. Thayer, who died in 1880, is also
available for the purchase of books. Special bequests
have been received from Mary Whitney, Deborah
Stearns, Sally Flagg, Mrs. Catherine (Stearns) Bal-
lard and Martha R. Whitney. Henry Wilder and
Dr. J. Jy. S. Thompson, by their intelligent interest
and zeal, secured valuable archieological and natural
history collections, which are constantly increasing
by donations.
The library is more generously endowed with ex-
pensive and beautiful works on the natural sciences
and art than most public libraries of twice its size
and age. It is also rich in local history and bibliog-
raphy, as such a collection should be. The town
appropriates for its care and increase one thousand
dollars annually, besides the dog-tax, fines and .sales
of duplicates — amounting to four or five hundred
dollars more.
The memorial hall, occupying the larger part cjf the
edifice, serves as a reading-room, contains shelving
for twenty thousand volumes, and a tablet upon which
are cut the names of the town's soldiers who died in
the war. A fire-proof room is used by town officers,
and contains the town records. The natural history
collections are displayed in an upper hall. The num-
ber of bound books is now twenty thousand ; of pam-
phlets, over ten thousand. About thirteen thousand
volumes were loaned during 1887 for home use, or an
average of twenty-nine for each family in town. The
management of the library and cemeteries is vested
in a committee of seven. Rev. George M. Bartol has
been chairman of this board from the first. Dr. J. L.
S. Thompson served as librarian, with the exception
of one year, until 1878, and Miss Alice G. Chandler
has held the office since that date. The original
building being already crowded by the growth of the
collections, extensive additi(jns are in progress which
will more than quadruple the shelf capacity. The
cost of these improvements is assumed by the four
sons of Nathaniel Thayer, honoring their father's
generous interest in this noble* institution, the pride
of the town.
There are six public burial-grounds in Lancaster,
all save one thickly set with the narrow homes of the
town's m.ijority. The oldest is mentioned in 1658 as
" burying-place hill," and probably was set apart for
its purpose in 1653, being close by the site of the first
meeting-house. The oldest date legible is that upon
a stone marking the grave of the first John Houghton
— April 29, 1684. There are older memorial stones,
however, but undated. Among them are that of the
first John Prescott, 1683, and that of Dorothy, the
first wife of Jonathan Prescott, who died a year or
two before the massacre. The earliest stones are rude
slabs of slate, and the brief inscriptions, now almost
illegible, seem to have been incised by an ordinary
blacksmith's chisel in unskilled hands. The graves
of four of the earlier ministers — Whiting, Gardner,
Prentice and Harrington — are grouped together in
this yard.
The second burying-ground is that upon the <31d
Common, opposite the site of the third church. The
land for this was given by the second Thomas Wilder,
probaV)ly in 1705. The third, called the North Ceme-
tery, as a town institution dates from 1800, but the
field had been used for burial purposes several years
earlier.
The Middle Cemetery contains about two acres, and
was purchased of Dr. Thayer and Hon. John Sprague
in 1798. The North Village Cemetery covers about
four acres, and was bought in 1855. Eastwood-ew-
braces forty-six acres, was purchased in 1871, accepted
as a cemetery in April, 1874, and dedicated October
12, 1876. The grounds are forest-clad and naturally
beautiful, the highest elevaliuns commanding exten-
sive views. They are laid out with winding drives
according to a plan made by H. W. S. Cleveland,
landscape architect, a native of Lancaster. All the
public burial-places are cared for by a special com-
mittee. The town's appropriation for this purpose is
usually three hundred dollars, and the income of
seven special funds amounts to two hundred dollars
more.
40
HISTORY OF WORCESTER COUNTY, MASSACHUSETTS.
CHAPTER VI.
'LANCASTER— {Con/hiued).
The I>rheUim—The Tmfn's Hislory Printed— The Town's Poor— Death of
Malhanief. Thatjer— General SkitiftiCB, Etc.
At the Presidential election of 185G the vote of
Lancaster was: For John C. Fremont, 232; James
Buchanan, 35; Millard Fillmore, 10. The vote
of 1860 stood : For Abraham Lincoln, 183 ; Stephen ■
A. Douglas, 42; John Bell, 41. The men who thus
voted, when traitors appealed from the ballot-box to
the sword, were not tardy in defence of their convic- I
tions. One of Lancaster's sons served in the Sixth
Regiment, in which was shed the first blood of the
Rebellion, in 1861, on the anniversary of the battle of
Lexington. The news of that bloodshed told every '
village of the North that the bitterness of civil war
had begun. Monday evening, April 22d, a mass-
meeting of the citizens in Lancaster town-hall. Dr.
J. L. S. Thompson chairman, deliberated upon the
grave dangers threatening the republic. Enthusias-
tic patriotism ruled the assembly ; nor was it con-
tent with flamboyant resolutions only, but began
then and there the organization of a company for [
the defence of the government. '
This company, seventy-eight men, chiefly of Lan-
caster and Bolton, was called the Fay Light Guard,
in honor of Hon. Francis B. Fay, of Lancaster. It
was soon drilling under command of Thomas Sher-
win, captain-elect, and three weeks later joined the
Fiftegnth Regiment, in camp at Worcester. With-
out any sufficient reason, alleged or apparent, the
Governor arbitrarily refused to commission the com
pany's chosen commander as captain, and the men,
in response, encouraged by the sympathy of the
whole camp, refused to be sworn in under the
stranger from another county set over them. The
company was therefore disbanded, when the rank
and file, almost without exception, enlisted in other
companies of the Fifteenth and Twenty-first Regi-
ments. They had received an outfit, and been paid
one dollar per day for all time spent in drill, at an [
expense to the town of nearly one thousand dol-
lars. Before the end of August, 1861, forty volun-
teers represented Lancaster in the Union Army, and
before October closed, four of these slept their last
sleep on the banks of the Potomac, victims in the ■
defeat at Ball's Bluff.
Meetings for drill were held in the town-hall on
Monday evenings, in which many a volunteer who
afterwards did good service in the field received his
first lessons in the school of the soldier. Donations
of money, underclothing, etc., were solicited by a
citizens' committee, and, during the first winter of
the war, forwarded for distribution among the
town's soldiers. In July, 1862, systematic measures
were adopted for affording relief to the sick and
wounded. Frequent public meetings kept enthusi
asm from flagging. Seventeen three-years' men
were demanded of the town, and were soon march-
ing with the Thirty-fourth Regiment. It was
voted, July 23d, to pay each recruit sworn in the sum
of one hundred dollars. Twenty-one nine-months'
men were called for in August, and entered the
camp of the Fifty-third, under Lieut. Edward R.
Washburn.
The Soldiers' Relief Association was formed Au-
gust 27, 1862, with Mrs. Harriet \V. Washburn, presi-
dent, and Miss Elizabeth P. Russell, secretary and
treasurer. It soon became a branch of the Sanitary
Commission, held weekly meetings, which were uni-
formly well attended, and quietly accomplished a
vast amount of beneficent work.
In the calls of 1863 the town again offered one
hundred dollars bounty in addition to that promised
by State and national government, and her quota
was quickly filled, most of the recruits being as-
signed to the Thirty-fourth and Thirty-sixth Regi-
ments. In 1864 the premium was raised to one hun-
dred and twenty-five dollars, the maximum allowed
by law, and sundry substitutes were hired. As
news came from the great battle-fields one by one,
Lancaster learned that her sons were doing their
duty everywhere, and family after family mourned
their unreturning brave. Capt. George L. Thurston
came from the battle-ground of Shiloh, his constitu-
tion undermined by fatigue and exposure, to die
among his kindred. Capt. Edward R. Washburn
was brought from the bloody charge at Port Hudson
wilh a shattered thigh, to die at home within a year.
In the very last days of the struggle Col. Frank
Washburn fell mortally wounded, while leading a
desperate cavalry charge against an overwhelming
force of the enemy at High Bridge.
The following is a complete roster of those who
served for Lancaster :
Albec, .John G., 53d (nine months), I ; 18 ; Oct. 18, '62 ; taken priBoner
at Thibodeaux, La. ; mnstered out Sept. 2, '63.
Alexandpr, Nathaniel, loth, C; -10; I)ec. 17, '01 ; discharged for dis-
ability Oct. 16, '62.
Atchlnson, Williatii, 28tli, A ; 22 ; Aug. 10, '63 ; nuiHtered out June 30,
'65 ; a substitute for t'. L. Wilder, Jr.
Aj'ers, .lolin Curtis, 53d (nine luontlis), I ; 2ft ; Oct. 18, '62, as sergeant ;
2d lieut. May 22, '63 ; 1st lieut. July 2, '63 ; mustered out Sept. 2,
1863.
Balcom, Charles H., 15th, C; 33; Dec. 14, '61 ; transferred to V. R. C.
April 15, '64 ; re-enlisted ; mustered out Nov. 14, '65.
Dall, Henry F., 41h CaT., (! ; 24 ; Dec. 31, '63 ; hospital steward Sept.,
'64 ; mustered out Ntiv. 14, '65 ; credited to Clinton.
Bancroft, Frank Carter, <ilUu Henry T. Colter, Stli New Hampshire, A ;
17; t)ct. 25, '61 ; drummer; wounded in ankle at Maryville, La.,
May, '63 ; re-enlisted ; mnstered out Oct. 28, '65.
Barnes, Frank W., U. S. Navy ; enlisted Sept. 15, '62, ou frigate " Blin-
nesota ; " discharged Sept., "63.
Barnes, George A., 16th, C ; IS ; cori)oral .Inly 2, '61 ; shot through foot
ai^d taken prisoner at second battle of Bull's Run, Va., Aug. 20, '6J ;
distdiarged for wound Oct. 10, '62.
Beard, Jonas H., 25th, C ; 25; Sept. '28, '61 ; re-enlisted; wounded ill
hip at Cold Harbor, Va., June 3, '64 ; mustered out July 13, '65.
Bell, John, 2d Cav. ; 26 ; May 7, *64 ; unassigned recruit ; anon-resi-
dent substitute.
Blgelow, William W., 25th, D ; 21 ; Sept. 27, '61 ; taken prisoner in
N. C. ; discharged for disability Slarch 18, '63.
LANCASTER.
41
Bergman, Albert, 3d Cav. ; 26 ; July 2, '64 ; a non-resident eiibstitnte.
Blood, Charles E., 34th, II ; 21 ; Dec. 10, 'fVi ; transferred June 14, '65,
t(.» 21th, G ; sergfant ; mustered out Jan. 20, '66.
Britlge. Jaiiits A., :i4th, H ; Dec. 19, 'fiH; shot in forehead at Newmarket,
\n.. May 15, '64, and dit-d of wound.
liroc.ks, Walter A., 53d (nine months), I ; 25 ; Oct. 18, '62 ; corporal ;
ilied al Meiniiliis, T(.'nn., Aug. 22, 'tVi.
Bruwo, Jonn^ II., 34th, II ; 41 ; July 31, '62 ; muBtered out June 16, '65.
liurbank. Levi B., 34th, II ; 43 ; July 31, '62 ; discharged for disahility
F«b. 27, '64.
Burditt, Charles F., 3(itli ; 43 ; Doc. 26, '63 ; nnassigned and rejected U'-
cruit ; a veteran of the Florida wai".
Burditt. Thomas E., 20th, D ; 22; Sept. 4, '61 ; mustered out Sept. 14,
1S64.
Burke, James E., 21st, E ; 26 ; Aug. 23, "61 ; killed at Chantilly, Sept. 1,
1S62.
Carr, William D., 13th Now Hampshire, G ; 40; Sept. 19, '62; corporal ;
wounded by shell May 13, '64, and died nf wound June 20, '64.
(^lafee, George E., r»3d (nine monthe), I ; 35 ; Oct. 18, '62 ; taken pris-
oner at Brashear City, La , Jnne 20, '63 ; mustered out Sept. 2, *63.
Chandler, Frank W., fiSd (nine months), I ; 18 ; Oct. 18, '62 ; mustered
out Sept. 2, '63.
Chaplin, Solon W., 34th, H ; 38 ; Jrtly 31, '62 ; color corporal ; killedat
Piedmont, Ya., .Inue o, '64, by shell.
(Minton, Joseph, 2d, I ; 22 ; May 7, '64 ; mustered out July 11, '65 ; a
non-resident substitute.
Cobb, William L.,3Jth, II; 22; 2d lieut. July 18, '62; let lieut. Aug.
23, '62 ; wounded in forehead at Ilipon, Va., Oct. 18, '63 ; taken
prisoner at Ce<lar Creek, Va , Oct. 13, '64 ; capt. Feb. IS, '65 ; mus-
tered out May ir», '65, as 1st lieut.
Coburn, George B., 34th, II ; IS ; July 31, '62 ; shot through foot, acci-
dentally, before Peterehnrg, and disidiarged therefor May lii, '65.
Coburn, Cyrus E., 5tb (one Juuidred days), I ; 21 ; July 19, '64 ; mus-
tered out Nov. 16, '64.
Copeland, Joseph, 15th, D ; 21 ; April 2!), '64 ; transferred to 2()tb, E,
July 27, '64; died a prisoner at Salisbury, N. C, Dec. 21, '64 ; a
substitute,
Ooyle, John, 2d Cav., II ; 22 ; May 7, '64 ; a non-resident substitute.
Cutler, George W., 15th, C ; 22 ; July 12, "61 ; shot through hetid at
Ball's Bluff. Va., Oct. 21, '61.
thitk-r, Isaac N., 15tb, <,' ; 20 ; July 12, '61 ; severely wounded in left
ankle at Antietam, Md., Sept. 17, '62, and discharged therefor March
20, '63.
Cutler, Henry A., 5:(d (nine mouths), I ; 18 ; Oct. 18, '62 ; died at Baton
Rouge, La., July 9, '63.
I'aitey, James, 34tb, II ; 18 ; July 31, '62 ; mustered out June 16, '6.').
I'.unon, Daniel M., 34tb, II ; 25 ; duly 31, '62 ; 1st sergt. ; taken pris-
oner at Winchester Sept. 19, '64 ; 2d Ueut. May 15, '65 ; mustered
iiut June 16, "(i5, as 1st sergt.
I'rtviiison, Thomas H., I5th, A ; 25 ; July 12, '61 ; discharged for dis-
ability April 25. '62.
Davis, George W., 13th Battery L. A. ; 23 ; April 6, '64 ; mustered out
July 28, '65; a non-resident substitute.
l»ay, Joseph N., 34th, H ; 22 ; Jan. 4, '64 ; wounded iu head at Win-
chester, Va., Sept. in, '64 ; transferred to 24th, G, June 14, '65,
and to V. R. C. May 2, '65 ; discharged July 25, '6.'i,
l)illun, James, 31th, H ; 26 ; July 31, '62 ; discharged for disiibility April
7, '63, and died al lionio Jlay 10, '63, of consumptioiv
Divull, George W.. 7th Battery L. A. ; 37 ; Jan. 5, '64 ; died at New
Orleans, La., Sept. 21, 'i>4 ; credited to Leominster.
Dupee, John, 33d, E ; 36 ; July 2, '64 ; transferred to 2d, A, June 1,
'65 ; mustered out July 14, '65 ; a non-resident substitute.
Eldt-n, Henry H., U. S. Signal Corps ; 23 ; Dec. 2, '64 ; a non-resident
substitute.
Ellis, Warren, loth, F ; 2u ; July 12, '61 ; wounded at Antietam, Md.,
Sept. 17, '62 ; transferred to V. .S. Signal Corps Oct. 27, '63.
Fabay, Bartholet, 15Ih rnattached Co. (one hundred days) ; 21 ; July
29, '64 ; mustered out Nov, I'l, '64.
Fairbanks, Francis H., 15th, C ; 25 ; July 12, '61 ; discharged for die
ability April 10, '62; re-enlisted in 34tb. H, July 31, '62 ; taken
prisoner at Cedar Creek, Va., Oct., '64, and died at Salisbury, N. C,
Jan. 4, '65.
Fairbanks, Charles T., 1st New Hampshire luf. (three mouths), F ;
23; May 2, '61 ; nuistered out Aug. 9, '61 ; re-enlisted in N. H.
Batt. of N. E. Cav. Sept. 15, '62 ; shot through body Jun« 18, '63,
and died the u( xt day.
Farnsworth, John A., 34th, H; 18; Julv 31, '62; corporal; wounded
3i
in arm at Piedmont June 5, '64 ; discharged for disability May 18,
186,5.
Farnsworth, Franklin H., 15th, C; 19; .Inly 12, '61 ; killed at Fair
()aks. Va., May 31, '62.
Farnsworth, George W., 34th, H ; 18 ; Jan. 4, '62 ; wounded in head at
Piedmont, June 5, '64 ; dihcharged for disability June 8, '65,
Farnsworth, John E., 34tb, H ; 18 ; Jidy 31, '6.,* ; corporal ; wounded
in leg at Newmarket May 15, '64 ; in ami and hip at Winchester
Sept. 19, '64 ; mustered out June Iti, '65.
Farnsworth, William H., 7th, B; June 15, '61.
Field, Edwin F., 21st, E ; 29 ; Aug. 23, '61; sergt.; 2d lieut. Dec. 18,
'62 ; resigned May 8, '63.
Finnesey, James, 42d New York, K ; 21 ; corporal ; Aug. 9, '61 ; sergt.,
transferred to 59th N. Y. ; mustered out August 5, '64 ; died at In-
dianaj)olis (»ct. 10, '64.
Fisher, William H., 53d (nine months), I ; 18 ; (let. 18, '62 ; mustered
out Sept. 2, '63.
Flagg, Albert, 53d, K ; 18 ; Oct. 17, '62 ; mustered out Sept. 2, '63.
Flagg, Charles B.,34tb, A; 23; June 23, '62 ; mustered out June 16,
1865.
Fox, William L., 21st, E; 10; August 23, '61 ; corporal; wounded in
arm at Chantilly Sept. 1, '62 ; rc-enlistvnl Jan. 2, '64 ; sergt. ; dis-
charged as supernumeiary Sept. 24, '64.
Fox, Thonms, 11th Batteiy L. A. ; 18 ; Dec. 23, '64 ; rnustered out June
16, '65 ; a substitute.
Frary, Oscar, 53d (nine months), I ; 30 ; Oct. IS, '62 ; died at Baton-
llouge, La., July 28; '63.
Fuller, Edward M., 34th, F ; 20; corporal; Aug. 9, '62; appointed
capt. in 39lh U. S. C. T. March 21, '64 ; niaj. V. S. C. T. June 1,
'65; mustered out D«c., '65; wounded in head at Petersburg July
30, '64.
Fury, Michael, 34th, II ; 26 ; July 31, '62 ; wounded in leg at Piedmont
June 5, '64 ; mustered out August 6, '(;5.
Goodwin, John, 2d Cavah'y, L; In; Srpt. 13, '64; a non-resident sub-
stitute.
Gould, John, U. S. Navy ; enlisted Au;;ust, '62, on supply steamer
** Ilhode Island."
Gray, Stephen W , 34th, H ; 30; July 31, '62 ; died at Martinsburg,
Va., April 2, '64.
Gray, James M., 15th, C; 23; July 12, '61 ; discharged for disability
Feb. 16, '63.
Hardy, George H. ,21st, D; 21 ; Aug. 23, '61 ; corporal ; wounded in leg
at Konnoke Island Feb. 7, '62 ; re-enlisted Jan. 2, '64, and trans-
ferred to 36th, I ; wiiunded in body at Petersburg, Va., June I, '64 ;
transferred to 56th June 8, '65; mustered out July 12, '65;
credited to Harvard and Leominster,
riarriman, Harris C, 53d (nine months), I ; 33 ; Oct. 18, '62 ; wounded
by shidl in leg at Port Hudson, La., June 14, '62 ; mustered out
Sept. 2, '63.
Oaynes, JohnC, 36th, G ; 29 ; Jan. 2, '64 ; died at Camp Nelson, Ky.,
March 19, '64.
Hills, Thomas Augustus, 53d (nine months), C; 21 ; Nov. 6, '62 ; mus-
tered out Sept. 2, '63 ; enlisted in 5th (one hundred days) July 22,
'64 ; mustered out Nov. 16, '64, as sergt; credited to Leominster.
Ilodgnian, Oren, 34tii, C ; 19; July 31, '62 ; taken prisoner at New-
market, Va., May 15, '64, and died at Cliarleston, S. C, Sept. 30,
1864.
Horan, Fordyce, 15th, A ; 20 ; Doc. '24, '61 ; transferred to Ist U. S.
Artillery, Co. I, Nov. 17, '62; died at Washington Nov. 3, '64.
Hosley, Henry H., 15th, C ; 18 ; July 12, '61 ; transferred No\. 12, '62,
to let tl. S. Artillery, I ; mustered out July 12, '64 ; credited -fn
Townsend.
Hunting, Albert G., I6th, B ; 19 ; July 2, '61 ; killed at Fair Oaks June
25, 'I54 ; credited to Holliston.
Hunting, Joseph W., 16th, B ; 22 ; July 2, '61 ; nnistered out July 27.
'64 ; credited to Hulliston.
Hunting, Thomas A. G., 34ih, H ; 45 ; July 31, '62 ; shot through the
body and taken prisont-r at Piedmont, Va., Jnnf5, '64; discharged
for disability May 23, '65.
Jackson, David W., 53d (nine montlis), I ; 33 ; Oct. IS, '62 ; mustered
out Sept. 2, '63.
James, Jolin, 53d (nine months), I ; 21 ; Oct. 18, '62 ; mustered out
Sept. 2, '63.
Johnson, Adelbert W., 15th, C ; 23; July 12, '61; discharged for dis-
ability May, '62 ; enlisted in 53d, Nov. 6, '62, from Leominster ;
wounded in knee at Port Hudson, La., and died at Baton Kouge
July 11, '63.
42
HISTORY OF WORCESTER COUNTY, MASSACHUSETTS.
Jofllyn, Edward R., 13th Illinois, B ; 21 ; enlisted at Storling, III., May
24, '61 ;*tak*n prisoner May 17, 'C4, and died at St. Louis, Mo., April
13, '05.
Kelly, Martin, fiOth New York, H; 20; enlisted at Ogdenslmrg, N.
Y., Oct. 17, '61 ; corporal ; re-enlisted Dec. 14, '63 ; mustered out
July 17, '65.
Kern, John, 2d Hoiivy Artillery ; 22 ; July 2, '(>4 ; a non-residout sub-
stitute.
Keyes, Sumner W., 5lh (one hundred days), 1 ; 21 ; July 19, '64 ; mus-
tered out Nov. 16, '64.
Keyes, Stephen A., r)3d (nine months), K ; 18; Oct. 17, '62 ; died and
buried at sea (iff Flurida Aug. 1(), '63.
Kilburn, SumuerR., 15th, C ; 18 ; July 12, '61 ; re-onlisted Feb. 18, '64 ;
wimndyd in VVildcruess, Va., May 6, '64, and died at Fredericksburg
May 16, '64.
Kingsbury, Joseph >V., 15th, A ; 18 ; Aug. 1, '61 ; lakoti prisoner and
discharged for diFuhility Nov. 27, '62.
Kittredge, Solomon, loth, C ; 42 ; Dec. 17, '61 ; triin(>ferred May 1, *62,
to V. R. C. ; re-enlisted July 1, '64; mustered out Nov. 14, '65.
Krum, John, 35th, K; 24; Juno 29, '64; transferred to 29tli, K,
June 9, '65 ; a non-resident substitute.
Langley, James, 2d Cavalry ; 22 ; May 7, '64 ; a non-reaident sub-
stitute.
Lawrence, Sewell T., Ii3d, H ; 31 ; Oct. 5, '61 ; discharged fur disability
Aug. 11, '62 ; credited to Clinton.
Lawrence, Willard R., 15th, (^ ; 2H ; July 12, '61 ; sliut through body
and killed at Ball's Bluff, Va., Oct. 21, '61.
J-eroy, Frank B., 57th, C ; 18 ;lFeb. 18, '64 ; mustered out June 22, '65 ;
a non-resident substitute.
McCiirron, William, 3d Heavy Artillery, L ; 23 ; May 30, '64 ; discharged
fur disability Sept. 311, '64; a nun-resident substitute.
McKay, William S., 3d Cavalry, A ; 24 ; April 8, '64 ; sergt. ; sergt.-
nuijor July 26, '65 ; mustered out Sept. 28, '65 ; a non-resident
substitute.
McQuillan, Charles E., 2l6t, E ; 20 ; Aug. 23, '61 ; corporal ; wounded
at Antietam, Sept., "62 ; transferred to 2d U. S. Cavalry, K, Oct. 30,
'62 re-enlisted in Hancock's U. S. Vet. Vols. Dec. 9, '64 ; mus-
tered out Dec. 9, '65.
McUell, Epbraim, U. S. Navy ; 18 ; enlisted Aug. 20, '63 ; served one
year, chielly un gunbuat " Nipsic " in Charleston blockade.
Mcllell, William J., V. S. Navy ; 21 ; enlisted Aug. 12, '62; wounded
liy concussion of shell Feb, 1, '63, at Stone Inlet, S. C, ; taken
prisoner.
Mahar, Dennis, 21st, B ; 21 ; Aug. 23, '61 ; discharged for disability
Jan. 16, '63 ; claimed also by Clinton.
Mann, George C, 15th, F ; 21 ; July 12, '01 ; taken priwmer at Ball's
Bluff, Va., Oct. 21, '61 ; wounded in right leg at Gettysburg, July
2, '63 ; mustered out July 28, *64.
MattliewB, David W., 34th, II ; 20 ; Sept. 19, '63 ; transferred to 24th
June 14, '65 ; mustered out to date from Jan. 20, '66.
Matthews, George W., 31th, II ; 18 ; Sept. 19, '63 ; wounded in Ittg at
Newmarket, Va., May 15, '64 ; taken prisoner at Liberty, W. A'a.,
Juuo 17, '64, and in .\riderfiunville prison ; tlischurged for disability
June 1, '65.
Mayo, John, 2d, C. ; 24 ; July 2, '64 ; a non-resident sulistituto,
Mellor, William H., 34th, H ; 18 ; July 31, '62 ; transferred to V. R. V.
Jan. 19, '65.
Miller, Frank, 2d Heavy Artillery, A ; 27 ; July 2, 'i;4 ; died at New
Berne, N. ('., May 12, '65; a non-resident suliHtitutc.
Mueglen, John Louis, 2iith, A ; (pver 50 ; discharged for disability .Xpril
29, '02 ; enlisted in 2d Cavalry, M, Feb. 2, '04 ; dieil Sept. 2S, 'i,4, of
a bvillet wound in Shenandoah Valley.
Monyer, John, 2d Cavalry ; 35 ; Dec. 27, '04 ; a non-icsident sub-
stitute.
Moore, Joseph B.,r)3d (nine monthsl, I ; 38 ; Oct. IS, '62; wounded in
head May 27, '63, at Tort Hudson, La. ; mustered out Sejit. 2, '63.
Moore, Oliver W., V. R. C. ; 20 ; July 21, '64, on I'e-enlistment ; mus-
tered out Nov. 17, '65 ; a non-resident substitute.
MoBCs, Robert It., 15th, C ; 24 ; Dec. 17, '61 ; shot through lungsat An-
tietam Sept. 17, and died Oct. 3, '62.
Murphy, William F., 32d, D ; Sept. 7, '63 ; transferred to V. S. Navy
May 3, '64 ; a non-resident substitntefor K. W. Ilostner.
Neil, Louis, 2d Heavy Artillery, A ; 22 ; July 2, '64 ; died Nov. 22, '64,
at Plymouth, N. C. ; a non-resirlent substitute.
Nourse, Byron H., 53d (nine months), I ; 24 ; (let. IS, '62, as sergt; 1st
Borgt. Jan. 22, '63 ; niustererl out Sept. 2, '63.
Nourse, Roscoe H,, 53d {nine months), I; 22 ; Oct. 18, '62 ; drummer ;
mustered out Sept. 2, '63 ; enlisted in 5th (tuie hundred days), E,
July 22, '64 ; mustered out Nov. 16, '64.
Nourse, Henry S., 55th Illinois ; 30 ; enlisted in Chicago Oct. 23, '61 ;
commissioned adjutant March 1, '62 ; capt. Co. H, Dec. 19, '02 ;
commissary of muBt>;r3 17th .V, C. Oct. 24, '64 ; mustered out March
29, '65.
Nourse, Frank E., 61st (nine months), C ; 21 ; Sept. 25, '62; mustered
out July 27, '63.
Nourse, Fred. F., .'dh (one hundred days), E ; 21 ; July 22, '64, died at
New Brunswick, N. J., Sept. 13, '64.
(.)'Brien, Michael, 28th, 23 ; May 7, '64 ; a non-resident substitute.
Ollis, John, Ist Heavy Artillery ; 18; corporal ; Dec. 3, '63 ; wounded
in foot by shell at Petersburg, Va., June 22, '64 ; mustered out July
31, '65.
Ollis, Luke, 2l8t, E ; 19; Aug. 23, '61 ; transferred to 2d U. S. Cav.,
Co. K, Oct. 23, '62 ; re-enlisted and died of wound in Shenandoah
Valley Oct. 13, '64.
Otis, Edwin A., 51st (nine months), C ; 19 ; Sept. 25, '62 ; mustered out
July 27, '03.
Parker, Leonnrd H., 36th ; 21 ; Doc. 29, '63 ; mustered out June 8. '65-
Parker, Henry J., fith (three Tuonths), B; 25 ; June 19, '61 ; enlisted in
3.3d, E, August 5, '62 ; 1st sergt. ; sergt.-niaj. Feb. 18, '63 ; 2d lieul.
March 29, '63; Istlieut. July 16, '63; killed at Resaca, Ga., May
15, '64 ; credited to Townsend.
Patrick, George H., fi3d (nine months), I ; 19 ; Oct. IS, '62 ; mustered
out Sept. 2, '63 ; enlisted in 36th, G, Oct. 14, '64 ; transferred to 56th,
E, June 8, '65 ; mustered out Aug. 7, '65.
Plaisted, Simon M., 5l6t (nine montlis), E ; 24 ; Sept. 25, '62; nmstered
out July 27, '63 ; enlisted in let Heavy Artillery, F, Aug. 15, '64,
corporal ; mustered out Juno 28, '65.
Pierce, Willijuii D., 5th (nine months), I ; 23; Sept. 16, '62 ; innstrred
out July 2, '63 ; credited to Bolton.
Pierce, Fraidc E., 2l8t, E; 20; Aug. 23, '61 ; transferred to 2d U. S.
Cavalry, K, Oct. 23, '62 ; re-enlisted Feb. 29, *64.
Pierce, Edward, 35th, B; 21 ; June 29, '64; transferred to 29tli, B,
J\ine9. '65; a non-resident substitute.
Priest, Henry S., 7th Battery L. A. ; 25 ; Jan. 4, '64 ; discharged.
Puffer, Cbarles, 26th, E ; 41 ; Aug. 9, '64 ; mustered out Aug. 26, '65.
Putney, Henry M., 45th (nine months), F ; Sejit. 26, '62; shot through
head at Dover Cross-Kojids, N. C., April 28, '63.
Rice, Walter (.'., 63d (nine months), I ; 45 ; Oct. 18, '62 ; mustered out
Sept. 2, '63.
Richards, Ebenezer W., 21st, E; 35; Aug. 23, '61 ; killed at Freder-
icksbiii'g, Va., Dec. 13, '62, by a shell.
Richards, George K., 16th, C; 39; Nov. 25, T.l ; transferred to V. R. C.
Aug. 11, '03 ; re-enlisted Nov. 30, '64 ; mustered out Nov. 14, '05.
Robbins, William H., 21st, A; 39; in band and mustered out Aug. 11,
1802.
Ross, Williiini, 2d Cavalry, 71 ; 27 ; May 7, '64; a non-resident substi-
tute.
Rugg, James, 53d (nine montlis), K; 42; Oct. 17, '02; musterfd out
Sept. 2, "63.
Rugg, Henry H., 15th, C; 21; July 12, '61 ; wcninded in ^Iloulder at
Ball's Bluff, Va., Oct. 21, '61, and discharged therefor May I, '62;
enlisted in 53d (nine months) Oct. 17, '62, and in 42d (one hundred
days) July 22, '04 ; mustered out June 16, '65.
Sawtelle, Edwin, 53d (nine niontbs), I ; 24 ; Oct. 18, '62; mustered out
Sept. 2, '63.
Sawyer, Oliver B., 21st, K; 21 ; Aug. 23. '61 ; discharged for disability
June 30, '62; enlisted in Inth, B, Aug. 22, '62; mustered out June
16, 1865.
Schumakei', William, 4th Cavalry, E ; 21 ; Jan. 27, '64; died a prisoner
at Andersonville, (la., Sept. 13, '04.
Sheary, Patrick, 34th, II ; 28 ; Jan. 5, '64 ; transferred to 21th, Co. G,
June 14, '65; mustered out Jan. 2n, '66.
Sinclair, Charles H., 2l8(, E ; 21 ; Aug. '23, "61 ; Killed at New Bertie,
N. C, March 14, '6.2; credited to Lcominstei'.
Smith, John, 28th, D ; 23; May 7, '64 ; mustered out June 15, '65 ; a
non-residont substitute.
Smith, William, 28th ; 25 ; May 7, '64 ; a non-resident substitute.
Smith, William, !:ith Battery L. A.; 22; April 8, '04; mustered out
July 28, '65.
Sweet, Caleb W., 23d, H; 23; Sept. 28, '61; re-enlisted Dec. 3, '63 ;
wounded and taken ])risoner at Drewry's Bluff, Va., May 16, 64,
an.l (ii.d at Kiehniund Aug. 3, '64.
LANCASTER.
42a
FRANCIS WASHBURN.
In the month of April, 1838, John M. Washburn,
then a merchant on the eve of retiring from business,
removed from Boston to Lancaster, and in the July
following his third son, Francis, was born. Bringing
into his life nnd character, as an inheritance from his
Puritan ancestors, an integrity "f purpose and an in-
domitable will, it seemed from his childhood that he
was born to be a leader of men. Of a nature somewhat
reserved, though deeply imbued with the spirit of
tenderness for a few, his boyhood was not one of
numerous friendshi])S, nor was he in manhood a
seeker for popular liivor. From the academy of his
native town he went, at the age of sixteen years, to
serve a regular term in the Lawrence Machine Shop,
that he might know his work from the beginning
and become a master of the details of practical en-,
gineering. From Lawrence he went to the Scientific
School at Cambridge, and in 1859 to the famous
school of mining and engineering at Freiburg, in
Saxony. He became an accomplished student in these
subjects, determined to fully equip him.self for the
important positions which were already awaiting his
acceptance on his return. .Tesse Boult, of San Fran-
cisco, who was one of his fellow-students at Freiburg,
says of him that he was regarded then as a young
man of the highest intellectual powers, and sure of a
very brilliant future.
When, in 1860-(J1, the storm that now seems so far
from us, began to blacken in our civil sky, he wrote
" I must hasten my return. If the war comes I shall
sail at once." When the storm lirokeupon theenuntry
he said, " I will lake a commission if it is offered ; I
will go as a private soldier at all events." He came
home to find a commission already promised, but also
to find that his father was languishing in fatal dis-
ease, which was rapidly hastening towards its termina-
tion. Restrained, therefore, by filial solicitude and
duty, from immediately proceeding to the field,
he now studied the arts of war with the same
fidelity with which he had devoted himself to those
of peace.
In December, 18(il, his commission came, and with
it orders to proceed at once to duty. His only regret
in receiving it was that it came one day too late to
receive his father's sanction. Waiting only to pay
the la,st tribute of honor and aftection, he reported
for duty and was mustered as a second lieutenant in
the First Regiment of JIassachusetts Cavalry, then
in camp at Reedville. The history of this distin-
guished regiment is part of that of the war and need
not be dwelt upou here.
He w.as successively captain in the Second, and
lieutenant-colonel in the Fourth Cavalry, and, on
the resignation of Colonel Rand, was, in February,
1865, commissioned as colonel, which position he held
until and at the time of his death.
Though constantly in the service, and often em-
ployed in diffieult and dangerous cavalry service.
Colonel Washburn escaped any injury till his last
engagement, and was seldom, if ever, off duty by
reason of sickness. After the death of his brother.
Captain Edward Richmond Washburn, who died of
wounds received at the first assault on Port Hud.son,
La., he made two brief visits to his home. He was
always considerate in asking leave of absence, feeling
that such privileges were more valuable and more
due to brother officers who had left wives and chil-
dren behind them. Nor was he less considerate of
the men under his command. At the time of his
last visit he said earnestly and wilh a strong sense
of justice : " If I die on the field, you must leave me
there. The men in my regiment have just as much
to live for as I have : their death will bring equal
sorrow to their homes ; the oflicer is no more than
his men. Buried where they fell, so let it be
with mc."
He was mortally wounded in the brilliant and
chivalrous engagement at High Bridge, Va., the last
in the war, on April (!, 1865. This was one of those
forlorn hopes, in which it became the duty of a
small, well-disciplined and gallant band to make a
stand against the flower of the Confederate Army, in
its retreat from Richnidud. The orders were not
wholly clear; but the purport ol' them was to hold
back the retreating army to the last possible mo-
ment.
Whether these orders were wisely and judiciously
given may not now properly be inquired; but history
tells that they were executed with a firmness and
valor unsurpassed in the annals of ancient or modern
times. The odds were too great to be computed.
Colonel Wabhburn charged the enemy with an intre-
pidity and eftectiveness which called out their ex-
pressed admiration on the field and in their subse-
quent accounts of the engagement. The orders were
literally and fearlessly obeyed, and the enemy was
held back till every oflicer of the command had been
killed, wounded or made a prisoner. The courage
and gallantry displayed in this action were noted by
the highest officers of the army, and Colonel Wash-
burn was, at the recjucst of Lieutenant-(ieneral
(irant, commissioned as a brevet brigadier-general
for gallant and meritorious services.
The actual hand-to-hand encounters of sabre-with
sabre, as well as the actual crossing of hostile bayo-
nets, were rare in our Civil War, as in most of the
wars of history. But in this action men fought
hand-to-hand. An accomplished swordsman, this
brave officer had already disarmed one antagonist,
and was engaged with another, when he received a
pistol-shot from the first. After this he received the
blow of the sabre which proved fatal, fracturing the
skull. And thus, by bullet and sabre-stroke, his
magnificent physi(jue, but not his dauntless spirit,
was conquered.
42b
HISTORY OF WORCESTER COUNTY, MASSACHUSETTS.
The imtiring devotion of one' who had with equal
faithfulness performed the same loving service for
his brother Edward, brought Col. Washburn from the
field of battle to the house of his brother, Hon. John
D. Washburn, of Worcester. He had hoped to reach
the home of liis childhood, and this was all the hope
that could be counted as reasonable, since from the
first the complication of his wounds rendered recov-
ery almost impossible. His strength proved, however,
unequal to the full journey. Not on the field, nor in
the hospital and among strangers, but in the presence
of those he loved, and in his brother's home, he died
at the early age of tweuty-si.x, on the 22d of April,
18G5. So gave himself a willing sacrifice in his
country's cause, this young and noble citizen, whose
name has been and will ever be honored at home, and
to whom, for his known purity of character and brave
and chivalrous deeds, has been accorded from abroad
the well-merited appellation, "The White Knight ol
Modern Chivalry."
The following tribute to that heroic battalion
of the Fourth Massachusetts Cavalry and their gallant
leader appeared in the Sew York Evening Post fif-
teen years after their desperate charge on the memor-
able (Jth of April, 186.5. Its repetition here may serve
as a fitting close to this sketch of one of many modest
heroes, who bravely dared, patiently endured and
nobly died in defense of their country's life and
honor.
God give us luiil our cliiliheir.'; rliildreu grace
To own the debt, aud prize tlie heritage
TIiuB iioliiy Bcaled in blood.
THE CllAHGE llK "TIIK I'MUKTIl I'AVAIJiV."
I>EDU'.\TE» TO TllOSK WHO FKI.I. O.N THE SlX'llI OF AI'RII,, 18ii5.
[The fourth Slassachusetts Cavalry, or rather a
small portion of its rank and file, but with most o(
its Held and staff ofiicers, and led by its Colonel,
Francis Washburn, formed part of the advance
which, to use General C4rant's words in his last gen-
eral report of the war, " heroically attacked and de-
tained the head of Lee's column near Farmville, Va.,
until its commanding general was killed and his
small force overpowered." Less than a thousand
men, all told, without any artillery, held in check for
a considerable time, when every moment almost was
worth an empire, a rebel force outnumbering them
ten to one. Of the twelve Fourth Cavalry officers
who went into the fight eight were killed and wounded,
including their gallent leader. He lived to reach his
home, and died in his mother's arms.]
iTIie bil.- IJr, Ileiirv II. l'"ullHr.
Onward they dash :
It mattered not the toilsome march.
The foeman's cannon crash ;
Their soul^ were in their swords.
Their steed beneath one throb:
Onward they charge.
The grave's disdain to rob !
Many or few ?
"t^i.K hundred? " nay ; that were a host
Besides this band so true.
Four score of trusty arms
Against an army lined.
Ah ! w-eep with us
The comrades left behind !
I see them still :
Down deep ravine, then up " to form '
On battle-shaken hill ;
One word is all enough.
One waving blade their light
Into the hordes
Of rebel-raging fight.
He at their head
A knight, a paladin of old,
A hero — honor led.
And fibered with the faith
Of ages won to God —
O what to him
The soaked and waiting sod !
O sweet is it
For love of land to do and die ;
The heart-strings heaven-knit.
Relaxed from tensest strain
Upon his arm to rest
In whom alone
Is earthly conflict blest !
And shall not we —
Survivors of the martyred brave,
By tears and blood made free —
Give what they gladly gave ?
Yes ! by the loved and lost.
Most sacred hold
Our country's priceless cost.
;5^^^^;/«5.
'^^^■'^^S;;.
GENV T-RANCIS WASHBURN.
LANCASTEK.
43
»
Suuveur, Cbai-Ies L., 26th, 21 ; May 7, 'C4 ; a non-resident substitute.
Sjkes, Eiiwin, "iTtli, C ; 29 ; Feb. 18, '04 ; a nou-resident substitute.
Taylur, Henry T., 15tli, A ; 27 : July 12, '01 ; discliargeii for disability
April 25, '02.
Tbonipson, William, 16th, B; 18; July 2, '01; wounded in head J^Iay,
'04, at Spottaylvania, Va. ; mustered out July 27, '04.
Thompson, George, 53d (nine months), (J ; 21 ; Nov. 6, '02 ; died .it
Brashear City, La., Blay 30, '03 ; credited to Leominster.
Thurston, George Lee, 55th Illinois; 30; enlisted in Chicago Oct. 23,
'01 ; conimissioned adjt. Oct. 31, '01 ; capt. B iMarch 1, '02; died
Dec. 15, '02, at Lancaster.
Tisdale, Charles E, 34th, H; 20; July 31, '02 ; corpoml ; discharged
for disability Jan. 8, '63.
Toole, John, nth Battery L. A. ; 18; Dec. 23, '04: mustered out June
16, '65 ; a non-resident substitute.
Tracy, David H., 2d ; 29 ; July 2, '04 ; a non-resident substitute.
True, George II., 28th, .A. ; 21 ; band Oct S, '01 ; discharged Aug. 17, '62.
True, James G., 28th, A ; 25; band Oct. 8, '61 ; discharged Aug. 17, '02.
Turner, Lutber G., 15th, C; 23; .Inly 12, '01 ; wounded in arm at
Ball's Bluff, Va., Oct. 21, '61, and died Nov. 1, '61.
Turner, Horatio E., .34th, F ; 18 ; .\ug. 2, '02 ; died a prisoner at An-
dersonville, Ga.,Sept. 8, '04.
Turner, Walters. H., 53d (nine montlis), I ; 18; Oct. 18. '02; mustered
out Sept. 2, '63.
Valdez, Joseph, 11th Battery L. A.; 30; Dec. 23, '04; Jiiuslered out
June 10, '05; a non-resident substitute.
Veret, John, 4th Cavalry, F; 28; Jan. 5, '04; mustered out Nov. 14,
'05.
Warner, .lames G., 15th, C; 31; July 12, '01 ; killed by bullet or
iirowned at Ball's BInff, Va., Oct. 21, '01.
Washburn, Edward R., 53d (nine months). I ; 20; 1st lieut. Oct. 18, '02i
capt. Nov. 8, '02 ; thigh shattered at I'ort Hudson, La., June 14,
'63 ; died of wound .Sept. 5, 'i)4.
Washburn, Francis, 1st Cavalry; 24; 2cl lieut. Dec. 20, 01; 1st lieut.
March 7, '02 ; capt. 2d Cavalry Jan. 2i;, '03 ; lieut. -col. 4tb Cavalry
Feb. 1, '04 ; col. Feb. 4, '05 ; wounded in bead .\pril 6, '05, at High
Bridge, Va., and died at Worcester April 22, 'li5 ; brevet brig.-gen.
Watson, George, 2d ; 32 ; July 2, 'l'.4 ; a non-resident substitute.
Weld, George D. ,47th (nine months), K ; 44 ; Oct. 31, '02 ; mustered
out Sept. 1, '03.
Wheeler, Abner, 11th, C ; 25 ; June 13, '01.
Whitney, Edmund C, 53d (nine months), I ; 20 ; as corp. Oct, IS,
'62; wounded in arm June 14, '03; sergt. July 14, '03 ; uuisteredout
Sept. 2, '63.
Wbittemore, Woodbury, 2l8l, E ; 33 ; 2d lieut. Aug. 21, '01 ; 1st lieut.
March 3, '62 ; capt. July 27, '62 ; resigned Oct. 29, '62
Wilder, Charles H., S3d (nine months), I ; 42 ; Oct. 18, '02 ; mustered
out Sept. 2, '03.
Wilder, J. Prescott, 7th Battery L. A.; 31 ; Jan. 4, '04; mustered out
June 8, '65.
Wilder, Sanford B., 2d Heavy Artillery, lil ; '24 ; Dec. 24, '03 ; mustered
out Sept. 3, '05 ; credited to Clinton.
Wiley, Charles T., nth Rhode Island (nine months), D ; Oct. 1, '02;
mustered out July 13, '03.
Wiley, George E., 34tli, H ; 22 ; Jan. 1, '04 ; transferred to 24th, G,
June 14, '05 ; wounded in arm at Fisher's Hill, Va., Sept. 22, '64 ;
discharged for disability June 20, '65.
Wilkinson, ('harles, 20th; 30; July 18, 'o:i; niustered out June, "05;
a non-resideut substitute for George E. P. Dodge.
Willard, Edwin H., 15th, C; 23 ; July 12, 'r.l ; niustered out July 2.8,
1804.
Willard, Henry W., 34th, C ; 21 ; Aug. 2, '02; discharged for disability
Feb. 2r>, '03 ; credited to Leominster.
Wise, John Patrick, 34th, A ; 21 ; July 31, '62; died at home March
15, "64.
Worcester, Horace, 42d (one hundred days), K ; 20 ; July 18, '04 ; mus-
tered out Nov. 11, '04.
Wynian, Benjamin F., 6th (nine months), E; '23; Sept. 10, '02; mus-
tered out July 2, '63.
Zahn, Peter, 2d ; 24 ; May 7, '04 ; a non-resident substitute.
The following were born and lived until manhood
in Lancaster, but were resident elsewhere when the
war began :
AthertoD, Roswell, 33d, E ; 30 ; served for Groton ; discharged for dis.
ability Nov. 30, '62.
Bancroft, Charles L., 11th Illinois Cavalry, B; 34; 2d lieut. Dec. 20,
'01 ; 1st lieut. July 6, '02 ; mustered out Dec. 19, '04 ; wounded at
Bleridian, Miss.
Bowman, Henry, colonel. (See Clinton.)
Bowman, Samuel M., lieutenant. (See Clinton.)
Bradley, Jerome, 3d Iowa Battery L. A., etc. ; 28 ; 2d lieut. Sept., '61 ;
1st lieut. and q.m. 9th Iowa Infantry March 10, '02; capt. and
a.-n-ni, U. S. Vols. Feb. 19, '03; resigned Jan. 9, '65.
Cleveland, Richard J., 91h Iowa, B ; 40 ; Oct. 9, '01 ; discharged April
1, '03.
Cutler, Francis B., 35th New York, A ; 25 ; killed at Fredericksburg
Dec. 13, '62.
Dudley, John Edwin, 1st. Cal. and 30th Mass. ; 35 ; 1st sergt. ; 2d lieut.
Dec. 7, '04 ; 1st lieut. Dec. 8, '64 ; capt. April 21, '65.
Fletcher, James T., 11th Kliodo Island, G ; Oct. 1, '02 ; nuistored out
July 13, '03.
Fuller, Andrew L., lieut. 15th. (See Clinton.)
Green, Asa W., 19th, F ; 22 ; enlisted in Haverhill ; wounded at Fred-
ericksburg, Va., in leg Dec. 13, '02, and transferred to V. K. C.
Green, Franklin W., 19lh, F. (See Clinton.)
Jones, David W., 20tb Connecticut, F ; 40; killed at Cliancellorsville
May 3, '05.
Newman, James Homer, 1st Connecticut H. A., F ; 27 ; served May 23,
'61, to Sept. 25, '65.
Robinson, Charles A., 1st Cavalry, G ; 21 ; Oct. 5, '01 ; discharged for
disability, Feb. 0, '03 ; credited to Lowell.
Rugg, Daniel W., 21st, D ; 32 ; served fur Fitchhurg July I'.i, '01, to
Dec. 20, '02.
Sawyer, Frank 0., 9tli Vermont ; 30 ; 1st lieut. and q.ni, June 10, '02 ;
capt. and a.-q.m. U. S. Vols. Aug. 1.9, '04 ; mustered out May 31, '60.
Warren, Thomas H., 12th Vermont, C ; 35 ; served Oct. 4, '62, to July
14, '03.
Lancaster's quota under all calls was one hundred
and seventy-one men for three years, and there were
credited to her one hundred and eighty-one. The
IJieceding list proves this to be an underestimate of
the town's contribution of men for the suppre.ssion of
the great treason. The veteran re-enlistments num-
bered fifteen. Ten citizens were drafted and paid
each three hundred dollars commutation. Thirty-
seven non-resident substitutes were hired. Twenty
of Lancaster's sons won commissions; twenty-seven
were killed ur mortally wounded in action, and
twenty-three died of disease during the war. On In-
dependence Day, 1865, the town celebrated the vic-
tory of free institutions in the grove at the " Meeting
of the Waters ;" Rev. George M. Bartol delivered a
thoughtful address to the great throng of people there
assembled, and Profes,sor William Russell read the
Emancipation Proclamation.
Early in 1879 a comprehensive, illustrated history
of Lancaster was published, forming an octavo vol-
ume of seven hundred and ninety-eight pages. For
several years previous the desirability uf such a pub-
lication had been privately and publicly discussed, it
being suppo.sed that among the papers of Joseph Wil-
lard, Esq., deceased in 18Go, would be found a history of
the town partially prepared for the press. Disappointed
in this hope, at a town-meeting in April, 1870, the
subject was referred to a committee, consisting of
Rev. George M. Bartol, Rev. Abijah P. Marvin, Jonas
M. Damon, Charles T. Fletcher and Charles L. ^ViIder,
with power to take such action as they might deem
expedient. Mr. Marvin was employed to write the
history, and in March, 1877, the town sanctioned the
doings of the committee and appropriated tifteen
44
HISTORY OF WORCESTER COUNTY, MASSACHUSETTS.
hundred dollars to meet the needful expenses. Seven
hundreil copies of the book were ])rinted at a total
cost of $13,142.44. A copy was given to each family
belonging to the town, and aboutseven hundred dollars
were realized from sales.
Until the present century the town's paupers were
aided at their own homes by special vote of money, or
placed with such persons as would take them for »
fixed price by the j'ear. Thus Dr. James Carter foi
many years contracted to support them for so much
per head, and housed them in an old building near
his own stately dwelling, but on the opposite side of
the way. In 1824 Rev. Asa Packard influenced the
town to a more humane policy. A farm in the ex-
treme northern section of the town was bought for
two thousand dollars, and there the homeless poor
were collected, a family being hired to conduct the
establishment under direction of chosen overseers.
The buildings proving insufficient, new ones were built
in 1828 on a road to the south of the old, which
served until 1872, when the town bought the large
three-story mansion built by Dr. Calvin Carter on the
site of his father's, burnt in 1821. This was used
until destroyed by fire, May 11, 1883, when the
present costly almshouse and farm buildings were
erected near the ashes of the old.
At the annual town-meeting of March, 1882, it being
known that Nathaniel Thayer lay critically ill at his
city residence, a committee were chosen to address
him in a letter giving expression to the general solic-
itude and sympathy, and tendering to him renewed
acknowledgments for his many and generous acts of
good will to the town. A year later, one tempestuous
day, a large number of Lancaster's citizens paid vol-
untary tribute of respect by attending his funeral at
the First Church in Boston. Not the sorrow of his
many private pensioners only, but the saddened faces
of the whole community bore testimony to his worth
and the grave sense of his loss. A t.ablet of Caen
stone inscribed to his memory has been placed in the
Thayer Memorial Cha|iel.
Nathaniel Thayer was the youngest of three sons
born to Nathaniel Thayer, D.D., and his wife,
Sarah Toppan, September 11, 1808, in Lancaster.
Nurtured anii<l rural surroundings, in a house-
hold where frugality was a necessary law, he died
the wealthiest citizen of Massachusetts; a success
not striven for with insatiate greed of accumula-
tion, but gathered as the natural harvest of activity
and sagacity, and prudently garnered for use. Mr.
Thayer's school education was wholly Lanca-strian ;
but among his teachers at the little local .academy
were such inspired masters as Jared Sparks, (Jeorge
B. Emerson and Solomon 1*. Miles. After leaving
school he entered upon mercantile life, and at the age
of twenty-six years was received as a partner by his
eldest brother, who had established a very prosperous
banking and brokerage business in Boston. The firm
of John E. Thayer & Co. being dissolved by the
death of the senior brother in IS")/, the junior part-
ner continued the business with unvarying success.
Mr. Thayer, on June 10, 184(1, married Cornelia,
daughter of General Stephen Van Kensselaer. In
1870 he decided to make Lancaster his legal home,
having for ten years jVrevious spent the summers in a
mansion built among the elms that shaded the old
parsonage where his revered father and mother had
lived and died. When here he led a (piiet life, in
cordial sympathy with the townspeople, studiously
avoiding everything that might seem ostentatious in
manner, equipage or speech, and taking a personal
interest in whatever concerned the material, moral or
intellectual welfare of the town. He was tenderly
loyal to old acquaintanceship, and greatly enjoyed re-
visiting the scenes and renewing the memories of his
boyhood's days. He was ever a cheerful giver to all
philanthropic ol)jects, a munificent benefactor of
Harvard College, a generous patron of scientific re-
search. His liberality was wisely discriminative in
its aims, independent in method, and the modest dig-
nity which was his most obvious characteristic shun-
ned all publicity.
For about three years before his death, which took
place March 7, 188.3, he was debarred by failing vigor
of body and mental powers from active particijjation
in business pursuits. He was a member of the Ameri-
can Academy and Massachusetts Historical Society,
and honorary member of the Berlin Geographical
Society. In 180(3 he received the degree of Master of
Arts from Harvard College, and in 1868 was elected a
Fellow of the Corporation, a very exceptional com-
pliment, never but once before paid to one not an
alumnus. Four sons and two daughters, with their
mother, survive him. His eldest sou, Stejihen Van
Rensselaer, a graduate of Harvard in 1870, died Oc-
tober 10, 1871. He was a young man of noble
impulses and rare sweetness of nature, who never had
an enemy, made hosts of friends, and has left behind
him a memory fragrant with generous deeds.
Lancaster has ever been noted for the .social refine-
ment and literary tastes of its people. The list of
college graduates who were natives of the town, or
here resident at graduation, as given below, numbers
sixty, of which forty-four were alumni of Harvard
College. Its clergymen have almost invariably been
college-bred. Among very numerous resident and
native authors may be mentioned : Jlrs. Mary How-
landson, Rev. John Mellen and his sons (John and
Prentiss), Samuel Stearns, LL.D., Joseph Willard,
Esq., Capt. Richard J. Cleveland and his .sons (Henry
Russell and Horace W. S.), Brig.-Gen. Henry Whit-
ing, William Shaler, Hannah Flagg Gould, Mrs.
Caroline Lee (Whiting) Hentz, Rufus Dawes, Hon.
James Gordon Carter, Edmund H. Sears, S.T.D.,
Hubbard Winslow, D.D., Mrs. Mary G. (Chandler)
Ware, Prof. William Russell, Mrs. Julia A. (Fletcher)
Carney, Louise .M. Thurston, Mrs. Clara W. (Thurston)
Fry, Charlotte M. Packard, Rev. Abijah P. JIarvin.
I
I
.^^^
LANCASTEE.
45
I
The college graduates known are: Samuel Willard,
16");), Harvard, acting president; Josiah Swan, 1733,
Harvard; Abel Willard, 1752, Harvard; Samuel
Locke, 1755, Harvard, S.T.D. and president ; Peter
Green, 1766, Harvard, M.M.8.S. ; Josiah Wilder,
1767, Yale; Israel Houghton, 1767, Yale; Samuel
Stearns, M.D., LL.D., probably in Scotland; John
Mellen, 1770, Harvard, A.A.et S.H.S. ; Levi Willard,
1775, Harvard; Timothy Harrington, 1776, Harvard;
Joseph Kilburn, 1777, Harvard; Isaac Bayley, 1781,
Harvard; Henry Mellen, 1784, Harvard; Prentiss
Mellen, 1784, Harvard, LL.D., U. S. Senator; John
Wilder, 1784, Dartmouth ; Pearson Thurston, 1787,
Dartmouth; Artemas Sawyer, 1798, Harvard ; Samuel
J. Sprague, 1799, Harvard ; Benjamin Apthorp Gould,
1814, Harvard, A.A.S. ; Hasket Derby Pickman, 1815,
Harvard ; Sewall Carter, 1817, Harvard ; Moses K.
Emerson, 1817, Harvard; Paul Willard, 1817, Har-
vard ; Leonard Fletcher, , Columbia ; Jonas
Henry Lane, 1821, Harvard, JI.M.S.S. ; Samuel Man-
ning, 1822, Harvard; Ebeuezer Torrey, 1822, Har-
vard ; Levi Fletcher, 1823, Harvard ; Christopher T.
Thayer, 1824, Harvard; Frederick Wilder, 1825,
Harvard; Stephen Minot Weld, 1826, Harvard;
Richard J. Cleveland, 1827, Harvard ; Henry Russell
Cleveland, 1827, Harvard; Nathaniel B. Shaler, 1827,
Harvard ; William Hunt White, 1827, Brown ; George
Ide Chace, 1830, Brown, LL.D., acting president;
Christopher Minot Weld, 1S33, Harvard, M.M.S.S. ;
Francis Minot Weld, 1835, Harvard; George Harris,
1837, Brown; Richard C. S. Stilwell, 1839, Harvard,
M.M.S.S. ; Frederick Warren Harris, 1845, Harvard;
Alfred Plant, 1847, Yale; James Coolidge Carter,
18."i0, Harvard, LL.B.; Sidney Willard, 1852, Har-
vard; John Davis Washburn, 1853, Harvard, LL.B.;
Henry Stedman Xourse, 1853, Harvard ; Sylvanus
Chickering Priest, 1858, Amherst ; Enos Wilder, 18(i5,
Harvard ; Stephen Van Rensselaer Thayer, 1870,
Harvard; Albert Mallard Barnes, 1871, Harvard;
Francis Newhall Lincoln, 1871, Harvard ; Nathaniel
Thayer, 1871, Harvard; .lohn Emory Wilder, 1882,
Agricultural; Samuel Chester Damon, 1882, Agricul-
tural ; Edward E. Bancroft, 1883, Amherst, M.D. ;
Josiah H. t^uincy, 1884, Dartmouth, LL.B. ; John
Eliot Thayer, 1885, Harvard; William J.Sullivan,
M.D., 1886, Bellevue; John M. W. Bartol, 1887, Har-
vard; Azuba Julia Latham, 1888, Boston University.
The physicians have been : Mary Whitconib; Daniel
Greenleaf, died 1785, aged 82 ; John Duusmoor, died
1747, aged 45; Stanton Prentice, died 1769, aged 58;
Phinehas Phelps, died 1770, aged 37; Enoch Dole,
killed 1776, aged 27 ; William Duusmoor, died 1784,
aged 50; Josiah Wilder, died 1788, aged 45; Josiah
Leavitt, ; Israel Atberton, M.M.S.S., died
1822, aged 82 ; Cepiias Prentice, died 1798 ; James
Carter, died 1817, aged 63; Samuel Manning, M.M.S.S.,,
died 1822, aged 42; Nathaniel Peabody, M.M.S.S.;
Calvin Carter, died 1859, aged 75; George Baker,
M.M.S.S. ; Right Cummings, died 1881, aged 94 ; Ed-
ward T. Tremaine, M.M.S.S. ; Henry Lincoln, M.M.
S.S., died 1860, aged 55 ; J. L. S. Thompson, M.M.S.S.,
died 1885, aged 75 ; George W. Symonds, M.M.S.S.,
died 1873, aged 62; George W. Burdett, M.M.S.S. ;
George M. Morse, M.M.S.S.; S. S. Lyon; Reuben
Barron ; Henry H. Fuller, M.M.S.S. ; Joseph C. Ste-
vens, died 1871, aged 39 ; Frederick H. Thompson,
M.M.S.S.; A. D. Edgecomb, died 1883 ; Horace M.
Xash : Walter P. Bowers, M.M.S.S. ; George L. To-
bey, M.M.S.S.
The lawyers have been : Abel Willard, John
Sprague, Levi Willard, Peleg Sprague, William Sted-
man, Merrick Rice, Solomon Strong, Moses Smith,
Samuel J. Sprague, John Stuart, John Davis, Jr.,
Joseph Willard, Solon Whiting, George R. M. With-
ington, Joseph W. Huntington, Charles Mason, John
T. Dame, Charles G. Stevens, Daniel H. Bemis, Her-
bert Parker.
The following have served as representatives for the
town: — Thomas Brattle, 1671-72; Ralph Houghton,
1673-89; John Moore, Jr., 1689; John Moore, Sr.,
1690-92; John Houghton, 169O,'92,'93,'97,1705-06,'O8,
'11,'12, '15-17, '21, '24; Thomas Sawyer, 1707; Josiah
Whetcomb, 1710; Jabez Fairbank, 1714, '21-23, 37-
38; John Houghton, Jr., 1718-19; Joseph Wilder,
1720, '25-26; Col. Samuel Willard, 1727, '40, '42-13,
'49; Dea. Josiah White, 1728-30; James Wilder, 1731 ;
Jonathan Houghton, 1732; James Keyes, 1733; Capt.
Ephraim Wilder, 1734-36, '44 ; Ebenezer Wilder, 1739 ;
Capt. William Richardson, 1741, '45, '50, '54, '56, '58-
Gl ; Joseph Wilder, Jr., 174(5-47, '51-53 ; David Wilder,
1755, '57, "62-65, '67; Col. Asa Whitcomb, 1766, '68-
74; Ebenezer Allen, 1775; Hezekiah Gates, 1775; Dr.
William Dunsmoor, 1776-78, '81; Samuel Thurst<in,
1778; Joseph Reed, 1779; Capt. William Putnam,
1780; John Sprague, 1782-85, '94-99; Capt. Ephraim
Carter, Jr., 1786, '90-92; Michael Newhall, 1787-89;
John Whiting, 1793; Samuel Ward, 18U0-0.1; William
Stedman, 1802; Jonathan Wilder, 180.3-06; r:iiStearns,
1806-10; Col. Jonas Lane, 1808-12; Major Jacob
Fisher, 1811-13, '21, '23; Capt. William Cleveland,
1813-15; Capt. John Thurston, 1814-17, '26; Capt.
Edward Goodwin, 1816; Capt. Benjamin Wyman,
1817-19; Maj. Solomon Carter, 1818; Joseph Willard,
1827-28; Davis Whitman, 1827, '31; Solon Whiting,
1829-30; John G. Thurston, 1832, '38, '52-53, '55 ;
Ferdinand Andrews, 1832; Dr. George Baker, 4833;
Levi Lewis, 1833; James G.Carter, 1834-36; Dea.
Joel Wilder, 1834-35; Silas Tnurston, Jr., 1837-39;
John Thurston, 1839-40; Jacob Fisher, Jr., 1841, '44,
'68; John M. Washburn, 1842-43, '58; Joel Wilder
(2d), 184.5-46; Ezra Sawyer, 1847-48; Anthony Lane,
1850-51 ; Francis F. Hussey, 1854 ; James Childs, 1856 ;
Dr. J. L. S. Thompson, I860, '62 ; George A. Parker,
1869-71 ; Sam'l R. Damon, 1878 ; Henry S. Nourse, 1882.
The following have been State Senators: — John
Sprague, 1785-86; Moses Smith, 1814-15; James G.
Carter, 1837-38; John G. Thurston, 1844—45; Francis
B. Fay, 1868 ; Henry S. Nourse, 18S5-S6.
46
HISTORY OF WORCESTER COUNTY, MASSACHUSETTS.
The following have been executive councilors:—
Maj. Simon Willard, 1654-76; Joseph Wilder, 1735-
G:i; Abijah Willard, 1775.
William .Stedinaii was Representative to Congress,
1803-111, and Prentiss Mellen, a native of Lancaster,
was United States Senator, 1818-20.
The population of Lancaster, at various periods,
has been as follows: — 1652, 9 families; 1675, .50 or 60
families; 1692, 50 families; 1704, 76 families; 1711.
Ki families, 4.58 souls; 1715, 100 families; 1751,285
familii's, 355 polls; 1764, 1999; 1776, 2746; 1790, 1460;
1800, 1584; 1810, 1694; 1820. 1862; 1830, 2014; 1840,
2019; 1.8.50, 1688; 1855, 1728; 1860, 1732; 1865, 1752;
1870, 1845; 1875, 1957; 1880, 2008; 1885, 2050.
The population of the whole territory once belong
ing to Lancaster is about twenty-two thousand.
The United States Coast Survey locates "Lancaster
Church" in 42° 27' 19.98" north latitude, and 71° 40'
24.27" longitude west of Greenwich. The elevation
above the sea level of the grounds about this church
is about three hundred and eight feet.
CHAPTER VII.
CLINTON.
BY HON. HENRY S. NOURSE.
Prcscittfs MUh — DestructiaH .«/ the Settlement hy IndUiiis — The First IIi'jli-
waye — Tlte Garrison Cnisiis — The Fir$t Familit's.
ALTHOUtiH Clinton received its name and began
its corporate existence so recently as Jlarch, 1850, it
being the youngest town save one in Worcester
County, nearly two hundred years before that date
white men were tilling its soil, and had impressed
into their service some part of its valuable water-
power. Its territory, in area only four thousand nine
hundred and seven acres, was included in the eighty
sijuare miles jnirchased from Sagamore Sholan by
Thomas King, of Watcrtown, in 1642, and confirmed
to the Nashaway Company as a township, under the
name of Lancaster, in 1653.
The earliest settlers in this river valley were at
first clustered along the eastern slope of George Hill
and upon the Neck north of the meeting of the two
streams which form the Nashua. But for the exist-
ence of the falls on the South Meadow Brook, proba-
bly neither the pioneers nor their successors would,
for many years, have sought homes in that more
southerly portion of the town's grant, which now is
traversed by numerous streets thickly lined with the
residences and marts of ten thousand busy people;
for most of this region, now Clinton, was clad with
pine forest ; its numerous hills, from their steepness
or the shallowness of the soil, were not well adapted
for tillage ; and along the river were no extensive in-
tervales, no broad meadows of natural grass, such as
existed on the North Branch and main river, to invite
the husbandmen. But the sagacious and enterpris-
ing leader of the Nashaway planters, John Prescott,
had noted the little cascade where the brook leaped
down over the ledge, and recognized it as the most
easily available site in the township for a mill.
There was no English settlement nearer than those
east of the Sudburj' River, and even the carrying of
a grist to be ground involved a tedious horseback
ride of about twenty miles and back over the devious
Indian trail and the crossing of the always treacher-
ous Sudbury marsh. The rude processes of the sav-
ages or the laborious use of a hand-quern were often
resorted to in preparing grain for bread in preference
to so dreary a day's journey. A mill w:is a prime
necessity to the settlers, and scarcely bad the Colo-
nial Government given formal recognition to the
town which Prescott had founded, than, with his
usual restless energy, he entered upon the task of
compelling the wild South Meadow Brook to aid in
the work of civilization. Mills run by water-power
were yet rare in New England. The first built was
hardly twenty years old, and the skilled mill-wright
of Charlestown had scarce!}' a competitor in his art.
Prescott's mill-dam was the prophec}' of the prosper-
ous manufacturing town whose special products have
in recent years won a world-wide repute, and with
his plucky enterprise the history of Clinton appro-
priately begins.
By November 20, 16.53, Prescott's plans for the mill
were so far perfected that he was ready to enter into
an agreement with his fellow-townsmen for its erec-
tion. This agreement is found duly recorded in the
third volume of the Middlesex County registry as
follows :
Know all tueri by these presents that I Johu Prescott hlackesmith,
hatli Covenaliteil and bargained witli Jno. ffounell of ('harh*sto«'ne for
the building of a Come mill, within the said Towne of Lanchaster.
This witne-sseth that wee the luhal'itaiits of Lanchiister for his encour-
aj^enient in so good a worke for the behoofe of our Towne, vjion condi-
tion that the Siiid intended worke by him or his a-ssignes be finished,
do freely and fully giue grant, enfeoffe, Ac contirme vnto the tuiid John
Prescott, thirty acres of intervale Land lying on the north riuer, lying
north west of Henry Kerly ami ten acres of Land adjoyneing to the
mill : and forty acres of liand on the South east of the mill bruoke,
lying between the mill brooke and Nashaway Kiner in such place as tha
said John Presc«tt shall choose with all the priuiledges and appurte-
nances thereto a])perteyning. To haue and to hold the sjiid land and
eurie parcel! thereof to the said John Prescott his heyercs and assignes
for euer, to his and their only jiropper vse and behoofe. Also wee do
couenant & promise to lend the said John Prescott fine pound, in cur-
rent money one yeare for the buying of Irons for the mill. And also
woo do couenant and grant to and witli the said John Prescott his
heyres andiissignes that the said mill, with all the aboue mimed Land
thereto apperteym-ing shall be freed from alt common charges for
seanen yeares next ensueing, after the first finishing an<l setting the
said mill (o worke. In witncs whereof wee Iiaim herevnto put our
hands this UOtli day of the 9'"" In the yeare of our Lord (iod one thou-
sand six hundred tifty and three.
Subscribed names
Wn,i,« Kfri.v Senr., Rr('HA!ii> Lintow,
Jno. Puf-scott, llieiiARn Smith,
Jno White, Will" Kkrly JuNh.
RAl.rii HouoilToN, Thomas James,
Lawkence Waters, Jno Lewis,
Edmunu Parker, James Atuerton,
Jacob eearrer.
CLINTON.
Joseph "Willard, Esq., upon the authority of a di-
rect de.scendant of John Prescott, states that tlic first
mill-stone wa.s brought from England. Some doubt
is thrown upon this assertion by tlie fact tliat tlie
alleged pieces of it, which have lain not far from tlie
dam until modern times, are of a sienitic rock not
found in England, but abundant enough in Massa-
chusetts. The first grist was ground in the mill May
23, 1654.
Prescott ]irobably at once removed from his home
upon George Hill to a new house built on the slope
overlooking the mill. This was tlie first dwelling
above the grade of an Indian wigwam within the
present bounds of Clinton. Its exact location was
plainly marked les-s than fifty ytars ago by a consid-
erable depression, showing where the cellar had been,
and 1)}' a flowing spring near, water from which was
conveyed in a conduit of bored logs to the residence
of a later generation of the Prescotts, standing lower
npon the hillside. The Lancaster historian, before
named, in lS2(i noted the site as " about thirty rods
southeast from Poignand and Plant's factory.'' It is
better defined now as south from the intersection of
High and Water Streets, upon the northerly half of
the Otterson lot, Number 71 High Street, and about
one hundred and fifty feet from the front line of the
lot.
The original building must have been of logs or
sipiared timber, and was fortified doubtless with flank-
ers and palisades; for it appears in early records a-s
" Prescott's garrison" and, although having nevei'
more than five or six adult defenders, it successfully
resisted fierce assaults made upon it by a large body
of Indians. Prescott's will, written in 1073, proves
that it was then commodious enough to accommodate
two families, and had adjacent out-housing for cattle
and an apjile orchard. The dam probably occupied
precisely the same position as that of Frost & How-
ard's, and the little grist mill stood somewhat lower
on the brook than the extensive manufactory now
utilizing its water-power.
Four years went by, years in which Prescott was
busied notonlyat mill and anvil, but in various offices
for the town. His skill aud judgment, moreover, had
gained such repute that he was chosen by the colonial
authorities to serve on committees to lay out county
roads and build important bridges, and even to survey
special land grants. Emboldened by the success of
his corn-mill and by growing prosperity, he deter-
mined upon another enterprise of the greatest interest
to the community — the building of a saw-mill. His
neighbors were again called upon to further the ac-
complishment of his purpose by substantial gift of
lan<l and tem])orary exemption from taxation.
Know all men hy these prenents that for as much as the Inhabitants
of Lanchastiir, or the most part of them heing gathered together on a
trayneing day, the 1.5*'' of the 9»'> mo, lOoS, a niution was made by Jno.
Prescott blackesniitii of the same towue, about the setting vp of a saw
mill for the good of the Towne, and y' he the Bjn<l .Ino. Prescott, would
by the help of God set vp the saw mill, and to supply the said Inhab-
itants with boords and other sawne worke, as is afforded at other saw
mills in the contrey. In case the Towne would giue, grant and con-
tinue vnto the s:iid John Prescott a certeine tract of Land, lying East-
ward of his water mill, be it more or less, bounded by the riuer east,
the mill west, the stake of the mill land and the east end of a ledge of
Iron Stone Rocks southards, and forty acres of his owne laud north,
the said land to be to him his beyres and assignes for euer, and all
the said land and eurie part thereof to be rate free vntill it be im-
proued, or any p* of it, and that his saws and saw mill should be
free from any rates by the Towne, therefore know ye that the ptyes
iiboneeaid did mutually agree and consent each with the other con-
cerning the aforementioned propositions as foUoweth ;
The Towne on their part did giue, grant and confirme vnto the said
John Prescott his beyres and assignes for ener, all the aforementioned
tract of land butted and bounded iis aforesaid, to be to him his heyres
aud assignes for ener with all the priuiledges and appurtenances there-
on, and thereunto belonging to be to his and their owne propper vse and
hehoufe as aforesaid, and the land and eurie part of it to be free from
all rates vntil it or any part of it be impnuied, and also his sjiw, sawes
:tnd saw-mill to be free from all towne rates, or minister's rates, pro-
nided the aforementioned worke be finished and comiileated as aboue-
s;iid for the good of the towne in some convenient time after this i)ree-
ent contract, covenant and agieeuient.
And the said John Prescott did and doth by these presents bynd him-
self, his heyres and assignes to set vp a saw-mill as aforesaid within the
bounds of the aforesaid Towne, and to supply the Towne with boords
and other sawne worke as aforesaid and truly and faithfully to performe,
futill, and accomplish, all the aforementioned premisses for the good of
the Towne as aforesaid.
Therefore the Selectmen concieving this saw-mill to be of great vse
to the Towne, and the after good of the place, Haue and do hereby
act Ut rattifie and confirme all tlie aforementioned acts, covenants,
gifts, grants aud inimunityes, in respect of rates, and what ener is
aforementioned, on their oW'U-* part, and in behalfe of the Towne,
anil to the true performance hereof, both partyes haue and do bynd
themselves by subscribing their hands, this twenty-Iifth day of
Kebruary, one thousand six hundred aud tifty-nine.
John Pkkscott.
The worke aboue nienccoued was liuislied according t(» this covenant
as witnesselh
ItAI.i'H IlOfGHTON.
Signed and Delivred In presence of,
Thomas Wilder,
Thomas Sawver,
Ralph Houuhton.
The township proprietors also granted Prescott
leave to cut pines upon any common land to sujiply
his saw-mill. In his will the corn-mill is described
as " the lower mill," and a second house and barn are
bequeathed to his son John as appertaining to the
saw-mill. It seems certain, therefore, that the first
saw-mill had a dam of its own, aud that it was jirob-
ably situated near where a dam existed early in the
present century, a short distance below that of the
Bigelow Carpet Company. Somewhere near stood the
.second house built in this region.
It is possible that about this time Prescott also made
some attempt to manufacture iron from bog ore. In
1(357 certain inhabitants of Lancaster aud Concord,
John Prescott being one, upon petition, ol tained colo-
nial license to erect iron works in those towns. The
forge at Concord was soon after established and for
many years had a meagre success. No mention is
found in any records of similar works at Lancaster
earlier than 1748, when John Prescott, third of the
name, in deeds to his son John, speaks of the " forge "
and an " iron mine." The former was upon South
Meadow Brook, just below the dam of the Bigelow
48
HISTORY OF WORCESTER COUNTY, jNIASSACHUSETTS.
Carpet Company. Mine Swamp Brook was so named
because of the ore dug in its neigliborhood for use at
this forge. Whether this experimental liloomery was
an adventure of the first, second or third John Pres-
cott, the supply of ore was neither sufficient in
quantity, rich enough in metal, nor free enough from
sulphur to give encouragement for iron manufacture.
Although Indian names remain attached to numer-
ous localities in all the adjacent towns, not one sur-
vives in Clinton. Her three great ponds were very
early given their present names, — " Clamsheil " ap-
])earing in records of KJSI", " Moss," or " Mossy," in
1702, and " Sandy " not much later. Xot a word is
found in the annals of the first pro(>rietors that sug-
gests the existence of Indian dwelling-places or plant-
ing-fields anywhere near Prescott's Mills. Perhaps
there were none permanently occupied after the
coming thither of white men, nearer than Waslia-
cum, where the once powerful Nashaway tribe had
then gathered its feeble remnant spared by .small-pox
and the relentless Mohawk warriors. In accordance
with their nomadic habits, doubtless, families con-
tinued to pitch their wigwams at the fa'ls in the
Nashua during the season when the salmon and
other migratory fish were making their annual jour-
ney up that stream ; and to camp on the shores of the
ponds at other seasons for the abundant food supply
therein. The considerable quantity and variety of
stone implements found from time to time on the
east side of Clamshell Pond indicates the location of
an Indian settlement there at some remote period of
the past, or of a much frequented camping-ground.
Soon after his coming into the hunting-grounds of
the Nashaway tribe, in 1643, we find that Prescott
had won the respect of the Indians. This was doubt-
less largely owing to their need of his valuable craft
as a maker of knives, arrow-heads, tomahawks and
steel traps. But tradition .ascribes it to his stature,
giant strength, contempt of danger, skill with the
gun, and other heroic attributes ; and especially to
his possession of a corselet and helmet, supposed to
render its owner invulnerable. Various stories of
his prowess and adventure are extant, wherein proba-
bly there lie germs of trutli, but wrapped about with
anachronistic or imaginative details su|iplied by the
successive narrators. That he was upon terms of
familiar intimacy with the Sachem Sholan is told by
the records, and that his relations with Sachem Mat-
thew and his warriors were also friendly is evinced
by his possession of a house and farm at Washacum
and his purchase of land adjoining the Indian fori
there. When the machinations of Philip aroused a
pitiless war of races throughout New England, how-
ever, Prescott's property was not spared.
On February 10, 1()76, a picked force of warriors,
at least four hundred in number, — Nashaways,
QuabaugSjNipnetsandXarragansets, — under the lead-
ership of Shoshanim, Muttaump, Monoco and Quani-
pun, fell upon Lancaster. Prescott's garrison was
one of the five resolutely assaulted at daylight. It
was heroically defended by the stalwart owner and
his sons, aided, perhaps, by two or three soldiers, and
the savages were finally repelled. Ephraim Sawyer,
one of Prescott's grandsons, aged twenty-five years,
was slain here in the fight. A young soldier, from
Watertown, of Captain Wad^worth's company, named
George Harrington, was killed by the enemy a few days
later in the same locality. Seventy-five years ago two
graves were discernible in the groun<ls belonging to,
and a little to the east of, the mill. These, perhaps,
held the ashes of Sawyer and Harrington, though
then called Indian graves. With the |irotection of
the troops sent to the rescue, Prescott and his little
band withdrew from their perilous situation to join
the larger garrison of his son-in-law, Thomas Sawyer.
The carnage at the Rowlandson garrison, and the de-
struction by fire of all the barns and unfortified
houses in town, left the survivors so weak in numbers,
so disheartened, and so effectually stripped of all
means of subsistence, that, even if there had been no
reason to fear a renewal of attack by the bloodthirsty
foe, the temporarj' abandonment of the place was
unavoidable. Major Simon Willard, on March 2ijth,
sent a trooji of horsemen with carts to remove the
inhabitants who had not already Hed to the Bay
towns, and for about three years only the milUtoue
and the rusting irons. by the dams on Sjuth Meadow
Brook marked the site of Prescott's Mills.
In 1()79, after the red warriors had perished in the
flame of the wrath they had kindled, among the first
to move to the re-settlement of tlie town were the
Prescotts. The mills were rebuilt on the spot where
the corn-mill had stood, and the eldest son, Johu, as-
sumed their management, Jonas having a mill at
Nonacoicus, and Jonathan becoming a resident of
Concord. In December, 1U81, John Prescott, Sr.,
died, being about seventy-eight years of age. His
eldest son became possessor of all the estate connected
with the mills.
The lands granted by the Lancaster proprietors to
the founder of the town for his public benefactions
embraced much of the now densely inhabited ])art of
Clinton, extending from abound forty rods above the
first dam down both sides of the brook to the river,
while the eastern boundary of the tract was formed
by the Nashua, from the brook's mouth to the ledge
near the Lancaster Mills, formerly known as Rattle-
snake Hill. This domain was largely extended west-
wardby thesecoud John Prescott. A third and fourth
John succeeded him in its ownership, and a filth held
the homestead, dying childless.
The first town way to Prescott's Mills was com-
monly known as the " mill-path," and was recorded
in 165S as " five rods wide from the Cuntrie highway
to the mill." This is the main thoroughfare of the
present day, between South Lancaster and Water
Street. The original record of its location being lost,
it was laid out anew in 1811, together with its exten-
CLINTON.
49
sion to Sandy Pond, varying in width fr im two and
one-half to three rods wide. The people of Stow,
Marlborough, and even Sudbury, for many years had
no mills more conveniently accessible than Prescott's,
and the population of Lancaster, after the resettle-
ment, grew most rapidly to the eastward of the Nashua.
For all these patrons, the old mill-path was a round-
about road, and at a town-meeting in Lancaster,
August 26, 1686, a proposition was entertained for
another, the second town road laid out within Clinton
lines. The petition was " for a way to Goodman
Prescott's Corne-mill, to ly over the River at the
Scar." Goodman Prescott " told the Town that if
they would grant him about twenty acres of Land
upon the Mill Brook lying above his own Land, for
hisconvaniancy of preserveing water against a time of
drought, he was willing the town should have a way
to the mill threw his Land." A committee was ap-
pointed " to lay out a highway from the Scar to the
mill, threw John Prescott's land," and he was recom-
pensed by the grant desired, which is recorded as
lying " on the Mill Brook, near to the South Meadow,
bounded north and east by his own land, and south
and southeast by common land."
In April, 1717, a town-meeting, upon petition of
John Goss and Ihe report of a viewing committee,
voted to change the location of the westerly end of
this highway, so that it should " lye by the River, —
Provided said way be kept four Rods wide from y"
Scar bridge till it com to y' Hill from y" top of y"
River bank, and after it amount said Hill to lye where
it shall be most conveniant to y" Town, till it com to
said Mill, said Goss to cleer said Rode when that
Committy shall stake it out." April 24, 1733, John
Goss conveyed to John Prescott eighty acres east of
the Mill Brook, " a highway lying through said Land
from the bridge that is over the River, a little above
the place called the Scarr." The mills had now
many rivals, and the current of travel flowed in other
directions. In May, 1742, the town voted to move the
Scar bridge down the river "to the road that leads
from Lieut. Sawyer's to Doctor Dunsmoor's'' — that
is, to the crossing of the Nashua, now known as
Carter's Mills bridge, where before this there was a
fording-place only.
Few traces of the Scar road, though a noted public
convenience for more than fifty years, can now be
discerned. Close scrutiny reveals signs of the bridge
abutments a few rods below the northern end of High
Street, and of the raised roadway on the eastern bank
of the river. Some time in the eighteenth century
there were five or more dwellings located along this
highway, of which two or three cellars on the part
east of the Nashua are not yet obliterated ; and other
similar relics of human habitation upon the west side
have disappeared within the memory of the living.
But many years before the abandonment of this
route by the Scar, another had probably come into
use from the eastward. This, now known as Water
4
Street, was wholly in the land of the Prescotts and
remained their private way until 1782, on April 1st of
which year Lancaster accepted it as laid out two rods
wide, "on condition that sd Town is not Burdened
with the cost of a Bridge." No record is found to
prove how long the bridge had then stood at this
crossing of the Nashua, but mention is made of a
"slab-bridge" in this vicinity about 1718, belonging to
the second John Prescott. It was then, doubtless, like
many of the bridges of that era, a narrow structure
made of puncheons resting upon log abutments and
trestles, and perhaps only passable for foot and horse-
men. By the surveyors of Lancaster in 1795 the
bridge is called "Prescott's," and noted as ninety-nine
feet in length. It was not until December 4, 1815,
that the town assumed the ownership of it and of the
approaches to it from the county road to Boylston,
although eight years earlier assistance was voted for
its reconstruction. A lew years later it appears in the
town records as the Harris bridge.
A by-path very early connected Prescott's Mills
with the county highway leading to Washacum and
westward. Widened and otherwise altered at various
dates, this is yet in use and known as the Rigby road.
This name does not appear attached to it in old
records, but the brooklet which it crosses in Clinton
was called RIgby's Brook before 1718. AVhat connec-
tion the cross-road or the stream had with John
Rigby, who was one of the pioneer settlers of Lan-
caster, or with his heirs, has not been discovered. No
family of the name is mentioned in the town lists
since 1700, but a very old house which stood upon this
road in the early years of this century was commonly
known as the Rigby place.
In the surprise and ma.ssacre by the Indians, Sep-
tember 22, 1697, and in the attack by the French and
Indians of July 31, 1704, no loss of life or property at
Prescott's Mills was reported, though thi.s, it would
seem, must have been one of the six fortified posts
said to have been assailed. The men belonging to
this garrison in 1704 were John Prescott, his two sons,
.John and Ebenezer, and John Keyes, the weaver,
three of whom were married men with little families.
By a report of an inspection of garrisons ordered by
Governor Dudley, in November, 1711, we learn that
there were at that time but three families at ths Mills,
including four males of military age, besides tTvo
soldiers billeted there — fifteen souls in all. This may
be called the earliest census of Clinton. For half a
century the householders in this neighborhood had
numbered no more, and no less ; for half a century
more the accessions hardly trebled this population.
Along the roads leading westward, to Leominster, to
Woonksechocksett, (now Sterling,) to Boylston, and
to "Shrewsbury Leg," farms were cleared, humble
dwellings arose, children were born, grew to manhood,
migrated, and themselves set up roof-trees farther
west ; but at Prescott's Mills all remained apparently
as when the fathers fell asleep.
50
HISTOllY OF WORCESTER COUNTY, MASSACHUSETTS.
Daniel and Benianiin Allen, of Watertown, were
among the very early settlers in Lancaster, but aban-
doned their lands when the Indian raids of 1675 and
1676 desolated the frontier towns, and never re-occu-
pied them. About 1746, however, Ebcnezer Allen, of
Weston, a son of Daniel, came to Lancaster, accom-
panied by his son Ebenezer, and the two made their
homes upon a tract of land containing one hundred
and eighty acres, the northerly portion of which is
now in possession of Ethan Allen Currier. This
had been the homestead of John Goss, who bought
the property of John Prescott and John Keyes in
1717. Upon the brook which runs through the farm
Goss built a mill at the site of the existing dam, and
his dwelling and farm buildings stood on the uplands
near.
The deed to John Allen, dated February, 1746, and
that of John to Ebenezer, in 1751, speak of the road-
way in use through the farm " from Prescott's Mills
to a Fordway, where there was a Bridge called the
Scar Bridge." The elder Allen sold his whole estate
to Ebenezer, Jr., in 1756, including some lands
bought on the west side of the mill path where prob-
ably about that date the mansion was built, which
was torn down in 1879, to make room for Mr. Currier's
present residence. Ebenezer Allen, Sr., died in 1770,
at the age of ninety-four, and Ebenezer, ,Tr., in 1812,
aged eighty-eight years. The farm passed out of the
Aliens' hands in 1811; and Moses Emerson became its
owner shortly alter. The bluffupon the east bank of
the Nashua, so often mentioned in town records as
the Scar, from the time of his purchase began to be
called Emerson's Bank. Mr. Emerson dying in 1822,
the estate was sold at auction by the guardian of his
children, and in 1825, George Howard, froraPembroke,
bought it. At that time no trace of the Goss Mill or
the other buildings once standing in the vicinity of
the brook remained, but a cart-path led up over the
plain to Harris Hill, perhaps the last trace of the
long-disused Scar Road.
Along the old county highway which leads from
Bolton to Boylston, where it winds about among the
rocky hills east of the Nashua in Clinton, a few farms
were tilled many years before the Revolution. Here
lived Lieutenant Thomas Tucker ; Thomas Wilder,
the son of John, and his son Jonathan ; Simon But-
ler, and the late John Pollard. Philip Larkin and
his soldier sons had homes to the southeast from
Clamshell Pond. Thomas Tucker acquired his lands
through Capt. Thomas Wilder in 1716, and probably
built his house here about the date of his marriage, in
1719. He transferred his farm to his son AVilliam in
1757. In 1788 James Fuller bought the southerly
portion of the tract, and in 1798 the homestead came
into possession of Charles Chace, from Bellingham,
whose descendants have prominent place in the
annals of Clinton. The Tucker family had then
wholly disappeared from Lancaster. Upon the other
farms named, sons built near the fathers, and family
names clung to the estates far into the present cen-
tury. Now, however, but one lineal descendant of
any of these old families — the venerable Frederick
Wilder — dwells in this section of the town.
CHAPTER VIII.
Chl^TOT^S— {Continued).
The Jlerolulion — The ^' Six Xations" — Immiffration — The Comb-ntol-era —
Poiffnand <t- Plant — Coming of the Bigehwa^Tfte Clinton Company
— TJie Lancnuter QuiU Comptimj—The BigeloiD Carpet Company— The
Lancanter MiUi — ClitilouviUe, its Builders and itt Euterprisee.
When the rallying cry, " taxation without repre-
sentation is tyranny," rang through the land, and
patriots began the organization of rebellion, John
Prescott, fourth of the name, was chosen one of the
town's Committee of Correspondence and Safety.
Like his grandfather, he seems to have been a radical
republican in politics, and was especially active in
the prosecution of those who sold tea, and all sus-
pected of a leaning towards Toryism.
When the Lexington alarm-courier summoned the
yeomanry to arms on the morning of April 19, 1775,
John Prescott, fifth of the name, led as captain one
of the six companies from Lancaster which made a
forced march to Cambridge. As his command of
thirty-two men was mustered neither with Colonel
Asa Whitcomb's regiment of militia nor Colonel
John Whitcomb's regiment of minute-men, they were
probably a mounted troop of volunteers. They served
twelve days. Two of his sergeants, Elisha Allen and
James Fuller, were residents within the bounds of
Clinton ; Moses Sawyer was second-lieutenant in
Captain Joseph White's militia company ; Ebenezer
Allen, Jr., and Jotham Wilder were in Captain An-
drew Haskell's company, which fought in the battle
of Bunker Hill ; James Fuller and Jotham, Stephen,
Titus and Reuben Wilder served for short terms later
in the contest, most of them being at Saratoga. Sev-
eral of the Prescott family did patriotic service for
national independence, but at that date the Prescotts
mostly lived upon ancestral lands in Chocksett or
elsewhere than in the south part of Lancaster.
The region round about the boundary stone where
the lines of Berlin, Boylston and Clinton meet, in-
cluding sundry farms of each town, was, in the years
following the Revolution, known as the " Six Nations,"
that name attaching to it because families represent-
ing half a dozen or more different nationalities were
therein resident. The Wilders, Carters and others
were English by descent ; Andrew McAVain, Scotch ;
the sons and grandsons of Philip Larkin, Irish ; the
families of Louis Conqueret and Uitty, French ;
Daniel and Frederick Albert, Dutch; and John
Canouse was a Hessian, a deserter from the captive
army of Burgeyne. Other names and nationalities
are sometimes added to the list.
CLINTON.
51
Beyond the mills to the southward, towards Sandy
Pond, for a long distance all the lands desirable for
tillage or timber had fallen, by original proprietary
division of commons or by inheritance, to the Pres-
cotts and their kinsfolk, the Sawyers. The third John
Prescott, in 1748, the year before his death, " for love
and good-will," gave his grandchildren, Aaron, Moses,
Joseph, Sarah and Tabilha Sawyer, about ninety-seven
acres of land lying on both sides of a stated highway
and of the brook "aboue the forge." These grantees
were the children of John Prescott's only daughter
Tabitha, wife of Joseph Sawyer. It has often been
asserted that Aaron was the founder of Sawyer's mills
in Boylston, but the credit of building the first saw
and grist-mills in that locality probably belongs to his
father, Joseph. Moses Sawyer was the first to reside
upon the lands thus deeded to him and his brethren
by their grandfather, and his son Moses was the
second. Their houses yet remain upon what is now
called Burditt Hill, and the latest has long outlived
its hundredth year.
From the death of the fourth John Prescott, in
1791, began a subdivision of his landed estate into
many lots, and its rapid alienation from the family.
He had five sons and four daughters. To the two
youngest, Joseph and Jabez, he deeded in 1786 the
two mills, upon condition that each should deliver to
him or his wife, annually so long as either should
live, "five bushels of Indian corn, three of rye, three
of wheat, and one thousand feet of boards." Within
two years after the death of their father, the sons,
with the exception of John, had parted with their
patrimony and removed from Lancaster. Captain
John, the fifth and last of his name in the town,
clung to thirty or forty acres of land and the old
homestead, where he died, childless, August 18, 1811,
aged sixty-two, his wife, Mary (Ballard), surviving
him.
In the closing years of the eighteenth century the
people were weighed down by debt and taxation —
legacies of the long years of the war for independ-
ence. Shays' Insurrection had been summarily
quelled, for New England common sense recognized
the fact that anarchy could afford no relief from the
general distress. The yeomanry, however full their
barns, held mortgaged lands and empty purses.
Everywhere the sheriff was busy with executions,
foreclosures and forced sales. The merchants and
lawyers mercilessly devoured the debtors ; large es-
tates were broken up and homes changed owners on
every hand. Thus Prescott's Mills and some of the
lands around them in 1793 fell into the possession of
John Sprague, the Lancaster lawyer and sheriff, and
until his death, in 1800, they are sometimes mentioned
in records as Sprague's Mills. Several heads of
families during this decade fixed their habitations
upon lani in the vicinity bought for prices that now
seem ludicrously small. They were : Jacob Stone,
a noted framer of bridges and buildings, whose house,
burnt many years ago, was west of Sandy Pond, a
mile from any other dwelling, save one at a saw-mill
on Mine Swamp Brook, owned by Jonathan Sampson,
of Boylston ; Joseph Kice, a basket-maker from
Boylston, who married a daughter of Moses Sawyer
and lived near him; Nathaniel Lowe, Jr., from Leo-
minster, who in 1795 bought of Moses Sawyer a farm
lying between the mills and the river, which North
High Street now bisects ; Lieut. Amos Allen, who
bought lands of Jonathan Prescott in 1792 and built
the first house on the west side of the highway be-
tween the mills and Ebenezer Allen's; Benjamin
Gould, father of the poetess, Hannah Flagg Gould
and the scholar, Benjamin Apthorp Gould, who
began a dwelling probably about the same date,
which he never found means to finish, on the spot
where Deputy Sheriff Enoch K. Gibbs lives ; Coffin
Chapin, Richard Sargent and his sons, and John
Hunt, who lived at the summit of the hill on Water
Street, about half-way between the mills and the
bridge over the Nashua ; John Goss, who bought a
f^xrm upon the east of the river, near the Bolton and
Berlin corner ; Elias Sawyer, who built on the river
bank near his dam already mentioned. James Elder
lived just outside Clinton bounds.
During the first ten years of this century accessions
became more numerous, and among them were some
whose descendants have been honorably identified
with every phase of Clinton's material progress.
Ezekiel Rice purchased the house and farm of Moses
Sawyer, Jr., in 1802. John Lowe, a comb-maker of
Leominster, in 1800 bought of John Fry fifty acres of
land, and in 1804 another lot adjoining, which in-
cluded the cellar of Benjamin Gould's house and a
shop of Asahel Tower's on the brook. Here he built
a few years later, and deeded a moiety of land and
house to his father, Nathaniel. Nathan Burditt came
from Leominster in 1808 and succeeded Mr. Rice in
possession of the house built by Moses Sawyer, Jr.
John Severy, a Revolutionary pensioner, came to re-
side on Mine Swamp Brook the same year, buying of
Sampson his house, brick-yard and saw-mill. John
Goldthwaite, the splint-broom maker, occupied a
dilapidated building, the only one on the Rigby Road.
Daniel Harris, a Revolutionary pensioner from Boyls-
ton, in 1804 and 1805 bought of John Hunt's numer-
ous creditors his substantial house and large fann,
which he in later times shared with his sons — Emory,
Asahel and Sidney — who, by their industry, thrift
and business ability, became leading men in the com-
munity.
Next to the saw and grist-mills, the first manufac-
turing industry to employ any considerable number
of workmen was the making of horn-combs, intro-
duced about the beginning of the present century
from Leominster, where it had been a profitable em-
ployment from the days of the Revolution. John
Lowe and Nathan Burditt were the earliest to ply this
trade in the town, but they soon taught it to many
52
HISTOKY OF WORCESTER COUNTY, MASSACHUSETTS.
others, who gradually brought improved tools and
machinery into service to increase the quantity and
improve the quality of their products.
At first the comb-makers exercised their handicraft
in diminutive shops or rooms in their own dwellings,
and the women and children helped in the lighter
parts of the work. The horns were sawn into proper
lengths by hand, split, soaked, heated over charcoal,
dipped into hot grease, pressed into required form
between iron clamps by driven wedges, stifl'ened by
cold water, marked by a pattern for the teeth, which
were sawn one by one. The combs were then smoothed,
polished and tied in packages for sale. The earliest
makers carried their own goods to market, and it is
told of John Lowe that he often journeyed as far as
Albany on horseback, with his whole stock in trade
in his saddle-bags.
The use of water-power in the manufacture was
not adopted until 1823. Through Lowe's land ran a
little brook, which was finally utilized for comb-
making by his son Henry, with whom was associated
his cousin, Thomas Lowe. The stream had been
dammed at least twenty years earlier, and a small
shop thereon had been occupied by Asahel Tower for
nail-cutting, and Arnold Rugg for wire-drawing. The
Lowes were succeeded several years later by Henry
Lewis, and he, in 1836, by Haskell McCollum, who
built a second shop and greatly increased the business,
having as a partner his brother-in-law, Anson Ijowe.
E. K. Gibbs built a third shop about 1840.
The age was one when a man was fortunate whose
personal peculiarity of form, feature, dress or habit,
were not salient enough whereupon to hang some
nickname — when many a worthy citizen walked
among his fellow-men almost unknown by his baptis-
mal name. The same fashion obtained respecting
neighborhoods, every little section of the town gaining
some quaint designation fancied to be descriptive of
the district or its people. The region about these
comb-shops on Rigby Brook became in popular par-
lance, Scrabble Hollow.
The water privilege on South Meadow Brook in the
possession of George Howard was soon turned to use
in the horn industry ; at first by lessees Lewis Pollard
and Joel Sawtell, later by the owner, who was enter-
prising and prosperous. But the most extensive
makers of horn goods were the sons of Daniel Harris,
who learned the trade of Nathan Burditt. Asahel
Harris at first conducted the business at his house
east of the river, still standing. This dwelling he had
bought from Samuel Dorrison, who built it upon a
lot severed from the Pollard farm. Mr. Harris built
later the brick house upon the height of the hill west
of the Nashua, where he introduced horse-power and
improved machinery in his work-shop. In 1831
Asahel and Sidney Harris built a dam and shop upon
the river just above the bridge, securing a fall of about
six feet. Sidney Harris, in 1835, bought his brother's
interest in the water-power and the house above, and
here began a career of great prosperity. Upon the
sale of the Pitts mills, in 1843, the grist-mill machinery
was brought thither.
In 1805 Samuel John Sprague sold the Prescott saw
and grist-mill, with a house and land, to Benaiah
Brigham, of Boston. Thomas W. Lyon soon after
bought them of Brigham and acquired other estate in
the neighborhood. In August, 1809, Lancaster was
stirred with the news that two wealthy foreigners,
residents of Boston, had bought the Prescott Mills
and were about to erect a factory for the weaving of
cotton cloth by power looms. Soon workmen began
laying the foundation of the new structure, and the
enterprising owners for twenty-five years thereafter
were notable citizens of the town. The elder of the
two, the capitalist of the firm and president of the
corporation afterwards organized, was David Poig-
nand, a dapper, urbane gentleman of French Hugue-
not descent, born in the island of Jersey. He wore a
queue, and carried a gold-headed cane, was both a
jeweller and a cabinet-maker by trade, and an excep-
tionally good workman. He also had made and lost
a fortune in the hardware trade in Tremont Street
t
Boston. His partner was his son-in-law, Samuel
Plant, an Englishman who had been in America
about twenty years as factor for a great cloth manu-
facturer of Leeds. Mr. Plant had made himself thor-
oughly acquainted with the manufacture of cotton in
England, and secretly brought thence drawings of the
machinery necessary for a mill, and perhaps some of
the more important parts of certain machines. From
these, with the aid of the ingenious machinist, Capt.
Thomas W. Lyon, he was able to completely equip
the factory and put it into running order. Under the
methodical management of Mr. Plant, aided by the
skill of the machinist, the difficulties which always
attend a novel undertaking of such magnitude were
soon overcome, and the success of the enterprise was
assured. This factory was one of the earliest of its
kind successfully run in America. The town granted
the firm partial exemption from taxation temporarily.
The embargo and war with England served all the
purposes of a high protective tariff for the infant
industry. Common cotton cloth which at the build-
ing of the factory cost about thirty cents a yard,
before the close of hostilities commanded double that
price.
A little above the factory, upon the same stream,
stood a saw-mill built, jirobably before 1800, by Moses
Sawyer, or his son Peter, but at that time owned by
Joseph Rice. It commanded a fall of ten to twelve
feet, but had a very limited reservoir. This mill was
often, and necessarily, a grave source of inconveni-
ence to Poignand & Plant by causing an intermit-
tent flow of water to their wheel. Mr. Rice's land
and water-rights were purchased in 1814, his log dam
was replaced by one of stone somewhat higher, and a
second factory was built a little below the saw-mill
site, to which the looms were moved from the old mill.
CLINTON.
53
The business had grown until it called for more
capital than the firm possessed. February 12, 1821,
David Poignand, Samuel Plant, Benjamin Rich, Isaac
Bangs and Seth Knowles were incorporated with the
title of the Lancaster Cotton Company, representing
a capital of $100,000. Benjamin Pickman, Benjamin
T. Pickman and Lewis Tappan also became stock-
holders in the company, and the two last named were
in succession made treasurers. The old Prescott dam
having been broken through by a freshet in 1826, was
rebuilt and made one or two feet higher, giving a fall
of twenty-nine feet. The square, brick mansion near
the lower mill upon Main Street was also built by the
company as a residence for the superintendent, Mr.
Plant, twenty-five hundred dollars being appropriated
for the purpose.
The treasurer was accustomed to drive up from
Boston in his own chaise once a month to attend to
his special duties, and it was usual for a four-horse
team to be sent to the city once a fortnight with the
sheetings manufactured. The wagon for its return
trip w£is loaded with cotton bales and goods for the
store which Mr. Plant established a short distance
from the factory. For several years most of the
teaming for the company was done by Nathan Bur-
ditt, Sr. In case of any repairs which required a
new casting to be obtained, there was no foundry
suitably equipped to furnish it nearer than South
Boston.
August 28, 1830, while casually at the house of his
friend, John G. Thur.^ton, in South Lancaster, David
Poignand died suddenly. In 1835 the company, find-
ing their business unprofitable because of changes
in the tariff and the superannuated machinery,
advertised their property for sale, described as fol-
lows: "one hundred and seventy-seven .acres of
land, one brick factory with nine hundred spindles,
one wooden factory with thirty-two looms and other
machinery; blacksmith shop, machine shop, eleven
dwelling houses and other buildings." The mills with
such land and structures as were essential to their
operation were finally sold at auction July 26, 1836,
and bought by Nathaniel Rand, Samuel C. Danmn,
John Hews and Edward A. Raymond, for $13,974,
Their successors in 1837 leased the mills to the
brothers Horatio N. and Er.astus B. Bigelow, who came
from Shirley, where the elder had been manager of a
cotton-mill. Mr. Plant removed to Northhampton,
and there died in 1847.
The Bigelows had selected this location preparatory
to the organization of capital for the developing of
some inventions of the younger brother. H. N. Bige-
low occupied the Plant mansion, and from this time
became a resident of the village and an indefatigable
and wise promoter of its best interests, moral, social
and material. March 8, 1838, the Clinton Company
was duly incorporated with a capital of one liundred
thousand dollars, and the right to hold real estate to
the amount of thirty thousand dollars. The incorpo-
rators whose names appeared in the legislative act
were: John Wright, H. N. Bigelow and Israel Long-
ley. The most notable inventions of Erastus B. Bige-
low, at that date perfected, were two power looms :
one for weaving figured quilts, the other for the weav-
ing of coach-lace. The upper, then styled the yellow
factory, was leased by the Clinton Company for the
latter manufacture, and the brick factory was devoted
to the making of quilts.
Before this time coach-lace had always been woven
by hand looms, and any attempt to supplant human
fingers in the complicated manipulation required was
scouted at by the weavers as presumptuous. But the
lace made by the ingenious mechanism invented by
Mr. Bigelow in 1836 and patented in 1837 proved of
a very superior quality, while the cost of weaving was
reduced from twenty-two to three cents a yard. The
manufacturers were rewarded with immediate and
ample financial success, which continued for about
ten years, when stage-coaches began everywhere to be
superseded by the railway train, and coach-lace found
no place in the new fashion of vehicles.
The company was fortunate in the time of entering
upon its work as well as in the genius of its inventor
and the ability of its management. The period was
one of great and general prosperity. August 17, 1842,
the real estate, hitherto leased, was bought of Samuel
Damon, and extensive improvements were begun. In
1845 the capital of the company was increased to three
hundred thousand, and in 1848 to half a million dol-
lars. Meanwhile the working plant was re-enforced
by the purchase of Sawyer's Mills, in Boylston, where
the water-power was utilized for the making of yarn.
Additions were annually made to the original build-
ings, and new ones were erected. When the demand
for their special product began rapidly to decrease,
machinery for the making of pantaloon checks, tweeds
and ca.ssimeres was gradually introduced.
A large machine shop was connected with the works
which, under charge of Joseph B. Parker, turned out
nearly all the machinery required in the factory.
Horatio N. Bigelow was general manager from the
outset, being, however, relieved for three years, 1849
to 1851, by C. W. Blanchard. About four hundred
hands were engaged when all the looms were running ;
twelve hundred yards of coach-lace and four thousand
yards of pantaloon stuffs were finished per day
Although the brick factory was bought in 1838 for
the introduction of the Bigelow quilt looms, owing to
financial difficulties the weaving of counterpanes did
not begin until 1841. The successive transfers of the
property are of interest, as giving the names of those
who began the quilt manufacture and as showing the
sudden rise in real estate values at that date. Rand
& Damon, by purchase of their associates' shares,
became sole owners of the cotton-mills in 1837, and in
1838, Rand, having aciiuired his partner's rights in
the brick factory, sold it to E. G. Roberts, who the
same day transferred it to W. R. Kelley for six thou-
54
HISTORY OF WORCESTER COUNTY, MASSACHUSETTS.
gaYid dollars consideration. In September, 1839, it
was deeded to Thomas Kendall, the price named
being twenty-five thousand dollars. The property,
with, of course, additions and improvements, next
passed into possession of Hugh R. Kendall in 1842,
the alleged consideration being thirty thousand dol-
lars, and in 18-15 it was sold to John Lamson for forty
thousand dollars. October 1, 1851, Lamson disposed
of the property to the Lancaster Quilt Company for
one hundred and seventy-five thousand dollars.
The quilts that came from the new looms were from
ten to thirteen quartf rs in width and of a high grade
in quality, equal to those of foreign make for which
the importers demanded six to ten dollars each. The
Bigelow quilts were soon in the market at less than
half those prices. In the quilt loom, as in all his
inventions and improvements in weaving machinery,
the design and mechanical construction of each ma-
chine were carefully perfected under Mr. Bigelow's own
oversight, and not more with a view to the saving in
cost of production than to attaining the highest stand-
ard of excellence in the fabric produced.
February 11, 1848, John Lamson, William P.Barn-
ard, George Seaver and associates were incorporated
by the name of the Lancaster Quilt Company, for the
purpose of manufacturing petticoat robes, toilet cov-
ers, and the various descriptions of counterpanes,
quilts and bed-covers, with an authorized capital of
two hundred thousand dollars. Thirty-six looms and
about one hundred hands were employed and the annual
output was over seventy-five thousand quilts. Charles
W. Worcester was the managing .igent of the works.
The devices harmoniously combined in the coach-
lace loom were seen by the inventor to be equally
applicable to the weaving of any pile fabric. With
suitable enlargement and modification of parts the
product would become Brussels carpet, or, by the
addition of a cutting edge to the end of the pile wire,
be given a velvet pile. The adaptation to the carpet
loom of the chief novel feature of the lace loom — the
automatic attachments to draw out, carry forward and
re insert the wires — was an easy problem for one who
"thought in wheels and pinions." The carpet loom,
as a conception in the inventor's brain, was soon com-
plete in all its details. The machinists under Mr.
Bigelow's eye shaped the conception in wood and
metal, and at Lowell in 1845 Jacquard Brussels car-
peting was woven upon the power loom. The inven-
tion was patented in England March 11, 1846, and in
the great London Industrial Exhibition of 1851 speci-
mens of Bigelow's carpeting were exhibited which
won from a jury of experts the highest encomium. It
was declared in their official report that the Bigelow
fabrics were " better and more perfectly woven than
any hand-woven goods that have come under notice
of the jury."
The Bigelow brothers, the successof the new carpet
loom thus made certain, bought a building at the
south end of High Street, in which Oilman B. Par-
ker's foundry and other mechanical industries had
been carried on, raised it and built a brick basement
beneath, thereby obtaining a room two hundred feet
long by forty-two in width. In this they set up
twenty-eight looms run by a thirty horse-power steam-
engine, and in the autumn of 1849 began the making
of Brussels carpet by power. The requisite spinning
was done at other mills. About one hundred hands
were employed and five hundred yards of carpeting
made daily. The day's labor of a skilled weaver on
the hand loom rarely brought five yards, while the
power loom, managed by a girl, readily produced four
or .five times as much and ensured superior finish.
The works were under the management of H. N.
Bigelow. H. P. Fairbanks became a partner with
the Bigelow Brothers in 1850, and with added capital,
larger and more substantial buildings, year by year
crowded the little valley site.
A map of Lancaster, dated 1795, note* the ex-
istence of a "falls of about seven feet" in the river
ai, the place where now stands the dam of the Lan-
caster Mills Company. At that time this great
water-power was owned by Elias Sawyer, who built
a dam across the stream and began a sawmill,
which, from lack of means, he was never able to
complete, although he sawed considerable lumber
here. For a time he lived near by, but the property
passed from his hands, and in 1810 was acqnired by
JamtsPitts, a millwright of Taunton, who came to
reside upon and improve his purchase in December,
1815. The narrow, rock-walled valley, and the liills
that hem it in, were densely covered with forest, and
no public road led thither. A few acres of the b( t-
tom lands were soon cleared, and during 1816 Mr.
Pitts erected upon the mud-sill of the old Sawyer
Dam a new one, thirteen feet in height, and tlio
same year completed a saw and t'ri^t■mill. Possess-
ing some spinning machinery at a factory in West
Bridgewater, he brought it to Lancaster, and began
the manufacture of cotton yarn in 1820, gradually
enlarging his buildings and increasing his pn)duction
as succe.«s warranted. A small part of his power
was leased in 1818 and for a few years later to
Charles Chace & Sons, who built a small tannery
near the mills. Comb-making was also carried on
here at a later day, with power leased of Mr. Pitts.
James Pitts, Sr., died in January, 1835, and his
sons, James, Hiram W. and Seth G., continued the
manufacture of satinet warps. The saw and grist-
mill was burned in 1836, but immediately rebuilt.
November 12, 1838, the town accepted a highway
laid out from the "red factory'' of Poignand &
Plant — which stood where the Bigelow Carpet Com-
pany's spinning department now is — to' Pitts' Mills.
This was the first public road to that locality, and
marks the origin of Mechanic Street. In 1842 the
Pitts Brothers sold their entire estate, including
about eighty acres of land, to Erastus B. Bigelow,
for ten thousand dollars.
CLINTON.
55
February 5, 1844, E. B. Bigelow, Stephen Fair-
banks, Henry Timmins and associates were incor-
porated as the Lancaster Mills Company, witli a
capital of five hundred thousand dollars, and at
once laid the foundations of the manufactory now
famous as one of the largest gingliara-mills in the
world. It was at first proposed to begin with the
manufacture of blue and white cotton checks only,
but in view of the liberal pecuniary returns at that
time rewarding manufacturing enterprise, and the
deserved confidence of the capitalists in the inven-
tive genius of the younger Bigelow, and the rare
organizing ability of the elder, it was determined to
build a gingham-mill of twenty thousand spindles.
Up to this time ginghams had been chiefly made
upon hand looms. The procesres which this fabric
passes through before it is ready for market are in
number more than double those required in the mak-
ing of plain cloth, and hence the design of the ma-
chinery and buildings was correspondingly complex
in character. To this novel problem E. B. Bigelow
devoted his energy and marvellous constructive skill
for more than two years, when his health gave way,
under the intense strain of the mental toil and
anxiety he had undergone, and he souglit rest and
f.iund cure in foreign travel. He had, however,
perfected all plans and contracts for the essentially
new elements of the plant, and his brother, being
thoroughly familiar with them, carried the works on-
ward to completion, and put them into successful
operation.
H. N. Bigelow continued in management of manu-
facture until 1849, when he was succeeded as agent
by Franklin Forbes, under whose long and very able
cjntrol the company attained great financial success
and an honorable name for the unvarying superiority
of its products. The various purchases of real estate,
— two hundred and thirteen acres in all, — and the
construction of dam, mills and machinery ready for
operation, cost about eight liundred thousand dollars,
and the stock was divided into two thousand shares.
Both buildings and machinery were of the highest
excellence in design and workmanship. The dam
Wiis built chiefly of stone quarried in the immediate
neighborhood, and the town of Lancaster at the time
of its construction joined the banks of the river just
above with a wooden trestle bridge, and laid out a
roadway from it to the county highway. The water-
power was at first developed by three breast-wheels
upon a single line of shafting, each twenty-six feet in
diameter with fourteen buckets. These were supple-
mented by a Tufis' engine of two hundred and fifty
horse-power. The mills were admirably lighted and
ventilated, -and neat, convenient tenements of wood
were built near them, accommodating seventy fami-
lies. About eight hundred operatives were required
when the works were in complete running order, two-
thirds of whom were females. Girls earned about
three dollars per week above their board. The head
dyer, Angus Cameron, was reputed the most skilful
of his craft in America. The weaving-room, contain-
ing six hundred looms, was the largest in the United
States, having a floor-area of one and one-third acres.
Thirteen thoU'^aud yards of gingham wtre finished in
a single day — the estimated annual product being
four million yards — and the price, which had been
sixteen or eighteen cents per yard, dropped at once to
less than twelve. In 1849 the capital of the company
was increased to one million two hundred thousand
dollars.
The prosperity of the Clinton Company and the
starting of the Lancaster Mills speedily worked great
changes in their vicinity by the constantly-increasing
demand for intelligent labor, and the consequent en-
couragement offered to skill and traffic. The growth
of the village was very rapid, yet systematic and sub-
stantial. Streets were laid out according to a well-
digested plan, reserving prominent sites for public
buildings. In this and other work calling for the art
of an engineer, the judgment and foresight of H. N.
Bigelow were ably seconded hy the taste and scien-
tific attainments of the famous civil engineer John C.
Hoadley, then resident in the Prescott house, at the
corner of High and Water Sireets. The town of
Lancaster in 1848 accepted Church, Union, Chestnut,
Walnut, High, Nelson and Prospect Streets as town
roads, the expenditure for land and construction
having been wholly defrayed by the villngers. Hun-
dreds of shade-trees were planted, of which the town
is now justly proud. Stores and dwellings swn rose
in every direction, and owners or lessees hastened to
occupy them before the hammer and saw of the
builders had ceased work upon them.
The final location of the Worcester and Nashua
Railroad through the town in 1846 gave new energy to
enterprise, again to receive fresh impetus when the
road was formally opened to Groton on July 24, 1848,
and on November 5th of the same year to Worcester.
Before this the travelling public were dependent upon
Stiles' stage-coaches for conveyance to Worcester, and
reached Boston by patronizing Mclntire and Day's
coaches, which at 5.30 and 10 a.m. and 3.45 p.m. started
for Shirley Village, there connecting with the Fitch-
burg Railway trains. A. J. Gibson's rival line also
carried passengers to Sou h Acton, where the same
trains were met.
The Lancaster Courant, a weekly newspaper, was
established by Eliphas Ballard, Jr., and F. C. Messen-
ger, in connection with a job printing-office located on
the east side of High Street, in the building of C. W
Field. Mr. Messenger was editor of the paper, the
first number of which was published Saturday, July
4, 1846. In July, 1850, it was enlarged by the addi-
tion of one column to each page and its name changed
to Saturday Courant.
Tae professions of medicine, law and engineering
soon had gifted and public-spiriied representatives
here, whose honorable careers adorn the town's an-
56
HISTORY OF WORCESTER COUNTY, MASSACHUSETTS.
nals and whose wisely-directed influence made its
mark upon the town's institutions. Other wide-
awake young men coming hither to seek fortune and
build themselves permanent homes, engaged in trade
or plied various handicrafts, and by their worthy am-
bitions and energy gave a tone to the community
notably sujjerior to that which generally character-
izes a new manufacturing town.
Postmaster Rand authorized the establishment of a
branch of the Lancaster post-office at the store of
Lorey F. Bancroft, which stood on the corner of High
and Union Streets until removed for the building of
Greeley's block in 1875. Regular postal privileges
were petitioned for and obtained in July, 1846. H.
N. Bigelow was the first postmaster commissioned,
and located the office in the north end of the Kendall
building, placing it in charge of George H. Kendall.
By popular usage the title of the corporation which
had been most influential in creating this thriving
village gradually became attached to it. It was
called Clintonville ; and therefore the reason for the
selection of its name by the company in 1838 obtains
some historic interest. It must be said that the name
Clinton was not adoptpd for any specially apt signifi-
cance or with intent to honor any person or family,
but simply because it satisfied the eye and ear better
than other names that may have been proposed. It
was doubtle.«s chosen by Erastus B. Bigelow's desire,
and was suggested to him by the Clinton Hotel of
New York, which he had found a very comfortable
resting-place in his business journeys to Washing-
ton.
The Bigelow Mechanics' Institute was founded in
1846. It was an association formed by several of the
more intelligent citizens, who proposed to benefit
themselves and the community by the support of
courses of lectures upon scientific and literary sub-
jects, the collection of a library, the establishing a
reading-room and perhaps an industrial sch lol. A
reading-room was opened to members and subscribers
June 5, 1847, in the second story of the Kendall
building, then on High Street, where the Clinton Bank
block now stands. A fee of three dollars annually
entitled any resident to its privileges. The book
fund and expenses of lectures e.\ceeding membership
fees and sale of tickets were met by subscription.
The introductory lecture was delivered in October,
1846, by Hon. James G. Carter. He was followed by
John C. Hoadley, Dr. George M. Morse, Charles G.
Stevens, Esq., Rev. Hubbard Winslow, and other edu-
cated gentlemen of the vicinity. In later years,
through the instrumentality of the Institute, noted
lecturers like Horace Greeley, Henry D. Thoreau,
Oliver Wendell Holmes, Josiah Quincy, Jr., etc.,
were brought to delight and instruct Clinton audi-
ences. Regular monthly meetings of the members
were held for conference and the discussion of ques-'
tions relating to the mechanic arts and manufactures.
The finances of the society were never quite commen-
surate with its ambitious aims, but in its six years'
life it was an efficient public teacher and accumulated
a valuable library of nearly seven hundred volumes.
The first tavern in Clintonville was kept by Horace
Faulkner in the old Plant farm-house, which in later
years served as a boarding-house for the Lancaster
Quilt Company. In 1847 H. N. Bigelow built the
hotel known as the Clinton House, Oliver Stone being
the contractor for its construction. Horace Faulkner
and his son-in-law, Jerome S. Burditt, opened it to the
public in Christmas week of that year, and the
" house-warming " was a notable occasion in the vil-
lage. The hall was added in 1850, its completion
being celebrated by an " opening b.all " October 2d.
In the autumn of 1839 Ephraim Fuller's cloth-
dressing and wool-carding works at Carter's Mills
having been destroyed by fire, he purchased of George
Howard his water-power on South Meadow Brook,
and lands adjacent, where he erected a fulling-mill
and carried on a thriving business for many ye.ars.
His son, Andrew L. Fuller, soon became associated
with him, and, as the times favored, machinery for
the manufacture of every variety of woolen knitting-
yarn, satinets and fancy cassimeres was introduced.
For a time the business employed thirty hands, and
sixty thousand yards of cloth were put upon the mar-
ket yearly, the mill sometimes being operated by
night as well as day.
In the winter of 1846 Ephraim Fuller dammed
Goodridge Brook where it crosses the highway in
Clinton and built a shop with a trip-hammer :ind
forge conveniences in the basement. Here Luther
Gaylord — who for several years had been engaged in
the manufacture by hand of cast-steel tools for farm
use — made all kinds of hay and manure forks, garden
rakes, hoes and agricultural implements of similar
character, emplo) ing from six to ten men. His work
was unrivaled in excellence. There being more than
sufficient power for his limited needs, the upper story
of the building was fitted with a line of shafting and
leased to W. F. Conant, a builder of water-wheels,
Isaac Taylor, sash and blind manufacturer, and
others.
Shortly after the starting of the Bigelow carpet-
mill, Albert S. Carleton began the making of carpet-
bags of a superior quality, using Bigelow carpeting
made in patterns expressly for his purpose. His
work-rooms were in the brick building now the
residence of Dr. Charles A. Brooks. The business
later came into the hands of James S. Caldwell.
October 16, 1847, Oilman M. Palmer started an iron
foundry on land now covered by the weaving depart-
ment of the Bigelow Carpet Company, at the southerly
end of High Street. In 1849 he transferred this
property to the Bigelows, and built upon the site of
the present foundry, near the railway station.
Deacon James Patterson introduced in 1848 the
manufacture of belting and loom harnesses and the
covering of rolls, over the carjienter-shop of Siimiiel
CLINTON.
57
Belyea, the two occupying one end of Mr. Palmer's
foundry. When the building was taken by the car-
pet company, Mr. Patterson built a shop in rear
of his own residence, but sold his bu.siness in July,
1853, to George H. Foster, who was located near the
railway.
Of any Massachusetts community it needs not to
be told that the foundations of school and meeting-
house were among those earliest laid and most
promptly built upon ; and that generous provision
\Yas always made for the intellectual, moral and
religious culture of young and old, rich and poor
alike. In 1849 there were already three churches
in Clintonville, each with its settled clergyman
and commodious house of worship. Though forming
two districts in the Lanca-ter school system, the
village, under laws of that day, was permitted to
manage its schools according to special by-laws of
its own, and its prudential committee printed elabo-
rate annual reports. A more complete autonomy
was soon acquired.
CHAPTER IX.
CLINTON— ( ro«//;/Kfa'. )
17«t hiC'.'rp'>Tation — FaL-oring Aiwpici^s—Nt^iv Enlerpnees and Clianijeii in
the Old.
Thk fourth article of a warrant calling a town-
meeling in Lancaster, Nov. 7, 1848, was, "To see if
the Town will consent to a division thereof and allow
that part called Clintonville to form a separate town-
ship, or act in any manner relating thereto." The
subject was referred to a committee, with instructions
to report at a future meeting. This committee in-
cluded Elias M. Stilwell, James G. Carter, John H.
Shaw and Jacob Fisher, of the old town ; Horatio N.
Bigelow, Ezra Sawyer, Sidney Harris, Chas. G.Stevens
and Jotham T. Otterson, of Clintonville. A citizens'
meeting was called in the latter village, Monday, Oc-
tober 29, 1849, to discuss the question of separation,
»t which H. N. Bigelow was chairman and Dr. George
M. Morse, secretary. Those present, with almost en-
tire unanimity, declared in favor of petitioning for
township rights, and a committee was chosen, con-
sisting of Charles G. Stevens, Sidney Harris, Joseph
B. Parker, Horatio N. Bigelow and Alanson Chace,
" 10 carry forward to accomplishment the views of the
meeting, leaving the terms and the line of division to
the judgment and discretion of the committee."
November 12, 1849, at a town-meeting, majority and
minority reports were presented by the committee
chosen the year before. They contained such obvious
arguments, pro and con, as are usual in the debates
preceding town division, and both were tabled, the
tone of a brief discussion indicating that no com-
promise could be readily effected at that time. The
citizens' committee of Clintonville, in obedience to
their instructions, proceeded to prepare a petition to
the Legislature.
The majority report, favoring the division, had gone
80 far as to propose a straight line of separation, to
begin "at the town bound between Lancaster and
Sterling on the Redstone Road . . . and run thence
S. 75° 42' East to the easterly line of the town, strik-
ing the Bolton line at a point 289.56 rods from the
town bound which is a corner of Bolton, Berlin and
Lancaster." This severed from the old town nearly
the whole of the Deershorns School District, and vig-
orous remonstrance was made by almost every resident
therein. Therefore, on February 9, 1850, a meeting
was called at the vestry of the Congregational So-
ciety's meeting-house, to consider a proposed line of
division, so run as to include little more than the old
Districts Ten and Eleven in the new town.
February loth, at a special town-meeting, the chief
article in the warrant was, "To see what action the
Town will take in reference to the petition of Charles
G. Stevens and others to the legislature of the Com-
monwealth, for a division ot the town of Lancaster."
After some friendly discussion of the matter the as-
semblage voted that the citizens of the old town should
select a committee to confer with a like committee re-
presenting the petitioners, and that they should "re-
port as soon as may be what terms, in their opinion,
ought to satisfy the town of Lancaster, to consent not
to oppose a division of the town." The meeting ad-
journed for forty minutes, having chosen John G.
Thurston, Jacob Fisher, Silas Thurston, Dr. Henry
Lincoln and Nathaniel Warner to consult with the
Clintonville committee already named. Upon re-as-
sembling the unanimous report of the joint committee
was adopted, as follows:
1. That all the property, both real and personal, owned by the town
of Lancaster at the present time, shall belong to and be owned by the
town of Lancaster after the division shall take place.
2. That the inhabitants of Clintonville shall supimrt and forever
maintain those persons who now receive relief and support from the
town of Lancajiter as pauperK, who originated from the territory proposed
to be set off ; and also forever support all persons who may hereafter be-
come paupers who derive their settlement from this territory.
3. That Clinfonville, or the town of Clinton, if so inrorporated, shall
pay to the town of Lancaster the sum of ten tliousand dollars in consid-
eration of the large number of river bridges and paupers that will re.
main within the limits of the old town ; the same to be paid in ten
equal payments of one thousand dollars, with interest semi-anniiaTly'on
the sum due, the first payment of one thousand d(dlars to be made in
one year after the separation shall take place. And the amount shall be
in full for all the town debt which Lancaster owes.
4. That the line of division shall be the same as this day proposed by
Charles li. Stevens, Esq., as follows: Beginning at a monument on the
east line of the Town, 289.50 rods northerly from a town bound, a cor-
ner of Bolton, Berlin and Lancaster; thence north e.5° 30' west 488.11
rods to a monument near the railroad bridge at Goodridge Hill ; thence
south 48° 30' west 783 rods to a town bound near the Elder farm, so
called ; thence by the old lines of the Town to the place of beginning.
5. If a division of the Town is effected, the substance of the f..regoinK
articles having been put in legal form, shall be inserted in the act of
incorporation.
.1. G. Thbrston, 1 ^, . . „ „ .,,
y CfidiDiifin oi Tnmi Ontimdtee.
C. G. Stevens, >
58
HISTORY OF WORCESTER COUNTY, MASSACHUSETTS.
The act incorporating the town of Clinton in ac-
cordance with this agreement was signed by Governor
Briggs, March 14, 1850. The main eastern boundary
of the new town had been fixed by the formation of
Bolton out of Lancaster territory by an act passed
June 27, 1738. The southern boundary had been
determined by the act of February 1, 1781, which an-
nexed about six square miles of the southerly part of
Lancaster's original grant to Shrewsbury. The west-
ern boundary was defined in the act of April 25, 1781,
incorporating the Second Precinct of Lancaster as the
town of Sterling. The irregular intrusion of Berlin
at the southeast corner was created by an act of Feb-
ruary 8, 1791, setting off Peter Larkin with bis family
and estate from Lincaster to Berlin, then a district of
Bolton.
The new town took from the old very nearly two-
thirds of her population, although but one-fifth of her
acreage, and a similarly small proportion of the pub-
lic roads and pauper liabilities. Of the ten bridges
crossing the Nashua, eight were left to Lancaster, all
being of wood and mostly old, demanding large an-
nual expenditures for repairs, even when spared se-
rious damage by the spring freshets, and sure to
require rebuilding within twenty years. The debt of
the town was about three thousand dollars. It was
in view of these facts that the pecuniary consideration
paid the mother town was by the fair-minded men of
both sections held to be, perhaps, no more than justice
demanded. The liberal concession at least silenced
the loud-voiced opposition which at first met the pro-
posal for division, and so confirmed the bond of
friendly feeling between the two communities that
nothing has since been able seriously to weaken it.
Clintiin began its corporate life with a population
of thirty-one hundred and eighteen, according to the
United States census of that year; although but
twenty-seven hundred and seventy-eight by an enu-
meration made for the assessors in June, 1850. It had
adebtofaboutfourand a half dollars and avaluationof
over four liuiidred dollars per head of its inhabitants.
It could, with good reason, boast itself in many re-
spects a model manufacturing town. Its territory and
population were compact, nine-tenths of the citizens
dwelling within a single square mile. It was bur-
dened with few and short roads and bridges. Though
not ble-^sed with a productive soil, it was surrounded
by towns p)s<essing rich farming lands and chiefly
devoted to agriculture. Its industries were widely
diversified, there being already well established man-
ufactories of ginghams, Brussels carpets, coach-lace,
counterpanes, tweeds, cassimere^, combs, carpet-bags,
agricultural tools, sish and blinds, castings, ma-
chinery.
At the head of its chief corporations stood man-
agers who were not only generous and public-spirited,
but gifted with qu>ilities more rare and valuable — taste
and foresight. While studying the true economy of
machinery and manufactures, they looked less to
penny-wise saving than to enduring reputation. They
and their succes*ora built comfortable, detached
homes for their employes, instead of huddling them
in cheap blocks, and thoughtfully planned for ample
light, fresh air, convenience and safety in the work-
rooms, believing that health and contentment in the
workmen largely conduce to the employer's profit.
Without undue expense they made the architecture-
and surroundings of their works attractive. The in-
fluence of this policy, which has been permanent
and followed very generally by private enterprise of
the townspeople, is not only to be seen in its exter-
nal and aesthetic results, but felt in the social life, the
atmosphere of content that pervades the place.
The first town-meeting was held in the vestry of the
Congregational meeting-house on Monday, the 1st
day of April, 1850, at 9 o'clock a.m. A citizens'
caucus had previously nominated a list of town ofla-
cers, which the voters did not fully endorse. Albert
8. Carleton waschosen town clerk, and Sidney Harris,
treasurer and collector. The selectmen elected were
Ezra Sawyer, Samuel Belyea and Edmund Harris ;
the assessors, Alfred Knight, Joseph B. Parker and Ira
Coolidge; the overseers of the poor, James Ingalls,
Alanson Chace and Nathan Burditt. The school
committee, who were elected at an adjourned meet-
ing April 15th, were Rev. William H. Corning, Eev.
Charles M. Bowers , C. W. Blanchard, Dr. George W.
Burditt, Dr. George M. Morse, F. C. Messenger and
James Patterson. The three last named declining to
serve, Augustus J. Sawyer, William W. Parker and
Charles L. Swan were chosen in their places. The
sum of eight thousand two hundred dollars was
voted for the year's expenses, including two thousand
dollars for schools, andfivehundred for aFire Depart-
ment. ■
Certain pressing wants called for early public ac-
tion. There was no place for the burial of the dead
within the town limits, although a cemetery associa-
tion had been organized October 3, 1849. About ten
acres of land, admirably suited in position and char-
acter for a public cemetery, were soon purchased,
laid out with taste aud judgment, and named Wood-
lawn- Near by a small farm was bought of Sumner
Thompson for an almshouse. Upon it were a small
house and barn ; to this were added three acres ob-
tained of Joseph Rice, and a dwelling of eleven
rooms was at once built. The twelve acres and im-
provements cost S3859.71.
A volunteer fire company, called Torrent, No. 1, was
organized September 18, 1850, its members being the
chief business men of the town. A Hunneraan fire-
engine was procured, for which one thousand dollars
had been appropriated, and on March 10, 1851, a Fire
Department was established by legislative enactment.
Franklin Forbes was chosen chief engineer. A sec-
ond company, the Cataract, No. 2, was formed June
17, 1853, and a third, the Franklin Hook-and-Ladder
Company, July 7, 1858. Organizations bearing the
CLINTON.
59
same titles yet exist, but the engine companies were
disbanded and re-organized as hose companies after
the introduction of water for fire purposes, each
having in charge six hundred feet of hose. A fourth
company, formed in 1870, has care of a steam fire-
engine, one of Cole Brothers' manufacture, and twelve
hundred feet of hose. The firemen have always re-
ceived liberal support from the town, are supplied
with eveiy modern appliance fur use in the extin-
guishment of fires, and provided with comfortable
and attractively furnished halls, in the upper stories
of the neat structures in which the apparatus is
stored. The Gamewell electric fire-alarm system was
adopted in July, 1885.
May 15, 1851, Franklin Forbes, Albert S. Carleton,
Charles G. Stevens and associates obtained incorpora-
tion as the Clinton Savings Bank, and were author-
ized to hold real esi ate not to exceed ten thousand
dollars in value. H. N. Bigelow was elected the first
president of the bank. In this oftice he was succeeded
by Franklin Forbes. The firist treasurer, Charles L.
Swan, is now preddent, and C. L. S. Hammond has
been treasurer since 18(U. For several years deposits
were received by the treasurer at the ofiice of the
Lancaster Mills and by the president at his oflice in
the Bigelow Library building ; later, by the treasurer
at the office of the Bigelow Carpet Company. Since
1864 the business of the bank had been conducted in
the rooms of the First National Bank. Its deposits
now amount to $1,123,109, the number of depositors
being about four thousand. The total deposits since
organization have been over five million dollars, and
the total number of accounts over fourteen thousand.
At the woolen-mill upon South Meadow Brook,
Andrew L. Fuller succeeded his father, who retired
from the business in 1850, just as their special manu-
factures of yarns and cloths began to be unremunera-
tive. Mr. Fuller was a man of great business capacity
and energy, shrewdly watchful of the market, and he
gradually introduced new machinery for the produc-
tion of goods for which there was a better demand.
When fiishion decreed that hoop-skirts should be an
essential article of female apparel, he filled his work-
rooms with tape-looms and braiders for covering
hoop-skirt wire, and soon developed a very successful
business. In 1865 he more than doubled the capacity
of his main building, added two hundred braiders to
the two hundred and fifty he had previously run, and
increased the number of his tape-looms to forty.
Nearly one hundred hands were given employment.
September 10, 1867, Mr. Fuller died, but the manu-
facture was continued by his partner, Everett W.
Bigelow, until change in fickle fashion destroyed the
sale for such goods, and bankruptcy followed in 1870.
N. C. Munson, of Shirley, under mortgagee rights,
took possession of and sold the property to Boyce
Brothers, of Boston, in whose ownership the mills
were when destroyed in 1876, as narrated hereafter.
The industry has never been resumed. The water-
power is now in possession of George P. Taylor, who,
in 1885, built a neat, one-story brick mill here, which
was for a time leased to the Ridgway Stove and Fur-
nace Company, but is now unoccupied.
In 1852 the Bigelow Library Association, a joint
stock company, assumed the functions and received
the assets of the Bigelow Mechanics' Institute. It
began its career under far more favoring auspices
than its predecessor, having, beside the capital re-
rived from -its stock subscription, generous donations
from various citizens, including the sum of one thou-
sand dollars given by Erastus B. B'gelow. A substan-
tial brick building was erected upon Union Street,
giving ample accommodations for the use of the
society and several rooms for rent. Here a choice
library was gradually gathered, and the association
became a prominent factor in the literary life of the
town. When, in 1873, the t>iwn resolved to maintain
a free public library, the association placed in its
charge the four thousand four hundred volumes
which it had accumulated. It then sold its remaining
etfecls and real estate, and its twenty years' career of
usefulness and beneficence closed.
A lot of about four acres in the heart of the village,
bounded by Walnut, Chestnut, Church and Union
Streets, was, in 1852, given to Clinton by H. N. Big-
elow, with the stipulation that it should be laid out
according to plans of J. C. Hoadley, that no perma-
nent structure of any kind should ever be built upon
it, and that it should be suitably embellished and
cared for forever as a public square. The town
accepted the gift April 5, 1852, and at once appropri-
ated one thousand dollars for its improvement. This
has now become a tree-shaded park, and is the most
u-efnl of Mr. Bigelow's many and wise benefactions
to the town which he did so much to found, and was
ever striving to improve and adorn.
Joseph B. Parker, who for twelve years had been
superintendent of the Clinton Company's machine-
shop, built, in the summer of 1852, near the railway
staiion, a shop fitted with steam-power and tools for
the manufacture of machinery. Having associated
with him Gilm.an M. Palmer, he began work here on
the 1st of January, 1853. The firm of Parker & Pal-
mer was dissclved October 31, 1857, and two years
later A. C. Dakin was taken into partnership.
September 7, 1853, John T. Dame, E-q., received a
commission as postmaster, and removed the office
from the Kendall store to the Bigelow Library Asso-
ciation's building on Union Street. During the same
year a new road from Clinton westward through Lan-
caster, now known as Sterling Street, was laid out by
the county commissioners and constructed. October
19th of this year a noteworthy celebration of the sur-
render of Cornwidlis, the last in this part of the State,
brought to Clinton fifteen hundred regular and irregu-
lar militia and an immense crowd of people. The
time-worn comedy of the sham fight was manoeuvred
to Its historic issue on Bnrditt Hill, with more smoke
60
HISTORY OF WORCESTER COUNTY, MASSACHUSETTS.
and noise than the town has ever experienced before
or since, and the traditions of former days were out-
shone in the farcical evolutions and grotesque accou-
trements of the " Continentals."
March 8, 1854, H. N. Bigelow, Franklin Forbes
and Henry Kellogg were constituted a corporation,
with the title of the Clinton Giis Light Company, and
authorized to hold real estate to the value of thirty
thousand dollars, with a capital of fifty thousand
dollars. Buildings had been erected the year before
in rear of the carpet-mill. Mr. Forbes was elected
president, and C. L. Swan, treasurer, of the company.
Milton Jewett became sunerintendent, and yet holds
that position. The Schuyler Electric Light Company
began building works in town, March, 1886, and in
July were authorized to furnish a few street lights.
Their plant and privileges were soofl after sold to the
Gas Light Co. April 17, 1887, legislation was obtained
authorizing the corporation to increase its capital totwo
hundred thousand dolliirs, and to hold real estate to
the value of seventy-five thousand dollars. By the
same act its corporate privileges were extended to
include the town of Lancaster.
The little steel forge upon Goodridge Brook was
lost to Clinton in 1852. Mr. Gaylord, being unable
to find a nenr market for his products in competition
with goods of inferior grade, accepted inducements to
remove to Naugatuck, Conn. The water privileges
and buildings, owned by Ephraim Fuller, were for
several years leased to various parties, chiefly for the
manufacture of doors, sash and blinds. Christopher
C. Stone then bought the mill and carried on that
business here for three years. In 1859 Eben S. Fuller
bought out Mr. Stone, and in 1867 supplemented the
water-power with a steam-engine, when large addi-
tions were also made to the buildings. The establish-
ment now embi'aces a saw-mill, which turns out about
three hundred thousand feet of native lumber annu-
ally, planing and various other wood-working ma-
chines, a large shop for the manufacture of all kinds
of wood-finish used by builders, and an extensive
lumber and wood-yard. About twenty men are kept
constantly employed in its various departments, and
a small village has grown up about it.
In 1854 the electric telegraph wires appeared in
Clinton, and on the 23d of September the first busi-
ness message was sent over them.
The first loom to successfully weave wire cloth was
an invention of Erastus B. Bigelow's, and upon its
success the Clinton Wire Cloth Company was founded
in 1856. Charles H. Waters, of Groton, was chosen
to assist H. N. Bigelow in superintending the erection
of the original works, and in the summer of 1857
began manufacture. He was made general manager,
and served as such with marked ability until March,
1870, when he became president of the company and
Charles B. Bigelow manufacturing agent. Buildings
of large area have from time to time been added to the
first mill, located at the intersection of the railroads —
notably in 1863, 1865, 1870, 1872, 1876, 1880 and 1887
— and now the works cover about six acres. The
looms and other machinery have been often improved
by new inventions or adaptations, mostly those of Mr.
Waters, whereby numerous difficulties attendant upon
the weaving of so stubborn a material as wire have
gradually been in large measure overcome. At the
death of Mr. Waters, March 13, 1883, James H. Beal
became the president of the company, and Charles
Swin.scoe was made manager in 1885, when Mr.
Bigelow was called upon to assume the duties of
manufacturing agent for the Bigelow Carpet Company.
The capital of the Wire Cloth Company is four
hundred thousand dollars, and it is claimed to be the
largest manufactory of woven wire goods in the world,
turning out fifty million square feet in a year. The
mills are of brick, very substantial in construction,
and possess attractive architectural features. The
most prominent structure in the town, one that earliest
engages the attention of every one when approaching
it from any direction, is the tower used for the drying
of painted wire cloth. It is one hundred and eighty-
five feet in height, eighty by thirty-six feet in hori-
zontal section, having room for twenty-five tons of
cloth suspendel in webs of about one hundred feet in
length. The chief products of the works are : hex-
agonal netting of every width and variety, painted
window-screen cloth, wire lathing, locomotive sparker
cloth, malt-kiln flooring, sieve and bolting cloths, etc.
An extensive galvanizing plant has been erected a
short distance from the main works beside the Wor-
cester and Nashua Railway, where a special process,
peculiar to this company, is used for the protection
of iron goods; the zinc being chemically united with
the iron, instead of simply forming a mechanical
coating upon it.
Sidney Harris, who began the making of horn
combs by hand in a small way in 1823, continued the
business until his death, November 21, 1861, when
his shops on the Nashua supported from twenty-five to
thirty workmen. His sales sometimes amounted to
twenty thousand dollars a year. Mr. Harris was the
youngest son of Daniel, and born in West Boylston.
He was one of the most enterprising and thrifty citi-
zens of Clinton, prominent in church and municipal
affairs, and every way worthy of the public esteem in
which he was ever held. He was among the earliest
and most outspoken advocates of the temperance
cause. His sons, George S. and Edwin A., continued
the fabrication of horn goods, retaining the partner-
ship title of Sidney Harris & Sons, and greatly en-
larged the shops in 1866. The elder did not long
survive his father, and Edwin, by i)nrchase of his
brother's interest, became sole proprietor of the fac-
tory, and so remained until his death, in the spring
of 1875. August 9th, of that year, a joint-slock com-
pany was organized to continue the busines-t, with a
capital of sixty thousand dollars, called theS. Harris'
Sons Manufacturing Company. Elisha Brirahall,
I
CLINTON.
61
Daniel B. Ingalls and Henry E. Starbird were by
turns presidents of the company, wliich gave work to
about eighty hands, and finished goods to the value
of from eighty to one hundred thousand dollars per
year, chiefly dressing and fancy-back combs. The
enterprise won no financial success, and in November,
1881, the whole stock of the company, having much
depreciated in value, was bought by Mrs. Edwin A.
Harris, who has since managed the manufacture un-
der the corporate title, giving work to fifty hands.
The present production of the factory is about forty
thousand dollars' worth of staple goods, chiefly toilet
combs, yearly.
The original incorporators of the Lancaster Quilt
Company were succeeded in May, 1859, by James
Reed & Co., and the mill changed hands more than
once thereafter, though the business was always con-
ducted under the name of the first corporation. The
firm of Jordan & Marsh finally controlled the prop-
erty, and in 1869 started the Marseilles quilt manu-
facture as a specialty. A few months later the weav-
ing of crochet counterpanes was begun, but the ad-
venture not proving sufiiciently profitable, the mak-
ing of quilts was wholly abandoned in January, 1871,
the looms were sold to the Bates Company, of Lew-
iston. Me., and machinery for weaving other styles of
goods took their place. In the autumn of 1871 the
works were closed.
William E. Frost and Sidney T. Howard, forming
a partnership under the title of the Clinton Yarn
Company, purchased the factory for twelve thousand
five hundred dollars March 28, 1873. They fitted it
anew for the spinning of cotton, and began manufac-
ture in April. The houses and remaining lands of
the Quilt Company were sold at auction the loUowing
June for forty-three thousand three hundred and fifty
dollars. The Clinton Yarn Company has employed
from seventy-five to one hundred and twenty-five
Lands, and used annually from seven hundred to one
thousand bales of cotton ; selling products annually
to the value of about one hundred and fifty thousand
dollars. Both partners have deceased, and the mill
is now run by John E. Frost as agent. Bleach and
dye works are connected with the factory, and seven
thousand spinning and thirty-five hundred twisting
spindles are run. The power from the twenty-nine
feet fall in the South Meadow Brook has been used
until recently, assisted by a Wheelock steam-engine
of one hundred and fifty horse-power.
CHAPTER X.
Chli^TON—iConiinued).
CUiU07i in the lithelUon—Soldieri' Hosier.
When the political champions of slavery treason-
ably sought to break up the Federal Union, nowhere
did the spirit of patriotism — so fervent everywhere in
Massachusetts — flame forth sooner, or with more
genuine fire, than in Clinton. In the Presidential
election of 1860 four votes out of her every five were
cast for Abraham Lincoln. As the plans of traitors
gradually disclosed themselve.s and armed secession
tore star after star from the flag, not four-fifths, but
the whole community as one man declared for the
maintenance of the Constitution at even the cost of
civil war. In hall and street, mill, shop and home,
the national peril was the dominant topic of thought
and speech. To the military organizations of the
Commonwealth the people naturally looked for the
call to action.
The second and third officers of the Ninth Regiment
of Massachusetts Militia were Clinton citizens — Lieu-
tenant-Colonel Gilman M. Palmer and Major Christo-
pher C. Stone ; and of that regiment also was the
Clinton Light Guard. This company, which dated
its existence from May 12, 1853, was composed of
some of the best manhood of Clinton and vicinity,
and had been efficiently disciplined under the direc-
tion of its successive commanders : Captains Gilman
M. Palmer, Andrew L. Fuller, Henry Butterfield and
Christopher C. Stone. It was now led by Henry
Bowman, who, in accordance with a vote of the com-
pany in February, 1861, signified to Governor Andrew
its readiness for immediate service in defence of the
national government. It was supposed that the Ninth
Regiment might be sent to the front at once, and the
stir of hurried preparation was seen on every hand.
In the annual town-meeting, March 4th, the sum of
one thousand dollars was voted for the purpose of
furnishing the Guards with a service uniform. Thus
Clinton was the first town to anticipate by actual ap-
propriation of money the expected call for State
troops. Such expenditure of public funds being,
however, beyond the authority delegated to towns, a
special act of the Legislature was invoked and passed
April 2d, sanctioning such action when ratified by two-
thirds of the members present and voting at a meeting
legally called for the purpose. The company soon
after paraded in new suits of gray.
Sunday, April 21st, there came a dispatch from the
Governor calling upon the Light Guard to be ready to
move at twenty-four hours' Warning. Notices were
read from the pulpits in the morning, and in th«
afternoon the vestry of the Baptist Church was
thronged with earnest women workers, busily making
flannel underclothing for the volunteers. At a town-
meeting, the next day, generous provision was voted
for the care and protection of soldiers' families in the
absence of their natural guardians. But the anx-
iously expected summons was long delayed, and it
was not until June 28th that the volunteers, preceded
by the cornet band and an escort of citizens, marched
to the railway, and amid the tearful farewells of near
friends and the cheers of the multitude assembled,
were borne away for Camp Scott, Worcester, to join
62
HISTORY OF WORCESTER COUNTY, MASSACHUSETTS.
the Fifteenth Massachusetts, to which regiment they
were assigned as the color company, C. Just four
months later they had passed through the terrible
defeat of Ball's Bluff, and the captain, with thirteen
other Clinton men, were prisoners at Richmond, five
were wounded and two had lost their lives.
The Fifteenth Massachusetts Volunteer Infantry
was especially noted for its proficiency in drill, its
staying qualities in fight, and its exceptionally
sanguinary battle record. The men of Company
C sustained its colors, and bore at least their full
share of the regiment's glory and blood sacrifice.
The Clinton men serving in the regiment were
seventy-four, all told, of whom, before the Rebel-
lion succumbed, fourteen were slain in battle or died
of wounds, three died of disease, and over thirty had
received wounds not fatal. Their loss was quite severe
at Antietam, September 17, 1862, when five received
mortal injuries and twenty others were more or less
seriously wounded. At Gettysburg, of the twenty-
four in the battle line belonging to Company C, six-
teen were hit by rebel missiles, of whom Clinton lost
Lieutenant Bu.ss and three others killed and four
wounded.
Next in numbers to those of the Fifteenth was the
group of Clinton men in the Twenty-fifth Massa-
chusetts Volunteer Infantry, thirty-seven in all,
including a few recruits enlisted in 1862. These
were nearly all German-born, workmen at the
Lancaster Mills, and mostly mustered in Company
G. Four of these were killed in battle, five died
during the war, and at least sixteen others were
wounded. The regiment won an honorable record,
serving in North Carolina during 1862 and 1863, and
in Heckman's brigade of the Eighteenth Army Corps,
chiefly in Virginia, during 1864.
In the Twenty-first Massachusetts Volunteer In-
fantry were tweniy men claimed for Clinton's credit,
tour of whom died of wounds received in battle. The
regiment suftered severely at Chantilly, Antietam,
and in the final advance upon Richmond. Its first
experience was with General Burnside's expedition
in North Carolina. Five of the Clinton volunteers
re-enlisted after their first term had expired.
The three regiments above mentioned left for the
front during 1861. Of those who enlisted for the
town in 1862, the majority joined the Thirty-fourth,
Thirty-sixth and Fifty-third regiments. In the first
■were sixteen soldiers accredited to Clinton. They
performed garrison duty along the Potomac during
1862 and 1863, and had no serious engagement with
the enemy. Their valor and endurance were, however,
severely tested during 1864, in the nine battles and
constant marching and countermarching of the
Shenandoah campaign.
The Thirty-sixth Massachusetts Volunteer Infantry
contained thirty residents of Clinton, one of whom,
Henry Bowman, was its colonel. It was attached to
the Ninth Army Corps, narrowly escaped participa-
tion in the bloody work at Antietam, and though
present met with no loss at Fredericksburg. In 1863
it was transferred to the West, became greatly re-
duced in numbers during the campaign against
Vicksburg by climatic diseases, and passed through
the siege of Knoxville with Burnside. Its eventful
experience closed in Virginia, whither it returned in
1864 to join in the final grand struggle for the pos-
session of Richmond. But one of its Clinton mem-
bers fell in battle ; three died in captivity and three
of disease.
Twenty-eight Clinton men, with Lieutenant Josiah
H. Vose, served in the Fifty-third Massachusetts
Volunteer Infantry and he, with two others, laid
down their lives in battle. Although but a nine-
months organization, its stormy voyage by sea to
New Orleans, its adventures along the Mississippi
River, and its fiery ordeal of battle at Fort Bisland
and in the assault and siege of Port Hudson, com-
prise a more notable experience than many three-
years' regiments could boast.
The numerous other enlistments to the credit of the
town, mostly of a later date, were distributed among
many organizations, the record of which can receive
no particular mention here.
The action of the town-meetings already noticed
was but an earnest of a generous policy pursued
through the four years of war, and ever since, towards
those who volunteered in their country's service.
The selectmen were given large discretionary pow-
ers for the purpose of aiding families dependent for
support upon bread-winners who had become soldiers
of the Union; the maximum bounty was paid to
citizens enlisting to fill the town's quota ; all soldiers
were relieved from the payment of a poll-tax ; and
after each successive call for troops Clinton was found
registered as furnishing an excess above the number
demanded. Private generosity never failed whenever
exigencies arose. Large sums were obtained by vol-
untary subscription for the equipment of the enlisted ;
for forwarding material aid to the wounded and sick
in hospitals ; for sending agents to the field after the
great battles, and for other and constantly-recurring
calls upon patriotic sympathy where money could
avail. For help to families, known as " State aid,"
during the five years ending with 1865, the town
expended $36,171.28; for other war purposes, $14,-
043.19. Nine thousand dollars raised by various pri-
vate subscriptions were also disbursed in bounties to
recruits and for kindred objects.
The bu:jy afternoon of that April Sabbath in the
crowded vestry taught the people much concerning
woman's mission in war-time, and was suggestive of
what could be effected under wise organization.
Within a week thereafter an association was formed
by patriotic women which, in connection with the
parish sewing circles, sent to hospital and field thou-
sands of useful articles of their own handiwork.
After a year's experience, the aims of the society
CLINTON.
63
taking wider scope, a citizens' meeting was called at
the Clinton House Hall, August 1, 1862, and the
Soldiers' Aid Society then organized issued a general
invitation calling upon all inhabitants of the town to
join in the worlc for the welfare of the volunteers.
The directors of the association were : Franklin
Forbes, president; Gilbert Greene, treasurer; Henry
C. Greeley, secretary ; Mrs. J. F. Maynard, Mrs.
Jared M. Heard, Mrs. Charles W. Field, Mrs. Charles
G. Stevens. A room was furnished for the society's
use in the Bigelow Library Association's building,
and kept open during three hours each afternoon sis
days in the week, for work and the reception ot
articles contributed. The donations of material and
labor made by the society to the patriot cause have
been estimated at three thousand dollars in value.
Its charitable ministrations did not end until long
after the surrender at Appomattox.
The quota of Clinton under the various calls of the
government amounted to three hundred and seventy-
one men for three years' service. Adjutant-General
William Schouler credits it with an enlistment of
four hundred and nineteen, being a surplus of forty-
eight above demands. The enrollment lists of the
town fail to account for so many, lacking nearly one
hundred of that number after making dye allowance
for over thirty nine-months' enlistments, aud adding
the eighteen who paid commutation and twenty for
veteran re-enlistraents. It may be therefore inferred,
perhaps, that the unknown non-residents hired for the
town or assigned to its quota by the State or national
authorities, were very numerous.
The population of the town at the outbreak of hos-
tilities was thirty-eight hundred and fifty-nine. Its
valuation was $1,690,692, and its debt 814,500. At the
end of the war it had four thousand and twenty-one
inhabitants, a valuation of $1,860,763 and a debt of
$34,190.
The following alphabetical roster of residents who
did military service for Clinton during the Rebellion
is doubtless not free from errors or omissions, but it
is the result of many revisions, and is the best now at-
tainable. Names are followed by the records of ser-
vice in the following order: the number of regiment,
Massachusetts Infantry being understood ^(unless
otherwise stated), the letter of the company, the age
of the soldier when enlisted, date of muster in, ex-
perience of soldier.
CLINTON SOLDIERS.
Amsden, Marcus E., 2d H. Artillery, B; 21 ; Julj-28, '63; transferred to
Kavy May 17, '04.
Ball, Henry F., 4th Cavalry. (See Lancaster.)
Ball, James, 3d H. Artillery, Fj 26 ; Sept. 16, '63 ; discharged for dis-
ability May 8, '65.
Bannon, Patrick, 53d, I ; 32 ; Oct. 18, '62 ; discharged fur disability June
29, 'C3.
Barnes, James F., 3d Cavalry, B ; 27 ; Jan. 5, '64 ; mustered out Sept.
28, '65.
Barnes, Warren P., 22d, in band ; 31 ; Oct. 5, '61; discharged Aug. 11,
'62 ; re-enlisted in baud of Corps D'Afrique.
Bartlett, Anson B., 2d, D;18; May '^5, '61; corporal; transferred to
I". S. A. April 2, '63.
Bartlett, Ezm K.. 6nth (one hundred days), F ; 19 ; July 20, '64; died
at Indiannpolis Oct. In, '04.
Batterson, Zadoc C, 15th, C ; 26 ; Dec. 14, '61 ; killed at Antietam
Sept. 17, '62.
Belcher, Thomas W., i-3d, I ; 36 ; Oct. 18, '62 ; wounded at Port Hud-
son ; mustered out Sept. 2, '63.
Bell, John, 34th, A ; 32; July 13, '62; woi.nded at Lynchburg June
18, '04 : mustered out June 16, '05.
Bemis, Daniel H., 36th, G ; 30 ; August 8, '02 ; discharged for disability
Nov. 9, '63.
Benson, Edward W., 15th, C ; 25; July 12, '61 ; coi-poral ; sergeant;
died in Clinton .\ug. 3, '62.
Bonney, James A., 15th, C; 25; July 12, '61; prisoner at Ball's Bluff
Oct. 21, '61 ; killed at Spottsylvanii May 31, '6*.
Bowers, Francis A., 25th, C; 18; Oct. 9, '61 ; lost right arm at Hill's
Point, N. C, and discharged for wound Oct. 13, '63.
Bowei-8, Henry W., 60th (ono hundred days), F ; 10 ; July 20, '64, to
Nov. 30, '64.
Bowman, .Samuel M., 6l8t, A ; 25; Sept. 25, '62; sergeant; mustered
out July 27, '63; re-enlisted in 57th Dec. 20, '63 ; 1st lieut.; wounded
by shell at Petersburg, and died July 26, '04 ; credited to Worcester.
Bowman, Henry, 15th, C; 26; Aug, 1, '61 ; captain ; prisoner at Ball's
Bluff Oct. 21, '61 ; major 3fth Aug. 6, 'Oi ; declined ; colonel 30th
Aug. 22, '02; resigned July 27, '03; appointed a.-q.m. U. S. Vols.
Feb. 29, '64; mustered out brevet-major Aug. 15, '66.
Boyce, James ; record not found.
Boynton, Alonzo P., 36th, G ; 40; Aug. 11, '62 ; corporal; discharged
fur disability Oct. 28, '63.
Brigham, John D., loth, C ; 27 ; July 12, '61 ; Corp. ; sergeant; wounded
and prisoner at Ball's Bluff Oct. 21, '61 ; discharged for disability
Dec. 1(1, '02.
Brigbam, Samuel D., loth, C; 40; July 12, '61 ; discharged for dis-
ability Jan. 24, '63.
Brockleman, Bernard, 25th, G ; 38 ; July 29, '02 ; wounded at Petersburg,
in leg. June 15, '64 ; mustered out Oct 20, '64.
Brockleman, Christopher, 53d, I ; 30 ; Oct. 18, '62; mustered out Sept.
2, '63.
Brooks, Charles R., 7th N. H., K ; Dec. 19, '01 ; died at New Boston,
N. H., Jan. 25, '02.
Brothers, Hippolyte P., Ist, in band ; 26 ; May 25, '61 ; discharged July
27, '62; re-enlisted in 47th, E.Nov. 6, '62; mustered out Sept. 1,
't;3 ; re-enlisted Jan. 4, '04.
Brown, Herbert J., 4th Cavalry, C ;^19 ; Jan. 6, '64 ; mustered out Nov.
14, 05.
Bryson, William, 34th, A ; 35 ; July 31, '62 ; mustered out June
16, '05.
Bugle, George M., 2d H. Artillery, C ; 21 ; Aug. 4, '63; discharged for
disability May 29, '65.
Burdett, Thomas E., 20th, D ; 22; Sept. 4, '61; mustered out Sept.
14, '64.
Burditt, Charles C, 63d, I; 18; Oct. 18, '62; mustered out Sept.
2, '63.
Burgess, James F., 15th, C; 26; July 12, '61 ; corporal ; discharged for
disability Jan. 7, '63.
Burgess, John R., 2d N. J., in baud ; 33 ; May 22, '61, to Aug. 9, '62 ;
re-enlisted in 40th, B, Oct. 22, '62, to July 29, '63; re-enlisted in
27th, B, Oct. 29, '63 ; captured May 15, '64, at Drewry's Blulf;
prisoner at Andersonville ; died two days after exchanged at Annap-
olis, Md., April 21, '05 ; credited to Holyoke.
Burgess, Thomas H., 16th, C ; 21 ; July 12, '61 ; wounded at Antietam
Sept. 17, '02, and discharged for wound Nov. 16, '02.
Burke, Patrick, 21st, E; 22 ; Aug. 23, '61 ; wounded at Antietam Sept.
17, '62 ; re-enlisted Jan. 2, '64 ; died of wounds May 4, '64.
Burns, Blatthew, loth Illinois Cavalry, D; Nov. 25, '61 ; sergeant ; killed
at Richmond, La., June 15, '62.
Burns, Martin F., 36th, G; 25; Aug. 20, '6?.
Burns, Thomas J., 34th, B ; 19 ; Aug. 1, '62 ; died June 10, '64, at Pied-
mont, Va., of wounds.
Burt, John, 99th Penna. ; 41 ; July 26, '61 ; discharged May, '62.
Buss, Elisha G., 16th, C ; 26 ; July 12, '01 ; 1st sergt. ; 2d lieut., Nov.
14, '02 ; Ist lieut. March 15, '63 ; wounded at Gettysburg and died
of wound, Clinton, July 23, '63.
Callaghan, Thomas, 3d Cavalry, H ; 36 ; Jan. 5, '04 ; mustered out May
26, '65.
64
HISTORY OF WORCESTER COUNTY, MASSACHUSETTS.
Cameron, Angus, 83d N. Y, F; May 27, 'Gl ; 2dlieut. ; let lieut. ;
cnptain Jan. 27, '62 ; dtscharstHi for disability April 23, '63.
Carniili, John E., l.ltli, C ; 19 ; July 12, '61 ; wounded at Antietam
Sept. 17, '62 ; (liscluirj^ed for disability March 11, '63 ; re-enlisted in
2d II. Artillery, M, Dec. 28, '63 ; mustered out Sept. 3, '65.
Carter, Alpheus H., :i3d, I ; 27 ; Oct. 18, '63 ; mustered out Sept. 2, '63.
Carter, Charles W., 63d, I ; 19 ; Oct. 30, '62 ; drummer ; mustered out
Sept. 2, '63.
Cuulfteld, Thomas, loth, C ; 24; July 12, '61 ; prisoner at Antietam
Sept. 17, '62 ; enlisted again, in artillery.
Chambers, Hirom A., 16th, C ; 19; July 12, '61 ; killed at Antietam
Sept. 17, '63 ; credited to Worcester.
Champney, Samuel G., 25th, D ; 19 ; Aut^. 7, '62 ; died in N. Y. of yel-
low fever Oct. li', '64 ; credited to Gnifton.
Cheney, Gilbert A., 2d, D ; 23 ; May 26, '61 ; wounded at Antietam
Sept. 17, and ditd of wounds Oct. 18, '62 ; credited lo Newton.
CUenery, Frank A., 3eth, G ; 23; Aug. 11, '6J ; killed at Cold Harbor
June 3, '64.
Chenery, James 1*., 15th, I ; 19 ; July 12, '61 ; corporal ; prisoner at
Ball's Bluflf ; killed at Gettysburg July 3, '63.
Childs, Abraham, 27lli, I ; 28 ; Sept. 20, '61, as from Palmer ; re-enlisted
Dec. 24, "63; promoted 2d lieut. May 15, '65, aa of Clinton,
Chipman, Edward S.,4th Cavalry, C ; 39 ; Jan. 6, '64; mustered out
Nov. 14, '6i.
Clark, Thomas, 22d, G ; 27 ; Sept. 12, '61 ; discharged for disability Nov.
16, '62.
Clifford, James, 16th, E ; 20 ; March 21, '61; prisoner at Petersburg;
transferred to 20lh, E, July 27, '64 ; mustered out June 30, "65.
Oohen, William, 2let, B ; 19 ; Aug. 23, 61; wounded in Wilderness;
re-enlisted Jan. 2, '64 ; transferred to 36th, I ; Aug. 3u, '64 ; to 66tb,
B, June 8, '65 ; mustered out, corporal, July 12, '66.
Cook, Willis A., 16th, C ; 32 ; July 12, '61 ; sergeant; prisoner at Ball's
Bluff; discharged for disability April 12, '62.
Coning, Isaac P., 15th, C ; 24 ; Aug. 12, 'C2 ; wounded at Antietam ;
discharged for disability March 19, '63; credited to West Cam-
bridge.
Conway, Francis, 4th Cavalry, C ; 41 ; Jan. 6, '64 ; mustered out Nov.
14, '65.
Converse, William W., 4th Cavalry, H ; 27 ; Feb. 18, '64 ; mustered out
Nov. 14, '65.
Cooper, Rufus K., 16th, C; 23; July 12, '61 ; prisoner at Ball's Bluff;
wounded at Gettysburg July 2, "63 ; mustered out July 28, '64.
Corcoran, William, 15th, F ; 40 ; July 12, '61 ; discharged for disability
Feb. 15, '62.
Coulter, John T., 25th, A ; 19 ; May 'J, '62 ; wounded at Drewry's Blufif
May 16, '64 ; mustered out Oct. 20, '64.
Coulter, William J., 15th, C ; 20 ; July 12, '61 ; corporal ; sergeant ; 1st
lieut. Nov. 21, '63; prisoner at Petersburg; transferred to 20th
July 28, '64 ; mustered out March 12, '65.
Coyle, Patrick, 63d, I ; 33 ; Oct. 18, '62 ; mustered out Sept. 2, '63.
Craig, John W., 26th, C ; 19; Sept. 30, '61 ; discharged for disability
March 12, '63.
Craig, William H., 7th U. S., I; 22.
Craig, Edward C, 2d N. H. ; wounded at Antietam ; discharged and
enlisted in V. R. C.
Creelman, Matthew, 16th ; 21 ; July 12, '61.
Cromett, Hiram A., 1st Cavalry, C; 35 ; Sept. 17, '61; corporal; re-
enllsted Jan. 1, '64 ; mustered out June 29, '65.
Grossman, Willis A., 60th (one hundred days), F ; 27 ; July 20, '04, to
Nov. 30, '64.
Gushing, John E., 60th (one hundred days), F ; 18 ; July 20, '64, to
Nov. 30, '64.
Gushing, Charles C. ; served in U. S. Navy.
Cutler, Charles B., 34th ; 25 ; Aug. 11, '62 ; sergl.-niajor ; 2d lieut.
March 18, '64 ; Ist lient. May 1, '65 ; mustered out June 16, '66 ;
credited to Worcester.
Cutting, Orin L., 15th, C ; 29 ; July 12, '61 ; discharged for disability
Oct. 28, '62.
DaboII, Briggs M.,16th,C; 29; July 12, '61 ; corporal; woundedat
Bail's Bluff Oct. 21, '61 ; diBcharged for disability May 1, '62.
Davidson, Alonzo S., 36th, G ; 22 ; Aug. II, '62 ; sergt. ; sergt.-major Oct.
Ifi, '6:3 ; 2d lieut. Aug. 2, '63 ; 1st. lieut. April 23, '64 ; capt. June
23, '64 ; mustered out June 8, '65.
Davidson, Henry L., 16th, C; 24; July 12, '61 ; re-enlisted Feb. 13,
'64; transferred to 20th, E, July 27, '64; muatored out July 16,
'65 ; credited to Sterling.
Davidson, Lucius D., 36tb, G ; 18 ; Dec. 26, '63 ; died March 28, *64, at
Covington, Ky. ; credited to Sterling.
Davidson, Charles M. ; in q.m.'s department ; died at Nashville Nov.
22, '64 ; name on soldiers' monument, but he was not enlisted.
Davenport, Benjamin, 3d Cavalry, B ; 26 ; Jan. 6, '64; killed Sept. 19
'64, at Winchester. '
Davis, Frank L., 24th N. Y. Cavalry ? died March 11, '65; record not
found.
Delany, John, 2l8t, B ; 26 ; Aiig. 23, '61, for Webster ; re-enlisted Jan.
2, '64, for Clinton.
Dexter, Trustam D., 15th, C ; 27 ; July 12, '61 ; wounded at Antietam ;
mustered out Juno 28, '64.
DJckson, Joseph S., 15th, C ; 31 ; July 12, '61 ; wounded at Antietam,
and discharged for wouud Dec. 16, '62.
Dickson, Patrick J., 21et, B ; 22; Aug. 23, '61; wounded at Boanoke
Island and at New Berne ; re-enlisted Jan. 2, '64 ; trans, to 36th, I
Aug. 30, '(X ; to 66th, A, June 8, '65 ; mustered out July 12, '65.
Diersch, William, 2(ith, C ; 41 ; July 18, '61 ; killed July 4, '62, at Har-
rison's Landing by accident.
Dixon, Edward, 6()th (one hundred days), F ; 18 ; July 20, '64, to Nov.
30, '64.
Donovan, John, 30th, A ; 21 ; Oct. 1, '61 ; died at Baton Bouge, La., Oct.
12, '63.
DoiTison, Oscar A., 36th, G ; 20 ; Aug. 12, '62 ; discharged for disability
Dec. 23, '61.
Duncan, Charles, 9th, C; 28 ; June 11, '61 ; killed at Malvern Hill July
1, '62.
Eaton, William O., 23d, H ; 23; Dec. 4, '61 ; discharged for disability
Aug. 14, '63.
Eccles, Roger, 36th, F ; 39 ; Aug. 6, *62 ; prisoner Oct. 2, *64, near
Petersburg ; died Nov. 29, '64, at Salisbury, N. C.
Eccles, William, 16th, C ; 22 ; July 12, "61 ; wounded at Antietam Sept.
17, '62 ; died Jan. 4, '63.
Edgerly, Heman O., 15th, C ; 22 ; July 12, '61 ; prisoner at Ball's Bluff
Oct. 21, '61 ; re-eulisted in 4th N. H.? woundedat Petersburg and
died '64.
Edeman, Bernard J., 53d, I ; 18 ; Oct. IS, '62, to Sept. 2, '63 ; re-enlisted
in 2d H. Artillery, M, Dec. 24, '63 ; musterud out Sept. 3, '65.
Ehlert, Ferdinand, 25th, G ; 36 ; Oct. 2, '61 ; discharged for disability
March 4, "63.
Ellam, John, 6th Maine, C ; 40 ; April 9, '62, to Sept. 2, '62.
Fay, John, 36th, G ; 22 ; Aug. 14, '62 ; mustered out June 8, '65.
Field, Lucius, 3(;th, G ; 22 ; Aug. 18, *62 ; com. -sergt. Oct. 16, '62 ; q.ni.-
sergt. May 25, '63 ; 2d lieut. Nov. 1, '64; Ist lieut. Nov. 13, '64 ;
a -q.m. ; mustered out June 8, '65, aa 2d lievit.
Finnessy, James, 42d N. Y. (See Lancaster.)
Fisher, Abiel, 36th, G ; 18 ; Aug. 18, '62 ; corporal ; wounded near
Petersburg June 22, '64 ; discharged for disability Dec. 23, '64.
Fitts, William E., 34th, C ; 25; July 13, '62 ; corporal; died May 14,
'06, at Sterling ; credited to Sterling.
Flagg, Frederick E., 36th, G ; 18 ; Aug. 8, '62 ; prisoner near Knoxville,
Tenn., Dec. 15, '63 ; died at Belle Isle, Va., March, '64.
Flagg, Frederick, 36th, G ; 40 ; Aug. 8, '63 ; corporal ; sergeant ; dis-
charged for disability Dec. 23, '64.
Flagg, William E., 14th Conn., B ; March 29, '64 ; transferred to 2d
Conn. H. Art., May 31, '66 ; mustered out Aug. 18, '66.
Frazer, Charles, 15th, C; 23; July 12, ,'61 ; sergt,; 2d lieut. Aug. 6,
'62; declined ; wounded at Antietam Sept. 17, '62.
Frazer, John, 15th, C ; 31; July 12, '61; killed at Antietam Sept. 17,
1862.
Freeman, John W., navy ; 38 ; Feb. 27, '63 ; seaman on ship " Merci-
dita ;" wounded in leg off Wilmington, N. C, Nov. 7, '63, and dis-
charged for wound Feb. 1, '64.
Freeman, Joshua, 15th, C ; 40 ; July 12, '61 ; sergt. ; 2d lieut, March
19, '63 ; 1st lieut. Sept. 20, '63; mustered out July 29, '64.
Freeman, William T., 63d, I ; 33; Oct. 18, '62 ; 1st sergt. ; 2d lieut.
March 19, '63; resigned March 26, '63.
Fuller, Edward M., 34th, F. (See Lancaster.)
Fuller, Alden, I5th, C; 29; July 12, '61; sergeant; prisoner at Ball's
Bluff; discharged for disability March 10, '63.
Fuller, Andrew L., 15th, C ; 37 ; Aug. 1, '61 ; Ist lieut. ; resigned Oct
7, '61 ; died Sept. 10, '67.
Fuller, John, 63d, I ; 28 ; Oct. 8, '62, to Sept. 2, '63,
Gallagher, Thomas, 34th, H ; 34 ; Dec. 7, '63; transferred to 24th, A
June 14, '65 ; mustered out Jan. 20, '66.
CLINTON.
65
Gately, John, 3(i Cavalry, H ; 21 ; Jan. 5, '04 ; killed at Cedar Creek,
Va., Sept. 19, 'G4.
Gately, Martin, 9th, K; 31 ; June 11, 'Gl ; ilischarged for disability
Dec. 22, '62.
Gibbons, Joliii. 4th Cavalry, C ; 3J ; Jan. 6, '61 ; died July 15, "64, at
Richmond, Va.
Gibbons, Patrick, 34th, B; 24; Dec. 7, '63 ; transferred to 2ith, A, June
14, 'G'j ; mustered out Jan. 20, '66.
Gifford, Henry A., 3r.th, G ; 41 ; Aug. 8, '62 ; rausterM out June 8, '65.
Goddard, Artemas W., 4th Cavalry, "C ; 21; Jan. 6, 'G4 ; aergeant ;
chief bugler July 7, '05 ; mustered out Nov. 14, 'G6.
Gordon, John, 25th, E ; 35 ; Sept. 25, '61 ; discharged for disability
Aug. 1, '62, and died at home Sept. 6, '62.
Graily, Patrick, 4th Cavalry, C ; ;JU ; Jan. 6, '64 ; mustered out Nov. 14,
1865.
Grady, Thomas, 11th, B; 18 ; June 13, '61 ; mustered out Juue 24, '64.
Graichen, Bernard, 20th, C ; 21 ; Aug. 29, 'Gl.
Graichen, Edward, 25th, G ; 26 ; July 29, '62; discharged for disability
Aug. 28, '63.
Graichen, Frank, 15th, C ; 28 ; Aug. 27, 'fil ; wounded at Ball's BhiEf
Oct. 21, '61 ; discharged for disability May 2, '62 ; re-enlisted Dec.
24, 'G3, in 2d H. Artillery, M ; mustered out Sept. 3, '65.
Graichen, Gustave, 15th, C ; 22 ; July 12, '61 ; wounded at Antietam
Sept. 17, '6i, and discharged fur wound Dec. 4, '62,
Green, Asa W., 19th, F; 22 ; Jan. 30, 'G2 ; wounded at Fredericksburg
Dec. 13, '62; transferred to V. R. C. Sept. 26, '63- credited to
Haverhill.
Green, Franklin W., 19th, F ; 21 ; Jan. 25, '62 ; wounded Judo, '62, in
leg, and discharged for disability Feb. 19, '63.
Greenwood, Henry, 15tb, C ; 25 ; prisoner at Ball's Bluff Oct. 21, '61 ;
re-enlisted Feb. 29, 'G4 ; transferred to 2 Ith July 27, '61, to Signal
Corps ; mustered out Aug. IG, '(55.
Grumbacher, Moritz, 25th, G ; 32 ; Oct. 17, '61 ; corporal ; killed at Cold
Harbor June 3, '64.
Hall, Augustus M., 2l8t, E ; 22; discharged by G. C. M. Sept. 27. '62.
Hull, Joseph, 3d Cavalry, B; 20 ; Jan. 5, '64 ; died at DIorgauza Bend,
La., June 19, '64.
Handley, John, 34th. B; 19; Aug. 1, '62; mustered out June 16, '65.
Hapgood. Charles H., 15th, C ; 20 i July 12, '61 ; wounded at Antietam
Sept. 17, 'G2; transferred to V. R. C. Feb. 15, '64.
Harrington, Edward F., 53(1, K ; 20 ; Oct. 17, '62, to Sept. 2, '63.
Harris. Cliarles B., 51st. C ; 19 ; Sept. 25, '02 ; mustered out July 27, '63.
Hartwell, Charles II., 3d Cavalry, B ; 3i ; Jan. 5, '04 ; discharged for
disability Oct. 26, 'G4.
Hastings, Lyman H.,. 36th, G ; 21 ; Aug. 6, '62 ; died at Falmouth,
Va , Jan. 16, '63.
Hastings, William A., 3Gth, G ; 20 ; Aug. 6, '6i; corporal; mustered out
Juno 8, '65.
Hayes, Edward K. (id N. Y. Cavalry, A ; 21 ?) ; record. not found.
Hayew, Junius D., 15th, C; 24; Dec. 14, '61 ; discharged for disability
Nov. 16, '62; drafted and paid commutation July, 'Gt.
Head, James, 28th, G ; 23 ; Dec. 30, '61 ; mustered out April, "65.
Heali'y, Martin, 3d Cavalry, U ; 28 ; Jan. 5, "04 ; mustered out Juno 27,
1805.
Henry, Eben S., 22d, band; 27; Oct. 6, '61; discharged Feb. 21, '62,
fur disability.
Henry, George I., 15th, C ; 20; July 12, '61; tranferred to V. R. C.
Jan. 15, '64 ; mustered out July 14, '65.
Higgins, Timothy, 34th, B ; 30 ; Aug. 1, '62 ; discharged for disability
Jan. 10, '63; re-enlisted in 57th, A, Jan. 4, '64; wounded near
Spottsylvania June, '64; transferred to V. R. C. ; mustered out
Feb. 25, '65.
Hoban, John, 7th N. H., A ; Oct. 29, '61 ; wounded July 18, '63 ; re-
enlisted Feb. 27, '64 ; died at Fortress Monroe Nov. 12, '64.
Hobbs, Charles P., llth, B; 17 ; June 13, '61.
Hoffman, Charles, 53d, I; 32; Oct. 18, '6.i ; wounded at Port Hudson ;
mustered out Sept. 2, '63.
Holbrook, Charles E., 15tb, C ; 19 ; July 12, '01 ; killed at Antietam
Sept. 17, '62.
Holbroi.U, John W., 34th, A ; 36 ; July 31, '62; killed April 6, '05.
Uolden, Francis T., 3d Cavalry, B ; Jan. 6, '04 ; Ist sergt. ; mustered
out Aug III, '65.
Holder, William P., 53d, I ; 44; Oct. IS ; discharged Nov. 5, '62, for
disability.
Hollihan, Michael, 2l8t, B ; 27 ; transferred to 4th C. S. C. Oct. 25, '62.
Holmau, Herman, 25th, G ; 34 ; July 25, '62 ; lost leg before Petersburg
Juue 25, '64 ; discharged Juue 17, '65.
5
Holman, Henry B., 15th, C ; 19 ; July 12, '61 ; wounded twice at An-
tietani Sept. 17, '62; discharged Dec. 6, '62 ; killed by fall in "Wor-
cester Feb. 20, '64.
Holman, Joseph F., 1.5th, C ; 20 ; July 12, '61 ; mustered out July 28,
1861.
Houghton, Augustine F. ; Ist Oavalry, D ; 38; Oct. 19, '61 ; mustered
out Oct. 3, '61.
Houghton. Frank E., 15th, C ; 18 ; July 12, '61 ; re-enlisted in Rickett's
Battery, 1st Light Artillery, U. S. A. ; killed at St. Mary's Church
June 21, '64.
Houghton, Nathaniel T, 36th, I; 13, Aug. 8, '62 ; musician; mustered
out June 8, '65.
Houghton, Warren, 3d H. Artillery, E ; .32 ; Aug. 27, '63; mustered out
April 6, '65.
Howard, Franklin, Ist Cavalry, ; 43 ; Sept. 23, '61 ; discharged Feb.
17, '63, for disability.
Howard George 0., 3d Cavalry, B; 18; Jan.5,'64; wounded in shoulder
at Cedar Creek, Va., Sept. 19, '64 ; discharged for disability July 5,
1865.
Howard, James O., 15th, C ; 19; prisoner at Ball's Bluff; re-enlisted in
Kickett's Battery, 1st Light Artillery, U. S. A. ; mustered out June
24, '64.
Howarth, James. 21st, B ; 27 ; Aug. 23, '61 ; mustered out Aug. 30, '64;
credited to Springfield.
Howe, Charles H., 3iith, I ; 18 ; Aug. 15, '62 ; prisoner near Rutledge,
Tonn., Dec. 15, '63, and died at Andersonville, Ga. , Aug. 27, '64.
Hubbard, Georfte, 2l8t, B ; 22 ; Aug. 23, '61 ; discharged Sept. 14, '61,
for disability.
Hunt, Andrew J., l.'ith, C ; 28 ; July 12, '61 ; trans. Aug. 8, 'Gl, to
Western gunboat fl'-'tilla ; mustered out Aug. 6, '64.
Hunt, George W., 15th, C ; 18 ; July 12, '61 ; discharged for disability
Dec. 4, '63.
Hurley, G. Thomas, Jr., 61st, I ; 18 ; Jan. 23, '65 ; mustered out July
16, '65.
Jameson, Calvin, 2l8t, E ; 33 ; Aug. 23, '62 ; discharged for disability
March 16, '03.
Jaijuith, Amos S., 15th, ; July 12, '61 ; prisoner at Ball's Bluff Oct.
21, '61; mustered out July 2'J, '64.
Jefts, Albeit N., 15th, C ; 20 ; July 12, "61 ; enlisted Nov. 12, '62, in
V. S. A.
Jewett, George H., 36th, G ; 24 ; Aug. 14, '62 ; discharged for disability
Feb. 28, '63 ; drafted in Worcester July 11, '63, and served in 2d Co.
bliarpshooters until July 3, '64.
Kelly, John, 2d Conn., A ; 2ri ; May 7, '61 ; discharged Aug. 7, '61.
Kenney, Thomas, 63d, I ; 18 ; Oct. 18, '62, to Sept. 2, '63 ; re-enlisted
Feb. 10, '64, in 21st, B ; transferred to 3Gth, I, and 66th, A, June 8,
'6c ; mustered out July 12, '65.
Kidder, William II., 53d, I ; 23; Oct. 18, '62.
King, Kobert, 3d Cavalry, B ; 45 ; Jan. 5, '64 ; corporal : wounded at
Cedar Creek, Va , Sept. IS, '64 ; mustered out Sept. 28, '65.
King, W. Robert, 3d H. Artillery, E ; 19 ; Aug. 13, '03 ; sergeant ; mus-
tered out Sept. 18, '05.
Kirchner, John, 15th, C; 31 ; July 12, *01 ; probably drowned at Ball's
Bluff Oct. 21, '61.
Klein, Edward, 25th, G ; 25 ; Oct. 7, '61 ; wounded at Port Walthall,
Va., May 6, '64; mustered out Oct. 20, '04.
Klein, William F., 26th, G ; 30 ; Oct, 7, '61 ; died Nov. 3, '62, at New
Berne, N. C.
Klucssner, Herman, 25th, G ; 28 ; Oct. 4, '61 ; mustered out Oct
20, '04.
Koehler, Carl, 25th, G; 38; Oct. 3, '61 ; re enlisted .Tan. 19, -Ifii.;
wounded at Port Walthall, Va , May 6, '64 ; mustered out July
13, '65.
Kohnle, Frederick, 2.5th, G ; 22 ; Oct. 8, '61 ; corporal; killed at Cold
Harbor, Va., June 3, '64.
Lakin, David, Navy ; 26 ; seaman on " Schackaban " Aug. 61 ; master's
mate ; a non resident.
Lammlein, Carl, 53d, I ; 40 ; Oct. 18, '02, to Sept. 2, '03.
Larkin, Alfred G., 4th Cavalry, C ; 21 ; Jan. 6, '64 ; mustered out Nov.
14, '65.
Lawrence, Sewell T., 23d, H ; 31 ; Oct. 5, '61 ; discharged for disability
Aug. 11, '62.
Laythe, Oilman W., loth, C ; 23 ; July 12, '01 ; wounded at Antietam
Sept. 17, '02 ; discharged for disability March 6, '63.
Laythe, Oren A., 15lh, G ; 25 ; Aug. 12, '62; wounded at Antietam
Sept. 17, '62 ; discharged for disability March 14, '63.
66
HISTORY OF WORCESTER COUNTY, MASSACHUSETTS.
Leopold, WoIfgADg, 2-5th, G ; 29 ; Sept. 16, *G1 ; eergeant ; miiBtered out
Oct. 20, '(54.
Lewis, Benjamin, 5th Cavairy, C ; 25 ; May 16, 'Gi.
Lindfaart, Christian, 25th, G ; 31 ; Oct. 7, '61 ; wounded at Roanoke
Island Feb. 8, '02 ; ilischarRed for disability March 16, '03.
Linenkcmpf r, Henry, 25th, G ; 27 ; July 29, '62 ; wounded at Peters-
burg, Va., July 12, '64 ; mustered out Oct. 20, '64.
Lord, Alexander, 15th, C ; 27 ; Aug. 12, '62 ; wounded at .\ntietam Sept.
17, '02, and prisoner ; killed at Gettysburg July 2, *03 ; credited to
Hinsdale.
Lovell, Francis, 3d Cavalry, B ; 24 ; Jan. 5, '64 ; died a prisoner at
Salisbury, N. C, Feb. 21, '65.
Lowe, Theodore E., 15th, C ; 21 ; July 12, '01 ; transferred to V. K. C.
Jan. 15, '64.
Lowrie, "William, 2d H. Artillery, M; 18; Dec. 24, '63; mustered out
Sept. 3, ■6J.
Lyle, Alexander, 16th, C ; 29 ; July 12, '01 ; wounded at Fair Oaks, Va.,
May 31, '02 ; discharged for disability Sept. 18, '02.
Madden, John, 42d N. Y. ; record not found.
Madden, Thomas, 42d N. Y. ? record not found.
Mahar, Dennis, 21st, B ; 21 ; Aug. 23, '01 ; discharged for disjibility Jan.
10, '63 ; claimed by Lancaster.
Makepeace, Hiram, 15th, C ; 39 ; July 12, '61 ; discharged for disability
July 31, '62.
Maley, John, Navy ; 25 ; ]*'ny 23, '01, on "Wabash."
Malley, Edward, 15th, C; 20; July 12, '01; drummer; mustered out
July 28, '04.
Maloney, Patrick, 21st, B; 28; Aug. 23, '61; wounded at Chantilly ;
transferred to V. K. C. May 1(1, '63 ; re-enlisted Jan. 5, '05.
Maloy, Edward. 24th, C ; 24; Sept. 7, '61 ; rc-onlisted Jan. 4, '64 ; died
at home .\pril 19, '64.
Maloy, Patrick, 34tli, B ; 18 ; Aug. 1, '62 ; mustered out June 16, '65.
Maloy, Thomas, 21st, E; 24; Aug. 23, '61; discharged for disability
Feb. 3, '63; reenlisted in 34th, B, Dec. 16, '63 ; transferred to 24tb,
A, June 14, '65 ; mustered out Jan. 20, '66,
Marshall, James, 26th, C ; 25 ; Oct. 2, '61.
Martin, Michael, 36th, G ; 25 ; Aug. 6, '61 ; mustered out June 8, '65.
Matthews, Josephus, representative for C. L. Swan ; 14th U. S. Colored
Troops ; Nov. 22, '64.
Mattoon, Chauncey, B., 15th, band; 22 ; July 12, '61; discharged Aug.
8, '62.
Maynanl, Waldo B, 15th, C; 23; wounded at Antietam Sept. 17, '62
and died uf wound Oct. 2, '02 ; credited to Northborongh.
McGee, Patrick, 36th, G ; 36; Aug. 13, '61 ; discharged for disability
Feb. 13, '63.
McGrath, Henry, 30th, G; 26; Aug. 13, '61 ; died at Crab Orchard, Ky.,
Oct. 10, '03.
McNabb, John, Navy; 19; Aug. 16, '02 ; on "Juniata," "Sonoma"
and "Sabine;" discharged July i7, '63, having volunteered for
pui-suit of "Tacony."
McNamara, Michael J., 9th, C ; 18 ; June 11, '61 ; discharged for dis-
ability Jan. 16, '63.
McNulty,James, 3d Battalion Riflemen, C ; 23 ; May 19, '01, to Aug.
3, '01.
McEobie, John, 21st, B ; 32; Aug. 23, '61 ; lost right arm at Chantilly
Sept. 6, '62, and discharged Nov, 14, '62.
Meehan, Patrick, 2l8t, B ; 22; .\ug. 23, '01 ; wounded at Chantilly and
Spottsylvania ; mustered out .\ng. ;iO, '04.
Messier, Knos 34tll, H ; 27 ; Dec. 11, '63; prisoner in retreat from
Lynchburg, and died at Andersonville Sept. 23, '64.
Miller, August, 25th, G ; 40 ; Oct. 3, '61 ; discharged fur disability May
12, '64.
Miner, Joseph E., 15th, C ; 20 ; Aug. 12, '62 ; wounded at Antietam
Sept. 17, '02 ; mustered out July 29, '64 ; credited to Boston.
Miner, Dwight, 36th, G ; 18 ; Aug. 1, '62; transferred to V. R. C.
March 19, "64.
Moelter, Henry, 26th, G; 29; Oct. 1, '61; discharged for disability
May 2, 02.
Moore, Charles W., 53d, I ; 32 ; Oct. 18, '62 ; corporal ; sergeant ; wounded
at Port Hudson June 14, '03 ; mustered out Sept. 2, '63.
Morgan, James A., 30th, G ; 20 ; Aug. 14, '02 ; served at division head-
quarters ; mustered out June 8, '65.
Morgan, Paul C, 2d N. H., E ; 18 ; Sept. 2, '61 ; lost right arm at Bull
Uun Aug. 29, '62, and discharged Nov 10. '62; re. enlisted in V. R.
C, July 14, '63 ; mustered <nit Jan. 22, '64.
Moulton, Charles H.,21st,E ; 18 ; Aug. 23, '61.
Mulr, George, 16tb, C ; 21 ; July 12, '61 ; served In 13th N. T. Cavalry,
B, April 13, '03 ; trannsfeired to V. R. C.
Muller, Franz, 25th, G ; 27 ; Sept. 25, '61 ; killed at Arrowfleld Church,
Mayo, '64.
MUller, Valentine, 25th, G ; 40 ; Oct. 1, '61; discharged for disability
May 31, '63.
Needham, James A., .34th, B ; 19 ; Aug. 1, '02 ; corporal ; wounded at
Piedmont, Va , June 5, '64, and near Straeburg, Va , Oct. 13, '04 ;
prisonerand escaped ; discharged for disability April 17, '05.
Nicholas, George S., 4th Cavalry, G ; 39 ; Jan. 27, '64 ; mustered out
Nov. 14, '05.
Ogden, Thomas, 53d, I; 40 ; Oct. 18, '62, to Sept. 2, '63.
Olcott, Hervey B., 15th, C ; 29 ; Dec. 14, '61 ; wounded at Antietam
and Gettysburg ; transferred to V. R. C. March 15, '04 ; mustered
out Dec. 13, '04 ; died at Springfield Feb. 27, '65.
Olcott, Hiram W., 36th, G; 21; Aug. 3, '62; corporal; sergeant;
wounded near Petersburg; 1st lieut. July 7, '64; discharged for
wounds Dec. 23, '64, as sergeant.
Orne, David J., 2d, D; 23 ; May 25, '01 ; mustered out May 28, '64.
Orr, Robert, 63d, I ; 27 ; Oct. 18, '62 ; wounded at Port Hudsou ; mns
tered out Sept. 2, '63.
Orr, William, Jr., 53d, I ; 25 ; Oct. 18, '62; sergeant; mustered out
Sept. 2. '63.
Osgood, George F., 16th, (' ; 22; Aug. 12, '62; wounded and prisoner
at AntietamSept. 17, '62 ; killed at Gettysburg July 2, '03.
Osgood, Otis S., 15tli, C ; 22 ; July 12, '01 ; wounded in arm at Antietam
Sept. 17, '62, and discharged therefor Jan. 10, '63.
O'TooIe, Michael, 91h,C; 21 ; June 11, '01 ; mustered ont June 21, '64.
Owens, Patrick, 53d, I ; 39 ; Oct. 18, '62 ; wounded at Port Hudson;
mustered out Sept. 2, '63.
Palmer, Edward, 36th, G ; 19 ; Aug. 6, '62 ; mustered out June 28, '65.
Palmer, George W., 2d H. Artillery, M ; 19 ; Dec. 24, '63 ; mustered
out June 21, '65.
Patrick, George Henry, (See Lancaster soldiers.)
Pease, Henry C, 26th, E ; 18 ; Oct. 0, '61 ; trausferred to 4th La. as 2d
lieut. Sept. 28, '62.
Perry, George W., 36th, G ; 40 ; Aug. 10, '02 ; coriwral ; died at War-
renton, Va., Nov. 13, '62.
Pinder, Calvin, 21st, G ; 3.3 ; Aug. 23, '61 ; re-enlisted Jan. 2, '64 ;
transferred to 36th, K, Aug. 311, '64; to 66th, H, June 8, '66 ; mus-
tered out July 12, '65 ; belonged to Ashburnham, but second term
of service credited to Clinton.
Pratt, George, 34lh, G ; 18 ; Jau. 4, '64 ; transferred to 24th, G, Juno
14, '65 ; mustered out Jan. 20, '66.
Pratt, Nelson L. A,, 15th, H ; 21 ; Aug. 7, '01 ; discharged Oct. 24, '03.
Pratt, Orin, 53d, I ; 18 ; Oct. 18, '62, to Sept. 2, '63 ; re-enlisted in 34th,
B, Dec. n, '03 ; transferred to 24tli, A, June 14, '05 ; mustered out
Jan. 20, "66.
Putnam, Georgj T. D., l.^th, C ; 21 ; Dec. 14, '61 ; discharged for dis-
ability jDec. 17, '62.
Putnam, Henry A., 15th, C ; 24 ; July 12, '61; corporal; prisoner at
Ball's Bluff Oct. 21, '61 ; enlisted in Hickett's Battery, U. S. Light
Artillery, Nov. 12, '62 ; mustered out Jiily 12, '64.
Quinn, John, 2lBt, B; 22 ; Aug. 23, '01 ; wounded at Bull Knn Aug. ;in
*02 ; re.en'iisted Jau. 2, '04 ; wounded June 3, '64, at Bethesdu
Church, and died June 9, '04.
Rauscher, George, 25(h, G; 29; July 25, '62; wounded at Arrowfleld
Church M.'iy 9, '04 ; mustered ont Oct. "20, '04.
Reid, Thomas W., .53d, I ; 19; Oct. 18, '62; wounded at Port Hudson
Maj 27 and June 14, '63 ; mustered out Sept. 2, '63 ; died June, '05.
Keidle, Albin, 25th, G ; 26 ; Oct. 3,'61 ; discharged for disability March
18, '63.
Reischer, Philip, 25th, O ; 35 ; Oct. 1, '01 ; sergeant ; wounded at Cold
Harbor, Va., June 3, '64 ; mustered out Oct. 20, '64.
Renner, Charles K., 21st, F ; 19 ; .\ug. 19, '61 ; re-enlisted Jan. 2. '64 ;
sergeant July 1, '04; wounded at Petersburg, Va., July 30, '64, and
died Aug. 22, '64.
Roberts, Thomas, 53d, I ; 28 ; Oct. 18, '02 ; killed at Port Hudsou Juue
14, '63.
Robinson, Henry S., 36th, G ; 31 ; Aug. 22, '62 ; 2d lieut. ; Jan. .30, '63,
Ist lieut. ; wounded in head at Blue Springs, Tenn., Oct. 10, '63 ;
discharged for disability July 7, '64 ; served later in navy.
Ryder, Charles G., 15th, C ; 28 ; Aug. 12, '62 ; corporal ; prisoner at
Cold Harbor, Va. ; mustered out May 17, '05.
Sargent, George E, 2d H. Artillery, M ; 18 ; Dec. 24, '63; discharged
for disability May 26, '05.
CLINTON.
67
Sargent, Henry B., 15th, C ; 16 ; July 12, '61 ; discharged for disability
Feb. 11, '63; re-enlisted in 2d H. Artillery, M, Dec. 2-1, '63 ; mus-
tered out Sept. .3, '65.
Sargent, Renzo B., 2d H. .\rtillery ; Aug. 17, '64 ; transferred to 17th,
G, Jan. 16, 'C=i, as of Boston ; mustered out July 11, '65.
Sawyer, George E., 2'.th, A; 23; May 7, '62; re-enlisted Feb. 2.'), '64;
mustered out July la, '65.
Sawyer, George E., 60th, F ; 20 ; July 20, '64, to Nov. 30, '64.
Sawyer, Jonathan, 23d. H ; 42 ; Dec. 4, '61 ; wagoner ; discharged for
disability May 9, '62; died at Clinton May 29, '62.
Schleiter, Darius, 3l8t, H ; 33 ; Jan. 21, '62 ; re-enlisted Feb. 17, '64 ;
mustered out in D Sept. 9, '65.
Schusser, Joseph, 2oth, G ; 40 ; Sept. 16, '61 ; prisoner at Cold Harbor,
Va., June 3, '64 ; died at Richmond, Va., Aug. 16, '64.
Schwam, Ferdinand. 25th, G; 35; Oct. 7, '61; wounded at Roanoke
Island Feb. 8, '62 ; discharged for disability Jan. 16, '63.
Shaw, John, 7Hi, A ; 39 ; June 15, '61 ; discharged for disability July 20,
'62 ; credited to Somerset.
Shaw, John, Jr., 7th, A ; 18 ; June 16, '61.
Sibley, John, Navy ; 25 ; Aug. 19, '62, on steam sloop "Juniata ;" difl-
char^ied Dec. 4, '63.
Smith, Augustus E., 6th, I, 18 ; Sept. 16, '62, to July 2, '63 ; re-enlisted
in 2d H. Artillery, M, Dec. '24, '63 ; mustered out Sept. 3, '65.
Smith, Alfred, 15th, C ; 27 ; Aug. 7, '02 ; wounded at Antletam Sept. 17,
'62 ; re enlisted Feb. 19, '04 ; transferred to 20th, E, July 27, '64 ;
mustered out July 16, '65.
Smith, Francis E., 1.5th, C; 18; July 12, '61 ; died at David's Island, N.
Y., July 23, '62.
Smith, George \V., 2d H. Artillery, M ; 19 ; Dec. 24, '63 ; mustered out
Si-pt, 3, '05.
Smith, James, 30th, F ; 34 ; Aug. 7, '02 ; corporal ; wounded at Jack-
son, Miss., July 11, '63 ; mustered out June 8, '65.
Smith, John, 15th, C ; 27 ; July 12, '01 ; prisoner at Ball's Bluff Oct. 21,
'61 ; wounded at Gettysburg ; transferred to V. R. C Jan. 14, '64 ;
mustered out July 28, '64 ; re enlisted and died at Rainsford Island,
Boston.
Speisser, Christian, 20th, H ; 33 ; Aug. 24, '61 ; transferred to V. K. C.
.\ug. I!t, '03 ; credited to Lawrence.
Speisser, Gottfried C, 20th, ; 35 ; Sept. 4, '61 ; died on steamer " Com-
modore " Sept. 18, '62.
Speisser, Gottfried, 25th, G ;• 28 ; Sept. 25, '01 ; wounded at Petersburg,
Va., June 18. '64 ; mustered out Oct. 20, '64.
Spencer, Jonas H., 15th, F; 18; July 12, '61 ; discharged Nov. 20, '62
to enlist in U. S. A.
Stauss, Lewis, 53d, I ; 28 ; Oct. 18, '62.
Stearns, .\mo8 E., 25th, A ; 28 ; Sept. 11, '61 ; missing since May 10,
'64 ; credited to Worcester.
Stearns, George F., 25th, A ; 22 ; Sept. 10, '61 ; wounded at Cold Harbor,
Va., June 3, '64 ; mustered out Oct. 20, '64.
Stewart, Luther E., 21st, G ; 19; Aug. 23. '01; wounded at Antietam.
Sept. 17, '02; re-enlisted Jan. 2, '04 ; wounded at Cold Harbor, Va.,
Juno 2, '64, leg amputated and discharged Oct. 10, '65.
Stone, Louis L., 60th, F ; 19 ; July 20, '04, to Nov. 39, '04.
Suss, Michael, 25tL, G ; 28 ; Oct. 1, '01 ; killed at Petersburg, Va., June
18, '04.
Thurman, Charles, 34th, D ; 20 ; July 3, '62 ; musician; mustered out
June 16, '65.
Thurman, Charles H., 53d, I ; 42 ; Oct. 18, '62 ; killed at Fort Brisland,
La., April 13, '63.
Toole, Austin, 22d, G ; 21 ; Sept. 12, '61 '; transferred to V. R. C Sept.
30, '03.
Towsley, Leonard M., 15th. C ; '27 ; July 12, '01 ; wounded at Antietam
Sept. 17, '02, and died Sept. '27, '62.
Tracy, John, 21st, B ; 21 ; Aug. 23, '61 ; wounded near Petersburg ; died
at Nashville, Tenn., Jan. 31, '65,
Turner, Horatio E., 34th. (See Lancaster.)
Yetter, George, 25th, G ; 20 ; Sept. 16, '61 ; wounded at Roanoke Island
Feb. 8, '62 ; died at New Berne July 9, '62.
Vint, Joseph A., 53d, I ; 18 ; Oct. 18, '62 ; drummer ; mustered out Sept.
2, '63.
Vose, Josiah H.,53d, I; 32 ; Oct. 18, '62, 2d lieut. ; 1st lieut. Dec. 15,
'02 ; wounded at Port Hudson June 14, '63, and died at Springfield
Landing, La., June 17, '63.
Walker, William, 15th, C ; 28 ; July 12, '61 ; killed or drowned at Ball's
Bluff Oct. 21, '01.
Wallace. David O , 15th, C ; 19 ; July 12, '61 ; corporal ; sergeant ;
wounded and prisoner at Ball's Bluff Oct. 21, '61 ; prisonerat Peters-
burg ; transferred to 20th, G, July 27, '64 ; died at Florence, S. C,
Feb. 4, '65, a prisoner.
Ward, James H. ,4th Cavalry, C; 45; Jan. 6, '64; mustered out Oct. 20,
'65.
Waters, Horace H., 63th, F ; 2i' ; July 20 to Nov. 30, '64.
Waters, John A., 53d, I ; 37 ; Oct. 18, '62, to Sept. '2, '63.
Waters, William G., 15th ; 23; July2l, '61 ; commissary sergeant; 1st
lieut, Oct. 27, '62; discharged for disability March 14, '63.
Weisser, Frederick, 25th, G; 34; Sept. 25, '61; corporal; wounded at
Port Walthall, Va., May 6, '04 ; mustered out Oct. 20, '64.
Welliugton, Levi, 4th Cavalry, F ; 27 ; Jan. 6, '64; mustered out June
I, '05,
Welsh, Michael, 3d H. Artillery, F ; 18 ; Sept. 16, '63 ; mustered out
■ Sept. 18, '65.
Wenning, Frederick, 25th. G ; 45 ; Oct. 3, '61 ; wounded at Petersburg
June 15, *64 ; mustered out Oct. 20, '04.
Wheeler, John C, 22d, band ; 28 ; Oct. 5, '01 ; mustered out Aug.
II, '6!.
Wheelock, William R., 15th, C; 39 ; July 12, "61 ; sergeant ; 1st lieut.
Oct. 10, '62 ; capt. July 5, '03 ; mustered out July 29, '04.
White, Daniel A., 25th, band ; 25 ; Oct. 3, '61 ; mustered out Aug.
.30, '62.
Whitney, Horace, Jr., 53d, K; 20; Oct. 28, '62 ; discharged by order of
court Dec, '62.
Wiesman, Bernartl, 25th, G ; 29 ; July 8, '62 ; discharged for disability
March 1, '63.
Wilder, Sanford B., 2d H. Artillery, M. (See Lancaster.)
Winter, Christian. 25th, G ; 35 ; Oct. 1, '61 ; mustered out Oct. 20, '64.
Wood, John, 60th, F ; 20 ; July 20 to Nov. 30, '64.
Wright, Archibald D., 15th, C ; 18 ; July 12, '61 ; sergeant; wounded
twice at Ball's Bluff Oct. 21, '61 ; wounded at Gettysburg; prisoner
at Wilderness May 6, '64 ; mustered out May 25, '05.
Wright, Daniel, 30th, F ; 30 : Aug. 6, '62, corporal ; sergeant Oct. 1,
'62 ; 2d lieut. Sept. 1, '63 ; 1st lieut. April 23, '64 ; wounded and
prisoner at Wilderness ; mustered out June 8, '65.
Zeigler, Heinrich, '25111, G ; 42 ; July 25, '02 ; mustered out Oct. 20, '64.
Zimmerman, John, 53d, I ; 37 ; Oct. 18, '62, to Sept. 2, '03.
In July, 1863, eighty-seven citizens of the town
were dratted, of whom five served subsequently, five
had previously served and the following paid com-
miiLucion :
Atherton, Frederick A.
Bartlett. Joseph F.
Brown, John N. W.
Butterick, William F.
Cutting, George H.
Dawes, Alfred.
Fuller, Sidney F.
Fuller, Eben S.
Foster, John R.
Greeley, Henry C.
Hosnier, Samuel H.
Hayes, Junius D. •
Lowe, George W.
Loring. Frank M.
Marshall, Herman A.
Murph.v, Coruelius.
Weeks, George W.
Wilder, George C.
The remainder were exempted for special reasons.
CHAPTER XI.
C'Ll'STON—iConihtited).
Horatio Nehon Bigelow — BanJcs—Towyi-Hall — Bigelow Free Library — Sol-
diers* Monument — Annats of Manufacturing Corporations — TAe" Wush-
oul'* of 1876 — Franlilin Forbes — Erastus B. Bigelow.
By what has been said on previous pages it clearly
appears that the more important industries of Clinton
were founded upon, and made possible by, the inven-
tive genius of one man. But the town, if not its
manufacturing interests, owes at least as great a debt
of grateful remembrance to the older as to the more
widely famous younger of the Bigelow brothers; and
68
HISTORY OF WORCESTER COUNTY, MASSACHUSETTS.
Erastus B. Bigelow has feelingly recorded his great
obligations to his elder brother for the vast amount of
toil and care undertaken by him in building and
carrying into operation successively great establish-
ments based upon inventions before untried — for the
ability and patience displayed by him in meeting exi-
gencies constantly arising — and for perfecting numer-
ous practical adaptations essential to succes-sful man-
ufacture. He frankly says : " For whatever success
has attended the development of ray inventions, I am
indebted in no small degree to his fidelity, skill and
perseverance."
In the building of the town the elder was the mas-
ter-spirit, and bis will, his judgment, his generosity
ordered its foundations and influenced its early growth
as no other man could. The results of his solicitude
for the welfare of his townsmen continue to honor his
name, and will long endure to proclaim his prescience
and the wisdom of his benevolence.
In tlie prime of life and at the height of his useful-
ness Horatio Nelson Bigelow in 1864 was suddenly
forced to yield to others the leadership he had so long
held. Thoroughly conscientious and self-reliant, he
had ever been unwilling to entrust to other agents any
share of the duties which he felt to be his own ; he
had never spared himself. Nature, long and heavily
overtaxed, at last revolted and compelled a total with-
drawal from labor and business cares. A voyage
across the ocean failed to repair the broken mental
power, and after three years of invalidism he fell
quietly asleep on Wednesday, the 2d day of January,
1868. At the time of his funeral, manufactories,
banks and all places of business throughout the town
were closed in token of respect for a public benefactor.
Mr. Bigelow was born at West Boylston, Mass., on
the 13th of September, 1812. His father, Ephraim,
the son of Abel, was a wheelwright and a chairmaker
by trade, who also cultivated a small farm. The
family lived in a very modest way, as became their
moderate circumstances. His mother, Polly (Brigham)
Bigelow, was a woman of marked character, unatfected
piety and native dignity, who brought up her two
sons to fear God and love the truth. The father died
in 1837 at the age of forty-six, but the mother lived
eighteen years in widowhood, most of the time with
her eldest son, honestly proud of the esteem and
honor which her children won from their fellow-men.
The boyhood of H. N. Bigelow was one of toil, and
his schooldays were few — two terms at the Bradford
Academy closing his educational opportunities. He
therefore owed little to books, but derived valuable
lessons from intelligent study of men, and early per-
sonal contest with adverse circumstances. In youth
he worked upon the farm and in the neighboring
mills, and at the age of twenty had so far mastered
the ordinary details of cotton manufacture that in
1832, when his enterprising father started a small
factory on the Nashun, he was installed as its over-
seer. September 24, 1834, he was married to Mi^8
Emily Worcester, and about that time was employed
as overseer in the Beaman mill. In 1836 he was
called to Shirley to become general superintendent of
a cotton-factory there. Thence, at the age of twenty-
five, with scant capital and his moneyless but gifted
brother as partner, he came to the idle water-power
on South Meadow Brook to build a town. In all the
positions he had held he had exhibited a restless dili-
gence and confidence in himself, and had developed
that exceptional administrative ability which proved
invaluable in organizing the giant manufactories
which he was called upon to construct and manage
until succes.s became assured.
During the anxious first years at Clintonville, when
the load of responsibility thrown upon him in the
establishment of several novel manufactures seemed
too exacting of time and onerous for any one man to
bear, he found abundant leisure to be solicitous
about the well-being of the neighborhood in which
he had cast his lot, and the future economy and
comeliness of the bustling town, which, with pro-
phetic vifion, he foresaw, must, before many years,
people the hill-slopes around. His energy hastened
the forming of the first church society, and the build-
ing for its use of the little chapel in the grove near
his residence. In his first manhood he had become a
member of the Orthodox Congregational Church, and
remained ever zealous in its behalf; but his sectar-
ianism was free from bigotry, and he olien gave effi-
cient service and substantial aid to other religious
organizations. He urged the erection of commodious
school-houses, and a radical improvement of the local
school system, liberally contributing land and money
to a d in effecting the desired end, and when growing
prosperity made it possible, he often persuaded his
fellow-citizens, by his own munificent donations, to a
more generous support of worthy public institutions
and town improvements.
Like the majority of self-made men, so called, he
had a vigorous individuality. He often acted upon
impulse, and when confronted with unexpected or
what he deemed unreasonable oppcjsilion he met it
with resolute self-assertion. But he was easily placa-
ble and promjit to correct any injustice in his own
act or speech. He was happy in his home and took
great pleasure in its tasteful adornment, but he gave
few hours to what men call recreation, and his chief
enjoyment of life seemed to be in ceaseless mental
and bodily activity. Despite the engrossing care in-
cident to the agency of important corporations, he
accepted various public trusts, the duties of which
were never neglected. He was the first postmaster
of the village, and represented the town at the Gen-
eral Court during the first two years of its corporate
existence. He was the first president of the Savings
Back, vice-president of the First National Bank, and
director in the Worcester and Nashua Railroad Com-
pany, the City Bank and the Mechanics' Mutual In-
surance Company of Worcester.
CLINTON.
69
Mrs, Bigelow has long outlived her husband, resid-
ing in the home he built in Clinton. Of four chil-
dren born to her, two died before his decease. Her
sons, Henry H. and Charles B. Bigelow, inherit their
father's administrative talent, and succeeded him in
due time as managing agents of the Bigelow Carpet
Company.
The First National Bank of Clinton was chartered
in April, 1864, with a capital of two hundred thousand
dollars. Hon. Charles G. Stevens was chosen presi-
dent, and C. L. S. Hammond, cashier, both of whom j
have been continued in office to the present day. The
bank was at first located in a brick building on Union
Street, but in 1881 and 1882 built the costly brick and
marble block on the corner of High and Church
Streets. It remained the only general banking insti-
tution in town until June 15, 1882, when the Lancas-
ter National Bank transferred its office to rooms
leased in Brimhall's Block, Hon. Henry C. Greeley
being at the time president, and William H. McNeil
cashier. In 1885 the latter secured control of a ma-
jority of the stock, elected certain friends of his di-
rectors, and placed himself in the presidency, proba-
bly in order the better to conceal from the stock-
holders irregularities in his methods of conducting
the business of the bank. At the close of the year he
fled to Canada, a defaulter, and the settlement of the
bank's affairs was placed in the hand of John W.
Corcoran, Esq., as receiver. Its creditors have been
paid seventy per cent, of their claims, but final
settlement has been delayed awaiting the termination
of certain lawsuits. The Clinton Co-operative Bank
was incorporated in 1887. Daniel B. Ingalls is presi-
dent, C. A. Woodruff, treasurer, and Walter R. Dame,
solicitor.
For over seven years all town-meetings were held
in the vestry of the Congregational Church. From
November, 1858, the hall connected with the Clinton
House was used by the town on public occasions. The
erection of a special building for town use was a sub-
ject often discussed, and from 1866 began to arouse
warm debates in annual town-meetings. In 1869 a
committee was appointed to investigate available sites
and consider plans. A location upon High Street was
by many considered very desirable, and the lots now
covered by Greeley's and the bank blocks were much
talked of. That now occupied by the High School
building was also advocated by many; but the more
suitable ground upon Walnut and School Streets was
fortunately chosen, purchased for four thousand dol-
lars, and thereon the foundations of the present capa-
cious and imposing itown-hall were laid, in July,
1871.
The design adopted by the town was that of Alex-
ander R. Esty, a Boston architect. The edifice is of
brick, relieved by a free use of Nova Scotia stone in
pilasters, beltings and other constructive and orna-
mental details. On the first floor are various rooms for
town officers andBigelow Hall, sixty feet wideby eighty
feet in length. The public library-room is located
at the rear of the hall, in a one-storied semi-circular
apse of twenty-five feet radius, which has an entrance
and vestibule of its own. The upper floor is occupied
mainly by Clinton Hall, ninety-five feet by eighty, in
which, including the gallery across thesouth end, about
eighteen hundred persons can be seated. A large stage
and retiring-rooms attached occupy the space at the
rear of the hall. The interior finish of the whole
building is of ash, and all the appointments for heat-
ing, lighting, etc., are of the best for their purposes.
The building was dedicated with appropriate cere-
monies December 4, 1872, when addresses were given
by Colonel T. W. Higginson and Hon. Charles G.
Stevens. Franklin Forbes, as chairman of the build-
ing committee, made a brief speech in delivering the
keys to the committee chosen by the town to have ex-
clusive control and management of the building for
three years, and George M. Morse, M.D., in response,
gave a condensed history of the town from the time
of Prescott's settlement on its soil. The. building of
this important structure added one hundred and ten
thousand dollars to the town's indebtedness, bringing
the total to one hundred and forty -six thousand. A
funding scheme was adopted in October, 1871, which
provided for the issuing of bonds to the amount of one
hundred and twenty-five thousand dollars, payable in
twenty years from January 1, 1873, bearing six per
cent, interest ; six thousand five hundred dollars of
the principal to be paid annually. These bonds were
mostly sold at par. They were exempt from town
taxation, and were issued in denominations of one
hundred and five hundred dollars.
The Bigelow Fr«ie Public Library was opened De-
cember 6, 1873, Andrew E. Ford being the first libra-
rian. It began its life of usefulness with four thou-
sand four hundred and eight books upon its shelves,
which had been donated by the Bigelow Library As-
sociation. This nucleus has grown iu fourteen yeara
to fourteen thousand one hundred and eighty-seven
volumes, showing an average annual addition of about
seven hundred volumes. The a^'sociation's bequest
was made conditional upon the yearly expenditure by
the town of at least five hundred dollars for the pur-
chase of books. The annual appropriation, from fif-
teen hundred dollars in 1874, has increased to twenty-
three hundred in 1888, besides the amount received
from the dog tax and sale of catalogues, usually about
six hundred dollars additional. The circulation from
eleven thousand eight hundred and forty-two in 1874,
has grown to thirty-five thousand seven hundred and
twenty-two in 1886-87. The management of the library
is vested in six trustees, whose term of service is three
years, two being elected annually. Miss Charlotte L.
Greene is librarian, succeeding her sister, Miss Fannie
M. Greene, in 1886. A catalogue was printed in 1887.
An appropriate monument to the memory of the
fifty-eight Clinton men who died in the Union service
during the Civil War was erected in the summer of
70
HISTORY OF WORCESTER COUNTY, MASSACHUSETTS.
1875, the dedicatory services taking place August 28th.
It stands in the southwesi corner of the town-hall
enclosure, and consists of an architectural base of Con-
cord granite eleven feet in height, surmounted by a
bronze figure of an infantry volunteer standing at
rest, copying a design by M. J. Powers. The exer-
cises of its dedication were a procession with music,
the formal transfer of the memorial to the town by
Franklin Forbes for the committee of construction,
and patriotic addresses by Hon. Charles G. Stevens,
John T. Dame, Esq., and the Reverends V. M. Sim-
mons and W. S. Burton. The cost of the monument
was about four thousand dollars, of which sum eight
hundred and forty dollars was collected by the women
of Clinton in various ways for such a memorial, and
the remainder was paid from the town treasury.
During the closing year of the Civil War there
began for the Lancaster Mills, as for most manufac-
turers, a period of great prosperity, during which ex-
tensive improvements and additions of buildings and
machinery were made year by year. In 1867 the
dam was entirely rebuilt, with an extreme length of
one hundred and seventy feet, securing a fall of twenty-
seven feet. At the same time the old breast-wheels
were replaced by two turbines of three hundred and
fifty horse-power each. In April, 1875, a branch of
the Boston, Clinton and Fitchburg, now a division of
the Old Colony Railway was built to the mills, giving
transportation facilities much needed. In 1877 Frank-
lin Forbes, for twenty-eight years manager, died, and
George W. Weeks, then superintendent, upon whom
very many of Mr. Forbes' original duties had before
this devolved, was appointed manufacturing agent.
During the administration of Mr. Weeks, the years
1880, 1881, 1887 and 1888 have been marked by very
important extensions of the working plant, the ca-
pacity for production having been increased at least
seventy-five per cent. The weaving-room, supposed
to be the largest of the kind in the United Slates, if
not in the world, has a floor area of one hundred and
thirty-seven thousand feet, or three and one-seventh
acres, affording space for twenty-eight hundred looms.
The carding and spinning departments occupy two
brick mills of huge dimensions, one three, the other
four stories in height. The whole floor area of the
works, including basements, etc., used for storage, and
the Sawyer's Mills in Boylston, is about sixteen acres,
twelve of which are devoted to manufacture. The
company has also about two hundred tenements,
nearly all of a class superior to those usually found
in manufacturing towns, and three large boarding-
houses, each accommodating one hundred persons.
An unusually large proportion of the employes have
dwellings of their own.
When tbe recently completed extension receives
its machinery, the corporation will require the labor
of nearly twenty-two hundred operatives, about
equally divided between the two sexes, and its yearly
product is expected to reach twenty-eight million
yar^s of twenty-seven inch ginghams ; last year it
was nearly twenty-five million yards. Three large
steam-engines of Corliss pattern, developing fourteen
hundred horse-power, are employed to aid the tur-
bines, while six small engines are in constant use for
various purposes. Among the array of workers are
skilled mechanics of various crafts, and corps of
chemists and designers perform important duties.
But a single quality of goods is here made, a high
grade of gingham everywhere known for its always
reliable colors and exceptional durability. Although
combinations of color are restricted to stripes and
checks, already about two hundred thousand distinct
patterns have been designed.
It will be noticed that the enormous increase of
])roduction over that of the earliest years of the cor-
poration's life is far in excess of the numerical in-
crease of looms and operatives. In every department
new processes and improvements in mechanism have
been introduced from time to time, and greater speed
of movement attained, until the product per operative
is two and four-tenths times what it was in 1860.
The average wages have during the same period been
increased eighty per cent., and this although the
hours of labor per day are now two hours less than in
1850.
The present officers of the company are : S. G.
Snelling, president; Harcourt Amory, treasurer;
George W. Weeks, agent ; George P. Taylor, superin-
tendent.
February 18, 1864, the corporation which gave name
to the town ceased to exist, its charter being annulled
by legislative enactment. The coach-lace looms had
been sent to Philadelphia, it had the year before sold
its real estate in Boylston, known as Sawyer's Mills,
and certain of its looms for weaving checks, to the
Lancaster Mills Company ; and its water-rights, fac-
tory buildings, tenant-houses and lands in Clinton
to the Bigelow Carpet Company. The latter corpo-
ration had already made preparations to do its own
wool-cleansing and spinning, — for which preliminary
processes of its manufacture it had previously been
dependent upon other parties, — and to the extensive
plant required for these the grounds and buildings of
the coach-lace mills were devoted. A large worsted-
mill was completed in 1866, and the dam was rebuilt
and raised to control a flowage of two hundred and
thirty-six acres, including Mossy and Sandy, two of
the three great natural ponds of Clinton.
Upon the death of Horatio N. Bigelow, in 1865, his
eldest son, Henry N. Bigelow, was made superin-
tendent of the new department, and Charles L. Swan
held the same position in the weaving-mill. In De-
cember, 1871, Mr. Bigelow became managing agent
of the company. Under his supervision extensive
additions were made in both departments during
1872. A new worsted-mill, three stories in height,
two hundred feet long by sixty-five feet wide, was
built in 1875, and great improvements were made in
CLINTON.
71
the machinery. Upon his retirement, March 26,
1881, he was succeeded in the management by his
brother, Charles B. Bigelow. During 1885 the weav-
ing department was very greatly enlarged, and in
1886 and 1887 an extension, two hundred feet in
length, was added upon the west, reaching to School
Street. In this have been placed newly-invented
looms for the weaving of Axminster carpeting.
The president of the company is James H. Beal,
and C. F. Fairbanks is treasurer. The capital, which
was two hundred thousand dollars at the incorpora-
tion of the company in 1854, has been increased to
one million.
The number of looms is two hundred and forty,
and when the works are run to their full capacity,
twelve hundred persons are employed, whose pay
amounts to fifteen hundred dollars each day, and the
production is at the rate of one million eight hundred
yards per year. About six million pounds of wool
are used annually. The company is complete within
itself, importing the grade of wool which it requires,
and conducting all the operations of its fabrication,
— cleansing, spinning, dyeing, weaving, — on its own
premises. The floor space occupied amounts to ten
and three-fourths acres. Its various buildings are of
brick, and very attractive in appearance. The com-
pany also owns houses accommodating si.xty-three
families, and has three boardiug-liouses.
Three grades of carpeting are manufactured by the
Bigelow Company, — Wilton, Axminster and Brussels.
The first power-loom, invented by E. B. Bigelow,
thirty years ago won admiration, because with it a
single girl wove as much Brussels carpeting in a
given time as four men and four boys could do with
four hand looms. The perfected loom of to-day has
fourfold the capacity of the first Bigelow loom.
C. M. Bailey & Son, a few months after the de-
struction by fire of their property at Sterling in Feb-
ruary, 1868, purchased the low-lying land between
Sterling Street and the Boston, Clinton and Fitch-
burg Railway in Clinton, and establislied thereon an
extensive tannery with sixty-one vats, a large currier
shop, engine and boiler-house, and other accessories
of their business. The capacity of the yard was
about twenty thousand hides, and required the at-
tendance of forty men and boys. The junior member
of the firm, George E. Bailey, died in 1873, when
Bryant & King, by purchase, succeeded to the busi-
ness. They at once enlarged the works to more than
double their original capacity, employed about one
hundred hand^, and were apparently in full tide of
prosperity when the breaking of the Mossy Pond
reservoir dam in 1876 swept away their large stock of
material, demolished their buildings and left them
weighed down by too heavy discouragements for re-
newal of the enterprise. Two years later C. M.
Bailey and William J. Stewart rebuilt some portions
of the buildings, gave work to twenty-five or thirty
men, and continued the tanning business until
August 28, 1880, when a fire laid the property again
in ruins, in which condition it remains.
Deacon Joseph B. Parker, the veteran machinist of
Clinton, died September 1, 1874, at the age of seventy
years. He was a native of Princeton, but came here
from Providence, R. I., where he had a shop, to or-
ganize and manage the machine-^hop connected with
the Clinton Company's works. His practical ability and
judgment were of great value to E. B. Bigelow in the
adjustment and construction of his inventions. He
was a pillar of strength in the Congregational Church,
a man of thorough independence and originality.
A joint stock company was formed to continue the
business of which he was the founder and had been
for nearly twenty-five years the manager, which took
the title of the J. B. Parker Machine Company. The
capital is forty-five thousand dollars, and the yearly
manufacture is estimated as fifty thousand dollars in
value. A- C. Dakin is president, C. C. Murdock,
treasurer, and N. E. Stowell, foreman. From seventy-
five to one hundred men are required when the
machinery of the shops is fully employed. The
special line of work done is the construction of carpet-
looms, the Bancroft mule, the Clinton yarn-twister,
and other mechanism for wool manufacturers. The
buildings of the company are commodious, well
equipped with power and tools, and conveniently
located beside the tracks of the Worcester and Nashua
Division of the Boston and Maine Railway.
Closely allied with and adjoining the machine-
shops are the new and admirably appointed works of
the Clinton Foundry Company, recently completed
in place of the old foundry, built by Gilman N.
Palmer, in 1849, which was crushed in during the
great snow-storm of March 12, 1888. Major Christo-
pher C. Stone, for many years associated with Colonel
Palmer, bought the foundry in October, 1881, and,
forming a partnership with the J. B. Parker Company,
under the corporate title above named, became
general manager of the business. Twenty-six men
aie regularly employed here, chiefly upon machine
and railroad work, casting daily from a three-ton
cupola furnace. The value of castings sold annually
is about thirty-six thousand dollars.
Colonel Gilman M. Palmer came to Clintonville
from Dover, N. H., in 1847, but was born in Gardner,
Maine, December 4, 1812. He was foreman of the
first engine company, the first captain of the Clinton
Light Guards, lieutenant-colonel of the Ninth Mili-
tia, vice-president of the Savings Bank, and director
of the First National Bank. He served the town as
selectman for four years ; was one of the founders of
the Unitarian Church, and a member of Trinity
Masonic Lodge. He died May 27, 1885. By his will
nearly fifteen thousand dollars were left in public
bequests.
Upon Sterling Street, near the station of the rail-
way, stand the neat brick workshops of the Gibbs
Loom, Harness and Reed Company, which was incor-
72
HISTORY OF WORCESTER COUNTY, MASSACHUSETTS.
porated April 1, 1874, with a capital of fifty thousand
dollars. William H. Gibbs, the president of the
company, became in 1865 associated with George H.
Foster in the manufacture of belting, loom-harness
and roll-'covering, and later began making reeds — in
which business they had been preceded by Robert
Turner. In the autumn of 1868 the partnership was
dissolved, and in a division of the assets Mr. Gibbs
retained the loom-harness and reed manufacture, and
Mr. Foster that of belting and roll-covering. Hear-
ing of an improved heddle machine of English in-
vention, Mr. Gibbs imported one, the first brought
into the United States. A rapid increase of orders
rewarded his enterprise, requiring more machinery
and capital, and the formation of a company followed.
It now has in operation thirteen heddle — or heald —
machines, giving work to forty operatives, male and
i'emale. The ebonized loom-harness is a specialty for
which the company have a patent, granted February
1, 1881. The reed manufacture was begun in Novem-
ber, 1884, and has met with such encouragement that
but one reed maker in America now rivals this com-
pany in yearly production. This success has been
attained by superior workmanship. Charles L. Swan
is treasurer of the corporation.
About half-past three o'clock of Sunday, March 26,
1876, the people of Clinton and villages adjoining,
were startled by loud and long-continued alarm signals
from the steam gong of the wire-mill, giving wide
warning of an unforeseen and grievous disaster, one
that, because of the fortunate hour of its happening,
was not attended with loss of human life, but which
forever ruined several useful industries, seriously
interrupted others, and utterly destroyed three hun-
dred thousand doUare' worth of capital, buildings,
machinery and goods.
A snow-storm, quickly followed by copious rains,
had filled the great reservoir of the Bigelow Carpet
Company to overflowing. In the Mossy Pond portion
of it the water stood higher than in the Clinton basin,
the culvert under the Worcester and Nashua Railway,
which joined them, proving insufficient to take away
the unprecedented flow poured in by the South
Meadow Brook. Before danger was suspected, the
waters rose so high as to wash over or through an
embankment at the northerly side of Mossy Pond,
just above the sources of the little brook formerly
known as Rigby's. This dam of earth was about
forty feet long and ten feet in height, and the ground
at either end of and beneath it was porous gravel and
sand. The trickling overflow soon grew to a resistless
torrent and tore this obstacle from its path, opening a
broad gap between the hills down to the level of the
marshy ground below.
About sixty rods away the Boston, Clinton and
Fitchburg Railway crosses the valley upon a gravel
embankment nearly forty feet in height, which
dammed the flood for a while, affording time for the
residents of houses upon the meadow below to escape.
In less than half an hour, however, a river nearly one
hundred feet in width was rushing through the rail-
road bank over the vats of Bryant & King's tannery,
bearing along the debris of falling buildings and
thousands of hides from the extensive yards. Cross-
ing Sterling Street, it spread over the wide, level tract
below, undermining several dwellings, the occupants
of which barely escaped with such valuables as they
could hastily snatih and carry away in their arms.
The next impediment met was the embankment of
the Worcester and Nashua Railway. ' This, being a
much lower and older earthwork than that previously
burst through, held firm for a time until a great lake
had formed behind it, and the water began to pour
over the track ; but at length it gave way at the little
brook culvert, when the mad flood poured across Main
Street, whirled the old dams and shops built by the
early comb-makers, and a house which it hud brought
from the meadow-s above, crashing down the ledges
into the valley of the South Meadow Brook.
On this stream a factory, then the property of the
Boyce Brothers, of Boston, a three-story wooden
building, over one hundred and fifty feet in length,
stood upon the dam directly in the path of the
waters. It was quickly lifted from its foundations
and borne away upright over the Currier farm into
the Nashua, to bring up with a loud crash against
the first island. Nearly half of the structure, caught
in a swirl, again floated on at terrific speed towards
the iron bridge and the mills at South Lancaster.
Luckily, the depth of the flood wiis so great th.at the
main flow poured outside the river banks, and the
wreck following it passed down between the cotton-
factory and the grist-mill, struck the Lancaster Rail-
road Bridge a sounding blow as it went under it,
toppled over and was torn into fragments. Meadow
farms along the river for many miles were deeply
inundated, strewn with wreckage of buildings, ma-
chinery, furniture, hides, horn goods and great
masses of peat from Mossy Pond, and covered with
a deposit of sandy mud. The gaps in the railroads
had to be bridged, and remained serious interrup-
tions to travel for several days.
The Carpet Company, during the summer, filled
the crevasse through which the reservoir had
drained itself so disastrously with a solid structure.
Tedious lawsuits for damages followed, and the
sites of the manufactories demolished are even
now marked by ruins and desolation.
No citizen of Clinton everstood nearer the popular
heart than Franklin Forbes, the manager of the Lan-
caster Mills. In 1866 some warning from overtaxed
brain impelled him to seek much-needed rest, by a
vacation in Europe; but although he soon returned
to ^his wonted labors much invigorated, he began to
delegate more and more of his duties to the assistant
whom he had trained from youth to be his succes-
sor — George W. Weeks, then holding the office of
superintendent. After a year or two of visibly fad-
CLINTON.
73
I
ing strength, he died, December 24, 1877, at the age
of sixty-six, mourned as an irreparable loss by young
and old, in all classes of society, and wherever his
genial presence had been known.
Mr. Forbes was born in West Cambridge, Mass.,
March 8, 1811, but his parents removed to Boston in
his early childhood. He was prepared for college at
the Latin School, being a schoolmate of Charles
Sumner, and was graduated at Amherst in 1833.
Thrown upon his own resources, he decided to adopt
the profession of teaching for a livelihood, and ac-
cepted the position of usher in a Boston school.
Scholarly in his tastes and a diligent student, he
also po.-sessed the gift of inspiring others with his
own enthusiasm for knowledge, and his success as
an instructor was correspondingly marked. He
became master of the school, and was called thence
to Lowell, to become principal of the High School in
that city. In 1837 he was married to Martha A. S.
Cushing, of Lunenburg. He continued to teach
for several years after his marriage, but finding this
field of occupation somewhat narrow for liis abilities
and aspirations, he began to employ his leisure in
legal studies. He was not, however, destined to
practice at the bar.
The avocation for which his natural powers pre-
eminently fitted him, and in which he subsequently
won so honorable repute, was pointed out to him and
others during his short period of service for the Locks
and Canals Company of Lowell. His peculiar ability
in the conduct of large business affairs attracted
notice and brought him the offer of the agency of the
Lancaster Mills, which he accepted, and on December
1, 1849, assumed his new duties. From that day, for
twenty-eight years, Jlr. Forbes stood prominent
among the foremost citizens of Clinton, a respected
leader in municipal and church affairs and social cir-
cles, whose breadth of culture, genial and sympathetic
nature, unselfishness and strong practical sense, made
him not only an intelligent adviser in matters of
public concern, but one to whom all were glad to
listen.
He believed the true interests of capital and labor
to be identical, and his management of the great man-
ufactory placed in his charge was consonant with his
tlieory. His services were invaluable to the corpora-
tion, whose annual product increased during his
administration from four million to fifteen million
yards ; but he never forgot the workman's rights or
welfare while he successfully labored to secure for the
stockholders their proper yearly harvest of profit.
Once, in a period of great depression in businesss
circles, his innate kindliness of heart prompted him
to keep the mills running half-time for several weeks
at a probable loss, to save the wage-earners from the
privations that would inevitably have followed the
entire stoppage of the works. He was ever thinking
of his operatives' needs and planning for their eleva-
tion. To this end he established evening schools and
popular lectures, to which he contributed much per-
sonal labor.
His long experience as a teacher and his warm
interest in the education of the young made him a
valuable member of the town's School Board, of which
he was chairman thirteen years, a service exceeded
in length only by that of John T. Dame, Esq. He
was for many years president of the Savings Bank, of
the Clinton Gas-light Company, and of the Bigelow
Library Association. He was the first chief en-
gineer of the Fire Department, director in the First
National Bank, and his counsel was sought on all
questions of grave intere.st to the town. The esteem
and respect in which he was universally held were
never, perhaps, more conspicuously shown than when,
in 1864, he was persuaded to allow himself to be a
candidate for Representative of the Eighth Worcester
District, then comprising the towns of Clinton and
Lancaster. He received every vote cast, save one in
Clinton. The Unitarian Society, which he was active
in organizing, found in him a generous benefactor
and an indefatigable Christian worker. His patriot-
ism was not only fervent and inspiriting, but self-
sacrificing. He was president of the Soldiers' Aid
Society during the Rebellion, and the volunteers and
their families knew no more loyal, no more tender-
hearted and cheery friend and adviser than he.
Mr. Forbes left two sons and three daughters, and
his wife still survives him.
December 2, 1879, Erastus Brigham Bigelow died
at his residence on Commonwealth Avenue, Boston.
His body was, in accordance with his expressed wish,
brought for burial to the town which his genius had
created, and was th'ere received with public demon-
strations of genuine respect and sorrow.
Mr. Bigelow was phenomenal even among inventors
for his power of analysis and mental concentration.
Some of his inventions consist of very numerous ele-
ments in harmonious conjunction, forming the most
complex mechanism used in manufacture. But these
were all complete mental conceptions, as the author
of them himself assures us, fully fashioned and
adjusted in his mathematical imagination before
draughtsmen attempted to delineate, or workmen
wrought a single cam or lever of them. Singularly
enough, he was no mechanic, handled no tool well,
made only rough pencil sketches, and entrusted -to
others the draughting of his ideas to working scale
for the machinists. His extraordinary power was
shown very early in life, for he was but fourteen years
of age when his little machine for the making of
piping-cord was perfected. During the fifty years of
his subsequent career he was granted in the United
States more than fifty patents, the larger number of
them for improvements in textile machinery.
He was a native of West Boylston, Massachusetts,
born April 2, 1814. He was obliged to contribute to
his own support when a mere boy by daily labor upon
the farm, and at the age of thirteen years began work
u
HISTORY OF WORCESTER COUNTY, MASSACHUSETTS.
in a cotton-mill. The fortunate earning of one hun-
dred dollars l)y the sale of the piping-cord machine
enahled him to pay for a few terms' tuition at a neigh-
boring academy. He earnestly desired a higher
education, but means were wanting, and for a few
years, apparently unconscious of his special talent, he
wandered from one place and occupation to another
with youthful instability — displaying, however, great
energy not wholly wasted, inasmuch as varied exper-
ience was a part of the preparation for his life's work.
At sixteen years of age he is found a clerk in a
Boston dry-goods store. Next he became a zealous
student of stenography ; even published upon that
subject his first book, and earned a little money by
teaching the art, travelling with a partner through
New England and the Middle States. For a time he
then became overseer of a cotton factory at Wareham,
and later he taught a writing-school and began the
stud}' of medicine. Suddenly he conceived the idea
of weaving Marseilles quilts by power, and abandoned
his intention of becoming a physician to build the
counterpane loom, having induced a firm of Boston
importers to undertake the cost of the experiment.
The financial troubles of 1837 interfering with the
expected support by the firm, he came to Lancaster
with his brother; Horaiio bringing to the partnership
his moderate savings, Erastus contributing an auto-
matic device for weaving coach-lace by power which
the experts declared would not work, but which the
brothers were confident would.
Prosperity rewarded pluck, and did not come with
its usual coyness and at laggard pace ; fame followed
closely after. Mr. Bigelow had at last evidently
found his appointed place in the world's army of
workers. He was henceforth to take rank among the
creators and organizers of human industry ; a fellow-
laborer for human progress with Watts, Arkwright
and Eli Whitney. The Lowell Companies employed
him at appropriate salary to act as their advising
agent, to suggest special improvements in machinery
and methods of manufacture. Invention after inven-
tion speedily followed. The gingham, the various
carpet, the wire and the brocatel looms successively
won their victories and extended his reputation. The
great English carpet manufacturers acknowledged
themselves outdone by American ingenuity, and pur-
chased the new machinery.
It is noteworthy that Mr. Bigelow's aim, both as an
inventor and a manufacturer, was ever towards
greater perfection in the product. No prospective
profit could induce him to cheapen manufacture by
allowing the quality to fall below his ideal of excel-
lence. His object was to produce by machinery a
fabric every way better than that wrought by hand —
the decreased cost of production inevitably following,
and the consumers enjoying a double gain. He
always perfected his ideas, resolutely laboring until
the object sought was consummated, never abandon-
ing the half-wrought for some promising afierthought.
Mr. Bigelow first married Mis.s Susan W. King.
She died in 1841, leaving an infant son, Charles, who
survived his mother but six years. He found a
second wife in Miss Eliza Means, of Amherst, N. H.,
by whom he had one daughter, Helen, now the wife
of Rev. Daniel Merriman. His stay in Clinton was
but brief, though he was a frequent visitor here.
His regular residence for most of his life was in
Boston, but he owned an estate of two hundred acres
at North Conway, N. H., which he named Stonehurst,
and there he spent the summers of his later years.
The degree of Master of Arts was bestowed upon
him in 1845 by Williams College; in 1852, by Yale;
in 1854, by Dartmouth, and in 1861 by Harvard.
Amherst conferred upon him, in 1867, the degree of
Doctor of Laws. He was a member of the American
Academy of Sciences, the Massachusetts Historical
Society, and the London Society for the Encourage-
ment of the Arts, Manufactures and Commerce. He
was one of the founders of the Massachusetts Insti-
tute of Technology. In politics he was generally a
conservative, never an active partisan, and in later
life proclaimed his independence of party. He was,
in 1860, nominated by the Democracy of the Fourth
District as their candidate for Representative to
Congress, but his opponent, Alexander H. Rice,
afterwards Governor of the State, secured the election
by a small plurality.
Mr. Bigelow's published writings mostly treat of
political economy, and are characteristic of the man,
exhibiting his analytical skill, and remarkable rather
for precision of statement and lucidity than for
rhetorical graces. He sent to the press in 1858,
" Remarks on the Depressed Condition of Manufac-
tures in Massachusetts, with Suggestions as to its
Cause and Remedy ;" in 1862, a large quarto entitled,
" The Taritr Question Considered in Regard to the
Policy of England and the Interest of the United
States ;" in 1869, an address, " The Wool Industry of
the United States;" in 1877, "The Tarifi" Policy of
England and the United States Contrasted;" in 1878,
"The Relations of Labor and Capital," an article in
the Atlantic Monthly.
CHAPTER XII.
CLINTON— (Co«/z»«^rf).
Scliools — Churcltes — Newspapers — Water Supply — Statietica, Etc,
When, in the latter days of the Revolution, it be-
came necessary to resort to a draft to fill the quotas
demanded for the Continental service, towns in Mas-
sachusetts were usually divided into districts called
squadrons, in such manner and number as were sug-
gested by neighborhood convenience and the number
of men to be raised. An exactly similar plan seems
CLINTON.
75
to have obtained at the same time, if not earlier, for
the distribution and use of school money. A law of
1788 made this custom as applied to schools general
in this Commonwealth, and at this date Lancaster
was divided into thirteen squadrons. Two of these,
known as Prescott's Mills and South Woods, were
within the bounds of Clinton. Judging from the
share of the town's appropriation received, they were
among the smallest districts in population. In suc-
ceeding years the limits of the squadrons and their
number were frequently changed, but these two re-
mained essentially unaltered until 1846, being gener-
ally called Districts Ten and Eleven.
Each squadron provided its own school accommo-
dations, whether a special building, or, as was often
the case, a room in a dwelling house, or an unused
shop. The earliest school house known to have been
built upon Clinton soil was that at Prescott's Mills,
in 1800 — a cheap, frame structure located upon a slight
elevation in the woodland on the southwest corner of
the intersection of the Eigby Road (now Sterling
Street) with the main highway. On each of three
sides it was lighted by small windows, placed liigh
above the floor and protected on the outside with
board shutters. The room was about eighteen feet
square and had a plank seat running around the three
windowed sides, with long heavy writing-desks before
it. To the front of the desks were attached board
seats for the abecedarians. On the fourth side was a
fire-place broad enough to take in cord-wood. The
South Woods School-house, or Number Eleven, was
similar in style, but less capacious, and situated en-
tirely out of sight of any other building on the old
county road east of the Nashua, about half-way be-
tween Bolton corner and Boylston line.
With the increase in population and wealth brought
by the enterprise of Poignand & Plant, the pride of
the " Factory District " — as Prescott's Mills began to
be called — demanded larger and better school accom-
modations, and in 1824 a brick edifice was built upon
Main Street, about fifty rods southerly from the old
one, its cost, four hundred and twenty dollars, being
assessed upon the property of the district. This was
planned by James Pitts, Sr., and the scholars' seats
all faced in one direction, being arranged in tiers
gradually rising from front to rear. This building
served in the cause of education for about twenty-five
years. The first teacher in the old school-house was
Miss Sally Sawyer, who was paid one dollar per
week, and boarded with Captain John Prescott, who
was paid five shillings per week by the district. In
1808 there were twenty-seven scholars coming from
twelve families. Those who sent children were ex-
pected to contribute wood, cut fit for use, the amount
being prescribed by the prudential committee and
apportioned according to the number of scholars. There
were never but two terms of schooling in the year —
a summer and a winter session, each of seven to ten
weeks. Titus Wilder, Silas and Charles Thurston,
and Ezra Kendall were for many years the winter
teachers of Number Ten, noted disciplinarians all,
who sucessfully guided the youthful generations of
their day along thorny path* of learning, according
to the often-quoted Hudibrastic version of Solomon's
proverb. Titus Wilder, in 1808, received four dollars
and fifty-eight cents per week for his instructions,
and " boarded himself
The whole population in both districts, during even
the prosperous days of Poignand & Plant's mills, prob-
ably did not reach two hundred and fifty souls, and the
schools were small. Upon the opening of the new
industries the old school-rooms were soon filled to
overflowing, and a primary school for Number Ten
was established in 1844. A so-called high school
was started in Clintonville by private enterprise
during 1846, kept by Miss Adolphia Rugg. She was
soon succeeded by George N. Bigelow, an excep-
tionally successful instructor, who was called away
to become principal of the State Normal School at
Framingham, in 1855. There were in 1847 about
two hundred and thirty children of school age in
Clintonville, and the citizens, with commendable zeal,
combined to establish graded schools, elected a pru-
dential committee, a board of overseers and treasurer,
and authorized the borrowing of thirty-five hundred
dollars for the building of the needed school-houses.
The South Woods District was abolished and the
whole territory divided into four sections. New
houses were erected at Lancaster Mills and Harris
Hill, the central brick house was refurnished, and the
northern section was provided with a suitable room
by the enlargement of the primary school-housed
The third grade, or grammar school, at first occupied
the chapel of the Congregational Society at the corner
of Main and Sterling Streets, and was generally known
as the high-school. The establishment of a high-
school as distinct from the grammar school dates
from 1874.
Clinton has now eleven school buildings, all but
two being substantial brick structures. Thirty-six
teachers — all females but one — and a general super-
intendent are employed, besides eight engaged in the
evening schools. The various schools are thus graded :
one high, ten grammar, twenty-two primar)' — all open
ten months in the year. In 1888 twenty-seven
thousand dollars were appropriated for their support,
and the pupils attending them numbered fifteen hur>-
dred and ninety-four. The number of children be-
tween five and fifteen years of age is now nineteen
hundred and sixty.
The first high school building, which also served
for the centre grammar school, was built at the corner
of Church and Walnut Streets in 1853. The present
handsome structure at the corner of Chestnut and
Union Streets, one of the most finely appointed in
the Commonwealth, was completed in 1885, from plans
of J. L. Faxon, at a cost of sixty thousand dollars.
It is of brick and Long Meadow sandstone, and con-
76
HISTORY OF WORCESTER COUNTY, MASSACHUSETTS.
tains eight rooms above the basement. The princi.
pals of the high school have been as follows : George
N. Bigelow to 1853; C. W. Walker, one year ; Josiah
S. Phillips to 1859 ; Henry S. Nourse, temporarily to
fill out Mr. Phillips' term ; Eev. Frederick A. Fiske
one year ; Miss Elizabeth A. Owens, one year; Dana
I. Joscelyn, one year; Rev. Milo C. Stebbins, 1862
and 1863 ; Josiah H. Hunt, eight years ; Andrew E.
Ford, from 1873 to present time. Mr. Ford is a
graduate of Amherst College, a member of the class
of 1871. The superintendents have been : Samuel
Arthur Bent, 1883-85 ; William W. Waterman,
1886-89.
There are now nine organized religious societies
in Clinton, seven of which own capacious and
comfortable meeting-houses. The residents pre-
ceding the advent here of the Bigelow looms were
a God-fearing and church-going people, most of
whom regularly attended the Sabbath services in
Lancaster, two or three miles distant. When
members justified it, the managers of the Clin-
tonville corporations and other leading citizens or-
ganized neighborhood meetings, which were usually
held in the brick school-house. November 14, 1844,
a church of the Orthodox Congregational denomina-
tion, called the Second Evangelical Church of Lan-
caster, was formed, having fifty-one members, and
occupied as their place of worship a chapel built
upon or near the site of the first school-house at the
corner of Main and Sterling Streets. The first pas-
tor, Joseph M. R. Eaton, was engaged at a salary of
five hundred and fifty dollars, and ordained January
9, 1845. The society hired the bass viol used in the
choir, but the performer upon the instrument was one
of its most prominent members. In September, 1847,
signs of a change in the fashion of church music ap-
peared, by a vote of the parish that they " would be
pleased to have the Seraphine played on trial." The
society rapidly increased in numbers and prosperity,
and January 1, 1847, dedicated a new house of wor-
ship upon Walnut Street. This building, much en-
larged in 1859 and again in 1871, it continues to
occupy. Mr. Eaton was dismissed April 11, 1847.
His successors have been as follows: William H.
Corning, ordained December 8, 1847, dismissed
October 2, 1851 ; William D. Hitchcock, ordained
October 21, 1851, dismissed July 16, 1853 ; Warren
W. Winchester, ordained March 23, 1854, dismissed
June 17, 1862 ; Benjamin Judkins, Jr., acting pas-
tor, December 1, 1862, resigned December 1, 1867;
DeWittS. Clark, ordained November 11, 1868; dis-
missed December 12, 1878 ; Charles Wetherbee, in-
stalled April 30, 1879, dismissed July 31, 1884 ; Darius
B. Scott, installed January 14, 1885.
So early as March, 1816, several families of the
Baptist faith formed themselves into a society and
held meetings, sometimes in the South Woods School-
house, sometimes at the house of Charles Chacc, and
engaged various preachers to visit them on stated
Sabbaths. Elders Luther Goddard and Thomas Mar-
shall were thus hired for some time. The leaders in
the society were mostly residents of School Districts
Ten and Eleven, and included Charles and Alanson
Chace, John Burditt, the Lowe and Sarfreant families,
Deacon Levi Howard, Joel Dakin, Abel Wilder, Ben-
jamin Holt, etc. In 1830, when the Hillside Church
was established, many of these joined that society.
The second church organized in Clintonville was
called the First Baptist Society, and dates from
April 24, 1847. For two years its meetings were held
in the chapel on Main Street vacated by the Congre-
gational Society. In 1849 it removed to the present
house on Walnut Street, the capacity of which, how-
ever, was greatly increased in 1868. The land upon
which the meeting-house stands was a gift from Ho-
ratio N. Bigelow. The first pastor of the church,
Charles M. Bowers, D.D., resigned March 28, 1886,
after thirty-nine years of faithful ministry. He was
succeeded by Rev. Henry K. Pervear.
A chapel for Roman Catholic worship was built
upon Burditt Hill, on Main Street, in 1849, by Rev.
John Boyce, occupied as a mission church, and called
St. John's. Clintonville had then been for about four
years a mission station, a priest from Worcester
coming on one Sunday of each month to say Mass at
the house of some parishioner. Rev. J. J. Connelly
succeeded Father Boyce in 1862, residing in Clinton,
and the next year the town became a parish, with
Rev. J. Quin as pastor. He was followed in May,
1868, by Rev. D. A. O'Keefe, who died in October of
the same year. Rev. Richard J. Patterson, the
present pastor, was ordained a priest December 22,
1866, and came to Clinton in November, 1868. The
chapel on Pleasant Street was built by him in 1869.
The corner-stone of the new Gothic church building
at the corner of Union and School Streets was laid
August 8, 1875. This is by far the largest and most
costly of Clinton's houses of worship. It is solidly
built of brick and cut Fitzwilliam granite, according
to plans of P. W. Ford, of Boston, and can accom-
modate a congregation of three thousand persons. It
was formally dedicated June 27, 1886.
The Methodist Episcopal Society was organized in
October, 1851. Regular meetings had been attended
previously by those attached to this faith, in Burdett's
— then known as Attic Hall, and were continued in
Concert Hall until the dedication of their present
meeting-house on High Street, December 25, 1852.
The basement of this edifice was added and finished
as a vestry in 1856, and the whole building was reno-
vated and improved in 1868. A parsonage which
stood until this year upon the opposite side of the
street was the gift of Daniel Goss, of Lancaster. In
1887 the church building was again remodeled and
enlarged. The pastors have been as follows: — Philip
Toque, October, 1850 to March, 1851 ; George Bowler,
one year; J. Willard Lewis, two years; Augustus F.
Bailey, one year, 1854; Newell S. Spaulding, two
CLINTON.
ypars; Daniel K. Merrill, eight months, 1857; Willard
F. Mallalieu, four months; William J. Pomlret, two
years; Thomas B. Treadwell, one year, 1860; Albert
Gould, two years; John W. Coolidge, hired for a brief
time; William G Leonard, four months ; E. F. Had-
Ipy, fourteen months; Edwin S.Chase, one year, 1866;
Frederick T. George, one year, 1867 ; Joseph W, Lewis,
two years; William A. Braman, three years; A. C.
.Godfrey, one year, 1873; Volney M.Simons, three
years; Watson M. Ayers, three years; Chas. H. Hana-
ford, two years, 1880-81; Albert Gould, three years;
John H. Short, three years; M. Emory Wright, 1S88.
The First Unitarian Church was organized June
12, 18.52, though services had been regularly held in
Burdett and Clinton Halls, by its members, during the
two previous years. The meeting-house upon Church
St. was dedicated Feb. 2, 1853. Twenty years later it
was raised, greatly enlarged, and the basement fitted "up
for use as a vestry and church parlor. A bequest received
from the estate of Colonel G. M. Palmer has enabled
the parish to build a spacious and comfortable parson-
age upon a valuable lot on the corner of Walnut and
Water Streets. The pastors have been as follows: —
Leonard J. Livermore, began preaching April, 1851,
resigned September, 1857; Jared M. Heard, ordained
August 25, 1858, resigned in 1863; James Salloway,
installed November 9, 1864, dismissed December,
1868; Ivory F. Waterhouse, began preaching January
3, 1869, resigned May 25, 1873; William S. Burton,
began preaching October 5, 1873, resigned December,
1875; Charles Noyes, began preaching May 7, 1876,
resigned August 13, 1882; J. Frederick Dutton, in-
stalled June 6, 1883, resigned November 24, 1885;
James Cameron Duncan, ordained June 17, 1886.
The Church of the Good Shepherd (Episcopal) was
established as a mission in 1874. Regular services be- '
gan April 12th of that year, in Bigelo k Hall. On the
last Sunday of June, Rev. L. Gorham Stevens assumed
charge of the mission, and remained until the follow-
ing April. After a brief interval he was succeeded by
Rev. John W. Birchniore, who, however, never be-
came a resident of Clinton, but was in charge of the
mission until April 28, 1878. October 28, 1876, the
foundations of a chapel were laid on Union Street
and the building was consecrated on the 17th of the
following April. Rev. Henry L. Foote was settled as
rector in August, 1878, and a parish organization was
effected April 14, 1879. In July, 1881, Mr. Foote was
called to the parish of Holyoke and Rev. E. T. Hamel,
an Englishman, became rector in September, 1881.
He was followed by Rev. George F. Pratt, in May,
1884, who resigned and was succeeded by Rev. Thomas
L. Fisher, April 1, 1888.
The Second Advent Society meet in Courant Hall.
The organization dates from 1871, but no minister has
been settled. Isaac Barnes is the elder.
The Spiritualists hold meetings in Currier's Hall,
having no settled pastor. Their organization dates
from 1882.
The German Church, Rev. F. C. F. Sherff, pastor,
has recently built a neat Gothic meeting-house at the
corner of Haskell and Birch Streets. Services in the
German language had been held for about a year pre-
vious to its dedication. May 20, 1888, in the vestry of
the Congregational Society.
The post-office, in its present spacious and conven-
ient quarters, occupies nearly the same site as when
established in 1846, by H. N. Bigelow, the first post-
master. The second postmaster, John T. Dame, Esq.,
served from September 7, 18.53, to April 6, 1861, when
he was relieved by Deputy Sheriff Enoch K. Gibbs,
who held the office until August 1, 1870. His suc-
cessor, Charles M. Dinsmore, clo.sed his service Janu-
ary 3, 1887, when John McQuaid, the present post-
master, received his commission. From the date of
the removal of the office from Kendall's Block, in
1853, to its return to High Street upon the completion
of the Bank Block, April 9, 1882, it occujied the west-
ern end of the Bigelow Library Association building,
on Union Street.
Under the law of 1858, creating trial justices, John
T. Dame, Esq., was commis>ioned and held office until
1864. Daniel H. Bemis, Esq., succeeded to the office,
and was superseded by Christopher C. Stone in 1871.
The Second District Court of Eastern Worcester was
established in July, 1874. It took the place of the
trial justice, and includes in its jurisdiction the towns
of Berlin, Bolton, Harvard, Clinton, Lancaster and
Sterling, its sessions being all held at Clinton. Hon.
Charles G. Stevens was appointed the first standing
justice, Major C. C. Stone, special justice, and Frank
E. Howard, clerk of the court. September 7, 1880,
Major Stone was confirmed as justice in place of Mr.
Stevens, who declined further service, and Jonathan
Smith, Esq., was commissioned special justice on
September 14th. In January, 1886, Mr. Smith re-
signed, and Herbert Parker, Esq., was appointed to
succeed him January 27, 1886.
The Saturday Courant's early history has been told
in a former page. With its restricted local circula-
tion becoming unremunerative when the war prices of
paper and labor were encountered, it was discontinued
with the number for December 13, 1862. In July,
1851, Mr. Messenger had withdrawn from both
editorship and partnership, to be succeeded by Edwin
Bynner, who «ith genial versatility figured at-the
s.ane time as editor, painter, poet, town-wit, auc-
tioneer and station-master. November 1, 1853, the
publishing office was moved acro-s High Street to
rooms under the Clinton Hou?e hall, where it re-
mained for fifteen years. Mr. Bynner abandoned the
enterprise July 1, 1854, finding it not sufficiently prof-
itable, and was replaced temporarily by John P.
Davis. January 1, 1855, Rev. Leoiiard J. Livermore
was given editorial charge of the paper, which he re-
tained until September 5, 1857, when he removed to
Lexington. Rev. Charles M. Bowers then acted as
editor for twenty months, but did not permit his
78
HISTORY OF WORCESTER COUNTY, MASSACHUSETTS.
name to appear aa such. Thenceforward for about
three years the paper was nominally under the direc-
tion of "an association of gentlemen." March 22,
1862, Horatio E. Turner essayed the task of editing
it, but at the end of four months enlisted in the
Thirty-fourth Infantry, to give his life for country.
Wellington E. Parkhurst performed the editorial
duties from August 16, 1862, to the farewell number.
Upon the muster-out of the Union forces, Lieuten-
ant William J. Coulter, a skilled printer, who had
been employed upon the Saturday Conrant, resolved
to resume its publication. Mr. Parkhurst was chosen
as editor, and September 30, 1865, the first number
of the C/inton Coiiranl appeared from the old office.
The venture proved promising enough to warrant en-
largement of the paper in 1866, 1867 and 1870. In
January, 1869, the office of publication was removed
to Tyler's Block, then just completed, and October 10,
1872, to its present location on Church Street.. Its
management remains unchanged. The Courant has
maintained from the outset an independent position
in politics and religious matter.«, but is not weakly
neutral, nor reticent in expression of opinion upon
any topic of public interest. It is now twice the size
of the original sheet of 1846, has a wide circulation
for a paper of its class and is growing in deserved
popularity. A smaller sheet was published as an ex-
periment, on Tuesdays from September, 1880, for one
year, in (onnection with the Saturday issue, and
called the Clinton Advance. The unique file of the
Courant preserved in the Bigelow Public Library is
an invaluable record of Clinton's progress.
The Courant has had an active competitor for public
favor during the last ten years. The Clinton Jiccord
was first published by John W. Ellam September 1,
1877. Its editors were E. A. Norris and R. M. Le
Poer. This newspaper was bought by Trowbridge &
French, and its name changed to the Clinton Times,
November 13, 1882. Mr. Trowbridge soon sold his
interest to his associate, George French, who, in April,
1884, disposed of the paper to George W. Reynolds,
from Melrose. During 1883 the Times also appeared
in semi-weekly form. It was Republican in politics
and advocated prohibition. It was published Wed-
nesday afternoons ironi a printing-office in Greeley's
block. Its publication ceased March 24, 1887. Mean-
while a third candidate for the people's favor had
appeared.
The Clinton Enter/rrise, published by Wood Brothers
in Greeley's block dates from Friday, May 14, 1886.
M. E. C. Hankes was its first local editor and man-
ager.
For the first thirty years after its incorporation the
town's people were wholly dependent upon wells and
rain-cisterns for water required for domestic purposes.
The larger manufacturing companies, by means of
their steam pumps, supplemented by reservoirs upon
high ground, protected their works from fire and sup-
plied their tenants. The question of the introduction
of water for general use was often agitated, but it was
not until November 22, 1875, that definite action
favoring such introduction was taken by a town-
mee.ing. On that date the report of a special water-
supply committee, of which Hon. Daniel B. Ingalls
was chairman, was adopted, and the committee in-
structed to obtain the necessary legislation for the
furtherance of their recommendations. April 4, 1876,
an act was approved authorizing Clinton to take the
waters of Sandy Pond, or any other ])ond or brook
within the town limits, for domestic and fire purposes,
and to borrow the sum of one hundred and twenty-
five thousand dollars for the construction of works.
During the subsequent five years, however, nothing
resulted save surveys, estimates and warm discussion.
Upon petition the Legislature revived and extended
the act February 4, 1881, for three years. During
that year a reservoir, with a capacity of two million
gallons, was constructed upon the suinmit of Burditt
Hill, and the main pipes were laid connecting it with
the principal streets.
The water of Sandy Pond is of great depth and
purity, covering an area of about fifty acres, and so
situated as easily to be guarded from external con-
tamination. The supply from it can be cheaply
increased by bringing to it the flow of Mine Swamp
Brook ; but its elevation is insufficient to obviate the
necessity of a costly pumping-station. Explorations
were, therefore, extended into the adjoining towns,
in the hope of obtaining a re-ervoir at sufficient
height to supply the town by a gravity system. In-
vestigation of the sources of Wickapeket Brook,
begun by Jonas E. Howe of the committee, disclosed
such unusually favorable conditions that the scheme
for using the waters within the town bounds was aban-
doned, and a petition met the Legislature of 1882
asking authority to take water from Sterling. An act
gave the desired privilege, and also authorized the
issuing of additional water-bonds to the amount of
one hundred thousand dollars. This legislation was
accepted by the required two-thirds vote of a town-
meeting March, 1882, and by January 1, 1883, the
main works were completed.
The cast-iron main is sixteen inches in diameter,
and about five and three-fourths miles in length. The
water is of unsurpassed purity, abundant for all prob-
able needs, and reaches the hydrants in High Street
with a pressure of about eighty pounds to the square
inch, having a head of over one hundred feet. At
the mills the hydrant pressure is one hundred and
ten pounds. During 1883 Lynde Brook and Pond
were taken into tlie reservoir system. The first basin
had a capacity of three million gallons; Lynde reser-
voir has a capacity of ten million gallons. An act,
approved March 27, 1884, and accepted by a town vote,
permits the additional sum of fifty thousand dollars
in water bonds to be issued, and authorizes the sell-
ing of water to the inhabitants of Lancaster along its
main line, and to the Lancaster Water Company.
CLINTON.
79
provided the needs of the inhabitants of Clinton are
first supplied. The water bonds authorized have not
all been is.sued. They yield four per cent, interest, pay-
able April and October Ist, and run for twenty yeare.
Work has recently begun upon an additional reser-
voir of thirty million gallons capacity.
In connection with the subject of water supply,
that of public sewage was given to the consideration
of the committee of 1875, and a report wa-* made to
the town March .5, 1877, advising that no action be
taken at that time looking to any plan for a general
system of drainage. The little reservoir of the Clin-
ton Yarn Company, known as Counterpane Pond, had
already become seriously polluted by the foul matter
constantly poured into it from the carpet-mills and
various other sources, and, being in the heart of the
town, was a fruitful cause of complaint, especially
from those dwelling in its immediate vicinity. A plan
for a system of sewers was obtained from the noted
engineer, Phineas Ball, in 1883, and a petition for
authority to construct a sewerage system was pre-
sented to the Legislature of 1886. The petitioners,
however, preferred to be given leave to withdraw
rather than accept any bill prohibiting the discharge
of unflltered sewage into the Nashua River, a restric-
tion which was demanded by the inhabitants of
towns upon that stream below Clinton. The subject
continues to be persistently debated, but the multi-
plicity and importance of the interests involved, and
the cost of an efficient and comprehensive system,
have, thus far, prevented the adoption of any but a
make-shift policy. Pipes for house drainage are now
being laid through the main streets.
The period of the town's life, thirty-eight years, has
been one of almost uninterrupted prosperity, exempt
from those episodes of great depression and financial
disaster which frequently visit similar manufacturing
towns. This is, doubtless, in part due to thehigh grade
and great variety of the products of its mills and work-
shops, but greatly also to the friendly relations which
have been sustained between labor and capital. It
speaks much for the intelligence of its working citi-
zens as well as for the liberal spirit of those who have
managed the capital here invested, that the harmony
which should exist between the employer and the
employed has never been very seriously nor generally
disturbed.
In the hard times of 1857 the larger manufactories,
for several weeks, were run on half-time or less, and,
but for the sympathy of the managers with the workers,
would have been closed. The tact, energy and unsel-
fishness of Franklin Forbes were brought promi-
nently into view during the trials of this critical
period. The shares of the older companies gradually
fell in the stock market to half their par value. The
stock then, as now, was largely in the ownership of '
non-residents, a fact preventing any strong personal j
bond of sympathy between the wage-payer and the
wage-earner. But the managers, though firm in the |
control of their great trusts, were tender of heart and
heedful of the needs of the toilers for daily bread.
The commercial stress, though long continued, there-
fore created little bitter antagonism. New inventions,
and improvements of the old, were brought forward
by E. B. Bigelow, cheapening manufacture, and when
the clouds of civil war began to lift, a new era of
prosperity dawned, surpassing that of earlier days.
In 1879 a reduction of wages was found necessary
at the Lancaster Mills to compensate for a great de-
preciation in the market for ginghams, and was
accepted without unusual demonstrations of dissatis-
faction. In March, 1880, the old rates were volun-
tarily restored, when the manager was met by a demand
from some of the weavers for an additional and large
increase. This was firmly refused, as the petitioners
were already receiving larger daily wages than given
at other mills in New England for the same or similar
labor. A portion of the weavers struck work, and for
several days the community was excited by fears of
trouble and loss. The cause of the disafiected, how-
ever, signally failed to win public sympathy, and, after
about a month of idleness, the deserted looms were
all manned again.
A similar difficulty arose in April, 1886, at the
carpet-mills, when seventy-seven dyers, being re-
fused demands deemed unreasonable, resolved to
leave their work. Upon the attempt to fill the
places vacated with workmen procured elsewhere,
threats and abuse were used to intimidate the new-
comers, and riotous demonstrations were made in the
vicinity of the mills by certain sympathizers with
the strikers. The manager at once closed the works,
announcing that they would remain closed until the
company's property and employes were safe from
mob violence and insult. A strong special police
force was organized, a few arrests were made, order
was at once restored and in a few days tlie machinery
was again set in motion.
These two short-lived disturbances, participated in
by comparatively few, and those lor the most part
the least responsible, are all that blot the industrial
annals of the town.
Associations for benevolent, charitable and social
purposes, as well as mutual benefit societies, are
exceedingly numerous in Clinton. Besides many
more or less closely connected with the several
churches, the following distinct organizations exist:
Masons — occupying Masonic Hall, in National
Bank Block : Trinity Lodge, organized 1859, and
Clinton Royal Arch Chapter, organized 1869.
Odd- Fellows — having a hall in Greeley's Block :
Lancaster Lodge, No. 89, organized 1846; Clinton
Encampment, No. 29, organized 1883 ; Germania
Lodge, No. 42, Daughters of Rebecca, instituted
October 31, 1884.
Grand Aemy of the Republic — occupying
G. A. R. hall in National Bank Block: E. D.
Baker Post, No. 64, organized August 17, 1868;
80
HISTOKY OF WORCESTER COUNTY, MASSACHUSETTS.
Ladies' G. A. R. Relief Society, organized 1883;
Camp A. L. Fuller, Sons of Veterans, mustered in
November 7, 1887.
Temperance Societies. — Good Templars — Ever-
ett Lodge, No. 31, and Good Samaritan Lodge, No.
81 ; Clinton Temperance Associates; Women's Chris-
tian Temperance Union ; Young Women's Christian
Temperance Union ; St. John's Total Abstinence
and Mutual Aid Society.
Improved Order of Red Men. — Wattoquottoc
Tribe, No. 33 ; Juanita Council, No. 7, Daughters of
Pocahontas.
UniTED Order of the Golden Cross. — Wachu-
sett Commandery, No. 56.
Knights of Honor. — Clinton Lodge, No. 193.
Ancient Order of United Workmen. — Clin-
ton Lodge, No. 29.
Royal Akcanum. — Wekepeke Council, No. 742.
United Order of the Pilgrim Fathers. —
Nashawog Colony, No. 75.
Royal Society of Good- Fellows.— Sholan
Assembly, No. 106.
German Order of Harugari. — Lichtenstein
Lodge, No. 129.
TuENVEREiN Society, organized 1867.
Schiller Verein, organized 1868.
Sons of St. George. — Rose Lodge, No. 40.
St. Andrew's Society, organized 1879.
Ancient Order of Hibernians. — Division No.
8, organized 1872.
Vermont Association,
Massachusetts Catholic Order of Fores-
ters. — Clinton Court, No. 56.
Fireman's Relief Association, incorporated
1875.
Twenty Associates.
Twenty-five Associates.
Full Score Association.
Clinton Sportsmen's Club.
Prescott Club, incorpated April 20, 1886.
Clinton Board of Trade, organized February
15, 1884.
Clinton Rifles, Company K. Sixth Regiment
Massachusetts Volunteer Militia.
Clinton Bicycle Club.
The growth of Clinton has been very uniform.
Its population, by the official enumerations, has been
as follows: 1850,3113; 1855,3636; 1860,3859;
1865,4021: 1S70,.'J429; 1875,6781; 1880, 8029; 1885,
8945 ; 1888, 10,037.
Numerous nationalities are here represented. The
Germans have a neat village by themselves, known
as Germantown, witli a house of worship and a capa-
cious Turnverein Hall. The Irish are in the majority
in tliree or four localities — notably the "Acre,"'
"Duck Harbor" and "California." By the last
census, the native-born numbered 5547, and the
foreign-born, 3398, although three-fourths of the
population are registered as of foreign parentage.
Of those born aliens, 2097 came from Ireland ; 465
from Germany ; 295 from Scotland ; 257 from Eng-
land ; 248 from various British provinces in America ;
9 from France ; 8 from Austria ; 4 from Italy, and 1
from China.
The valuation of the town has im^reased at more
rapid rate than the population: 18.50, $1,262,813 ;
1855, §1,607,991; 1860, $1,690,692; 1865, $1,860,763;
1870, $2,952,568; 1875, $4,340,919 ; 1880, $4,444,937 ;
1885, $5,143,720 ; 1888, $5,531,811.
The total indebtedness of tiie town in the same
years was: 1850, $13,600; 1855, $14,.500; 1860,
$14,500; 1865, $34,190; 1870, $40,262; 1875, $132,-
000 ; 1880. $99,500 ; 1885, $337,000 ; 1888, $342,500.
Of the one hundred and twenty-five thousand dol-
lars in six per cent, bonds issued at the building of
the town hall in 1872, twenty-seven thousand live
hundred dollars remain unpaid, six thousand five
hundred dollars of the amount having been annually
called in. The school-house four per cent, loan,
which was fifty-four thousand dollars in 1886, has
been decreased six thousand dollars annually. Of
the four per cent, water bonds, two hundred and
fifty-three thousand dollars are outstanding, and nine
thousand dollars in amount have been bought for the
sinking fund. Most of the principal is due in 1901
and 1906.
The amount annually raised by tax.ation has grown
from $9059 in 1850, when the tax rate was seven
dollars to the thousand, to $104,598 in 1888, the rate
being eighteen in a thousand.
The votes of the town for Presidential candidates
have been :
1853.
1856.
1864.
1868.
1872. Ulysses S. Grant, 524.
Horace Greeley, 2118.
18"(>. Kutherfoid B. Hayes, 576.
Samuel J. TildBri,'4S2.
1880. Juiiies A. Garfield, 682.
Winfteld Scott Hancock,5I3.
James B. Weaver, 1.
Neal Dow, 7.
1884. Grovor Cleveland, 683.
Janii'S C. Blaine, 6:H».
neiijamin Butler, 42.
John P. St. John, 16.
Winfleld Scott, 20n.
Franklin Pierce, 100.
John P. Hale, 82.
John C. Fremont, 353.
James Buchanan, 54.
Millard Fillmore, 3.
18C0. .\brahain Lincoln, 346.
Stephen A. Douglas, 71.
John Bell, 11.
John 0. Breckenridge, 7.
Abraham Lincoln. 334.
George B. McClellan, 84.
Ulysses S. Grant, 443.
Horatio Seymour, lo7.
The following citizens have .served the town as Rep-
resentatives in the Legislature : Horatio Nelson
Bigelow, 1851-52; Andrew Lowell Fuller, 1854;
James Ingalls, 1855; Horace Faulkner, 1856-58;
Jonas Elijah Howe, 1860, 1870, 1872, 1887 ; Rev.
Jared Mann Heard, 1862; Franklin Forbes, 1864;
Rev. Charles Manning Bowers, 1865-66; Charles
Whiting Worcester, 1868; Elisha Brimhall, 1871;
Lucius Field, 1878, 1882; Daniel Bowman Ingalls,
1880; Edward Godfrey Stevens, 1881; Alfred Augus-
tine Burditt, 1884; Jonathan Smith, 1886; Frank
Edward Holm in, 1888-89. Charles Godfrey Stevens,
Esq., was delegate in the State Convention of 1853.
The following have served as State Senators:
Cha-.les Godfrey Stevens, 1862; Henry Clay Greeley,
CLINTON.
81
1870 and 71 ; Elisha Brimhall, 1876 and '77; Daniel
Bowman Ingalls, 1881 and '82.
Henry Olay Greeley was a member ol' the E.\eeu-
tive Council in 1885 aud '86.
The clerks of the town have been : Albert 8.
Carletou, 1850-52; C. S. Patten, 1853; Artemas E.
Bigelow, 1854-59; Henry 0. Greeley, 1860-60; Wel-
lington E. Parkhurst, 1870-72; Lucius Field, 1873-
77; Wellington E. Parkhurst, 1878-80; Martin J.
Costello, 1881-84; .John F. Philbin, 1885-.
Treasurers in order of service: Sidney Harris, one
year; Alfred Knight, four years; Sidney Harris, one
year; Alfred Knight, ten years; Elisha Brimhall,
five years; Edwin N. Rice, four years; Wellington
E. Parkhurst, one year; Alfred A. IJurditt, one year;
Henry (). Sawyer, one year; G. Walton Goss, ten
years.
The following have served as selectmen : Ezra
Sawyer, Samuel Belyea, Edmund Harris, Gilman M.
Palmer, Calvin Stanley, Nelson Whitcomb, Alanson
(yhaee, ,lonas E. Howe, Aliel Rice, J. Alexander,
Horace Faulkner, David Wallace, Joshua Thissell,
B. R. Smith, James F. Maynard, Gilbert (ireene,
Charles W. Worcester. P. L. Morgan, Elisha Brim-
hall, Alfred A. Burditt, George S. Harris, Charles
Bowman, Otis B. Bates, Charles L. Swan, Dr. George
W. Symonds, Cliarles H. Chace, Henry C. (ireeley,
Albert H. Smith, T. A. McQuaid, William Haskell,
A. C. Dakin, George F. Howard, Christ(ij>her 0.
Stone, Eben S. Fuller, C. C. Murdoch, Samuel W.
Tyler, Alexander Johnston, John Sheehan, Eli
Forbes, Sidney T. PLjward, J. C. Parsons, C. C. Cook,
({eorge W. Morse, Anton Wiesman, Henry N. Ottei'-
son, P. J. ( Juinn, Herman Dietzuiau, Charles A.
Vickery, William H. Nugent.
The following served upon the School Committee:
Rev. William H. Corning, Rev. Charles M. Bovvers,
Dr. George M. Morse, Dr. George W. Burdett, C. W.
Blanchard, Charles L. Swan, W. W. Parker, Augustus
J. Sawyer, Franklin Forbes, for thirteen years; John
T. Dame, Esq., for sixteen years ; Horatio N. Bigelow,
Albert S. Carleton, Rev. William D.Hitchcock, Rev.
George Bowler, James Ingalls, Dr. Preston Cham-
berlain, Rev. Leonard J. Livermore, Rev. T. Willard
Lewis, Artemas E. Bigelow, Charles G. Stevens, Esq.,
Josiah H. Vose, Henry C. Greeley, Daniel W. Kil-
burn, Eneas Morgan, Dr. George W. Symonds,
Joshua Thissell, Charles F. W. Parkhurst, William
Cushing, Rev. James Salloway, George W. Weeks,
Alfred A. Burditt, Wellington E. Parkhurst, for
twelve years; M. H. Williams, Daniel H. Bemis,
Harrison Leiand, Henry N. Bigelow, Daniel B. In-
galls, l^dward G. Stevens, Samuel McQuaid, John
W. Corcoran, Esq., Rev. Charles Noyes, Dr. Philip
T. O'Brien, Frank E. Holman.
The following have been practicing physicians in
Clinton : George W. Symonds, M.D., 1841, Dart-
mouth, M.M.S.S., died 1873; George W. Burdett,
M.D., 1846, Harvard, M.M.S.S. ; George M. Morse,
6
M.D., 1843, Harvard, M.M.S.S. ; Charles D. Dowse,
; A.W.Dillingham, ; Pierson T. Kendall,
M.D., 1816, Harvard, M.M.S.S., died 1865; Adoni-
ram J. Greeley, M.D., 1845, Harvard; Charles A.
Brooks, M.D., 1859, Homa'opathic Medical College,
Philadelphia ; Oscar T. Woidhizer, ; George A.
Jordan, M.D., 1872, Harvard, M.M.S.S.; L. W. Taft,
; Philip T. O'Brien, M.D., 1872, All):iny ; Perley
P. Comey M.D., 1878, Harvard, M.M.S.S. ; Walter
P. Bowers, M.D., 1879, Harvard, M.M.S.S.; Charles
L. French, M.D., 1869, New York, College of Physi-
cians and Surgeons, M.M.S.S.; C. R. Bradford, ;
Thomas .F. Roche, M.D., 1882, Bellevue, M.M.S.S.;
Thoniiis H. O'Connor, M.D., 1883, liellevue ; O. A.
Everett, ; Edward S. Everett, ; ( ieorge C.
Ward, M.D,, 1882, Hahnemann College, Chicago;
Albert C. Reed, M.D., 1887, Boston University.
The following attorneys have had offices in Clin-
ton : Charles G. Stevens, A. 15., l!)artmouth, 1840 ;
.John T. Dame, A.B., Dartmouth, 1840 ; Isaac Bald-
win ; Daniel H. Bemis; William B. Orcutt ; John
W. Corcoran, LL.B., Boston University, 1875; Jona-
lli:in Smith, A.B., Dartmouth, 1871 ; John F.Brown;
Charles G. Delano ; Herbert Parker ; Walter R.
Dame, A.B., Harvard, 1883 ; John G. Crawford ;
Thomas F. Larkin.
The following, born upon Clinton soil or residents
of the town when graduated, have received degrees
at collegiate institutions :
(Jeorge Ide Chace, born in Laniaster, February 19,
1808, sou of Charles and Ruth Chace; graduate at
lirown University, 1830; tutor of mathematics, 1831 ;
l)rofessor of chemistry, 1834 ; of i)bysiology, geol-
ogy, etc., 1836; LL.D., 1853; preaUlvnl ad interim,
1867; professor of moral philosophy, 1868; died at
Providence, R. I., April 29, 1885.
George Harris, A. B., 1837, Brown ; ason of Emory;
died 1838, aged twenty-three years.
Frederic Warren Harris, A. B., 1845, Harvard ; a
brother of the preceding ; died 1863.
George W. Burdett, M.D., 1846, Harvard, M.JI.S.S.
Alfred Plant, A.B., 1847, Yale ; a son of Samuel ;
now a wealthy merchant of St. Louis, Mo.
Charles A. Bowers, A.B., 1864, Harvard; died 1865.
Charles H. Parkhurst, A.B., 1866, Amherst ; D.D.,
1880 ; pastor of Madison Scjuare Presbyterian Church,
New York City.
Eli Forbes, S.B., 1868, Massachusetts Institute of
Technology.
Charles S. Gowen, S.B., 1869, Massachusetts Insti-
tute of Technology.
Edward G. Stevens, 1870, West Point Military
Academy.
Arthur F. Bowers, A.B., 1871, Brown University.
Howard E. Parkhurst, A.B., 1873, Amherst.
Charles L. Swan, Jr., A.B., 1874, Yale.
John W. Corcoran, LL.B., 1875, Boston University.
Michael Kittridge, A.B., 1875, Holy Cross, Worces-
tei-, clergyman.
82
HISTORY OF WORCESTER COUNTY, MASSACHUSETTS.
Peter T. Moran, A.B., 1877, Holy Cross; M.D.,
1883, Bellevue.
Clarence H. Bowers, D.D.S., 1878, Boston Dental
College.
Walter P. Bowers, M.D., 1879, Harvard, M.M.S.S.
Thomas J. Kelly, A.B., 1880, Holy Cross, Worces-
ter.
James F. Maker, A.B., 1880, Holy Cross, Worces-
ter, clergyman.
Elmer S. Hosmer, A.B., 1882, Brown University.
Thomas F. Koche. M.D., 1882, Bellevue, M.M.S.S.
Thomas H, O'Connor, M.D., 1883, Bellevue.
Walter R. Dame, A.B., 1883. Harvard i LL.B.,
1886, Boston University.
James H. Grant, M.D., 1883, Bellevue.
John M. Kenney, A.B., 1884, Holy Cross, Worces-
ter, clergyman.
Michael J. Coyne, A.B., 1884, Ottowa, clergyman.
John H. Finnerty, M.D., 1884, Bellevue.
John J. Leonard, A.B., 1884, St. Michael's, To-
ronto, clergyman.
Thomas H. MacLaughlin, A.B., 1884, Boston Col-
lege.
Henry K. Swinscoe, A.B., 1885, Harvard.
Henry A. McGown, A.B., 1886, Amherst.
Charles L. Stevens, A.B., 1886, Amherst.
Martin Moran, M.D., 1887, Bellevue.
J. Frederic McNabb, S.B., 1887, Worcester Insti-
tute of Technology.
Patrick J. O'Malley, A.B., 1888, Ottawa.
Henry Forbes Bigelow, S.B., 1888, Massachusetts
Institute of Technology.
CHAPTER XIII.
CLIXTON— ( Continued. )
MASONIC HISTORY.'
Trinity Lodge.— The charter of Trinity Lodge
was dated January 30, 1778. It was issued by the
Massachusetts Grand Lodge, of which Joseph Warren
was appointed the first Grand Master. Trinity
Lodge's charter was signed by Joseph AVebb, Grand
Master; Moses Deshon, Deputy Grand Ma.ster; Sam-
uel Barrett, Senior Grand Warden ; Paul Revere,
Junior Grand Warden. It was addressed to Michael
Newhall, Edmund Heard, James Wilder, Jonas Pres-
cott and Richard P. Bridge. No previous dispensa-
tion had been granted these Masons to erect a lodge
and initiate candidates ; but, as was often the case at
that period, the charter was issued, in the first in-
stance, upon application of the brethren. All the
charter members were residents of within what are
now the limits of Lancaster, except James Wilder,
1 B}' Jonathan Smith.
whose home was in the Squareshire District in Ster-
ling. Newhall came from Bolton, and Heard from
Worcester; but neither had lived in Lancaster very
long, nor did either of them die there. Newhall went
to Leominster some time after 1800, and Heard re-
moved to Lower Canada about 1793. Their places of
death are unknown. Jonas Prescott was a descendant
of John Prescott, one of the first settlers of the town.
He always lived in Lancaster and died there. Of
Richard P. Bridge very little is known. If a resident m
of Lancaster at all, he lived there but a short time V
and his name does not appear in the records after
December, 1783. It is not known where any of the
charter members received their Masonic degrees,
though it was most probably in Boston, as at that
time (1778) there was no lodge existing nearer than
Boston and Newburyport.
Trinity Lodge was numbered six, but was the fifth
in order chartered by the Massachusetts Grand
Lodge. The Lodge of St. Andrew, of Boston, was
number one, and was chartered November 30, 1756,
though it had done some Masonic work for two years
or more, receiving its charter from Sholto Charles
Douglass, Lord Arbedour, Grand Master of Masons
in Scotland. By the concerted action of St. Andrew's
and three traveling lodges, which were holden in the
British army, then stationed in Boston, a commission
was obtained from George, Earl of Dalhouse, Grand
Master of Masons in Scotland, appointing Joseph
Warren Grand Master of M-isons in Boston and
within one hundred miles of the same, upon the
receipt of which the brethren of the above-named
lodges proceeded to organize the Massachusetts
Grand Lodge. The first charter issued by this Grand
body was to Tyrian Lodge, of Gloucester, March 2,
1770. Then followed Massachusetts Lodge, of Bos-
ton, May 13, 1770; St. Peter's Lodge, Newburyport,
March 6, 1777; Berkshire Lodge, Stockbridge, March
8, 1777 ; and Trinity Lodge, January 30, 1778. There
were other Masonic Lodges in the State, at the time
Trinity was organized, which received their charters
from the St. John's Grand Lodge of Boston, a body
chartered by Anthony, Lord Viscount Montague,
Grand Master of Masons in England, in 1733. St.
John's Grand Lodge issued charters for lodges in Bos-
ton, Nova Scotia, Philadelphia, Rhode Island and
other States, and claimed jurisdiction over all the
Masons in America, while the Massachusetts Grand
Lodge had jurisdiction of Masons in Boston and
within a hundred miles thereof only. The agitation
which grew out of the existence of these rival bodies
found its way into Trinity Lodge.
While the two grand bodies did not unite until
1792, yet as early as April, 1786, it was voted in Trinity
Lodge, "to chuse a Comity of three to Consider of our
Situation as a Lodge and Connection there is be-
tween us and the Massachusetts Grand Lodge or any
other order of Antient JIasons with their opinions of
the proceedings necessary for us to take to render our
CLINTON.
83
I
vSituation More Eligable." And in the following
June it was " voted to Acknowledge the Supremecy
of the present Grand Lodge of Massachusetts on Con-
dition our Quarterage take place from the present
Date." There is no further allusion to the subject on
the records of the lodge, and the union of the two
grand bodies .six years later created no disturbance in
its relations to the Supreme Masonic authority of the
Slate.
In its first years Triuity Lodge exercised jurisdic-
tion over a wide territory. Applications were received
and acted upon from Merrimack, Medford, Barre,
Worcester, Oxford, Brookfield, Amherst, N. H., and
even from Lower Canada. But the founding of new
lodges, which proceeded rapidly after the close of the
Revolutionary War, and notably the organization of
Morning Star Lodge in Worcester, in 1792, narrowed
its jurisdiction, and during its last years in Lancaster
it covered a territory no larger than that now embraced
in the territory of the present Trinity Lodge of Clin-
ton.
Its records up to 1783 and subsequent to 1800 are
missing, and but little of its histoiy, except between
those dates, is known. Michael Newhall was the first
Master, and he was succeeded by Timothy Whiting,
Jr., and probably by Isaiah Thomas, of Worcester;
though this is not certain. Thomas was a member
up to about 1792, and among the very earliest of the
existing records is described as a Past Master. In
1783 the list of officers was as follows: Edmund Heard,
Master ; James Wilder, Senior Warden ; Ephraim
Carter, Junior Warden; Joseph Carter, Treasurer;
Moses Smith, Secretary; James Wyman, Senior Dea-
con ; Samuel Adams, Junior Deacon ; Jonas Fair-
bank, Senior Steward ; John Prcscott, Junior Steward.
There was evidently considerable interest in the
order prior to 1800, notwithstanding the hard times
following the Revolution. The records show a good
attendance at the meetings, and that on every meet-
ing night, from 1783 to 1801, through summer and
winter, the lodge was regularly opened with a full
set of officers and a liberal representation of the
brethren. The number present varied from twelve to
fifty at each communication, and in the eighteen year^
following 1783 one hundred and forty candidates re-
ceived their degrees.
The first hall occupied by the lodge in 1778 was
in a building once standing on the site of the house
now owned by Daniel Howard, in South Lancaster.
In 1778 Edmund Heard purchased this property of
Dr. Israel Atherton. The house has since been known
as the Ballard House. When it was torn down, many
years ago, there could still be seen at one end of the
north front chamber the platform and other indica-
tions of the lodge's tenancy. Some trouble after-
wards grew up between the lodge and Edmund
Heard over the lodge's occupation. When Heard
purchased the property he borrowed of the lodge
£224 -is. 6d. (£35 7s. 2d., reduced scale) with which
to pay for it. Matters run along until 1788, when,
after repeated efibrts on part of the brethren, a settle-
ment was had, at which Mr. Heard presented a long
bill for sundry repairs on the house and hall, and for
care of the lodge-room and property. The matter
was finally settled by Heard's giving the lodge his
note for £56 lis. id., at the reduced scale, and a lease
of the " hall with the chamber adjoining, with the
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