Full text of "History of Worcester county, Massachusetts, embracing a comprehensive history of the county from its first settlement to the present time, with a history and description of its cities and towns"

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GOODELL
LIBRARY

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HISTOET

WOECESTEE COUNTY,

MASSACHUSETTS,

EMBRACING A

COMPREHENSIVE HISTORY OF THE COUNTY

FROM ITS FIRST SETTLEMENT TO THE PRESENT TIME,

WITH A

HISTORY AND DESCEIPTION OF ITS CITIES AND TOWNS.

>**^tl^^tj^J^*

11^ TWO TOLUMES.

Vol IL

BOSTON :
C. F. JEWETT AND COMPANY.

1879.

Entered according to Act of Congress in thie year 1879,

By C. F. JEWETT & COMPANY,

In the OfHce of the Librarian of Congi-css at Washington.

BOSTON :
WKIOHT ANB POTTER. PRIXTINO COMPANY,

NO. 79 MILK STREET.

CONTENTS.

YOL. II.

TOWNS IN WORCESTER COUNTY.

Leominster, .
Lunenburg, .
Mendon,

MlLFORD,
MiLLBURY,

New Braintree,

northborough,

northbridge,

Oakhabi,

Oxford,

Paxton,

Petersham. .

PniLLIPSTON,

Princeton, .

eoyalston, .

Rutland,

Shrewsbury,

Southborough,

Southbridge,

Spencer,

Sterling,

Sturbridge,

Sutton, .

Templeton,

Upton, .

Uxbridge,

Warren,

Webster,

Westborough,

West Boylstox,

Westminster,

Winciiendon,

Worcester, .

PAGE
1

Hon. Charles H. Merriam,

Adin C. Estabrook, 28

Joliu G. Metcalf, M. D., 42

Rev. Adin Ballon, 64

George A. Stockwell, A. M., 100

George K. Tufts, Esq., 118

Rev. Horace Button, 128

Rev. Abijali P. Marvin, 140

Maj. John B. Fairbank, 157

George A. Stockwell, A. M., 169

George A. Stockwell, A. M., 189

George W. Horr, LL. B., 199

George W. Horr, LL. B., 215

Hon. Charles Theodore Russell, 228

George W. Horr, LL. B 243

J. Warren Bigelow, Esq., 258

George A. Stockwell, A. M., 269

Dexter Newton, Esq., 284

Rev. Abijah P. Marvm, 295

Albert W. Curtis, Esq., 314

Rev. Abijah P. Marvin, 340

A. C. Morse, Esq., 353

Rev. William A. Benedict, 372

Varanus P. Parkhurst, Esq., 389

Hon. Velorous Taft, 409

George A. Stockwell, A. M., 421

Mrs. Eunice P. Cutter, 437

Frederick D. Brown, M. D., . . - 456

Rev. Ileman P. Do Forest, 479

Horatio Houghton, Esq., 500

Jonas Miller, Esq., 515

Rev. Abijah P. Marvin, 526

Charles A. Chase, A. M., 548

aiT/i^

iv CONTENTS.

INDEX TO TOWNS.

PAGE

LEOAnNSTER, 669

Lunenburg, 670

Mendon, , 671

MlLFORD, 672

Mlllbury, . . .■ 673

New Braintree, 675

northborough, 675

northbrldge, 676

Oakham, 677

Oxford, 678

Paxton, 680

Petersham, 680

Phillipston, 681

Princeton, 682

eoyalston, 683

Rutland, 684

Shrewsbury, 685

southborough, 686

Southbridge, 687

Spencer 688

Sterling, 689

Sturbridge, 690

Sutton, • .... 692

Templeton, 693

Upton, 694

Uxbridge, 695

Warren, 696

Webster, . . . • 698

Westborough, • 699

West Boylston, 700

Westahnster, 701

WiNCHENDON, 702

Worcester, 704

LIST OF ILLUSTRATIONS

The Salisbury Place, Leominster, ....

Manufactory of Joslin & Williams, Leominster,
Hopedale Machine Company's Works, Milford,
Estabrook, Wires & Co.'s Factor}',
Portrait of Rev. Peter Whitney, ....

Old Homestead of Rev, Peter Whitney, Northborough,
Whitinsville Cotton Mills, Northbridgc,
The Whitin Machine Works, " . .

Linwood Mill — Whitin Bros., " . .

Paul Whitin Manufacturing Corapauj-'s Mill, Northbridge,
Memorial Building, Northbridge, ....

Wachusett House, Princeton, ....

Residence of Thomas Rice, Shrevrsbury,

Old Homestead of Maj. Gen. A. Ward, Shrewsbury,

Sumner House, Shrewsbury, ....

Southbridge Print Works, Southbridge,

Marcy Homestead, " ...

Town Hall, Spencer, ......

Pope Mansion, Spencer, .....

Josiah Green & Co.'s Boot-factory, Spencer,
Residence of Levi Wilson, Uxbridge, . . * .
C. A. & S. M. Wheelock's Mill, Uxbridge, .

Rivulet Mill, Uxbridge,

Residence of H. N. Slater, Webster,
H. N. Slater's Cambric Works, "
Portrait of Samuel Slater,
H. N. Slater's Cotton Mill,
" " Woolen Mill,

Facing page 16
" 24

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80
96
130
136
142
142
144
144
152
232
272
280
280
302
310
316
320
334
424
432
432
464
464
468
470
470

[V]

LIST OF ILLUSTEATIONS.

The Dr. William Paine House, "Worcester,

The Chandler House, "Worcester, .

Forehand & Wadsworth Manufactor}-, Worcester,

Loring Goes & Co.'s Wrench-factory, "•

Works of Rice, Barton & Fales, "

Washburn Iron Companj^'s Works, "

Old South Church, Worcester,

All Saints' Church, "

Salisbury Mansion, "

Public Library Building, Worcester,

Washburn & Moen Manufacturing Co.'s Works, AV

Residence of A. Macullar, Worcester,
" " Geo. Crompton, "

J. n. & G. M. Walker's Factory, ''

Manufactory of T. K. Earle & Co. "

Residence of T. K. Earle,

Residence of Loring Coes,

Crompton Loom Works,

Crompton Carpet Co.
Residence of J. H. Walker,
Residence of Geo. S. Barton,
Union Passenger Station, "

Residence of Warren McFarland, "
Residence of J. Edwin Smith, "

Portrait of Levi Lincoln, "

Ames Plow Company's Building, "
Salisbury Building, "

Arcade Malleable Iron Works, "

E. W. Vaill's Chair Works, "

Stephen Salisbury's Factories,
Portrait of Ichabod Washburn,

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HISTORY OF WORCESTER COUNTY.

Vol. II.

LEOMINSTER

BY HON. CHARLES II. MERRIAM.

CHAPTER I.

ORIGINAL GRANTS — BOUNDARIES AND SURFACE — GEOLOGICAL STRUCTURE —
STREAMS AND WATER-SYSTEM FREEDOM FROM INDIANS FIRST SETTLE-
MENT PROPRIETORS' AGREEMENT PROGRESS FAVORABLE SITUATION

INDIAN DEED OF THE TOWN.

This town, situated in the north-easterly part of the county of Worcester,
forty miles by carriage-road and forty-six miles by the Fitchburg Railroad, and
fiCty-thrce miles by the Old Colony Railroad, from Boston, and twenty miles
from Worcester, was formerly — a large share of it — a part of Lancaster ; being
substantially the northerly half of what was called the "Lancaster New" or "Ad-
ditional Grant," a tract of land conveyed by George Tahanto, Sagamore of the
Nashua tribe of Indians, to Insigne John Moore, John Houghton, and Nathan-
iel Wilder, dated June 13, 1701, and recorded in the Piopiietors' Records,
now deposited with the records of the town of Leominster, and contirmcd to
the town of Lancaster by an order of the General Court, passed Nov. 21 and 22,
1711. To this was afterwards added, by chapter lOG, Acts of 1838, a part of
the unincorporated land lying westerly of the first tract, called "No Town."
The first tract contained 1G,G02 acres, or thirty-eight acres less than twenty-six
square miles, according to a survey made by Jonas Kendall, Charles Grout,
Levi Nichols, David Wilder, and Joseph G. Kendall, as a committee of the
town, in the year 1830; and the second, or "No Town " tract, about 2,000
acres, or a little over three square miles, making the present area about
twenty-nine square miles. This territory is mostly quite regular in shape,
and is bounded northerly by Fitchl)urg and Lunenburg ; easterly, by Lunen-
burg and Lancaster; southerly, by Sterling; and westerly by Princeton and
Westminster. The Lancaster "New Grant," including that part of it now

TOWN OF LEOMINSTER.

in Sterling, was described by the committee of the Council sent out to examine
it, while the subject of confirmatiou was before the General Court, as "rocky
and mountainous and poorly accommodated with meadow." Such, however,
would not seem to be a fair description of it at the present time ; certainly not
that'part of it in Leominster, the town of Leominster being considered one of
the best agricultural towns in the county. It is true that the surface is uneven
and that there arc twelve distinct hills, of greater or less magnitude, dotting
the various sections, the names of which are " Bigelow Hill," " North Monoos-
nock Hill," "Carter Hill," "Nichols' Hill," and "Houghton Hill," in the northern
portion ; "South Monoosnock Hill," "Sheldon Hill," "Gardner Hill," "Baberry
Hill," and "Long Hill," in the central ; and "Rocky Hill" and "Bee," or "Legate
Hill," in the southern portion. But only a small portion of the town is mountain-
ous or abrupt in formation, and seven out of the twelve hills are cultivated, or
capable of cultivation, to their very tops, having good roads over them, access-
ible in all parts for agricultural purposes, and furnishing some of the best grass
and tillage land in the State. The other hills, especially North and South
Monoosnock, are, in some parts, high, steep, and of granite formation; and
grow nothing in these parts, and furnish nothing of value, except wood and a
handsome variety of dark granite, suitable for building purposes and stone-
masonry generally, for which it has been, and is now, used quite extensively
in town and somewhat elsewhere. Other portions of the five hills are cul-
tivated, and furnish excellent pasture and mowing land. South Monoosnock
has an elevation of 1,020 feet above sea-level, and, in its central position,
towers in its rusTiredness above all its fellows; in combination with Nichols,
North Monoosnock, Carter, Sheldon, Gardner, Baberry, Long and Rocky
Hills, it forms a view of rich, elevated land and rugged hill-scenery through
the westerly part of the town, of rare beauty, and, as seen from some points,
hardly anywhere excelled.

The southerly portion of the town is plain land, flat or undulating, and of
sandy formation, and, while there is some good farming-land in this section,
the soil is much of it light and unfit for cultivation or grass. The valleys of the
Nashua and other streams contain fine intervale lands, producing good crops of
grass without much cultivation ; and the uplands, which are generally of a
strong, clayey soil, make excellent firms for the usual crops grown in Massa-
chusetts, and especially for the more hardy fruits, such as apples and pears, to
which they are largely devoted.

The geological formation is the Merrimack schist. In a portion of the cen-
tre village a very hard blue ledge comes nearly to the surf ice, and wells cannot
be dug without blasting, while the water obtained is quite hard, though perhaps
not unhealthy. In another section, on the plain lands, no water can be reached
without going down from sixty to eighty feet. Generally, however, there is
an abundant supply of good water, in wells of reasonable depth, for domestic
uses. Clay of good quality for bricks, and sand for mortar, arc found here at

LAKES AND STREAMS.

several points ; and there was a good supply of field-stones in most parts of
the town for fencing, to which nse they have been largely devoted on the farm s
and for rough walls and other purposes.

The "Nashua," or, as it was sometimes called in old records, "North" river,
which enters the town from Fitchburg on the north-westerly side about a mile
and a half from the most northerly corner thereof, is joined soon after by
Baker's Brook, also coming in from Fitchburg. A little farther north is a lanzo
stream, which flows through the north village by a pretty direct course soulh-
eastcrly to the town of Lancaster, at a point about a mile and a half from the
south-easterly corner of Leominster, cutting the town of Leominster into two
sections, jmd leaving about one-sixth of the whole territory on the north-east-
ei-ly side of the river. This river, most of the Avay in Leominster, passes
through a wide and comparatively level valley, though at some points havin<T^
sufScient fall to give excellent water-power. Four privileges have alreadj^ been
developed in town, where a large amount of machinery is run; and there arc
other places on the stream where good water-privileges might be taken u[).
The valley of this stream, for a considerable part of the distance in Leominster,
is formed on its southerly side by high, steep banks, which appear to have
been made by the wearing away of the deep, loose, gravely formation by the
action of the water in the time of freshets, dm-iuG: the lonir a<Tes it has been
working. Some of these banks are as much as seventy-five feet high, and arc
carved out as if done by the hand of art, leaving wide tracts of rich level sfrass
land renewed from year to year by the overflow. The " Scar," at the turn on
Main Street near the north village, is a sample of this working. The river at
some places is still busily wearing away these formations, bringing down the
stalely trees with giant power, and enlarging the area over which, in spring,
it roams at will, fertilizing and making productive its domain. Nothing could
be more grand than the thought of this silent but stupendous work, or more
lovely than some of these dales in summer.

The town is also divided again near its centre by "Monoosnock Brook,"
another considerable stream, rising in "Rocky Pond," in Leominster, and flow-
ing northerly through the Leominster Reservoir, and through a portion of
Fitchburg, back into Leominster, entering it on the same side as the Nashua,
farther south, and passing by a circuitous route through the centre village,
over a rapidly-dcseeuding surface to the Nashua River below the north village.
It furnishes a large juunber of mill-sites, eleven of which, within two miles'
distance in the centre village, have been taken up and afford power, Avith
the aid of the Leominster Reservoir, built by James IL Carter and other
manufacturers on the stream in 1850, for an extensive and profitable busi-
ness in various departments of manufacture ; and there are other sites in
town on this stream which can be taken up if Avantcd. "Morse Brook," with
its tributaries, "Slack Brook," "Hale Brook," "Haynes Brook," and " Quar-
ter-of-a-Milo Brook," all rising in Leominster, and emptying into "Mouoos-

TOWN OF LEOMINSTER.

nock Brook " in Morsovillc, near the centre vilhigo, has a large amount of
fall : and up to the time of the construction of the Leominster water-works,
which take their supply from this brook, it furnished a good deal of water-
power, privileges having been taken u[) and developed at five different places
thereon.

"Fall Brook," the next largest brook in town, rises near Baberry Hill, in
the southerly part of the town, and flows circuitously in an easterly direc-
tion into the Nashua Hiver near Lancaster line. This stream has a branch
which rises near Sheldon Hill, in " Colburn Reservoir," and which, for the
Avant of any other name, we call "Colburn Brook," flows easterly through
a portion of the centre village, having considerable fall, and furnishing, Avith
the aid of the reservoir above, a considerable amount of power, Avhich has been
taken up at three different places. It empties into Fall Brook in the easterly
part of the toAvn. A tributary of Colburn Brook, called "AYood's Brook," rises
near Long Hill, and, running easterly and northerly, empties into Colburn
Brook between Union and Pleasant streets. , Wood's Brook is not large
enough to furnish water-poAver worth utilizing. Fall Brook has at present
but one mill-site in use on it; but it is a very permanent stream, and up
to its ordinary flow furnishes as uniform power during all seasons as any
stream in toAvn. Fall Brook has another branch, called "Kendall Brook,"
rising near Bee Hill, Avbich runs northerly, furnishing power for the Davis
shop, and empties into Fall Brook near the Nashua River in the easterly part
of the town.

" Bartlett Brook," in the south-westerlj' corner of the town, rises near
Baberry Hill, and flows southerly, furnishing power to Bartlett's mill, into the
town of Sterling.

Chualoom Brook, the outlet of the pond of that name, lying mostly in
Lunenburg, flows southerlj' through a portion of Leominster into Lunenburg,
Avhere it empties into Massapong Pond. It is not now used for power, although
it formerly had a mill on it, Avith considerable machinery run by it. White's
Pond, lying mostly in Lancaster, has its outlet in Leominster, Avhich forms a
brook called "White's Brook," and Avhich flows westerly and southerly into the
Nashua River, but is not used for power. There are some other small brooks
in town, draining small areas, and furnishing AA^ater for some purposes ; but
these are not of much magnitude. The town has but one natural pond of ranch
size wholly Avithin its limits, Avhich is Rocky Pond, in the south-Avesterly part
of the town, in Avhat formerly was "No Town." This pond has an area of
about ten acres, is quite deep, and is the principal source of Monoosnock
Brook; it formerly contained a large quantity of fish.

The easterly line of the toAvn includes a small portion of White's Pond, and
the north-easterly line a small part of Chualoom Pond. With these ponds and
streams scattered over its surface, but a small portion of the town is deficient
in a good natural supply of water ; but the part not supplied is an important

FREEDOM FROM INDIANS.

one, enibracinp^ a section of the centre village, and the land near to it, being
that most wanted, in the growth of the town, for building purposes. Nature,
however, has prepared one of the best places anywhere to be found, within
our own borders, for supplying this deficiency, as well as for supplying pure
aqueduct water generally, which, by the construction of the water-works, has
been made available on substantiall}'' all the streets in both villages.

In addition to these many desirable qualities, this ]an<l, when taken posses-
sion of by the first settlers, was covered with a magnificent growth of walnut,
oak, birch, maple, pine, chestnut, hemlock, and other varieties of wood and
timber. Taking, then, into account all the physical features of value and
attraction, it is easy to see why our fathers selected this place for the building
of a home, notwithstanding the unfavorable report of it referred to ; and to find
in them an important reason why they and their descendants have so abund-
antly flourished here.

The town of Leominster is substantially devoid of Indian history. It is true
that the whole territory of this town, as was also that of many other towns
around, was originally owned by Sholan, or Shauman, sachem of the Nasha-
ways, whose residence and headquarters was Waushacum, now Sterling, and
was occupied as hunting-grounds by him and his tribe. Very little, however,
is now knowni about the connection of these Indians with the land composing
the town of Leominster, the tribe having ceased to exist in any organized form
in this region before the Lancaster new grant was much settled by white men,
or the town of Leominster had been incorporated. It does not now appear
that any of these Indians ever had a permanent place of residence within the
boundaries of this town, or that they ever used any of this land for other than
hunting purposes, or that they ever troubled any white inhabitant of the
town :iftcr it was settled. This may have been, and probably was, owing
somewhat to the fact that the land had been purchased of the chief, and paid
for to his full satisfaction, and that no dispute or ill-feeling, so far as is known,
ever arose between the purchasers of this land and the Indians about the title
to it, although the grant embraced the home and headquarters of the chief;
also to the fact that the power, and with it the courage and spirit, of the tribe
and its rulers, had been thoroughly broken by the deadly contests with the
earlier settlers in the region for possession of and supremacy over the land
which had come down to them as the home of their fiithers, — for how many gen-
erations there is no record, — and which they valued as hunting-grounds, and
for its productions, with which to support themselves and their children ; and
which they loved as a home, in some degree as we love it now. This had
resulted in great slaughter and defeat; and from the effects of this, and the
advancing civilization brought by the new settlers, they seem, as a tribe, to
have uone into eternal oblivion.

The first organized movement made by individuals, looking to the division
and settlement of the Lancaster new grant, was made at a town meeting in

TOWN OF LEOMINSTER.

Luncaster, Eel). 5Lh, 1711, N. S., by the preparation and partial execution of
tlic following agreement, the signing of which, by the persons whose names are
attached thereto, was afterwards completed according to its terms, so far as is
known, viz. : —

" Know all men hy these presents that we y® subscribers beins: desirous to jc-ine in y®
puichaseingof a tract of land which lyeth on the west side of the township of Lancas-
ter, which lands have been formerly petitioned for to the General Court which Ihe
Inhal)itants of said Lancaster are still in pursuance of, and their petition is now with
v** Court for granting the same, and considerable money hath already been paid to
George Tahanto and other Indians towards the purchasing of said land though not as
yet consumated. Wee the; subscribers do hereby bind ourselves our heirs executors &
administrators firmly by these presents each one his & theire equall share of the pur-
chase of said land & of all charges that have or shall be necesseircly expended about
the same: and to run equall hazard of obtaining 3 "^ said land, Provided that if the
said land be obtained we shall have each one an equall share of it, considered as lo
quantity and quality : and the whole of the money to be paid unto such person of the
town as shall be appointed by them to receive the same : at or before y® tifth day of
March next: & shall subscribe hereto at or before the 15th day of Felirnary current:
or else to lay no claim to the said land. Dated February y^ fifth 1710-1 L Some of
y^ persons subscribe:! y® same day : and others had their names entered afterwards,
the whole being ninety-eight that were the purchasers of said Land.

John Prentice.
David Whetcomb.
Jonas Houghton, Jr.
John Houghton, Sen.
John IIarrcs«.
Jonathan Wheeler.
Joseph Houghton.
Edward Ilartwell.
Bozalecl Sawyer.
Thomas Wilder, Sen.
Joshua Atherton.
Matthew Stone.
Henry Willard.
Josiah White, Jun'.
James Snow.
John Willard.
Gabriel Priest.
Ephraim Wilder.
Ebenezcr Boaman.
James Atherton, Jun^
Joseph Ilutchins.
JamQs Houghton.
Benjamin Houghton.
Peter Joslin.
Jonathan Willard.
Josei^h Fairbank.
William Sawyer.
William Houghton.
Josiah White, Sen'.
Mar\' Wilder, Widow.
Jonathan Wilder.
James Wilder.
Thomas Ross.

Jonathan Moor.
Samuel 1 Carter.
Thomas Carter.
Nathanil Wilder.
Benjamin Bellows.
John Whetcomb.
Samuel Willard.
Jonathan Sawyer.
Josiah Willard.
John Moore.
John Beaman, Jnn^
Gcumaliel Beaman.
Ebenezcr Wilder
Jonas Houghton, Sen^
John Goss.
Jacob Houghton.
Josei)h Whcelock.
John Warner, Sen'.
John Warner, Jun''.
Henry Houghton.
William Blodgett.
Joseph Brabrook.
Josiah Sawtell.
Josiah Whetcomb, Jun'
John Kendall.
Benjamin Harris.
Joseph Willard.
Elias Sawyer.
John Wilder, Sen'.
Thomas Sawyer.
Nathaniel Sawyer.
Joseph Wilder.
Thomas Tooker.

Jabez Fairbank.
John While.
Samuel Warner.
Hooker Wood, Jun'.
Daniel Priest.
Jonathan Ilonghton.
llezakiah Willard.
John Beaman, Sen'.
Robert Houghton, Jn'.
George Glazier.
John Prcscott.
Thomas Wilder, Ju'.
J>jhn Keyes.
John Johnson.
Ebenezcr Prcscott.
William Divoll.
Simon Aeevens.
Ilezekiah Whetcomb.
Caleb Sawyer.
Samuel Gibbs.
Samuel Bennett.
John Wildei', Jun'.
John Bowers.
Robert Honghton, Ju'.
Josiah Wheeller.
Oliver Wilder.
John Priest.
Joseph Sawyer.
Jonathan Wlietcomb.
Richard W^ilder.
Edward Pi)cl|)s.
Jeremiah Willson, Jnn'.
John Houghton, Jun'."

EARLY POPULATION.

The first persons who were actual settlers of the tosvn of which we have any
account were Gershoni Houghton and James Boutell, who erected houses here
in the year 1725 — the first on what is now the Charles C. Boyden place on
Pleasant Street, in the southerly part, and the second on the Calvin Morse
place, on Cole Street, in the south-westerly part of the town. In 1732, Jon-
athan White settled on the farm now owned hv Jackson King on Main Street,

I/O '

in the northerly ])art of town. In 1733, Thomas Wilder and Nathaniel Carter,
and soon after Benjamin Whetcomb, Jonathan Wilson, Jonathan Carter, Wil-
liiim Divoll, Gardner Wilder, Ebenczcr Policy, Oliver Carter, Josiah Carter,
Thomas Iloughton, Thomas Davenport, and others, came in and settled in vari-
ous parts of the town ; so that while at the end of nineteen years after the con-
iirmatio!! by the General Court of the new grant to the town of Lancaster, or
in 1732, only-two houses had been built, and so far as is now known, there
were not more than live fimilies settled on the territory comprising the present
townof Leominster. In 1733, five years later, so i-apid had bce.a the increase, that
a movement was begun by those living in this section to secure a division of the
old town of Lancast 4-, and the incorporation of the new town of Leominster.
These first settlers were generally hardy, intelligent and industrious farmers,
well fitted by birth and education for the work they were undertaking, of sub-
duing the forests and building up a thrifty and prosperous community, where
they and their descendants might enjoy the blessing of peace, plenty, educa-
tion and religion. This was afterwards shown by the results of their efforts. It is
said by the Hon. David Wilder in his history of the town, published in 1852,
that "few, if any, of the original proprietors removed on to the new grant, but
their sons were among the first settlers." This is no doubt true, as it was more
th;m twenty-five years after the confirmation, and nearly twenty after the first
organization of the l)ody of proprietors, before there was any considera-
ble number of settlers on the land ; and it is not to be supposed that the
staid farmers who were mostly the leading men of Lancaster at the time, after
twenty years would be likely to break up their well-settled homes, — in so rich
and beautiful a town as Lancaster was at that time, — and move into this com-
jiarative wilderness and begin the work over, of building new homes, in
old age. But that their sons should take up this inheritance of the fathers for
that pur[)ose is altogether likely ; and the fact that only two surnames appear
in Wilder's history among the early settlers other than the forty-one diflcrent
surnames attached to the proprietors' agreement, and only a few surnames of
men belonging here other than those of original proprietors appear anywhere
in the town records for twenty-five years alter its incorporation, shows pretty
conclusively that these first settlers, not the original proprietors, were gener-
ally their sons and relatives, coming here from Lancaster.

These early settlers seem to have been solid, substantial and energetic, rather
than brilliant and striking men, and these qualities characterizing the first set-
tlers, ajjpear to have come down to a large extent through all the generatious

8 TOWN OF LEOMINSTER.

to the present time. Hence no very distinguished persons in any department
of life liave been born here, though the town has always had strong and effect-
ive native sons, at home and abroad, and some that have attained considerable
distinction. They have been solid rather than brilliant men, good, successful
workers, but not being, or aspiring to be, geniuses.

The pioneers in the settlement of this town, and their immediate descendants,
were singularly exempt from those peculiar hardships and trying adventures
to which the early settlers of the parent town of Lancaster, and of many other
towns in the State, were subjected in their early history. The circumstances
under which the settlers began here were favorable to such a result. They
were at first a part of the town of Lancaster, which was one of the oldest towns
in the State, and one which had suffered bitter ex{)eriences, and fought its way
to supremacy over all contending forces, and had become wise in the manage-
ment of affairs. These men who had done this in the old town were largely
the fathers and near relatives of the pioneers here, and were ready to stand by
and counsel and assist them in any emergency ; and the first settlers themselves
were, many of them, men of standing and experience in the old town, and knew
how to manage the new one so as to secure peace and good order rather than
strife and contention, and how to thrive and succeed under adverse circum-
stances. So that the town has no striking features of hardship, suffering, or
disaster in its early history. It is true that the life of the pioneers here, was,
like that of all new settlers, one of toil, and in many instances of scantiness, if
not of poverty, as compared with the present. Yet a study of their records,
and the little history, in detail, preserved of them, show that they were men
fitted for their lot, healthy and robust, cheerful and hearty, with their noblo
wives, and larjje growinsj families around them, — all at home on the farm,
harmoniously working together, in unity of object and spirit, on the land which
was the common heritage of the family, secured to it by honest toil and sacri-
fice, and with many of them the only place they had ever known or loved as a
home, forming with these families independent communities, a sort of little
states, ruled over by the pioneer fathers, sometimes, it is true, in great strict-
ness, yet always in love ; being in their simple ways exempt from much of the
wear and strain of the present, and having many comforts and pleasures even,
which it is hard to secure now.

The earliest known land grant connected with the history of the town of
Leominster is the one made by George Tahanto of the Indian title to the Lan-
caster " New Grant," before referred to, which has sometimes been called an
agreement, but which was evidently intended to be a deed, and designed to
convey that restricted title which the legislature and the courts of this Com-
monwealth at an early day recognized as belonging to the Indian tribes within
her borders to the land therein described. This deed is as follows : —

" The Bargain of George Tahanto and other Indians, for land of them j^urchased, &g.
" Know all men by these presents, That I, George Tahanto, Indian Sagamore, for

INCORPORATION.

and in consirleralion of what money, namely, twelve pounds, was formerly paid to
Sliolan, my Uncle, sometime Sagamore of Nashuah, for the t)urcliase of said townsliip,
and also forty-six shillings formerly paid by Insignc John Moore and Jolin Houghton
of said Nashuah to James Wiser, alias Qticnepenett, now deceased, but especially for
and in consideration of eighteen jwunds paid part, and the rest secured to be paid, by
Jolm Houghton and Nathaniel Wilder, their heirs, executors and assigns forever, a
certain tract of land on the West side of the Westward line of said Nashuah township,
adjoining to said line, and butts southerly for the most part on the Nashuah river, bear-
ing westerly towaids Wachusett Hills, and runs northerly as far as Nashuah township,
and which land and meadows, be it more or less, to be to the said Insigne John Moore,
John Houghton, and Nathaniel Wilder, their heirs and assigns, to have and to hold
forever. And I, the said George Tahanto, do hereby promise and engage to procure an
order from the honored General Court, for their allowance and confirmation of the sale
of said lands as above said, and also that I will show and mark out the bounds of said
lands in convenient time, not exceeding four months : and also make such deeds and
conveyances as ma}' be necessary for the confirmation of the premises, and also I the
said Geoige Tahanto do by these presents fully ratifie & confirm all and every the said
premises of Nashuah, alias Lancaster to the Inhabitants and Proprietors thereof;
according as it was formerly granted to them or their ancestors, by my Uncle Sholan :
and laid out to them by Ensigne Thomas Noyes and confirmed by the Honored General
Court, for the [ierformance of all as above said, I the said George Tahanto have set to
my hand and seal, this twenty-sixth day of June. In the thirteenth year of the Reigne
of our Sovereign Lord William the Third over England &c King. Annoq® Domini one
thousand seven hundred and one.

In presence of George Tahanto

John Wonsquon his O m^^ik

his Q mark Mary Aunsocamug

John Aquitticus her Q mark

his Jj mark
Peter Puckataugh

his P mark
Jonathan Wilder
John Guild

This conveyance was afterwards confirmed, as before stated; and is the
fonudation of all the laud titles within the territory first granted by it, which
titles thereunder have never been questioned. No other early laud grants of
special interest are kuowu of any part of the town.

CHAPTER II.

INCORPORATION OF THE TOWN — FIRST BUSINESS — CHURCH HISTORY — BUILD-
ING OF A ilEETING-IIOUSE EARLY TASTORS — LATER RELIGIOUS ENTERPRISES

EDUCATIONAL MATTERS ESTABLISHMENT OF SCHOOLS AMPLE PROVISION

FOR PUPILS.

The town was incorporated by an Act of the Legislature, June 23, O. S.,
July 4, N. S., 1740, being the 151st town incorporated in the State as
it then existed, including what is now the State of Maine, set off in 1820.

VOL. II.— 2

10 TOWN OF LEOMINSTER.

The first town meeting was "notified iind warned" by Joseph Wheclock, "one
of the Principal Inhabitants," by anthority of an order from the General Court,
passed June 25, 1740, whose return of the same is dated July 7, 1740, whei-ein
he says : "I have notified and warned all the Inhabitants within said Township
to assemble and convene at the House of Mr. Jonathan White, Innholder in
said Town, on Wednesday ye ninth day of July instant, at eight of the clock
in the forenoon, then and there to choose officers for said Town as within men-
tioned." The record of the meeting says that, " At a meeting legally warned
the Inhabitance of the town of Leominster being meet at the House of Jonathan
White, Innholder, within said Town on Wednesday the ninth day of July
Annoque Domini 1740 and choose jNIr. Joseph Wheelock, Moderator for the
goverment of said meeting" — and that they "choose and swore Thomas
Houghton, Town Clerk ;" Thomas Houghton,EbenezerPolley, Jonathan Wilson,
Nathaniel Carter and Thomas Wilder, assc:tsors and selectmen ; Gershom
Houghton, town treasurer; William Divol, constable; Gardner Wilder and
Jonathan Carter, fence viewers; Jonathan White, sealer of weights and
measures; Benjamin Whitcomb, collector and sealer of leather ; Joseph Whee-
lock and Nathaniel Carter, surveyors of highways ; Cenjamin Whitcomb and
Gardner Wilder, hog reeves ; Thomas Davenport, surveyor of clapljoards and
shingles ; and Ebenezer Policy and Thomas Houghton, men to take care of the
deer, &c. No other business seems to have been transacted at the first
meeting.

The second town meetins: in the order of date, though not in the order of
record in the book, was held at the house of Benjamin Whitcomb, innholder,
Sept. 1, 1740. Ebenezer Policy was chosen moderator. At this meeting, —

" First. The Town voted to Buikl a Bridge Cross the river whare the Road is laid
out to sd. river.

" Second. The Town voted to raise forty pounds for the Buikling of Said Bridge:
■which forty pounds is to be Wrought out as Highway Work b}' the Survaiors of said
town allowing each man four shillings ^ da^'^ and two shillings ^ day for a yoakc of
.oxen and one shilling for a cart a day."

This was all the business transacted at this meetins:, and doubtless refers to
a bridge across the Nashua River at the North Village, where the present stone
bridsfe is on JNIain Street, which was afterwards referred to in the records as
the "i^reat bridge."

The third meeting was held at the house of Benjamin Whitcomb, "Innholder
within said Town, on Monday ye fifteenth day of Deceml)er Annoque Domini
1740." Thomas Davenport was chosen Moderator. At this meeting : —

" First. Voted, that thay would build a Meeting House in the 'year forty one.

" Second. The Town voted to build yc, Meeting House fifty feet in length and forty
feet in Bredth and Twenty three feet in Height.

" Third. The Town voted to choose a committee of three men namely Jonathan
White, Joseph Wheelock, Nathaniel Carter, to see that the work be done.

MEETING-HOUSE BUILT. 11

" Fourth. The Town voted that the committee should have a Carpenter to hew and
Frame said House allowing all the Inhabitance a liberty to Avork his proportion if he
come to work when he is notified by said committee and shall be allowed six shillinixs
a day and three shillings a day for a yoake of oxen and tJiay are to begin work the last
of March next.

" Fifth. The Town voted to raise two hundred pounds money to defray the charges
of building said house as far as it will do."

"The town voted that the meeting-house should be built on the north side of
the holh)\v at the cast side of Ebcnezer Houghton's field, it being the' Itmd that
Ebenezcr Wilder offered to give said town, for the accommodation of building
a meeting-house on."

"The town voted to raise forty pounds money to provide weights and measures
and a town-stock of powder and bullets and flints and a town-book, and to
defray other town charges."

These three meetings were all that were held the first season after the town
was incorporated ; and the business transacted in them, simple as it was,
constituted the civil organization with wuicli it started off; namely, a set of
town officers, provision for a bridge over the only stream that could not be
forded at all times, for a meeting-house, for a stock of ammunition and flints,
for a record book and for some small incidental expenses.

When Leominster was incorporated, towns being parishes as well as munici-
palities, the first business after the organization was to build a meeting-house
and settle a minister. The first of these duties was done here in 1741, under
the vote passed at the third town-meeting, held Dec. 15, 1740, so far as to
raise the frame of a meeting-house 45 by 35 feet on the ground and 22 feet
high, and board and cover it and lay a loose floor, with probably a few glass
windows and some movable seats. This house was first occupied for religious
worship in the winter of 1742, but was not completed and painted till 1753.
It stood in the north-westerly corner of what is now the old cemetery ; and
was used by the town as a place of religious worship and for town-meetings
till 1775, when it was sold at public auction and removed to Still Kiver, in
Harvard, and there used as a meeting-house. The next meeting-house was
built by the town in 1774-5, on the land now used as the Centre Common.
This house was occupied by the town for the same purposes as the old one till
Oct. 12, 1823 ; when, the present Unitarian meeting-house having been com-
pleted by the towai at a cost of $8,000, on land purchased in 1817 of the widow-
Maria Chase for that purpose, leave was taken of the old house, which was
afterwards moved on to the land bought of Mrs. Chase, and made into a town
house, and there used for town purposes till 1851, when the present town
house was completed, and subsequently into a high school building with a
public hall in it, known as Gardner Hall ; and in 1870 was consumed by fire.

The first minister of the town was John Kogcrs, a lineal descendant of the
martyr of that name, and a son of Rev. John Rogers of Boxford, Mass., born

12 TOWN OF LEOMINSTER.

Sept. 24, 1712, and a graduate of Harvard University in 1732, and was thirty-
one jears old when ordained in 1743. He is said to have been a man of
learning and al)ility, and was understood when settled to be strictly orthodox
in his religious views, according to the sentiments of his time and locality ; but
it was found after ten or twelve years that he was more liberal than a majority
of his parish, and a movement was made by those who were dissatisfied to have
him dismissed, which resulted, after a long contest — in which there was more
or less ill-feeliuij in the town and church meetings, where he seems to have
been in the minority ; before councils, where he did not succeed ; and before
the courts, where the matter was finally arranged — in the connection being
severed in 17G2 by mutual agreement, Mr. Rogers being paid what was louud
due him. A second precinct being incorporated in town, Mv. Rogers bec-.unc
and continued its minister nearly twenty-five years, till about the time of his
death, Oct. G, 1789. In 1788 the town was again united in one parish and
church by act of the General Court. Mr. Rogers, having been dismissed by
a vote of both the town and church, Jan. 28, 1738, soon after ceased to
preach, except to his followers in their own houses and in school-houses; but
the town did not hasten to settle any one in his place till its difficulties were
settled with ISIr. Rogers. Dec. 22, 17G2, however, after hearing a number of
candidates, and having united in calling Mr. Francis Gardner, a son of Rev.
John Gardner of Stow, Mass., born Feb. 29, 173G, and a graduate of Harvard
University in 1755, the town and church joined in his ordination as their
second minister. Mr. Gardner proving to be a man of good sense and
reasonable liberality in sentiment, as well as a fine scholar and an excellent
business man, was generally satisfactory to all classes, and continued to preach
to a united congregation almost fifty-two j'curs, till his death, which occurred
suddenly at Watertown, on his way to Boston, June 2, 1814. His remains lie
buried in the old cemetery.

The church in February, and the town at the annual town-meeting in Mtirch,
1815, made choice of Rev. William Bascom, formerly the minister at Fitch-
buro^ ; and May 10, of the same year he was installed as the third minister of
the town and church. Mr. Bascom was no doubt less broad and cath(jlic in
his views and feelings than his predecessors, and being so unfortunate as to
follow so long and pleasant a pastorate as that of Mr. Gardner's, — as is often
the case in parishes so situated, — was unable to satisfy, and was dismissed, at
his own request, after about five years' service, March 2, 1820. IIo was a
graduate of Harvard in 1802, and is said to have been an excellent man in all
private relations.

Mr. Abel Conant, the fourth and last minister of the town, born in Milford,
N. II., July 17, 1793, and graduated at Dartmouth College in 1815, and for
some time preceptor of Groton Academy, was ordained Jan. 24, 1821 ; and
after a pleasant and successful ministry of more than fifteen years, — during
which the parish, May 4, 1835, was severed from the town and formed into

EECENT DENOMINATIONS. 13

the First Congregcational Society of Leominster, the new society being still the
first parish and succeeding to all the property and rights held by the town in
its parochial capacity, — died of scrofulu, Dec. G, 1836.

Thus, for nearly a hundred years, the town in its corporate capacity
maintained a minister of the gospel and the ordinary services of a church and
society of the Christian religion without much division. The preaching was
generally broad and unsectarian in its character, and intellectually of a high
order; and the ministers employed were noble and true men, leaving a deep
unsectarian, though somewhat conservative religious impression upon the
people generally, Avhich manifests itself to this day.

The old church, under its new organization, continued to flourish, was
one of the largest country societies in the denomination, and had some very
able ministers settled over it ; but within the last few years, though still a
strong society, it has suffered from the loss of many of its best supporters by
death. Its present minister is Rev. AVilliam 11. Savage.

The Orthodox Congregational Society of Leominster was organized under
the name of the Evangelical Society, Dec. 25, 1822, consisting at the start of
only ten membors. Its first meeting-house was erected in 1824, and is now
the Catholic Church on Main Street, having been occupied l)y its builders until
sold to the jNIethodist Society in 1838. Its second place of worship was erected
on its present lot, on Park Street, in 1836, and dedicated Feb. 8, 1837. This
house Avas struck by lightning in 1850, and came near being destroyed.
In IMarch, 1871, it caught fire from an over-heated furnace, and was en-
tirely consumed. The society had, previously to the fire, arranged to build
its present splendid brick church during the then coming season, which was
completed so as to be dedicated in Aug. 19, 1873, costing about $63,000
besides the lot. It seats about eight hundred and fifty persons, and is one of
the finest country churches in the State. Soon after the new church was built
a portion of the members formed a new society at the North Village, under the
name of the Congregational Society of Christ, which division, with the large debt
incurred in the new church building, drew pretty hard and almost discouraged
some ; but, by great effort, the debt has been largely provided for, and the
prospects of the society made promising. This society is now without a
minister.

The Methodist Episcopal Society was formed March 27, 1823, and the
church legally organized March 10, 1828. Its first meeting-house, standing at
what is now the corner of Prospect and Harvard streets, and at present used
for a dwelling-house, was dedicated in December, 1829, and Avas used till
January, 1839, when the society removed to the house purchased by it of the
Evangelical Society, on Main Street. The society enlarged the last-named
house in 1839, erected a steeple on it, and afterwards occupied the house till
it was sold to the Catholic bishop in 1871 ; the society then removed to its
present beautiful brick church, on Main Street, in 1872, which it had previously

14 TOWN OF LEOMINSTER.

erected at a cost of some $65,000, and which has a seating capacity of eight hun-
dred and fifty. The ministers of this society being of the itinerant order, and
remaining but short periods, have consequently been numerous. The debt of
the society at the beginning of the recent hard times was quite large, and some
of its best supjjorters suffered severely from the pressure, so that, for a time,
its prospects seemed somewhat dark ; but by courage, devotion and good man-
agement, it seems in a fair way to overcome its difficulties, and be a power for
good in the future as in the past. Its present minister is Rev. E. A. Smith.

The Central Baptist Church of Leominster was duly organized March 10,
1850, by the former members, principally, of the Baptist Church established
April 30, 1821, and dissolved Oct 27, 1849. It was really but a re-organization
of the Baptist sentiment in town, which began with the conversion of Capt.
David Allen and his wife in 1818, and which, for a time, was connected with
the Baptist Church in Holden, and afterwards helped to form a Baptist church
in Princeton, with which it remained, either as a branch or otherwise, for many
years. The first place of worship of this society was the old John Richardson
tailor-shop, on Main Street. Its first meeting-house, built by Capt. David
Allen, between Oct. 23, 1830, and July 2, 1832, — the building contract bear-
ing the former and the receipt the latter date, — for $834.35, on land now
occupied for a residence by S. A. Meads, which was a gift to the society by
Calvin Joslin, was occupied by it until its dissolution in 1849, and was after-
wards owned and used by the Catholics until they purchased their present house
of worship on Main Street. At present it is occupied b}'^ said Meads as a barn
and carpenter's shop. In 1849 the new society purchased its church-site, on
West Street, of the First Congregational Society, and erected its present
symmetrical and tasty church-edifice, with a seating capacity of four hundred
persons. This society, although it has had many discouragements and made
frequent changes of pastors, is now in a flourishing condition under their pres-
ent popular minister, the Rev. O. D. Kimball, settled Sept. 1, 1876.

The first movement for the formation of a Catholic congregation in Leomin-
ster was made in 1849, when Rev. M. W. Gibson, pastor at Worcester, came
here and said mass in one of the Catholic families. He subsequently continued
his visits monthly; and, as the numbers increased, applied to the selectmen
for the use of the town hall, which was generously granted, and services were
held there twice a month. In 1851 the small meeting-house owned by the
Baptist Society, on INIain Street, near the North Village, was purchased and
fitted up, and when Fitchburg was assigned a resident pastor, Leominster
formed part of that parish, and was attended by the priests thereof; viz.,
Fathers Turpin and Foley. In 1871 their present church and parsonage were
bought of the Methodist Society, and refitted to suit their purposes ; and, to
accommodate their increasing numbers, remodeled and very much enlarged
in 1876, so as to give a seating capacity of eight hundred, making a fine
church. Leominster was made an independent parish in 1872, and the present

EDUCATIONAL POLICY. 15

efficient pastor, Rev. Daniel Shell, appointed ; the church was cledicated to
Almighty God, under the patronage of St. Leo, and is now a large and flour-
ishing parish.

The Congregational Society of Christ, at the North Village, was organized
in 1872, and has worshipped in Kendall Hall so far, but has a very tasty new
meeting-house nearly completed, on an eligible site on Main Street, in the
village. The society takes in a large share of all the church-goers in the
northerly part of the town, and under its present minister, Rev. E. G. Smith,
appears to bo flourishing, and promises to be a strong society.

From the incorporation of the town in 1740 to the pr.^sent time the inhab-
itants of Leominster have ever taken a deep and active interest in the welfare
of their public schools. The schools have always been sustained by generous
appropriations of money ; and the adoption of a Aviso and efEcient management
by the early settlers has contributed largely to the acknowledged success of the
schools. Leominster is one of the few towns of the Commonwealth that was
never divided into legal " school districts." The laws authorizins: towns to
divide their respective territories into school districts were never adopted by
the inhabitants of Leominster.

Not only did the town repeatedly refuse to divide its territory into school
districts, thus avoiding the evils of district corporations, but also, in several
instances, anticipated the action of the General Court in requiring and making
provision for a more systematic supervision of the public schools. For more
than half a century — from 1747 to 1803 — the schools were examined once
a year, at the close of the winter term, by the clergyman and the selectmen.
During that period the school-books were few — the Bible, Psalter and
Dilworth's spelling-book being the principal ones; but soon afterwards the
books used in the schools became too numerous, since almost every teacher
would introduce new ones. The result was, that scarcely any two schools in
town had the same books. To remedy this evil, and to provide for a better
inspection of the schools, the town early in 1803 chose a school-committee,
whose duty it should be to visit the winter schools at the beginning as well as
the close of the term, to take the books into their own hands, to select the
lessons, and make a thorough examination of the several classes. The school-
committee were also authorized to prescribe what books should be u<ed in the
several schools ; hence they became uniform throughout the town. About the
same time registers, somewhat similar to those now required by law, were
introduced. Thus the town anticipated, by nearly a quarter of a century', the
action of the State, in making provision for a better supervision of the public
schools ; for it was not till 1826 that the law was enacted, making it obligatory
on towns to choose a committee to superintend the schools. Such was the
system established by the fathers for the management of their schools ; and in
the same just, equal, and republican spirit, have the school aflairs of the town
been administered to the present time, with such modifications as have been

IG TOWN OF LEOMINSTER.

made ucocssaiy by the increasing population in the Centre and at the North
Vilhige dining the hist quarter of a century.

For a period of fifty-seven years, from 1791 to 1848, the money raised for
the support of schools was divided equally, or nearly so, among the schools in
different parts of the town. Sometimes this equal division Avas made of all
but $75 or $100, and the balance was distributed at the discretion of the select-
men, or of a committee chosen for that purpose, or of the school-committee ;
and this equal division was just and equitable, for all the schools were what
are now called "mixed schools," and the circumstances of all were very
similar. But in 1850 the number of families in town had increased to five
hundred or more, and in order to meet the icquisillons of the law it became
necessary to establish a High School. Since that time the number of scholars
in the Centre and North Village has increased so rapidly that at the present
time, besides the High School with its two departments, three teachers and
more than a hundred pupils, it requires the maintenance of three grammar and
eight intermediate or primary schools to accommodate them all, where fcjrmerly
there were but two mixed schools. This concentration of the population and
school-children in the Centre Village made it practicable to make a proper and
desirable classification of the scholars.

This grading of the schools constituted the first important innovation upon
the old-time custom of supporting separate mixed schools in ditFcrent parts of
the town. In all schools where it is practical)le, a proper classification of the
scholars has now, for such a length of time, been proved to bo so manifestly
beneficial in its results, that it requires no argument to be ofTercd in its favor.
Of course, the establishment of the hiirh and graded schools, in the Centre and
North Village, rendered imperative some modification of the former method of
distributing the school money. Still the same principle is acted upon in
giving, so far as practicable, an equal amount of money to all the common
schools, with the intent that all shall enjoy equal school privileges.

The most important departure from the ancient method of managing school
affairs lies in this, that since 18G9 the town has entrusted the care of the school-
houses and the selection of the teachers entirely to the school committee,
instead of another committee chosen for that purpose.

Another innovation of recent origin consists in desi^fuatinir the several
schools by means of numbers, which is equally as definite as the former
method, and avoids the use of the word "districts" as inapplicable to towns
not legally so divided, and also the word " wards " as not legitimate in the
meaning for which it was used. But this change is not material. The spirit
and animus of the ancient system remains ; for the town, in its corporate
capacity, still builds all the school-houses, takes care of and keeps them in
repair, divides the school money as equally as circumstances allow among the
several schools, and hires and contracts with all the teachers by a committee
chosen for that purpose. And though that committee be the school committee,

THK SAi.TsHi iiv Tr.\CK, T,i;o:« iNsiKU, :mass.

SCHOOL APPROPRIATIONS. 17

they are none the less chosen officers of the town, and their continuance in
office depends upon the will of its citizens.

The wisdom and excellence of the school system is abundantly manifested
by the prosperity of the schools, and is further illustrated by its capability of
expansion to any extent to meet the wants of an increasing population. And
the reverent gratitude of the present generation is due the fathers for the
inheritance of a school system so nearly perfect in itself, and so eminently
adiiptcd to its wants.

In December, 1747, the first money was raised "for schooling," and it was
voted " that it should be schooled out, one half on the north side of the river
and the other half on the south side of the river." Of course, the schools must
have been kept in private houses. The sum raised was about £10, or $40. In
those days, and until the Revolution, £1 sterling was about the same value as
$4 in silver. In 1748, the town, at the March meeting, also voted "to build a
school-house and set it at ye moeting-house in said town," but it was not built
till the next year, 1749. So here, as elsewhere, the descendants of the Pilgrims
planted the school-house hard by the meeting-house. First the church was
organized, and then schools were established for the formation of a reliijious
and educated community. The amount of money raised for schools during the
first ten years, 1747-1757, varied from £10 to £13 6.9. Sd., or from about $40
to $56.

During the second decade, 1757-1767, the sum raised for schools gradually
increased from £15 to £40, or from $60 to §160. Some years this amount was all
expended at the school-house ; in other years at three places, as the selectmen
should think proper.

Thus for the first twenty years after the first money was rai-sed for the sup-
port of schools in 1747, there was but one school-house in town, and that was
in the Centre near the meeting-house. For some years there was but one
school kept, either winter or summer, and this was at the school-house ; at
other times, particularly in the latter half of the period, there were three
schools during the summer taught by women, one in the school-house at the
Centre, one in the northern, the third in the southern part of the town in pri-
vate houses.

In 17G7 it was "voted to divide the town into three parts for schooling."
It Avas also "voted that the town should pay the charge of building three new
school-houses, one in each part of the town" ; and these school-houses afforded
all the accommodations for attending school that the children enjoyed for the
next twenty-four years, or till 1702, though the population of the town in 1790
had reached the number of 1,197, consisting of about two hundred families.

From 1767 to 1774, the sum raised for schools was about £40, or $160.
During the Revolutionary war the sum raised for the suppport of schools was
small, and one year, 1777, no appropriation was made. From 1780 to 1790,
$333.33 was the amount appropriated for schools. In 1791, it was voted to

VOL. II.— 3

18 TOWN OF LEOMINSTEE.

divide the town into seven different parts, to be called "wards," and to build
seven school-houses to be finished during the next year. From 1701 to 1805,
inclusive, the sum raised for schools was gradually increased from $550 to $700.
In 1806, a new ward was established and a new school-house built, called No. 8.

From 1803 to 1836, a period of thirty years, a sum varying from $800 to $900
was appropriated for schools, $800 l)eing equally divided among the eight
wards, and the amount exceeding $800 being allotted to the different schools
at the discretion of the selectmen.

From 1837 to 1848, inclusive, $1,200 were annually raised for schools.
During this period the population in the Centre had increased so much that two
or three schools were required to accommodate the children, and another ward.
No. 10, was established, comprising a [)art of wards three and four; and in
1845, a new school-house was erected for the convenience of the increasing
number of scholars at the North Village. The money raised during this time
was divided as equally as practicable, generally at the recommendation of a
committee, consisting of the school committee or some member thereof, and
one citizen from each school ward, who was nominated by the inhabitants of
the same and approved by the town. And this method of dividing the school
money was continued till 1853, since which time it has been distributed accord-
ing to the recommendation of the school committee in their annual report, or
expended, as of late years, at their sole discretion.

In 1849, $1,500 were raised for schools; in 1850, $1,900; in 1851 and 1852,
$2,150. On account of the establishment of the High School in 1850, and of
the rapid increase of the town in population and wealth during the last twenty-
five years, the sum of money for schools has greatly increased. In 1855 the
amount was $2,976.36; in I860, $3,323.67; in 1865, $3,979.96; in 1870,
$6,600; and in 1875, $8,750. Of this last sum, $350 were expended for
teaching vocal music.

This year, 1879, the town raised for the support of schools the sum of
$9,900, with which a High School is maintained for the benefit of all
the inhabitants (having two departments, three teachers and more than one
hundred pupils), three grammar, eight intermediate and primary schools in the
Central and North Village, classified according to the scholars' attainments,
and six mixed schools in the outskirts of the town. None of these, except No.
7, is more than two miles from the Centre, all have comfortable and commodious
school-rooms, furnished with blackboards, maps, globes and necessary appara-
tus, and in all are employed well educated, faithful and experienced teach-
ers : if the children of the present generation fail to acquire a good education,
the fault must be theirs and their parents, and not because the town fails in
any degree to supply all necessary means and facilities. *

* No historic sketch of the school system aud school aflfairs of the town can be complete that
floes not record the name of Jonas Henry Kendall amoui? the generous benefactors of the town.
He died in 1863, a descendant of an ancient and honorable family. By his will, besides

PUBLIC IMPROVEMENTS. 19

CHAPTER III.

PUBLIC IMPROVEMENTS HIGHWAYS AND BRIDGES — PUBLIC PARK CJ^^IE-

TERIES — TRAINING FIELD WATER-WORKS TURNPIKE CORPORATIONS

RAILROADS AGRICULTURE MANUFACTURES MILITARY SPIRIT — THE

REVOLUTION AND LATER WARS POLITICAL QUIET — NOTABLE MEN IN PUB-
LIC LIFE LOCAL PRESS BANKS AND ORGANIZATIONS — PUBLIC LIBRARY.

The first two votes passed by the town after its incorporation as a town,
were those heretofore referred to in connection with the second raeetinsf of the
town, held Sept. 1, 1740, providing for building a bridge across the Nashua
River, in the North ViHage, which made all the business done at that meeting,
were the commencement of a system of public improvements, in the town,
hardly second to that of any town in the Commonwealth. This bridge was built
immediately after the vote was passed, in a very thorough and substantial
manner; the abutments being made of pine logs, many of them from two to
three feet in diameter, and firmly locked together. Tiiis bridge was located
where the present stone bridge on Main Street — one of the finest structures in
the county, and costing the town nearly $25,000 — was built in 1872. In
clearing away for the foundation of this new stone bridge, these logs were
found after having remained in the earth, under the road-bed, traveled
over for more than a hundred and thirty years, as sound, except from one-half
to one inch in thickness of sap on the outside, as they were in their native
home in the primeval forests of the town. Many superstructures had been
worn out by the action of the elements and the large amount of travel on this
principal thoroughfare between the two most important sections of the town,
and been replaced by others, all resting more or less entirely on the southeily
side of the stream, on this simple wooden foundation ; and this, too, when to all
appearance and as everybody supposed, the southerly abutment was made
entirely of stone, the stone having been laid outside of the wood and hirgely
held up thereliy. Indeed, so solid was this foundation of wood, and so hard
to get out, that when the bridge was built in 1872, it was decided to cut away
sufiicicntly to bed the new stone work on solid earth and leave this old struc-
ture in, as a foundation for the road-bed, where for aught we know it may
remain for a thousand years or more, before it is all changed to anything but
simple wood, so durable was the pine timber of the original forests of the
country, when kept moist. The road referred to in this vote was the first laid

minor bequests to individuals and a gift to tlie town of a fine bell for the Town House, and
$r',OGO for a ball and scbool-room at Nortb Leominster, bo bequeatbed to tbc town $5,000 for
a Free Public Library, tbc income of $10,000 for tbo support of tbo Iligb Scbool, and tbe income
of $:],000 for tbe benefit cf tbe scbool at tbe Nortb Village. It is particularly for bis benefactions
to tbe cause of education tbat bis name sbould be held in grateful remembrance by all lovers of
sound learning and generous culture.

20 TOWN OF LEOMINSTER.

out by the town authorities of Leominster, all its earlier roads having been laid
out by Lancaster. The record is as follows :

" Laid out a By way from y® land of Cap. John Bennett, it begins at y' Mill pond
of Mr. Ebcnezar Wilder about four Rods above y" Dam and Itt Runs strate into y^
Bfoaid Roaid Unto The Bridge Made over y* Brook a little Distance north of y* Log
House y' is Now John Bennets and said Roaid Iss five rods wide and is Laid out by

Thos. Wilder, \

Nathaniel Carter, > Select Men.
October y* P' 1740. Jonathan Willson, )

And accepted by y* town in March town Meeting Leominster A. D, 174 2-3. And
truly Rec**^ p"" Me. Thos. Davenport, Town Clerk.'"

This road now forms the portion of Main Street, in the North Village, from
the stone bridge to a point near the engine-house, where the brook crosses the
street, but has been greatly reduced in width. The mill-pond referred to is
now the Wheelwright paper-mill pond. The " Broad Road," so called, was laid
out live rods wide by the tcnvn of Lancaster, in 1734, from Lancaster, running
near White's Pond, over Folhmsby Hill, through the easterly part of the North
Village, and on the westerly side of Chualoom Pond to Lunenburg, and now
forms part of Prospect and Main streets. Within the next fifteen or twenty
years all the principal roads in town were laid out substantially where they
now are, except Mechanic Street from Monoosnock Brook to the Nashua River,
laid out in 1800 and 1802 (communication with the easterly part of the town
having before that time been by the DivoU Road leading from Lancaster Street
near the Johnson Place across the plain by the Hollis J. DivoU Place to the
river, now seldom used) ; the portion of Central between Union Street and
Piatt's corner, laid out in 1850, and Pleasant Street, from Park to Franklin
Street, laid out in 1816; so that for a hundred years or more thereafter but
few entirely new roads were laid out, but some alterations were made, greatly
improving portions of these roads, as in the case of Central Street or the road
to Sterling, avoiding Bee Hill, made in 1830. Within the last ten years,
however, a large uumber of new streets have been opened and old ones
widened and straightened and many of them graded, with wide, paved side-
walks, making them almost metropolitan in their character, and costing the
town a very large amount of money. Among these recent improvements in
roads is the new stone arch bridge over Monoosnock Brook, on Mechanic
Street, built in 1873, — a very fine structure, made of Leominster granite,
dimension work, laid full joints in best cement mortar, on a solid ledge founda-
tion, iifty feet wide, with a twenty-four feet arch and a capped granite wall for
railings, making a bridge which would seem to defy the ravages of time to
destroy it. There are other fine, substantial stone bridges in town, made fifty
feet wide to correspond with the width of the streets ; but none so large or
costly as the two referred to. The town has always maintained good roads
and bridges, and to-day stands high in this respect.

THE CENTRE COMMON. 21

It was unfortunate that the town did not originally secure more land for a
public park, but had it not been for the necessity of land for a meeting-house it
would not, probably, have secured any. The "Centre Common," so called,
containing in the whole open space somethinci: over an acre of land, was
conveyed to the town, in its parochial cai)acity, by Rufiis Houghton, April 7,
1774, to build a meeting-house on for the use of the two precincts then existing
in town, and was used for that purpose until the present First Congregational
(Unitarian) mccting-hoiise was built by the town in 1823, when the old
meeting-house was removed, leaving this land thereafter open as a public park,
but not belonging to the town in its municipal capacity. When the First
Congregational Society was organized in 1836, it succeeded to all the parochial
rights of the town, including the ownership of this land, but in 1841 the
society conveyed it by deed to the town for a public conmion. Up to the time
of this conveyance but little, if anything, had been done to improve this land,
which was unfonced, barren, with little if anv shade, and uucouth-lookini;.
About the time of the conveyance, however, after much opposition, leave was
obtained, and some of the citizens set out a tree apiece on this land, sufficient
in number, if they had all lived, to have given ample shade to all parts of it,
but some of them have died and have never been replaced. Those which lived
arc the stately elms and maples now standing thereon as a rich legacy to the
present generation, and as fitting monuments to the forethought, generosity
and public spirit of these fathers of the town. Efforts were made from time to
time by individuals to induce the town to allow this land to be fenced by indi-
vidual effort, free of expense to the town, but it was so convenient for the
farmers and others comin"; into the villasjc to drive over this land at will, that
no such permission could be obtained until 1856, when the town not only
granted permission, but raised and appropriated sufficient money, and during
that summer built the present substantial fence. This at first was obnoxious to
some, but soon became entirely satisfactory, and has been a great help to
whatever of fcrlility and greenness exists there. That part of the land where
the soldiers' monument now stands, before its erection in 1866, had become,
by the filling of the streets around it, quite low and wet, so that the foundation
for the monument, which now seems low, the streets having been filled so
much since that time, was four and a half feet high above the ground below the
base of the monument. This is but a sample of the filling done in many of
the streets of the centre village, which were originall}'^ low and muddy, but
which are now so htird and dry.

About 1741 the town purchased of Ebenezer Houghton a piece of land near
to, but not quite adjoining the first meeting-house lot, on the easterly side of
Main Street, for a cemetery, being the present " Old Cemetery," so called, where
most of the early settlers who died here after the incorporation of the town are
buried. But few permanent improvements, beyond making a substantial stone
wall around it and the building of a hearse-house on this land, have ever been

22 TOWN OF LEOMINSTER.

made by the town, as such, on Ibis cemetery, but indivicluals in former times
built some handsome irranite tombs, accordinsj to the fashion of the day, on the
front line facing the street, which still remain, but which are wholly unused
now, all bodies havinof been removed therefrom and buried in the earth. But
the town has for many years kept it in a neat and tidy condition, and
individuals have always done more or less, and recently have done a good deal
to make it attractive ; which, with the shade of the trees that have been allowed
to grow, makes it far from an unattractive place of burial. The " New Cemetery,"
60 called, further north, on the same side of the street, was commenced there
in 1840 by the town's purchasing about seven and a half acres of land, and
walling in the back side, and the erection of a substantial picket-fence on
stone posts, in front and on the sides. The fence lasted, with small repairs,
until 1878, when the rails and pickets were renewed, the posts not being subject
to decay ; and immediately after its purchase the land was laid out into lots,
and the town has allowed any citizen of the town, at any time, to take up a lot
for burial purposes, by paying two dollars, if not wanted for immediate use;
one dollar if to be occupied at once, bringing the lots within the ability of
everybody to own one. The regular size of lots is 161 by 10 feet, and the
whole plan is rectangular. The town has built the avenues and paths, set
out the trees and keeps them in order ; and individuals have fitted up and taken
care of the lots, except mowing once or twice a year, which is done by the
town. In 1870 the town took and purchased additional land to the amount of
about thirty acres, making the whole area about thirty-eight acres, which, it is
thought, will last the town, with what remains of the old ground, about thirty or
forty years. The surface, so far as has been used, is quite level, but the remainder
is uneven, and affords more opportunity for the display of art and taste. The
monumental work is generally excellent, and some of it very fine. Within a
few years there has been considerable effort to change the place of burial, but
after very thorough examination and long discussion, the town voted not to
change, and has seemed to settle down permanently on its present place of
interment. March 4, 1754, Oliver Carter gave the town a deed of the land
on the easterly side of Main Street, called the "Training Field," containing
three and a fourth acres, "for a training field or perpetual common, with this
provision, that said town improve said land as a training field." Very few
improvements have ever been made on this land in the way of beautifying it
till quite recently, when some trees were set out and a substantial fence built
around it ; but it has been so cut up by the railroad that not much can be done
with it.

The Leominster Water Works were built in 1873, and the town commenced
supplying water for pay Jan. 1, 1874.

For many years prior to 1870 the people of the town resiling in the villages
had felt the need of a better supply of pure soft water for domestic purposes,
and of more effective means of extinguishing fires ; and the subject had been

TOWN WATER WORKS. 23

somewhat discussed by a very few individuals, but no concerted action had
been taken, or perhaps much thought of, till that year, when INIanson I). Haws,
Esq., caused an article to be inserted in the warrant for a town meeting to be
held November 8, "to see what action the town will take to obtain water." At
this meeting the subject was referred to a committee to examine and report at
a future meeting, consisting of jNI. D. Haws, C. H. Merriam, J. H. Lockey,
J. C. Allen, and Cephas Derby. On the 28th of the same month the commit-
tee reported, recommending to the town to petition the next legislature for
authority to take water from Chualoom Pond, or such other place or places
within four miles of the centre, as may be found mo^t desirable, and the report
was adopted; and the town voted that the same committee present the peti-
tion in I)ehalf of the town, and instructed them to take all i)rf)per measures to
secure such authority at the expense of the town ; $500 was appropriated
to pay the expense. Mr. Lockey declining to act further with the committee,
Dr. G. W. Peirce was elected to till his place, and Augustus Whitman,
Esq., was added to the committee. After considerable opposition in the legis-
lature, authority was granted by chapter 249 of the Acts of 1871, but requir-
ing the town, before proceeding to act under it, to accept of it by a two-thirds
majority, voting by ballot and using the check-list, at an annual meeting. This
was done at the annual meeting held April 1, 1872, 497 voting in the affirma-
tive to 176 in the nci^ative. At the next town mectin2: held May 6, 1872, a
committee was chosen to examine and report a plan of i:>roceedings to secure a
su[)ply of pure water, which reported May 20, 1872, and a committee was then
chosen to make preliminary surveys and estimates, which last committee having
l)erformed that duty, reported Dec. 30, 1872, and the town, on a test-vote of
249 yeas to 5 nays, decided to proceed with the work, and chose a water board,
consisting of Emery Tilton and G. W. Peirce for three years, 11. M. Lane and
George Hall for two years, and C. H. Merriam and Wm. M. Ilowland for one
year, and the board organized by the choice of C. H. Merriam, chairman; H.
M. Lane, clerk; and W. M Ilowland, treasurer; and the town, at an
adjournment of this meeting held Jan. 13, 1873, authorized and instructed the
board to proceed with the work, and at a subsequent meeting provided for a
loan to pay the expense, which was obtained from the State treasurer, paya-
l)le, one-third each, in ten, fifteen, and twenty years, at seven per cent, interest.
The work was let out to Charles L. Goodhue, Esq , of Springfield, Mass., and
completed by him to the satisfaction of the town Dec. 23, 1873, at which time
the water was permanently let into the pipes and has not since been drawn
out. The pipes, about seventeen and two-thirds miles in length, arc cement-
lined wrought-iron and vary in size from four to twelve inches ; the water is
taken from Morse Brook, one and a half miles from the corner of Main and
West Streets, with a fall of one hundred and eighty-three feet at the top of the
curb-stone around Monument Square, giving a pressure of al)0ut seventy-nine
pounds to the square inch. The drainage areas is 1,215 acres, and tlie storage

24 TOWN OF LEOMINSTER.

capacity of all the reservoirs about 150,000,000 gallons, or more water than
should be used by the present takers in a year. The cost of the works up to
the commencement of the present year, including all extensions, service-pipe
paid for by the town, and expenses above the income, with interest on the loan,
has been $170,150.16. The works the last year having paid running expenses,
including interest on debt, by allowing a reasonable sum for what the town
itself has had, and left a balance over of $241.09. This would seem to be a
good showing, considering that the works were built at a time when everything
cost nearly twice what it would now.

The foregoing would seem to embrace all the purely public improvements in
town ; but turnpikes and railroads come so nearly under that head that their
history is proper here. But two turnpikes were ever laid out in town, — the
Fifth Massachusetts and the Union Turnpike, — the first leading from West-
minster through the centre village on towards Boston, chartered in 1798, and
the second chartered in 1803, from the first-named turnpike near Monoosnock
Hill over Nichols' Hill, and over most of the other hills on the way, to the
Concord Turnpike. The first-named corporation built their road and made it
a profitable enterprise for many years, till it was made into a county road ; but
the Union Turnpike was never completed, and the enterprise, being an oppo-
sition to some extent to the Fifth Massachusetts, proved financially disastrous
and was abandoned, a part of its way being laid out as a county road and the
balance given up altogether.

The Fitchburg Railroad, chartered March 3d, 1842 (Abel Phelps and Alvah
Crocker, two of the three corporators named in the charter, being natives of
Leominster), runs through the north village with all its immense business, fur-
nishing the most ample railroad facilities to that part of the town.

The Fitchburg and Worcester branch of the Old Colony Railroad was char-
tered in 1847 and opened in 1850, forming now part of a Boston and a Provi-
dence and New Bedford line as well, runs through the centre village, furnishing
good accommodations there.

The town, for the first fifty years after its settlement, was a purely agri-
cultural community, except where it made enough to supply the wants of its
own inhabitants ; and it has always been a first class agricultural town, some
of its farms being made to produce crops equal to any in the State.

In 1775 horn comb-making was introduced by Obadiah Hills from West
Newbury, and soon grew to be among the principal employments of the
people; and the manufacture of combs and other horn goods has continued to
be carried on and is to-day the most important branch of business in town,
employing about six hundred and fifty hands and turning off from $500,000 to
$G00,000 worth of goods annually, which are sold in the cities mostly, at a fair
profit, generally for ready money.

The manufacture of children's carriages is another important business carried
on here by the F. A. Whitney Carriage Company. They employ, when full.

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]VrANVl-'ACTOKV OF JOSI.IX AM) AVILLIA^tS, LKOMIXSTKU, :\rASS.

LOCAL INDUSTRIES. 25

one hundred und lifty hands, and sell about $150,000 worth of goods a year.
This is said to be the leading concern in this business in the country, and
probably in the world ; and their goods are of the very best quality and
styles, selling readily in all the markets of this and in some foreign coun-
tries, so that during all the years of the recent depression in business this com-
pany has found a ready sale for all the goods it could make, at good prices.

The manufiicturc of piano-cases was commenced here thirty-five or forty
years ago, and has been an important and profitable business in town ever
since, bringing in a class of superior mechanics who have made excellent
citizens, and some of whom have occupied the highest positions in the gift
of the people, and are remembered with honor. At the present time there
are but two shops where cnscs are made, — John II. Lockey's and Levi AY.
Porter's. The former keeps twenty-two hands and docs $30,000 worth of
work a year, and the latter fifteen hands and does $15,000 worth of work;
and W. H. Jewett & Co. finish pianos, making a good article, employing
thirteen hands and selling some $45,000 worth of instruments a year. A.
G. Reckard tinishes what he can do himself with one workman.

The tannina: business, on a more or less extended scale, has been carried
on here from an early period, there being at some times three or four con-
cerns engaged in it, and at other times, as is the case now, but one concern,
— Messrs. Putnam & Phelps, — but this one is doing a business a number
of times larger than was ever being done at any one time before, keeping
as they do, when full, sixty-five hands, and doing about $200,000 worth of
business a vear. These men started business together in 1850 and have not

*' CD

changed their firm during the time, nearly thirty years, a period rarely
exceeded in this respect.

Paper was formerly manufactured here by several concerns, but is now
confined to one firm, George W. Wheelwright & Co., who employ 38 hands,
and make about $150,000 worth of paper a year; Merriam Hall &, Co., and
jNIartin, Bates & Co. manufacture unfinished furniture, the former keeping 60
hands, and doing about $200,000 worth of business, and the latter, keeping 45
hands, and doing $G0,000 worth of business a year ; and G. A. Bishop & Co.
finish furniture quite extensively, and are also dealers in furniture. J. A. & N.
Harwood manufacture leather board, keeping 60 hands, and doing about
$200,000 worth of business a year. Edward M. Rockwell runs the "Crocker
Mill," on woolen goods, employing 60 hands, and making $100,000 worth of
these goods a year. There is a large amount of manufacturing and mechani-
cal business done in town by smaller concerns, the number being too large to
mention in detail, and the mercantile business in most of its varieties, sufficient
to supply all the wants of the town, with some trade coming in from other
towns, is done here.

The town has been noted through all its history for its military spirit, having
iu 1757 furnished a full company of soldiers to go to the relief of Fort William

VOL. II.— 4

26 TOWN OF LEOMINSTER.

and Henry, in the old French and Indian War, during the alarm of that year.
This company went as far as Springfield before it was found that it was not
needed. Many single individuals also enlisted from time to time before the
Revolution. And during this laltcr struggle there were fully three hundred
men from Leominster engaged in the service of the country for various periods
of time, from minute-men to rcgnhir soldiers for three years. The town came
out of this great contest with thirteen men to spare beyond her full quotas
under the various calls. So in the days of the Shays' rebellion, the town sent
a whole company, with officers, for the relief of the courts at Worcester, which
were threatened by the insurgents ; and also a part of a company, with two
superior officers, to assist in dispersing a camp of the rebels at Petersham,
where Col. Timothy Boutelle of this town greatly distinguished himself; and
his comrades from here did excellent service, the camp being entirely broken
up, and the malcontents dispersed. In the War of 1812, a full company, Avith
officers, was sent from here to South Boston, and remained there till the danger
was over ; and in the War of the Rebellion the town furnished 404 men, which
were more than her full quota under all the calls for men, and came out at the
end with a considerable surplus standing to her credit. The men, too, whom
the town has furnished, have generally shown themselves to be good soldiers,
many of them having become commissioned officers, and served with credit
and distinction in important campaigns and battles ; and the town has always
been prompt in furnishing all requisitions from the government for military
supplies, and in her voluntary contributions of those things needed fv)r the
relief of the men in the hospitals, and after great battles. So too, in the
times of peace the town has not forgotten the men who served her in the times
of peril, no call has ever been made for the relief of an honest old soldier or his
family which did not find a generous response ; nor was the town slow to erect
a substantial monument in her public square, to the memory of the dead
soldiers who served in the late war ; nor have her men been delinquent in
proper organization and drill to prepare themselves for any emergency that
might arise. In fact, so constant have the citizens of Leominster been in their
military duties in time of peace, that her present military company is the oldest
but one in the State, havinir been chartered in 1798, and is as vigorous and
promising after more than eighty-one years of constant service as at any
former time.

For fifty years after its settlement the town seems to have taken very little
interest in politics, if we can judge by the fact that no representative was sent
from here to the general court till 1774. Still, at the times when great politi-
cal questions were being agitated, the records of the town show that the
people had some opinions, and were not backward in expressing them publicly.
But it being a comparatively new town, the people seem to have been busily
engaged in developing its resources and accumulating some property. In after
3'ears, however, there has been no lack of interest in this direction, nor has

LOCAL PRESS. 27

there been any lack of men here to fill all political offices open to them. Of
the citizens of this town three have been members of concrress, two of consti-
tntional conventions, and largo numbers of the State senate and honse of
representatives, — one five years — treasurer of the Commonwealth, and one
a judge of the Common Pleas Court, and two clerks of courts for the county.
The learned professions have had able representatives here during the entire
history of the town, from John Rogers in the clerical, Jacol) Peabody in the
medical, and Asa Johnson and Abijah Bigelow in the legal profession, down to
the present time ; and some of them have attained distinction beyond the
limits of their immediate neighborhood.

Printing was commenced here as early as 1795. The "Rural Repository,"
by Charles Prentiss, the "Political Focus," by Charles and John Prentiss, and
"The Telescope," by Adams & Wilder, were all published here for a time, but
all discontinued for want of sufficient permanent support, prior to 1803.
Charles Prentiss continued hero in the business for a number of years (his
bi'other John having moved to Keene, N. H.), and published several books,
and kept a bookstore and bindery. Doct. Adams, who was settled here,
published several editions of his " Scholar's Arithmetic" and his "Understand-
ing Reader," two valuable school books, which wore afterwards enlarged and
improved, and the arithmetic became quite celebrated. For many years prior
to 1872 there was no printing done in town, but now there are two offices,
with a newspaper having a subscription list of seven hundred and fifty, and a
large amount of advertising and job work.

The town has always maintained good, substantial, though not extravagant
public buildings for schools, churches, and municipal purposes.

There is a national bank in town, with a capital of $300,000, Samuel
Putnam, president, A. L. Burditt, cashier; and a Savings Bank with 1,709
depositors, and deposits to the amount of about $550,000 ; president, Leonard
Burrage, treasurer, A. L. Burditt. There are here a Masonic lodge, an Odd
Fellows lodge, a lodge of Knights of Honor, a division of the Sons of Temper-
ance, a Woman's Christian Temperance Union, a society of Hibernians, a
post of the Grand Army of the Republic, a Reform Club, and many other
organizations for charitable, religious and hel[)ful purposes, which are gen-
erally flourishing and accomplishing the objects of their existence. The
town has a fine public library of 9,000 volumes, which is patronized to the
extent of about 32,000 books taken out in a year ; and there is a very respect-
able museum connected with the library, as well as a public reading-room,
supported by the town, and open at all times free to everybody. In this most of
the daily and weekly papers circulating in this region, and all the best periodi-
cals in the country can be found.

The town has a well-organized and efficient fire department, some companies
of which have manifested a degree of skill and rapidity of action seldom if
ever anywhere excelled.

28 TOWN OF LUNENBUEG.

LUNENBURG.

BY ADIN C. ESTABROOK.

CHAPTER I.

ORIGIN OP THE TOAVN — CONDITIONS OF FIRST GRANT PROPRIETORSHIPS

INDIAN DISTURBANCES NATURAL FEATURES HILLS AND FORESTS EARLY

MANUFACTURES HIGHWAYS AGRICULTURE FARMERS' CLUB CEMETERIES

LEGAL BOUNDARIES.

This town originated in a grant made by the General Court, Dec. 7, 1710,
which provided for the laying out of two new townships, to ])e wholly west of
the line of Groton, and to measure, as nearly as possible, each si>: miles
square. Two hundred and fifty acres were to be given to each actual setUer
within three years, the allotted number of families in each town being eighty.
Each family was to pay £5 for their land, and to build a house and improve
three acres of ground within three years. A lot was given for schools, a lot
for the minister, and one for Harvard College ; and the settlers were to build a
meeting-house within four years.

The tracts thus granted were termed the North and South townships ; the
former became Townsend, the latter included Lunenburg of to-day, with Fitch-
burg and part of Ashby.

When the committee met to award the lots, they found one family of whites
had already the possession of one of the most pleasing locations, in what was
termed "Turkey Hills." Samuel Page of Groton had wandered over the
country till poverty compelled him and his family of six children to locate ;
and here he had been for years undisturbed, on the farm now owned hy
Thomas Wooldredge. He had located here in the spring of 1718. The mat-
ter was handsomely arranged by giving him a lot, and one to his son Joseph.
His son David soon settled in Fitchburg, and another son, John, in Shirley.
Joseph was also appointed surveyor's chainman, and had his lot cast of his
father's.

In May, 1721, the proprietors met at Concord to choose their lots and pay
for them, as directed by the grant.

EARLY ALLOTMENTS. 29

Wc here give the names of those who took lots at the first division in the
order of the lot, commencing with the "ministerial lot" for No. 1 : —

"Hilkiah Bovnton, John Russell, Thos. Taylor, James Gould, Shadrach Whitney,
Thos. Perley, Eleazer Flagg, Sam. Burbeen, John Child, Thos. Tarbell, Phineas
Parker, Henry Chandler, John Perham, Eben. Chadwick, Thos. Kimball, Jr., Jonathan
"Woodman, Warren Child, Nathaniel Stowe, Eleazar Green, John Coif, Thos. Hale,
Rob. Harris, Jo. Hubbard, Jonathan Whitney, Sanil. Hartwell, Jonathan Dow, Zach.
Sawtell, Isaac Stone, Joseph Allen, Timothy Harris, Elias Barron, Eph. Sawtelle,
Josiah Jones, Jonathan Boyden, James R'chardson, Jr., Ed. Hartwell, Nat. Harwood,
& one for son, Jeremiah Allen, Joseph Page, Nat. Ilolden, Josiah Gilsun, Wm. Lan-
sam, Joseph Ball, Aaron Smith, Wm. Wheeler, Wm. Clark, Walter Beer, Dan'l
Thurston, Jonathan Hubbard, Sam'l Page, Nat. Wood, Jonathan Poor, Wm. B'ount,
Wm. Keene, Nat. Whittcmore, Nat. Wood, Jr., Nat. Heywood, Jonathan Shipley,
Danl. Davis, Isaac Whitney, John Hastings, Moses Smith, Eleazer Green, James
Richardson, James Richardson, Jr., Jeremiah Perley, Eph. Pearce, James Bennett,
Phillip Goodridge, Nathan Harris, Benj. Prescott, Jonathan Hartwell, Thos. Wooly,
Joseph Kimball, Jr., John Whitney, Nat. Whitney, Jr., Ed. Emerson, Wm. Wood,
Jacob Fullum, John Fletcher, and Abraham Woodard."

We find that the school, college and other gratuitous lots were crowded
back upon hills not quite so valuable, and w^ere nearly or quite lost sight of.
The survey began in 1720 or '21, and the proprietors began to move on to their
lots about 1724, and in 1726 there were twenty-six houses up, while ten of
them were occupied, though we cannot fully make out v.'ho they were, or
whether the men were mostly hunters and surveyors, or not. The records
tell us that Samuel Johnson had the second family, and kept a tavern where
J. S. Willson lives, in 1729. The next was Josiah J(mes', where W. S. Jones
lives. After these, we arc obliged to fall back upon tradition in connection
with the slender record, and give the names of the houses as built; but as the
settlers came from Lancaster, many of them, we infer that the present Lancas-
ter road contained most of the first houses. The second house was at Hiram
Derby's, where Edward Hartwell, the principal business man of the settle-
ment, lived; third, at Joseph Goodrich's; fourth, L. S. Cushing's, where a
hotel was kept by one Hutchins and built by Prentiss ; fifth, George H. Mcln-
tire's, where the first town-meeting was held in 1728; sixth, Cyrus Kilburn's,
where Josiah Willard lived; seventh, Nathan Ilcywood, at O. A. Stratton's,
and the present Heywood homestead at the depot (he kept the first store in
town, and was a successful surveyor) ; eighth, on Houghton's Hill ; ninth, J. S.
Willson; tenth, west of Clark Hill; eleventh, S. D. King; twelfth, John
Howard; thirteenth, Stillman Stone; fourteenth, Richard Gilchrist : the last
four were built about 1725 to '30. The following lots were taken about 17.30,
and houses put on them : — A. Parks, the early home of the ancestors of Jesse
Sanderson ; W. S. Peabody, where the Boyntons first settled ; Widow Green,
where Daniel Austin lived.

30 TOWN OF LUNENBURG.

The people had garrison-houses for defence agahist the Indians. There was
one near C. G. Gushing ; one at or near Massapog ; one at Mr. Derby's ;
another at the "Castle," where W. S. Jones lives ; another at ]\Ir. Gould's, at
Goodrichviile ; and another on Flat Hill, near F. R. Beunet's; while Mul-
pus had one at or near the "Bridge."

Indians often came to these houses ; but the courage of the women
would drive them away, especially when powder was used, as it was by Mrs.
Jones and Mrs. Goodrich on one occasion, sending them in a hurry to their
wigwam.

In 1747, a party came from Canada to punish John Fitch for tearing down
a wigwam, and passed over the hills as f\ir as the Stephen Houghton place,
but, seeing the settlers going to church armed, they left, and took Fitch and
family prisoners to Canada, where they stayed a year. In after years, a son of
Fitch lived in town as clerk in a store kept by John Taylor, at the Centre.
He was dwarfed from the effects of his captivity, by being bound so long
with cords.

The town was named by a party of King George's subjects, who were travel-
ing through the place, and gave it the name of Lunenliurg in honor of his
German possession. They also sent a bell for the "first Meeting House," but
the house had no belfry, so it was sold for freight, and hangs on King's Chapel,
Boston.

"In Council, Aug. 2, 1728 : Ordered that J. Willard is empowered to assemble the
people of the town of ' Lunenburg ' to choose officers to stand till the anniversary
meeting in M^arch next. Chose James Colburn, II. Boynton, J. Willurd, Eph. Pearce
and Saml. Page, select men."

There are few towns in this county that contain so many pleasant hills from
which to view the surrounding country, even in some instances to the
distance of fifty miles; and yet most of these elevations are quite fertile, and
have residences upon them, and are well ad:ii)ted for all purposes pertaining to
agriculture. In 1793, Peter Whitney said that the town was nearly
divested of forests, and soon would not have enough for home consumption ;
and yet at this late day Ave have wood enough and to spare, and with care
there will grow all that shall be necessary from year to year for home use.
Statistics tell us that there is more land now covered with growing wood than
in 1793.

The hills of the town bear their primitive names, and will probably retain
them for generations. These are Hunting, Flat, Carter, Turkey or Clark's,
Cowdry, Town's, Savage's and Turner's hills. Town's Hill has a nice "city
residence" upon it, and has a commanding view. Savage's Hill has another
excellent city residence, where the Hon. James Savage spent a large portion
of his later summers. This residence overlooks our most beautiful sheet of
water, and the hill is nearly, or quite, the highest elevation in town.

OLD-TIME TRAVEL. 31

But little water flows into town, and the streams arc small. At " Mulpus
Falls " (so named as early as 1730) , is a saw-mill owned by the Perrin Brothers,
another owned by L. Phelps, and a saw and grist mill owned by W. & W. F.
Dickson. Here is the principal manufacturing part of the town. At the reservoir
— formerly called Catacoonamiig, with seven and one-half acres — we find Hough-
ton's saw-mill, doing good business. The reservoir now contains hundreds of
acres. As early as 1727, " Willard's" Mill was doing grinding at Cyrus Kilburn's,
the first on record. Another Willard had a mill soon after on land of Mr.
Trask. At Mulpus Brook was one near R. Gilchrist's ; farther west, near " No.
4" school-house, one Avas supposed to have been. In the south-west part, on
"Baker's Brook," arc the remains of the celebrated " Wetherbce Mill," which
did better service than any mill for twenty miles around. To supply it with
sufficient water, Mr. Wctherboe built a canal from the Nashua River.

In 1747, Benjamin Bellows, Jr., built a mill at "Mulpus Bridge," where
many of our oldest inhabitants remember carrying grain, and the millstones
can now be seen in the debris that remains where they were formerly in use.

In describing the practical arts of our ancestors, we might simply say that
their manufacturing was rude, yet honorable. Then our mothers made all the
clothing of the family rather than pay sixty-seven cents per yard for print
dresses. The loom and spinning-whccl were constantly in use, both by mothers
and daughters. It might be well if such domestic employments were more in
vogue at the present time than we generally find them.

Brick-making was carried on at an early day, and we can find the old yards
on nearly every farm. Tanning was also quite extensively pursued, and wo
may mention the yard of Jacob Caldwell, which has been entirely removed.
There was also a valuable tannery at or near George Billings' at an eaily day.
Potash was largely made. At a later period there was a book-bindrry
establishment in town, conducted by one Cusbing at James Putnam's, and
printing by William Greenough at J. C. Brown's. In 1837, sixteen thousand
volumes were printed and bound. Ninety thousand straw hats were made in
that year, valued at $17,000.

Nothing but "bridle-paths" served the early settlers, and horseback riding
was the only way to pass from place to place. To see a gentleman and lady
upon one horse might seem rude now, but then it was a rich treat to thus conduct
their course to church or on business. Many times the stream had to be forded,
as there were no bridges for years, the horse swimming with his burden upon
his back. In 1724, the trees were cut away from Lancaster to what is now the
Centre. Next the course was over the hills, west to South Fitchburg, and
thus communication with David Page's residence on Pearl Street, Fitchburg,
was made ; commencing at or near John Howard's, passing S. Stone's, thence
by J. W. Mossman's and Levi White's. It had no bridges, nor was it graded,
but timber and brush were cut away. "Mulpus" Bridge was built in 1745,
by a company in the employ of Maj. Willard. In 173G, Benjamin Bellows

32 TOWN OF LUNENBURG.

and others asked the General Court for four hundred and fifty acres of land,
with which to build the present "Northfield" road, sometimes called the
" Scott" road. It passes J. S. Willson's from Flat Hill, by ^Y. S. Peabody's,
by the Snows' to Pearl Hill school-house, thence on to Ashburnham, and was to
continue to Ticonderoga. These petitioners had land in Winchester and Wal-
pole, N. II., which caused them to ask for the road.

About 1830 the road to Fitchburoj direct was made, and is one for a good
diive. A])Out 1870, Townscnd and Leominster roads were built for the benefit
of outsiders, at a cost to this town of nearly 115,000. Thus we have kept on
addinir road to road, till it is one continued network, and amountino^ to one
hundred miles, which makes a pretty tax for the people to support.

The Fitchburg Railroad was built through the town at the south and west,
giving us a depot at the Heywood Homestead. Most people take the cars in
adjoining towns.

The laud was very fertile when first taken up, and but little effort had to be
made to get abundant crops. The meadows on our streams bore all the grass
needed f)r pasturage and hay; so that nothing required cultivation save what
was needed for the food of the family, and with a bog hoe and wooden plow,
the woi k was as easily done as at the present day with the swivel-plow or the
raowinQ-machine.

The Bellows family came into town about 1725, and took a large tract of
laud at the Centre, mostly on what is now the east side of the Lancaster road,
and north of Clark's Hill, while one Taylor had the opposite side. William
Clark owned a laige lot, including the hill bearing his name. Benjamin Bel-
lows, Jr., was a very active man, and had large estates at Bellows Falls, Vt.,
■which kept many men in his employ, so that he added much to the farming
interest of this town, and with his son Joseph, managed the estates with suc-
cess. This Mr. Bellows was constantly aiding the settlers by driving back
intruders, and became one of the most influential men in these parts.

Grains were grown at an early day, say 1730, while coin was the principal
living for a long time, being ground in a mortar by hand, and baked before the
fire ill a "spider," and thus called a "spider-cake." But as the land has
become worn, the farms have grown up to wood, so that whole neighborhoods
have become depopulated, oue in particular at Mulpus Bridge, and where
were a dozen or more houses. Now a farm of fifty acres is enough, and along
side of Col. Bellows's eight hundred, would be considered a paradise.

The south and west parts of the town are better adapted to farming than the
north, yet with much pains the farms will yield well in all parts. People are now
reclaiming the low lands, believing that these will soonest enrich their garners.

In 1848, a Farmers' Club was formed, it being the only one of the kind in
the State, which proves to be of great value to the interest of agriculturists in
callini? them together for concert of action. It has created jjreat interest in
and about the town, and now has just been given a liberal sum of money by

BOUNDARIES. 33

C. L. Ileywood, a nntive of the town, the interest to be used annually for the
benefit of the society.

We give the names of the presidents of the club since its organization : —

"N. F. Cunningham, D. Putnam, C. Kilburn, T. Billings, T. D. Pratt, E. Jones, E.
Graham, C. A. Goodrich, J. A. Cunningham, Asa Whiting, Abel Cook, INIartin John-
son, F. M. Marston, L. Pilts, James Ilildreth, 2(1, John F. Brown, Isaac M. Woolson
and Stillman Stone. William II. Jones was secretary and treasurer for fifteen years."

The first who was interred in the south cemetery was Philip Goodridge, in
1728, aged sixty years. The first buried in the north cemetery was Hannah
Dunsmoor, in 1770, daughter of Dr. Dunsmoor.

The present city of Fitchburg was taken from this town in 17G4. Torrey's
history seems to reflect on the mother town for not more willingly allowing the
child to go forth ; yet the mayor of the young city, in 187G, desired the assist-
ance of the mother's purse, and asked her to be rc-annexcd, and called the
" 7th ward."

The following are the boundaries as the town was in 1830, from surveys of
Cyrus Kilburu, which he has kiudly furnished to the writer : —

" It is the north-east town of Worcester County, and the survey begins at the north-
east corner of the town in Shirley line, and at the south-east corner of Townsend ;
thence north 60° 18' west 1,93G rods by Townsend line to n stone joost at Ashby line,
the south-west corner of Townsend ; thence south 5" 24' west by Ashby hne 1G5 rods
to a stone post set beside a largo white-pine stump, the true corner ; thence south 4° 5'
west 484 rods by Fitchburg line to a stone post ; thence south 2° 7' east 241 rods by
Fitchburg line to a stone post ; thence south 10° 21' west 745 rods by Fitchburg line
to a stone post ; thence south 33° 10' cast 198 rods to a large white-oak tree marked
by Leominster line ; thence north G0° 51' east 401 rods to a stone post on west side of
Unkeshewalom by Leominster line; thence south 32° 21' eastClG rods by Leominster
line to a stone post ; thence south 13° 57' east 401 rods by Leominster line to a stone
post; thence south G9° 37' east 149 rods to Lancaster; thence south 70° 35' east 383
rods by Lancaster line to a stone post ; thence north 15° 34' east 1,802 rods by Shirley
line to first bound ; containing 17,494 acres. In 1848, the Legislature changed the
Shirley line so as to agree with ' Groton old line,' and by so doing an angle was
formed at the ' old corner,' commencing at the south-east corner of Lunenburg ;
thence north 14° 52' cast about 217 rods to 'Groton old corner' to a stone post by
Shirley line ; thence north 1G° 31' east about 1,585 rods by Shirley line to a stone post
to the place of beginning aforesaid."

Tradition says that the south line was run as it is to "please somebody";
for some settlers of Lcomiuster assisted in the surveys, and all started from
Lancaster line and watered their horses in Massapog ; thence to Unkesha-
whalom and did the same ; then to the Nashua, and on to a point between "Dor-
chester and Wooburn Farms" as the south-west corner of the town. These
farms arc supposed to mean Westminster and Ashl)uiuham.

VOL. II.— 5

34 TOWN OF LUNENBURG.

CHAPTER II.

DAYS OF THE REVOLUTION LISTS OF SOLDIERS — MOVEMENT AGAINST SHAYS

SECOND WAR WITH ENGLAND — THE SOUTHERN REBELLION A REMARKA-
BLE SERVICE ROLL OF HONOR SCHOOLS AND EDUCATION CHURCHES

AND RELIGIOUS AFFAIRS — ALMSHOUSE — HOTELS — LIBRARY PROFESSIONAL

AND PUBLIC MEN.

Our people were quite unanimous in support of our rights to "representa-
tion or no taxation," and cheerfully acquiesced in the hardships and privations
durino; the Ions: struijsrlo of the Revolution. George Kimball, who lived where
S. Stone now does, was a delegate to the Provincial Congress at Concord, in
October, 1774, and it was ordered that onc-fourlh of the militia should be
ready to march at a moment's warning. Fifty-seven men were chosen, with
John Fuller, captain (who lived where Mr. Hilbert now does), Jared Smith,
ensign, and Thomas Hovey, drummer. The company used to train on the
Common; and on the 4lh of July, 177G, they planted the buttonwood tree
now standing there.

Nearly all who were at Bunker Hill returned ; and we give, as near as can
be now done, the names of those who went into the army ; viz. : —

Jonathan Adams, Benj. Bellows, Jr., Peter Barthrick, colonel, killed at Long Island,
Ed. Bridge, Col. Peter Brown (who lived where O. L. Spaulding now does). Gen. John
Bellows, Nchemiah Bowers, Jonas Bowers, John Riiss, Aaron Riiss, Joseph Bickncll,
Charles Gushing, Abraham Carlton, Jr. (died 1775), Asa Carlton, Timoth}^ Carlton,
Phineas Carlton, Tbadeus Carter, James Carter (died), John Dunsmoor (was a sur-
geon), Phillip Goodridge, Jr., Thos. Ilarkncss, Noah Dodge, Israel W^-man, Richard
Fowler, Jonathan Martin, Wm. Martin.

A letter written by Col. Brown while at Bunker Hill is still in existence.

The adoption of the Constitution occurred in 1778, amid this sanguinary
strife, and the voters were unanimous in their action. Immediately afterwards
nine men were called for the army, and were furnished at an expense of $100
each, by borrowing the money and taking care of the family. Each person
was called to take part in support of the war, and unless he responded, was
termed "Tory." Many of the wealthy would unite as a company, so that if
one was called to the war, each was ready in his turn to furnish a substitute,
and when one could not be obtained they would "draw lots" to see who should
go ; as it fell to a Mr. Willard in one instance, he sent his slave in his place.
When many had done more than was thought right, the town voted to equalize.
The men from this town went to Bennington, having learned by "signal,"
within two hours after the fiist gun was fired, but reached there too late for
action at the second battle. But little can be learned by the records of the cost
of the war to the town, as the currency was so changeable, but $18,000 was
assessed, aside from what individuals did.

ENLISTMENTS. 35

Tbe people had become so oppressed by taxes after the war t«bat some even
in this town sympathized with Shays in his resistance to the sheriff in cnforcin<>"
the collection of taxes, but the better portion of the people ordered out a
company of men to assist the enforcement of the law, and marched as far as
West Boylston, and then the matter was settled, and no blood shed from this
town.

But little interest seemed to be manifested on the part of our people in the
war of 1812, as what men went seem to have been drafted, viz., Levi Flagij,
Jr., James Ilolden, Libbcus Priest and James Gilchrist. They appear to have
done little more than stay in and about Boston. There was considerable feeling
both for and against the war, and, as was common in the other towns, the "Riot
Acts" were read in public places hero to prevent tumults.

But when the civil war burst upon the country our people were deeply
interested, and to speak or even lisp one word against the northern army was
enough to give one the name of " co})perhead." On the memorable 19th of
April, 18G1, John E. Lyon started for Boston on foot, enlisted into the army,
and served continually till the surrender of Lee and the colhipse of the Rebel-
lion. On tbe 22J of April a large flag was flung to the breeze just in front of
the town house, and immediately after a large I)ald eagle was seen to approach
from the south, take a large circle over the flag, and with a loud scream pass
directly to the north.

In the evening the people met in the town hall, when volunteers Avcrc called
for. Charles Kilburn, George II. Stahl, Ansell W. Stahl, Russell O. Houghton,
with the one who went on the 19th of April, were enn^lled for tbe three months'
call of President Lincoln. These, we believe, htid $9 per month extra pay.

The response to tbe second call was very large, with $100 bounty and State
aid of $7 per month, as follows, viz. : —

Alfred Billings, Amos Cillings, Charles C. Walker, Charles D. Litchfield, "William F.
Harris, Thomas Lougliee, George L. Curtis, Hear}' L. Burncll, B. Frank Clark, Henry
O. Adams (lost an cj'e), Francis A. Hildretb, Joseph H. Pearson, William L. Boynton,
William Hodgeman, Anson Gleason, Isaac Newton, Jr., Roswcll G. Adams, Marcus
M. Spaulding, Charles Kilburn, Henry P. Kidder, Charles B. Longlc}', James M.
Ilildrclh, Charles E. Oliver, William B. Stahl, George V. Ball, Samuel Ilartwel!,
Noah T. Winn, Juhn A. Gilchrist, Calvin D. Sanderson, Alonzo Whiting, George
Hudson, George A. Lanc\', Luther A. Lancy, Gilbert Cook, David S[)aulding, James
D. Fairbanks, William II. Boynton, George S. Smith, William D. Perrin, Albert W.
Ha3'nes, George Ilaynes, Henry Sanderson, William R. Graves, J. Franklin Boynton,
Charles A. Harris, Hiram W. Longlcy, Joseph L. Proctor, Albert Houghton, David
Merrill, John Catin, Richard II. Wyeth, Joseph R. Graves.

The third call was for thirteen men ; and each one had $100 bounty for three
years, and $7 State aid to fjimily. These were : —

Foster E. L. Beale, George II. Mclntirc, L. O. Bruce, Gardner Vaughn, George H,
Merrill, Eli S. Lanc}-, Lemuel Pitts, Jr., George S. Pitts, Charles H. Ncale, Orlando

^Cy TOWN OF LUNENBURG.

Holraan, Ezekiel G. Bailey, James H. Smith, David N. Kilburn, Charles E. Marshall,
William II. Wyeth, James A. Litchfield, Charles D. Page, J. Frank Butler.

The following are included in the fourth call, viz. : —

Henry P. Kilburn, Forestus 11. Jewett, George A. Howard, Levi Parker, George
E. Brown, Clark Button, Eb. L. Blood, Henry II. Whitney, Fred. J. Lawrence,
Benjamin F. Marshall, Samuel Wallis, Frank O. Cady, Oliver F. Brown, Ed. E.
Carr, Levi W. Goodrich, George W. Conant, Merrill B. Carlton, Andrew J. Green,
Jesse A. Sargent, George A. Stahl, Noble Fisk.

The fifth call came upon the people when matters looked rather dubious, and
the youni^ men did not feel quite so ready to go, and a draft being ordered, the
following responded with a substitute, if not in person, viz. : —

Abijah S. Green, Andrew Cook, John Smith, James Hildreth, 2d, Judge T.
Dinsmoor, George A. Cook, Stillman Phelps, Francis J. Lane, Samuel A. White.

At the end of the second year we had lost eighteen men, which wore mostly
supplied by rc-eulistment of returned volunteers. Subsequently the following
entered the army, viz. : —

John Snow, E. C. Goodrich, Josiah L. Ilonghton, C. C. ToplifF, E. E. Morriam, John
J. Ramsdell, Charles Boynton, Martin Sanderson, George C. Jewett, Albert L.
Ileywood, William B. Neat, Jesse A. Sargent, Marcus F. Prue.

In addition, we are pleased to say that the following are, or were formerly
residents of this town, though not counted as part of its quota : —

James A. Cunningham (since Adjutant-General of the State), Charles II. Cunning-
ham (Major of 27th Wis.), George P. Cotting, Ed. F. Emory. James R. Gilchrist,
William A. Hildreth, Eev. William A. Mandcll, James Savage, Jr., Clark Simonds,
George S. Gilchrist, Warren E. Gilchrist, Stillman Stone (Capt. Vt. Y. M.).

The whole number of residents sent to the war was one hundred and two.
Thirty were killed, or died of wounds or imprisonment ; fourteen were
wounded ; fifty-eiglit came home uninjured. The town furnished nine men
more than the real quota, and in all sent one hundred and fifty-nine men, at a
cost to the town and individuals of fully $34,000. The town voted to "refund
to individuals all money, except to those drafted." In 18GG the town erected
two tablets, with the names of the faWen dead suitably engraved thereon, in
the present towai hall, at a cost of about $300. It is matter of great ivgrct
that the "$300 commutation" was not refunded to each individual.

The first settlers had but little advantages for schooling ; for a long time the
schools were kept at private houses in different parts of the town, at the expense
of those w'ho had children to educate and means to do it with. Rev. Andrew
Gardner taught the first school of which we find any record, in the parsonage
where Martin Johnson now lives, in 1732.

In 1733-4 Nathaniel Haywood, Benjamin Goodrich, Hilkiah Boynton and

FIRST SCHOOLS. 37

Josiah Willard taught in as many difiercnt families, as the scholars might be
more readily convened. Probably in their own houses, as follows : the first at
south part of town ; the second near Unkeshewhalom ; the third at or near
Peabody's ; the fourth at Cyrus Kilburn's. For this purpose $133.20 was
appropriated, and " to be called lawful schools." The next account we find shows
that in 1735 the selectmen were directed to provide, but how much money or
schooling was provided we do not learn. In 1737, $16G.50 w\as appropriated,
and in 1738 $199.80 voted, and school kept by "School Dames" two months
in six diflcrent places. In 1740 the first school-house was built at what is now
the centre of the town, though a great effort was made to have it located further
south, say near what is No. 2 school-house, or farther north, at or near No. 7
school-house. It was a log-hut, and stood on the common. This division of
sentiment had much to do with the present location of our village, so tradition
says. Here was the end of school-house building, as flir as we can learn, till
after the Revolution, as there was but little money.

In 1777 we find an appropriation of $10 made for two schools, one kept in
William Chadwick's corn- barn, now belonging to C. G. Hutchinson. In 1778
$20. 6G was raised. Although the schools were needed there seemed a more
pressing demand for religion, as about twelve times that amount was secured
to the minister. After this the people became more prosperous, and we find
more attention paid to schooling, so that the schools took their proper place
alongside the church, for in 1783 $500 was appropriated for five different
schools, located, as near as we can make out, at centre. No. 2, No. 3, No. 4,
and at Mr. Sanderson's, near Mulpus Bridge, all in private families, except the
centre. In 1792 a Latin teacher was employed, and later nine districts, with
houses built by tax on the inhabitants, located very nearly as at the present
day. The house at the centre was built in 1835 on land given by one Daniel
Stewart. The town supported its schools for many yeais by district tax, but
in 1SG9 the town took the houses and paid the owners in full. In 1841 an
academy was built on land now owned by G. A. Whiltcmore, with John R.
Rollins as the first principal. James J. H. Gregory succeeded him, who in
turn was followed by C. A. Goodrich, but did not prove a financial success,
and was removed in 18G7.

AVithin a short time about $3,000 has been appropriated each year for the
several schools, while the present year less than $1,500 is to be divided among
the eight schools, each to be kept six months, with an average of about twenty-
five scholars to a school. No. 1 house is at the centre ; No. 2 on Lancaster
Road, near Joseph Pcarce ; No. 3 north of " Whalom," near A. Hilbert's ; No.
4 on Townsend Road, near Upper Mulpus Bridge ; No. 5 on Flat Ilill ; No. 7
on Northfield Road, near J. S. Willson's ; No. 8 south of Fitchburg Railroad
depot, near "Hey wood Homestead"; No. 9 at Mulpus Falls, near Mr.
Hildreth's. The schools are now successfully taught by resident females of
the town.

38 TOWN OF LUNENBURG.

Rev. Autlrew Gardner was installed the first minister of Turkey Hills, in
1728, and became possessor of what is the present Dimsmor farm, and also an
extra lot, to make up "a deficiency," at Martin Johnson's, where he built a
house that year. In September of the same year it was voted to pay $88.88
for a meeting-house, which stood where the Orthodox Church is; it was
a very small building (45 feet long and 35 wide), and unfinished, a mere
"shell." Those who had pews had to build them according as a committee for
that purpose directed. Those who had the room behind the gallery were
Jonathan Wood, Samuel Reed, Phineas Osgood, Ezckicl Wymau, David Page,
Stephen Boynton (lived at A. C. Estabrook's), John Fitch and Jonathan
Abbot. The salary was $35.55 per year for six years ! It was intended that
the minister should derive his support from his lands, but how to do it was the
question, seeing he was not allowed to sell. Yet others did sell and litigation
was the result, and long and bitter wrangles folloAved, which set neighbor
against neighbor, so that many went away distrusted, Avhile strangers came and
"squatted" upon their rightful lands, thus getting large estates illegally, (and
yet the minister had no right morally to do so, but for trapping a fowl, instead
of his neighl)or, had to leave the church, while the same church cloaked the
lay members.) David Stearns was settled, in 1733, and lived where John
Howard docs.

In May, 1749, $1,000 was voted to build a mccting-housc on the common, —
this common was afterwards (1771) deeded to the town by Mr. Bellows and
Dr. Taylor. A sufficient sum was also voted to pay for the "rum" to bo
used at the raising ! It contained thirty-eight pews on the floor and twenty-
one in the gallery. Poor people were allowed the vacant plnccs.

In 1762, Samuel Paysou succeeded as minister, and, in 17G4, Zcbdial
Adams, and remained till 1802. He lived at John F. Brown's, and the par-
sonage is still standing as an L to other buildings.

John Hancock presented the church with a Bible in 1772, which is still in
good preservation.

After this Messrs. Flint, Damon and Hubbard were pastors in succession ; the
latter had much difficulty and litigation with his church, which never prospered
after the trouble. Previous to 1800, there had been 2,400 members. (Finally
this church was taken down and divided among the owners, each taking a portion ;
and some parts have been preserved to a late day. A new one was erected on
the common, north of the present hotel, and since sold for a town hall.) In a
few years the Unitarians became the owners of the house. The desk was sup-
plied by Thomas H. Pons till 1847, when William G. Babcock became pastor.
In 1855, James Thurston ; and, in 1859, Charles B. Josselyn. At last Jacob
Caldwell supplied the desk till the house was closed, about 18G5. The society
still holds its organization.

The Orthodox Society was formed by the aid of Rev. Mr. Bellows, in 1835,
with E. B. Harrington, pastor. The church was built in 1844. The preachers

LOCAL NOTES. 39

are as follows: — Asaph Boutellc, E. R. Hodgeman, W. A. Manclell, A. Gold-
smith, W. IL Dowdeii and Walter Rice. The congregation never was large,
and it may bo truly said that not more than one-third of our population are
church-going people.

In 1803, the Methodists organized a society by the assistance of Rev. M.
Crowell ; and worshipped in private families and school-houses, till a house,
situated north of the cemetery on Northtield road, was fitted up for a church
in 1813.

The present church was built in 1829. In 18 12, the Adventists so changed
the views of some of the members that the society came near losinsr its orsfani-
zation. A portion were allowed to leave, while the balance kept the society
alive, and have prospered, with slight exceptions, to the present time. They
have had about sixty diflerent speakers. One of the strongest supporters of
this church, and for a long life, is the venerable Ephraim Jones, now eighty-
seven years old.

Universalism was quite strong in 1840, and, with Rev. John Pcarce as
preacher, caused some stir in church affairs. It had much to do with toning
down the old style of preaching; and immediately following that, the Spirit-
ualists took a strong hold on the community, and have set all in a degree to
thinking, "if these things be so."

F. S. Francis built the first town hall, in 1839, for $1,200. This was sold
and moved from its old site opposite Mr. Francis, when the town bought the
Unitarian Church in 18G7. This church was moved north of D. Putnam's
store, and fitted into a commodious building for the use of the town, at an
expense of $9,165.32.

The first establishment for the benefit of the poor, was bought of Jonathan
Parker, in 1828, for $3,424. Previously the poor had been kept by the one
who would do it cheapest. The town voted, in 1874, to sell that farm, as
the house had been burned, and buy the " Spaulding Place," at "Mulpus
Falls," at an expense of $3,000.

During the early wars people were warned out of town that they might not
gain a settlement, yet some of such, who remained, proved the most valued
citizens in after years.

Rev. Mr. Adams said that, in 1793, the town had become famous for
paupers, "owing to the fecundity of the people ;" to-day, with the same num-
ber of people (1,150), we have less than a dozen, and at an expense of about
$100 each per year.

D. Putnam built a pleasant building for a store, the only one in town, near
the old site, a few years since ; and R. W. Snow moved the old store north
of the town hidl, and fitted it into a dwelling.

The Lowe Brothers have a meat-packing establishment near "Baker's
Brook," on Fitchburg Railroad, in south-west corner of town, which has an
extensive business.

40 ■ TOWN OF LUNENBURG.

Samuel Johnson opened a hotel where J. S. Wilson lives, in 1729, which
was known far and near for half a century, as one of the most excellent for
accommodations in New England, and was the head-quarters of the settlers
to do town business, he being selectman from 1729 to 1750. In later years
James Patterson kept a tavern at J. W. Woolson's, and later Philip Good-
ridge, Jr., one at Massapog ; and in 1792 Benjamin Goodrich's house was
made an inn (south of Whalom). Mr. Reddington kept one at Asa Whiting's ;
Jedediah Estabrook at the Gilchrist House, north of centre, in 1780 ; while the
present "Revere" is the only one in town, it having been in existence nearly
or quite a century.

The first pound was at Samuel Page's, and he was keeper. The next one, near
the present one, at the junction of the roads ; where also stood an oak tree,
the famous "whipping-post," where rogues w^ere sure to get their "just
deserts."

In the year 1850 the town organized a library by purchasing a few books,
and accepting donations of others from the farmers' club and private clubs ;
they also appointed Mrs. S. D. King, librarian. In 18G7, Miss Frances Cald-
well left a legacy of $500 to the town ; the interest, or $30, to be used annually
for books. There are at present about two thousand volumes in the library,
which is kept in the town hall. For nearly tAventy years the library was at
the residence of the librarian.

Dr. John Taylor early settled where Mrs. N. F. Cunningham now lives, and
remained some fifteen years. Then followed Dr. John Dunsmoor, at L. A.
Snow's, and was a surgeon in the army. Dr. Abraham Haskell lived at Mr.
Woolson's ; also, his son followed him in the profession, and lived at the present
hotel. Aaron Bard followed, and his office is still standing. Otis Abercrombie
w^as his successor, and finally S. D. King. Since then there have been quite a
number here for a short time, but most people employ physicians from the
adjoining towns, and as a result we have no surgeon among us.

Below are given li^ts of various civil offices, and of parties who have suc-
cessively occupied them : —

Town Clerks. — Isaac Farusworth, Benj. Goodriclge, 20 years, Benj. Bellows, Jr.,
Wm. Downe, Thos. Sparhawk, Jonathan Lowe, Geo. Kimball, Jedediah Bailey, 19
j'ears, Jacob Welsh, Wm. Cunningham, 10 j'ears, Abraham Haskell, Jr., N. F. Cun-
ningham, 8 years, Josiah Stearns, A. Bard, Wm. Harrington, Edmund Cashing, John
R. Rollins, James Putnam, 28 years, F. Brooks.

Town Treasurers. — Ed. Hartwell, S. Johnson, James Colburn, Jonathan Hubbard,
John Grout, Thos. Prentiss, Josiah Dodge, Wm. Stearns, Abijah Stearns, Joshua
Hutchins, Geo. Kimball, John Bailey, A. Stearns, J. Lowe, S. Graham, Jedediah Esta-
brook, Josiah Stearns, Geo. Kimball, Benj. Reddington, James Stearns, Stephen Stick-
ne}^ N. F. Cunningham, Jacob Caldwell, Wm. Harrington, Simeon Heywood, Thos.
Riley, Edmund Cashing, A. Bard, James Putnam, 30 years, F. Brooks.

Moderators. — Josiah V^illard, Sam'l Johnson, Benj. Goodridge, Jonathan Hubbard,
Isaac Farnsworth, John Grout, Thos. Prentiss, Hilkiah Boynton, John Ileywood,

STATISTICS. * 41

Joshua Ilutchiiis, Asabel Ilartwcll, Wm. Snow, Jonathan Wood, Wra. Stearns, John
Taylor, Jonathan Lowe, Geo. Kimball, John Fuller, Sam'l Billings, Josiah Stearns,
Jacob Welsh, Wm. Cunningham, Thos. Kimball, Chas. Gushing, N. F. Gunningham,
EJ. Gushing, Wni. Crown, Dan'l Putnam, David Wood, Sam'l Holman, David Wood,
Jr., Robert Kimball, G. A. Goodrich, F. M. Marston, G. A. Gunningham, James Ilil-
dreth, 2d.

Represeyitatlves. — There is no record of the members of the General Gourt till 1754,
when John Ileywood was elected ; Edward Ilartwell in 17GG ; John Taylor in 1772 and
'74 ; Geo. Kimball in 1777-78 ; Josiah Stearns in 1780 and '96-98 ; Jacob Welch, 1799 ;
Thos. Kimball in 1800; Ed. Gashing in 1806, '10 '11 and '20; Thomas Brooks in
1812 ; Daniel Putnam in 1829 ; N. F. Gunningham in 1834. Wm. Harlow in 1836 ;
Daniel Low, Jr., 1838-40; Sewell Boutwell in 1842-3; Ithra Lewis in 1844; John
Lane in 1845 ; Willard Porter 1850 ; Isaac Harrington, 2d, in 1851 ; James Putnam,
1852, Geo. D. Brown, 1854; Solomon Tarbell, Jr., in 1861; Reuben W. Snow,
1865 ; Ehiathan Davis, 1868 ; Wm. Baker, 1872 ; Adin G. Estabrook in 1875 ; James
Hildreth, 2d, 1877, — each elected in November. Josiah Stearns was delegate to revise
the Gonstitutiou in 1820, and senator in 1792 to fill a vacancy; and in 1793 was
again chosen by the people.

At the first election of the Commonwealth Sept. 4, 1780, John nancock had
forty-eight votes for governor and only four scattering.

In 1729, jurors were first chosen in town meeting.

We cannot close without acknowledgiug our obligations to Mrs. N. F. Cun-
ningham for being permitted to copy extensively from an unpublished history
of this town, now in her possession, the work of the late George A. Cun-
uiugham.

42 TOWN OF MENDON.

ME N D O N.

BY JOHN G. METCALF, M. D.

CHAPTER I.

FIRST GRANTS OF LAND — ANCIENT BOUNDARIES — RIVERS — INDIAN TROUBLES

FIRST CORN-MILL EARLY PROCEEDINGS BELLINGHAM INCORPORATED

UXBRIDGE — UPTON.

Mendon is the oldest town in the county except Lancaster, and, before
Blackstone (the south parish of Mendon) was incorporated, was the south-
eastern town in the county.

May 28, ]659, the town of Braintree petitioned the General Court for a new
plantation. The Court granted their petition so far as to allow them liberty to
seek out a place and "present their desires, with the names of such persons as
will engage to carry on such a work, unto the next session of this Court."

Oct. 16, 1660, the Court granted them a plantation of eight miles square,
and when a "full number of persons, with an able minister with them, should
appear, they would assign them due bounds."

Mfiy 22, 1662. The commissioners, EHazcr Lusher, Roger Clap and William
Paike, chosen by the General Court to establish rules for the new plantation at
Netmocke, certified to the General Court that "a full number of persons" had
presented themselves, of wh(mi thirteen were from Braintree and ten from
Weymouth. The able minister was Mr. John Rayner, from Weymouth.

Dedham, Dec. 30, 1G63. The commissioners gave notice that those who
had been accepted must settle, with their families, at the plantation, by the
middle of November, 1664, or lose their rights there.

In the meantime Moses Paine and Peter Brackett, of Braintree, had
purchased the eight miles square of the Indians for twenty-four pounds
sterling.

In 1667 the inhabitants of Quinshepauge (Mendon) presented a plat,
surveyed by Joshua Fisher of Dedham, and petitioned for an act of incor-
poration.

May 15, 1667, the plantation of Quinshepauge was incorporated by the name
of Mendon, and was assigned to the county of Middlesex.

INDIAN DIFFICULTIES. 43

The ancient boundaries of the town were as follows, viz. : Be^-innino- at a
point (well known at this day) upon the south bank of Charles River, thence
down stream one railc, thence north four miles wanting forty rods, thence west
eight miles, thence south eight miles, thence east eight miles, and thence north
four miles and forty rods, to the first bound.

These ample bounds, by the successive incorporations of Uxbridge, North-
bridge, Upton, Milford, Bellinghain and Blackstonc, have been so largely
curtailed of their fair proportions that the Meudon of to-day contains but
11,375 acres of the 40,9G0 of the original grant.

At its incorporation the town was covered with a heavy growth of oak, pine,
chestnut and cedar, save a few acres in the vicinity of the rivers and brooks,
used by the Indians for planting-grounds.

Its principal streams arc the Blackstonc, Mumford, Mill and Charles rivers,
generally flowing in a southerly direction, foljp^ving the similar trend of the hills.

The hills of note arc Miigormiscok (its northern portion now known by the
name of Silver Hill) and Bear hills, now in IMilford ; Candlewood, Waterbug
and Chestnut hills, in Blackstonc ; Goat and Wolf hills, in Uxbridge ; while
Misco, AVest, Wigwam, Caleb's, Pond and Neck hills are within the present
limits of the town.

The grant for Mendon was located on the territory of the Nipmuck Indians,
but, having purchased the land by a deed which guaranteed the premises "to
be free and clear of all incumbrances from the foundation of the world to the
present titne," there was little margin for disturbances between the grantors and
grantees. History and tradition are both silent as to any trouble with the
Indians until 1675, when King Philip's war broke out, Mendon being the
first place attacked within the limits of the Massachusetts Colony. The attack,
headed by Matoonas, was made July 14, 1675. Contemporary notices of this
assault convey but meagre intelligence of its lesult. Cotton Mather says four
or five were then slain. A petition of Matthias Puffer, recently found in the
State archives, affirms that his wife and eldest son were among those killed at
Mendon. No names of other victims have as yet been ascertained.

Matoonas lived at Quinsigamond, wherethe Apostle Eliot and Maj. Gookin had
installed the sachem as a justice of the peace, and Matoonas as constable, sup-
posing they had converted them to Christianity. The sachem soon grew tired of
the war, and, to make his peace with the English, surrendered Matoonas, bound
with withes, at Boston. lie was summarily tried, and sentenced to be shot,
the Indians volunteering]: as executioners. His head was cut off and stuck on a
j)ole on Boston Common, near that of his son, who was hung the year before
for murder.

Upon the alarm reaching Boston, Capt. Henchman was immediately sent
for relief, Mendon was declared a frontier town, and the inhabitants forbidden
to abandon the settlement. It was, however, abandoned at the approach of
winter, and the town was soon after burned by the Indians.

44 TOWN OF MENDON.

Although the war was soon terminated by the death of King Philip, muni-
cipal government was not reorganized in Mendon until 1680. Some of the
inhabitants had, however, returned before that time, as the record of births in
the Middlesex County records show.

Among the inconveniences and hardships to which the inhabitants of all new
and frontier settlements are subject, the chief grievances of the people here
were that they were fifteen miles from the nearest corn-mill at Medfield, and
that they "were meanly provided with meddo." The erection of a grist-mill
on Mill River (hence its name), by Benjamin Albee, relieved them of the one
grievance, and, pursuant to their petition, the General Court, by a grant of
"more meddo without their line," abated the other.

The commissioners for overseeing the settlement at Netmocke, among others,
established the following rule : that one hundred and fifty acres should be
granted to an estate of £100 ; viz.^ thirty acres fjr the house lot, ten acres for
meadow, five acres for swamp, and one hundred and five acres for the great
lot; and according to this proportion for all other estates, be they more or
less. This rule was to be observed in all divisions of land, until the settlement
should be incorporated as a town, nor do we find that this rule was materially
chano:ed afterwards.

In after times, when land was sold or grants were made for services rendered
the town, unless the conveyance contained the clause "and entitled to all the
rights and privileges which lots of like dimensions have," the grantee or the
beneficiary gained no interest in the common lands yet undivided. Such were
not regarded as proprietors.

Dec. 12, 1G70, Moses Paine and Peter Bracket, being so directed by the
General Court, assigned the deed they had received from the Indians to the
selectmen of Mendon, for the use of the inhabitants.

The first town meeting was held June 7, 1667, when "the flJ'remen and the
rest of the Inhabitants did choose for theire Selectmen, to order their Pru-
deutiall afitiirs, Col. Willi Crowne, Goodman Benjamin Albee, ifardinando
Tliayre, Dan : Lovett and John Thompson, seniour, & Col. Crowne for
Eegister."

From this time, except from 1675 to 1680, we have an unbroken record of
the transactions of the town to the present day.

In early times, in the transaction of municipal afiiiirs, the people did little
else than choose the principal town officers, always charging them, however,
" to make such rules as should clear the town from the penalty of the law."

Sept. 16, Daniel Lovett was chosen "Clarke of the Writts." It was his duty
to grant "summons and attachments," and to return to the county clerk the
births and deaths, many of which, so returned by him, may now be seen in
Middlesex County archives, at Cambridge.

This year a bounty of 20s. was offered for every wolf killed within the limits
of the town.

PROGRESS OF SETTLEMENT. 45

Jan. 6, 1GG9, Col. Crownc Avas chosen "to be Rcturnccl to Ihe General Court
to gaine power to take y° virdict of y° Jury upon y° death of John Lovctt (killed
by an unruly horse), to Marry and to give the present Constable his oath."

About this time it was ordered, "to take into this town but six more
families " Upon these eight miles square there are living, to-day, more than
twenty thousand people. About this time, "some disquiet" havnig arisen in
regard to municipal affairs, a committee of three was chosen by the General
Court to visit Mcndon and "reijulate their Prudentials."

In 1672 persons absent from town meeting, or leaving before the close,
were fined 2s.

In 1G73, Col. Crowne having removed from town, Mr. Ralph Wheelock of
Medfield (fifteen miles away) was appointed by the General Court to admin-
ister oaths, and to marry persons belonging to either town.

Jan. 1, 1G74, the town appointed John Thompson, Sr., "for to keepe an
Ordinary and publique Hous of Intertainmcnt." About this time the pro-
prietors liegan to keep records separate from the town, in which the lands set
off to the proprietors or sold to others were recorded. By a decision of the
Supreme Court, a few years ago, these records were remanded from the Inst
clerk of the proprietors to the custody of the town of Mcndon. In the Colony
tax to defray the expenses of King Philip's war, when there were but forty-
nine towns in the Colony, the tax for "Mendham" was £G G>". 2d.

In 1G82 Josiah Chapin built the first saw-mill, upon Muddy Brook, just
north from Post's Lane. Matthias Puffer built the second gri.st-mill, upon the
site of the old one built by Benjamin Albec, which was burned by the Indians.
Joseph Stevens, the first blacksmith, being dead, James Bick was to have a
ten-acre lot provided he would do "the town's smithcry work." But James
proved a crooked stick, for he would neither do the "smithcry" work, \)^y for
his lot, or quit it. Finding Bick bent on bickering, the constable was ordered
to pull down his fences. Upon this ho emigrated to Rhode Island.

The usurpation of Andros having terminated in 1G81), the town chose Ensign
Josiah Chapin a delegate to attend a convention to provide for the government
of the Colony.

In 1G89 taxes could be paid in moue3^, or in wheat at 5s\ Qd., barley or
barley malt at 3s. GtZ., vyo, at 3s., and pease at 4s. per bushel.

1692. The tract of land known as the North Purchase was bought of the
Indians for £3 sterling. It is now the north part of Milford.

1G93, March 1. Capt. Josiah Chapin was chosen clerk of the market, and
Benjamin Wheelock, Sanniel Hayward and Samuel Tyler were chosen tything-
men. This was the first time these ofliccs were filled. The train-band was to
give one day's work for cutting wood and carrying it to the minister.

1G94. Assessors were chosen for the first time, and the first pound and
stocks were built, thus early providing the means for restraining damage
feasant, whether committed by man or beast.

46 TOWN OF MENDON.

1G99. Sixteen wolves were killed this year, and "their ears cut off as the
law directs." Of the first settlers np to this time, the following persons had
died; viz., George Aldrich, John Spragne, John Thompson, Sr., Dea. Simon
Peck, Daniel Lovett, Dca. John Warfield, Timothy Winter, Walter Cook and
Jacob Aldrich.

1703. This year the names of seventy persons arc found on the tax list.

1704. The Indians upon the eastern frontiers of the Colony began to
commit depredations, and a general Indian war was deemed imminent. Mcn-
don v/as asaln declared a frontier town, and one-half of the militia-men were
required by law to provide themselves with "a pair of good, serviceable
mogginsons and snow shoes," in anticipation of a winter campaign. The
"mogginsons and snow shoes," however, were not called into service, as the
Indians failed to put in an appearance. About this time an attempt was made
to oust some squatters, from Khode Island, near Shokolog Pond (now in
Uxbridge). In the attempt Joseph and Robert Taft were made prisoners, and
carried to Providence ; but, as they charged the town but Gs. apiece for tlie
campaign, it is supposed their captivity was of short duration. At this time
the load leading north was known as the Marlborough Road, the one leading
south as the Rehoboth Road, the one west as the Connecticut Road, and the
three leading east as the Sherburne, INIedfield and Wrentham roads.

In 1711 a grist-mill was built on Charles River, and was the first one within
the limits of the present town of Bcllingham.

In 1712 the ass-reijate of all taxes were £208 14s. 2d.

1714. Town lines between Mcndon and Sutton, and between Mendon and
Sherburne, w^ere perambulated.

1717. Since the necrological record made in 1699, the following leading
citizens had died; viz., Sergt. Abraham Staples (to perpetuate whose memory
Rev. Carlton A. Staples, of Providence, R. I., and Hamilton B. Staples, Esq.,
of Worcester, have recently erected a substantial granite monument), Christo-
pher Winter, Samuel Thompson, Capt. Joseph White, Benjamin Thayer,
Ebcnezer Read, Dea. Peter Ilolbrook, Samuel Ilayward, Sr., and Ensign
William Holbrook.

1719. Seven persons were chosen ty thing-men ; and, by the act of March 3,
1G94, they were to be fined 40s. each if they refused to serve. They were to
carry a black staff two feet long, with one end tipped with brass.

Nov. 27, 1719. Bcllingham was incorporated, enclosing portions of Men-
don, Dedham and Wrentham. Named for Gov. Bellingham.

1720. The town tax for this year was £134 3s. Ad.

March 31, 1721. The General Court passed an act for the emission of fifty
thousand pounds in bills of credit. These were to be loaned to the towns,
should they so elect. Mendon was set down at £313 10s. Notwithstanding a
strong protest, the town voted to accept their portion of the bills. The bills
soon began to depreciate, and came down to 5s. Gd. in the pound.

NEW TOWNS FORMED. 47

Sept. 5, 172G. Mention is m-'^-e of a great sickness, but the only recorded
deatlis during its supposed prevalence were those of Ebenezer White, Benjamin
Wheaton and Josiah Chapin, Esq.

June 27, 1727. Another portion of territory is taken away and incorporated
by the name of Uxbridge, being the west part of the town.

April 2, 1731. The county of Worcester was incorporated, and Mendon,
which had belonged first to the. county of Middlesex and afterward to the
county of Suffolk, since 1671, was absorbed in the new county, though much
against her will.

Up to this time, 1732, all the roads remained at their original Avidth — that
of ten rods. From this period they began to sell portions of the roads to the
abutters, so that, finally, the roads were brought to the width of four rods.
For every ram running at large it was voted the owner should pay five shillings,
or not have him, and 6d. a week for keeping him.

1733. Raised £100 for repair of roads, and that those wdio did not work
out their taxes last year may do so this year, at the bridge by Samuel Thomp-
son's mill, now Millville, in Blackstonc.

June 14, 1735. The General Court ("seeing that the outlands of the several
towns of Mendon, Uxbridge, Sutton and Hopkinton are completely filled with
inhabitants, and by reason of their remoteness from the places of public
worship,") incorporated the town of Upton.

]\Iay 18, 1737. Voted to raise £40 to let the fish up Patucket River, pro-
vided other towns will pay their proportion.

May 22, 1738. Something new under the sun ! Benjamin Wheelock was
chosen representative to the General Court, and " refused to serve " Ebenezer
Merriam was then chosen representative to the General Court, and he didn't
refuse to serve. This was nothing new under the sun.

1739. The selectmen were directed to lease the burying-yard for thirty
years to some good man, provided he will enclose it with a good stone wall.

1740, May 19. Upon the question of dividing the town, the moderator
directed those who were in favor of it to place themselves upon the women's
side of the house, and those who were opposed upon the men's side.

1744, jNIarch 6. It was voted to erect a monument over the grave of the
Rev. Grindal Rawson, late minister of Mendon.

Voted, that the Mill River Precinct have the town's old law-book during the
pleasure of the town.

174G. Voted to forego a tax of £2 14s. 5d. 3/., new tenor, which is, in old
tenor, £10 17s. llcZ., a discount of seventy-five per cent.

1749. Raised £300, old tenor, for town charges.

1751. Voted to build a school-house, for the use of the town, near the
meeting-house in the East Precinct. Its cost was £212 lis., old tenor.

1753. Wages to be paid on the highway this year were, f.r a man, 2s.,
and for a man and team, 5s. a day, old tenor.

48 TOWN OF MENDON.

1754. This yeur (he long controversy between Mention unci Uxbriilge about
the boundary line was amicably adjusted, and the present line was confirmed
by the General Court.

CFIAPTER II.

MENDON DURING THE WARS — FREXCH AND INDIAN WAR THE REVOLUTION

INFLATED CURRENCY MILFORD INCORPORATED BLACKSTONE — ACTION

DURING THE REBELLION BI-CENTENNIAL CELEBRATION FISHERY EDU-
CATION — FIRST SCHOOL- HOUSE SECOND AND THIRD HIGH SCHOOL.

The town records make no mention that Mendnn furnished any men for
the French war; but npf)n a search among the archives at the State House, it
was found that the town raised seventy-four men for the expedition in
1755.

In 1757, twenty-nine men marched from Mendon for the relief of Fort Wil-
liam Henry. In 1759, when the war was virLually closed by the conquest of
Quebec, IMcndon furnished ninety men ; and in 17C0, Mendon furnished twenty-
one men for the reduction of Montreal.

17G4, March 7. The selectmen reported that they had warned forty-three
persons out of town, according to law. A colonial census was taken this year,
and the whole population of Mendon was one thousand eight hundred and
forty-three.

1771. The valuation of Mendon this year was as follows, viz. : — Eeal estate,
£1,100 15.5. 2d. ; personal, £2,558 5s. 4fZ. ; acres of tillage, seven hundred and
eight ; and ratable polls, four hundred and three.

As early as 1773, the people of Mendon passed twenty resolves, presented
by Joseph Dorr, Esq., as chairman of a committee, condemning, in vigorous
and patriotic terms, the encroachments of the British government. In 1774,
they resolved they would regard all persons buying goods from England as
enemies of their country.

To the call for men, after the battle of Lexington, Mendon responded with
one hundred and sixty-four men. Just how many men were furnished by the
town for the war, the imperfect state of the muster-rolls at the State House
make it impossible to determine. At one time, in 1778, there were seventy-
five men in the army. This year the town voted to approve of the Articles of
Confederation, and rejected the draft of a State constitution, made by the
General Court, by a vote of fifty-seven to two.

June 19, 1780. The town raised £10,000 to defray town charges, and
£13,000 to buy beef for the army. At this time the Continental money had
depreciated so that £100 in specie would buy £6,400 in paper.

April 11, 1780. After a long struggle, the East, or Mill River Precinct was

IN THE ^YAUS. 49

incorporated by the name of Milford, and all matters of business between the
two towns were amicably adjusted.

The first election under the State Constitution, which had just been ratified
by the people, took place Sept. 4, 1780, when John Hancock was chosen
governor. Joseph Dorr, Esq., of Mendon, was chosen a senator by the peopl-,
and a councillor by the General Court.

1781. Thisyearthetotal valuation of Mendon was£3, 708 18s. M. hard money.

1782. At the State election this year, no votes were cast in Mendon,
"though repeatedly called for," but for what reason is not known.

1786. Shays' Eebellion occurred this year, but the people of Mendon di 1
not sympathize with the movement. December 4, Capt. William Torroy, with
his company, marched to Worcester. When a requisition was made for twelve
hundred men, Mendon furnished sixty-three of the number.

1792. A small-pox hospital was allowed, and Dr. Joseph Adams had charge
of it.

In the war of 1812, it was voted to allow each soldier in the service seven
dollars a month in additio:i to the pay allowed by law.

1816. Lewis Allen, collector of taxes, absconded, having embezzled a por-
tion of the money he had collected. His bondsmen supplied the deficit.

1818. The fourth highway district were allowed to work out their highway
taxes, "agreeable to their own minds." They made no report of their doings I

1819. Raised $1,200 to defray town charges; $1,000 for repair of roads,
and $800 for schools.

1820. Hon. Jonathan Russell and Dr. Daniel Thurber were chosen deleiyates
to the convention for revision of the State Constitution.

1821. The town adopted Articles 2, 3, 6, 8 and 14, while the State at large
adopted the articles from 1 to 9 inclusive.

1823. A committee of thirteen was chosen to recommend measures for the
suppression of intemperance, but no report of their doings is found.

The subject of dividing the town began to be agitated, and it was frequently
the subject of discussion at town meetings, the vote being generally against the
division.

1825. The subject of a division was brought before the General Court this
year upon the petition of Sclh Hastings and others.

1826. The petition being lost, as reported by the committee on towns, the
matter of dividing the town at this time came to an end. It was supposed thit
the petition was surreptitiously removed.

1830. Raised $1,200 for schools ; $1,200 for repair of roads and bridges, and
$3,000 for town charges. The farm of Caleb Mowry was bought for $3,400 for
a poor-farm, and the poor were removed to the same.

1834. Obadiah Wood, a representative from this town, introduced a bill i;i
the General Court greatly reducing the number of representatives, and the
same became a law.

VOL. 11.— 7

50 TOWN OF MENDON.

1835. The selectmen were instnictcd to withhold their approbation for
licenses for the sale of intoxicating liquors.

1837. The town treasurer ^/\s^ required to give bonds. The United States
being free from debt, and having a surplus of about seventy millions, placed it
on deposit with the several States. Massachusetts placed her share on deposit
with the several towns. Mendon received $(5,921.61:, of which sum Blackstono
at its incorporation received $4,803.45, leaving for Mendon $2,118.19, which
has been kept intact and at interest to this time for the use of the schools.

1840. The enrolled militia were five hundred and five. At the presidential
election the Democratic ticket had three hundred and five, the Whig ticket
three hundred and one, the others seven. No representative was chosen.

1841. The fourteenth article of the amendments to the constitution having
been adopted, Mendon was entitled to but one representative.

1843. Town officers' report printed for the first time.

1844. The division of the town again mooted, and a petition to that effect
put in circulation.

1845. The town was divided by the parish line, and the new town incor-
porated by the name of Blackstone, March 25, 1845. In the North Parish
(Mendon) were three hundred and nineteen polls; real estate, $379,374;
personal, $137,391 ; and in the South Parish (Blackstone) were six hundred
and ninety-six polls; real estate, $548,299 ; personal, $306,025. Of the sur-
plus revenue Mendon had $2,118.19, and Blackstone, $4,803.45.

1846. The enrolled militia were two hundred and two.

1847. The two towns voting together until 1850, as by the act incorporating
Blackstone they were required to do for representatives to the General Court,
Rev. Benjamin D. Peck was chosen representative. He was afterward State
treasurer of Maine.

1849. Raised $500 for roads, $800 for schools, $750 for the poor, and $400
for incidental expenses. A fire-engine was purchased thiy year, but was sold,
without being used, to the town of Milford, at a loss of about $450.

1850. Harrison Hall was purchased of the proprietors by the town, and to
be known hereafter as the town hall

1852. The road (now Elm Street) laid out by the county commissioners.
The enrolled militia were two hundred and eisrhteen.

1853. A fire-proof safe for holding the records was purchased and placed in
the town hall.

1854. Work on the highway was paid twelve and one-half cents per hour,
and the same for oxen and cart ; for a plow, fifty cents per day.

The Kansas-Nebraska bill being before Congress, strong resolutions were
passed by the town deprecating the act.

1855. A receiving tomb was erected at the old burying-ground.

1857. The 20th, 21st and 22d articles of amendments to the Constitution
were adopted by large mnjorities.

SECOND CENTENNI/U.. 51

1857. The farm of Millius A. Taft was bought for a poor-farm, the Mowry
farm having been sold at the incorporation of Blackstone in 1845. Nov. 3,
the first election under the district system. John G. Metcalf of Mendon was
elected senator for the Worcester south-eastern district, and Samuel W. Scott
of Uxbridge representative for the 20th Worcester district.

1859. The 23d article of amendment to the Constitution adopted by a
vote of 39 to 3G.

18G0. Raised $1,000 for the support of schools, $500 for the poor, $600 for
repair of highways, and $1,000 for incidental expenses.

1801. At the November meeting, the town voted to hire $5,000, to help
sustain the war against secession ; and the selectmen were directed to pay $1
per week each to the wife and children under sixteen years of age of any inhab-
itant in the military service of the United States, and also the same sum each to
any parent, brother, sister or child dependent upon such person at the time of
his entering the army.

The amount of bounties paid by the town was $1G,085, besides $2,510 paid
by individuals. Large sums were also paid as State aid, the same being reim-
bursed by the State at the close of the year. During the war, Mendon fur-
nished 132 men, being 16 in excess of the number required by the several
calls. The number of those who died in the service was 19, and the bodies of
but four were broucrht home for burial.

1864. Fifteen cents per hour was allowed for work on the highway for a
man, the same for oxen and cart, and ten cents per hour for a plow.

Raised $1,200 for schools, $550 for the poor, $1,000 for roads, $1,000 for
incidental expenses, and $1,000 for interest on the war debt.

1865. Raised $1,200 for schools, $550 for the poor, $1,000 for roads,
$1,000 for incidental expenses, $1,000 for interest, and $5,000 to reduce the
town debt.

1867. May 15. The two hundredth anniversary of the incorporation of the
town was celebrated this day by an address from Rev. Carlton A. Staples of
Providence, a native of Mendon, and a poem by Judge Ilcnry Chapin of
Worcester, a native of Upton. Twelve hundred persons partook of a substan-
tial repast provided by William Tufts of Boston.

1868. The High School was established.

1870. The fish commissioners leased Mendon Pond for twenty years, to
Leonard J. Wilson of Milford and John Bliss of Newton, " for the cultivation
of useful fishes," at $656, payable by instalments.

The lessees have stocked the pond with black bass and land-locked salmon.
The enrolled militia were found to be 144. Voted that no persons bo
allowed to sell intoxicating liquors.

1871. Voted that, to all taxes not paid by September 10, one per cent, per
month shall be added until paid.

The line between Bellingham and Mendon established by the General Court.

52 TOWN OF I^IENDON.

The repairs made on the road from the house of Silas Dudley to Milford line,
l)y order of the comity commissioners, cost $(J.950, the length of the road being

306 rods.

1872. The poor-farm leased (afterwards sold), and the poor provided for

elsewhere.

The school-house in District No. 1 was built, at a cost of $1,800.

A self-acting fire-engine and portable extinguishers were purchased, at a cost
of $1,300.

The building formerly the Mendou Bank was purchased and fitted up for a
hall of records, at a cost of $G25.

1873. It was voted that a bounty of ten cents be paid for each woodchuck
killed Avithin the limits of the town.

1874. Raised $1,700 for schools, $1,200 for the poor, $1,500 for roads,
$800 for incidental expenses, $1,600 for payment of interest, and $2,000 for
payment of principal.

D. C. Howard was paid $490.79 as damages and costs for injuries received
by reason of a defect in the highway leading to Milford.

1877. The law-oflice of the late Warren Rawson, Esq., was bought and
converted into a "Lock-np for Tramps."

The educational growth of the town began Jan. 8, 1700, by voting the erec-
tion of the first school-house, and installing Dea. John Warfield, who came
from Dedham, as the first schoolmaster.

In 1709, the minister (Rev. Grindal Rawson) offered, if the town would
procure a Latin schoolmaster, to give him his board for four years. The town
voted to do so, and that his salary should be twenty pounds a year; but, as no
further mention is made of a Latin schoolmaster, it is supposed the project fell
through.

At an early day, the school and the ministry were regaided as proprietors,
and so, when any division of land was agreed on, the school and the ministry
had each a lot assigned them.

In after times, these lots were sold, and the proceeds applied to their
support.

In 1712, Dea. Warfield having resigned his position, the selectmen " being
informed of one Robert Ilusse (Hews), who had formerly been emi)loyed in
that service at Eastham, Agreed to endeavour the obtaining him." At the end
of two years, Martin Pcarce succeeded him, and was to have seventeen pounds
a year, " with his bord and Dyett."

In 1718, William Boyce was hired for a schoolmaster for twenty-eight pounds
per year. In 1721, William Boyce was still the schoolmaster, and was to keep
school in four places; viz., at the school-house by Dea. Warfield's, over Mill
River, at the south end of the town, and about the Great River.

1728-30, Grindal Rawson kept school here, and was to have £22 10"?. for
six months. He was the eleventh child of Rev. Grindal Rawson, and had

SCHOOL MATTERS. 53

graduated from Harvard College in 1728. He was settled in the ministry at
South Hadley, where he remained until 1741, whence he removed to East
Haddam, Conn., and died there March 27, 1777, aged seventy.

In 1733, it was voted that the school should be kept the three summer
months and the three winter months at the school-house, and the other six
months where the selectmen should direct, and Samuel Terry was hired "to
keep a Grammar School for four months for £20."

1735. This 3^ear forty pounds were raised to pay town debts and the
schoolmaster ; but, as no mention is made of the amount of the town debts, we
are left in doubt how large a mofety fell to the share of the schoolmaster. At
this time, Samuel Terry was succeeded by John Field, who was hired for three
months.

1736. John Field was continued as schoolmaster, and "is to keep six
months in the town and six months in the outskirts of the town, and is to have
£45 for his services."

Nov. 26, 1737. Capt. William Rawson was hired to keep a grammar
school for three months. In 1737, he was hired to keep a grammar school for
ten months, at fifty pounds per annum. lie was the nephew of Rev. Griudal
Rawson, and graduated at Harvard College in 1703.

In 1738, Josiah Marshall, A.M., was hired to keep school six months,
"according to the direction of the Province Laws," for thirty pounds old teuor,
in bills of credit of the Province of the Massachusetts Bay.

In 1742, Josiah Marshall, A. M., was hired to keep a grammar school for a
year for nineteen pounds, lawful money, or bills of credit equivalent thereto.

In 1744, Josiah Marshall, A.M., was again chosen schoolmaster; "but the
town refused to build a new school house."

In 1746, Samuel Thayer and six others were chosen a committee "to con-
sider the affair of building a school house or school houses and report at the
next town meeting." At this time, there was but one school-house in the
town.

1747. Voted not to hire Mr. Josiah Marshall as schoolmaster, and, as no
further mention is made of schools during the year, it is presumed none were
kept.

Although the town had recently voted not to build a school-house, yet,
probably in consequence of the report of the committee above mentioned, the
vote was reconsidered, and the town now "voted to build a new School house
and to set it on ye Training Field, adjoyniug ye road." It was to be twenty
feet long, sixteen feet wide, and seven feet between joints. It was located
near where the barn of Albert W. Gaskill now stands, and its cost was to be
defrayed out of the money received for the sale of land in reducing the width
of the roads from ten to four rods in width. The old school-house was sold to
Samuel Thayer for fourteen pounds.

1748. Josiah Marshall, A. M., was duly installed in the new school-house,

TOWN OF MENDON.

but at what salary the record is silent. The school was to be kept four

months.

1749. The town voted the grammar school should not be kept in the school-
house, and no reasons are given for this novel vote.

1750. The town voted to have a grammar schoolmaster, but voted, " l)y
the whole town save one," they would not have Mr. Foster.

They then voted to have Mr. Dorr's son Joseph and Capt. Eleazer Taft's
son Moses "to Keep School by Spells as they can agree."

The second school-house was built near the East Precinct (Milford) meeting-
house "for the use of the town." Neither its size or its exact location can now
be ascertained. Its cost was £212 lis.

1751. Voted that Mr. Dorr's son Joseph shall be the town's schoolmaster
as soon as he can be had, and, when he cannot be had, Mr. Taft's son Moses
to be the schoolmaster. These two teachers were both recent graduates from
Harvard College.

1756. There were but two school-houses in the town, and the attempt to
build another was defeated. It will be remembered that this was in the time
of the French war, when the expenses of the town would be materially
increased, and this, quite likely, was the reason of the adverse vote.

1757. Voted that the "aflfair of the Schoolmaster be left in the hands of the
Selectmen."

1759. This year the town was divided into school districts, but, of their
number, size and boundaries, we have no record.

1760. This year it was voted that each of the eleven school districts should
draw just the amount of money they paid to the amount raised for the support
of schools.

17G3. Some of the districts, not having drawn out all their portion of the
school money, asked the town to allow them interest on the same, but the
town held that all the money should have been expended during the year in
which it was raised and appropriated.

1765. Although there were eleven school districts in town, and but two
school-houses, the town again voted they would build no more.

1771. Voted to appropriate sixty pounds lawful money for schools, with
the interest from the school notes. These notes were given for land set apart
for the schools which had been sold.

From this time, the care of the ordinary schools was confided to the care of
the several districts.

1786. It was voted that the town "provide a Grammar School so far as to
clear the town from any fine." ^

1789. Voted to sell the old school-house which stands on the training-field
"for the most it will fetch."

1796. The first general school committee chosen.

1804. Of the sum of $400 raised for schooling, $33.33 was reserved, and

HIGH SCHOOL. 55

to be divided among such districts as "the Selectmen shall think just," the
remaining portion to be equally divided among the scholars.

1811. Blackstone factory village made a school district.

1824. Kaised $800 for schooling, to be divided among fourteen school
districts.

1832. The school committee were to have $10 each for their services.

1834. There were seventeen school districts, and the town raised $1,200 for
the support of schools.

1838. The first notice of a high school is found this year, as a committee
was chosen to consider the subject " of establishing a school for the benefit of
the whole town."

1845. By the division of the town and the incorporation of Blackstone,
Mendon was left with seven school districts.

Since 1827, the schools have been under the supervision of the school com-
mittee chosen by the town, and, during this period, the character of the schools
has been much improved. Nov/ and improved text-books have been intro-
duced, and persons of more ample qualifications have been engaged as teachers.

The high school, to which scholars from all parts of the town having the
requisite qualifications are admitted, was organized in 1868, and has been
continued to this time. The committees, in the main, have succeeded in pio-
curing the services of able and competent teachers. Two of its alu7nni have
graduated from colleges.

In the centre school, the scholars are graded, being distributed by the com-
mittee among the high, grammar and primary schools.

By chapter 110 of the acts of 1869, the school districts were abolished. By
the same act, the towni was to take possession of the school-houses and
appraise them. Of this appraisal, a tax was to be laid, and the amount
remitted to the tax-payers, "provided the appraised value shall not exceed the
actual cost of the school-houses."

Although the people of Mendon at the time were quite generally opposed to
the abolition of the districts, the feeling is now quite unanimous in the wisdom
of the act.

During the school-year for 1878-9, the whole number of scholars that
attended was 270, distributed among eight schools ; the average attendance
was 89.2 per cent. ; the amount paid teachers was $1,654.50; paid for fuel
and care of fires, $93.20 ; school apparatus, $4 ; the pay of the teacher of the
high school was $65 per month ; the wages of the other teachers varied from
$20 to $34 per month ; salary of superintendent, $75.

56 TOWN OF MENDON.

CHAPTER III.

ECCLESIASTICAL HISTORY MINISTERS AND MEETING-HOUSES THE MENDON

ASSOCIATION LATER CHURCHES AGRICULTURE POLITICAL DOINGS

INDUSTRIES COLLEGE GRADUATES STATISTICS.

As the grant to the Braintree petitioners for a new plantation made it
requisite that there should be an "able minister with them," it will be seen
that the ecclesiastical history of the town began with its first settlement.

It has always been supposed, until recently, that Joseph Emerson was the
first minister of Mendon, as the town records are silent as regards a minister,
save the single mention that land was granted to " the minister." This has
been interpreted to mean "the minister" whenever one should be called; but,
among the State archives, a petition from the inhabitants of Mendon has been
found, wherein it is averred that, if their prayer should be refused, they should
lose "the valuable services of their able and faithful minister, Mr. John
Eayner." This evidence established the fact that Joseph Emerson, who was
not settled until 1G69, was not the first minister. Mr. Rayncr removed from
Mendon in 1668, and was soon afterwards settled at Dover, N. II., succeeding
his father, John Rayner, in the ministry there, who died April 3, 1661). Mr.
Rayner, the son, died Dec. 21, 1676, and was probably unmarried, as his
mother, Frances Rayner, was administratrix of his estate.

April 21, 1668. "It was ordered to give Mr. Benjamin Allot a Call with
his fiather's leave, and a letter was sent to that effect." As Benjamin did not
come, he probably did not receive the apostolic benediction to that effect.

In 1668, it was agreed to build a meeting-house twenty-two feet square, but
it was not finished until the following year.

Dec. 1, 1669, Rev. Joseph Emerson (son-in-law of Peter Bulkeley of Con-
cord), was installed as minister, his father-in-law making the contract with the
town. Part of his pay was to be taken "at some shop in Boston," and he was
to have two pounds of butter for every cow.

Mr. Emerson continued in the ministry until the breaking out of King
Philip's war, when he retired to Concord, and as he died a few years afterward,
it is believed he d^l not again enter the ministry.

Upon the return of the inhabitants after the war, in 1680, the town took
early measures for the r 'building of the meeting-house and parsonage, which
had been destroyed in the general conflagration by the Indians.

The new meeting-house was to be 26 by 24 feet and 14 feet between joints.
The parsonage was to be 26 by 18 feet, with "a leantowe," 12 feet wide, at
one end of the house.

Oct. 4, 1680, Rev. Grindal Rawson, son of the colonial secretary, Edward
Ilawson, was called to the ministry here, but was not permanently settled until

MEETING-HOUSES. 57

April 7, 1684. He was a classmate in college with Cotton Mather. Ho was
installed in the parsonage with his family (he having married a daughter of
Eev. John Wilson of Medfield), by 1682, as we find, in that year, a committee
of three were chosen " to Rectifie Mr. Rawson's Chimneyes."

Mr. Rawson's salary was to be £55 a year, with one cord of wood for every
forty-acre lot, and the train band were to cut it up at his door.

Persons living at a distance from the meeting had liberty "to build a place
for their Relief upon the Sabbath day between the Meeting-House and the
Town Pound." This place of relief was what, in after times, became known
as the noon house. The primitive meeting-house had none of the modern
improvements for warming, and a noon house, with a hole in the roof and an
ample hearth beneath for charcoal, aflforded a comfortable retreat during the
recess at noon.

In a few years the meeting-house was found to be too small and it was voted
to "Inlarge it ten feet up street and ten feet down street."

In 1710, Mr. Rawson and Mr. Jethro Coffin had liberty to build pews in the
meeting-house.

In 1712, Mr. Rawson's salary had been raised to £6Q yearly.

Mr. Rawson died Feb, 6, 1715, after a ministry of thirty-five years, and
Avas buried in the westerly part of the ancient grave-yard in this town, where
a monument was afterward raised to his memory by the town.

In 1713, Mr. Rawson being in feeble health, Mr. Joseph Adams was hired
to supply the pulpit a portion of the year.

Dec. 20, 1715. The town and the church agreed to the settlement of Rev.
Joseph Dorr as their minister, and to give him £160, to be paid in labor and
materials towards building him a house and £75 as his yearly salary.

Feb. 24, 1716. Mr. Dorr accepted the above terms and became the minister
of the town.

He was the youngest son but one of Rev, Edward and Elizabeth Dorr, and
was born in Roxbury in 1689 or 1690. He graduated at Harvard College in
1711 and married Mary, daughter of Rev. Grindal Rawson, his predecessor in
the ministry, April 9, 1724. He continued in the discharge of his ministerial
duties here until his death, March 9, 1768.

Mr. Dorr was the father of the Meadon Association of Ministers, it being
organized at his house, and of it he was a long time moderator.

As early as 1727, the subject of building a new meeting-house began to be
agitated ; but it was not erected until after a long controversy as to the most
eli'^ible site for its location, and after it had been referred to a committee from
neighboring towns. Finally, in 1730, the frame of the house was raised ; the
town, among other articles for refreshment, providing for the occasion "a barrel
ofRhum."

May 18, 1731. The opposition to the site of the meeting-house was not yet
entirely placated, as the following vote will show. The town being met it was

VOL. 11.-8

58 TOWN OF MENDON.

put to vote " to see if they could find out who hath, by cutting, damnified the
meeting-house," and it "passed in the negative." By this it seems the town
was willing to "bury the hatchet."

In 1733, Mr. Dorr had £25 added to his salary.

In 1734, the town voted to build no pews in the meeting-house, or allow
others to do so. Seats, instead of pews, had been constructed, and a com-
mittee assigned the seats, placing the women on one side and the men on
the other.

1736. Although the meeting-house had been some time occupied, it was not
yet finished, as we find £100 was raised to pay John Lyon when he "hath fin-
ished the meeting-house."

In 1741, quite a disturbance in the church took place, Mr. Dorr being
accused of mal-administration, but in what manner does not appear. Thomas
Tenney and others prayed the General Court " to set them ofl* from Mendon on
account of a controversy with Mr. Dorr." Upon the question of referring the
petition to the next General Court there was a dead-lock between the Council
and House of Representatives, and here the controversy ended.

This year the territory east of Mill River and the families living between
Mill River and the eight-rod road were made a precinct. The precinct was soon
organized and the Rev. Amariah Frost of Framingham was ordained Dec. 21,
1743. Mr. Frost remained the minister until the precinct was made a town
and named Milford.

Nov. 8, 1766. The south part of the first precinct was made a precinct, by
the General Court, and called the south precinct, since made the town of
Blackstone.

The Rev. Mr. Balch was settled over it Sept. 14, 1768, and remained its
minister until March 27, 1773. Difficulties soon arose between Mr. Balch and
the people, and there was continual bickering during his stay. According to
a pamphlet printed in Boston, in 1773, Mr. Balch left the precinct in the night.
The pamphlet says Mr. Balch came there very poor, so that the people had to
furnish him with a suit of clothes for his ordination.

After the death of Mr. Dorr, May 9, 1768, there was occasional preaching
during the remainder of the year. Mr. Balch last before mentioned, a Mr.
Messinger, a Mr. Penniman, and perhaps others, rendered occasional service.

Rev. Joseph Willard was installed over the first precinct, April 19, 1769,
and dismissed Dec. 4, 1782. During the latter part of his ministry, there was
a great lack of harmony between him and the people, arising, principally, from
the tardiness with which his salary was collected and paid, finally culminat-
ing in a suit at law brought by Mr. Willard to enforce its payment. Rev.
Caleb Alexander succeeded Mr. Willard as the minister of the First Parish,
and was installed April 12, 1786, and dismissed Dec. 7, 1802. He removed
to western New York, and died at Onondaga, April 12, 1828, siged seventy-
two. He was born in Northfield, July 22, 1755, and graduated from Yale

SUCCESSIVE PASTORS. 59

College, in 1777. Mr. Alexander was an able teacher and writer. He was
greatly iustrumeDtal in founding Hamilton College and Auburn Theological
Seminary. Rev. Preserved Smith was installed Oct. 2, 1805, over the first
and third parishes, preaching alternately at the meeting-houses in each parish
until Oct. 10, 1812, when he was dismissed upon his own request. In Novem-
ber, 1787, he was settled at Rowe and continued his ministry there u itil May,
1804, when he came to Mendon. In 1812, the people of Rowe gave him a
unanimous call to return to that town, and with which he complied. He con-
tinued to preach there for twenty years, having completed a ministry of forty-
five years. In 1832, he went to reside with his son, Rev. Preserved Smith,
at Warwick, until his death, Aug. 15, 1834. He graduated at Brown Uni-
versity in 1786.

It is supposed the pulpit was supplied for the next two years, as we find
there was a committee, in 1812 and 1813, chosen for that purpose.

June 16, 1814. The first parish gave a call to Rev. Luther Bailey, with a
salary of $450. Mr. Bailey declined the call on account of the sum offered as
his salary, but would accede to their request for $550.

Nov. 28, 1814. Gave a call to the Rev. Simeon Doggett at a salar}^ of
$350. Dec. 17, 1814, Mr. Doggett accepted the call and the parish took
measures for his ordination. Mr. Doggett was ordained Jan. 17, 1815, and
dismissed Dec. 4, 1830. Mr. Doggett graduated at Brown University in 1788,
and was a tutor in the University from 1791 to 1796. He was a, native of
Middleborough, and removed to Raynham at the close of his ministry in Men-
don. Many young men fitted for college under his tuition while living in
Mendon.

Rev, Adin Ballou commenced his ministry in February, 1831, being installed
May 3, 1832. Rev. Bernard Whitman preached the ordination sermon. Mr.
Ballou closed his ministry April 1, 1842. While residing here he published
an address on the subject of American Slavery, which was republished in
England. Rev. Linus B. Shaw commenced his ministry in April, 1842, and
closed it May 1, 1844. There was no formal installation. Rev. George M.
Rice was engaged to supply the pulpit, and commenced his labors April 20,
1845, and remained until July 1, 1847. Rev. George G. Channing, brother of
the late William Ellery Channing, began a supply in October, 1847, and con-
tinued his sevices until Dec. 1, 1849. Rev. William H. Kinsley was installed
in June, 1850, Rev. E. S. Gannett, D. D., preachiug the installation sermon.
He remained in the discharge of his parochial duties until his death, Sept. 7, 1851.
Rev. Robert Hassall succeeded Mr. Kinsley, and his ministry continued from
April 1, 1852, to the second Sunday in Januaiy, 1856. He was soon after
settled at Haverhill. Rev. Stillman Barber commenced his ministerial labors,
May 18, 1856, and closed them the second Sunday in April, 1860. Rev. Wil-
liam Tate Phelanwas ordained in May, 1863, and was dismissed, at his request,
April 27, 1866. Rev. Richard Coleman began to preach July 1, 1866, and con-

60 TOWN OF MENDON.

tinned his services until February, 1868. Rev. David Philip Liiklsley com-
menced preaching Jan. 1, 1868, and concluded his services March 31, 1871.
Rev. George F. Clark, late minister at Castiue, Me., began an engagement in
June, 1871, and still continues to supply the pulpit.

The "Mendou Association," so called, was an association of Consfreofational
ministers. It was organized at the house of Rev. Mr. Dorr, "Nov. y^ 8th.
1751." There were present four persons, viz. : — Mr. Dorr, who was chosen
moderator, and Rev. Nathan Webb of Uxbridge, scribe. The two other mem-
bers were, Rev. Amariah Frost of the east precinct in Mil ford, and the Rev.
Elisha Fish of Upton.

At this meeting David Thurston was licensed to preach, and was ordained
over the church at West Medway, June 23, 1752. He was a graduate from
Princeton College, N. J., in 1751. This association still continues to hold
meetin2:s.

Having, in the preceding pages, given an account of the churches down to
1730, a small space will suffice to complete the record. The present Unitarian
Church was built, in 1820, by voluntary contributions, for the u^e of the first
parish. The first Friends' meeting-house was built in 1729, and stood a short
distance below the shop occupied by Timothy Ellis. The meetings in this
house were discontinued by Smithtield monthly meeting, third month, 1841,
and the house sold to Col. Israel Plummer, in 1850, and converted into a
depot at the Northbridge Quarries, on the Providence and Worcester Rail-
road.

The second Friends' meeting-house was built at South Meudon (now Black-
stone), in 1812.

Not long before the incorporation of Blackstone, churches were built at
Millville, Blackstone and Waterford, villages in that town.

In 1828, the "North Congregational Church" was organized, and in 1830
built a church ; but, after a few years of struggle, the organization was aban-
doned and the meeting-house sold to the Methodist Society, which had lately
been gathered, for $650. During the past year, Rev. Phineas C. Sloper of
Natick has officiated as pastor of this society.

The Blackstone Canal was begun in 1824, and the first boat, the "Lady
Carrington," started July 1, 1828. The cost of the canal was $700,000, and
proved a losing investment for its stockholders. It, however, was of benefit
to the public, as it increased the water-power, by its dams and reservoirs, and
thus aided largely in the multiplication of factories. The Blackstone cotton-
mill was built in 1808, and there were smaller mills at Millville, and at Kelley's
and Paine & Ray's on Mill River. Soon after this, W. & D. D. Farnum
erected a large woolen-mill at Waterford, and additional machinery was
operated at Millville and at Paine & Ray's.

In 1847, the Worcester and Providence Railroad superseded the canal, and
not long afterward the canal corporation obtained liberty to surrender its

LOCAL INDUSTRIES. 61

charter. Blackstono was an integral portion of Mendon at this time, and
contained 3,524 inhabitants. In 1870, the two towns contained 6,596, of
which Mendon furnished 1,175, and Blackstone, 5,421.

In Mendon, with its present boundaries, there is one box-factory, two shoddy-
mills, and two boot manufactories. There are five saw and one shingle mill,
one wheelwright's and three blacksmith's shops. There are two taverns, one
of which, kept by David Adams, is a true temperance house. Two stores, in
one of which the post-office is kept.

For farming purposes there is much excellent laud in Mendon. "With a
general inclination to the south, except in the low lands, it is not subject to
early frosts. Its principal productions are hay, potatoes, corn, rye, apples
and cranberries. Many fruit-trees have been set out within a few years, and
many patches of meadow reclaimed for the cultivation of cranberries. Large
quantities of milk are sold from this town, principally at Milford.

Mendon has always been true to the Union. In the days of the Revolution,
while she was passing patriotic resolutions in town meeting, she was, at the
same time, passing patriotic men to the front. So in the Rebellion of 1861,
almost without exception, the citizens of Mendon stood shoulder to shoulder
for its overthrow.

From the days of Jefferson, until a recent period, Mendon had always been
Democratic. The anti-slavery discussion, the repeal of the Missouri compro-
mise, and the attempt to make Kansas a slave-holding State, opened the eyes
of many, and the recent attempt to destroy the Union completed the disin-
tegration of that party.

Since 1861, IMendon has been Republican, and, always, whenever a full vote
is called out, by a decided and satisfactory raiijority. In the election of town
officers partisan predilections have been very generally disregarded. As an
evidence of its sanitary condition and the law-abiding disposition of its
inhabitants, it is sufficient to say that but one physician and one lawyer find
a home within its limits.

The principal portion of the industry of the town is expended in the culti-
vation of the soil.. With the adoption of the improved mipleraents of agri-
culture and a more intelligent application of fertilizers, whether derived from
the compost-heap or the laboratory, the general aspect of the forming lands
shows a decided improvement over the exhibit of thirty-five or forty years ago.
If he who makes two spears of grass grow where one grew before is a public
benefactor, the farmers of Mendon may justly claim an honorable distinction
in that regard.

Owing to the general depression of business at this time (April, 1879), but one
of the boot-shops is in operation, turning out but forty or fifty cases weekly.

The home industries, besides the ordinary care of the household, are mainly
devoted to the sewinsr of bonnets and hats for the straw manufactories in the
neighborinor towns.

TOWN OF MENDON.

The following college graduates are worthy of prominent mention : —

Grindal Rawson,

(Harvard,)

1728

Moses Taft,

1751

Joseph Dorr,

1752

Ezra Thayer,

1754

Alexander Scammell,

1769

Amariah Frost,

1770

William Jennison,

1774

Samuel Jennison,

1774

John Eugene Tyler,

1786

Daniel Peters,

1793

Samuel Dexter,

1801

Warren Rawson,

1802

Seth Chapin,

1808

Peter Wheelock,

1811

Samuel S. Adams,

1812

Preserved Smith,

1812

Samuel Allen,

1814

George Taft, (Harvard,) 1815

William Soden Hastings, " 1817

John Locke Doggett, " 1821

George R. Russell, " 1821

Charles C. P. Hastings, " 1825

Moses D. Southwick, " 1828

Theophilus P. Doggett, " 1829

Nathan George, " 1830

Edward Freeman, " 1833

Eli Thayer, " 1845

George Capron, " 1847

Enos N. Taft, (Yule,) 1850

Samuel P. Bates, (Boston Univ.,) 1851
Hamilton B. Staples, " 1851

Julius A. George, Lawrence ScientiQc
School, . . (Harvard,) 1859-60

These annals are now brought to a close by an exhibit of the financial stand-
ing of the town at the close of the two hundred and eleventh year of its muni-
cipallife, March 3, 1879.

Summary of expenditures during the year.

Damage and costs (defect in the highway).

Incidental expenses.

Repairs of school-houses and supplies.

Printing,

Town officers' services.

State aid to pensioners,

" for other soldiers.
School apparatus.
Support of schools,
Fuel for town hall.
Roads and bridges.
Support of poor.

The liabilities of the town are as follows, viz. :■

Due town officers (estimated), .......

Expended on roads and unpaid (estimated), . . . .

Amount of town bonds outstanding,

«(

((

notes

$350 00

102

127

577

250

226

1,747

1,018

1,770

$6,235

$212 50

387

12,698

3,876

$17,174

STATISTICS. &3

A.vailahle assets.

Taxes uncollected, $1,521 90

Cash in treasurer's hands, ...... 79 25

Due from State, (State aid disbursed, pensioners,) . . 264 00

" " ( " " other soldiers,^ . 187 79

$2,052 94

Leaving the present indebtedness of the town, .... $15,121 35

Toivn officers for 1879. — Town clerk, David Adams ; selectmen, Alexander
H. Allen, Albert W. Gaskill and Horace C. Adams ; treasurer, John G. Met-
calf; assessors, A. H. Allen, M. C. Gaskill and Jas. J. Nutter; constable,
Andrew W. Judson ; superintendent of schools, George F. Clark.

Appropriations for 1879.

Support of schools, $1,200 00

Eepair of roads, 900 00

Support of poor, 1,500 00

Repair of school houses, 450 00

Interest on public debt, 1,100 00

Principal of " 1,000 00

Incidental expenses, 300 00

' $6,450 00

04 TOWN OF MILFORD.

M I L F O II D .

BY REV. ADIN BALLOU.

CHAPTER I.

POSITION AND EXTENT EARLY CONNECTION — INCORPORATION — TOPOGRAPHI-
CAL FEATURES — GEOLOGY AND PRODUCTIONS — GROWTH AND INDUSTRIES —

BOOT AND SHOE BUSINESS RELIGIOUS MOVEMENTS ORTHODOX CHURCH —

UNIVERSALIST, METHODIST, BAPTIST, EPISCOPALIAN, CATHOLIC, UNITARIAN,
SPIRITUALISTS.

MiLFORD is a south-easterly border town of the county, skirting on Middle-
sex and Norfolk near their junction in that quarter. It is bounded north by
Hopkinton, east by Holliston, Medway and Bellingham, south-westerly by
Mendon, and westerly by Upton. It contains 12,170 acres of land, or nineteen
square miles and ten acres. Of this area about two hundred and eighty-one
acres are covered with water in spring and wet seasons, and over three hundred
more are occupied by roads and commons. Its latitude is about 42° 08' N.,
and its longitude 71° 09' W. from Greenwich. Its centre is eighteen miles
south-east from Worcester, thirty south-westerly from Boston, and twenty-five
north by west from Providence, R. I. Its mean altitude above tide-water is a
little less than four hundred and seventy-three feet, its lowest level being three
hundred and eight feet, and its highest six hundred and thirty-seven feet nine
inches. Its length from north to south is about six miles, and its breadth very
irregular, averaging not more than three and one-sixth miles.

In aboriginal times this tract of territory belonged to an easterly sub-tribe or
clan of the Nipmuck Indians. Five-sixths of it were included in the original
purchase from those Indians of eight miles square for Quinshipaug Plantation,
alias Mendon, April 22, 1G62. The other sixth was bought of a family belong-
ing to the same clan, by a Mendon committee, Feb. 19, 1G91. This additional
tract has always been called "The North Purchase." The present territorial
domain of Milford was apart of Mendon until April 11, 1780, when it was
incorporated as a town. Its south-westerly corner began to be settled slightly
between 1670 and 1695. The whole tract, after purchase from the Indians,

EARLY CONDITIO^^ 65

belonged to the proprietors of Mcndon, and was laid out by them from time to
time in lots and parcels to suit incoming settlers. These grew more and more
numerous from 1700 and downward. In 1741 they became enterprising and
ambitious enough to obtain an act of incorporation setting them off as a
separate precinct, sometimes designated as "the second," but more commonly
as "the Easterly Precinct of jMendon." This act bears date Dec. 23, 1741,
and required, as one of its indisponsal)le conditions, that a meeting-house bo
built and an orthodox minister be settled within two years from the date
thereof. A church of twenty-six male members, calling itself "The Second
Church of Christ in Mendon," had already been organized, April 15, 1741,
jircliminar^' to anticipated precinct incorporation. Immediately after incor-
poration the precinct was organized, and set about the erection of a meeting-
house. The exterior of that humble edifice, 40 by 35 feet in dimensions,
fashioned in the usual style of those days, was completed, and Rev. Araariah
Frost ordained as their first minister, Dec. 21, 1743 — just two days before
their incorporation would, in default, have been forfeited.

The incorporation of this precinct into a town, April 11, 1780, was preceded
by a lonir, intermittent struggle between the "INIill River people," then so
termed, and the other inhabitants of the mother town, which, however, was
amicably terminated by a mutual agreement between the parties. May 3, 1779,
in the fourth year of the Revolutionary Avar. The act of incorporation followed
without further opposition, and the town was formally organized May 1, 1780.
Its population w;;s then seven hundred and sixty souls. No certain data give
the number of families, dwellings or legal voters. It may be reasonably esti-
mated that there w^erc one huntlred and fifty families, about the same number
of voters, and one hundred and twenty dwelling-houses, such as they were.
These Avere scattered here and there on about fifty rough and crooked roads,
bridle-paths, &c. The only public edifice in town was the aforesaid precinct
meeting-house. Not a single school-house had then been erected ; private
dwellings or tenement-rooms of inferior convenience being then the only
temples of learning. There was one clergyman, Rev. Mr. Frost; one physi-
cian, the first Dr. Scammell, though the senior Dr. Corbett dwelt near by in
the edge of Bcllingham ; no lawyer, nor but one justice of the peace, Edward
Raw^son, and he not till 1781 ; one licensed innholder, at what was later known
as the Godfrey stand, Jonathan Jones; one or two huckster stores in the
Centre, and another at South Milford, licensed to retail spirituous liquors;
here and there a mechanical craftsman of humble pretensions — a blacksmith,
carpenter, tanner, shoemaker, weaver, tailor, clothier, &g. ; and the other
inhabitants subsisting as best they could on the productions of common
husbandry. Such was Milford at its incorporation, in the afternoon of the
Revolutionary struggle, yet plucky, enterprising and hopeful in its " day of
small things," nothing abashed when some of its smarter neighbors jocosely
named it "Broomshire." Severe were some of its trials that immediately

VOL. U.—9

GQ TOWN OF MILFORD.

ensued, but, through persistent toil and endurance, it gradually rose to distinc-
tion, and won for itself an honorable fame.

The topography of the town may now be briefly delineated. Although it
exhibits little of the grand and picturesque in comparison with many localities
of our counVry, yet it has features of variegation, beauty and utility worthy of
respectful appreciation. If it has some rocky, rough and unattractive por-
tions, it has highlands, dales, plains, rivers and brooks, alike admirable and
useful. It is intersected by two small rivers, both of which rise on its northern
frontier and run its whole length almost parallel to each other. The most
easterly of these is the Charles, which rises in a large highland swamp near
Hopkinton line. It is there a mere brook, four hundred and thirty-two feet
above tide-water at Boston. Thence, running a little south-easterly, it
descends rapidly to a mill privilege in a locality called " "Wildcat," where it
receives "Deer Brook," from Hopkinton. Thence, running in a general
southerly direction, it passes through Cedar Swamp Pond, over "the falls" in
eastern Milf)rd Centre, down the valley to Bellingham factory privilege,
receiving various little tributaries along its course, and so passing onward to
Boston. It leaves town at our lowest level above the sea, three hundred and
eight feet, and affords within our limits only two or three mill-sites. The
other and more westerly river issues from what is now known as North Pond,
but by the Indians was called Maspenock Pond. Only the extreme southerly
end of this pond belongs to Milford — the main body of it to Hopkinton. This
stream has always been called Mill River by the whites. At the point of its
issue it is 452 feet 9 inches above tide-water. It runs in a general southerly
direction, forms a part of the boundary between Milford and Upton, falls 136
leet inches before it leaves toAvn, and affords no less than eleven mill-sites,
six of which are occupied. It leaves town at a level of 310 feet above tide-
Avater, i. e., 8 feet 3 inches above the Charles at its exit. Thence its course is
southward into the Blackstone at Woonsocket, R. I.

Charles and Mill rivers divide the town into three considerable sections.
The most westerly of these abuts northerly on Upton, and skirts INIendon on
the west. It lies on the eastern declivity and along the base of Neck Hill,
extending some four miles southwardly, with an average width of perhaps one
hundred and fifty rods. A large part of it is woodland, swamp, rocky pasture
or otherwise non-arable. A minor portion is good farm laud, and occupied by
thrifty cultivators. Some of these have handsome, elevated and pleasantly
situated estates. The range of highlands known as North Hill and Neck Hill
presents some wild and romantic scenery, and affords, at several points, fine
l)erspeclivc fields in the distance to the eye of the curious visitor. The
altitude on North Hill is 572 feet above sea level, and on Neck Hill, where
iNlilford Main Street crosses Mendon line, it is 470 feet.

The section between Mill and Charles rivers is much the most important of
the three, being six miles in length from north to south, that is, from Hopkin-

NATURAL FEATLT.es. 67

ton to Mendon, and from one to two miles in average breadth cast and west.
It not only affords desirable surface and soil for numerous valuable farms,
country seats, village sites and most of the populous town centre, but very
commanding and delightful pro-^pects of the neighboring regions in all direc-
tions. This is especially true of its highland eminences. Tunnel Ilill, at
Ilopkinton line, near Haven Street, is 61 G feet above tide-water, and gives the
casual beholder who strays thither a pleasing panoramic view toward the south.
Silver Hill, at Aaron Claflin's country seat, presents a still more magnificent
and beautiful expanse of near and distant landscape. The altitude here is 586
feet 9 inches above the ocean level. But this is exceeded by the loftier
eminences of old Magomiscock Hill, so named by the Indians on account,
probably, of the grand and far-reaching prospect it afforded them of their
Nipmuck domain. Standing near where Rucl Cleaveland and his sister
jMeheta1)el now dwell, their keen eyes, in a clear day, could sweep the horizon
from the Blue Hills of Milton round the highlands towards the Wampanoags,
the Narragansctts and the Mohegans, to their own imperial Wachusett, and
even to the distant Monadnock. Their standpoint, as thus contemplated, is
637 feet and 9 inches above the sea-level. This Magomiscock Hill, or rather
range of highlands, affords many commanding and charming views of the
surrounding country. It is of gentle ascent on all sides, and, theref )re, some-
what deceitful as to its actual height. It extends in a slightly south-easterly
direction from the vicinity of Silver Hill, some two miles, till it subsides into
the plains of South Milford. Its western slope descends to Mill River, along
whose intervale the pleasant village of Ilopedale is extending its bright array
of machine-shops and homes. Toward the east it descends in gentle slopes,
replete with larras, rural abodes, and the cheerful evidences of industrial
improvement.

The easterly section is bounded westerly by Charles River, and on other
sides by Ilopkinton, HolHston, jNIedway and Bellingham. Its most con-
spicuous feature is Bear Hill, long a famous landmark, and whose highest peak
is found to have an altitude of 532 feet above tide-w^ater. lis only very steep
acclivity is on its south-westerly side, where it is closely adjacent to the river,
not far south-east of the railroad depots. Its base must have a circumference
of over two miles. It has several eminences and depressions, and a consider-
able portion of it is covered with forest of older or younger growth, though
farms and habitations encroach upon it, and it is rendered somewhat accessible
by decent roads over and around it. Another noticeable feature of this section,
less elevated, is presented by the '' Rocky Woods " in its northerly portion.
These woods are fitly named, for they are rocky indeed. "The North Cedar
Swamp," anciently so called, was once famous, but has been thoroughly
despoiled of its primeval cedars. Perhaps this swamp may be properly
considered as belonging to this section. "The Great Meadow," too, lying
north-east of Bear Hill, was no loss famous with the early settlers of Mendou

68 TOWN OF MILFORD.

and Sherborn, who both coveted its hay, and qnarrelled for a time about their
rival claims. It long ago ceased to be deemed of extraordinary value. The
plain lands north of Bear Ilill are valuable, and have become thickly settled.
There is a range of good farms all along the eastern frontier of this section,
from Bra£r2;ville in the north to Bellingbam in the south. And it has attained
to the honor of having two very popular cemeteries located within its limits,
near the cedar swamp ; viz., the "Pine Grove Cemetery "and the " Catholic
Cemetery."

The geological rock and composition of soil in Milford, in common with the
general surrounding region, arc predominantly gneissic, though the northern
part of it, and especially the north-easterly part, affords some excellent granite,
which is extensively quarried. There is a considerable breadth of peculiar
gneiss rock crossing the town somewhat diagonally from the centre of North
Purchase, south-westerly into Mendon. It seems to be largely composed of
quartz, with little mica and hornblende, and scarcely any feldspar. It is very
hard and brittle. Much of it is of a reddish-yellow hue, as if oxidated by a
slight infusion of iron, though portions of it arc dark gray and blackish. It
has an cccentiic and obstinate fracture, and crumbles into an uncouth gravel.
In some places below the surface it is found in layers of from a few inches to a
foot in thickness, but in general appears in rather unshapely blocks. It is not
a desirable kind of stone, nor, when disintegrated, a good ingredient of the
soil, yielding no potassa, and giving a certain sponginess to the loam. Neither
docs it tread or wear well on roads. But the common gray gneiss and its
detritus generally neutralize it to a considerable extent. The result is a decent
soil throughout the town, quite strong and fertile in spots, but rather deficient
generally in potassa, alumina and the phosphates. These arc desirable fertil-
izers, and are used with good effect. For roads the town has a good crusher of
Buitaljlc stone, and macadamizes liberally.

Of the Hora and fauna of the town it is hardly necessary to speak, as our
vegetable and animal productions, native and exotic, arc the same with those
of the immediate surrounding country. The present forest growth is compara-
tively young. The ancient cedars are gone, probably never to be renewed.
The chestnuts and the oaks arc diminutive in size compared with their sturdy
ancestors. The railroads have made chestnut timber now the most valuable. This
was the predominant timber of our aboriginal forests, and still is so. Beasts,
birds, reptiles and fish, with a few exceptions, remain in kind, but not in abun-
dance. Ilattlesnakes, once fearfully numerous, have been nearly exterminated.
Ferocious beasts have ceased out of the land. Wild game is scarce, and useful
fish arc kept down to a minimum. Milford can boast of but little natural
wealth. It has no mines of the precious, or, indeed, any other metals ; no slate
or limestone ; no marl ; only one small bed of clay, and a few deposits of good
peat. Its quarries of granite already opened, and promising to be opened on
a larger scale, make the chief item in its natural inventory. Its water-power,

GROWING INDUSTRIES. 69

woodlantls and cultivable soil fill up the account. These, thou"-h not lar^-e.
have a respectable value. The town must depend mainly on manufacturins',
mechanical and mercantile thrift. In these it i)rescnts a creditable exhibition.

The growth of Milford and its productive industries was ratlier slow till 1845,
when the branch railroad to South Framingham was auspiciously in progress.
Before that period, several important developments of prosperity had succes-
sively taken place, less marked but full of promise. In 1780, its population
was 7G0 ; in 1790, it was 839 ; in 1800, 907 ; in 1810, 973 ; in 1820, 1,160 ; in
'30, 1,360 ; in '40, 1,773 ; in '50, 4,819 ; in '55, 7,489 ; in '60, 9,132 ; in '65,
9,108 ; in '70, 9,890, and '75, 9,818. During this period the number of ^'ami-
lies rose from 150 to 2,103 ; the number of dwellings from 120 to 1,549 ; the
number of legal voters from 150 or less to 2,118, and the total valuation of
estates from a proportionately small sura to over $5,000,000. The industrial
productions of these ninety-five years advanced in the same ratio. At the
outset they consisted chiefly of agricultural products — of Avhat was raised on
perhaps one hundred and twenty farms, and by. collateral domestic thrift.
The amount of these must be guessed, rather than estimated. But the inhabi-
tants Lad always a predisposition and genius for mechanical and manufacturing
pursuits. These steadily gained ground, as did those of trade, over agricultural
interests, though it took them a quarter of a century or more after the town
was incorporated to obtain the ascendancy. Boot and shoe making got started
as early as 1795, but on a very small scale. The pioneers commenced in petty
apartments of ordinary dwelling-houses or crude outbuildings. They bought
a few dollars' worth of upper and sole leather, made up a dozen pairs of boots
or shoes, and then started oflT with them on foot to find purchasers. If suc-
cessful, they increased their stock, worked it up, took it off in a horse-
wairon to market into the neisrhborinGT towns, often 2:oin2: as far as Boston and
Providence. Next the tanning and dressing of leather became profitable, as
well as convenient. In the course of ten or fifteen years, little fourteen by
sixteen one-story shops sprung up about town, which the bosses crowded
almost to suffocation with journeymen and apprentices. Thus the boot, shoe
and leather business, before 1825, distanced all other kinds of industrial pro-
duction. But even at that date, the largest boot manufactory in town was a
two-story building, not more than thirty-two by twenty feet in size. In 1837,
we had the first authentic return of Milford industries, by order of General
Court, and its showing Avas not very formidable. The following is its abridged
substance in j)art : — one cotton-mill, 1,200 spindles, consumed 13,000 pounds
cotton, turned out 80,000 yards, valued at $5,000, employed 22 hands ; capital
invested, ^15,000.

Boots manufactured, 128,000 pairs, valued at $212,200; employed 342
hands. Hides curried, 5,000; value of leather, $12,000; hands, 5; capital,
$5,000. The other articles specified are sheep and their wool, chairs and
cabinet-ware, tin-ware, straw bonnets, varnish, clothing, shoe-pegs, wagon-

70 TOWN OF MILFOED.

irous and whips. All these minor articles netted only $28,516. This gives ns
the preponderance of the boot and leather industry in 1837. The printed
return of 1845 reports 243,890 pairs of boots manufactured, valued at
$373,835, the work of 482 males and 220 females ; total of employes, 702.
The leather curried was valued at $30,000. In this return cotton manufacture,
whips, &c., drop out, and several new articles are reported, few of which were
of much account. Among them were hatting, saddle and harness making,
soap manufacture, stone quarrying, lumber dressing, mechanics' tools, firewood
prepared, boot-boxes made, sash and blind business, wheelwrighting, &c., —
none of them on a large scale. Some agricultural statistics are worth quoting,
viz. : — " Horses, 205; value, $11,045: neat cattle, 917; value, $18,022:
swine, 414, $2,954; Indian corn, 5,821 bushels, $4,(357; rye, 804 bushels,
$725; barley, G04 bushels, $453; oats, 1,929 bushels, $750; potatoes, 20,123
bushels, $G,'03G; other esculent vegetables, 1,521 bushels, $610; hay, 1,538
tons, $17,500; fruit raised, 13,552 bushels, $5,000; butter, 31,124 pounds,
$5,602; cheese, 17,444 pounds, $1,050."

In 1855 Ihe return mounted np to more striking figures in all the branches
of manufacturing and mcchaiiical industry. Then boots of all kinds manufac-
tured amounted to 1,042,944 pairs, and shoes of all kinds to 5,048 pairs —
total value, $1,787,315.20 ; employing male and female hands to the number of
3,398. Several new and profitable branches of business were reported, but
further details are omitted. When we reach 1875, the statistics are much more
elaborate and formidable. Then the town reported itself to have a population
of 9,818, pursuing nearly fifty occupations, working up stock in over eighty
establishments to the value of $2,353,251. In these eighty odd establishments
the buildings were valued at $335,000, the average amount of stock constantly
on hand at $627,935, and the machinery in use at $211,466. They kept seven-
teen steam-engines in operation, with seven hundred and ninety horse-power,
and six water-wheels, with one hundred and sixty-five horse-power. In these
establishments were 2,618 employes, receiving wages to the amount of $1,110, -
532. There were twenty-one boot and shoe establishments (several of them
large enough to hold all those of 1825), operating on a capital of $710,800,
and turning out goods valued at $2,741,935. It would be tedious in this
abstract to repeat many of the specifications returned for this year. The two
branch railroads, Boston and Albany and Worcester and Providence, kept open
communication with all the great metropolitan centres ; nearly fifteen hundred
boot and shoe makers plied their tools and skill, one hundred and forty mer-
chants and shopkeepers dealt out their various stores, one hundred and forty-
five farmers furnished their kinds of supply for man and beast, one hundred
and seventy-four machinists wrought out the products of their ingenuity,
twenty-six foundryraen faced their furnaces, eighty carpenters were busy at
their callings, twenty-five blacksmiths sweat at their anvils, ninety-two dress-
makers and twenty-three milliners attired the fair sex, forty-five painters

KELIGIOUS HISTORY. 71

garnished the houses and other articles in their line, two commodious hotels
entertained travelers and boarders, eighteen saloon-keepers ministered to lonr'-
ing appetites, six male and tifty-seven i'emale teachers taught the public schools,
two nati'onal banks and one savings bank watched over the currency, three
post-offices received and distributed the mail, thirteen physicians treated the
sick, six lawyers gave counsel in legal matters, one district judge and numerous
justices of the peace preserved public order, three printing-offices diffused
intelligence, and ten clergymen devoted themselves to the salvation of souls.
Much more might be told of the town's upward march in municipal importance,
but, so far as necessary, it may bo better presented under other heads.

Next the religious history, development and status of the town may be given.
There are seven regularly organized religious societies, which have church
edifices and maintain public worship, besides other peculiarists, who, without
much organization, hold occasional meetings of a religious nature. Originall}^
there was but one organized society, "the standing order," so called, of Con-
gregational i>ts. INIention has already been made of the church organized
April 15, 1741. Its members seceded from the First Church in Mendou,
under plea of having been "aggrieved" in their former relations, and succeeded
in getting themselves recognized by an ecclesiastical council as the "Second
Church in Mendon." They chose John Jones and Josiah Adams as their ruling
elders ; also Nathaniel Nelson and Abraham Jones as their deacons. All these
were formally oidained, and public worship was more or less frequently held in
the dwellings of certain members. Presently, as has already been told, the
easterly precinct was incorporated, a meeting-house built, or at least the
exterior of one, and Rev. Amariah Frost ordained as the first pastor, Dec. 21,
1743. Meantime a full reconciliation Avas effected with the mother church, and
its pastor, Rev. Joseph Dorr. Rev. Amariah Frost, who appears to have been
a learned, prudent. Christian gentleman, held the pastoral office until his dealh
March 14, 1792, at the age of 72 years, and in the 49th year of his ministry.
Immediately after the town was incorporated, the church took the title, " Fir^t
Church of Christ in Milford," which has continued to the present time.
During the first ten or twelve years of Mr. Frost's pastorate, he had consider-
able trouble in his church frcmi a species of Comeoutism, that originated prob-
ably in Whitefield's revivalism, or the influences that followed it. The
Comeouters, headed by one Samuel Hovey, who set up as a lay preacher, were
quite numerous for a time, and kept up a separate meeting in private houses,
chiefly in the North Purchase. But their zeal cooled off, and Mr. Frost's pru-
dence brought most of them back into his fold. For many years his moderate
salary was raised by rate, but afterwards mostly by voluntary contribution in
some form. He christened a large number of children, added many members
to his church, solemnized about four hundred marriages, and educated a con-
siderable number of young men for college or the professions. He died while
bis meeting-house was in process of enlargement and thorough repair.

72 TOWN OF MILFORD.

The nine years immediately succeeding Mr. Frost's death were inauspicious.
Religious opinion became divided, sectaries mnltiplied, the town awkwardly
performed its assumed parochial functions, and forty candidates were tried
before a new pastor could bo agreed on by concurrence of the church and
parish. At length Rev. David Long gave satisfaction, and was ordained
May 20, 1801. His pastorate continued forty-three years, and terminated in
his resignation, May 15, 1841. He was in no respect inferior to his
predecessor, and, in several respects, probably superior. In natural ability,
learning, judgment, and all the qualities of a successful clergyman in a rural
community, he commanded general reverence and confidence. He was strictly
evangelical in faith, ecclesiasticism and pietistical methods, and maintained his
position with great fidelity. But he officiated in more turbulent times than
Mr. Frost, and found more difficulties to face. Division and antagonism
prevailed among the people, and ho lived to see new tastes spring up even
within his own fold, which hankered for more attractive pulpit performances.
About the year 1819, a new church edifice was proposed, and a very handsome
one erected. This movement occasioned a bitter controvers}'^ between the town
party, so called, and the parish party. Both parties claimed the old meeting-
house. The parish pnrty reorganized itself so as legally to inherit precinct
rights, and hold them by final decision of the courts. But party feelings,
party lines and party rivalry involved man}' unpleasant consequences. It were
useless to particularize. The new parish meeting-house was completed,
elegantly furnished, dedicated and enjoyed, 3^et with a heretical rival set up
the next 3'car in its neighborhood, which became the cherished rendezvous of
many antagonistic minds. Nevertheless, the Conijreijationalist Church and
parish prospered, maintained its preponderance of zeal, wealth and numbers,
and to this day rejoices in its strength. Mr. Long, like his predecessor, served
faithfully on a meagre salary, practiced a masterly economy, laid no burdens
on his people, and when he felt that a successor of m(jre brilliant address was
desired, quietly resigned, but still continued to serve the town as a trusted
school committee-man till his death, March 13, 1850.

Rev. Smith Bartlett Goodenow succeeded Mr. Long. He was installed Oct.
30, 1844, and dismissed Jan. 1, 1840. He was followed by Rev. Preston
Pond, who was installed May 24, 1849, and dismissed Feb. 16, 1852. His
successor was Rev. James Trask Woodbury, who was installed July 15, 1852,
and died suddenly in his pastorate, Jan. IG, 1861. Rev. Alfred A. Ellsworth
was ordained Sept. 4, 1862, and dismissed June 28, 1865. Rev. James B.
Thornton was installed Nov. 22, 1865, and resigned Jan. 28, 1868. Rev-
Sylvester C. Kendall was installed Aug. 5, 1868, and dismissed June 12,
1S73. Rev. Merrill Richardson, D. D., was installed June 12, 1873, and
died in his popular pastorate, Dec. 12, 1877. The present incumbent. Rev.
Oliver S Dean, was installed Sept. 20, 1877, and ministers to his people with
commanding respect. The church edifice was removed westward its whole

UNIYERSALISTS. 73

length in 1868, raised up so as to afford space for a suite of basement rooms
in the handsomest modern style, much extended in length, and completely
renovated, — all at an expense of over $25,000. Its accommodations, beauti-
fications, line organ, &c., are eminently satisfactory to the congregation and
public. It will scat a large concourse, and has an average Sunday attendance
of several hundreds. The parish has been paying its pastors, since 18G8, an
annual salary varying from $2,000 to $3,500. This church numbers 79 male
members, and 210 females ; a total of 289. Its Sunday school numbers
between 300 and 400, and the library thereof over 800 volumes. Several sub-
sidiary henevolent societies are in active co-operatiou in couneclion with the
parish and church.

The Universalist Society ranks next in age. Universalism began to be
preiichcd in Milford, probably, in 1781 or '82, by Rev. Adam Strceter. The
society w'as organized with eleven members in August, 1785. It bore the title,
"The Independent Christian Society, commonly called Universalist." Dec. 28,
1787, it adopted the religious compact recommended by the then recently
organized General Convention of Universalists to all its constituent societies ;
a document too long for insertion here. The society held regular Sunday
meetings once a month in the dwellings of its members for many years. In
1791, the town voted them the privilege of holding meetings in the "Town's
Meeting-house on week days, when not otherwise wanted." They continued
to hold meetings, cither monthly or less frequently, down to 1819. The
preachers who supplied, either regularly once a month or occasionally, from
1785 to 1819, were Revs. Adam Strceter, Zcphaniah Lathe, Joshua Flagg,
Mr. Bigelow, Richard Carrique, Caleb Rich, John Murray, and others whose
names are not recorded. In 1819, when the controversy arose between the
town and parish parties about the ownership of the old precinct meeting-house,
the Universalist Society became at once the focus of new afBliations, and was
the prominent heir of public favor from the excited town party. The result
was the "Brick Church," often so designated. Twelve proprietors associated
themselves to erect that edifice, complete it for public worship, and sell or rent
the pews to whoever might want them. Rivalry and ambition took care to
make it a fraction larger than the parish sanctuary, to give it a substantial
tower sixty feet high rather than a spire of loftier pretensions, to procure it a
bell five hundred weight heavier, and to furnish it with one of Ilolbrook's best
village clocks. All this was accomplished, and the house dedicated Jan. 10,
1821, with great rejoicings. The Universalists of Milford were now a people
prepared to assume and maintain a respectable religious standing. Since 1821,
they have had a succession of sonle twenty pastors; viz.. Revs. Thomas Whit-
temore, Jacob Frieze, Adin Ballou, Elbridge Trull, Ruins S. Pope, II. W.
Morse, Z. Baker, William Bell, W. R. G. Mellen, Benjamin II. Davis,
William Coe, Willard Spaulding, Henry A. Eaton, David II. Plumb, James
R. Johnson, George Hill, Russell P. Ambler, G. L. Demarest, Edward A.

VOL. II.— 10

74 TOWN OF MILFORD.

Perry, and the present incumbent, Royal T. Sawyer. Their pastorates have
been of various length, from one year to six, and their salaries per annum
from $300 to $1,800. The present one is $1,200.

The society has passed through several vicissitudes of prosperity and adver-
sity. It has been reorganized once or twice under revised constitutions, with
some little change of title. Under the pastorate of Rev. Henry A. Eaton, a
church of communicants was formed, and recognized with the solemnities insti-
tuted by the order. This was in 1849 or '50. About the same period, the
society erected their present handsome church edifice on Pearl Street, at a cost
of over $9,000. It was dedicated May 1, 1851. It has about 600 rentable
sittings, a valuable organ that cost $1,800, a commodious basement vestry,
and most other modern conveniences. The average Sunday congregation
numbers 300; the communicants of the church, 28; the Sunday school, 125,
and its library 425 volumes. The society is at this time in a flourishing and
hopefid state.

The Methodists gained an early foothold in Milford. Their circuit-riders
began to preach in the North Purchase in 1792, and, with their sterling zeal,
soon planted a society there. A preaching station was presently established in
connection with a twin one in (Ilayden Row) Ilopkinton, and regular ministers
were officiating before 1801. There was a devoted class in vigorous activity
that year under Rev. Joseph Snelling, with Edmund Bowker and Ebenczer
McFarland as leaders. A meeting-house Avas built in 1815, 34 by 30 feet,
with 12 feet height of posts, which, with occasional repairs, continued till
burnt down by rowdy incendiaries Oct. 23, 1860. A long succession of
preachers, mostly Episcopal, but some of them Protestant INIethodists, minis-
tered to the society till it became defunct, some twenty years or more ago.
Those preachers, so far as records and tradition now show, were : Revs. George
Cannon, John Harper, George Pickering, Joseph Snelling, Joshua Sonic,
Nehemiah Coy, Elijah Hedding, Isaac Bouncy, Erastus Otis, Ilezekiah
Thatcher, Herman Perry, Thomas W. Tucker, O. Robbins, A. T. Temple,
Nathaniel Spindle, John Dale, Lorenzo Johnson, Thomas Johnson, Thomas F.
Morris, William Tozzer and Leonard Wakefield. The society passed through
many phases of fortune and polity until it gradually died out, or was super-
seded in 1844 by the present flourishing society in the town centre.

This society commenced by holding prayer, praise and conference meetings
in private houses in 1836. These grew at length into meetings for public wor-
ship in the old town house. The result of development was a church edifice
and parsonage on Exchange Street by aid of a liberal donation from their
wealthy brother in the faith, Hon. Lee Claflin, late of Ilopkinton. The par-
sonage was wholly his gift. The sanctuary was much enlarged and improved
in 1864. The society's property'" is now valued at $14,000, entirely free of
debt. Its communicants number 240; average Sunday audiences, 250; Sun-
day school, 200, and library 750 volumes. It has been served by the follow-

EPISCOPALIANS. 75

iug named preachers and pastors, none of wliose terms have exceeded three
years : Revs. Henry E. Hemstead, Joseph Whitman, C. W. Ainsworth, Albert
A. Cooke, Isaac Smith, Aaron D. Sargeant, Daniel Richards, J. INI. Bailey,
George G. Jones, Edward S. Best, Joseph Scott, William G. Leonard, Loranus
Crovvell, William II. Hatch, Rodney H. Howard, Porter M. Vinton, and George
F. Eaton, the present incumbent. The society seems to have a bright and
assured future.

The Baptists of this town deserve respectful mention. They are less numer-
ous than the INIcthodists, but have a creditable standing among their contem-
porary religionists. Their organization is styled "The Central Baptist Church
and Society." Their church was organized Feb. 15, 1853, and recognized by
an ecclesiastical council, ]\Iarch 10 of that year, having then twenty-three con-
stituent members. Its meetings for public worship were held at first in the
Brick Church, and then in various pul)lic halls, until, by persistent exertions
and some aid from benevolent friends outside, they completed their commo-
dious church-edifice on Pine Street. This was dedicated, with appropriate
solemnities, July 18, 18GL There have been a few Baptists in town, and
occasional preaching of their faith and order, mostly in private dwellings or in
school-houses, from 1780 downward. Indeed, it may be presumed that the
line might be run back to early precinct times, say 1750. But the denomina-
tion gained no organized foothold here till 1853. The Baptists here, as every-
where, are a sober, determined and devoted people, who, if not fast, are sure-
footed. They have struggled hard under consideral)le difiiculties, and grown
slowly, but may reasonably expect solid success. Their sanctuary cost $7,000,
and is encumbered by no burden of debt. They have a good organ of twenty-
two stops, an average Sunday audience of over 100, a resident membership of
113 communicants, a Sunday school of 117, and a library of 270 volumes.
Their succession of pastors has been as follows : Revs. J. W. Russell, Levi
Abbott, Horace G. Plubbard, K. Holt, Joseph Ricker, Mv. Paige, Mr. Carr,
who died in about three months, and Julius B. Rol)inson, whose pastorate
closed May 25, 1879, to the great regret of his people and many outside
friends. Rev. E. A. Woodsun followed, installed Sept. 19, 1879.

The Protestant Episcopal Church has a representative organization in this
town, known as "Trinity Parish." It was organized in April, 1864, and incor-
porated by act of the Legislature in May of that year. Its membership then
consisted of twenty persons. Religious services of this denomination were
first held in Irving Hall on Sunday, May 17, 1863, by Rev. Reese F. Alsop
of St. John's Church, Framingham. Others followed, resulting in the organ-
ization of the parish and church. After organization, public worship was
regularly held in Washington Hall, until the consecration of a church edifice,
March 21, 1871. That edifice stands on Congress Street, corner of Exchange.
It is an ample structure in the Gothic style of architecture, with a new tower
recently added ; affords the usual conveniences of a public sanctuary, and

76 TOWN OF MILFOPvD.

exhibits the peculiar features everywhere dear to Episcopalian veneration. It
has also a fine or2;au to lead its choral devotions. The entire cost of the whole
was about $12,000, paid by subscription of members and outside donors. A
dignified and reverent respectability characterizes the Protestant Episcopal
Church wherever it casts the shadows of its sanctuaries, and it is so here. Its
pillars are persons of weight, culture and taste, and their less distinguished
associates are people of reputable moral worth. They have an average Sunday
audience of 100 or more, about 80 communicants, a Sunday school of nearly
60, and a library of 300 volumes. Their succession of rectors, commencing
Jan. 1, 1864, has been: Revs. Henry Adams, George G. Jones, E. B. Allen,
Reginald II. Howe, John M. Benedict, William F. Lloyd, and George R.
Wheelock, recently resigned. Permanence and prosperity are the probable
destiny of this society.

St. Mary's Church (Roman Catholic) is now by far the largest religious
organization in town, having an average attendance on its principal Sunday
sei'vices outnumbering that of all the other concfregations tocrether. Yet it is of

o coo

comparatively recent date. Previous to 1830, there were no known Catholics
in Milford. There may have been, first and last, half a dozen Irishmen, and
one or two of Catholic christening, but there was no profession. After that
period, here and there, one appeared as a craftsman or laboring jobber, who
avowed his religion. The construction of the branch railroad to Framinsfham,

O O '

between 1841 and 1848, brought swarms of them into town, and the great
Irish famine doubled their number. The boot manufacturers gave them much
employment, and they entered into every kind of practicable business. Mean-
time they were as sheep without a shepherd, and were naturally looked after
by those whose professional duty it was to see that they were not lost. Occa-
sionally a priest called them together for religious services in their private
dwellings. In 1848, Rev. John Boyce from AVorcester commenced the erec-
tion of a church edifice. About the same time he organized the church and
parish known as St. JNIary's, and set in motion the necessary parochial opera-
tions. The church edifice was a wooden one of no extraordinary pretensions,
but adapted to the then humble circumstances and wants of the people. It
was erected in the neighborhood of "the Plains," so called, on the road to
HoUiston, north of Bear Hill. It was consecrated in due time, and continued
to be occupied till Dec. 25, 1870, when the spacious stone semi-cathedral on
Granite Street was dedicated. Its first stone was laid with solemn prelatical
ceremonies, by Rt. Rev. J. J. Williams, June 1, 1866, and it was nearly five
years in building. It stands on the corner of Granite and Sumner streets, and
is one hundred and sixty-five feet in length by seventy-two in width, besides
the porches, the foundation of an intended lateral tower, which is to be of
solid stone masonry. An extemporized wooden tower near by sustains, for
the present, one of the richest toned bells in America. It was cast in Ireland,
a few years since, and with its hangings weighs 4,000 pounds. The church

HOPEDALE PAEISH. 77

superstructure itself was built of n, whitish grauite takeu from a quarry in
Rocky Woods, is iu the early Euglish style of architecture, and scats about
1,400 persons, without extras. During 1878, the organ of the "Old South
Church " in Boston was purchased and translated to St. Mary's choral gallery.
Under three-fourths of the edifice is a commodious chapel for daily services
and mass for children on Snuday ; and it is furnished throughout with a rich
plentitude of symbols, statuary and paintings — some of the latter displaying
rare excellence. Attached to this spacious sanctuary are two acres of land
occupied by priest's house and garden. The entire cost of the premises is
stated to have been over $100,000. The projection, direction, execution and
consummation of this whole parochial establishment reflect great credit on Rev.
Father Cuddihy, whose long pastorate of this parish has been replete with ener-
getic achievement for its welfiire and prosperity. He took charge of St. Mary's
iu 1857, which at that time included not only the Catholics of this town, but
of a largo surrounding region now supplied by several independent pastors.
He has still 3,500 souls under his care, requiring 200 baptisms a3'car, and
affording an average of 1,000 attendants on high mass, every week, and a Sun-
day school of about 800. He has always had one or more sub-pastors to assist
him in his arduous duties. His predecessors, of longer or shorter official ser-
vice, were Rev. Fathers James Fitton (now of East Boston, first here), John
Boyce, George A. Hamilton, Michael Carrahal and Edward Farrclly, who died
in his pastorate here Aug. 13, 1857.

The Catholics of Milford have had a remarkable growth in numbers, indus-
trial enterprise, aggregate wealth, intelligence, social standing and political
weiirht. Thev have also made crcdita])le moral improvement. Notwilhstand-
ing some defects and delinquencies, which good Catholics deplore and arc striv-
ing to correct, the general body exhibits a fair average of civil and moral Avorth.
Protestant civilians and moralists, whose educational prejudices inclined them
to anticipate serious evils from their influx, confess themselves, on the whole,
happily disappointed. As a religious society their prospects are eminently
auspicious. Natural increase, growing intelligence, gradual accumulation of
property, reformation of unfortunate habits, devotion to their church, and
above all, the oversight of an ecclesiasticism the most potent and efficient in
Christendom, all concur to insure them a commanding future among us.

The seventh religious society in town was organized Oct. 27, 18G7. It is
an independent Congregational parish, though associated by membership and
religious fellowship with "The Worcester Conference of Congregational (Uni-
tarian) and other Christian Societies." At formation it designated itself "a
Liberal Christian Society, to bo called The Ilopcdale Parish." It made no
declaration of faith or principles, other than might be inferred from the pre-
amble and articles of its constitution. Nor has it ever had any church organ-
ization distinct from that of the parish. Its origin and circumstances rendered
its constituency somewhat peculiar. It became the successor, heir and assign

78 TOWN OF MILFORD.

of "The Hopedale Community." That community was formed in 1841, located
at Hopedale in 1842, vigorously prosecuted as a joint-stock and a nnited indus-
trial association till 1856, and then continued as a practical Christian religious
society, with certain guaranties, till 18G7. It was projected, and sustained
till 1S5C^, as an attempted exemplification of all the cardinal principles of prac-
tical Christianity, both individually and socially. It has an important history
of its own, but too long for this sketch. Suffice it to say, that, though one
of the noblest of undertakings, it lacked some indispensable conditions of per-
manent success, and its members had not the requisite wisdom, goodness and
perseverance to master adverse influences. They therefore fell back into the
prevailing order of society. A part of them naturally dispersed in the course
of a few years, new comers took their places, business prospered under the
skilful management of the firms and corporations which succeeded the commu-
nity, and its remaining members were blended with a complex population.
The result was, "The Hopedale Parish," which inherited, by subsequent ami-
cable arrangements, a nice little church edifice nnd grounds worth some $8,000,
the Sunday school, its library of five hundred volumes, and a fund to support
said liljrary of $800. Also the community cemetery and other residuary
leavings of less importance. The new parish called the senior pastor of the
community, who had resided in Hopedale since 1842, to be their pastor, and
he has continued in that office to the present time, on an annual salary of $800.
It will be understood that he is the writer of this paper. The parish is small,
never having over one hundred and twenty voting members. The average
attendance on public worship cannot be rated at over one hundred ; though it
would be somewhat larger if it included the Sunday school. But the latter,
which ranges from sixty to seventy-five attendants, has separate forenoon exer-
cises, and is but slightly represented in the regular afternoon congregation.
There are pleasant privileges and associations connected with the parish, small
as it is. IIo[)edale itself, as a village, is a beautiful and cheerful one — steadily
growing and prosperous. Several of its families attend public worship in the
various sanctuaries of the town centre. Others quietly dispense with regular
public ministrations and worship as unedifying to them. But church-goers or
not, a general good order and kindly feeling prevails among the Hopedale pop-
ulation.

There is a considerable number of modern Spiritualists in town, who have
held many public meetings as well as social seances, during the past twenty-
five years ; but have sustained no permanent organization. A Unitarian
Society in the centre existed for a time, held public worship and had a minister,
but disbanded after a year or two of experiment. There was also, at one time,
a society calling themselves "Friends of Progress," which had only a brief
existence. Probably there are a few peculiarists difficult to describe, and not
a few sceptics, iudifierentists, and unchurched outsiders of various characteris-
tics. It may, however, be truthfully said that Milford has never had a propor-

MILITARY RECORD. 79

tionately largo criminal class ; that it has never developed much of superstition
or fanaticism among its population; and that, though it has a fair quota of
minds inflexibly settled in their religious or non-religious convictions, there arc
few municipalities in the world whose inhabitants arc more kindly tolerant of
each other's differences.

CHAPTER II.

MILITAPtY AND PATRIOTIC RECORD — REVOLUTION — INSURRECTIONS — MILITARY

ORGANIZATIONS KDUCATIONAND LITERARY STANDING — MAINTENANCE OF

THE POOR — SANITARY EFFORTS — FIRE DEPARTMENT — ROADS AND WAYS

PARKS AND COMMONS — CEMETERIES.

In respect to patriotism, warlike sacrifice and martial gaUantry, this town
has always sustained an eminent reputation. It has bred no cowards or
traitors. And even the number on its soil, who, from religious scruples, stood
aloof from military organizations has always been small. In its early precinct
days it is said to have been well represented by otBcers and soldiers in the
French and Indian war of 1744 to '48. In the great French war of 1755 to
'G3, which resulted in annexing the Canadas, &c., to the British Empire, the
muster-rolls and provincial records, although defective, bear testimony that
this, as well as every part of Mendon, contributed liberally of men, bv.ood and
treasure to the triumph achieved. When the Revolutionary war opened, no
portion of Mendon exhibited more stanch patriotism, zeal and devotion than
the citizens east of Neck Hill, — soon to be set off as Milford. Of the four
companies sent by the parent town to the early scat of hostilities, two" were
largely manned and officered from the easterly pi-ecinct ; one of these, if not
both, flew with gallant alacrity to the near neighborhood of Boston, the mo-
ment the battle of Lexin2:ton sent forth its alarm. This sketch cannot admit
the detail of names, or even of collective movements, which belong to the
local history of that period. Suffice it to say, that through every stage of that
war, before and after Milford became a town, its record is replete with deeds
of heroic patriotism and self-saciiticing devotion to the great cause of American
Independence. Among its native-born officers and soldiers, the noblest was
Alexander Scammcll. He was distinguished for all the personal, social and
military qualities which rendered him a favorite in Washington's family, and
made him a:i adjutant-general of the United States armies. He was born in
1744, graduated at Harvard University in 1 7 G9, fought and was wounded at
the battle of Saratoga in 1777, made adjutant-general in 1780, was field officer
at the siege of Yorktown, Sept. 30, 1780, when he was surprised and captured
by a party of the enemy's cavalry, who basely wounded him after surrender.

80 ■ TOWN OF MILFORD.

He died of his Avounds, at Williamsburg, Va., Oct. 6, 1781, deeply lamented
by his countrymen and friends as a pre-eminent hero-martyr.

In the distressing financial times which immediately followed the establish-
ment of national independence, and which bred the Shays insurrection, Mil-
ford sympathized deeply with the suffering classes, but gave no countenance to
the insurrectionists, and stood ready to aid in crushing the armed malcontents ;
yet, when they disbanded, it earnestly petitioned the General Cuurt to give
them amnesty. Thus its people ac'ed the part of loyal pacificators. When
the alarm occasioned by the whiskey insurrection of 1794 in Pennsylvania
came, and the one occasioned by the threatened war with France in 1708, the
town promptly prepared to answer the requisitions of government, by providing
all the necessaries, and holding their contingent of men ready (as the records
phrase it) "to march at a minute's warning." A vigorous train-band was liber-
ally fostered, as had been done from early precinct times. In 1803, the enter-
prising young men of the period organized an artillery company, which had a
long run of popularity extending through forty-three years. It h;id two brass
field-pieces, with generally full ranks in nice uniform, and was commanded
nearly always by the most gallant officers "to the manner born." It only had a
single opportunity to go into camp service, which was in 1814, near the close
of the second war with England, and then for only about sixty days. The
State government feared a British assault on Boston from formiclal)lc fleets
hovering along the coast. But the danger was soon over, and the company
honorably discharged. This company gave initiatory training to one brigadier-
general, two colonels, eight mtijors, fourteen captains, no further promoted, and
a proportionate number of lower officers. Probably most of its majors would
have risen higher had not the company for the most part, been attached to an
artillery battalion distinct from the ordinary militia.

A "fine company of light infantry, called "The Larayettc Guards," was
organized in 182G, and sustained a good reputation till 184G, — twenty years, — •
when it was disbanded. It reared two lieutenant-colonels, eight captairs, no
further promoted, and a proportionate number of subordinate officers. The
ordinary infantry company, which began with the militia organization immedi-
ately succeeding the Revolutionary war and continued till 1840, when super-
seded by the "Volunteer Militia," produced seven colonels and lieutenant-
colonels, one mnjor, twelve captains, no further promoted, &c. In 1840, nine
Revolutionary pensioners still survived in towm. The enrolled militia, liable
to be mustered only in extraordinary emergencies, rose from one hundred and
forty-five in 1840, to nearly fourteen hundred in 1875. A smart volunteer
company, designated as "Co. A," was organized in 1853, which had a popular
run till the war of Rebellion, when a considerable part of it became incor-
porated with a New York regiment, called "The jMozart," and went into
United States service. It had a succession of five captains, one of whom
became a lieutenant-colonel.

HOPEDAI.K MACHINE CO., AND UrXCHEU TEMPLE CO. S "WORKS, HOPEDALE, MASS.

HOPEDALE MACHINE COMPANY'S WORKS, HOPEDALE, MASS.

THE CIVIL WAR. 81

Milford claims an honorable record, for contributions of men, life, blood,
treasure, and various useful services in the great war of Rebellion. She fur-
nished, directly and indirectly, 1,205 men for the battle-fields of the Union, —
IX surplus of 195 over all regular requisitions. Of these fifty were killed in battle,
seventy-six died of wounds and disease, and 180 were sadly disabled, several
of whom have since died in consequence. The soldiers were led by forty-eisfht
officers of the grade of lieutenants and captains, including four suigeons.
Several of these fell in battle or died in camp. Those who survived won more
or less promotion. One who l.ft home a captain returned a major, and one
who left a second lieutenant returned a brevet bri^adier-sjeneral. The town
also insists on fair credit f,)r having bred and educated A. B. Underwood
(though sent from another locality), who left a captain, and retnrncd a crippled
hero, breveted a major-general, richly merited by deeds of valor and painful
endurance. The amount of money appropriated and expended on account of
the war, exclusive of State aid, was $62, GOO, to which should be added
$14,832, contributed by private subscription; total, $77,432. The amount
p;iid by the town during the war, for State aid, and which was refimded, was
$90,135.02. Meantime the ladies of the town devotedly served the cause by
assiduously providing sanitary stores, among which were 240 sheets, 77 pairs
slip[)ers, 222 pairs drawers, 885 bandage rolls, 448 shirts, 227 pairs woolen
hose, 595 towels, 189 woolen undershirts, 447 handkerchiefs, 24 "boxes of
delicacies," 225 napkins, 05 pillows for wounded limbs, &c., &c. And while
their seniors were encountering the perils of actual war, their juniors at home
fv)rmed and drilled a company of lads, numbering from sixty to seventy-five,
between the ages of fourteen and eighteen years. It was well officered, hand-
somely uniformed, armed with light guns, and performed much escort duty on
various public occasions, in this and the neighboring towns during the war.
They were known as "The Milford Cadets."

Since the war the town has had two regular volunteer companies; viz.,
"The Mayhew Guards," designated as " Co. F, 10th Regt. Mass. Vol. Militia;"
and, more recently, "Co. M, Gth Regt. Mass. Vol. Militia," — both sprightly
and creditable companies. "The Mayhew Guards " had a succession of five
captains, one of whom became lieutenant-colonel of the regiment. The new
company is taking an auspicious start and promises well.

"The Grand Army of the Republic" has a constituent Post here, designated
as "Major E. F. Fletcher Post 22." It was organized in October, 1807, has
a goodly membership, is efficiently conducted, commemorates faithfully the
heroic services of its fellow-soldiers ; decorates annually the graves of its fallen
comrades, receives pecuniary encouragement from the town treasury, and is
held in universal respect by the citizens.

In education and literary accomplishments Milford never made very high
pretensions, yet is by no means " least among the thousands" of our New Eng-
land Israel. At its incorporation in 1780, it had not a single school-house,

VOL. H.— U

82 TOWN OF MILFORD.

and mother Mcndon herself but two on her whole domain. There were
nominally four school districts, identical with those for highway work.
Schools, such as they were, few, brief and poor, were kept in the L's of dwell-
ing-houses, impel feet out-buildings, and other extemporized quarters. In the
course of ten years the first generation of school-houses, to the number of six,
were set up ; probably, all but one or two, made out of old shops reconstructed.
They were of very inferior size and cheerless accommodations. Under what
form of social co-operation they were erected, neither record nor present tradi-
tion tells. After 1795, they began to be replaced by another generation of
structures, erected according to a prescribed legal process and paid for by
regular taxation. These were of an improved type, yet little akin to those of
our times. The school districts passed through a long series of changes in
number and boundaries until there were twelve. These were reduced to less
than half a dozen, and finally entirely abolished in 1854. This radical change
was preceded by the establishment of a high school which was opened in 1850,
with cheering auspices, and has ever since been sustained to great general
satisfaction. The site, edifice and furnishings cost $6,795. The district school-
houses, when passed over to the town, were appraised to the amount of $6,591.
So, in 1854, the town had invested in school-houses $13,386. Improvements
were thenceforlh made in these school-houses and new ones built, till now
there are some twenty in all, besides town-house rooms made use of for school
purposes. These accommodate over forty schools. There are several hu-ge,
handsome and commodious edifices in the list, but none exhibiting a vain dis-
play. Their present total appraisal stands at $()7,000.

School moneys have been derived chiefly from the following named sources.
When the town was set off from Mendon it inherited one-third of a small school
fund — the amoimt not ascertained, but of little account. Taxation has always
been the main dependence. In 1780 the town raised $3,333, but it was Con-
tinental money — poor trash. In 1781 the appropriation was $66.67 in silver.
Ten years later the sum was $133.33. In 1805 it was $300 ; in 1825, $500 ;
in 1845, $1,200; in 1855, $4,500; in 1865, $10,000; in 1875, $18,000.
Meantime the number of scholars increased from an unrecorded small handful
to over 2,000. After the legislature established the State School Fund in
1834, this town drew its annual share of dividends, which at one time ran up to
over $500. Small incidentals sometimes came in from other sources. In early
times the winter schools were taught only by males, and the summer ones by
females. Latterly, female teachers are largely in the majority in winter as
well as summer, and greatly to the public advantage. Wages, board, fuel,
&c., were formerly low in comparison with present prices. The old distribu-
tion of school money was per district, and unjustly arbitrary ; the later more
equitable, partly per district and partly per scholar ; but it is now accommo-
dated still more equitably to local wants, as practicably as the nature of the
case admits.

SCHOOLS AND LIBRARY. 83

As to the oversight of the schools and general management, it was at first
rather casual, irregular and irrcsponsil)]e. The town records mention no
general school committee as chosen, till March meeting, 1795. ProbaI)lv a
few parents, the prudential committee and the clergyman took what little over-
sight the schools got down to that date. Afterwards a general committee was
annually chosen, with perhaps two or three omissions, to act without pay in
conjunction with the prudential committee of each school district. At lenirth
new laws enlarged their powers, and gave them moderate compensation. Since
1854, when the districts as corporations wore al)oli^hcd, the town's committee
have constantly risen in authority and importance, till they almost equal the
selectmen in otBcial control. Recently the town has sanctioned their recom-
mendation for the appointment of a superintendent of schools, on a salary of
$1,500 per annum. lie has taken in hand most (f the committee's executive
duties, and the experiment has proved eminently successful. Since 1795 the
town has been served by over one hundred and seven general school-committee
individuals, for longer or shorter terms, and several of them for many succes-
sive years. Samuel Jones, Esq., served ten years ; Pearlcy Hunt, Esq., nine-
teen years; Samuel Daniell, seventeen years ; Dr. Gustavus D. Peck, eleven
years ; Isaac Davenport, Esq , fifteen years ; Rev. David Long, twenty-three
years, besides much previous clerical service; Leander Ilolbrook, Esq.,
seventeen years; George G. Parker, Esq., fourteen years; Herman 11.
Bowers, sixteen years; and Charles J. Thompson twelve years, being still in
service. The present status of the public schools is prosperous and satisfactory.
The town has a valuable library, established in 1858, under judicious regula-
tions, which supplies admirably a great literary want. It contains 5,447
volumes, delivered out for the year ending Feb. 8, 1879, 3G,G0G books, and
stands among the town's assets as valued at $5,000.

It should be added to the foregoing that JNIilford has always been expending
considerable sums of money in the way of educating her sons and daughters
out of town, in colleges, academies and private seminaries. The nimiber of
regular college graduates, commencing in the days of the Easterly Precinct, is
not large, numbering, perhaps, about thirty ; but the number of undergraduates
and partially liberally educated persons would make up a much larger list.
Then, there have been numerous private schools in town from its incorporation
to the present time. These have ranged in grade all the way up from
primaries to academic and select seminaries capal)le of fitting students for
college and the less exacting professions. At the present moment several
excellent private schools are in successfid operation, as they have been for
years. One of these is a flourishing kindergarten, and the others are well-
sustained schools of higher grade, taught by competent and accomplished
female teachers. All these are mentioned justly, as showing the general
interest in education among the people outside of valuable schools sustained by
public appropriations.

84 TOWN OF MILFORD.

The town has made a fiiir record, too, in respect to the maintenance of its
poor, its provision for the public health and its protection against fire. In its
younger days it shared the dread of pauperism which seemed general in all
New England municipalities. It warned out all persons liable to become
chargeable for maintenance to the extreme of legality. It stood out at law
against maintaining paupers belonging to other towns, and triumphed in some
memorable cases. And in supporting its own poor it pursued the p.irsi-
monious policy of its neighbors for awhile, vendueing them to those who would
keep soul and body together at the lowest price. To its credit, however, it
was amonsr the first in its neighborhood to vote down that abominable custom.
It did this in 1806, urged by Col. Ariel Bragg, who in early youth had tasted
the bitter cup, and who was able to muster a sufiicient following of sympa-
thizers to make up a majority. But it did not rid itself of all concomitant
abuses in pauper management till 1825. Then, by a strong vote, it decided
to purchase a farm and open a well-regulated asylum for its poor. That
experiment worked well, and after a few years of managemental experience the
poor were not only economically provided for, but have had a comfortable
home. The farm now consists of about one hundred and thirty acres, has an
ample mansion-house, built in 1849 at a cost of $3,502.34, and has the requisite
barns, outbuildings and other conveniences, all in good order, which arc set
down among the town's assets as valued at $4,000, For the year ending Feb.
11, 1879, the town expended on account of its poor, in and out of the asylum,
$11,539.23, and $300 more in repairs on the farm buildings. The average
number of poor in the asylum in any year has never exceeded thirty-nine, and
in 1860 was only fourteen. In 1878 it was reported to be thirty-six. The
immediate management of the farm and asylum has been confided to a superin-
tendent and matron, who, with few exceptions, have been husband and wife.
Of these there have been, thus far, twcnty-ouc pairs. Most of these have been
humane, judicious and exemplary persons. The jM-eseiit incumbents, who
have been in position since April, 1809, — Sumner Ilairington and wife, — -are
pre-eminently such ; very kind-hearted, patient and discreet in their difficult
office. The town had no officers distinctively styled Overseers of the Poor till
1820. Since then sixty individuals have served in that office one or more
terms of a year, and several of them many years each. Amasa Leland served
six years, Chester Clark six, Leonard Chapin nine, Henry Chapin six, Richard
Carroll six, John Madden nine, Benjimin II. Montague eight, and Elias
Whitney, who seems to be a fixed favorite, is still in the harness for the
tvventieth year.

The town has been carefully endeavoring to maintain wholesome sanitary
regulations. Its Board of Health was instituted in 1859, and has been in
successful operation ever since. It has issued, from year to year, in print, its
methods and directions for the prevention of disease, the removal of causes
dangerous to public health, and all necessary helps to general cleanliness. It

FIRE DEPARTMENT. 85

has had, for the most part, competent and efficient officials, who have annually
reported to the town the results of their administration, and made such recom-
mendations for future action as seemed to them necessary. For several recent
years the town has made the selectmen its Board of Ileallh.

In respect to provisions for the prevention and extinguishment of fires, the
town, after getting fairly inducted into the business, has been wise and
generous. Previous to 1831 the inhabitants had no fire-engine or special
apparatus to meet the outbreak of this dangerous destroyer. Then a small tub-
engine Avas procured by subscription, and manned by voluntary assistance.
Thereafter followed in rapid succession the procurement of better and better
engines. Then the town began to vote moderate encouragements in the form
of appropriations, and to elect fire-wards, so called. A second engine and
company soon took the field. Engine-houses were built. Then followed
other companies, with various kinds of helpful apparatus. Then came, at
length, in 1854, the organization of a proper fire department under a special
act of the legislature, with all needful rules, regulations and official machinery.
The results have been very salutary and satisfactory. Step by step this fiie
department has attained its present strength and efficiency. It is now ready
to face the fiery enemy at a moment's warning with one hundred and sixty-
seven men, five engines (two of them powerful steamers), a fine hook-and-
ladder company, a "Wide-Awake" hose company, with 5,950 feet of hose, a
fire-extinguisher company, seventeen good reservoirs, well distributed about
town, and various other appliances to ensure victory. The cost of all these
organized anti-fire forces may be tolerably understood by the annual appropria-
tions made in their behalf. It will be sufficient to specify those of 1857, 18G7
and 1879. In the first-named year the appropriation was $3,222.03; in 18G7
it was $G, 172.07 ; in 1879 it was $G,065.96. Perhaps, however, these figures
somewhat exceed the annual average. Since its organization the department
has been commanded by forty-eight chief engineers for longer or shorter
series of years. Several of these have served eight and ten years each, and
one, Albert C. Withington, has served eighteen years. The institution is a
costly one, but the duties of the firemen are arduous, perilous and responsible,
and the citizens generally feel that they are none too well compensated and
provided for out of the public treasury. The department is appreciated and
respected. Its well-directed energies have quelled several dangerous confla-
grations, and prevented, by prompt action in their incipient stages, a multitude
of others.

In the matter of roads, streets, commons, cemeteries, &c., the town can
give a good account of herself. She inherited from mother Mendon, in 1780,
about fifty legally-laid roads, bridle-paths and wa^'s of various title. But they
were nearly all narrow, crooked, ill-graded and uncouth tracks. Her road
material was generally of inferior quality, and the bottom rough. It has,
therefore, been rather costly to repair, build anew, widen, straighten and

8G TOWN OF MILFORD.

improve the highways. But the process of so doing has been pushed forward
vigorously all through the now closing century of the town's corporate exist-
ence. Such old ways as could be dispensed with have, of course, been discon-
tinued, but this could seldom be done without first opening new lines.
Continual petitions came in year after year from citizens needing better
accommodations, and far more costly requirements came in from the county
authorities which could not be resisted or much delayed. The thoroughfares
through town, from Mendon to Holliston, from its centre through North
Purchase to Ilopkinton by two routes, to Upton in a north-westerly direction,
towards Belliiigham and Rhode Island through South Milford, and towards
Medway in an easterly direction, were formidable undertakings in their day,
but they were necessary, and, anyhow, came up in such a form that they could
not be shirked. Less important roads need not be mentioned. In 1843 the
town had nearly fifty miles of road within its limits, by accurate measurement.
Without any critical reckoning of subsequent additions in detail, it may be
assumed that the present total is at least one hundred miles. And, extraor-
dinary to this, the railroads must be considered. These are the branch of the
Boston and Albany out from Framingham, opened July 1, 1848; the Milford
and Woonsocket, incorporated in 1855, in the stock of which the town invested
$50,000; and the Ilopkinton, more recently built, of whose stock and bonds
the town owns $15,000. Communication, internal and external, is now
eminently good, though, doubtless, additional accommodations will continue to
be called for and provided. In 18G3 all the legally-accepted ways, higher and
lower, were designated by name, and the nomenclature was sanctioned by the
town. Most of them are named as streets, and number now considerably over
one hundred.

The town has numerous commons of various dimensions. Most of the
smaller ones are connected with school-houses. That of the high-school house
is the largest and handsomest of these. The town-house common is not large
enough for panegyric. It contains only one acre and a half. The first town
house was built on it, of brick, in 1819, in the midst of much partisan excite-
ment. It became too small, and its present respectable successor was erected
in 1854, of wood chiefly, at the cost of $15,000. It has spacious and numerous
accommodations. The old one still stands in the backsfround, and serves
divers necessary purposes of public utility. A little more elbow-room on this
common would add to its beauty, as well as convenience. But the town has a
noble i)!irk to glory in. It contains about fifteen acres, belonged formerly to
the Twitchell estate, was bought in 18G3 for $10,000, is eligibly situated, and
has received a liberal outlay for improvement and ornamentation. It has a
splendid future in prospect.

The town has four cemeteries under its control. 1. The ancient Burying-
Ground of the Easterly Precinct, where "the rude forefathers of the hamlet
sleep," or did sleep, some of them without any stone inscription. This is quite

CEMETERIES. 87

in the centre, and after the town's incorporation was several times enlarged.
It has ceased to receive burials in its bosom, has been dismantled of its once
formidable rans^e of tombs, and the ashes of its dead with their memorials have
been numerously removed to more cheerful resting-places. Some parts of it
have been rudely dealt with in quest of gravel for the street^:, and the more
reverent citizens feel that it has been desecrated. What will finally become of
its soil remains to be seen. 2. The South Milford " Burying-Ground." This
was opened in 1801. It originally contained only sixty-six rods, purchased of
or rather donated by Elijah Albee. This small area was moro than doubled in
183G by the purchase and annexation of half an acre. It has afforded very
desirable accommodations to the bereaved in that quarter of the town, has
been decently cared for, and presents a respectable array of monumental
memorials. 3. The North Purchase "Graveyard." This was opened in
1849, the town having purchased two acres of Ellis Sumner, Esq., and pro-
vided for all the requisites of an unostentatious but creditable cemetery. Its
silent inhabitants have been steadily increasing since its opening, and it
exhibits a reputable sepulchral depository. 4. "Vernon Grove Cemetery."
This was opened in 1859, and contains over twenty-one acres, purchased of
Abel Albee for about $1,700. It is situated nearly a mile south-east of the
town common, and possesses most of the natural features and advantages held
desirable in a modern cemetery. It has become the depository of many recent
dead, and of the remains of hundreds removed from their original resting-
places. A considerable portion of it has been avenued, laid into lots and
greatly beautified. It has numerous fine memorial stones, several admirable
monuments (including that of the soldiers who fell in the late war), and all the
display which good taste and proper economy dictate. In former times the
town furnished hearses, grave-cloths and other paraphernalia, but these have all
been superseded by professional undertakers, and it is deemed sufficient to
provide receiving-tombs and a few substantial necessaries.

The Hopedale Parish has a cemetery under its own control. It is of humble
and modest pretensions. The Catholics of St. Mary's Church have a large one
of their own, containing eight acres, on Cedar Street. There sleep already a
host of forms whose mortal life began in the " Emerald Isle," as well as of
those born on our soil ; and their marble tablets, with the monument of Pastor
Farrelly, surmounted by the cross, proclaim to the passer-by that they died in
the b(jsom of their holy mother church.

But the "Pine Grove Cemetery" transcends all others in the town for scenic
beauty, artificial embellishment and monumental display. It is owned by an
association of proprietors belonging to Milford and the neighboring towns, who
were incorporated in 1841. They have shown the inclination, ability and taste
to provide a home for the remains of their loved ones which commands the
admiration of all beholders. It is situated on the west side of Cedar Street,
about two miles north-east of the town centre towards Ilopkiuton. It occupie-s

88 TOWN OF MILFORD.

a wild and romantic site, between the ancient "North Cedar Swamp" and
"Rocky Woods," which tlie forcfalhers little dreamed would ever be conse-
crated to such a use, but which, nevertheless, proves to have been happily
selected. It is superintended with excellent judgment and care.

CHAPTER III.

CIVIL RECORD LEGISLATIVE AND TOWN OFFICERS POST-OFFICES FINAN-
CIAL DEVELOPMENT CORPORATIONS AND SOCIETIES SOCIAL SPIRIT

DISTINGUISHED PERSONS.

The civil, political and financial annals of the town furnish some interesting
facts and figures worthy of notice. It has been represented in all the State
conventions assembled since 1780, to act on national and State constitutions,
by its allowed number of delegates. It has sent to General Court fifty-eight
representatives (some of them serving several years each), and five senators.
It has been honored by one member of the Governor's Council, and one
Presidential Elector. It has had lists of voters ranging all the way up from
one hundred in its infancy to over two thousand in its maturity. Its meetings
have been presided over by eighty-three dillerent moderators, many of them
acting on numerous occasions. It has been served by fourteen difTerent town
clerks, thirteen treasurers, one hundred and eighty-three selectmen, one
hundred and eleven assessors, sixty overseers of the poor, and a proportionate
number of minor town officers. A considerable minority of the principal
officers were many times re-elected, and some through a long series of years.
It has had about sixty different justices of the peace, often re-appointed. It
had a Police Court established in 1854, which was subsequently abolibhed, then
re-established, and finally superseded in 1872 by the Third District Court of
Southern Worcester. These successive courts have had their proper judges,
assistants and clerks. Meantime, the town has had its needed supply of deputy-
sheriffs, policemen, &c.

The citizens had no post-oflSee within their municipal limits till March 7,
1814, when one was established at South Milford. Another was established in
the Centre, Feb. 10, 1823, and another at Hopedale May 13, 1861. These
have had, in all, twenty-five different postmasters. The present incumbents
are ; H. B. Fisk at South Milford, George G. Pond in the Centre, and George
Draper at Hopedale. The one in the Centre does a very large amount of
business, but the others are lively establishments on a smaller scale. The
population uses mail facilities to an extraordinary extent, besides patronizing
liberally a telegraph office now for several years in operation.

BUSINESS CORPORATIONS. 89

The financial affairs of the town have gradually grown to a huo-e mao-nitutle.
The infantile valuation could not have exceeded $150,000 as a guess estimate.
It now stands, under a recent reduction, at $4,519,227. It be<?an without
a single school-house, and now claims to have $67,000 invested in some
twenty such houses, many of them commodious and substantial edifices. In
1781 it raised $67 for schooling; in 1878, for teaching, $15,952.10, fuel,
$717.53, school incidentals, $4,471.99, and repairs of school-houses, $1,158.17 ;
total, $22,299.79. In 1781 it raised for highways $300; in 1878 it expended
for the same and kindred purposes $9,183.28. Its early assets of municipal
property were a mere trifle ; they aro now estimated at $249,600. But some
of its citizens rather regret that its indebtedness amounts to $204,600. Its
credit is, nevertheless, good, and nobody fears a financial collapse of its
treasury. The hard times have shrunk its valuation about one-fifth since the
panic of 1873, but there is a general hopefulness for the future.

Milford has numerous corporations and associations which must not be for-
gotten. They have various objects and characteristics, from strictly secular
to strictly religious, as will be nnderstood from their titles and a brief descrip-
tion. Milford National Bank, in Bank Block, Main Street, organized March,
1865; capital $250,000; par value of shares $100; president, Aaron C.
Mayhew ; cashier, Augustus Wheeler; teller, James E. Walker. Milford
Savings Bank, Bank Block, Main Street ; incorporated 1851 ; president, Orison
Underwood ; vice-presidents, A. C. Mayhew, Allen C. Fay and Obed Daniels ;
Avith nine trustees, and James E. Walker, treasurer. Home National Bank,
Old Bank Building, Main Street, organized May, 1875; capital $130,000;
par value of shares $100; president, Samuel AValker; vice-president, G. W.
Johnson ; cashier, N. B. Johnson. Milford and Woonsocket Railroad, incor-
porated in 1855, extends from Milford Centre to Bellingham, nearly four miles;
depot and office on Central Street, near South Bow; authorized capital $100,-
000, about $80,000 paid in ; president, George Draper ; treasurer, Charles F.
Claflin, with seven directors. Milford Gaslight Company, incorporated in
1854; capital $80,000; president, Allen C. Fay; treasurer, B. E. Harris;
superintendent, I. N. Davis, with eight directors. It has several miles of pipe
and sends gas all the way to the village and the machine-shops of Ilopedalc.
Worcester South-east Agricultural Society : This includes, of course, citizens of
the neighboring towns. It was incorporated in 1860 ; annual meeting first
Thursday in December; fair last Tuesday and Wednesday of September, at
Charles River Riding Park, where the society has a spacious edifice, with com-
modious hall, &c. President, William Knowlton of Upton ; vice-presidents,
Stephen Mathewson of Milford, Newell Eames of Ilolliston, John Phipps of
Hopkinton, F. Worcester of Grafton, and Anson Warren of Westborough ;
secretary, Charles G. Thompson of Milford ; treasurer, Alexander T. Wilkin-
son of Milford. Number of members 700. Milford Farmers' Club, organ-
ized 1859; incorporated 1870; fair held first and third Saturdays in every

VOL. II.— 12 ,

90 TOWN OF MILFORD.

month at Farmers' Exchange on the town park ; officered by a president, sec-
retary and treasurer. Horse-Thief Detecting Society, organized Dec. 21,
1795 ; composed of three hundred members, belonging to this and the neigh-
boring towns; president, Julius R. George of Mendon ; vice-president, Henry
A. Aldrich of Mendon ; secretary. Dr. John G. Metcalf, also of Mendon ;
treasurer, Charles F. Chapin of Milford ; membership fee $1 ; funds on hand
$4,081 ; and an ample pursuing committee in several towns. Thurber Medical
Association, composed of medical gentlemen in Milford and the vicinity, who
belong to the Massachusetts Medical Society ; organized June 9, 1853 ; object,
professional improvement; fund $600, the income of which is devoted to the
purchase of books ; number of members about twenty ; rooms 120 Main Street,
meetings once a month; officers elected annually in October; president, Chas.
E. Spring of Holliston ; vice-president, George King of Franklin ; secretary,
J. Allen Fay of Milford; treasurer, John G. Metcalf of Mendon. Of Masonic
bodies there are four; viz., Montgomery Lodge, chartered in 1797, formerly
of Medway, and thence removed hither several years ago ; Mt. Lebanon Royal
Arch Chapter, chartered in 1824, also formerly of Medway and removed hither ;
Milford Commandery of Knights Templar, and the Masonic Mutual Relief
Society. The Odd Fellows have two bodies in town, entitled Quinshipaug
Encampment, No. 20, and Tisquantum Lodge, No. 46. Knights of Pythias
have one body entitled. Bay State Lodge, No. 51, organized April 14, 1870.
The temperance cause has had a long succession of organizations with various
titles. At present it has the following named : Fidelity Lodge, No. 21 ; Inde-
pendent Order of Good Templars; Elmwood Lodge, No. 129, do. ; Catholic
Temperance Association ; Milford Temperance Reform Club, &c. There is a
considerable body of Irish-American citizens in town, known as the Ancient
Order of Hibernians, whose object is to commemorate and preserve Irish
national unity. Of a more strictly religious character there arc : The Milford
Bible Society, organized in 1857 ; the Young Men's Christian Association, and
several minor societies of various designations. Most, if not all, the above-
named corporations, assocititions and organizations are in a flourishing condi-
tion. Several less public corporations and associative institutions are also
prospering, but need not be named in this account.

What may be termed the social characteristics of Milford ought, perhaps, to
receive some notice. Although the distinctions of race, rank and class exist,
and with increasing dcfiniteness, yet there is a predominant sociality and fra-
ternity of feeling throughout the town. The population has, for the most part,
always inclined to common humanity, equality, sympathy and friendly social
intercourse. There has always been a general fondness for congenial and con-
vivial gatherings and amusements. A "good time" never came amiss, and its
repetition was never long delayed. In the olden days they had the hustings,
quiltings, rural dances, play parties, games and sports of various kinds. Next
came the traveling jugglers, slight-of-hand performers, caravans and olhci

EMINENT MEN. 91

showmen. Dramatic exhibitions and theatrical plays by home troupes, com-
menced as early as 1824, in the brick meeting-house. Balls of more fashion-
able style and importance came into vogue, and came to stay. And now
scarcely a week passes without more or less of social entertainment, in the form
of theatrical performance, musical concert, excursion, fair, levee, club-feast,
base-ball, or some one of the thousand modern amusements. Even the churches,
as well as moral reform societies, have gone into the practice of getting up
various sorts of "good times" to raise funds, please their Sunday schools and
increase their congregations. There are yet no theatres or opera-houses erected
for such express purposes, but the town hall, Lyceum Hall, Washington Hall,
Irving Hall, and others of less note, afford the necessary accommodations, and
are well patronized. We have some staid and plain-living people, who think
they can enjoy existence with a smaller spice of social amusement, and who
are disposed to mind their own business in a more quiet way ; but they are not
in the majority, nor exactly in the fashion. Although there arc some vicious
amusements, and, doubtless, many abuses of innocent ones in town, which
ought to be abated, its civil morality will average fairly with that of most other
communities, even of some who claim to be much more Puritanical. It has no
excess of the dangerously criminal classes, albeit we are not free from misde-
meanors, and there is room for a vast improvement before the milleuium.

Milford cannot boast of having given birth to many distinguished persons,
widely known beyond its immediate and general vicinity. Among the few in
whose eminence and fame it claims honorable patrimony, one has already been
mentioned as its Revolutionary hero-martyr, — Gen. Alexander Scammcll, of
■whom the town was bereaved in the second year of its corporate existence.
He was a son of Dr. Samuel Leslie Scammcll and Jane his wife, born in
1744, and left an orphan lad by the death of his father in 1753. His father
commended Alexander, with an elder brother, to the educational oversight of
Rev. Amariah Frost, to be fitted for college. Alexander graduated at Har-
vard in 17G9 ; studied law with Gen. John Sullivan of New Hampshire; was
appointed brigade-major of the New Hampshire militia, 1775 ; became colonel
of the third New Hampshire battalion of Continental troops, 1770 ; com-
manded the third New Hampshire regiment, 1777, and was wounded in the
battle at Saratoga, N. Y. ; commanded the first New Hampshire regiment in
1780 ; and was about that time appointed adjutant-general. He is said to have
been a great favorite of Washington, and very popular in the army. At the
siege of Yorktown, while acting as field officer on the 30th September, 1781,
and reconnoitring one of the enemy's redoubts, he was suddenly surprised
and captured by a detachment of scouting cavalry. He then gracefully said :
"Gentlemen, I am your prisoner"; whereupon a brutal Hessian gave him u
mortal wound. He was conveyed to Williamsburg, Va., where he died of his
wound, October 6th, ensuing, deeply lamented by all who knew him iu camp,
*t home, and throughout the country.

92 TOWN OF MILFORD.

Rev. Stephen Chaplii, D. D., president of Columbian College, Washington
City, D. C, is another distinguished native of this town. He was a son of
Stephen and Rachel (Rawson) Chapin, born Nov. 4, 1778. In his seventh
year he learned the alphabet in a neighborhood school, taught by his uncle,
Adams Chapin. At nine years of age he experienced religion; at seventeen,
united with the church; in 1804, graduated at Harvard University; studied
theology under Dr. Emmons of Franklin ; was ordained pastor of the Congre-
gational Church in Hillsborough, N. II., June 19, 1805, and dismissed there-
from May 12, 1808. He was next installed over the Congregational Church
at Mt. Vernon, N. II., Nov. 15, 1809, where he changed his views of baptism,
from those of Congregationalism to those of the Baptists, and was thereupon
dismissed. In 1819, he became pastor of the Baptist Church in North Yar-
mouth, Me. In 1822, Brown University conferred on him the degree of S. T.
D., and the same year he was elected professor of sacred theology in Watcr-
ville College, Me., which office he filled till 1828. He was then called to the
presidency of Columbian College, just established at Washington, D. C, where
he remained until his death, Oct. 1, 1845, at the age of sixty-seven years. In
1809, he married Sarah Mosher of IloUis, N. II., who, with three sons and two
daughters, survived him. He was held in very high estimation for piety and
learning by all who knew him.

Rev. Levi Nelson was less distinguished, but regarded, especially in his own
religious denomination, as a remarkable man. He was a son of Dea. Seth
and Silence (Cheney) Nelson. He was born Aug. 8, 1789. He was edu-
cated partly at Brown University and partly at Williams College, but failed to
graduate on account of ill-health. He studied theology with Dr. Emmons,
who encouraged him to persevere in his aims at the ministry, and he was finally
approbated to preach. After preaching in several places, as health permitted,
he settled in Lisbon, Ct., where he was ordained Dec. 5, 1804. He is said to
have preached fifty-seven hundred different sermons, several of which were
published. He was a conscientious, devoted and industrious man in his call-
ing, and so stanchly orthodox of the old school, that he bequeathed $1,000 to
his parish on the strict condition of their not settling as his successor a man
embracing "the New Haven theology." He died in 1855, at the age of sev-
enty-seven years, and in the fifty-second of his ministry.

Hon. Jonathan Thayer, a son of Elijah and Sarah (Robinson) Thayer, was
born Jan. 27, 1779, was graduated at Brown University in 1803, paid some
attention to legal studies, settled in Camden, Me., held a seat in the Governor's
Council f(jr man\'^ years, and was Judge of Probate for seven years. He mar-
ried his wife in W^iscassct, Me., and had at least two children in Camden. He
died there Sept. 20, 1853.

Hon. Ezra Hunt, a son of Daniel and Mary (Phillips) Hunt, was born April
7, 1790, graduated at Harvard University, 1815, excelled in the knowledge of
mathematics and the exact sciences, was preceptor of Leicester Academy for

PUBLIC CHARACTERS. 93

some lime after his graduation, took charge of the academy in Pidaski, Tenn.,
in 1818, studied law while there under Judge William C. Carr, went into prac-
tice in Louisiana, Mo., and thence removed to St. Charles. Later he removed
to Bowling Green in the same State, and pursued his profession there. In
1836, he was appointed Judge of the Circuit Court of that judicial district,
and discharged his duties with tidelit}', ability and to general satisfaction. He
decided questions of law, but seldom or never addressed juries. He was
chairman of the judiciary committee in the Convention called to revise the
Constitution of Missouri, had one of the best libraries in the State, and was
regarded not only as an excellent jurist, but as eminently accomplished in gen-
eral literature. At the age of about forty years, he married a young wife, ihe
eldest daughter of Judije Rufus Pettibone of St. Louis, Mo. : viz., Maria E.
Pettibone, May 18, 1830. Ho died suddenly, while attending a session of his
court at Troy, Lincoln Co., Mo., Sept. 19, 1860, aged seventy years.

Hon. Albert Hobart Nelson, son of Dr. John and Lucinda (Parkhurst)
Nelson, was born March 12, 1812, removed early to Middlesex County, with
his parents, graduated at Harvard University 1832, went into the legal profes-
sion with success, was raised to an honorable position on the bench, and finally,
in 1855, to be chief justice of Suffolk Superior Court. He died in 1858, in
the ripeness of his usefulness and honors.

William Claflin, LL. D., ex-governor of the Commonwealth, and since mem-
ber of Conirress from the eiijhth district, was reared in Milford. He was a

err o '

son of Hon. Lee Clafliin and Sarah (Adams), his wife, born March 6, 1818,
was educated partly at Brown University, and partly in other seminaries,
without a formal j^raduation, and received his dejrrce of LL. D. from Harvard
University in 1869. He removed in early manhood from his native town,
first to Hopkinton and later to Newton, devoted himself successfully to busi-
ness in the boot, shoe and leather line, won the confidence of his fellow-citizens
and reached the gubernatorial chair in 1869. He retained his high position
as chief magistrate of the State three years, and in more recent years has been
twice elected by the eighth Congressional district to represent them in the
National Congress. He is still in the vigor of life, active in public as well as
business affairs, and deservedly held in high esteem by thousands of apprecia-
tive friends.

The town is proud of another Claflin, who has risen to eminence in commer-
cial pursuits from a career commenced in his native vicinage — Horace B. Claflin
— who may be reckoned among the merchant princes of New York City. He
is a son of John Claflin, Esq., and Lydia (Mellen), his wife, born Dec. 18,
1811, respectal)ly educated outside of the colleges, inspired by a genius for
trade, commenced mercantile business here in 1832, soon removed to Worces-
ter and established there a successful firm ; went to New York in 1843, and
at the head of a congenial copartnership opened a jobbing dry -goods establish-
ment. It has hud a wonderful growth, reached a mammoth importance, and

94 TOWN OF MILFOED.

now commands universal admiration. The house of 11. B. Clafliu & Co.
swa3's its sceptre over avast sphere of commercial dependence, confidence and
honor. Its head is full of vigorous brain, and its hands diligent in triumphant
traffic.

Gen. Adin B. Underwood has already been mentioned in connection with the
military record of his native town, lie is a son of Gen. Orison Underwood
and II;innah B. (Cheney) his wife, was born May 19, 1828, graduated at Brown
University in 1849 ; studied law ; practiced his profession awhile in Milford ;
removed to the vicinity of Boston ; closed his office at the outbreak of the Re-
bellion to become a captain of ]SIassachusetts Volunteers, and was mustered into
service May 18, 1861. He performed valorous feats in Virginia, rose on his merits
to the command of a regiment, was ordered to join the army near Chattanooga,
Tenn., and fought in the memorable Battle of Lookout Mountain, which drove
the rebels from one of their strongest holds. lie was all but mortally vv'ounded
in that bloody conflict, laid at death's door for months, and sadly crippled for
life. He was made a briiradicr-general in acknowledgment of his dear-bouirht
heroism, but was never again able to take the field. When sufficiently recov-
ered to perform less perilous service, he was made president of an important
court-martial in Washington, from which, however, he was excused and
appointed surveyor of customs at Boston. On being discharged from the
army he was breveted a major-general. He is still in the official harness at
Boston, endures resolutely the life-long consequences of his wounds and wears
his laurel-wreath with becominnr grace.

Milford has other children in whose worth she takes just pride, and who
perhaps ought to have their names inscribed on this roll of honor ; but lack of
space forbids. Brief reference can only be made to a few fathers of the town,
who were most conspicuous in the conduct of its affairs during their several
generations. Many others must remain unmentioned, though no less merito-
rious. During the first quarter century of the town's corporate existence, the
following named were among its prominent actors; viz., — Caleb Cheney, Sr.,
Samuel Jones, Esq., Adams Chapin, Esq., Capt. Sam'l Warren, Dr. Samuel
L. Scammell, Col. Ichabod Thayer, Lieut. David Stearns, James Sumner,
Esq., Lieut. Ephraim Chapin, &c. In the second quarter-century the stage
presented Pearley Hunt, Esq., John Claflin, Jr., Esq., Newell Nelson, Esq ,
Col. Ariel Bragg, Col. Benjamin Godfrey and his son William, Col. Sullivan
Sumner, Capt. Clark Ellis, Maj. Clark Sumner, Capt. Henry Nelson, Hon. Lee
Claflin, cS:c. Since then, down to the present time, the following actors have
been more or less conspicuous: — Hiram Hunt, Charles F. Chapin, Aaron
Claflin, Aaron C. Mayhew, S^dvester Dean, Alfred Bragg, Andrew J. Sumner,
James II. Barker, Edwin Battles, Winslow Battles, George W. Stacy, Dr. A.
A. Cook, Isaac Davenport, Ohed Daniels, John S. Scammell, Leandcr Hol-
brook, James R. Davis, Zibeon C. Field, Geo. B. Blake, Hermon II. Bowers,
Thomas G. Kent, George G. Parker, George Draper, William F. Draper,

LOCAL INDUSTRIES. 95

Lewis Fales, Henry E. Fiiles, and a host of others whom it is hardly worth
while to specify in a category of mere names without designation of rank,
title, ofBce or service.

CHAPTER IV.

INDUSTRIAL AND BUSINESS INTERESTS — VALUABLE BUILDINGS — FACTORIES

AND MILLS NEWSPAPERS — MAP OF THE TOWN DIRECTORIES TOWN

HISTORY.

The present general status of the town in respect to its more important
interests, activities, mechanical inventions, productive industries, &c., must
close this sketch. There are few farms and homesteads in Milford that have
come down in the line of family inheritance to the fourth generation — perhaps
half a dozen. Real estate has been frequently changing owners from the era
of iirst settlement to the present hour. The town seems to have been good both
for emigration and immigration. There is nothing worth specification in these
sentences concerninG; its agriculture. It is a manufacturinsr and mechanical
community. In the statistics already given, enough has been said of its pre-
dominant manufacture, that of boots, shoes, &c. It will be understood that
this business is more or less vigorously pursued by numerous individuals and
copartnerships of emplo3'ers, and a corresponding host of employes. Several
other kinds of business establishments, important in their place, may also be
passed over in present silence. There are some, however, which deserve
t-pecial attention.

What we call Milford Centre is of course the principal locality both of
population and business. Its factories, shops, blocks, &c., afford large accom-
modations. Of blocks, distinctively so styled, and kindred buildings, there are
the following: — Arcade Block, Nos. 95 to 101 Main Street; Bank Block, Main
Street ; Bay State Block, Nos. 102 to 108 Main Street ; Blunt's Block, corner
Franklin Street ; Central Building, No. 86 Main Street; Church Block, Nos.
43, 45, 47, 49 Main Street; Exchange Block, Main, corner Exchange Street;
Gleason's Building, School, corner of Spruce Street; Grant Block, No. 174
Main Street; Ilayward's Exchange, Nos. 137, 139, 141 Main Street; Irving
Block, Nos. 143, 145, 147 Main Street; Jefferson Block, Nos. 90, 92, 94, 9G
Main Street; Lincoln Block, School, corner of Pine Street; INIechanics'
Block, Nos. 138, 140, 142 Main Street; Phoenix Building, Nos. 3, 5, 7 Main
Street; Thayer's Block, Main Street; Union Block, Nos. 73, 75, 77, 79 Main.
Street; and Washington Block, Nos. 150, 152 Main Street.

Among the most remarkable establishments in the Centre is that of Esta-
brook, Wires & Co. for the manufacture of their "clinching screws," and vari-

96 TOWN OF MILFORD.

ous other useful articles. Competent judges have pronounced the whole
unique and unrivalled in general and detail. Location, Spring Street, opposite
Front Street. The design of this patent clinching screw is to fasten boot and
shoe soles, Avhich it does to perfection. These enterprising manufacturers
invented and patented their screw some years ago, and for awhile executed
their work chiefly by hand. But such was the demand created by its extraor-
dinary merits as fast as known, that they soon applied their inventive genius
to the production of the machinery necessary to more rapid execution. Thoy
perfected such machinery and can now exhibit to the admiration of behold-
ers a series of automatic workers that not only demonstrate their now
superior mechanical ingenuity, but enable them to fill promptly their constantly
multiplying orders from ail parts of the country. The usual average of each
machine is one hundred and fifty screws per minute, with the capability of
doubling that number if desired. The superior excellence of these screws has
rendered their manufacture a triumphant success. Even the War Department
of the United States, having thoroughly tested them, endorses and patronizes
them. Besides this leading production of their establishment, Messrs. Esta-
brof)k & Wires turn out first-rate crimping-brakes, forms, sinks, tables, sticks
and steels, seam-rubber legs, boot and shoo trees, turning-jacks, &o. ; all in
considerable quantities, and bearing the warranty stamp of their names. The
driving force for their machinery is a steam-engine of thirty-five horse power;
and all their buildings and appliances are in prime' condition.

There is another rather notable establishment in the same neiijhborhood —
Greene Brothers' heel-factory. It belongs to Messrs. George M. & Randall
B. Greene. They manufticture boot and shoe heels, and are said to have the
largest concern of this kind in the United States. These heels are made of
upper-leather remnants, purchased wherever obtainable, and brought in
immense quantities by railroad cars to their factory doors. They turn out
1,500,000 pairs of heels annually. By ingenious processes, they form these
heels, extract from them all their greasy substance, and utilize, in one Avay or
another, all the scrap leather that comes into their possession. The most
worthless remains arc used as fuel to feed their engines. They find an ample
market in Boston, Lynn, and numerous boot and shoe towns for all the heels
they can manufacture. In two recent months they sold to soap and candle
makers no less than 112,000 pounds of their extracted grease — a mere
incidental of their operations. They began business in 1807 with four
employes, and have now one hundred.

But most remarkable in this category are the establishments at Ilopedale.
This bright and beautiful village is situated a mile and a half westerly from the
town centre on Mill River, toward the frontier of Mendon. In its whole
length and breadth it must have nearly one hundred dwelling-houses and six
hundred inhabitants. It was founded in 1842 by the Ilopedale Community,
grew thriftily till that community relinquished its unitary arrangements in 185G,

ESTABROOK, WIRES & CO'S FACTORY, MILFORD, MASS,

MILLS AND FACTORIES. 97

and still more thriftily from thtit time to the present. From the beginning its
leading people have distinguished themselves more and more by mechanical
genius and manufacturing enterprise. It has been a seminary of inventors, and
may now, without extravagance, be called a miniature university of ingenious
patent-lore. By invention and purchase, it can exhibit quite a museum of
mechanical contrivances for the entertainment of the curious visitor. And its
manufactures are correspondingly efficient and productive. It would require a
considerable volume, elaborated by a master's hand, to do justice to the inven-
tions, productions and business enterprise of this little village. They can only
be indicated in this synoptical article. Hero are four strong firms operating,
besides their minor subsidiaries, all more or less connected in their pecuniary
interests, and co-operating in their industrial results. These firms are : 1.
George Draper & Sons, whose special province includes a host of valuable im-
provements in cotton and woolen machinery, such as temples, sawyer-spindles.
Draper's fiUing-spinners, double spinning-rings, steps and bolsters, patent
motions for looms, Thompson oil-cans, shuttle-guides, &c., &c. 2. The
Ilopcdalc INIachine Company, manufxcturers of improvements in cotton machin-
ery, special machinists' tools, patent warpers, spoolers with patent steps and
bolsters, &c., &c. ; George Drapor, president; William F. Draper, treasurer;
Joseph B. Bancroft, superintendent. 3. Dutcher Temple Compan}'', sole
mannflicturers of Dutcher's patent temples, Kayser's patent temples, Murk-
land's carpet temples, &c., &c. ; George Draper, president; F. J. Dutcher,
treasurer and secretary, and W. W. Dutcher, agent. 4. The Hopedalo
Furnace Company, whose business is to manufacture and furnish to order iron
castings of all descriptions.

The Ilopcdale Machine Company occupies the most northerly of the water-
privileges, and has a principal shop two hundred and twenty feet in length by
sixty-six in width, and three stories in height. Its machinery is driven by a
motor force, derived from a LefTel turbine-wheel, and, when scarcity of water
requires it, by a steam-engine of fifty horse-power. The next privilege bolow
is occupied by the Dutcher Temple Company and its adjimcts with ample build-
ing's, water and steam power, and many ingenious contrivances (some of them
wonderfully constructed) to facilitate its operations. The foundry, with all its
appurtenances, stands closely adjacent on the west side of the canal, and the
ring-shop only a few feet south of the temple-shop. Nearly a mile further
south is another valuable privilege, with a capacious shop, chiefly devoted 1o
the elaboration of the famous Sawyer spindle, owned by Dca. A. A. Westcf)tt,
and managed in connection with the interests of George Draper cS;; Sons. The
dams, ponds, canals, anti-fire apparatus, offices, supplementary shops, out-
buildings and manifold conveniences up and down the river can bo appreciated
only by judicious observers.

A vast majority of the cotton-mills in the United States, and many woolen-
mills, have adopted these Ilopedalc improvements to a greater or less extent,

VOL. II.— 13

98 TOWN OF MILFORD.

and their proprietors are reaping therefrom a rich harvest of profits. Foremost
among them are the temple, Sawyer spindle and the adjustable spinning-rings
— three notable patents. The temples are in universal use in the United
States, Mexico, South America, and, to a considerable extent, in Europe.
Leading manufacturers have dcmDn^trated to their satisfaction that the spindle
yields an enormous saving in power, labor, cost, &c. The number of these
spindles already introduced and in use is over 1,200,000. The rings, too, have
proved a great success. The number of these furnished and in satisfactory use
exceeds 1,500,000. But the multitude of less conspicuous articles sent forth
from these Ilopedale laboratories are distributed far and wide over the countrjs
and roll up a formidable aggregate of mechanical production, usefulness and
wealth. In good times all these establishments together employ nearly three
hundred and fifty hands, meet a monthly pay-roll of $12,000, and make aggro-
gate sales to the amount of more than $500,000 per annum. The diflfcrent kinds
of machines and appliances manufactured here, with and without patent securi-
ties, must number at least one hundred.

In closing this sketch it seems proper to mention a few facts concerning the
ministrations of the printing-press to public intelligence in Milford and its
general vicinity. The first [)rintingofIice opened in town was started by
Ballou & Stacy in the winter of 1830-31, in William Godfrey's row of shops
and sheds on the west side of the Parish Common. On the 1st of January,
1831, a weekly religious paper was issued from that ofEce, entitled "The
Independent INIessenger." The office and paper were removed in the following
spring to Mendon. In 1843 the Hopedale Community opened their printiug-
oflice at Hopedale, which executed job work, and issued a semi-monthly paper
called "The Practical Christian." This was published till the year 1860, and
then discontinued. Since then the office has issued numerous smaller publica-
tions in pamphlet and tract form, and done more or less j;)b work. It is now
owned and operated in the village by Bryan J. Butts. In 184G George W.
Stacy estaldished his printing-office in the Centre, and, with his son, has had a
successful run of business ever since. Besides the usual variety of j )b work,
he has frequently issued pamphlets from his press, and public documents. He
has long kept a book and stationery store in connection with his oflice. " The
Milford Journal " was started in 1850 from a fresh printing establishment, and
is now about completing its 29th year. It has passed through the publishing
and editoiial management of several successive owners, steadily increasing in
power and influence down to the present time. Its present proprietors and
editors are J. I. C. Cook, W. II. Cook and George G. Cook — the latter two
sons of the first-named. The firm is styled Cook cS; Sons. They have an
ample, well-furnished printing-office, and execute a large amount of business.
There was at one time a short-lived competitor of the "Journal" establish-
ment, with an office and paper. Since then it has had no rival, and flourished
alone. It is published weekly at two dollars per annum.

TOWN HISTORY. 99

The town has been surveyed by authority several times since its incorpora-
tion, and plans duly recorded. The first published map was elaborated
by Newell Nelson in 1829, under the patronage of Pcarley Hunt, Esq., who had
some hundreds of copies lithographed. This was revised, improved and re-
published in 1843 by Isaac Davenport, Esq. One or two more recent maps
have been executed and laid before the public. Another more accurate one is
needed, and will prol)ably be forthcoming.

Five directories have been published for the convenience of the inhabitants.
The first v/as prepared and issued in 1856 by A. D. Sargeant ; the second by
C. C. Drew in 1869; the third by Greenough, Jones & Co. in 1872; the
fourth by the same company in 1875 ; and the fifth by Greenough & Co. in
1878.

The town initiated measures and commenced making appropriations, two or
three years ago, for the preparation of a suitable history, to be in readiness for
publication on or before its centenary in April, 1880. It confided the work to
the author of this sketch, which is a condensed abstract of its properly historic
contents. It w'ill contain a genealogical register, with numerous biographical
notices, not herein called for. It is in process of completion, and, if no un-
toward events intervene, will be ready for the press before next April. It will
probably be a volume of eight hundred pages, fair-sized octavo, with more or
less attractive illustrations. In hope that the foregoing will answer the reason-
able expectations of all parties at present interested, it is respectfully submitted
to the public.

100 TOWN OF MILLBURY.

MILLBURT

BY GEORGE A. STOCKWELL, A M.

CHAPTER I.

LOCATION AND TOPOGRAPHY INCORPORATION AND GROWTH — ECCLESIASTICAL

HISTORY.

In the fertile valley of the Bhickstonc, and on the adjacent hills, is the
thriving town of Millbury, distant from Worcester six miles, and from Boston
forty-five. Its northern boundary forms a part of the southern limit of
Worcester; Auburn and Oxford are neighbors on the west; Sutton, its parent,
lies on the south-east; and Grafton borders it on the east.

The natural scenery of Millbury is well diversified, and presents many pic-
turesque features. The surface is irregular and hilly, but not so marked in
this respect as that of adjoining towns. East and west, the land rises gradu-
ally from the banks of the Blackstone to eminences of considerable height. To
one looking from the highlands of Worcester, the town of Millbury appears to
lie in a cradle of hills, — to be shut in, east, west and south, by natural bul-
warks of protection, and further progress of the Blackstone seems impossible.

No town has a more abundant or better improved water-supply, and to this
is due the fact that Millbury, as a manufacturing village, has few equals in
the county. The well-known and much-used Blackstone rises in the south-
western part of the town, in what is called Ramshorn Pond, and flows northerly
through the territory of the adjoining town of Auburn into that of Worcester,
where it takes an easterly course, and, again turning, is joined by Mill Brook,
and flows southerly to the place of its birth, which it no sooner enters than it
begins to contend with various turbines, and becomes an all-sufficient motor.
On the western border of the town is Singlelary Pond, covering about six
hundred acres. The greater part of this is in Sutton, but its outlet, called
Singletary stream, flows south-easterly through Millbury, and, before joining
the Blackstone, furnishes power for several large mills. Dorothea Pond, in
the eastern part of the town, is a valuable and attractive sheet of water. On
the stream flowing from it, called Dorothea Pond Brook, which also joins the
Blackstone, various mechanical pursuits are in progress.

ORIGIN OF THE TOWN. 101

The commercial centre of Millbury is on the left bank of the Blackstone,
and is composed of Armory and Goodell villnges, formerly so called. The
streets are wide, and, for the greater part, regularly laid out and well shaded.
Here are all the church edifices save one, high school, bank, post-ofBce, stores,
manufactories of different kinds, railway stations, and many handsome resi-
dences. One mile west of the centre is Bramanville, named in honor of Dr.
Braman, an early settler, irregularly built on the rocks and in the steep places
along the course of Singlctary stream. The upper or western part was for-
merly called Singlctary Village, from John Singlctary, whose mill was the tirst
in this part of the town ; and the lower or eastern part Burbankville, for here
Gen. Caleb Burbank built, owned and operated a large paper-mill. The rise
and growth of this village are consequent upon the occupation of the different
water-privileges on the Singlctary. It contains twelve hundred inhabitants. The
house of worship of the First Congregational Society is in this part of the town ;
also large manufactories of cotton and woolen fabrics, stores and a public house.

Further west, on the highlands, is West Millbury, early named, and now
often called "Grass Hill," from the exceeding richness of the verdure. Before
the town was settled, owners of cattle, living in the vicinity of Boston, came to
this place early in the spring to burn over the cleared tracts, that there might
be an increased growth of grass for their herds driven thither later in the
season. There is a post-office here, and formerly the church-edifice of the
West Milllniry Congregational Society was in this village ; also, earlier, various
mechanical industries received the attention of the inhabitants, but, at the
jDreseut day, the leading pursuit is agricidture, to the prosecution of which the
lands hereabouts are well adapted. Park Hill in the eastern part of the town,
and Highland Hill to the south of it, are eligible and commanding sights, and
the dwellers thereon till the soil, and are rewarded by plentiful harvests.

The town of Millbury had its origin in the north parish of Sutton. In 1742,
the inhabitants living in the northern part of Sutton petitioned the General
Court, through Capt. Robert Goddard, Solomon Holman, and Jeremiah Buck-
man, to be erected into a separate precinct. • The committee appointed by the
General Court to visit Sutton and view the i:)remises, reported in favor of the
separation, and on Oct. 28, 1743, the report of the committee was concurred
in by the Court, and the northern part of Sutton was known as the North
Parish of that town. The first legal meeting of the inhabitants of this parish
was held at the house of Richard Singlctary, which stood near the outlet of
Crooked, now Singlctary Pond, on Dec. 26, 1743, of which meeting Capt.
Timothy Carter was moderator, and, of the parish, Robert Goddard was
chosen clerk. The subsequent meetings of the poi-ish were held at the house
of Singlctary until May 30, 1746, when the house of worship, erected on what
is now called the "Old Common," and which was designed to be the centre of
the town, was so near completion that meetings of the parish, both religious
and secular, could be held there.

102 TOWN OF MILLBURY.

On June 3, 1813, while the secoud war with Euglaud was iu progress, and
after much opposition and sectional strife, the North Parish of Sutton was
incorporated as the town of Millbury, and vested with all the powers, privi-
leges and immunities enjoyed by any town in the Commonwealth. The boun-
daries of the new town were coincident with those of the parish.

The call for the first town meeting was addressed to Aaron Pierce, justice of
the peace, and was endorsed by Caleb Burbank, Samuel Bixbee, Azor Phelps,
Jacob Chamberlain, Solomon Marble, Asa Waters, W. Jonathan Trask, Josiah
S. Prentice, Simeon Waters, and Stephen Blanchard. In pursuance of this
call, the inhabitants of Millbury assembled in town meeting for the first time,
on July 1, 1818, and elected the following officers : Moderator, Azor Phelps;
clerk, Aaron Pierce ; selectmen, Asa Goodell, Azor Phelps, Solomon INIarble,
Reuben Barton, Jr., James Greenwood ; treasurer, Samuel Waters ; assessors,
Aaron Pierce, Simeon Waters, Jonathan Grout ; collector and constable,
Alfred Hood ; surveyors of highways, Amasa Wood, Curtis Searls, Jonathan
Muzzy, Moses Brigham, Jonas Gale, Samuel Waters, Josiah S. Prentice,
Josiah Brown, Joel Wesson; tything-man, Jonathan Richardson.

At the time Millbury took its place among the municipalities of the
Commonwealth it contained about one hundred and sixty fiimilies, and a
population of less than five hundred. At what is now the centre of the town
there were, at its incorporation, only twelve or thirteen houses, seven or eight
on the east side of the Blackstone, along the County Road, now the Main
Street, and three or four on the west side, below or south of Singletary stream.
The only mills on the Blackstone in operation then were the Old Armory and
a grist-mill a few rods south of it. On Singletary stream there were manu-
factories of different kinds, of which an account will be given elsewhere.

During the ten years that followed incorporation the town changed very
little, either with respect to the number of inhabitants or commercial enter-
l^iise. In 1824 the prospect of better communication with the seaboard by
means of the Blackstone Canal caused the erection of new buildings and the
making of improvements. The canal was opened to the public in Millbury in
1828, and the first boat passed through on October 6 of that year. Although
much was expected of this new enterprise, little was realized, and the inhabi-
tants of the town of Millbury, and possibly those of other towns who were
financially interested in the canal scheme, had cause to wish that it had
remained dormant in the minds of those w4io projected it.

The era of growth and increase, however, had begun, and with or without
the aid of canals, the town of Millbury was destined to become what it has.
The activity begun in 1824 was continued until 1830, when it received new
impetus, and between that time and 1840, during which a branch of the Boston
and AVorcester Railroad was opened to the town, the greater number of the
mills now in operation, and some that are not, were built. Again, in 1846,
when the Providence and Worcester Railroad Company began operations,

CHURCH HISTOEY. 103

greater energy was infused into the spirit of improvement and enterprise, and
from that time to the present Millhiiry has gradually advanced until it has
become one of the larger manufacturing communities in Worcester County.

As the ecclesiastical history of Millbury began prior to the date of its incor-
poration as a town, and ns it was for several years thereafter connected with its
civil history, its place is hero.

On Dee. 13, 1744, twenty persons asked to bo dismissed from the mother
church iu Sutton. This was granted, but as these persons did not within the
year following form themselves into a distinct society, the Sutton church
called them to an account, fearing that they were walking disorderly, and
required them to renew their covenant. On Jan. 17, 1745, a meeting was
held "to seek earnestly to God for direction in calling and settling a Gospel
minister in the parish," and on March IG, 1747, a call was given James
Wellman. It was voted to i^ive him, "as an encourasfement to settie amonc:
ns, £500 in old tenor, as a settlement, and £250 of like tenor as a yearly
salary," The call and terms met the approval and acceptance of Mr. Wellman.
The complete organization of the church was not effected nntil Sept. 10, 1747,
when, as the records of the Sutton church show, fifty-seven persons were
dismissed to form the Second Church in Sutton, now the First Church in Mill-
bury. The new society adopted the Cambridge Platform for its confession
of faith, its covenant, and rules of church government. This platform
admitted ruling elders as a distinct class of church officers. This church,
however, was never Presbyterian. For many years it had its I'uling elders,
but has always adhered to the " pure and unmixed idea of a Congregational
church, that equality and disciplintuy power are inherent in its members."
Mr. Wellman, the first pastor, was ordained on Oct. 7, 1747, and remained
fourteen j'ears. At the conclusion of his farewell address " he dismissed ye
church with a blessing (not ye blessing whearwith Moses ye man of God
blessed the children of Israel) but something like it." Mr. Wellman was
considered as one well instructed in the mysteries of the kingdom of heaven,
and as having adorned, not forfeited his ministerial character.

The second pastor of this church, Ebenezer Chaplin, was ordained on Nov.
14, 1764. On Feb. 4, 1768, it wns voted "to sing one of Dr. Watts' hymns
at ye communion, if it would not bo grievous to any of the bretheren." On
Feb. 28, 1779, a vote Avas piissed to the effect that all youth under the authority
of parents and masters of the congregation should be catechised four times a
year by the pastor.

The parish began to build its house of worship early in the year 1744, but it
was not completed for several years. This edifice stood upon the "old
common," called by some of the inhabitants "Mount Zion, whither the tribes
went up to worship." The old common is a mile and a half north-west of the
present business centre, and town affairs were transacted there until 183G.
This church building had neither belfry nor steeple, and, from its resemblance

104 TOWN OF MILLBURY.

to a barn, was called the "Lord's Barn." The erection of a second chnrch
edifice was begun in 1802. Its dimensions were fifty by tifty-two feet, and its
site was that of the former structure, which was moved a few rods and
converted into a public house. The new edifice was dedicated on Nov. 27,
1804. As early as 1832 it was proposed to remove the church to Bramanville,
where it now stands. This caused a division in the society, and the matter
was left to the decision of referees, who decided that all would be benefited by
its removal, but that "only those who favored the change should pay the expence."
Accordingly, in the fall of 1835 the structure was demolished and rebuilt,
and re-dedicated on Jan. 14, 1836. In 18GG the edifice was remodeled as to its
interior, and dedicated again on March 11, 18C6. Pastors: James Wellman,
ordained on Oct. 7, 1747, dismissed on July 22, 17G0; Ebenezer Chaplin,
ordained on Nov. 14, 1764, dismissed on INIarch 22, 1792; Joseph Goffe,
ordained on Sept. 10, 17'J4, dismissed on Dec. 9, 1830; Osgood Herrick,
ordained on Dec. 9, 1830, died on March 16, 1837 ; Nathaniel Beach, ordained
on Nov. 22, 1837, dismissed on May 11, 1857 ; Edmund Y. Garrette, installed
on Sept. 30, 1857, dismissed on Nov. 3, 1869. George A. Putnam, the
present pastor, began his service on April 11, 1872.

The Second Congregational Church, an offspring of the first church, was
organized on Aug. 23, 1827, as the "First Presbyterian Church in Millbury."
At a church meeting held on July 5, 1827, a petition, signed by forty
members of the mother church, was presented, asking to be dismissed
for the purpose of forming a Presbyterian church in that part of the town
known as Armory Village — the present centre. The petition was granted
and the church formed. The Presbyterian polity was chosen to avoid
the supposed difficulty of calling a council which would recommend the
instituting of another Congregational church in the town. Seven years after,
in 1834, this society changed its polity and name, and has since been known as
the Second Congregational Church in Millbury. The house of worship was
built in 1828. In 1862 a parsonage was secured, and occupied in September of
the same year. Pastors: George W. Campbell, installed on Jan. 13, 1830,
dismissed in 1833 ; AVilliam A. Larned, afterwards professor in Yale College,
ordained on May 7, 1834, dismissed on Oct. 19, 1835 ; Samuel G. Buck-
ingham, D. D., ordained on May 24, 1837, dismissed on May 3, 1847;
Leverett Griggs, D.D., installed on Sept. 22, 1847, dismissed on Jan. 9,
1856 ; Lewis Jessup, installed on April 24, 1856, dismissed on March 29,
1860; Charles II. Peircc, installed on Oct. 22, 1862, died on Oct. 5, 1865;
Stacy Fowler, installed on Dec. 6, 1866, dismissed in February, 1878; J. L.
Ewell, the present pastor, was installed on April 16, 1878.

The Methodist Episcopal Church of Milll)ury had its origin in 1822, when
the first class was formed by William Archer, a local preacher from England,
■who dwelt here. This class w\as connected with the Northbridge and Milford
circuit, and, although not permanent, was served and nourished by the clergy-

RECENT SOCIETIES. 105

men M'ho traveled on Ibis circuit. In March, 1833, a parish organization was
cfFectcel, and in 1840 the present house of worship was erected. Pastois :
I^.Ierritt P. Alderman, 1833; Thomas W. Tucker, 183G ; "Wareham L. Camp-
bell, 1837 ; William P. "White, 18-10; Lorenzo R. Thayer, 1841 ; John Roper,
1842 ; E. W. Jackson, 1843 ; Phincas Crandall, 1844 ; John F. Pettce, 1845 ;
George W. Bates, 1847 ; Charles W. Ainsworth, 1848 ; William A. Braman,
1850; Willard Smith, 1852; John Rickets, 1854; Ichabod Marcy, 1855; B.
F. Green, M.D., 1857; Joseph Scott, 1859; Solomon Chapin, 18G1 ; Daniel
Atkins, 18G2; N. 11. jNIartin, 1861; Edwin S. Snow, 18G6 ; T. B. Treadwell,
1869; S. A. Fuller, 1870; W. R. Tisdale, 1871; William A. Pentecost, A.
O. Hamilton, W. A. Hatch. The present pastor is F. T. George.
• The Baptist Church in Millbury was formed on Dec. 16, 1836, at the house
of Abijah Gleason in West Millbury. For a year or more services were held
"from house to house," and subsequently in the house of the West Millbury
Congregational Societ3^ In 1841 the Baptists removed to Armory Village,
and fjr nearly twenty-live years occupied the Academy building. A house of
worship was erected in 1864, and dedicated on March 22, 1865. Pastors:
Ilcrvey Fitts, 1841 to 1843; James Upham, 1843 to 1845; S. J. Bronson,
1846 to 1853 ; C. T. Tucker, 1854 to 1857 ; S. A. Thomas, 1858 to 1861 ; C.
F. Nicholson, 1862 to 1864; Jonathan E. Brown, 1864 to 1868; C. A.
Skinner, 1869 to 1870; S. J. Bronson, 1870 to 1874; G. B. Gow, 1874 to
the present time.

The Coni:^rco;ational Church in West Millbury was oriijanized on Mav 23,
1837. Some of the inhabitants, members of the First Church, living in the
western part of the town, "displeased with the pulling down of the house of
God, that had been consecrated to the service of the Redeemer's kingdom,
thus rendering desolate the sacred spot where their fathers had worshipped,"
withdrew from the parent church, and, b}' a council called for the purpose,
organized the West JNIillbury Congregational Society. Twenty-nine members
were received from the older church, and sixteen on profession of faith. This
church was under the ministerial care of Caleb B. Elliot for two years after
organization, and on July 8, 1840, Sidney Ilolman, the first and last settled
pastor, was installed, and remained till June 11, 1851. This society disbanded
on Dec. 28, 1857.

A Catholic church was erected in Millbury in 1850. Prior to that, services
were held in the town hall. James Fitton of Worcester was the first minister,
and was succeeded by Matthew Gibson, A. L'Evequo, E. J. Sheridan, and
.7. J. Power. In 1869, this mission was made a separate parish, and M. J.
Doherty, the present head, placed in charge.

VOL. II.— 14

106 TOWN OF MILLBURY.

CHAPTER II.

EARLY MANUFACTURES AND PRESENT INDUSTRIES — IMPROVEMENT OF PRIVI-
LEGES ON THE BLACKSTONE AND SINGLETARY.

The town of Millbiiry, as its name signifies, is a borough of mills. At its
incorporation, some of the privileges on the Blackstoiie and Singletary were
improved ; but the founders of the town must have foreseen that the name
would be nxn'e appropriate later in its history.

Horace Waters, the oldest manufacturer now living in Millbury, was born
Aug. 28, 1799. Remaiuing at home during his minority, he assisted his father,
Samuel Waters, in building the oldest factory now standing in town, save one,
known as the Cordis Mills.* In 1831, he became connected with the firm of
Waters & Goodell in the manufacture of broadcloths. This firm was among
the first to make broadcloths, and produced some of the finest goods made in
the country under difliculties which are now happily unknown. Long journeys
were necessary in order to purchase wool from sections where as yet the whis-
tle of the locomotive or the click of the telegraph had never been heard, and
where the only means of transportation was by horses and oxen. In those
days, the dyer was obliged to cut his own woods, and the mechanic had not
only to build his own machinery, but, like the Yankee boy, "make the machine
which makes it." Hostile legislation in the year 1842 checked the production
of this class of goods in this country, which has never been revived to any
extent. In 1849, the firm of Waters & Goodell was dissolved, and in 1856
Mr. Waters became associated with the late Hon. Ilosea Crane, forming the
firm of Crane & Waters, of which he is now the senior partner. In this con-
nection, he has had a successful business career of twenty-three years in the
manufacture of knit-goods in the same mill formerly occupied by Waters &
Goodell, in which place he has now been in active business nearly a half cen-
tury, with little interruption. At different times during this long life, he has
been directly or indirectly connected with many of the other mills in town,
and has held many places of trust and responsibility, having well earned the
respect and esteem in which he is held by his fellow-townsmen and business
acquaintance.

The first mill in what is now the territory of Millburj^ was built on Single-
tary stream, near the outlet of Crooked Pond, now called Singletary Pond, on
the site of the Wheeler Cotton Mills, by John Singletary, about the year
1720, who bought the land of Ebenczer Daggett, to whom it was given on con-
dition that he should "keep a grist-mill for the use of the town." A saw-mill
was added, and the two were in operation many years after the Revolution.

* The armory building of Asa Waters, now usefl as a woolen factory, was built in 1808, some
ten or twelve years before the Cordis Mill, referred to.

IMILLS AND FACTORIES. 107

On the site of these mills was erected a woolen-factory operated by the Sin-
gletary Mannfacturing Company, and afterwards by Frank and Henry Tenney
and Dea. Mills. They were succeeded by Randall & Ilolman, they by
Jenks & Farnum, and they by Farnum & Wheeler. J. D. Wheeler then
became sole owner, and in 1867 the present company was incorporated as the
" Wheeler Cotton Mills." Four thousand spindles and sixty operatives are
employed, and ninety-five thousand yards of sheeting a month are produced.

In this village, formerly called Singletary Village, was a scythe-shop owned
by Samuel Marble, who operated a similar manufactory on the site of the
present Brierly Mills. Afterwards, a woolen and cotton mill was built and
operated by Woodard & Gorton. They were succeeded by Jonathan A. Pope,
and he was followed by James Brierly & Co. Mr. Pope was again in
possession, and after him came Emerson & Brierly. Crane & Waters are the
present owners, but not operators. Yarn is now made in this mill, and one
hundred and fifty thousand pounds per month are produced. Below, on the
same stream, — the Singletary, — is a woolen-mill owned and operated by M. A.
Lapham of Worcester. This mill occupies the site of the paper-mill of Abijah
Burbauk, which was in operation in 1777. Its erection was suggested by the
following resolution passed in convention of the committees of correspondence
and delegates from the towns in Worcester County : —

" Resolved, That the erection of a paper-mill in this county would be of great public
advantage, and, if any person or persons will undertake the erection of such a mill and
the manufacture of paper, that it be recommended to the people of the county to
encourage the undertaking b}' generous contributions and subscriptions."

This convention was held on Aug. 9, 1774, and adjourned from time to time,
holding it last meeting on May 31, 1775.

This was the first paper-mill in the county, and the fourth or fifth in Massa-
chusetts. Its capacity was thirty reams a week, and the mill was the main
dependence of printing-ofHces in Worcester County, particularly that of
Isaiah Thomas in Worcester. Abijah Burbauk was succeeded by his son,
afierwards called Gen. Caleb Burbank, who improved the property and
increased the production of the mill. At one time, Gen. Burbank was one of
the more influential as well as one of the wealthier manufacturers in Worcester
County. He published the various kinds of school-books then in use, Watts's
and other hymn and tune books. The old paper-mill was in operation until
1864, when the property was sold to the present owner by F. H. Richmond, and
new buildings erected, which were burned in 1876, and immediately rebuilt.

A short distance below the Lapham Mill is what is known as the Emerson
Mill, built by Braman & Benedict. On the site of this mill was formerly a
clothier's f.ictory, where cloth made by hand was dressed, operated by Simeon
W^aters. Jonathan A. Pope was at one time interested in the present mill.
After Pope came Smith & Pratt, and they were followed by Emerson &
Brierly, the Braman Cotton Mill Company, and by the present owners, J. M.

108 TOWN OF MILLBURY.

Mason & Co. of Providence, R. I. This mill has not been in operation for
several years.

Below the Emerson mill was formerly a linseed oil factory in active operation
several years ago. Below the site of this is the large and handsome mill-
structure of Nelson Walling. A machine-shop built and operated by John
Leland in 183G occupied the site of this mill. The property came into the
possession of the Oxford Bank in 1850, and in 1854 the present owner pur-
chased it. Enlargement and improvement have made this the best and largest
mill on the Singletary stream. It contains seven sets of forty-eight inch
cards ; one hundred and filteen operatives are employed, and the annual prod-
uct of fancy cassimeres amounts to three hundred and twenty thousand
yards.

Below the Walling manufactory is the hosiery-mill of Crane & Waters.
The dam and a small mill on this site were built by the Longley Brothers in
1825, who, however, did not complete the work. Waters & Goodell were
owners in 1831. In 1844, Horace Waters was added to the firm, and in 1849
Hosea Crane, and the firm-name is now Crane & Waters. Ten sets of cards are
in use in this mill, one hundred and fifty workmen are employed, and goods
valued at two hundred and fifty thousand dollars are produced annually. The
mill has been much enlarged and improved.

Next below the last-nani'^'d privilege is the Rhodes Mill, owned and operated
by John Rhodes. This mill was built in 1828 by Samuel Waters, who, with
others, supplied it with cotton machinery and made thread. Afterwards
Jonathan A. Pope occupied it for a manufactory of print goods. A. J. Hovey
was the next operator ; and between 1845 and 1850, Rhodes & Merry were
proprietors. Two thousand three hundred spindles are in use, thirty opera-
tives are employed, and seventeen thousand pounds of cotton warp are pro-
duced monthly. ■ The foregoing comprise all the privileges occupied on the
Singletary stream. The old powder-mill and the gun factories, formerly on
the Smglctary, and the armory on the Blackstonc will be noticed elsewhere.

The first mill-site on the Blackstone, in Millbary, is that of the Burling
Mills, situated in the northern part of the town on the old Blackstone Canal.
At the abandonment of the canal scheme, Asa Waters secured the privilege
and built the dam. Michael Cougan built a part of the present mill in 1850,
and for a short time was operator. II. II. Chamberliu was associated with
Cougan and afterwards the firm-name was Chamberliu & Co. The property
is now owned and operated by W. II. Harrington of Worcester. Previous to
18G4 the mill contained four sets of machinery. Eight sets are now in opera-
timi, one hundred and fifty operatives are employed, and eighteen thousand
yards of French beaver-cloth produced monthly.

South of the Burling Mills on the Blackstone are the sash and blind works of
C. D. Morse. This privilege was founded by Asa Waters and has furnished
jiower for various manufactories. The present owner and operator, C. D.

MANUFACTURES. 109

Morse, employs forty-five workmen, aud the product amounts to one hundred
thousand dollars annually.

Just below the confluence of the Singletary and Blackstone, near the centre
of the town, on the site of the armory building, are the Atlanta Mills, owned
and operated by William 11. Harrington & Co. Four sets of machinery are in
use, fifty operatives are employed, and the product is fifteen thousand yards of
woolen cloth per month. Immediately below the Atlanta Mills are the Millbury
cotton-mills, owned and operated by Benjamin Fhigg. This mill was built in
1847, by Asa H. Waters & Co., and occupies the site of a grist-mill erected in
about the year 1800. The present owner came into possession in 18G7. The
operatives in this mill number one hundred and twenty-five ; thirty thousand
yards of print cloths made per week.

Further down on the Blackstone is the Cordis Mill. The dam and canals
were built by Asa Waters, who, in 1821, by deed, dated Nov. 26, conveyed the
privilege to Asa, Orra and John Goodell. Near the present mill on the site of
the dye-house was, previous to 1820, a rolling-mill, in which nails without
heads were made.

The Goodells were known as the GoodoU Manufacturing Company, and with
the assistance of Brown & Tileston, erected a part of the p^jcscnt mill and
made broadcloth. They were succeeded by the Brown Manufacturiu": Com-
pany. The Cordis Company was in possession till 1864, when John S. Wright,
John II. Wright and Eben Wright became owners. In Jtdy, 1875, the present
company was incorporated under the name of the " Cordis Mills." This mill
is a fine brick structure and the largest in Millbury. It contains six thousnnd
five hundred spindles ; one hundred and thirty-five operatives ate employed,
and one hundred and thirty thousand yards of ticking are produced per
month.

The next and last privilege on the Blackstone in Millbury is occupied by
Peter Simpson's satinet-mill. This was built, 1830, by Shepard & Ridge way.
Park & Wright were owners at one time ; as were also, later. Wood & R:iy, and
^lerriam & Simpson. Forty-five hundred yards are made a month, and seven-
ty five operatives are employed.

On the stream from Dorothea Pond, is the edge-tool manufactory of Buck
Brothers. This industry was established in the city of Worcester in 1853,
and removed to Millbury in 1864. In 1868, the present factory building, —
the finest structure in town, — was erected. The company make chisels and
various other edge-tools, and have won a world wide reputation. Fifty work-
men are employed, and the annual product of this industry is valued at one
hundred and twenty thousand dollars.

Other industries, less in extent, occupy the attention of many of the inhabi-
tants. There is a smelting furnace, a carriage manufactory, one of boxes and
one of whips. Some of the earlier settlers have continued to the present time,
the business begun soon after the incorporation of the town. Nathaniel God-

110 TOWN OF MILLBURY.

dard l)e2:an the manufacture of boots and shoes in 1819, has since been en2:ao:ed
in some branch of that industry, and with his son, Ira N. Goddard, still con-
tinues the business at or near the place where it was begun sixty years ago.

In 1837 the total products of the manufacture of cotton and woolen goods,
guns, scythes, paper, boots and shoes, and other articles were valued at half a
million dollars. In 1870 the value of the town's production was two and a half
million dollars, exclusive of agriculture. Including the products of the latter,
the total in 1875 was valued at about two million dollars.

CHAPTER III.

MANUFACTURE OF SMALL-ARMS — THOMAS BLANCHARD — EDUCATIOXAL INTER-
ESTS CIVIC ORGANIZATIONS LIBRARY AND TOWN HALL THE WAR OF

THE REBELLION BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES.

The manufacture of small-arms, such as muskets, rifles and pistols, was for
many years a prominent and leading interest in Millbury. It was begun long
before the national armories were projected, and some years even before
Samuel Slater had started in this same valley of the Blackstone his famous
cotton-spinning frame.

On the breaking out of the Revolutionary war, guns were at once of prime
necessity. They could not be imported, and mechanics, especially gun-makers,
were scarce. Among the first settlers of this town was a large family by the
name of Waters, whose progenitor, Richard Waters, was by profession a gun-
maker when he emigrated from England to Salem in 1632. Gun-making
became hereditary in the family line. Two of his descendants in this town,
Asa and Andrus, brothers, inherited the mechanical genius or skill requisite in
this business. Guns were wrought out in that day, even in England, mostly
if not wholly by hand power ; a very laborious and expensive process. These
brothers conceived the idea of bringing water-power to their aid, and built a
gun-ftictory on the Singletary, upon a site next below the present mill of
Crane & Waters. This is believed to be the first instance on record where
water-power was brought to the aid of hand-power in the manufacture of guns.
It is certainly true that gun-barrels were then welded in England entirely by
hand, and so continued to be until the next generation of this family, when
Asa Waters, 2d, invented a process of welding them under trip-hammers by
motive-power.

These brothers discovered thus early — what is true to-day — that the best
iron for gun-barrels lay in the mines of Salisbury, Conn. They bought it
there in pigs ; had it carted through the forests to a forge in Douglas, where it
was converted into refined iron, and thence was carted to their factory in North

AEMORY ENTERPRISES. Ill

Sutton (now Millbury), Avhere it was wrought into the various parts of the
s^un. It is a tradition that this factory received the patronage and aid of the
State. It is certainly known that the State erected a Uirge powder-mill
on the site next above — which was the one referred to in the folio winf'
resolve : —

"Massachusetts Council, Oct. 18, 1776. — Resolved, That the further sum of
two hundred pounds be paid out of the treasury of the State to carry on the building
of the powder-mill at Sutton."

This mill was run by water-power, and was put in charge of Asa Waters, who
was often heard to say that there was hardly a barn in Worcester County under
"which he had not bent his back to scrape up saltpetre.

After the war was over, the factory was converted into a scythe-shop, and the
powder-mill sold at auction.

In 1808 Congress having established two public armories for the nation, one
at Springfield and one at Harper's Ferry, proceeded to establish six "private
armories to furnish arms to the separate States."

They enacted a standing law requiring the annual payment from the United
States Treasury of $200,000 for this purpose. The war department selected
six of the most distinguished mechanics for this business, as follows : Asa
Waters of Sutton (now Millbury), Lemuel Pomroy of Pittsiield, North &
Starr of Middletown, Conn., Eli Whitney of New Haven, and Derringer of
Philadelphia, Pa., and issued to them contracts for a term of years, and
renewed them from time to time.

In that same year of 1808, Asa Waters, 2d, and Elijah, his brother, built
upon the Blackstone, it being the first privilege below the mouth of the Single-
tary, and having greater power, the armory building, which still remains there,
and gave to the village its name. It was in active operation during the war
with England in 1812, and its business largely increased by the manufacture of
scythes, saw-mill saws, bar-iron, cast-steel, and various articles which could not
be imported.

Deacon Elijah Waters died in 1814, much lamented. He left a large family
of children, among whom was the ingenious inventor and eminent expert in
patent cases, Hervey Waters of Boston.

Asa Waters continued to prosecute the business until his death in 1841, when
he left an unexpired contract of four years to run.

The war department was liberal in its contracts to him in consideration of
the various improvements he introduced, among which was a process for weld-
ing the gun-barrel by motive-power instead of hand-power, doing the work
much quicker, cheaper and better. It was adopted in all the armories in this
country, and by many in Europe, and has been in continued use since. His
patent is dated Oct. 25, 1817, and his claim to originality was never disputed.
Its worth to the country has jDrobably been far greater than the whole amount
paid him on his contracts.

112 TOWN OF MTLLRURY.

The English method of grinding down the barrels before a revolving stone
was found to leave the metal of unequal thickness around the calibre, and this
made them liable to explode. Various inventions were made by the contractors
to turn them in a lathe. INIr. Waters invented one (patented Dec. 19, 1818)
ill which he succeeded so far as the barrel was round, but to turn the irregular
shape of the butt, baffled all his efforts, and the eflbrts of the most ingenious
mechanics in all the armories as well.

At length, in sheer desperation, having heard of a young man living in a
border favmino--district who had exhibited some genius for mechanics, he sent
for him to come to his armory. When he came he seemed a stranger to all
present, appeared diffident, had a stammering tongue, and little was expected
of him. Glancing his eye over the machine, and learning what was wanted, he
very soon suggested an additional, very simple, but wholly original cam
motion, which relieved the difficulty at once, and proved a perfect success. It
was adopted at once in all the armories, has been in use ever since, and, as it
saves fully a half dollar on every gun, some estimate may be formed of its value
to the country. This verdant youth, then called " Stammering Thom," was
none other than the now-reijowed Thomas Blanchard, whose inventive genius
has rarely been surpassed in this or any other age. It was then and there, as
he afterwards said, that the idea of his world-renowned machine for turning
irregular forms, such as gun-stocks, shoedasts, spokes, tackle-blocks, ox-yokcs,
&c., ad i)ifinitum, first flashed through his mind. The germ of the latter lay
in the former, and both had their birth in the armory of Mr. Waters, and,
though he made no claims whatever to either invention, he might justly claim
that he was the cause or occasion of their being brought out.

The private armories having been publicly and repeatedly recognized by the
secretaries of war from John C. Calhoun down, as a part of the United States
force for the supply of arms, the owners regarded them as permanent estab-
lishments, and invested largely in tools and machinery, which for any other pur-
pose would be nearly worthless. In 1845, when the contracts of Asa Waters
and others expired, the whole system was broken up, without notice or warn-
in"', and the business broua:ht to a sudden and final termination. No poor
tenant could be ejected for non-payment of rent with so little ceremony. Not
only the contractors suffered severely, but their workmen, who had become
experts on certain parts, knew no other trade, and had settled down in com-
fortable homes around the armories. This was a leading interest in jMillbury,
and its destruction was a severe blow to the prosperity of the town. That the
contractors had no undue advantage over other mechanic pursuits, will be
obvious from the fact that the prices paid them were limited to the actual cost
of makinir similar arms at the national armories. The reasons given Avore that
the mechanics in those armories, being paid by the day, bad no motive to invent
.labor-saving machinery, while the contractors would be compelled to make
them to secure their profits.

EDUCATION". 113

Necessity is the mother of invention, and the wisdom of this policy was
abundantly proved by experience. While very few inventions of much import-
ance were ever made at the national armories, the private armories were
wonderfully prolific in them. A few have been alluded to. Of the great
multitude made, space will allow the mention of only one more, the millinii;-
machine. This machine, with cast-steel cutters fitted for plain or any irregular
surfaces required, has nearly superseded the old-fashioned and expensive
process of hand-filing. It was first brought into notice in the private armories
at Middletown. Now it is to be found in all our machine-shops, and hand-
filing, as a trade, formerly so common, has become nearly obsolete.

The cause or motive for the discontinuance of these armories was for a Ion"'
time unknown, although the direct agent in the affair was known to be Gen.
George Talcott of the Ordnance Department. Some years after, this officer was
arraigned before a court-martial for some malfeasance in no ways connected
with these armories. In the trial evidence was brousfht out that he was the
owner of a large iron foundry in Richmond, Va., devoted to making cannon-
balls for the United States ; that it was in charge of his nephew, to whom con-
tracts were issued from time to time upon most favorable terms; that Talcott
had become very rich, and was living in the style of an Eastern nabob. The
mystery of the discontinuance of the private armories was now revealed. The
moneys intended for their support had found their outlet chiefly through this
channel. Gen. "Winfield Scott was judge-advocate, and, with his high sense of
honor, was greatly shocked that a government official, so high in position, and
a graduate of West Point, should be guilty of such cori'upt embezzlement.
His sentence was accordingly severe ; viz., that said George Talcott should be
removed from the office of Chief of Ordnance, be deprived of his commission
of brigadier-ueneral, and his name erased from the roll of army officers.

The surviving contractors had thus the satisfaction of seeing the author of
their great wrongs brought to condign punishment, but not of having their
business reinstated. The system had been broken up, and most of the armories
converted to other pursuits.*

Improvements and organizations of various kinds upon which the welfare of
a people depends, have been made and formed to keep pace with the commercial
growth. The first school was established near the Cordis Mills. This was
divided, and a school opened on the Worcester Road, and another on the
Boston Road. Not long after there was a school on Park Hill, and subse-
quently -^ii^v-.near the centre of the town, on the east side of the Blackstone.
In 1832- tue Academy Building, so called, was built north of the centre of
Armory Village, on land given for the purpose by Asa Waters, on condition
that the site should always be occupied by buildings devoted to educational
purposes. The academy was established by a stock company, and designed

* For the history thus far given in this chapter the author acknowledges the kindness of Col.
Asa H. Waters.

VOL. II.— 15

114 TOWN OF MILLBURY.

for Ji "ladies' acadcaiy." Both sexes, however, were afterwards admitted,
but a very high success was never, perhaps, attained, and in 1851 the property
was purchased by the town, and a high school established, which has been in
successful operation since. The public schools of Millbury now consist of one
high school at the centre, and sixteen common schools in different parts of the
town, under the care of a committee of six members. The common schools
are divided into graded and mixed schools. There are mixed schools in the
Haywood district, at the Burling INIills and on the old common ; graded schools
are in Bramanville, and at the Centre or Armory Village, divided into a sub-
primary, primary, intermediate and grammar schools ; on Providence Street,
in the eastern part of the town, are sub-primar}', primary and intermediate;
and in West IMillbury intermediate and grammar schools. The course of study
in the high school requires four years, and is divided into English and classical.
The latter is intended to prepare pupils for college. The high school gives
diplomas. The appropriation for schools in 1879 was $7,000, and the school
jiroperty is valued at $30,000. The schools are provided with apparatus for
the use of those pursuing philosophical and scientific studies.

The Millbury Free Public Library was established in 18G4. The board of
trustees consists of three members, chosen to serve three years, together with
the chairman of the school committee and the principal of the high school.
The library is composed of books belonging to an agricultural society long
since disbanded, and of those given by the Social Friends, an organization
connected with the academy. In 1864 this society offered its library of about
six hundred volumes to the town "for the purpose of founding a free public
library, on condition that the town will accept it, and make suitable provision
for its care and increase." The offer w^as accepted, and in 1865 the town took
charge of the library and made appropriations for its support. The dog-fund
has been annually voted to maintain it. The library has three thousand two hun-
dred volumes. In 1872 Deacon Leonard Dwinell bequeathed the library $100.

Until 1836 town meetings were held on the old common ; after that time,
till 1851, at Bramanville. AVhcn the town bought the academy, meetings were
held in it until 1879. In 1873 the town began the erection of a new town
hall, the cost of which, including lot, was $32,500. It stands at the inter-
section of South Main with Elm Street, in the heart of Aimory Village. The
material is brick, with sandstone trimmings. A h;dl in the upper stoiy has a
seating capacity of one thousand. The building contains, also, ofEces for
town officials, a reading-room and the public library.

The "Olive Branch" Lod2:e of Masons of Millburv was orsr.inized on May 1,
1797, by Masons living in Sutton and Oxford, and the meetings were held in
these towns alternately. The charter was granted on Sept. 14, 1797, and
bears the names of Paul Revere, grand master, and Isaiah Thomas, senior
grand warden. In 1816 the home of this lodge was in Sutton, where it
remained till 1860, when it was removed to Millbury. This lodge is the

PUBLIC INSTITUTIONS. 115

parent of similar organizations in Oxford, Webster and Grafton. Its members
number about one hundred.

Blackstone Lodge, No. 18, of the Independent Order of Good Templars, was
organized in Millbury on March 18, 1864, with a membership of thirteen.
The total number of members is four hundred and more, and its number in
1879 was about one hundred and fifty.

The Millbury Guards, a company of the tenth regiment, State militia, is
composed entirely of citizens of the town.

It is claimed that the first lyceum, the parent of the present system,
originated in JNlillbury.* It was composed of residents of the town, who
lectured belbrc their townsmen on philosophical and scientific subjects. The
exact date of the formation of this society is not known, ])ut it is believed to be
about 1820. It is also true that John B. Gough's lecture sj'stem had its origin
here, for his first lecture was delivered in Millbury. And it is also claimed
that the first temperance society was formed in Millbury. According to tradi-
tion and the oldest inhabitant, a society was organized many years ago for the
promotion of temperance ; total abstinence was then unknown. The members
of this society met on Saturday evenings to render an account of their drinking
during the week: If a member had been intemperate ho was put upon an
allowance for the week to come. At one meeting a member declared that he
had abstained from the use of liquors since the last meeting, and, moreover,
should not drink again. His veracity was questioned in regard to the past,
and he Avas considered insane with respect to the future ; for it was then
thought impossible for any one to exist, much less thrive, without his thrice-daily
dram. Notwithstanding, or possibly in consequence of the strict watch kept
of the movements of this total abstainer, his declaration was made good until
his death.

The Millbury National Bank was founded by Asa Waters, and incorporated
as a State bank of discount and deposit in 1825, with a capital of one hundred
thousand dollars. The chanire from State to national bank was made in 18G1.
The present capital is two hundred thousand dollars. The first board of
directors consisted of Asa Waters, Simon Farnsworth, Caleb Burbank, William
M. Benedict and Elijah Waters of IMiilbury, Jonas L. Sibley of Sutton, Samuel
Wood of Grafton, Sylvanus Tlolbrook of Northbridgc and Au-tin Denny of
Worcester. The following have been presidents and cashiers in the order
given: — Presidents: Asa Waters, Simon Farnsworth, Asa II. Waters, Simon
Farnsworth, Jonathan Warren, Ilosea Crane. Cashiers : Lewis Mills, William
Whittlesey, R. B. Chapman, Jonathan Cary, John Prentice, Joseph S Farnum,

* Many towns and cities now claim this lionor. Millbury has to support her claim, a public
statement of Rev. I. Holbrook, who devoted many years to giving lectures upou astronomy before
the lycenms throughout the country, and whose labors in this field are still remembered with
gratitude by many. In his last course ho said ho had made it a matter of special inquiry in hia
travels to find out where the first lyceum originated, aud he had become convinced it was in Mill-
bury, and about the year 1820.

116 TOWN OF MILLBURY.

David Atwood, F. C. Miles, Amos Armsby. This bank was robbed, in 1842,
of twenty-two thousand dollars, but the money was found and the robbers
punished.

The Millbury Savings Bank was incorporated in 1854, through the influence
of David Atwood, who has been treasurer from that time until the present,
with the exception of two months, when Frank C. Miles held the office. The
following have been presidents : — Jonathan A. Pope, Clough R. Miles, Thomas
J. Harrinijton, Horace Arms I) v, William R. Hill.

A post-office was established in Armory Village about 1818, and Simon
Farnsworth appointed postmaster. Other postmasters were appointed in this
order: — »Tonathan Grout, Asa H. Waters, Daniel J. Paul, Simon Dudley,
William Fenner, T. W. Childs, Simon Farnsworth, Jr., and Roland E.
Bo wen.

During the war of Rebellion the town of Millbury put three hundred and
forty-six men in the field, twenty-six over and above all demands; raised for
war purposes, thirty-five thousand nine hundred and thirty dollars and seventy-
four cents ; and paid State aid to the amount of nineteen thousand six hundred
and seventy-six dollars and fift3'-six cents.

On May 7, 1861, at the first meeting held to consider war measures, a com-
mittee of seven was appointed "to furnish such persons as shall enlist in the
military service in that town with anything which in the opinion of the com-
mittee may be necessary for their comfort, with power to draw money from
the treasury." In September the town voted to raise two thousand five hun-
dred dollars to defray expenses already incurred in recruiting volunteers, and
to aid those who enlisted thereafter. The selectmen were directed to continue
supplying the families of volunteers at their discretion.

On March 17, 1862, it was voted to appropriate two thousand five hundred
dollars to aid families of volunteers; on July 17, a bounty of one hundred
dollars to each volunteer who should enlist, be mustered into the service, and
be accredited to the town's quota; also voted to pay one hundred dollars in
addition to that already voted to those men who should enlist between August
13th and 15th, inclusive, to fill the quota of the town in the first call
of the President for three hundred thousand men ; also voted to give a bounty
of one hundred and fifty dollars to each volunteer for nine months, to bo paid
when mustered into the service of the United States ; also the treasurer was
authorized to borrow money.

In March, 1863, the town treasurer was authorized to borrow money to pay
aid to families of volunteers, and the selectmen were directed to assist such
families, "as they shall think best for the treasury of the town." During this
year many meetings were held to encourage enlistments, and money was raised
by subscription to pay bounties.

On March 30, 1864, the town voted to raise four thousand four hundred dol-
lars to refund money advanced by citizens to pay bounties ; also voted to give a

STATISTICS. 117

bounty of one hundred and twenty- five dollars to each volunteer who should
eulist and be accredited to the quota of the town. On June 22, the sauie
bounty was offered. In 18G5, the town again voted to raise money to reim-
burse those who had assisted in paying bounties.

The following lost their lives in the service of the United States : — Henry
Bartou, Charles Burr, James J. Colby, Patrick Doherty, William W. Dane,
Lewis Dover, Reuben Dyson, John S. Emerson, George W.Emerson, Edward
K. Harrington, Elisha S. Liverniore, Andrew J. La vert}^ Jeremiah INIoynihan,
Edward IE Moore, Mitchel W. Paul, George G. Phillips, Daniel G. Pitts,
George 11. Powers, Lucius Parodis, Francis C. Pope, George A. Ryan, Rufus
H. Stone, James S. Slocomb, William II. Smith, Franklin Varney, Edwin D.
Waters, Robert Wilson, Truman B. Waters, Nelson Sabin, John B. Dunn,
Edward C. Glcason, Robert Kelley.

In 1853, Asa II. Waters was a delegate to the Constitutional Convention.

Calvin Willard, Ilosea Crane and Ilcnry L. Bancroft have been members of
the State Senate.

The first representative to the General Court from Millbury was Asa Good-
ell, elected May 2, 1814, and again in the following year. He was followed by
Amasa Braman in 181G ; Caleb Burbank, 1819; Asa Waters, 1823-4; Elias
Forbes, 1827-8 ; Aaron Pierce and Amasa Hall, 1829 ; Elias Forbes and
Simeon Waters, 1830; Simeon Waters and Asa Waters, 1831 ; William Bene-
dict and Elijah Waters, 1832 ; Amasa Wood and Ilcnry iNlills, 1833 ; Amasa
Wood and Joseph Griggs, 1834 ; Joseph Griggs and Lyman Goodcll 1835 ;
Lyman Goodcll and Aaron Trask, 183G ; Aaron Trask and Job Gorton, 1837 ;
Job Gorton and Charles Halo 1838 ; Charles Hale and Cyrus Faulkner, 1839 ;
Joseph Robbins and Ezra Lovell, 1842; Calvin Willard, 1844; Benjamin
Flagg, 1845 ; Asa II. Waters, 1848-9 ; OrviUe E. Thompson, 1850-51 ; N. P.
Smith, 1854; Joseph Robbins, 1855-6; Ilosea Crane, 1858; Horace Armsby,
1860-Gl ; Leonard Spaulding, 18G2 ; Henry E. Rockwell, 18GG ; Silas Duntou,
18G7 ; Henry L. Bancroft, 18G9 ; Irvin B. Sayles, 1871 ; C. D. Morse, 1872 ;
David Atwood, 1874; Georo-c A. Flaijf?, 187G.

The following statistics will be interesting: — Population, 1820, 92G ; 1835,
2,153 ; 1850, 3,091 ; 18G0, 3,29G ; 1870, 4,400. In 1875, 4,529 ; families, 940 ;
dwellings, 578; polls, 1,084; voters, GS6 ; farms, 10(i ; acres cultivated,
2,257 ; total acreage in farms, G,9G5 ; value of farm lands, $59G,978 ; value
of products of agriculture, $118,401; horses, 158; cows, 348; sheep, 9;
employed in manufactures, 1,102; value of products of manufactures,
$1,937,797; value of personal property, $771,485; value of real estate,
$1,746,633 ; total valuation, $2,518,118 ; rate of taxation, $15.25 per $1,000.

118 TOWN OF NEW BRAINTREE.

NEW BRAINTREE

BY GEORGE K. TUFTS, ESQ.

CHAPTER I.

SITUATION AND NATURAL FEATURES — FIRST CONDITION — INDIAN REMINIS-
CENCES — EARLY RECORDS — POLITICAL HABITS — MEETING-HOUSE — FIRST

MINISTER SCHOOL-HOUSES AND " SQUADRONS" SPIRIT IN THE REVOLUTION

SHAYS REBELLION AVAR OF 1812 IMPROVEMENTS REBELLION

BOUNTIES AND ENLISTMENTS — PUBLIC MEN.

New Braintree is nearly in shape of an isosceles triangle, with sides of six
miles and base of nine ; bounded by Oakham and Barre on the north-east side,
Ilardwick on the north-west, and West Brookficld and North Brookfield on its
base or southerly line. It contains twenty-one square miles, lying distant from
Worcester seventeen miles west. Its surface is hilly and finely adapted to
grazing, and finds its highest elevation in Tufts Hill. Its first recorded valu-
ation Avas £2,454, when it had 217 polls and 272 head of cattle and horses.
Its rate of taxation was then tcnpence per pound, and one man only — Henry
Penniman — was taxed for money at interest, to wit, £150. Its highest valua-
tion was in 1871, being $590,430 ; number of polls, IGG ; number of heads of
stock, 1,340. Its highest population Avas in 1790, when it was nine hundred
and forty persons.

Nearly one-half of the town consisted of a gore of land lying between Rutland
and Ilardwick (formerly Lamb's Town), and was granted by the General
Court to certain individuals of Braintree, and called Braintree Farms. This
tract, with a portion of Ilardwick and Brookfield, Avas incorporated into a
District, Jan. 31, 1751, and received the name of New Braintree. About one
and a half miles in a north-A\'est direction from the centre and on the flats of the
Winnimisset the Indians had formerly a settlement of considerable importance.
Here Mrs. HoAvard, Avho Avas taken captive at Lancaster in 1G79, was brought
with her two children, and one of the latter Avas killed by the Indians. On the
hill half a mile east of the Winnimisset there is now a small stone monument,
Avhich, as tradition aflirms, marks its graA'^e. A little south of the Indian

LOCAL CHARACTER. 119

village twelve men, agents on their way to treat for peace with the Indians,
were slain by them in ambush, Aug. 2, 1675.

Capt. Eleazer Warner, the first white male child born in the district, and
for many years after its formation conspicuous in local matters, through his
skill and success in the struggles with the Indians, had brought upon himself
their lasting enmity, which peace could not erase. One day, some time after
the war was over, an Indian called at the house of Mr. Rice of Hardwick, and
inquired the way to IMr. Warner's house. lie was directed by the common
road. After ho had gone, Mr. Rice, suspecting the object of his visit,
despatched a messenger by a blazed path through the forest to apprize Mr.
Warner of his danger. Mr. Warner quietly took down his gun and entered
the forest. The parties soon became aware of each other's presence, and
sought each his cover, the Indian a tree and Mr. Warner a fallen log, cadi
awaiting some exposure on the part of the other. After waiting a while Capt.
Warner placed his h it on the end of the muzzle of his gun and raised it a triilc
above the log. The Indian fired, and the bullet passed through the hat.
Capt. Warner then arose and shot the Indian, sinking his body in the Black
Pond near by. The afijiir was kept secret by Mr. Warner until near the close
of his life. He died Feb. 28, 177G.

The most fruitful source of information as to the character of the early inhal)-
itants is the records of their public meetings, which seem to have been kept
very minutely. From these it is inferred that they were jealous of their rights
as citizens, independent in the formation and fearless in the expression of their
convictions on all national, State and county matters, and watchful of their
religious, educational and material interests, and by their industry and thrift
accumulating independence, and many of them wealth. The action of the
town on all local as well as State and national matters has been characterize^....^
by a greater harmony than is usual in most towns. Seldom, if ever, have
there been two rival political candidates for representative. There has been
but little disposition for frequent changes in officers or manner of conducting
business. Men once chosen to office, and proving themselves capable and
faithful therein, have received the continued support of the people. The
longest uninterrupted period of service was by Rev. John Fiske, chairman of
school committee fifty-five years; the next by Philip Delano, town clerk
thirty-four years.

In politics the Federalists, Whigs and Republicans have in succession always
been in a majority ranging from twenty to one to three to one. The greater
inequality was in 1803, when Gerry, the Democratic candidate for governor,
received only one vote, against eighty for Strong, his opponent. The nearest
approach to equality was in 1876 — Republicans, 75 ; Democrats, 56.

Educational institutions have received a liberal and hearty support. Previ-
ous to 1840 there were fourteen graduates of colleges, a larger number than
in any town in the Brookfield Association of Churches.

120 TOWN OF NEW BRAINTEEE.

The first district meeting was held at the house of David Ayers (on site of
present residence of Sullivan Converse), March 13, 1751, with Eleazer Warner
as moderator, and David Woods, town clerk. The selectmen of the first 3ear
were Eleazer Warner, David Gilbert and Cornelius Cannon. Among the first
acts of the new district was "To raise ten pounds to provide preaching, and to
choose a Committee to procure a preacher as soon as conveniently he could be
bad"; also, "to find a centre of land already laid off, which should bo the
prefixed spot for a meeting-house." Jan. 1, 1752, the town voted "to build
a meeting-house forty by fifty feet," on the site of the present one. Pews were
not erected until 1756, and in this wise. A bounty sufficient to cover the
expense of a pulpit and deacon's seat, ranging from seven pounds to three per
one hundred, was laid on the pew-ground, according to its dignity (location).
The ri^ht of choice was assigned to persons according to age and character,
and each purchaser was to build his own pew. In 1767 the house was lathed
and plastered. 1772, porches were added. In 1800 the town voted to build a
new meeting-house, fifty feet square, on the site of the old one, to be com-
pleted in two years and eight months. Henry Penniman gave $300 to buy a
new bell, and received in return the first choice of seats in the new house.
1802, Henry Penniman and Joseph Bowman gave a new town clock. Novem-
ber 1, first mectino- held in new house. No alterations made until 1846, when
the house was lowered and entirely remodeled, with town hall and vestry
below. Dedicated Oct. 26, 1846, the fiftieth anniversary of the settlement of
Rev. John Fiske, D.D. Bounty money on pews procured an organ at an
expense of $1,100. 1877, house again repaired, with funds contributed by
Ladies' Social Gathering and a gift of $300 from estate of Edward Fiske, of
Brooklyn, N. Y. The members of the district used great caution in settlement
cf a minister. They listened to three candidates the first year without choice.
They set apart Feb. 21, 1753, as a day of fiisling and prayer for direction.
Jan. 23, 1754, they sought advice of five neighboring ministers, and, February
4, extended a call to Rev. Benjamin Ruggles of Middleton, with thirty pounds
encouragement to settle and fifty pounds an!Uial salary. April 18, ho was
installed, and officiated twenty-four years. Died May 12, 1782. He was a
man of "average ability and sincere piety, and his relations with the people
were entirely harmonious and productive of great blessing." Oct. 27, 1778,
Rev. Daniel Foster was oidained Avith one thousand pounds settlement and
sixty-six pounds annual salary, and thirty cords of wood. There Avas much
opposition to his settlement, but he proved exceedingly popular, and ultimately
won the aflections of his people. He died S?pt. 1, 1795. The town was
without a pastor until Oct. 26, 1796, when Rev. John Fiske of Warwick was
installed, with two hundred and thirty pounds settlement and ninety pounds
annual salary. He remained until his death, March 15, 1855, fifty-nine years.
He received in final settlement from his parish $800, and $200 as a private
contribution from Josiah Gleasou. June 22, 1853, Rev. James T. Hyde, a

CHURCHES AND SCHOOLS. 121

gracliiato of Yale College and Andover Seminary, was ordained as colleague
with Dr. Fiske. Mr. Hyde was dismissed Aug. 27, 1855. April 23, 1856,
Rev. John II. Gurnoy Avas installed, salary $900; dismissed June 30, 18G9.
INIay 3, 1871, Ilcv. John Dodge of North Brookfield was installed, salary
$1,200; died June 19, 1872. Oct. 30, 1872, Rev. William B. Bond of
Chicago was installed. April 18, 1754, the church was first gathered and
formed, but no records exist for forty-two years, except in 1778 and '79. Imme-
diately after the settlement of Mr. Foster certain members of the church
applied for dismission on the ground of their belief in the virtual denial by
their pastor of some of the fundamentid truths of the gospel. The application
was refused because the points at issue had been settled by the ordaining
council. A few retired and attended the Baptist church in Rutland. Pre-
vious to 179G no confession of faith was required for admission to the church.
There was no covenant in use between its members. Children were baptized
indiscriminately, whether their parents were partakers of the sacrament or m)t.
But in the first year of John Fiske's ministry a new order of things was
established. A pul)lic confession of faith was required, the practice of baptism
restricted, and in 1810 the church was formally and publicly reorganized, with
articles of faith and covenant essentially the same as those now in use. It
received, from 179G to 1821, yearly accessions by profession : in 1810 and '11,
37; 1819 and '21, 100; 1827, 30; 1831, 25; 1841, 49; 18GG, 20. From
1800 to 1879, 334. Membership in 1810, 58 ; 1851, 123 ; 1879, 59.

The following list gives the names of the deacons of this church, and the
order ia which they were chosen : "William Witt, James Woods, Samuel
Ware, Jonathan Woods, Jonathan Gould, chosen previous to 1775 ; George
Barr, previous to 1800; Abijah Bigelow, 1805; James Woods, 1808; Jacob
Pepper, 1815; Samuel Warner, 1815; Phinchas Warner, 1817; Francis
Adams, 1828; Amasa Bigelow, 1830; Welcome Newell, 1830; Henry M.
Daniels, 1855 ; Elbridge Gleason and Moses Pollard, 18G2.

The first appropriation for schools was made Oct. 1, 1753, of three pounds.
School was taught three mouths, one month each in three different parts of the
district. In 175G the district 'was divided into four school squadrons, but
school was taught in private houses until 17G0, when the first school-house was
built at the Centre, "twenty feet square, with chimney in the middle," at a
cost of ten pounds. In 17G7 four new houses were built; appropriation,
twenty pounds; 1778, sixty pounds. 1785, first grammar school maintained.
1787, Aaron Hall exempted from taxes so long as he shall serve the town as
grammar-school master. The customary appropriation for schools was con-
tinued through the Revolutionary War, although it was omitted in many
towns. 1777, town divided into eight districts. 1792, permission was granted
to each district to build new houses, and they continued to hold and improve
their property until 18G1, when the town purchased the old houses and erected
five new ones at a cost of $5,000. It was divided in that year again into six

VOL. II.— 16

122 TOWN OF NEW BRAINTREE.

districts. It is interesting to note that in 18G1, when the town virtually
abolished the district system, it returned to the custom, first adopted in 1753,
of orivinor to each district the same len2;th of school, havinsf in the meantime
divided the appropriation, first, in proportion to the amount of taxable property
in each district, and afterwards according to the number of scholars ; some of the
districts with fewer scholars made up the deficiency in wood and board. In
1799 the general supervision of the schools was committed to Rov. John Fiske,
who performed the active duties of the office more than iifty years without
compensatioD, excepting the last five years. To him mainly was the town
indebted for the relativcl^^ high standard of its schools, and the interest in
education that has never diminished. In 1800 teachers were first required to
pass a legal examination before receiving compensation for services. In 1845
school committees first received compensation. In 1800, appropriations, $400 ;
1813, $500; 1836, $801; 1874, $1,800; 1878, second town in county aud
twenty-second in State in amount raised per scholar, $17.40.

On the first Monday in June, 1773, in reply to a letter from "y° Inhabitants
of v° Town of Boston," the town

" Voted that the Freeholders and other Inhabitants of 3'C^ Town of Boston hereby
receive the hearty thanks of this district for the vigilance, firmness, and wisdom which
they have discovered at all times in support of y** rights and liberties of the colony,
aud do heartily concur with them in all their constitutional determinations."

March 7, 1774. A committee was chosen to draw up something in reply to
"y** Inhabitants of y® Town of Boston," relative to the difficulties the Province
labors under. April 20, the following resolves were reported, " which, being
twice read and considered, were passed unanimously " : —

" P'. That we will, in conjunction with our Bretlieren in America, Ilisk our Fortunes
and even our Lives in defense of his Majesty King George the third, His Person,
Crown and Dignit^y, and will also with _y^ same Resolution, as his free-born subjects in
this Countr}', to the utmost of our Power, And Abilit}-, Defend our Charter Rights that
the}' may be transmitted Inviolate to the Latest Posterity.

" 2**. Resolved that every British Subject in America, has by our happy constitutio:'
as well as by nature, the sole Right to dispose of his own Property either by himself o.
by his Representative.

" 3*^. Resolved that y^ act of y* British Parliament La3ing a Duty on Tea Landed i '■
America payable here is a Tax whereby the Property of Americans is taken from ther.
without their consent.

" Therefore, Resolved : That we will not, either by ourselves or any for or under us
buy or sell or use any of y" East India Company Tea Imported from Great Brittain, (
any other Tea with a Duty for raising a Revenue thereon in America, which is aflixc'
by acts of Parliament on the same. Neither will we suffer any such Tea to be made u;
in our Families.

" Resolved, that all such persons as shall purchase, sell or use such Tea shall be A^
the future deemed unfriendly & Enemies to the happy Constitution of this Countrj'."

REVOLUTIONARY FEELING. 123

At the same time, —

"Voted, Ninel3'-cne Pounds to provide a Town's Stock of Powder and Lead and

Flints with."

August 25, Deas. James Wootls and Samuel Ware were appointed a com-
mittee to meet like committees from other towns in the county " to consider
what measures they ought to come into at this ci'itical, difficult day," and a com-
miltec of correspondence was chosen. September 2, Dea. James Woods chosen
a deleijate to a Provincial Congress, to be held in October. The town then
chose officers for a standinsr militia. November 7, a committee of seven chosen
to inspect all tea-drinkers, and post their names.

May 22, 1775. James Woods chosen a delegate to a Provincial Congress at
Watertown, INIay 31. The same date, the town accepted the proposal of the
minute-men to serve without pay, on condition that the other members of
the district provide themselves with arms and ammunition. Same date, a
committee chosen to receive and forward the donations to the poor of Boston,
and a committee chosen to see that the Provincial and Continental resolves bo
strictly adhered to.

" May 22, 1776, The Question being put whether y® Town would willingly support
y* General Congress if it shall declare Independence : Passed unanimously in the
affirmative."

Feb. 17, 1777. Jonathan Woods chosen delegate to a County Congress to
obtain a more equal and just representation in the General Court for smaller
towns. February 24, the Committee of Safety, to prevent monopoly and
oppression, fixed a uniform price of all produce and merchandise, and all kinds
of labor.

March 31. Voted a bounty of twenty pounds to every soldier who should
enlist in the Continental army for three years, and one of ten pounds for one
year, and chose a recruiting committee to fill the town's quota. November 24,
a remonstrance was sent to the General Court against charging interest on bills
of credit emitted by the State.

Jan. 5, 1778. Voted that the town has no ohjection to articles of Confeder-
ation and perpetual Union between the United States of America. But the
town refused. May 19, 1778, and again May 31, 1780, to adopt the Constitu-
tion of the State of Massachusetts Bay. The cost of war to town and number
of men furnished is unknown; but the records from 1778 to '82 are replete
with votes for filling quota of men and horses, paying bounties, monthly
w^ages, and furnishing clothing and provisions to soldiers and their families.

May, 1786. The town gave instructions to its representative, setting forth
the great extortion and oppression practiced by the law^yers of the Common-
wealth, their growing importance as a class in numbers and wealth, and the
danger to civil liberty thereby; the tardiness of obtaining justice in the courts,
and high fees of certain court officers ; and expressing the belief that our only

124 TOWN OF NEW BRAINTREE.

hope of existence as a nation rested in the frngality, economy and industry of
the people. The dissatisfaction arising from these grievances cuhninated in
Shays' Rebellion. Twenty-two from New Braintree joined Capt. Shays.

Jan. 13, 1787. The town entered its protest against the course adopted
by the Regulators, and chose a committee to confer with the Hon. Gen. Lin-
coln and officers, and Capt. Shays and officers, and effect a reconciliation. It
also voted, February 3, to petition the General Court for a general pardon of
the insurgents, provided they laid down their arms and returned to their
allegiance; also to send circular-letters to a number of towns in this and other
counties, inviting them to send similar petition'^. February 5, a communica-
tion was received from Gen. Lincoln, advising the town to call home without
delay all the men belonging to it in arms under Capt. Shaj's, and not to afford
any aid or comfort to the insurgents. When this letter was received, after
being several times read and considered, such a disagreement appeared con-
cerning the adoption of the course advised, that the meeting dissolved without
action.

March 17, 1787. The twenty-two took the oath of allegiance. May 21,
the town instructed its representative as follows : —

" In all free Governments, that idea ought ever to be Kept in view that the Rulers
and Ministers of State are the Honorable Servants and not the Haughty Masters of the
people, and directing him to use his utmost exertions for a general pardon of the insur-
gents latel}' in rebellion, restricting the number of lawyers in the Commonwealth to a
small number of approved and upright character, to dismiss the Courts of Common
Pleas, Sheriffs and Dep. Sheriffs of Worcester County, empower the selectmen to do
the business of Judge of Probate, and have the General Court removed from Boston."

June, 1790. Adopted an act to discourage unnecessary lawsuits, providing
for a committee of three discreet freeholders, to whom should bo submitted for
settlements all demands whatsoever held by one citizen against another. The
fees of the committee were two shillings each for each case. Any person
refusing to present his claim to the committee for settlement should be deemed
unfriendly to the peace of the town, and treated by the inhabitants with con-
tempt and neglect as to dealings and intercourse, save in the bare offices of
humanity, and should have no votes for any town office for three years.

March 20, 1792. The town became security to the Commonwealth for
Joseph Bowman and three others in a contract to support the entire poor of
the State for ten years. They in turn agreed to collect all taxes during that
time free of expense ; to take all hinds of produce in payment of taxes at a
generous price, and to purchase at a generous price from said town all produce
needed besides for the support of said poor.

1753. The " Great Bridge " was built over Ware River, near the " Furnace."

1770. First known fire occurred, of John Barr's house, and town meeting
adjourned thereby.

NOTES AND ANNALS. 125

1775. A committee chosen to encourage mannfacture of saltpetre.

1796. Parade-ground presented by Henry Penniman.

1804. Bounds established between Brookfield and New Braiutree.

1808. September 1. The town petitioned the President of the United
States for a suspension of the act of embargo of 1807.

1810. Town visited with spotted fever, and two hundred and forty dollars
paid by town for attendance of physicians. Bounds of Common established.

July 2, 1812. Voted to co-operate with the town of Boston in using all
constitutional means to avert the threatened war.

Jnly 24. Memorialized the President of the United States, disapproving of
the present war, and abhorring an alliance with France.

1817. Salibath-school first organized.

1818. Stoves first introduced into meeting-house.

Previous to 182G, the support of the poor had been put up at auction to the
low^est bidder. In 1833, the town purchased the Little farm, and supported
its poor thereon.

1835. Adopted rules for the regulation of its pauper establishment.

March 7, 1832. New Braiutree Thief-Detecting Society organized with a
membership of forty-eight.

The "New Braiutree Temperance House" was erected by a stock company at
an expense of nearly six thousand dollars. It has not proved to be a paying
investment to stockholders, but a prevention to the spread of intemperance.

Until 1843, religious institutions were supported by a town tax, New Brain-
tree being the last town in the Commonwealth to sever the relation between
Church and State.

March 20, 1843. The Congregational parish was organized with a member-
ship of seventy-nine.

Li 18G0, the "pleuro-pneumonia" appeared among the cattle. Two whole
herds were slaughtered, and five hundred dollars paid for the relief of the
sufferers.

The pursuits of the inhabitants have been almost wholly agricultural. The
dairy has been the chief source of income. As early as 1800, New Braiutree
cheese had acquired an enviable reputation in Boston. Previous to 1865, this
was made in private dairies ; during that year, the New Braiutree Cheese Man-
ufacturing Compau}'- was organized with a capital of $4,000, and erected and
furnished a factory at a cost of $11,000. The greatest quantity of milk
made in one year was 3,021,000 pounds, which may be a fair estimate of the
annual production of the town. The market value of this was $42,294.

1861. The first legal town meeting to act upon matters relating to the war
of the Rebellion, was held May 7th, at which the selectmen were authorized
to pay each volunteer belonging to the town five dollars per month while in
service, in addition to regular pay, and four dollars per month to his wife, and
two dollars to each child under twelve years of age. July 21, 1862, voted, to

12G TOWN OF NEW BRAINTREE.

pay a bounty of one hundred dollars to each voUmtecr who enlists for three
years, and ten dollars additional to those who enlist within one week. Aug.
2G. The bounty for three years' volunteers was raised to two hundred dolhirs,
and the bounty to volunteers for nine months lixcd at one hundred and fifty
dollars, which Nov. 4 was raised to two hundred dollars. Nov. 3, 1863. The
town treasurer was directed to pay the treasurer of the State " the balance due
under the act equalizing the bounties of volunteers."

April 11, 18G4. Voted, a bounty of one hundred and twenty-five dollars
to volunteers for three years' service, and this bounty was continued to be paid
until the end of the war. The town raised $9,000.55 for the war, besides State
aid, and seventy-eight men, four beyond her quota. One only, Lieut. George
Davis, was a commissioned officer.

The first representative to the General Court, Maj. James Woods was chosen
in 1775, for which he received a compensation of eleven pounds eight shillings
and twopence. Ilis successors were, in 177G, Jonathan AVoods ; 1770 to
1784, Joseph Bowman ; 178G, Capt. Artemas Howe ; 1787 to 1793, Capt. Ben-
jamin Joslyn ; 1794, Capt. A. Howe ; 179G, Elias Hall ; 1797, 1800 and 1801,
Benj. Joslyn; 1798, Elias Hall; 1803 to 180G, Capt. James Woods; 1807 to
1814, Joseph Bowman, Jr.; 1815 to 1817, Col. Henry Pcnniman : 1818 and
1819, Col. Samuel Mixter ; 1821, Gideon Delano; 1823, Capt. David AVait;
1824 and 1825, Gideon Delano ; 182G and 1827, Jos. Bowman ; 1828 and 1829,
Philip Delano; 1831, Jos. Bowman; 1833, Samuel Bigelow ; 1834, Amory
H. Bowman; 1835 and 183G, James Bowdoin ; 1837 and 1838, Job Rainger ;
1839, James Bowman; 1840 and 1841, Col. Stephen Fay; 1842 and 1843,
Capt. HoUis Tidd; 1844 and 1848, Henry A. Delano; 1851, Jonathan G.
Frost; 1852, Moses Pollard ; 1854 and 1855, Amory H. Feltou ; 1857, Henry
M. Daniels, 18G3, Saxton P. Martin, M. D. ; 1869, Charles Wilcox ; 1873,
Charles A. Gleason.

Prominently connected with its local matters previous to 1790, were : David
Ayers, Capt. Eleazer Warner, Dea. James Woods, Joseph Pepper, Dea. Jon-
athan Woods, David Woods, James Thompson, Dea. William Witt, Samuel
AVare, Matlhcw Barr, Ilobert Hunter, Jonathan Coblcigh, Boriah Hawes, Miij.
Joseph Bowman, Thomas Whipple, Jacob Pepper, Percival ILill, Solomon
Mathews, Joseph Barr, Maj. Artemas Howe, Benj. Joslyn, Henry Pcnniman,
Wareham Warner, John Tufts, Jonathan Nye.

April 19, 1775, a company of minute-men, numbering fifty, was organized
under John Granger as captain, and attached to Col. Jonathan Warner's regi-
ment. Their time of service averaged two weeks. A muster-roll of the
company under Capt. Granger, in Col. Learned's regiment, Aug. 1, 1775,
includes thirty-three from New Braintree, twenty from Westurn (now War-
ren), and ten from other towns. Their time of service was three months one
week and six days. May 27, 1778, wages were paid to soldiers per month at
the following rates: To those serving in the array in New York, five pounds;

PROMINENT MEN. 127

at, Ticondcroga and westward, six pounds; in the Jerseys, four pounds; at
Fishkill, six pounds; to Continentals, for three years, three pounds ten shil-
lings. The third regiment. State militia, including, Avith others, one company
of militia from this town, and one company of grenadiers from New Braintrec
and Oakham jointly, mustered every alternate year on the parade-grounds
granted by Henry Penniman.

The commissioned colonels of the third regiment from New Braintree, were :
Samuel Mixtcr, Louis Blackmer, Ilenr}' Penniman, Stephen Fay, Asa Barr, Eos-
well Converse and Amory II. Bowman, Brigade Inspector, with rank of colonel.

Hon. Samuel Mixtcr, born Oct. 15, 1784; in the House of Bepreseiitatives,
1818 and 1819 ; senator for Worcester County, 1833, 1831 and 1835 ; council-
lor, 1837 and 1838; commissioned colonel of third regiment State militia;
prominent in school matters and probate of estates ; died iNlarch 30, 18G2.

Hon. Joseph Bowman was born in New Braintrec, Sept. 11, 1771. With
very limited education, he entered business, during his minority, with Henry
Penniman, in his native place. By enterprise, untiring industry, perseverance,
sound judgment and unflinching integrity, he enlarged the business until it
extended through very many of the towns in the west half of Worcester and
cast part of Hampshire counties. He continued in business thirty-five years,
realizing a considerable fortune. He was chosen president of Hampshire Manu-
facturers' Bank in Ware, in 1827, and held the office twenty-one years. In
politics he was a member of the Whig party ; elected representative in 1807
and thirteen times thereafter; senator in 1827 and 1828, and meml)er of the
council under Gov. Lincoln's administration, in 1833 and 183-1; a liberal sup-
porter of religious and educational institutions; died Jan. 30, 1852.

Rev. John Fiske, D. D., born at Warwick, Oct. 26, 1770; graduated at
Dartmouth, 1791 ; studied theology under Rev. Dr. Lyman of Hatfield ;
licensed to preach at Iladley, March 6, 1794 ; settled in New Braintree, Oct.
26, 179G ; received degree of D. D. from Amherst College in 1844 ; published
a spelling-book in 1807 ; Fast Day sermon 1812 ; dedicatory and semi-centen-
nial discourse 184G ; a founder and long a trustee of Amherst College ; emi-
nently wise, cautious, determined, modest, with a steady adherence to his con-
victions of truth and justice ; had a thorough knowledge of human nature, an
uncommon tact in dealing with men, and exercised a great influence in his town,
and in the association in which, by common consent, he occupied the first posi-
tion ; died March 15, 1855, after a ministry of fifty-eight years.

A list of the town clerks of New Braintree is appended, with the date of
first election of each : David Woods, 1750 ; Benjamin Bradshaw, 1778 ; Joseph
Bowman, 1779 ; Ellas Hall, 1781 ; Percival Hall, 1787 ; Alpheus Warner,
1794; Philip Delano, 1800; Amasa Bigelow, 1834; Henry A. Delano, 1843;
A. A. Kendall, 1855 ; Henry A. Delano, 185G ; Abijah Eddy, 18G1 ; Rev.
John H. Gurney, 1863; Charles B. Frost, 1864; George K. Tufts, 1867.

128 TOWN OF NORTHBOEOUGH.

NORTH BO ROUGH.

BY REV. HORACE BUTTON.*

CHAPTER I.

SITUATION AND ASPECTS — INCORPORATION — EARLY SETTLERS — RELIGIOUS

HISTORY MINISTERS LATER SOCIETIES EDUCATION LYCEUMS

LIBRARIES.

NoRTiiBOROUGH is a pleasant town on the eastern boundary of Worcester
County, thirty-two miles west of Boston by the railroad, which runs throuprh
its centre. It lies in a kind of valley open toward the south, and bounded by the
hills of Berlin on the north, Boylston and Shrewsbury on the west, West-
burough on the south, and Marlborough on the east. This valley is finely
watered by the Assabet River, and its tributaries, Howard and Cold Harbor
brooks, which unite with the larger stream at the centre of the town. By
Stirrup Brook, the waters of Chauncy and Bartlett ponds in the south-westerly
part of the town find their way through a long swamp into the Assabet. In
the northern part of the town are three parallel ranges — Ball Hill, Mount
Pisgah and Sulphur Hill. In the centre is Mount Assabet, from the summit
of which the spires of nearly twenty churches may be seen. In the south-east
is Rock Hill. In the south-west is Tomlin Hill.

Although Northborough lies in a kind of valley, the reader will not conclude
from this that the situation is unhealthful. Away back in post-glacial times,
this was probably the bed of a primeval lake ; at any rate the subsoil is generally
of gravel, and the surface well drained. People attain to good old age within
its borders.

Northborough contains within its present limits 10,150 acres of strong and
good soil. Its outline roughly resembles an arrow-head, with the axis of great-
est length runnins: from north-east on Ball Hill to the south-west on the Assabet
River, near the dwelling-house of Mr. Sidney Bigelow. The outer corners of
the base are on the east at the farm of Mr. G. P. Heath, and on the west at
the farm of Mr. Ira Lawrence.

* The author would here acknowledge his indebtedness to the sketch of the history of North-
borough, published in 1826, by Rev. Joseph Allen, D. D.

EARLY INHABITANTS. 129

This town was not incorporated until Jan. 24, 1766, but for the previous
twenty-two years it really had a separate existence from the parent town, being
set off as the second precinct or parish of Westborough, Oct. 20, 174L The
town records commence at this 1 ist-namcd date, and the people, by their
struggles to build a meeting-house, and support a minister, and by their con-
tinual gatherings on the Sabbath in a separate house of worship, were effectually
divided from the parent town, though they still voted, paid their taxes and
received appropriations for the support of schools and roads from the treasury
of AV^estb.Jrough until 1766.

The oldest vestige of pioneer life still in existence and general use is
unquestionably the "great road" to Worcester, as it is still very properly
called. The grant given to John Rediat in 1672 mentions an older load, but
speaks of it as disused at the time the deed was given. One of the bounds of
his grant was "the Nepmuck road that for merl>/ led toward Coneticoat." This
was the " old Conncticoat road," and led through the south-east part of the town
over Rock Hill and past Chauncy Pond. The above-named grant shows that in
1672 this road had ceased to be used, and was already displaced by the "new
Connecticut road," or, as it was afterwards called, "the post road." Though
but a mere foot or bridle path through the woods, it was the highway of com-
munication between Boston and the western settlements. Let us stop and
think of the throng that has traveled over its surface — the Indian, the
pioneer, the minute-men of Bunker Ilill, Burgoyne's surrendered army, Wash-
ington, Lafayette, the brilliant wife of Jerome Bonaparte, to say nothing of
the nameless host — and let us no longer deny respect to antiquity.

The oldest settler known to tradition is John Brigham, who, in 1672,
received a grant on "Licor INIeadow plain," and came at once, and built a saw-mill
and a cabin, staying until fear of savages drove him away.

Below is a partial list of the early settlers ; the second column gives the
names of persons living now on or near tho same house-lots or other idontiti-
cations. The list is only partial, and covers the period from 1672 till 1752 :

John Brigham, .... Parker, Twitchcll & Co.'s saw-mill.

Thomas Brigham, . . . . G. P. Ileatb.

Samuel Goodcnow, .... "Wra. A. Barllctt.

Natlianael Oakes, .... Sam. IMcCluer ; Martin & Whitney parsonage.

Simeon Howard, Sr., . . . Eliab Wood, opp. old Orthodox meeting-house.

Gorshom Fay, Sr., .... On hill-side, west of East school-house.

Capt. Jas. Eager,* .... Mclntyrc Place — Mrs. Thompson.

Dca. IMatthias Rice, . . . Stratton Place.

Jacob Rice, . . . . . Centre Grammar School-house.

* Capt. Eager'.'! bouse wlion built was the ouly bnman habitation on the new Conuecticut road
between Samnel Goodenow's (see above) and Crookficld. Dr. Allen says it was the ouly Louse ex-
cept the Indian village of Coggaclioag near Worcester, but this village was three miles sonth of the
road. (See Mass. Historical Coll., vol. I., p. 192.) This house was afterwards used as the first tavern
in town and a garrison. Capt. Eager gaA'c the laud on which tho raeetiug-house was erected.

130 TOWN OF NORTHBOPtOUGH.

Bclzeel Eager, Chas. Potter.

Silas Fa}-, Simmons Farm.

Doa. Isaac Tomlin, .... Mrs. George Davis,

riezcldah Tomblin, .... Top of Tomlin Hill.

Dea. Jonathan Liverraore, . . Asa Gage.

Thomas Goodnow T. C, Woodward.

Ephraim Allen, .... J. A. Budd.

Adam lloUowa)', .... George II. Williams.

Samuel Wood, .... Old Seavcr Place, owned by Milo Ilildreth.

Simeon Howard, Jr., . . . Judson Day.

The first church was organized by the signature of ten names to the cove-
nant, besides that of the pastor-elect. Creed there was none, and none was
needed, for the Assembly's Catechism, which was taught in every farm-house
and school-room, afforded an unquestioned standai'd of belief. As an illustra-
tion of the poverty of the people at this time (May 21, 174()), and their eager-
ness for religious privileges, it is interesting to note that the ordination services
took place in the meeting-house, although at the time of ordination it was des-
titute of pulpit, pews, galleries, or even permanent floors, and was lighted only
by rough openings in the unplastered walls. It was not completed till 175G,
ten years after.

The salary offered to Mr. Marty n is also interesting, and illustrates the
beauties of an irredeemable paper currency. "£50 in bills of the last emis-
sion or £200 in Bills of the old tenor, or otJier bills of Public Credit equivalent
to said sum ; also £300 Old Tenor money as a settlement." A pound, old tenor,
equaled eighty-two cents.

The orijiinal meetinsf-house — now moved from its old location, which was a
little west of the present Unitarian Church, to make the central part of the
barn of Mr. E. M. Norcross — had no bell, belfry, or even chimney. It was
painted a dingy yellow, and had three doors, one each on the east, west and south
sides, — doors which opened inward, and let in a great deal of cold air when
they were opened. There was a tall pulpit over which was a sounding-board ;
in front of the pulpit, facing the audience, were the deacon's seats; around
the four walls and in the centre were the pews, high-backed and square, with
half of the seats compelling one to sit back to the minister; overhead were
the galleries, with the men on one side, and the women on the other. At noon,
between services, some would go to the tavern and warm themselves by the
blazing fire without, and, we fear, by a glass or two of spirit within, or to Mr.
Holbrook's, who lived in the house next the residence of Mr. "Wilder Bush,
and who kept the saw-mill.

The following is a list of the ministers of this church from the beginning to
the present time : —

John Martyn, born in Boston, 1706; Harvard College, 1724; ordained in North-
borough, Ma}' 21, 1746. The interval between these dates he had spent in business
pursuits. Died April 30, 1767.

^tti/rWruZyUx^

MINISTERIAL RECORD. 131

Peter Wliitnej', born Sept. G, 1744 ; Harvard College, 17G2 ; ordainedin Northborougli,
Nov. 4, 1707. Mr. "Whitney was the author of an excellent history of Worcester
County. He was a very methodical man, always walking with his wife to meeting,
followed by his ten children always in the exact order of their age. He was an eas^--
going man, perhaps more absorbed in the political issues of his day than in direct
aggressive religious work. He died suddenly, Feb. 19, 181G, afier a pastorate of fort}--
nine years.

Joseph Allen, D. D., born in Medfleld, Aug. 15, 1790 ; Harvard College, 1811 ; or-
dained at Northborongh, Oct. 30, 181G; died in ripe old age, Feb. 23, 1873. Dr.
Allen was a remarkable man, — a peacemaker, and a cultivated scholar. He was widely
known throughout his denomination as the author of several Sabbath School Question-
Books ; and in town ho exercised a powerful and long continued influence. He had a
deep interest in the prosperity and the culture of this town, and wrote its history up to the
3'ear 182G. On the fortieth anniversary of his settlement he resigned the active labor
of the pastorate, and the following clergymen were settled as his colleagues : — T. 13.
Forbush, Jan. 1, 1858, to July 1, 18G3 ; H. L. Myrick, June 27, 18GG, to Oct. 1, 18G8 ;
F. L. Hosmer, Oct. 29, 1869, to Aug. 25, 1872.

The next pastor was C. T. Irish, installed July 9, 1873, and resigned July 1, 187G.

The present pastor is II. F. Bond, who commenced labor April 1, 1877.

This society has an excellent mecting-honso, erected in 1808, at a cost of
$10,000. They have a parsonage l)ui]t in 187G, at a cost of $3,000, exclusive
of the land.

The Eaptibt Church, consisting at the beginning of twenty-seven members,
was formed July 2, 1827. This organization has also had two meeting-houses,
both of which stood on the same site. The first was built in 1828. The pres-
ent edifice was dedicated Nov. 28, 1850. This church has had frequent
changes in the pastorate, having had fourteen pastors in the lifty-two years
of its existence.

Previous to 1848 the changes were so frequent and their stay in town was
so short, that the list of their names will not be of interc st. We append the
names of thf)sc who have held this office since 1848 : — Charles Farrar, 1848-
55 ; Silas Ripley, 1855-05 ; D. F. Lamson, 18G5-73 ; W. K. Davey, 1873-77 ;
E. L, Goddard, 1877-78. The present pastor is J. Tillson, who commenced
labor hero December, 1878. This society has a parsonage purchased in 18G8,
at a cost of $1,800.

The Evangelical Congregational Society was organized April 12, 1832, with
thirty-five members. The pastors of this church are as follows: — Samuel A.
Fay, 1832-30; Daniel II. Emerson, 1830-40; Joshua Rates, D. D., 1840-2;
William A. Houghton, 1843-51; Samuel S. Ashley, 1852-04; George E.
Sanborne, 1805-70. Horace Dntton commenced his labors INTiy, 1, 1870, and
resigned INIay 1, 1879. This society his also had two meeting-houses, the
first dedicated Oct. 17, 1832, now occupied as a dwelling-house by Capt.
Lewis Fay ; the second erected in 1847. The parsonage was purchased and
reconstructed in 1873, at a total cost of $3,000.

132 TOWX OF NORTHBOROUGH.

The followiag extract from our town records, dated April 13, 17G6, (the
year of incorporation) is of interest: — "Voted & allowed Thos. Goodcnow
school-master for boarding himself nineteen weeks £3 IGs." As has been said,
this man lived on the site now occupied by the house of j\Ir. Theodore C.
Woodward. Dr. Allen says in his centennial discourse: — "Long before any
school-houses had been erected, Master Goodcnow was accustomed to teach from
house to house, a few weeks at a time in each, the precinct paying him four
shillings a week for his board. At this date he was 57 years old."

In 1770 the district was divided into four "squadrons" or school districts.
And in 1780, fourteen years after its incorporation, the district granted £4,000
in the greatly depreciated Continental currency, equal to $175 in coin, to build
four school-houses ; afterwards there was an additional ijrant which amounted
to $3G7 in hard money, so that each school-house cost in all $135.

Interesting facts about these early nurseries of intelligence, the location and
construction of the buildins^s, and the names of some of the teachers micfht bo
given, but want of space alone forbids. No true child of New England is ever
weary of recaliing the incidents of his school-time days.

The first school-house in this town, erected as early as 1779, was the result
of private euterprise. An association of citizens was formed, called the
"Seminary Association," and the building was built by subscription, in thirty-
five shares. It stood nearly opposite the old Orthodox meeting-house, now
occupied as a dwelling-house by Capt. Lewis Fay. This seminary w^as sup-
ported by annual assessments of the shareholders, and if any children from
families, outside the association, desired to share its [)rivileges, they paid a
fixed tuition. Master James Hart was the teacher who seems to be remem-
bered for his skill in penmanship. A number of documents relating to this
association arc still preserved.

The seminary building stood in its original place for twenty-seven years. It
had gradually become neglected, as tho?e who had constructed it pissed off the
stage, and was finally used as a sheep-pen. In 1808 it was removed, and now
forms the main part of the house of Mv. Dennis ("Altamont") Rice.

In 182G, the town for the first time elected a school committee ; for the duty
of superintending the schools had, before this, devolved upon the minister and
selectmen.

At the present time, in addition to four district schools, there arc at tlie
centre a grammar school-house, erected in 1837, and a high-school building,
built in 1870. The appropriation for schools has risen from £11 ($3G) in
17G7, $750 in 1845, and $1,200 in 1855, to $3,200 in 1879.

Northborough has produced an unusually large number of teachers, and the
town has a fair record in respect to education.

"Among it educational institutions the lyceum deserves a passing notice. It
was among the earliest, if not the first formed in this county, and continued in
active operation for more than thirty years, beginning with 1828. It was in

LIBRARIES. 133

fact a free high school, and, by its lectures and debates, did good service in
the cause of popular education."

The honor of founding Ibis institution belongs to Dr. Allen, whose words
have just been quoted. In the year 182G, he delivered a course of astronom-
ical lectures which awakened great interest, and resulted in the formation of the
lyccum. AVithin a tew years an attempt was made to revive this institution,
but it does not seem to have succeeded very well for some reason.

From the year 1793 until 18G7, when our Free Public Library was
instituted, various attempts have been made, with more or loss success,
to supply the citizens of ihis community with an abundance of attractive read-
ing matter. We append a list of libraries which have been formed here :

Social Library, mentioned by Rev. Peter Whitney in his History of North-
borough, and said to have been formed by about thirty gentlemen, with
provisions for its annual increase ; in 1793 it contained 100 volumes.

Female Iteligious Tract Society (1817), finally merged into the Orthodox
Sunday-school Library.

Social Library (1817). Sixty young ladies met in a room in the meeting-
house and sewed straw, thus earning $100, which was spent for books.

Nortliborourjh Free Library (1827). Founded by a donation of fifty
volimies from Dr. Allen, and accepted by the church, with the promise that
it should remain forever free to all, and be supported only by voluntary contri-
butions. The old Social Library was afterwards merged with this, and thus
enlarged, it contained more than four hundred volumes.

Young MeiibS Library, kept in Gale & Davis's store, afterwards in the
Arcade Building. Finallv sold at auction.

School District Library. In 1843 the town accepted a donation of $90
from the State of Massachusetts, and purchased with this sum a library for
each school district. The intention was that each library should pass from
school to school in rotation, but this arrangement proving unsatisfactory, the
six libraries were merged into one, and kept at the store of Mr. George
Barnes. Finally incoi'porated with the Public Library.

Agricultural Library (August, 1857). The books of this were also given
to the next ; viz. : —

Free Public Library , which contains, at present, 4,608 volumes. Added last
year, 318. Income for 1877-78, $543.47. Fund, $1,125. In the year 18G6,
the centennial year, Hon. Cyrus Gale and Hon. Milo llildreth offered, the one
$1,000 and the other $250 to the town, for a public library, provided that a
suitable town hall should be built, and a room furnished for the books in the
new building. This offer was accepted, and the hall was built at a cost of
$35,000. The fund thus created was afterwards increased in various ways,
especially by a gift of $1,000 — $500 in cash and $500 in books, the latter of
which are for the most part yet to be received — from the Hon. Isaac Davis of
Worcester, a native of this town.

134 TOWN OF NORTHBOROUGH.

CHAPTER 11.

CIVIL HISTORY THE EEVOLUTION AND THE LATER WARS MANUFACTURES

EARLY MILLS IRON FORGE AND ROTASII WORKS PRESENT FACTORIES

LARGE DEVELOPMENT OF INDUSTRY EMINENT CITIZENS.

In the old French wars at least thirteen went from this small precinct ;
three joined the expedition to Ilalil'ax in 1754; two were at Crown Point in
1755; and eight were with the army under Gen. Abeicrorabic in his defeat
before Ticonderoga. (See Allen's History for particulars.)

With regard to the Revolutionary war, our town records from 1773 to 1780
furnish ample evidence that the people of this small community were fully
awake to the situation.

The following communication appeared in the "Massachusetts Gazette," Feb.
17, 1773: —

" AVc bear from Shrewsbury that one day last week a pedlar was observed to go into
a tavern with a bag containing about 30 lbs. of tea. Information of which being bad
at Nortbborougb a company of" [young men disguised as] " Indians went from tbe
Great Swamp or thereabouts, and seized upon it, and committed it to the flames in tlie
road facing said tavern, until it was entire!}' consumed."

It was ten months after this act of these young men of Northborough, viz.,
Dec. 16, 1773, iivat three hundred chests of tea were thrown overboard in
Boston harbor by a party of so-called "Indians."

Some time before the war broke out a company of fifty minute-men was
raised among this community, and it was while this company was gathering upon
the common, at 1 p. m., April 19, 1776, that a messenger came with the
tidings on his lips that l)lood had been shed that day at Concord. Instantly
the whole village became the scene of hurried preparation, and it is related
that a niece of Capt. Samuel Wood, who was also the mother of Dea. Samuel
Wood now living, sat up all of the next night to assist in casting bullets, and
that next day a daughter was born to her, who afterwards became the wife of
Asaph Rice. The company met the next morning in front of what is now well
known as the old Seaver house, which was at that time the residence of Capt.
Woods, and from there marched to the camp at Cambridge, and afterwards
took part in the battle of Bunker Hill. The pay-roll and other papers of this
company are still preserved, and are in the possession of Dea. S. W. Norcross.

The small number of Tories in town and the state of feeling toward them
are best illustrated by the following : —

" To (he Oenllemen Selectmen & Comm. of Correspondence for the Town of Northborough :

The petition of Sylvanus Billings Humbly Shcweth that he is desirous to settle with
this town «fc is willing to confess his faults. He owns that he has been backward and
unfriendl}' in not defending this Country against the Brittish Power ; he owns that he

PATRIOTIC SPIRIT. 135

was unfriendly in not bringing Caleb Green to Justice who was a notorious villain and
an enemy to his country : to this & all other of his faults in this matter ho is lieartil}'
sorry for, & humbly asks forgiveness of the good people of this Town & so is willing
to submit a peaceable & reasonable settlement : lie desires that j-ou wd hear his
petition & take it into your wise consideration & restore him into friendship again, as
in duty bound shall pray. This from your most obedient and well wishing friend, who
promises iu future to be a good member of Society.

[•Sg] SiLVANUs Billings.

"Mch. 23d, 1780."

Northborough was always strongly opposed to the system of slavery,
and, amongst other things, claims the honor of being the first to call for
the convention which resulted in the formation of the Free-Soil party. It
is, doubtless, true that the universal feelinn: of disijust throucfhout New Enar-
l;ind at the pro-slavery proclivities of the nominees of both the Democratic
and the Whig parties made this a spontaneous movement ; but still it is true
that Capt. Cyrus Gale of Northborough was the first to draw up a call for a
convention, and to take it, in company with Samuel Clark, Esq , to the oflSce
of the "Whig" newspaper, edited by Chas. Francis Adams. The original call,
printed as a hand-bill, and bearing the signature of one hundred and seventy-
two names, is in the possession of the author of this sketch.

A similar earnest spirit of patriotism was shown in the war of the Rebellion.
Immediately after President Lincoln made his first call for troops, a citizens'
meeting was held, at which resolutions were adopted showing an intense
determination to uphold the government. And, in the legal meetings which
followed, the town showed that the resolutions of the previous mass mectinirs
were not empty words of momentary enthusiasm, but were the indications of a
deep-settled purpose. It is worthy of note, that for one year the pay granted
to volunteers from this town and their families was considerably in excess of
what was allowed by law. The authority for this statement is Schouler's
History of Massachusetts in the Rebellion, which is also responsible for the
following statistics : —

"The number of men furnished by Northborough for the war was 140, which was a
surplus of 9 over and above all demands. Two were commissioned officers. The total
amount of raone\' appropriated and expended by the Town on account of the war.
exclusive of State aid, was SjO,G47.o7. The State aid to soldiers' families, afterwards
repaid by the State, amounted to 88,840.70."

The ladies of this town were also very patriotic, taking their sewing-
machines from their homos to the churches and working together in making
clothing. They also prepared and sent many boxes of provisions to our
boys in the army. One of our clergymen, the Rev. S. S. Ashley, was so
nuuh absorbed in this conflict that he i-esigned his charge and joined the
Christian Commission, where ho labored iu hospital and camp for the physical
comfort and religious instruction of our soldiers, and has, since the completion

136 TOWN OF NORTHBOROUGH.

of the war, oriven his whole time and strenijth to efforts for the elevation of the
colored people of (he South, having been Superintendent of Public Instruction
for the State of North Carolina, and President of Straight University, New
Orleans, La.

To commemorate these scenes of the war, and especially to perpetuate the
memory of those who never returned to their homes and kindred, the town, in
the year 1809, erected a Soldiers' jNIonument, at a cost of $3,000. It is a fine
shaft of granite, surmounted liy the figure of an eagle, standing upon a suitable
base, upon which are inscribed the names of twenty-five deceased soldiers. A
Post of the Grand Army of the Republic also exists in town, organized June
18, 18()9, having at present twenty-five members.

The beginning of mill-work and mechanical industry Avas very early indeed,
as we see by the following action of the local authority: "Nov. 15, 1744,
Voted that Precinct meetings for the Futuer should be warned by two notifica-
tions, posted np, one at Ephraim Allen's mill, & y'' other at Bczelecl Eager's."
Ephraim Allen had a grist-mill (the first in town) at the upper end of D. F.
Wood's mill-pond. The remains of his dam may still be seen.

The clothiers' l)nsiness was commenced in town by Samuel Wood, who came
from Sudbury and started in a small way in the old Seaver house, in the lower
story, while he and his family lived in the second story. lie must have moved
to town as early as the year 1750, as he was precinct clerk in 1751. At first
he simply fulled the cloth brought to him from the different farm-houses, after-
wards he added a dyeing and coloring department. The business descended
in due course to his two sons, Capt. Samnel and Capt. Abraham Wood, and
they in turn transferred it to Doa. Samuel Seaver, father of Mr. A. W. Seaver,
by whom the business Mas continued, first in the western L of the Seaver
house, then in what is now the rear end of the manufactory of Hon. jNIilo Ilil-
dreth, and then, having sold the Ilildreth shop to Capt. Thomas Lyon, in the
lower shop.

Rev. Peter AVhitney, in his sketch of Northborough, speaks of this fulling-
mill (then in the old Seaver house), and states that, at that time (1793),
"about seven thousand yards of cloth are annually dressed, and the work is
most acceptably performed to the honor and advantage of the town and the
interest of the community."

This locality, where the Assabet River crosses the post road, seems to have
been at that time the business centre of the town ; for, he adds, that, —

" On the opposite side of the road are works for the manufacture of iron, whore
many tons have been made. Thei'c is in the vicinity a great plenty of ore, especially
of the bog kind.* Near the forge are works for the manufacture of potash, owned by
Dr. Stephen Ball, where large quantities are manufactured j'carl}'.

* This was a poor liiud of ore, found in marshy lands. The iron was washed down in a sol-
nablc form, and precipitated by evaporation of the water. It was so brittle as to bo called
"cob" iron. Tools made from this ore were necessarily large and clumsy and apt to break vexa-
tiously, and thus stop a diiy'u work.

OLU HOMESTEAD OF KEY. PETER WHITNEY, >-0RTH110R0VGH , MASS.

(The historian of Worcester County. Built in 1780.)

EARLY INDUSTRIES. 137

At this time, according to Mr. "VVliitiiey's sketch, Northborough was, —

"A great resort from all neighboring towns to the corn and saw mills, to the fulling-
mill and forge and to the blacksmiths for their work of various kinds, as well as to the
shops and stores."

The same authority cjives an amusing illustration of the knowledo'e of
mechanics existing at that time. lie speaks of a notable mechanical contriv-
ance in Northborough : A man named Mnj. Ilolloway Taylor (at the " Geor^-c
Williams" place), had actually conducted water from a spring on a hill to his
barn, by means of bored logs ( !), laid deep enough under ground to enable
the plow to pass above them ; and lest any one should doubt his veracity, and
thus injure his reputation as a minister, he explains that water may be made
to run up and down hill, provided one docs not endeavor to raise it above the
source from which it proceeded.

The tanning and currying business has been carried on in the south part of
this town by three generations of a very marked and intluential family. As
early as the year 1778, Isaac Davis came from the town of Rutland, Mass., for
the purpose of giving instruction in the art of tanning leather to certain 3'oung
men. Pie lived at first in what is known as the "old Ben Fay place," in West-
borough. Concluding to stay, he carried on a prosperous business until his
death, when it descended to his sons, — "Col. Joe" and "Master Phin," as
they were familiarly called — by whom it was greatly extended and increased.
Hides were purchased by them throughout all this region, from Rhode Island
and from foreign countries. They also carried on the manufacture of boots
and shoes quite extensively, putting out the work as the custom then was. Dr.
Allen, in his history (182G) states that their annual sales of leather amounted
to $20,000. After their death the business was carried on to some extent by
Mr. George C. Davis, until within a few years of his death.

The business of carding wool by machinery was introduced into town by
Dca. Scth Grout, who came to town about the year 1800, and at first carried
on the manufacture of nails in the old iron-foundry on the site of the bone-mill
of Mr. Root : soon, however, chanr]rin2: to the above-mentioned branch of
industry in which he continued until the year 1813.

The year 1814 marks a new era in the manufacturing history of Northbor-
ough. Amidst great opposition, a stock company, called the Northborough
^Manufacturing Com[^any, was formed in this place for the purpose of making
cotton and woolen cloth. The privilege now owned by i\Ir. D. F. Wood, was
purchased, and a mill was erected at a total expense of about $30,000. Dr.
Allen (182G) states that this mill manufactured eighty thousand yards of cloth
annually. This enterprise did not thrive, and passed through a number of
hands until, in 18GG, it was purchased by Mr. D. F. Wood, under whose
management and that of his son, it has been very profitable. The lower mill
was built of brick, in 1832-33, by the brothers Phineas, Joseph and Isaac

VOL. II.— 13

138 TOWN OF NORTHBOEOUGH.

Davis, at a cost of $30,000. The business was carried on and finally owned
by the last named gentleman. After various vicissitudes this property was
finally purchased by Messrs. C. T. Chapin & Son, who at first manu!actured
cotton cloth, l)ut after a severe fire in 1SG9, they commenced the manufacture
of satinets, since which lime the business has been very pros[)crous. These
two miils of Messrs. "Woods and Chapin constitute at the present time perhaps
the principal manufacturing interest of Norlhborough. They each employ
from seventy-five to one hundred hands, and the monthly pay-roll of each is
about $2,000. They each manufacture diflerent varieties of cloth, the produc-
tion of each averaging about ten thousand yards per week, more or less,
accordinir to the value of the cloth made and the briskness of the market.
They are each supplied with powerful steam-engines, and with abundant means
for extinsjulshing fire should it arise.

The comb manufacture in Northborough was commenced by Messrs. Ilaynes
& Bush, in 1839, and for the ten or twelve years following the business was
much increased. Some six new firms engaged in it, and comb manufacturing
became, for the time being, the prominent industry of the town, giving employ-
ment to from one hundred to one hundred and fifty persons. At the present
time this business is carried on to a limited extent by Messrs. Parker, Twitchell
& Co.

The manufacture of tortoise-shell jewelry was commenced here in 18G0, by
Mr. Milo Hildreth, and continued to the present time, with manufacture of
horn goods. From fifteen to thirty hands are employed, and a business of
from $20,000 to $50,000 is done.

Two other firms have recently commenced the manufacture of shell jewelry —
Messrs. Yates & Co. and Mr. Walter jNI. Farwell.

The milk-contracting business was commenced here in 18GG, by C. Brigham
& Co., and has been continued to the present time. They run a milk-train
from Pratt's Junction to South Framingham, stopping at every station, gather-
ing at the present time a little short of one thousand cans daily, selling the
same in Boston the next morning.

The corset-stitching business was commenced here in 1877, and is at present
carried on by INIessrs. Waterman & jNIcycr of New York city. About fifty
girls are employed at the present time, and the intention is to increase the
number to seventy-five or one hundred.

Further space will only be taken to say, that there are in town two dry-
goods and grocery stores, Messrs. Samuel Wood, Jr., & Co. and Messrs. J.
Wadsworth & Co., and a grain and coal store, Messrs. C. Brigham & Co.
There is also a national bank, capital, $100,000 ; Wilder Bush, president, and
A. W. Seavcr, cashier.

This sketch may be appropriately closed with a short list of the various citi-
zens of Northborough who have held distinguished civil positions. Many more
might be added if greater space were available.

WORTHY CITIZENS. 139

John Davis, LL. D., born in Northborough, Jan. 13, 1787, died in Worces-
ter, April 19, 1854. An able lawyer, a member of Congress, and a governor
of Massachusetts, 1833-35 and 1840—11. lie bore the soubriquet of " Hon-
est John Davis."

Isaac Davis, LL. D., born in Northborough, June 2, 1799, still living, attor-
ney at law in Worcester ; raemljer of jNIassachusetts House ami Senate : fourth
mayor of the city of Worcester; of the governor's council, 1853-54.

Cyrus Gale, born in Westborough, Oct. 7, 1785, still living; in Massachu-
setts IIousj of Representatives. 1842-13 ; of governor's council, 1852-53.

Milo Hildreth, born in Townsend, Mass., Aug. 17, 1824; in ^lassachusetts
House of Representatives in 1858; in Massachusetts Senate 18G5; of the
governor's council iu 1872; retired from the council in 1875.

140 TOWN OF NORTIICRIDGE.

NORTHBRIDGE

BY REV. ABIJAH P. MARVIN.

CHAPTER I.

PHYSICAL CHARACTER INCORPORATION — EARLY MINISTERS — FEELING IN THE

REVOLUTION LATER DEVELOPMENT — LOCAL INDUSTRIES BOOT AND SHOE

TRADE COL. PAUL WHITIN INCREASE AND PROSPERITY OF THE TOWN.

The town of Northbridge was incorporated Jnly 14, 1772. It was originally
within the bounds of Mendon. When Uxbridge was incorporated, in 1727,
June 27, Northbridge formed the northern part of that town. It was then
about five miles in length and four in width. The boundary lines have since
been changed in some places, but the size of the town has not been materially
altered. It contains from sixteen to twenty square miles of land and water.
The boundaries are as follows : On the north by Grafton ; nortli-east by Upton ;
south by Uxbridge ; and west by Sutton. The centre of the town is eleven
miles from Worcester court-house by direct line. Its latitude is 42° 8'. The
distance from Whitinsville to Worcester by the Providence and Worcester
Railroad is not far from sixteen miles. In old times the great road from
Boston to Connecticut passed through Mendon, Northbridge and Oxford,
and the road from Providence passed through Northbridge.

The Blackstoue River runs the whole length of the town on the north-eastern
side, and about a mile from the border. Mumford River and several natural
ponds and great reservoirs water the south-west section of the town. These
flow easterly to Whitinsville and to the railroad station, about midway of the
southern line of the town. The borders of these rivers and ponds are intervale,
meadow or level upland, but the larger part of the town is hilly. The whole
tract west of the Blackstone and north of the INIumford, and the whole length
of the section east of the main river, are considerably elevated, and in parts
quite rocky. The soil is of average fertility, and rewards diligent and skilful
labor. Whitney said, in 1793, that there were "no stagnant waters or ponds
in the town," but it was "finely watered by springs, streams and rivers." He
wrote also that the "lands in general are high, the air is salubrious, and the
inhabitants have been blessed with great health from the first settlement of the

SUPPORT OF THE GOSPEL. 141

place." Since then largo reservoirs have been formed in the sontli-west of the
town, but they have had no perceptible effect on the healthfulncss of the
region.

The geological formation is termed gneissic, and large quantities of good
granite have been quarried in times past. The yield is still profitable, and,
being near the railway, the cost of transportation is reasonable. Formerly,
iron-ore was found in spots; tlicre was a furnace in what is now Whilinsville,
near the present grist-mill, before the year 1720. The '* old forge "stood on
the site of the present brick mill, but there was a still older one a little east of
that place.

The incorporation of the town grew out of the religious wants of the people.
Says Rev. Lewis F. Clark, in his Discourse : "Most of the people residing here
had been in the habit of attending meeting in Uxbridtjc. But on account of their
great distance from the place of worship, they desired to bo incorporated as a
separate town, so that they might have a church organization and the ordi-
nances of the gospel by themselves." Col. John Spring, father of Rev. Dr.
Spring of Newburyport, and grandfather of the late Rev. Dr. Gardiner Spring
of New York, headed the petition to the General Court. The people clearly
showed their estimate of religious institutions by their action in town meeting.
Seven out of nine articles in the w\arrant had reference to a house of worship.
Early in 1773 it was voted "to hire some suitable person or persons to preach."
For a year or two the meetings were held in private houses. In 1774 the
meeting-house was built in the centre. The pews, or "pew-spots" as they
■were called, that is, places where pews might be placed, were sold at auction,
Feb. 24, 1775, to sixteen purchasers, on whom the chief burden of sustaining
liublic worship was laid. The war of the Revolution soon absorbed public
attention, and taxed severely the resources of the people ; but during all that
period it is on record that " they nevei* neglected to make provision for their
own religious instruction." In I ho warrant for a town mcctinir, which Avas
held nine days previous to the Declaration of Independence, there were two
articles of historical importance. The first was "to see if the town will vote to
support the Continental Congress with their lives and fortunes, if the}' should
declare the American Colonies independent of Great Britain " ; and the other
■was to see " how much money they will grant and raise for the support of the
Gospel this present year."

Durino: the first nine vcars of the town's existence there was no church
or2:anization, and no settled minister. The Rev. Aaron Bliss, a graduate of
Yale College in 17GG, was the preacher in 1780, and probably in a part of the
year before and the year after. In July, 1780, it was voted "to grant forty-
five pounds, silver money, to pay INIr. Bliss for preaching." On the 6th of
June, 1782, the church was organized with eight members. Five were males
and three were females. The day was observed as a special season of fast-
ing, humiliation and prayer. The new church held a meeting, eleven days

142 TOWN OF XORTIIBRIDGE.

later, at tho house of Maj. David Batchellcr, and then "proceeded and chose
Mr. John Crane for their elect pastor l)y a unanimous vote." The town was
notified of the choice, and in legal meeting gave its concurrence. IMr. Crane
was ordained on the 25th of June, 1783, at the age of twenty-seven, and he
continued in the pastorate of the church and people nearly fifty years. In
1832, January 5, he sent the following note to the church: "Brethren of the
church, I now resign my office as pastor and teacher, and relinquish tho
ministry in this place forever." Dr. Crane was born in Norton, March 26,
1750. His family belonged to the Society of Friends, and his early training
was in accordance with their tenets and habits of life. He was gradnated at
Harvard College in 1780, and was the only one of his class who entered the
ministry. The Rev. Dr. Nathaniel Emmons of Franklin was his theological
instructor. Says the Rev. Mr. Clark: "He was regarded by his people,
during the whole period of his ministry, with the greatest veneration and
affection." Social, companional)le, and usually voiy cheerful, j'et he was
sometimes subject to great depression of spirits. His tender sympathies and
bis conversation, which was both pleasant and instructive, made him a welcome
visitor in the families of his parish. He could turn a joke and drop a witty
repartee in such a way as to reprove without wounding, and yet not detract
from the dignity of his office. In addition to his pastoral duties, he received
students into his family, where they were either prepared for college or for
teaching. More than a hundred in all were under his tuition and guidance at
different times, some of whom became men of distinction.

Dr. Crane was an excellent pastor, as well as an able and instructive
preacher. Without the graces of oratory, his sermons made a permanent
impression. One of his peculiarities was that when he said a pointed or severe
thing, either in the pulpit or in private, he "uttered it with closed eyes." One
who heard him more than twenty j^ears, said. "He was unlike any other
preacher with whom I was ever acquainted ; I can even now remember many
of his sermons, and the manner of his treatment of his subjects, although
preached more than fifty years ago." There were several periods of special
religious interest during his ministry, and, in the last year of his pastorate,
fifty-four were added to the church by profession of their faith. He was dis-
missed on the 14th of March, 1832, by a council, and on the 1st of September,
1836, in the eightj^-first year of his age, he was called to his reward. His
long period of service as a faithful minister, and the influence he exerted in
promoting all the interests of the community would justify a more extended
notice.

As tho town began its municipal history in the period when the Revolution
was brewing, so the people partook largely of the spirit of their patriotic
couulrymen. Tho first fourteen town meetings were held in private houses.
The first meeting, which considered matters pertaining to the coming outbreak,
was held Aug. 25, 1774, when a committee was chosen "to correspond with

WHITINSVILLE COTTON MILLS, WHITINSVILLE, MASS,

^kf^r^m^^^^^^y^ ^ ^y^-^^

THE -WHITIN MACHINE WORKS, WHITINSVILLE, MASS.

REVOLUTIONARY DAYS. 143

other committees concerning public atTairs as occasion shall call for." At the
same meeting it was voted, that "David Batcheller be chose to provide for a
town stock of ammunition, viz., one barrel of powder, and lead and flints
answerable to it." It was also voted not to import or consume English goods.
The last town meeting Avarned in his majesty. King George's name, was dated
Jan. 10, 1775. The act of calling a meeting of the town, without the royal
authority, may now seem an insignificant affair, but then it was an act of
daring. It was a declaration of independence before the declaration of the
Colonial Con^jress, and it meant renunciation of alle2:iance to the kins: of En2f-
land. From the opening of the Revolution till the autumn of 1781, when the
victory at Yorktown made an end of the war, the business in town meetings
related in large measure to the needs of the public service. It was voted to
pay men who enlisted in the army; to provide provisions and clothing for
their own men in the field, and to aid those who had hired men to take their
place in the scenes of war. Labor was performed on the farms of those
Avho were absent. T!ie burdens of the war were equalized as far as pos-
sible. At one meeting the vote was "to raise 40 pounds to pay for shirts,
shoos and stockings furnished by the selectmen for the soldiers in the Conti-
nental service." At another time money was raised to pay four men "for
carrying provisions to Roxbury at the time of the alarm at Lexington." Six-
teen men wei'c in the service, in the year 1775, in addition to those who
hurried to Lexington, and soon returned home, when the alarm was over, and
the army was being organized. The town had its proportion in the field during
the war. Some were three years' men. John Hopkins, Amos White and
others died in the army.

In some cases when a man was drafted, his son, under military age, went as
a substitute. Israel Taft enlisted in this way when less than sixteen years old.
"Ho urged his parents to permit him to take his father's place, and was in the
service at West Point, and at other places on the Hudson." The number of
men in the army during the war was one hundred and twenty-eight, some of
whom were in the vicinity of Boston before the British evacuated ; some were
in the expedition to Canada ; some were at Ticonderoga ; some in the northern
army at the time of Burgoyne's surrender; some at New York, Pockskill,
and West Point, and others in other places guarding stores, or contending with
the foe. Among these were Capt. David Batcheller, Capt. Josiah Ward, and
Lieut. James Fletcher, whose descendants have been prominent in the town.

When Whitney published his history in 1793, there was a Baptist Society in
the town, consisting of about ten families, but " destitute of any settled teacher."
There were also twelve families of Quakers, whose descendants have main-
tained their organization to the present time. They built a meeting-house in
1776, and a new one in 1804, still in use by them, near Blackstone River. At
the date above given, the people of the town subsisted chiefly by farming, and
were industrious and flourishing, and it was said that there was " hardly an idle

144 TOWN OF NOETHBEIDGE.

person, or a t:iverii haunter in the place." Farming continued to be the chief
employment for another generation, though the trades common to that period
of our history \vere pursued. Carpenters, blacksmiths and masons are always
a necessity, and it is always convenient to have them near at hand.

As the history of Northbridge, since the era of the Revolution, is chiefly
the history of the rise and extension of various branches of business, con-
siderable space will be given to that subject. As stated already, the first busi-
ness in the iron line was at a shop in what is now Whitinsville, which shop
stood east of the site of the l)rick-mill. This was started as early as 172D.
Here wrought iron was made from scrap and pig iron. It is not known
whether this business was kept up without interruption, but it is known that
it was in operation about the time of the incorporation of the town, in 1772,
and the manufacture of iron was continued till about 1815, when the works
w^ero owned by James Fletcher and Paul Whitin, Sr., under the firm-name
of AVhitui & Fletcher. They bought the establishment of Ezra Wood of
Upton, who was the father of Mrs. Fletcher.

A foundry, located at Northbridge Centre, was operated as early as 1790, by
a man named Lathrop, where pots, kettles, andirons and sad-irons were made.
At a later day the making of axes was pursued at the same place.

Thecotton-spinningbusiuess was begun in Whitinsville as early as 1809, when
the Northbridge Manufacturing Company was organized through the influence
of Col. Paul Whitin, who had erected the building, and procured a portion
ot the machinery. The company commenced in a building which is now use as
a saw-mill and wood shop, and has been moved from its original location to
make room for the foundry. The establishment had successive owners, and
only moderate success until it was purchased, in 1831, by Paul Whitin & Sons.

The Blackstone River, in the east part of the town, furnishes abundant water
power, which was early put to use. At first grain and saw mills were set np,
but early in the present century the making of woolen goods was commenced
at what is now Rockdale. Not lonci: after — 1814 — the Northbridije Cloth Com-
pany was chartered. This was situated at Rockdale, and was owned by Jesse
Eddy and William Kendrick. The property was sold, in 1851, to Sylvanus
Ilolbrook, who controlled it until August, 1851, when a large portion was
destroyed by fire. In 1851, the property remaining, and also that at Riverdale,
was bought by P. Whitin & Sons. The late lion. Daniel Waldo of Worcester
became one of the principal stockholders, and the late John Waldo Lincoln,
brother of Gen. Levi Lincoln, was at one time the agent of the corporation.
A linseed-oil mill had previously stood near the site of the Riverdale factory.
Both establishments, at Rockdale and Riverdale, came, about 1820, into the
possession of Sylvanus Ilolbrook, who manufactured cotton goods for many
years. During his ownership both mills had about five thousand spindles
running.

Regard to the order of time leads us back to the origin of several other

'LI.NWUOU MILL, WHITIX lillOTlIERS, WHITINSVILLE, MASS.

PAUL WHITl.V M'f'g CO.'s HULL (UOCKDALi:), NOUTHBRIDGE, MASS.

BOOT AND SHOE BUSINESS. 145

branches of business, before proceeding with the great increase of poi)iil:ition,
production and wealth in "Whitinsville.

Tlicre have been several tanners and curriers in the town, in former times,
from the opening of ihc centnry down to the year 18G1. In the Centre, Oliver
Adams was engaged in this industry previous to 1805, when John Hall took
the establishment, and conducted it several years. On the east side of the
river, Joshua Congdon was engaged in the same business between Rockdale
and Riverdale, previous to 1825. Charles and Derby Bigelow were engaged
in the currying business at Adams' Corner before 1832, after which David
Mowry used the same premises a few years. He was followed by Robinson &
Rice, who employed a few hands, and continued in partnership until 1843,
when they dissolved, and worked in separate places. Two or three others
continued the business in the town until 1868.

The coopering business was followed, many years ago, by David Batcheller
and others. They were in the habit of making as many barrels as could be
carried on a larcre ox-wagon, and then sending them to Boston, Providence and
other cities and towns for sale.

During many years, the boot and shoe business was engaged in by a large
number of persons, though few, if any of them, had such large establishments
as are common now in the towns where the business flourishes. It is related
of the earlier shoemakers that it was their custom to "go about to the houses
of the families, for whom they proposed to work, carrying their ' kit' in saddle-
bags, using an inverted wash-tub for a bench, and a stool for a seat, shoe up
that family, then tramp for the next customer." And here it may be amusing
to remind young readers that shoes were ranch less worn by former genera-
tions. Some boys still enjoy the pleasant freedom of going barefoot in sum-
mer ; but, in old times, it was uncommon to see a boy in country towns
wearins: shoes in the warm season, and the warm season was drawn out at
great length, and extended weeks beyond the first frosts of autumn. More-
over, it was a part of the economy of older persons — men and even women —
to do without shoes a part of the year ; and on Sundays it was the custom for
children and youth of either sex to waik barefoot towards the meeting-house,
on Sunday morning, till they drew near the immediate neighborhood, when
they put on stockings and shoes before meeting the crowd or entering the
sanctuary. Returning, they dofi'cd shoes and stockings when far enough on
their way, and reached home in the guise in which they started. "Others
would wear a poorer pair until they arrived nearly to the meeting ; then change
for the best."

Passing by the time when boots and shoes were made for custom work only,
and coming down to the date when they were manufactured to be sold to deal-
ers by the case, it appears that Cheney Taft began the business about 1810.
His shop was in the old centre of the town. He made what was in those days
styled " nigger shoes " in the summer, and in the winter went South to sell

VOL. II.— 19

146 TOWN OF NORTHBPJDGE.

them. This wns in the evil times when the word negro was spelled with two
"^s, since which time there has been a frrcater revohition in politics than in
business. Other workers in this line weic : John W. Slocomb, Joseph Leland,
the brothers Josiah, Welcome and Jacob Adams, and Francis Ilemonway.
The latter made men's brogans and women's shoes for the trade as well as cus-
tom boots. In 1824, he began to employ hands, — four or five in his shop,
besides others outside. From this time — about 1825 — the business was car-
ried on in different parts of the town by many persons, none of whom did a
large amount of work ; but the aggregate production was quite large. Some
of the manufacturers had shops, and others worked in their own dwelling-
houses. As lon<T niro as 1837, Barber, in his " ni>toi-ical Collections," states
that "there were six hundred pairs of boots and iifty-three thousand five hun-
dred pairs of shoes manufiictured," valued at fifty thousand dollars. The males
employed were seventy-five, and the females were twenty. This business was
followed by many in a moderate way down to the year 18G0, when it was in
few hands. The principal manufacturer at this time was Joel Bachelor, who
commenced in 1827, and contin\ied the business nearly fifty years. He con-
stantly increased the quantity of goods manufactured, and built, in 18G7, a
large factory, in which, in the year 1871, was turned ont a large amount of
work. The number of pairs of shoes for the year was seventeen thousand two
hundred and eighty ; the number of pairs of boots for the year was ninety-five
thousand. The value of tlie annual product of boots and shoes was $368,480.
By the State census of 1875, this business has been reduced in amount.

But the ])usiness men of the town, by way of eminence, belong to the Whitin
family, of whom the head was Col. Paul Whitin. From him and his enter-
pi'ise the village of Whitinsville had its origin and name. Paul Whitin, or
Whiting, as the name was originally, was born in Roxbury, Dec. 3, 17G7.
lie was the son of Nathaniel and Sarah (Draper) Whiting. Why the final
letter in the name was dropped is not known. It could not have been because
the name was not respectable, as it has been honorable in all generations of
New England history. His father died when he was quite young, and his
mother married James Prentice, who lived in Northbridge. In boyhood, ho
was apprenticed to a blacksmith named Jesse White. His opportunities for
education must have been very limited, as it is said that his whole attendance
at school did not probably exceed six months. But ho could read and think.
He had a sound mental constitution, though his physical system was weak
when his apprenticeship was finished, and for several years later. He had a
strong desire to learn, and liis mind fixed upon that which was useful. Says
the Rev. Lewis Clark : " He strugsrled with and overcame dJfEculties to which
most would have yielded. By perseverance and a diligent improvement of
those intervals of labor that many young men spend in idleness, he acquired a
good knowledge of those branches of study necessary for the successful prose-
cution of business. A book for aiding him in acquiring a correct use of

COL. PAUL WIIITIN. 147

language was always by hiin. IIo was as familiar with this as with the tools
of his shop." This was an excellent raelhod of discipline, as it led to pre-
cision of thought as well as of expression. By degrees, he gained the public
coulideuce, which increased during his whole life. He was chosen town clerk
at the age of twenty-eight years, and was continued in the office thirteen years
in succession. His services in other town offices were often sousrht and
obtained. Though of a quiet and undemonstrative turn, and averse to show
and parade, he was an excellent military officer, and rose through the successive
grades to the rank of colonel. He was a justice of the peace, and was often
urged to bo a candidutc for the General Court, but business engagements
induced him to decline. A proof of his industry and economy is seen in the
fact that, whatever time he spent in military or official duties, he always made
up by extra labor in his regular business. Such a man was sure to succeed in
life, provided his life was prolonged. To those who are prudent, industrious
and prayerful, the road to prosperity and eminence is as straight and plain as
the "road to the mill." Such was the character and such the success of Paul
AVhitin.

The qualities which secured success to Mr. Whitin made him a useful
member of society. His influence did not promote vice aud immorality, but
fostered industry, frugality, education. Sabbath observance, and all the insti-
tutions of reli2:ion. And his wife was fitted to aid and encouraij^o him in
everything which developed his own character, or was calculated to build up
the community. She was the daughter of Col. James Fletcher, one of the
leading men of the town. It is related that, when young Whitin sought her
hand, the suit was not encouraged by her father, on the ground of his feeble
health. "He will not be able to support a wife," said parental wisdom.
" Then I will support him," was the spirited reply ; and she was as good as her
word. Though the husband was amply able to support wife and family, the
wife aided him in every way to achieve success and reputation. She was his
counsellor in all his affairs ; and when he was taken away, and his four sons
succeeded to an extensive business, her advice was sousfht and followed in all
matters of importance, whether in relation to the family, or to business, or to
objects of Ijenevolence. The description of the wise and good woman in the
closing chapter of Proverbs found a remarkable exemplilication in her: "The
heart of her husband doth safely trust in her. . . . Her children arise up and
call her blessed."

Paul Whitin followed the business to which he was bred, and by steady
attention to the calling of a blacksmith acquired a competence, brought up a
family', and added greatly to the growth and general welfare of the town.
Two of his sons, Paul, Jr., and John C, were taken into partnership in 182G,
This firm was euijaGfcd in cotton manufactures. Soon after, John C. Whitin
invented a picker which much facilitated the manufacture of cotton into cloth,
and enabled the firm of Paul Whitin & Sons to compete successfully with

148 TOWN OF NORTHBRIDGE.

others in cotton-spinning. Col. Whitin died Fob. 8, 1831, in the sixty-fourth
year of his age, by which time the business was firmly established. The firm-
name was continued, Charles P. and James Whitin becoming members.

In 1847 the first large machine-shop of John C. Whitin was erected. Its
dimensions are as follows: Length, three hundred and six feet; width, one
hundred and two feet. The new machine-shop was built in 1864, and is three
hundred and ninety feet in length by seventy in width. Taken together, they
constitute one of the largest and most complete establishments in the State for
the manufacture of machinery.

The old firm was dissolved Jan. 1, 1864, when the business was divided.
Paul Whitin took the cotton business at Rockdale and Riverdale : John C.
Whitin took the machine manufacturing ; Charles P. Whitin took the cotton-
mill in Whitinsvillo, and James Whitin took the unimproved privilege at
Linwood, near the railroad station, in addition to the mills at North
Uxbridge. The amount of work done in each of these establishments is
very extensive. In the cotton business the power-looms employed are seven
hundred and four. The spindles in use are thirty-three thousand seven
hundred and ninety-two. In machines and machinery, the capital invested,
according to the State census of 1875, was $605,000, and the value of the
machinery made was $900,750. By this is meant the product of the machine-
shops in one year, and not the value of all the machinery in the town. In this
branch of business Northbridge leads all the towns in the county. The two
cities, Worcester and Fitchburg, exceed it in the amount of capital invested,
but in the value of machinery produced Northbridge stands next to Worcester.
The increase in the currency value of manufactures in the town, from 1865 to
1875, including the total products of the manufacturing business, was almost
incredible. In 1865 the value was $912,310 ; in 1875 the value was $1,521,072.
The increase, therefore, was $608,762 in ten years. The advance made in the
cotton business between 1837 and 1875 is shown by the following figures. In
1837 nine thousand spindles were running, and cotton goods were made of the
valar.e of $136,750; in 1875 the number of spindles was thirty-three thousand
seven hundred and ninety-four, and the cotton goods made were valued at
$118,697.

The population of Northbridge in 1776 was four hundred and eighty-one.
During the next twenty-five years the increase was less than one hundred. In
1830 it was but a little more than doubled, being one thousand and fifty-three.
The increase was rapid during the next twenty years, being two thousand two
hundred and thirty in 1850. At the end of the next decade the population was
two thousand six hundred and thirtj^-three ; and in 1875 it had increased to
four thousand and thirty. The larger part of the increase has been in the
village of Whitinsville, which shows the marks of thrift on everv hand. The
buildings are comparatively new, and are kept in good repair. The shops and
factories are constructed on improved models, and supplied with the best

LATER MINISTERS. 149

machinery. The dwellings have an air of neatness and comfort. Some of
them are elegant and splendid, with capacions grounds, and gardens in the
highest state of cultivation. The pul)lic buildings are a credit to the place, and
betoken a healthful interest in education and the worship of God. The influ-
ence of Paul Whitin, Sr., who gave the original impulse to the business of the
])lace, has been felt as a constant force. Ilis four sons enlarged the business,
but kept it under the same prudent and beneficent management, whereby the
community svas a partner in all the advantages gained by the proprietors. As
years advanced, sons and sons-in-law of the third generation have come on the
stage of active life, and become participators in the various branches of manu-
facture. The whole process has been a growth from small beginnings to the
present magnitude, without undue haste, but with a steady annual progress,
evincing a rare combination of enterprise and prudence.

It would seem, from an inspection of the town and a survey of its water-
power, that its growth must be mainly in the villages on the river and the rail-
road ; viz., Rockdale, Riverdale and Linwood. And as the property in these
localities is very much under the control of the members of the family above-
named, the gradual development of all the capabilities of the valley of the
Blackstone, within the limits of the town, may be expected. As the villages
increase, the natural effect will be to raise the value of land in the Centre, by
furnishing a market for all the products of the farms and gardens. The
quarries are near for the convenience of builders, and thus many circumstances
combine to prophesy a prosperous future to this ancient town.

CHAPTER II.

CHURCH HISTORY RESUMED SCHOOLS AND EDUCATION — THE REBELLION,

AND THE ACTION OF THE TOWN MANUFACTURES, MILLS AND FACTORIES

PUBLIC INSTITUTIONS.

Resuming the ecclesiastical history of the town, we are led, in the first place,
to trace the fortunes of the old church and society in the Centre. The Rev.
Samuel H. Fletcher, who succeeded Dr. Crane in the pastorate, was installed
March 14, 1832, and dismissed at the end of two years. His successor, the
Rev. Charles Forbush, was installed June 4, 1834, but his brief pastorate was
terminated by his death on the 9th of September, 1838. In 1855, says the Rev.
Lewis F. Clark, "the old meeting-house, which had stood for half a century
on the highest point of land for miles around, was taken down, and the present
edifice erected on a site less conspicuous, but more easy of access." In 1839,
April 3, the Rev. Levvis Pennel commenced his ministry, which lasted throe

150 TOWN OF NORTHBRIDGE.

years and eleven clays. The Rev. E. Demond supplied the church from 1842
to 1845. On the 5th of November, 1845, the Rev. William Bates was
ordained as pastor, and continued in the ofBce about twelve years. lie was
dismissed in 1857, November 23, and died in 1859. Temporary supplies have
occupied the pulpit the list twelve years. These are their names : Rev.
Messrs. George B. SafFord, Hiram Day, Sylvester Iline, Calvin Terry, D. W.
Richardson, W. Hazlewood, Thomas S. Norton and James Wells. The
present acting pastor is Rev. John T. Crumrine, and the church reports fifty-
six members.

During the last years of his ministry Dr. Crane occasionally preached in a
school-house in what is now Whitinsville. Other ministers conducted the
services at times, and in 1833 a conviction grew up that something more was
needed to "meet the religious wants of the people." In consequence, a Sabbath-
school was started in March, and its meetings were held earlier in the day than
the regular worship in the Centre. Another session was held in the afternoon.
On the 2d of February', 1834, some of the members of the church living in the
villaije, sought the concurrence of the church in an effort to establish "church
ordinances in that place, should circumstances in the providence of God seem
to require it." The church was not willing to part with any of its members,
fearing that its own ability to maintain public worship would be crippled. A
movement was then made by persons outside of the society, representing, as
they said, a "population of nearly three hundred, a large proportion of whom
do not attend public worship on the Sabbath." A council was called by a
"number of professors of religion in the village, belonging to different churches,"
which council met on the 17th of April, 1834. After hearing the case, the
council adjourned till the 28th, when the enterprise was sanctioned :ind a church
was soon formed. A chapel had been built in 1833, and religious services w^ere
held in it from the time of its dedication, January, 1834, until a meeting-house
w;is erected. The Rev. Michael Burdctt was engaged to preach for one j^ear.
The church was organized July 31, with thirty-three members. IMr. Burdett
was installed as pastor April 15, 1835, and dismissed April 29, 1841. The
Rev. Lewis F. Clark was ordained and installed June 1, 1842. At his
installation the church had eighty-four members. Mr. Clark died on the
18th of October, 1870, after a pastorate of more than twenty-eight years. He
was a good, kind, able and godly man, all the years of whose ministerial life
were lilkd with usefulness. "He never sought another place, and never took
a dollar for supplying on the Sabbath any other pulpit." He loved his people,
"and was contented to stay with them; they loved him, and were satisfied
with his work." Under his guidance the church became "large and influential,
abounding in love, and the grace of liberality." The Rev. John R. Thurston
was installed as his successor April 20, 1871, and still continues in the pastoral
office. The number of church members is two hundred and sixty, and the
annual contributions for benevolent objects amount to over ten thousand

SCHOOL HISTORY. 151

dollars. The deacons have been Alvan Lchuid, John C. Whitin, Horace
Armsby, Stephen F. Bachelor, P. Whitin Dudley, H. A. Goodcll and Willi;ini
H. Whitin. The second and three la.st are still in office. The Sabbath school,
superintended by Dea. William H. Whilin, numbers two hundred and seventy-
five.

The first Methodist meetings in Northljridge were held in private houses,
many years ago, in the neighborhood known as Quaker Street, and vicinity,
and also in the school-house at Plummer's Corner. Northbrid^^e was the
centre of a circuit which included surrounding towns. In 1850 services
were began in "Whitinsville, in a hall on Railroad Avenue, and the Methodist
church was organized on the 23d of June in that year. The official members
at that time were Smith Bruce, Amos White, Charles Taylor, "William Smith,
Libeus Leach, A. E. Batchelor and J. H. Cole. A new and spacious house of
worship was erected in 1875, and was dedicated October 2 of that year. The
cost of the site, the church and the parsonage was nearly $20,000. The pastor
now in charge is Rev, Seth C. Carey.

As business and population increased in Whitinsviilo and the other villages
in the town, the foreign-born clement grew by degrees, until, in 1875, as
appears by the State census, there were natives of Ireland and Canada, to the
number of one thousand three hundred and six. As a large proportion of
these had been trained in the Roman Catholic faith, they naturally felt the need
of religious ordinances in accordance with their views. Public worship was
held in different places until 1870, when the Catholic church was erected in
Whitinsville, bearinsj the title of St. Patrick.

A United Presbyterian church' was organized, Oct. 3, 18G1. It worships in
the chapel formerly occupied by the Village Congregational Society for the
same purpose. The present pastor is Rev. J. L. Thompson.

The education of their children was considered of the highest importance by
the first settlers of Northbridi^C' Afcer the town w\as orijanizcd, and the offi-
cers were chosen, two votes were passed ; one was to provide for preaching,
and the other was for the support of a school or schools. Sixteen pounds were
appropriated for this object. Here was provision for secular and religious
instruction. The minister was the servant of tlie town as well as the school
teacher; both received their support from the town. The church and the
school combined, was the educational ap[)aratus of the people. No school-
houses were built during the first quarter of a century, or till about the year
1795, as appears by a report of the school committee made in the Centennial
year — 1S7G — but the schools were kept in private houses, or other buildings,
in different parts of the town. The terms were only two or three months in
length, and were often kept by the same master, who went from place to place,
and sometimes had in his school the elder pupils from all sections of the town.
Besides his pay in cash, which was not largo, the teacher bo udcd round in the
families which had scholars in the schools. The branches pursued were such

152 TOWN OF NORTHBRIDGE.

as were common in all district schools in those early clays. All the children
were drilled in reading, spelling and writing. Penmanship was an art, and
some teachers were famous, in a narrow circle, as penmen, and for their skill
in making good goose-quill pens. They were required to set copies which the
scholars could safely follow as models. The introduction of steel pens and
copper-plate copies has been a great relief to many modern teachers. Arith-
metic was the study in the primitive schools. A boy that did not know enough
to keep accounts and cast interest, was not fit to take care of himself. Geog-
raphy and grammar came in by degrees, when Morse and Murray had provided
improved text-books in those important branches. It was many years, how-
ever, before a body of teachers was raised up who were competent to parse or
analyze a sentence of more than ordinary complexity. But in the words of
the committee : "While the education of the school was so meagre, their gen-
eral culture in morals and manners was strongly inculcated by the stern Puri-
tanism of those times. Whatever we may choose to say in comparison favor-
able to modern schools, we must acknowledge their supremacy in the develop-
ment of moral character, the virtues of honesty and truthfulness, Avhich are an
essential requisite for a useful and loyal citizen."

A few citations from the town records will let us see into the life of the
people more than a hundred years ago. At a meeting held Sept. 21, 1772,
after votins: to raise sixteen pounds for schooling, and three pounds for dis-
trict charges, a committee was chosen to "squadron the district of North-
bridiie." The committee divided the town, which seems to have been a school
district, into seven squadrons, 'naming the families in each squadron. At a
meeting held Feb. 1, 1773, it was voted to "divide the school money accord-
ing to the number of children in each squadron." In 1784, there were six
squadrons. In 1780 forty pounds were raised for schooling. The same sum
was continued for several years. In 1795, April 16, it was voted "to build a
school-house in each of the school districts in the town." By this time the law
of the State allowed the towns to be districted, which, in the opinion of Horace
Mann, was bad policy. After long trial, the State has returned to the old plan
of making the whole town a district for school purposes. In 179G, further
action was taken in relation to school-houses, which resulted in their erection.
In 1797, the sum of $133.33 was raised for schooling, which was the grant till
1801, when the town voted to raise $150. The same sum was raised in the
year following, and Paul Aldrich, Nathaniel Adams and Jabez Wing were
chosen a committee to regulate school districts. V

Such were the feeble beginnings in the way of common-school education in
Northbridsfe. A few fiijures will show ihc contrast between then and now.
In 1850, the population of the town was two thousand one hundred and ten ;
the appropriation for schools was $1,000 ; the length of the schools was five
months and sixteen days, and the sum appropriated for each scholar was about
$2.32. In 1874-5, the population was four thousand and thirty; the appro-'

MEMORIAL BUILDING, WHITINSVILLE, MASS.

THE CIVIL WAR. 153

priation for schools was $7,350; the length of the schools was eight months
and nineteen clays, and the sum appropriated for each scholar was $8.87. In
the year 1877-8, the appropriation for schools was $7,850; the length of the
schools was nine months, and the sum appropriated for each child was $10.66.
These figures place Northbridge high in the list of public-spirited towns. There
arc in the town sixteen schools, including a grammar and a high school. The
cost of the high school in the year 1878-9 was $1,550, and the attendance was
about fifty pupils. In relation to this, the committee report that "the estab-
lishment of such a school has paid all its cost in the increased number of edu-
cated persons, and the stimulus it has presented to the pupils of lower grades
to increased study, and a better preparation to enter it." In addition to the
extended curriculum of the schools, attention has been given to drawing and
music in some of the schools.

The modern improvement in school-honses is indicative of the growing inter-
est in the education of the young. The school buildin2:s in Northbridsfe are in
line with the general progress. The property of this kind, in the whole town,
is valued at about foity thonsand dollars. The "four-room" school-house
erected in Whitinsville, last year, is furnished with seats for two hundred and
twenty-four scholars, but will admit of more if necessary. There is also a
good recitation-room, where an assistant may be employed, and "the building
contains really five schools. The building is elegant in its outward appearance,
and the inside finish is of the best materials. The rooms are large, high, well-
lighted, and abundantly supplied with blackboards and apparatus. The cloak-
rooms, closets, halls and stairways are large and convenient. There is a good
basement with ample play-rooms, and a liberal allowance of yard or lawn
around the house. There is complete separation of the sexes in the groimds,
and in the building, until they come under the supervision of the teachers."
Proper attention has been paid to ventilation and warmth. The grounds have
been handsomely graded and surrounded by a suitable fence, in keeping with
the plan of the house. In a word, the school- house is an ornament to the vil-
lage. The money invested in school-houses since 1868, amounts to $50,000.
The committee in charge of the schools in 1878-9, were Messrs. R. R. Clarke,
M. D., Edward Bachelor, Josiah Lasclle, Arthur F. Whitin, George Benson
and William H. Whitin. Dr. Clarke has been a member of the school com-
mittee and practically superintendent of schools nearly twenty-five years, and
it is largely owing to his zeal and enthusiasm that the schools of the town have
been raised to their present high standard.

In the work of suppressing the Rebellion — 1861-65 — the town bore an
honorable part. As soon as the news of the firing upon Fort Sumter was
received, all hearts were resolved to maintain the supremac}^ of the national
government. The first legal meeting was held May 8, when it was voted to
raise "such sums of money as may be required, rot exceeding five thousand
dollars," for various war purposes. Ilazen O. Bean, Jeremiah Robinson,

VOL. II.— 20

154 TOWN OF NORTHBRIDGE.

Joseph Dudley, Luke S. Farnum, and Hirara Wing were j(jincd with the
selectmen to carry the vote into effect. The selectmen in that year were Wil-
liam Kendall, Merrick L. Taft, James F. Whitin, John C. TaCt and Charles
Fowler. Some of these, with the following, served in the remaining years of
the war : P. Whitin Dudley, Joel Bachelor, Leander F. Smith, Lewis Armsby,
Jeremiah Robinson, Nelson Paine, Stephen F. Bachelor, Davis P. Gray, George
W. Rawson, David B. Winter. During the war Iliram Wing was town clerk
and treasurer.

In 1862 the selectmen were authorized to pay a bounty of one hundred dol-
lars to each volunteer for three years' service, who should enlist and be credited
to the quota of the town. The sum of lifty dollars additional Avas raised for
those already in the field. Other votes raising money for additional volunteers
were passed at vai'ious meetings in the fall of this year. In 18G3, November
3, the town voted "that the families of conscripts, disabled soldiers and those
who have died in the service of United States, be placed on the same footing
as regards State aid, as the families of volunteers." A vote was passed, April
9, 18G4, to "pay a bounty of one hundred and twenty-Ove dollars to each
volunteer enlisting to the quota of the town for three years' scrvico," under a
call issued at that time by the President. And, in 18G5, after the war was
over, August 5, it was voted to "refund the mone}^ to all individuals," who had
paid money to aid reciuiting. According to the figures as given I)y Gen.
Schouler, Northbridge furnished three himdred and eleven men for the war,
which was a surplus of seventeen above all demands. Five were commissioned
officers. The whole amount of money expended by the town for Avar pur-
poses, exclusive of State aid, was $15,407.10. The amount paid for State aid
to soldiers' families, was $12,064.47, making a total of $27,471.57. A report
made to the town by a committee chosen to '' collect statistics showing the
action of the town in regard to the war," gives a total expense much larger
than the above. The estimate of the committee included all the appropriations
of the town for war purposes, including State aid, and increased taxation on
account of the war, and the voluntary contributions of the people, including
the amount raised by the ladies. The summary is as follows : — On ticcount of
the war, $26,034.62 ; voluntary contributions, $8,427.91 ; amounting to $34,-
462.53. The estimated increase of the State tax was $25,000. Sundry per-
sons paid the United States for internal revenue, $461,311.10. Th(! latter was
of course added to the cost of goods manufactured, and, therefore, not a tax
on the citizens of the town, except so far as they purchased the goods thus
taxed. The whole cost of the war includes, besides the above, the cost of
stamps and other indirect expenses. To this must be added the total share of
the town in the national debt. The town contained, when the war began, two
thousand six hundred and thirty-three inhabitants, and the valuation was
$945,574 ; from which may be seen what a heavy burden was cheerfully borne
by the people of Northbridge.

MILLS AND FACTORIES. 155

In addition to the facts given in the preceding pages, the following authentic
statements respecting water-power, the dimensions of factories, and their
annual product up to date, will bo of permanent interest.

In 1826, the Mumford River, on which the works at Whitinsville are located,
supplied ten horse-power, but by a system of reservoirs constructed from time
to time, this limited power has been increased to three hundred and seventy-
five horse-power ; and the flowage has been increased from a few acres to over
fourteen hundred.

The machine shop, erected in 1847, is three hundred and six feet lono- by
one hundred and two feet wide, two stories high with a basement. The shop,
built in 1864, is three hundred and ninety feet in length by seventy feet in
width, with an L seventy by seventy feet. The main building and L's arc
three stories high, with a basement. The capital is $600,000. The shop has
a capacity to employ seven hundred men, and when running full consumes
upwards of fifteen tons of pig-iron daily, besides largo quantities of wrought
iron, steel, brass, &c., in the manufacture of the various machines. The
establishment was chartered in 1870, under the name of Whitin Machine
Works. John C. Whitin is president, J. Lasell, treasurer, and G. E. Taft,
superintendent. The two buildings, including the L's, contain live acres of
floor-room, besides twelve thousand square foot for foundry purposes, and fifty
thousand square feet for storage.

The Whitinsville Mills were built in 1845. The dimensionsare as follows: —
one hundred and sixty-two by forty-eight feet, with an Lone hundred and eight
by forty-eight feet, and a pickei--room, fifty by forty-eight feet. The L and
picker-room were put up in 1860. The number of spindles is thirteen thou-
sand four hundred. Use annually, fourteen hundred bales, equal to six hundred
and eighty thousand pounds, of cotton. Value of ])roducts, $200,000 to
$225,000. Hands employed, about one hundred and sixty.

The Rockdale Mill w\as erected in 1857. It is one hundred and sixty-six feet
by sixty-six feet, with boiler-house forty-one feet by fifty-eight. The River-
dale Mill is two hundred and sixty-four by forty-five feet. The number of
spindles in these mills is eighteen thousand two hundred and twenly-four.
Pounds of cotton used yearl}^ seven hundred and ten thousand seven hundred.
Number of bales, one thousand four hundred and ninety-four. Annual value
of products, $175,000. Hands employed, two hundred and sixty.

The Linwood Mill was erected in 1866. It is five stories in height with the
following dimensions: — one hundred and sixty-four by sixty-six feet, and a
picker-room fifty-nine by forty-three feet. The number of spindles is fifteen
thousand. The amount of cotton worked up yearly, equals one thousand five
hundred and fifty bales, or seven hundred and forty-five thousand pounds.
The value of the products is from $225,000 to $250,000 annually. Number
of bauds employed, about one hundred and eighty.

The National Bank was established in 1865. Its capital is $100,000. Paul

156 TOWN OF NORTHBRIDGE.

Whitiii is president, and H. A. Goodell is cashier. The president of the
Savini;s Bank is John C. Whitin ; the treasurer, H. A. Goodell.

The Pine GroV'C Cemetery was dedicated in 1878. It is the property of a
private corporation. The situation, between Whitinsville and Lin wood is
excellent, and the ground has great capabilities of improvement.

Whitinsville has a lyceuni lecture course annually, of a high order, at an
expense of about $12,000, Avhich is defrayed by the sale of tickets.

The "Whitinsville Compendium" serves as a vehicle of local news.

The Memorial Hall, near the centre of W^hitiusville, is one of the most
costly, spacious and elegant public buildings in the county. It was erected on
the family homestead where the sons met to take counsel of their venerated
mother, during all the years of her widowhood. It was erected in honor of their
parents, at a cost of about $50,000. It contains, in the high and airy base-
ment, a good-sized hall for town meetings, and all necessary rooms for heating-
apparatus and fuel. On the first floor are rooms for various town ofliceis, a
library of several thousand volumes, and a reading-room. The second floor
is occupied by a spacious hall, with platform, gallery and ante-rooms. Hero
a large audience can be comfortably seated. The building is most thoroughly
constructed of handsome brick and granite work, %vith hard-wood finish. In
size, shape, finish and location the Memorial Hall is a splendid structure, and
worthy of its noble design.

The " AVhitinsville Social Library" arose from a bequest of one hundred
dollars, left by Miss Sarah Fletcher in aid of such a library as the town might
create. The work was placed in charge of a committee of the town, viz.,
Rev. L. F. Clark, Horace Armsby, and Leander Gorton, who formed a con-
stitution ; and the library was opened in the chapel, once a week, to all per-
sons paying one dollar each, annually. There were then two hundred and
fifty volumes, and eighty-three subscribers. This action of the town was Dec.
10, 1844. In 1860 another legacy of five hundred dollars was given by Ezra
W. Fletcher, to which two hundred and fifty dollars were added by subscrip-
tion. The society voted Feb. 21, 1876, to make the library free, if the town
would appropriate two hundred dollars annually for its support ; the property
to revert on failure of this condition. The town accepted, and has since more
than met the condition. The library is kept in the Memorial Building and
now contains about three thousand three hundred volumes.

NATURAL FEATUKES. 157

OAKHAM.

BY MAJ. JOHN B. FAIRBANK.

CHAPTER I.

SITUATION AND SURFACE SETTLEMENT AND FIRST PURCHASE — INCORPORA-
TION APPROACH OF THE REVOLUTION MINUTE-MEN INFLATED CUR-
RENCY HIGH PRICES CONSTITUTIONAL CONVENTION — WAR OF 1812 —

VOTE AGAINST ALLIANCE CIVIL WAR.

Tins town lies fourteen miles north-west of Worcester, and joins Rutland
and Paxton on the north-east, Barre on the north-west, New Braintree on the
south-west, and Spencer on the south. It is eminently one of the "hill towns"
of the county. All the streams which water and drain it have their sources
within its borders, and flow either northerly to the Ware, or southerly to the
Chicopee River.

The surface is uneven. The underlying rock is of the gneiss formation,
nearly horizontal in position, the strike of which is nearly north and south, and
the dip slightly to the west.

The soil is fertile and well adapted to the grasses, grains and fruits of New
England. The subsoil of the hills is a compact clay ; of the valleys is sand
or gravel. Over one-fifth of the surface is covered with forests, chiefly of
chestnut. There are no large streams of water in the town, but the brooks
and small streams by their rapid fall furnish considerable water-power the
greater part of the year.

Upon Cold Brook in the northerly part of the town are mineral springs of
great interest. Their waters are successfully used in the treatment of many
forms of diseltiie. There are several of these springs situated near each other,
yet entirely distinct in the character of their waters.

Oakham constituted the south-west portion of an Indian tract called Naquag.
This tract was conveyed Dec. 22, 1686, by five Natick Indians to Henry Wil-
lard, Joseph Rowlandson, Joseph Foster, Benjamin Willard and C3q:)rian
Stevens. The Indian deed was confirmed by the legislature Feb. 23, 1713, and
to that conveyance is traced the titles of the present owners.

The municipal history of Oakham commences in 1762, when it was set off"

158 TOWN OF OAKHAM.

from Rutland, and incorporated into a town. Previous to that time it was
known as Rutland West Wing. Its social history begins in 1750, when the
first settlements were made within its limits.

In the autumn of the last mentioned year a colony of ten families was formed
in the old town to settle the West Wing. The heads of these families were :
William Banks, Alexander Bothwell, Alexander Crawford, Patrick Green,
Alexander McFarland, James Bell, James Craige, James Dean, William
Harper, Robert jMcMains.

These colonists were Scotch-Irish, from the North of Ireland. In relisrious
faith and practice they were Presbyterians. Having selected their lands, the
settlers united in building' their houses, all working on each house in turn.
Nino houses were completed the same autumn, and the tenth the following
spring.

The West Wing had been laid out previous to its settlement by the pro-
prietors of Rutland into fifty-two lots of about two hundred and fifty acres
each. These lots are still known as " original lots," and their boundaries as
" oriijinal lines of lots."

The number of settlers was largely increased during the next eight years by
the arrival of other families.

In 1758 a petition signed by twent^'^-four persons was sent to the Colonial
Government, praying that they be incorporated into a precinct. This pe ition
was as follows : —

" To His Excellencf/, Thomas Poivnnl, Esq., Governor and Commander in Chief in and over
His Majesty's Province of Massachusetls Day : To the Hon^^e His Majesty's Council and
the Hmi^^e House of Representatives in General Court Assembled :

" December 29lh, HoS. — The Petition of us the Subscribers Inhabitants of the West
Wing of Rutland so called Ilumbl}' Shows That y^ greater of us live at a very great
Distance from the places of Public Worship both in Old and New Rutland. That we
arc not in a Capacity of Ourselves to Raise any sum of money in order to hire Preaching
among us as we are neither a Proprict}-, Town District nor Parrish. Besides man}^ other
Inconveniences we labor under to witt for the want of Power To raise money for the
Scliooling and Educating our children And also money To Repair and make Highways
and build Bridges And many other Difficulties we Labor under by Reason of being thus
in A State of Nature. We Humbly apprehend y' if we were Incorporated into a Par-
rish and Impowered to Raise Money for the Ends and Uses above Mentioned it wou d
greatly Incourage the Settlement of the Place.

" Wherefore j'our Petitioners Humbly Pray your Excellency and Honours would be
Pleased to Incorporate all the lands in the said Wing as the}' are deliniated on the Plan
Herewith Presented Into a Precinct or Parrish and Inable us to assess the Inhabitants
of said Wing from Time to Time for such sums of Money as shall be agreed upon to
be raised by the Major part of the Inhabitants for the Ends and Purposes Aforesaid Or
Otherwise Relieve Your Petitioners as in Your great Wisdom You shall see Meet. And
as in duty bound Shall ever Pray."

Upon this petition an act was passed incorporating (he inhabitants of the

TOWN BUSINESS. 159

West Wing of Ilutland into a precinct, Avith all the rights, privileges and im-
munities which by law precincts had been vested with.

The first precinct meeting was hold at the house of Alexander Bothwell,
March (5, 1750, for the purpose of choosing precinct officers.

In the same year it was —

" Voted to raise teen poonds by tax to Repau- Ilyways. Also to tax the inbabitence
teen poonds to support pritching this present year and that the meeting be kept the
first Sabbath at the house of Capt. James Craigc, y^ 2 day at Alexander Craffords y'' 3
at Left Bothwells y" 4 at Patrick Greens and so the other four days accordingly."

In 17G1 the precinct voted to build a meeting- house "at the Santcr or next
convenient place," forty-six feet in length by thirty-six feet wide. The walls
were raised and enclosed in the autumn of that year, but the house progressed
slowly, and for eighteen years thereafter appropriations were annually made
towards finishinof it. A committee to seat the raeetiug-houso were instructed
in assigning seats to the people " to have respect not only to their pay but to
their age and reputation."

At a meeting held April 16, 1762, the precinct voted to petition the General
Court to bo incorporated as a separate town, and on the eleventh day of Jimo,
1762, was passed "an act for erecting the West Precinct of Rutland into a
District by the name of Oakham." The town was called Oakham from a town
of the same name in England, from which many of the inhabitants had come.

The lirst town meeting was hold at the house of Capt. James Craige, Tues-
day, the 22d day of June, 1762, and the following town officers were chosen : —
Clerk, George Harper ; selectmen and assessors, James Craige, George Harper
and Jonathan Bullard ; constable, James Dean ; treasurer, Arthur Forbes ;
warden, James Bell ; surveyors of highways, Joseph Craige, Arthur Forbes and
Alexander McFarland ; tithing-man, Solomon Parmenter.

From the incorporation of the town to the beginning of the Revolution, the
warrants for the annual town meetings usually prescribed the following busi-
ness : —

" To choose all necessary town officers.

To see what money the town will grant for preaching this j'car.

To see what money the town will grant for schooling this 3'ear.

To see what money the town will grant towards finishing tlie meeting-house.

To see what raonc}^ the town will grant for repairing highwa^-s.

To see if hogs shall be allowed to run at large.

To choose a committee to provide a minister."

The last article usually elicited the most interest. On one occasion the com-
mittee were instructed " to apply to the presbytery for a minister, and no ivhere
else."

The causes which led to the Revolution were rapidly producing their results,
and the minds of the people of the town were diverted from their own local
matters, and attracted to the broader field of national affairs.

160 TOWN OF OAKHAM.

The records abundantly attest the deep interest which they took in the great
events of that time. They were accustomed to express and enforce their
opinions by resolutions, instrnctions to their officers, and by their votes.

On the sixteenth day of January, 1775, the selectmen convened the inhabi-
tants at the meeting-house to "discover their minds on the following ques-
tions : —

" I. To see if they will choose a man to go to the Provincial Congress to set at
Camljriclge on the first of February next.

" 11. To see if they will chose a Committee of Inspection and give them an}'
instructions.

" III. To see if they will vote to pa}' their proportion to the Continental Congress."

At this meeting, it was voted —

" To pay the Continental Congress their proportion, and that the Treasurer advance
the same, one half to be taken from the money raised for preaching, and one half from
the school fund, and that the amount — £12 3s. Gd. — be paid to the receiver appointed
b}^ Congress, and that no money be paid into his Ilajestf/'s Exchequer hij the officers of
^his Town.

" Also voted unanimously to adhere to what they have done, as follows, to wit :
Having perused the votes and proceedings of the Continental Congress held at Pliila-
delphia on the 5th of September, 1774, containing the Bill of Rights, a List of Griev-
ances, the Association, &c. ; we esteem the same truly loyal and well stated, and
calculated for the preservation of our invaluable rights and privileges, and therefore, to
use the words of that venerable body, firmly agree and associate, under the sacred ties
of virtue, honor and love of our Country, faithfully to adhere to said association in all
respects."

Capt. Isaac Stone was chosen a delegate to the Provincial Congress to be
held at Cambridije, and the foUow^inor instructions were s'iven him : —

"Sir, — You having been unanimously chosen to represent us at this alarming crisis,
we expect you to exert j'oui'self for the public good.

" You are sensible that we have unanimously adopted the Association of the Conti-
nental Congress as truly lo^'al and well calculated for the preservation of our invaluable
rights and privileges, which we trust will be your general guide. And further, it is our
opinion to suspend the choice of officers for the administration of Civil government for
the present, unless something should be laid before the Congress which should make
the contrary highly necessary."

Jesse Allen, Jonathan Bullard, Isaac Stone, Joseph Craige, Joseph Hudson,
Benjamin Joselyn, and Samuel Metcalf were at the same time chosen a "Com-
mittee of Correspondence, Inspection and Safety," and were instructed to "put
into execution the resolves of the Continental and Provincial Conf:rresses as lar
as they are al)le."

The committee had no authority under the law, and were powerless to
enforce these resolves except as they brought public opinion to bear upon

WAR PREPARATIONS. 161

offenders ; but this, in their hands, was a terrible weapon. Persons disloyal to
the cause of the Colonies were to be "held and treated as outcasts — to be
shunned and avoided as enemies of humanity " ; and 3'et to be closely watched,
and all their actions scrutinized by the committee.

This committee, with changes of its members, was continued throughout the
Revolution.

In Apiil, 1775, a company of minute-men was formed, which, upon the
Lexington alarm, left town for the scene of encounter, but the alarm subsid-
ing, they soon returned home.

On the first day of May, 1775, a town meeting was held to choose a repre-
sentative to the Provincial (congress to be held at Watertown, and, in the
lanofuaire of the warrant, calling the meetinsT "To consult, deliberate and
resolve upon such further measures as under God may prove effectual to save
this people from impending ruin, and to secure those inestimable liberties
derived to us from our ancestors, and which it is our duty to preserve for
posterity."

Capt. Isaac Stone was chosen to represent the town in that Congress.

Oct. 15, 1775, a special town meeting was held "to see what instructions
the town will give its Representative respecting the Stamped paper lately sent
from Ensrland." The followinir was voted : —

" Sir, — "We are sensible of the duty we owe to the Crown of Great Brittain, at the
same time cannot but have a sensible feeling not only for ourselves and this Province,
but for all the Colonies here on account of a late Act of Parliament respecting the
Stamp Duty, which we humbly conceive presses hard on our Inalienable rights and
privileges granted us by charter, and which tends to distress. the Inhabitants of this
countr}-, especially of this Province, and which must end, we are convinced in our
Ruin — we therefore think it our indispensable duty, in justice to ourselves and pos-
terit}-, in the most open manner to declare our greatest dissatisfaction with the said
Stamp Act, and think it incumbent on 3-ou b}' no means to countenance the same in
any measure whatsoever, but to use your utmost endeavors in the General Assembl}- to
oppose it and preserve our liberties Intire."

In the warrant for a town meeting held on the fourth day of March, 177G,
the following article of business appears : —

" VIII. To bring in an account of the Powder, Lead and Flints that was delivered
to the minute men or others on the alarm on the 19th of April last."

At the same meetinsr, it was " voted that the Town lod^je their amount of
Powder, Lead and Flints with the chairman of the Committee of Correspond-
ence, Inspection and Safety."

May 21, 1770, the town "voted £t 16,s. for intrenching tools." On the
same day, some six weeks before the passage of the Declaration of Indepen-
dence, the town "voted Avithout contradiction that if the Hon' Congress should
for the safety of the Colonies declare them Independent of the Kingdom of

' VOL. II.— 21

162 TOWN OF OAKHAM.

Great Brittain, they solemnly engage with their lives and fortunes to support
them in the measure."

After the passage of the Declaration, the writs and precepts of the town ran
"In the name of the Government and People of Massachusetts Bay," instead
of "In His Majesty's Name," as had previously been the form.

The people were fully committed to the cause of independence. A vote
was solemnly passed in town meeting that "such persons as shall refuse to do
their part in the war shall be deemed unfriendly to the States of America, and
ou2:ht to be so esteemed."

The town sent one hundred and twenty-nine men into the Revolutionary
army for terms varying from two and one-half months to five and one-half
years, the average term of service being ten and one-half months. It paid
and supplied these soldiers, and supported their families in all cases of neces-
sity, raising and paying, previous to the inflation of the currency, the sum of
£3,676. The numlier of inhabitants of the town, by the census of 1776, was
live hundred and ninctv-eie^ht.

After the currency had begun to depreciate, the town voted to pay two
por.nds for one to all persons to whom it was indebted, and later, Oct. 18,
1779, "to pay thirty pounds per month in addition to the usual pay and
bounty to each man who shall do a turn in the present campaign."

The value of the mone\'' raised subsequent to the inflation can hardly be
worth estimating, but the amount was by no means inconsiderable.

July II, 1780, the town voted £2,089 10s. for horses for the Continental
service. It is said that this sum purchased three horses.

September 4, the same year, voted to raise £18,000 for the six months*
campaign in the Continental army, and £9,000 for the mililia.

October 12. Voted £5,440 for beef required of the town for the army.

Feb. 5, 1781. Voted £9,112 10s. to purchase beef for the army. At the
last date, the town voted "to give three hundred silver dollars as hire to each
soldier enlisting in the Continental Army for three years."

To avert some of the evil consequences of a fluctuating currency, an attempt
was made in 1777 to fix the prices of labor and the most common articles of
merchandise, and a long list of prices was published. In 1779, this price-list
was revised, by a resolution, to meet the altered condition of the currency,
and this town voted "that the Committee of Correspondence, Inspection and
Safety have a watchful eye over and deal with every person who should be
guilty of a breach of the Resolution as an enemy of his Country, and bring
every transgressor to condign punishment."

The following are the prices of a few articles, as published in 1777 and 1779 :
Good wheat, 1777, Gs. per bush., 1779, £8; Indian corn and meal, 1777, 3s.
per bush., 1779, £3 12s.; beef, best quality, 1777, Ad. per lb., 1779, 5s.
Gd. ; lamb, veal and mutton, 1777, did. per lb., 1779, 3s. Gd. ; New England
,rum, 1777, 5s. per gall., 1779, £5; potatoes, 1777, Is. id. per bush., 1779,

WAR OF 1812. 163

£1 5.S'. ; salt, 1777, Us. Qui. per bush., 1779, £12; sugar, best, 1777, 81'?.
per lb., 1779, 13s. M. ; good common board for a raau, 1777, os. Ad. per
week, 1779, £1 10.s\ ; good common dinner, 1777, M., 1779, 13,s'. ; common
labor, 1777, 3s. per da}', 1779, £2 14.9.

In spite of these attempts to fix prices, and in the face of threatened "condi^-n
punishment," they were more obedient to the laws of finance than to the lists
of committees, and continued to advance until 1781, when the town allowed
£18 per day for common labor, and paid a clergyman £120 for one Sabbath's
preaching. Perhaps inflationists of the present day could learn a useful lesson
from the history of one hundred years ago.

The early inhabitants of the town were evidently possessed of a strono"
national feeling, and were as zealous for establishin2: fin American Govern-
ment as they were sensitive to any encroachments upon their "inalienable
rights and privileges" by the English Government.

On the 9th of January, 1778, they voted: "That the Confederation and
perpetual union proposed by Congress is approved of by this town and that it
is left with our representative to join in any alteration which may appear to
him, when the matter shall be more fully discussed, to be necessary or for the
better."

In the same year it was proposed that the House of Representatives form a
Constitution for the State. The town opposed the proposition, but voted
"that a State Congress, chosen for the sole purpose of forming a Constitution of
Government is, in the opinion of this town, more eligible than a House of
Representatives." They, therefore, instructed their representative to use his
"influence for convening such a Congress for the forming a Plan of Govern-
ment, to be laid before the people for their inspection, approbation, rejection
or amendment."

When the Constitution was submitted to them it was fully discussed, article
by article, in town meeting ; portions of it were assigned to dificrent committees
more fully to consider and report upon; finally, parts were rejected, parts
approved, and to other parts amendments were suggested. When the Federal
Constitution was proposed it received a like careful consideration. These men
clearly felt that they had duties to perform as well as rights to enjoy, and if
they would have a good government that they must contribute to the extent of
their ability and influence to make it good.

From the adoption of the Federal Constitution to the declaration of war with
England, in 1812, there is nothing in the lown records of special interest.
Laying out and constructing highways, and locating and buikling school-houses,
were matters receiving considerable attention during this time.

The war of 1812 did not commend itself to the judgment, nor did the alliance
with France, then advocated, approve itself to the conscience of the town. In
the last-mentioned year a town meeting was called for July 10. The warnint
prescribed the following' business : —

164 TOWN OF OAKHAM.

" I. For the town to express their minds respecting the present declaration of War
against Great Brittain, or pass any votes thereon.

" II. To see if the town will express an abhorrence of an alliance with France."

The record of the meeting says : —

" I. Voted against a war under existtvg circumstances. Also, voted to choose a
committee of nine lo circulate a memorial for peace and that Rev. Danl Tomlinson,
Doct. Seth Fobes and W". Crawford be a committee to draw ui) the memorial.

*' II. Voted against any alliance with France."

The alliance was not made, but the war Avent on notwithstandinir the vote of
tbc town ; and two years later, when it threatened JMassachusetts, Capt. (after-
ward Gen.) William Crawford, member of the committee to prepare the
memorial for peace, led a company from Oakham and New Braintrce to
Boston, to take part in the defence of that city against an expected attack.
The company remained in the service at Boston for fifty-seven days, when, the
danger being over, they were discharged.

In the late civil war Oakham furnished one hundred and two men for the
Union army, which number, according to the report of Adjt. Gen. Schouler,
was twelve more than her quota on all calls. The town appropriated and
expended on account of this war, exclusive of State aid to the families of
soldiers, the sum of $10,807.58.

CHAPTER II.

POPULATION AND STATISTICS — PUBLIC BUILDINGS — RELIGIOUS HISTORY — AN

OLD - FASHIONED ORDINATION — SABBATH - SCHOOL EDUCATIONAL FEATURES

APPROPRIATIONS — COLLEGIATE AND EMINENT MEN.

The population of the town at various times has been as follows : In 177G,
598; 1790, 772; 1800, 801; 1820, 98G ; 1840, 1,038; 18G0, 959; 1870,
800; 1875, 873. Of the population in 1875, seventy-six Avero foreign-
born, and seven hundred and ninety-seven natives. The number of families
was two hundred and nineteen, and the number of voters two hundred
and twenty-two. The chief occupation of the people is agriculture. There
are in the town one hundred and thirty-two farms, of an average of ninety-one
acres each. The whole number of dwelling-houses in the town is one hundred
and eighty-five. The valuation of the town, $354,742. The value of farm
products for the year 1875 was $99,478. The value of manufactured products
for the same year was $47,831. The principal manufactures are sieves and
lumber. A few men are employed in nraking boots and shoes, obtaining their
work from the manufacturers of North Brookfield and Spencer.

There are in the town two water saw-mills, two grist-mills, one manufactory

ECCLESIASTICAL NOTES. 165

of sieves, one of baskets and one of plows. Each of these industries gives
employment to a few men. There are also two blacksmith shops, one carriage
shop, one iniichine shop, and one harness shop.

The public l»uildings include one church (Congregational), six school-
houses and one town hall. jNIemorial Hall, built by the town in 1874, is two
stories in height. In the first story are two large and commodious school-
rooms, tittcd up and furnished in the most approved style. In the second
story is the town hall, in which arc placed mural tablets engraved with the
names of the soldiers of the town who lost their lives in the war of the
Ecbellion. The people are justly proud of this building.

The ecclesiastical history of the town for the first fifty years is closely inter-
woven with its political history.

The town was the parish. It paid the minister by a tax upon all the property.
It built and owned the meetlii2i;-house. The selectmen were often the com-
mittee to supply the pulpit. Church polity and the qualifications of ministers
were sul)jects often warmly discussed in town meeting. For the first nine
years of the settlement there is no record of religious services on the Sabbath,
but as soon as the settlers were formed into a separate precinct in 1759, they
m;ide arrangements for preaching at private houses for two or three months
each year.

A Presbyterian church of about thirty members was organized Aug. 28,
1767.

There is a tradition that there was great embarrassment because of the
habits and character of some of the proposed members. Objections were made
to some that they tarried too long at their cups, to others that their language
sometimes bordered too closely upon profanity, and it appeared for awhile as
if no one could be found worthy of membership. At last a Scotchman
exclaimed, " Weel, if the Laard wants a church in Oakham, he must tak' thera
such as they be." This church lived a precarious life until 1783, when it dis-
banded, the town having voted "that the church should be under the Congre-
gational constitution or government." The first minister ever settled in the
town was the He v. John Strickland. He was installed over the Presbyterian
church, Aug. 28, 1766.

The town voted him £133 Qs. Sd. for a settlement, and for a salary £60 the
first year, £63 (Is. Sd. the second year, and £Q() 13s. 4:d. annually thereafter so
lon£? as he should remain their minister. He sent his resignation to the town
June 2, 1773, which was accepted on the same day.

Upon Mr. Strickland's resiojnation a Conj^reirational church was orcranized.
The recoid of the organization gives only the names of the male members, six-
teen in number. Jesse Allen and Jonathan BuUard were chosen deacons.
This church has continued to the present time, and is the only church in the
town. It now has about two hundred members.

For thirteen years from its organization the church had no pastor. July 3,

166 TOWN OF OAKHAM.

1778, a call was extended to Rev. Baruch Beckwith. The town offered him
£150 for a settlement, and an annual salary of £GG 13s. Ad. ever afterwards,
more or less in proportion as good merchantable Indian corn brings 3.s\ per
bushel ; rye, 4s. ; best quality of pork, 4tZ. per pound, and best grass fed beef,
3d. per pound. Mr. Beckwith declined. Rev. John Davenport, Rev. Solomon
Walcott and Rev. Daniel Farrington were severally invited to settle, but
declined.

In 1779 a controversy arose in the town respecting the baptizing of children
whose parents were not members of the church.

In town meeting it was " voted that the town is willing to settle a minister
if they can find one that is suitaV)le. Also that they will settle a minister
although he does not baptize for those who do not belong to the church, 37 for
settling in that way and 24 not for settling that way."

On the 3d of April, 178G, the town and church concurred in calling the Rev.
Daniel Tomlinson to be the minister of the town and pastor of the church. He
was offered £200 for a settlement, and a salary of £G0 the first year, £70 the
second, and £80 annually thereafter.

Mr. Tomlinson having accepted the call, a town meeting was held on the
18th of May to appoint a day and make all necessary arrangements for his
ordination. The twent^'-second day of June was fixed upon as the time.
Numerous committees were chosen, one "to provide for ye Council," one
" to secure ye meeting-house from being in danger of being damaged on ye
day of ordination."

Another committee was "to keep order in ye meeting-house on said day of
ordination, and provide seats for ye Council." And still another was "to seat
ye singers."

The town also voted £15 to defray the necessary expenses. In the expenses
paid by the town were these items : — "For entertaining the Council, 85 meals,
liquor included, £6 16s. dd. ; for wine and lemons for the ordination, £2 5s. 6i."

The "liquor included" and the "wine and lemons" indicate the drinking
customs of the times. Several members of the Council lived to see a reform
of those customs, and themselves became, both by example and precept, the
earnest advocates of total abstinence.

ISIr. Tomlinson at the time of his ordination was twenty-seven 3'ears of age.
He was born in Derby, Conn., graduated at Yale College, and studied theology
with the eminent Doctor Backus. He remained as sole pastor until 1828, and
as senior pastor until his death, fourteen years later. His ministry was most
successful ; under his pastorate the church largely increased in numbers and in
beneficent work. Of him his successor said : " He was a sound theologian —
a man of great faith and prayer, and mighty in the Scriptures." Thoroughl}'
loved and respected, he died Oct. 29, 1842, and was buried within the shadow
of the church which for more than fifty-six years he had faithfully served.

In 1829 Rev. Asa Hixou was settled over the church, but after preaching

SCHOOL MATTERS. 1G7

about three months, he was compelled od accouut of feeble health to resign and
leave town.

In 1832 Rev. James Kimball became pastor of the church, and filled the office
for twenty-eight years. IIis health failing, he resigned in the autumn of 18G0,
and died in the following March, in the sixty-fourth year of his age. His
ministry, like that of Mr. Tomlinson, was most successful. At the time of his
retirement the church numbered two hundred and twenty-three members.

A man of great piety and exceeding gentleness, abounding in charity and
sj'mpathy, remarkable for the wisd(jm of his judgment, respected, confided in
and loved by old and young alike, ]Mr. Kimball was a faithful minister, a
tender shepherd, a safe counsellor, and by his life a most persuasive preacher.
Happy the church with such a pastor, and the youth of a community with such
a iruidc.

Of these two men, Mr. Tomlinson and Mr. Kimball, it has been truthfully
said : " More enduring than monuments of brass or marble are the monuments
which they have built for themselves in the characters and lives of the people
of Oakham."

In December, 18G0, Rev. F. N. Pelonbet became pastor of the church, and
remained until the summer of 186G, when he was succeeded by Rev. J. C.
Halliday, who, in 1871, was succeeded by Rev. Alpha Morton, who still occu-
pies the place.

Jesse Allen, who was chosen deacon upon the organization of the church in
1773, held that office until his death in 181G, when his son, the late Hon.
James Allen was elected, and held the place until his death in 1870, when he
was succeeded by his son, a present incumbent.

The officers of the church at the present time are Rev. Alpha Morton,
pastor; James Packard, Jesse Allen and Horace W. Lincoln, deacons.

In 1832 a Methodist church was organized, but becoming w^eak in jmmbers,
it finally disbanded, most of its meml)ers joining the Congregationalists.

In 1818 a Sabbath school was organized in connection with the Congregational
church. Dea. James Allen was the fir^t superintendent, and filled that office
for more than forty years. He was succeeded by Dea. James Packard for
eighteen years, and he in 1878 by Dea. Jesse Allen. The school now numbers
two hundred members.

The citizens of Oakham have always manifested a commendable interest in
the cause of public education. Liberal appropriations have been made annually
for schools, and conscientiously expended. In 17G2 the town voted £10 for
schooling ; in 1780, £30 ; in 1835, $500 ; in 18G5, $1,000. In 1780, £1 2s. M.
per month and board was paid to male teachers, and 4s. per month to female
teachers.

The teachers "boarded around." In 17G9 the town was divided into five
"school-plots," and each plot required to build a "decent school-house."

In 1787 Rev. Mr. Tomlinson was chosen inspector of schools, and in 1798

168 TOWN OF OAKHAM.

three men were chosen "to assist in examining school musters and inspecting
schools."

The town now supports six schools for twenty-six weeks in the year, afTord-
ing reasonable opportunities for all the youth of the town to acquire a fair
education. The schools have generally been of a high standard of excellence,
and the pupils have had a deservedly good reputation for scholarship.

Since 1833 a select school has been taught in the autumn of nearly every
year, with an attendance varying from twenty to seventy. It has been of incal-
culable benefit to the town.

Twenty-nine men from the town have received a liberal education at American
colleges and professional schools, and have adorned the [)rofessions which they
have chosen. Several others have been influential in the counsels of the State
and the nation, yet the chief glory and pride of the town is, not in her few
sons who have attained eminence, but in the many true hearts and sound heads
that have gone from her common schools to the common vocations of life.

INDIAN PURCHASE. 1C9

OXFORD.

BY GEORGE A. STOCKWELL, A. M.

CHAPTER I.*

THE NIPMUCK COUNTRY — THE FIRST GRANT — SETTLEMENT OF THE HUGUENOTS
INCURSION OF THE INDIANS, AND FLIGHT OF THE INHABITANTS.

The Indian name of Oxford was Manchar<;e or Mancbaiiof. The native
inhabitants formed a l)ranch of the Nipmuck tribe, and were nnder the chief-
tainship of Black James of Chaubiinagiingamaug, now Wel)ster. The first that
was known of this branch of the Kipmucks was throngh the visit of the Indian
apostle, Eliot, and Daniel Gookin, in 1G74. This scltlement then consisted of
about twelve lamilies, or sixty souls. Its members had made some progress in
agricultiire, were peaceful and docile, received the Bible from Eliot, and
formed what was called one of the "New Praying Towns." In Philip's war,
this tribe proved treacherous to the English, joined Philip, and was nearly
destroyed.

In May, 1681, William Stoughton and Joseph Dudley were appointed by
the General Court to treat with the Indian owners for a tract of land lying in
the Nipmuck country, and in May, 1682, these agents received of Waban,
Pyambobo and others, "Indian natives, and natural descendants of the ancient
proprietors and inhabitants of the Nipmuck country," in consideration of fifty
pounds and a black coat for Black James, a deed of all that part of the Nip-
muck country lying beyond the great river called Kuttatuck or Nipmuck, now
known as the Blackstone. Nearly in the ce