HISTORICAL SKETCHES 
 
 RELATING TO 
 
 SPENCER, MASS. 
 
 HENRY M. TOWER. 
 
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UNIVERSITY OF MASSACHUSETTS 
 AT AMHERST 
 
 UNIVERSITY LIBRARY 
 
 Special Collections & Rare Books 
 
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HISTORICAL SKETCHES 
 
 RELATING TO 
 
 SPENCER, MASS., 
 
 BY 
 
 HENRY M. TOWER. 
 
 VOLUME 
 
 I 90 I. 
 
 SPENCER, MASS., 
 W. J. HEFFERKAX — SPENCER LEADER PRINT. 
 
" I shall pass through this world but once — therefore if 
 there be any good I can do, let me do it now, for I shall never 
 come this way again. — Quaker Saving . 
 
S "■■«: - 
 
 *» %^X 
 
 HEXKY M. TOWER. 
 Born in Spencer, July 23, 1^(7. 
 
PREFACE. 
 
 Some things are said to happen. If this be true, it can be so 
 said of this book. It is one of those incidents in life that come 
 without predetermination. I had been chosen by the committee 
 in charge to write the Samuel Bemis historical address and had 
 gathered more material of value than could well be utilized in a 
 paper of an hour's length. It was then suggested that the whole be 
 published in book form and this appearing to be desirable, the idea 
 took definite form, being extended, however, to include other his- 
 torical papers. 
 
 Spencer, Mass., Oct., 1901. 
 
RECORDS CONSULTED. 
 
 Hatton's Emigrants, 1600 to 1700. 
 
 Early Massachusetts marriages. 
 
 Bemis Family in America. 
 
 Newhall's "Record of my Ancestry." 
 
 Histories of Spencer, Brookfield, Leicester, Lancaster, Charl- 
 ton, Oxford, Worcester, Watertown, Sudbury, Marlboro, Fram- 
 ingham, Ipswich, Harvard, Rutland and Shirley. 
 
 Records at Essex Institute, Salem. 
 
 Records at Genealogical Rooms, Boston. 
 
 Records at State House, Boston. 
 
 County Records at Springfield, Worcester, Cambridge and 
 Salem. 
 
 Town Records of Spencer, Leicester, Brookfield, Watertown, 
 Ipswich and Topsfield, besides church and other records, from all 
 of which some items of interest have been gleaned. 
 
NATHANIEL WOOD. 
 
 Who he was is a mystery no longer. Since the publication of 
 the first edition of Draper's history sixty years ago and presuma- 
 bly years before that, many wanted to know more than that work 
 contains concerning the mysterious first settler in Spencer, the 
 man who came, no one knew from whence, who tarried no one 
 knew how long, who disappeared like the Arab that "folded his 
 tent and stole silently away," no one knew whither. He was our 
 Melchisedek; the man who appeared to have had neither beginning 
 nor ending of days So far as local information was obtainable. 
 James Draper occupied a pre-eminent position to gather the facts, 
 for he knew men whose fathers were contemporaries with this, the 
 first settler. The knowledge he obtained, however, was meagre, 
 too meagre indeed to be the satisfactory sum total of information 
 desired. And so it has remained for one of a later generation to 
 institute a persistent search among the records of the past in order 
 to find out if possible who this man was. 
 
 Records Found. 
 
 The search has proved to be successful. Many records, 
 though widely scattered, have been found which reveal the iden- 
 tity of the man, and these are herewith largely reproduced. One 
 very interesting point brought out is his participation in the Nar- 
 ragansett fort fight, one of the most noted battles in Indian war- 
 fare, and which resulted in the total destruction of their fort and 
 practically the annihilation of the Narragansett tribe. And now 
 when the history of Spencer shall be rewritten, as it should be be- 
 fore many years, Nathaniel Wood will appear therein not as a 
 stranger but a man whom we know about and honor as the very 
 first white man to settle in Spencer and who acted well his part in 
 the great drama of the establishment in America of a nation based 
 on the eternal principles of Justice. 
 
HISTORY OF NATHANIEL WOOD. 
 
 The first white man known to have settled in that part ot 
 Leicester now called Spencer was Nathaniel Wood of Ipswich and 
 Draper's History names 17 17 as the date. It is possible that some 
 white man or men, made at an earlier date the clearing on Bare 
 Hill, lot 64, noted by the first pioneers ot record, but if such was 
 the case there is no clue whence they came or whither they went. 
 It is known, however, that the Indians had a burial ground about 
 a half mile south east of this hill and this would indicate their 
 continued presence in considerable numbers in that vicinity. It is 
 also known that they had an annual burning over of their upland 
 hunting grounds for the purpose of keeping down the brush and 
 to facilitate travel when in search of game. They also were tillers 
 of the soil to a limited extent, and these facts lead up to the con- 
 clusion that they may have made the clearing on Bare Hill, but 
 all that is now positively known in regard to the same is that the 
 hill was in shape for cultivation when the first settlers came, while 
 all the other upland in town was covered with the forest primeval. 
 
 His Brookfield Land. 
 
 The first indication we have that Nathaniel Wood had an 
 interest in this section is from a vote taken "at a meeting of the 
 committee for Brookfield, November ye 22nd, 17 15" when it was 
 " granted at ye same time to Nathaniel Wood forty acres of upland 
 and twenty of meadow and in case he finds no meadow to have 
 upland equivalent as others have." Later records disclose the 
 information that he selected the forty acres of upland adjoining the 
 Leicester line with the Seven Mile river as its southern boundary 
 and that from this stream his land extended north 165 rods, wilh 
 36 rods as the average width. The next we hear of Mr. Wood in 
 the order of time is his purchase of 100 acres of land in Leicester 
 adjoining the Brookfield grant and his settlement on the same. 
 Presumably this was in the summer of 1717, since prior to that time 
 he could have obtained no title to the land, as will appear from the 
 following: 
 
 On June 6, 17 17, the proprietors owning the undivided land 
 in what is now Spencer, met in Boston and proceeded to draw lots 
 
SKETCHES OF SPENCER HISTORY. 
 
 of the northern half of the territory according to a plan, a tran- 
 script of which can be found in Draper's History. The two lots 
 29 and 36 adjoining each other, containing five hundred acres and 
 whose western boundary was the Brookfield town line, were drawn 
 by Paul Dudley, Esq., who thus became the first individual white 
 owner. 
 
 PAUI« DUDLEY, ESQ. Son of Joseph Dudley, Governor of the Province of 
 
 Massachusetts Bay from 1 701 to 1716. He graduated in 1690 from 
 
 Harvard College at the head of his class; was Attorney General 
 
 in 1702 and later Chief Justice of the Supreme Court 
 
 His Leicester Land. 
 
 Nathaniel Wood purchased the Western end of lot 36, having 
 the Seven Mile river as its southern boundary. His line on the 
 east is now the site of an ancient stone wall, built probably by- 
 Samuel Bemis, as all the stone used appear to have been taken 
 from his land. This wall was laid parallel to the Brookfield line 
 of 1 7 14 and was designed to run due north and south. It is on 
 the western slope of Bemis hill east of the present residence and 
 brickyard of Cyril Coron. Brookfield, being dissatisfied with the 
 
NATHANIEL WOOD. 
 
 survey ol 17 14, her selectmen in 17 19 caused another line to be 
 run which later was established by order of court. This new line 
 took 17 acres off the Wood farm, supposed to have been in Leices- 
 ter and added it to his Brookfield land. The line as finally es- 
 tablished crosses the Brookfield road near Wood's brook at the 
 foot of the hill east of the Howland farm buildings. From here 
 the land of Mr. Wood extended west about 58 rods, thus including 
 nearly if not all the home farm now occupied by Lewis D. How- 
 land. 
 
 His Ancestry. 
 
 Nathaniel Wood now being settled in Leicester, it may be well 
 to inquire who he was. His father was Obadiah Wood, who set- 
 tled in Ipswich in 1649 and probably came from England. The 
 name of the first wife of Obadiah was Margaret. She died July 5, 
 1667. His second wife had a singular name as will be noted by 
 the following inscription on her headstone at Ipswich, "Hazelel- 
 pony Wood, widow of Obadiah Wood died November ye 27, 17 14. 
 Aged 78 years. Wright blessed are ye dead who die in ye Lord." 
 Obadiah Wood was a baker by trade and had a license to sell 
 cakes and penny beer. He made his will Oct. 26, 169). and left 
 an estate of 185 pounds, of which amount Nathaniel was willed 
 twenty shillings. His seal was a coat of arms. His children, 
 probably all by his first wife, were Obadiah, Nathaniel, Josiah, 
 Samuel, James, Joseph, Elizabeth, Mary, Susannah, Margaret and 
 Ruth. 
 
 His Children. 
 
 Nathaniel was probably born about the year 1657. He mar- 
 ried Lucy , who was admitted to the Topsfield church and 
 
 baptized April 30, 1693. Their children were: 
 
 f Nathaniel Jr., born May 7, 1693. 
 
 Lucy Wood her Nath'ljr., baptized Sept. 3, 1693. 
 Obadiah, Nov. 1, 1696. 
 
 Lucy, 
 
 " Margaret, baptized Oct. 26, 1701. 
 Goodwife " " Abigail, baptized Nov. 5, 
 Hepzibath, born July 24, 
 Lucy '* " baptized Sept. — , 
 
 Mary, baptized July 18, 
 his Zeruah, baptized June 18, 
 
 By 
 
 whom 
 presented 
 for 
 baptism. 
 
 1704. 
 
 1707. 
 
 1707. 
 
 1708. 
 I, Nathaniel ' his Zeruah, baptized June 18, 17 10. 
 From the above it appears probable that when Nathaniel 
 Wood came to Leicester, his family consisted of himself, aged 60; 
 his wife; Nathaniel Jr., aged 24; Ruth, .18; ]Vlargar.et, 16; Abigail, 
 14; Hepzibath, 10; Mary, 9, and Zeruah, 7 years of age. No 
 record has been obtained of his son, Obadiah, other than that of 
 his baptism, and it is presumed he died in childhood. 
 
SKETCHES OF SPENCER HISTORY. 
 
 Comes Near Losing His Brookfield Land. 
 
 In 1720 he seems to have been on the point of losing his 
 Brookfield property because he had failed to meet the conditions of 
 the grant which is stated in the records of a meeting of the town 
 committee: "Sept. ye 14th, 17 13" when "the committee then 
 agreed that all grants of land hereafter made shall be upon the con- 
 ditions following, viz: 
 
 1st. That they shall work upon ye land granted within six 
 months from ye grant in order to a settlement 
 
 2nd. That they shall come and live upon it within a year 
 from the grant. 
 
 3d That they shall live upon it three years commencing 
 from the grant 
 
 4th That in case the grantees fail in any of ye particu- 
 lars of articles aforesaid then the grants to revert to ye town again " 
 
 Admitting his failure to comply with the conditions, Nathan- 
 iel Wood appeals to the voters of Brookfield in open town meeting 
 for a renewal of the grant which meets with favor, although he is 
 deprived of his opportunity to secure meadow land as the record 
 reveals. 
 
 Brookfield, Dec ye first, 1720 Whereas, Nathaniel Wood 
 had a grant made bv the former committee bearing date November 
 ye 22d, 1 7 15, and said Wood not fulfilling e conditions of said grant 
 as of record but falling short, but having paid some money towards 
 ye publick charges of this town, we do at a legal town meeting grant 
 to said Nathaniel Wood fortv acres of land; he ve said Wood aquit- 
 ing his former grant and not else and for the confirmation whereof 
 I do set my hand this first day of December, 1720. 
 
 In presence of us, witnesses: /7? /jS* ' /* WL.2w) 
 
 Tiixy mirick, VLcLfyLoJUcL <woxxj 
 
 Phiup Goss. 
 Attest, JOSEPH JENNINGS, Moderator. 
 
 To this agreement Nathaniel Wood signed his name, but in 
 all subsequent documents thus far discovered to which his name is 
 affixed, his mark appears, thus indicating impaired eyesight or 
 other physical infirmity. 
 
 Moves to Brookfield. 
 
 Since the terms of his Brookfield grant demanded that the 
 soil be occupied within one year from the date of confirmation, it 
 is fair to assume that Nathaniel Wood moved from Leicester in the 
 fall of 1721, and became with the exception of being a voter, what 
 all along he practically had been, a citizen of Brookfield. This 
 conclusion is reached because although living in Leicester, he 
 never paid any taxes to that town but did at some time during 
 those years pay taxes to Brookfield. Again he likely would have 
 
NATHANIEL WOOD. II 
 
 been taxed in Leicester if the improvements made on his Leices- 
 ter farm had been of sufficient value to have taken his property 
 out of its probable classification as wild land, and hence untaxa- 
 ble. On the 29th of Sept. 1721, we find him deeding away his 
 Leicester land to his children as will be seen by the following 
 record : 
 
 Sells His Land in Leicester. 
 
 "Know all men by these presents, that I, Nathaniel Wood of 
 Leicester in the County of Middlesex in the Province of the Massa- 
 chusetts Bay in New England, do for and in Consideration of a 
 valuable sum to me in hand paid by my son, Nathaniel Junior, and 
 for a valuable sum paid to me in hand by my daughters Ruth. Mar- 
 garet, Abigail, Hepzibath and Zer ia Wood, bargain, sell, alien and 
 do by these presents bargain, sell and confirm unto my aforesaid 
 son, Nathaniel W r ood Ju lior, and my aforesaid daughters all my 
 land lying in Leicester aforesaid excepting my wife's thirds which 
 I reserve for her life time which is also by these presents after her 
 dese e sold as the other is now, the one half to my son Nathaniel 
 Wood Junior of Leicester aforesaid and the other half to my daugh- 
 ters aforementioned as it lyeth on both sides the Count}' Road which 
 goeth to Brookfield, and joyning to Brookfield township line 
 Westwardly, to have and to hold Peaceably and Quietly to Enjoy 
 with the Profit, Privileges and appurtenances, ways and easements " 
 29 Sept 1721. 
 
 On the 30th of December, 1725, he again deeds his Leicester 
 land to his children by a document which is substantially a copy 
 of his deed of 1721 ; for what reason is not known. 
 
 In the Narragansett War. 
 
 From records which follow it appears that Nathaniel Wood 
 was a soldier in the Colonial War against the Narragansett Indians 
 in 1675, and in 1728, fifty-three years after the final battle, the 
 colony of Massachusetts Bay fulfilled the agreement made to the 
 soldiers in that war, when before marching to the front they were 
 promised on the plains at Dedham in behalf of the Massachusetts 
 Council that " if they played the man, took the fort and drove the 
 enemy out of the Narragansett country, which was their seat, 
 they should have a gratuity beside their wages." This gratuity 
 took the form of a gift of land in what was then called Narragan- 
 sett Township No. 3 and was located in what is now the town of 
 Amherst, New Hampshire. This grant does not appear to have 
 been of very great value as records later "show that in 1736 a one- 
 fourth interest in this tract was sold for $15.25. This was indeed 
 tardy justice, for a majority of those who served in that war were 
 already dead and past need of recompense. In order to bring vividly 
 before the mind the danger and hardships of the soldiers during 
 that sanguinary conflict and to illustrate the value of their services 
 in securing peace and safety to the white settlements, the story ot 
 the campaign is herewith annexed : 
 
NATHANIEL WOOD. I 3 
 
 Preparing for the Conflict. 
 
 This war, which lasted three years, began in 1675, the first 
 troops being levied on June 24 of that year, when the news of the 
 attack of the Indians on Swansea reached Boston. Rev. Geo. 
 M. Bodge refers to the preparation as follows: "After 
 their somewhat disastrous campaign of the early autumn 
 of 1675 in the western part ol the colony of Massachusetts, 
 the United Colonies, upon information that the hostile In- 
 dians with Philip were retiring towards the south and to 
 winter quarters among the Narragansetts, determined to carry 
 the war against this powerful tribe, who for some time had 
 shown themselves actively hostile. The veteran troops were 
 recalled and reorganized; small towns in various parts of the colo- 
 nies were garrisoned, and an army of one thousand men was 
 equipped for the winter campaign. General Josiah Winslow, 
 Governor of Plymouth Colony, was appointed commander-in-chief 
 of the army; Major Samuel Appleton to the command of the Massa- 
 chusetts regiment, Major William Bradford that of Plymouth, and 
 Major Robert Treat that of Connecticut. War was formally de- 
 clared against the Narragansetts on the 2d of November, 1675, in 
 a meeting of the United Colonies held at Boston that day." 
 
 Promise on the Plains of Dedham. 
 
 General Winslow assumed command of the Massachusetts 
 forces Dec. 9, 1675; they were drawn up on Dedham Plain, where 
 they were formally delivered to him by Major- General Davison. 
 To the soldiers a proclamation was made at the time on the part ol 
 the Massachusetts Council, that ' if they played the man, took the 
 fort, and drove the enemy out of the Narragansett country, which 
 was their seat, that they should have a gratuity besides their 
 wages." On the afternoon of the same day they marched 
 twenty-seven miles to Woodcock's garrison, now Attleboro. 
 In the evening of Friday, Dec. io, they arrived at Seekonk. 
 From there a portion of the command proceeded by water, the first 
 of the troops " ferried over the water at Providence," and proba- 
 bly formed a junction with the main part of the Plymouth regiment 
 at Providence on the 11th. On the 12th the troops crossed the 
 Pawtuxet river, and reached Wickford on the 13th, where those 
 who had gone by water from Seekonk had already arrived; that 
 day one of the companies captured 36 Indians. At Wickford there 
 was a garrison house, and on the 14th the whole command, 
 excepting one company which was left behind to keep the garri- 
 son, moved through the neighboring country to the westward, 
 w 7 here they burned the village of the sachem, Ahmus, destroy- 
 ing 150 wigwams, killing 7, and capturing 9 Indians. Scouting 
 
14 SKETCHES OE SPENCER HISTORY. 
 
 in the vicinity was continued with more or less effect on the fol- 
 lowing day. The country through which the troops passed seems 
 to have been pretty thoroughly scouted by the detachments from 
 the main command as it moved, so that on the 15th they had cap- 
 tured or killed 50 persons, and had at that time 40 prisoners. 
 Two days later 47 captives were disposed of. On the 18th the 
 march was resumed, a small garrison remaining as a guard to the 
 supplies at Wickford, and the troops reached Pettiquamscot in the 
 evening, where they found the Connecticut troops, who had pre- 
 ceded them; these troops consisted of about 300 Englishmen and 
 150 Mohegan Indians. Here the strong stone garrison house, 
 which they had hoped to occupy, was in ruins, having been re- 
 cently destroyed by the Indians; a fact which had been discovered 
 the day before by Capt. Prentice, who hid scouted the country in 
 that direction by his cavalry troop. This was a great disappoint- 
 ment, and increased the hardship they had to endure. In a severe 
 snow storm, the whole force of about one thousand men encamped 
 in an open field through an intensely cold night. On Sunday morn- 
 ing, Dec. 1 g, before daybreak, the whole force marched toward 
 the enemy's stronghold, wading through the snow fourteen or fif- 
 teen inches deep. 
 
 The Narragansett Fort Fight. 
 
 An account of the battle was given by Rev. Geo. M. Bodge 
 in the N. E. Historical and Genealogical Register for January, 
 1886, as follows : 
 
 "About r o'clock p. m. the army came upon the enemy at the 
 edge of the swamp, in the midst of which the Indian fortress was 
 built, the Massachusetts troops leading in the march, Plymouth 
 next, and Connecticut bringing up the rear. Of the Massachu- 
 setts troops, Captains Mosely and Davenport led the van and came 
 first upon the Indians, and immediately opened fire on them — thus 
 in the beginning gaining the important advantage of the first fire, 
 which the Indians had almost always gained and made so deadly 
 by deliberate volleys from ambush, as they doubtless purposed 
 now. The Indians returned the fire with an ineffectual volley, 
 and then fled into the swamp closely followed by the foremost com- 
 panies, who did not wait for the word of command, or stand upon 
 the ' order of their going,' until they reached the fortifications 
 within which the Indians hastily betook themselves. This fort 
 was situated on an island of five or six acres in the midst of a cedar 
 swamp, which was impassable except to the Indians by their 
 accustomed paths, and now made passable only by the severe cold 
 of the previous day and night. It is probable that the Indians 
 depended principally on this swamp to protect them, though their 
 defenses are described as having been enclosed, and from a careful 
 
NATHANIEL WOOD. 15 
 
 comparison of the most reliable accounts, it seems that the fortifi- 
 cations were well planned, probably by an Englishman, Joshua 
 Teffe, or Tift, as Mr. Dudley calls him. Mr. Hubbard says: 
 'The Fort was raised upon a kind of island of five or six acres of 
 rising laud in the midst of a swamp; the sides of it were made of 
 Palsadoes set upright, which was compassed about with a hedge 
 almost a rod in thickness.' 
 
 How the Fort Was Made. 
 
 "A contemporaneous writer (whose account was published 
 in London, and is reprinted in Drake's publication called the ' Old 
 Indian Chronicle') says: 'In the midst of the swamp was a piece 
 of firm land, of about three or four acres, whereon the Indians had 
 built a kind of a fort, being palisaded round, and within that a clay 
 wall, as also felled down an abundance of trees to lay quite round 
 the said fort, but they had not quite finished their work.' It is evi- 
 dent from these, the only detailed accounts, and from some casual 
 references, that the works were rude and incomplete, but would 
 have been almost impregnable to our troops had not the swamp 
 been frozen. At the corners and exposed portions rude block- 
 houses and flankers had been built, from which a raking fire could 
 be poured upon an attacking force. Either by chance, or by the 
 skill of Peter, their Indian guide, the English seem to have come 
 upon a point of the fort where the Indians did not expect them. 
 Mr. Church, in relating the circumstances of Capt. Gardiner's 
 death, says that he was shot from that side ' next the upland where 
 the English entered the swamp.' The place where he fell was at 
 the 'east end of the fort.' The tradition that the English ap- 
 proached the swamp by the rising land in front of the ' Judge Mer- 
 chant ' house, thus seems confirmed. This 'upland' lies about 
 north of the battlefield. 
 
 Pursuing the Enemy. 
 
 " Our van pursued those of the enemy who first met them so 
 closely that they were led straight to the entrance used by the 
 Indians themselves, perhaps more by their design then to attract at- 
 tention from an exposed part of their works a short distance away. 
 The passage left by the Indians, for their own use, as before men- 
 tioned, was by a long tree over a ' place of water,' across which 
 but one man could pass at a time, and which ' was so waylaid that 
 they would have been cut off had they ventured.' Mr. Hubbard 
 counts among the fortunate circumstances of that day that the 
 troops did not attempt to carry this point a little farther on. This 
 was at a corner of the fort where was a large unfinished gap, where 
 neither palisades nor abatis, or ' hedge,' had been placed, only that 
 
l6 SKETCHES OF SPENCER HISTORY. 
 
 the block house opposite this gap and the flankers at the sides were 
 finished, from which a galling fire might sweep and enfilade the 
 passage. 
 
 Two Captains Slain. 
 
 "It is said that the companies of Captains Davenport and 
 Johnson came first to the place, and at once charged through the 
 gap and along the log at the head of their companies, but Johuson 
 fell dead on the log, and Davenport a little within the fort, and 
 their men were met by so fierce a fire that they were forced to 
 retire again and fall upon their faces to avoid the fury of the mus- 
 ketry until it should somewhat abate. Mosely and Gardiner, 
 pressed to their assistance, met a similar reception, losing heavily, 
 till they too fell back with the others, until Major Appleton com- 
 ing up with his own and Capt. Oliver's men, massed his entire 
 force as a storming column, and it is said that the shout of one of 
 the commanders that the Indians were running, so inspired the 
 soldiers that they made an impetuous assault, carried the entrance 
 again, beat the enemy trom one of his flankers at the leit, which 
 afforded them a temporary shelter from the Indians still holding 
 the block house opposite the entrance. In the meantime, the gen- 
 eral, holding the Plymouth forces in reserve, pushed forward the 
 Connecticut troops, who, not being aware of the danger from the 
 block house, suffered fearfully at their first entrance, but charged 
 forward gallantly, though some of their brave officers and many of 
 their comrades lay dead behind them, and unknown numbers and 
 dangers before. The forces now joining beat the enemy step by 
 step, and with fierce fighting, out ol their block houses and vari- 
 ous fortifications. 
 
 Five Hundred Wigwams Burned. 
 
 " Man}' of the Indians driven from their works fled outside, some 
 doubtless to the wigwams inside, of which there were saic to be up- 
 wards of five hundred, many of them large and rendered bullet- 
 proof by large quantities of grain in tubs and bags placed along 
 the sides. In these many of their old people and their women and 
 children had gathered for safety, and behind and within these 
 as defences the Indians still kept up a skulking fight, picking off 
 our men. After three hours' hard fighting, with many of the offi- 
 cers and men wounded or dead, a treacherous enemy of unknown 
 numbers and resources lurking in the surrounding forests, and the 
 night coming on, word came to fire the wigwams, and the battle 
 became a fearful holocaust, great numbers of those who had taken 
 refuge there being burned. 
 
 Dreadful Carnage. 
 
 "There had been dreadful carnage in proportion to the num- 
 bers engaged. It is not certain at just what point the Plymouth 
 
NATHANIEL WOOD I 7 
 
 forces were pushed forward, but most likely after the works were 
 carried, and the foremost, exhausted, retired for a time bearing 
 their dead and wounded to the rear; but we are assured that all 
 took part in the engagement, coming on in turn as needed. It is 
 doubtful if the cavalry crossed the swamp, but were held in reserve 
 and as scouts to cover the rear and prevent surprise from any out- 
 side parties. 
 
 " When now the fortress was burning and destruction assured 
 our soldiers hastily gathered their wounded and as many as possi- 
 ble of their dead, and formed their shattered column for the long 
 and weary march back to Wickford. 
 
 " I wish here to record my protest against the unjust, often 
 weak, and always inconsiderate, criticism bestowed upon our lead- 
 ers in this campaign, and especially in this battle, for their lack of 
 foresight in abandoning the shelter and provisions of the fort, the 
 security of the lives of our wounded men through removal, and 
 the dangers and fatigue of a long march, and their inhumanity in 
 burning the helpless in their huts and wigwams. 
 
 Some of our Best Men in the Fight. 
 
 "It is well to remember at the start that many of the wisest, 
 ablest, best and bravest men of the three colonies were the leaders 
 in this affair. 
 
 "A noble commander, wise and brave, reverend ministers, by 
 no meansbackwatd in their opinions; the most prominent and skilful 
 surgeons the country afforded; veteran majors and captains of 
 Massachusetts and Connecticut, with their soldiers fresh from the 
 severe experiences in the western campaign, inured to danger and 
 experienced in Indian wiles and deceits. 
 
 "They were some sixteen miles from their base of supplies 
 at Wickford (it is doubtless if they had noticed the Indian 
 supplies until the burning began ). There was no way of reaching 
 their supplies of provisions and ammunition at Wickford except 
 by detaching a portion of their force now greatly reduced by death, 
 wounds and exposure. The number of Indians that had escaped 
 and were still in the woods close at hand, were unknown, but sup- 
 posed to be several thousand with the report of a thousand in 
 reserve about a mile distant. 
 
 Indians Alight Rally. 
 
 "These were scattered and demoralized, but in a few hours 
 might rally and fall upon the fort, put our troops in a weakened 
 condition upon the defensive, and make their retreat from the 
 swamp extremely difficult if not utterly impossible, encumbered 
 as they would be by the wounded, whose swollen and stiffened 
 wounds in a few hours would render removal doubly painful and 
 
1 8 SKETCHES OF SPENCER HISTORY. 
 
 dangerous. Added to this was the chance of an attack upon the 
 garrison at Wickford, and dread of the midnight ambuscade, which 
 every hour's delay made more likely and would render more dan- 
 gerous. Thus it seems to me that from the standpoint of military 
 strategy, the immediate retreat to Wickford was best. As to hu- 
 manity, we must remember the harsh times in which they were 
 living, the contempt in which the Indians were held — first, as 
 heathen, against whom war was righteous; second, as idle and 
 treacherous vagabonds, with no rights which honest industry was 
 bound to respect; third, as enemies, lying in wait to plunder, burn 
 and destroy. 
 
 Carrying Wounded in a Blinding Snowstorm. 
 
 " Of the march back to Wickford very little is known; though 
 a bitter cold winter's night, in a blinding snow storm, carrying 
 2 10 of their wounded and dead, these soldiers who had marched 
 from dawn till noon, had engaged in a desperate life-and-death 
 struggle from noon to sunset, now plodded sturdily back to their 
 quarters of the day before, through deepening snows and over 
 unbroken roads." 
 
 While it is to be regretted that from Nathaniel Wood an 
 account of his part in that famous battle cannot be obtained, the 
 fact that he was there and did his full duty, adds to our interest in 
 the man, and to the esteem in which he is held as the first settler 
 in Spencer. 
 
 Nathaniel Wood Jr. Sells Brookfield Land. 
 
 On Feb. 15, 1726, Nathaniel Wood Jr., of Brookfield, Hus- 
 bandman, sold to Benjamin Brooks Jr., of Springfield, for 
 
 Fourty pounds, one tract of upland situate in Brookfield 
 in ye county of Hampshire or in the town of Leicester in ye county 
 of Middlesex, containing by estimation Fourty acres, bounded as 
 followeth, lying north of Seven Mile river, running from said river 
 northerly 165 rods to a walnut tree marked T, then westvvardly 40 
 rods to a black oak tree marked T, being 32 rods wide at the south 
 end, bounded westwardly on Phineas Walker's land and partly on 
 John Hamilton, Jr. land southerly on the river, easterly on the 
 town line, north on common land. 
 
 We learn from the will of Nathaniel Wood executed in 1732 
 that he had previously given to his children "my land which I 
 had at Brookfield " and although no record has been found certify- 
 ing to this statement, this partly accounts for the possession of 
 the land by Nathaniel Wood, Jr. 
 
 According to records which follow, the Wood family again re- 
 moved to Leicester but it seems probable that they returned to 
 Ipswich in the spring of 1729 or earlier, as the Brookfield real es- 
 tate had been sold in 1726, and now the Leicester land is prac- 
 tically disposed of to John Wood (not a relative) as follows: 
 
NATHANIEL WOOD. 19 
 
 Nathaniel Wood, Jr., Sells Leicester Land. 
 
 " Nathaniel Wood Jr. of Leicester for 32 pounds paid by John 
 Wood of Ipswich sells March 28, 1729, a full half part of a fifty 
 acre lot that he bought of Col. Wm. Dudley of Roxbury, bounded 
 southerly by Seven Mile river, westerly by Brookfield town line, 
 northerly by land in Common belonging to Leicester proprietors, 
 easterly by land of Samuel Bemis." On the same date Nathaniel 
 Wood Jr. disposes of his real estate in Ipswich that he inherited 
 from his grandfather, Obadiah. 
 
 Deed of Nathaniel Wood, Jr. to John Wood, March 28, 1729. 
 
 I, Nathaniel Wood, Jr., of Leicester, son of Nathaniel Wood 
 of Leicester; that is to say, eldest son of ye said Nathaniel Wood 
 and grandson of Obadiah Wood, late of Ipswich in the Comity of 
 Essex — Baker — for the full sum of 32 pounds in bills of credit to 
 me in hand paid by John Wood of Ipswich — Shoreman — do sell 
 to him my land in Ipswich which I inherited from my grandfather, 
 Obadiah Wood, of Ipswich, by his will dated Oct. 26, 1694. 
 
 The full text of the will of Obadiah Wood is as follows: 
 
 In ye Name of God Amen. I Obadiah Wood of Ipswich in 
 ye County of Essex, Baker, this 26th of October in ye year of our 
 Lord God One Thousand Six hundred and ninety-four beeing sicke in 
 body but of good and perfect Memory Thanks bee to God doe 
 make, constitute, ordain and declair this my last Will and Testa- 
 ment in maner and forme following, revoking and anulling by 
 these presents all other and former Wills and Testaments bv me'e 
 made in worde or writing and this only to bee taken for my last 
 Will and Testament and none other And first I give and comit my 
 soule into ye hands of Allmighty God my Saviour and Redeemer 
 in whom by ye meritt of Jesus Christ I Trust to bee saved and my 
 body to ye Earth theare to be decently Interred at ye discretion 
 of my Executors hearafter named and for my temporal! Estat I will 
 that all those debts and dutys that I owe in right and Con cience 
 to any maner of person Shall bee well and truly payd by my exe- 
 cuters after my decease. 
 
 I give unto my deare and Loveing Wife ye one halfe of ye 
 Income of my wholl Estate dureing her widdowhood and in Case 
 She Hapen to Marye my will is that my Sonn James pay her Twenty 
 pounds. 
 
 Item I give and bequeathe unto my Eldest Sonn Obadiah 
 fifety Shillings to be payd in Twelve yeares after my decease. 
 
 Item I give and bequeath unto my Sonn Nathaniell Twenty 
 Shillings to bee payd within ye Sd terme of years. 
 
 Item I give unto my Sonn Josiah Twenty Shillings to bee 
 payd in ye Sd terme. 
 
 Item I give unto my Sonn Samuell five Shillings to bee payd 
 in ye Sd terme 
 
 Item I give unto my Daughter Elizabeth three pounds to tee 
 payd in four yeares after my decease 
 
 Item I give unto my Daughter Mary Fourty Shillings in 
 Twellve yeares and a Child's Mantle thnt was my former wife's 
 Imediatlv after mv decease. 
 
SKETCHES OF SPENCER HISTORY. 
 
 Item I give unto ye Child of my daughter Ruth deceased Ten 
 Shillings in Twelve yeares after my decease. 
 
 Item I give unto my Daughter Susanna Thirty Shillings in ye 
 Terme of Twellve years. 
 
 Item I give unto my daughter Margaret Twenty Shillings in 
 ye Terme of Twellve yeares 
 
 Item I give unto my Sonn James and his Male heirs lawfully 
 begotten of his body for Ever all ye rest of my Estat reall and 
 personal of what nature or kind Soever and if it So hapen that hee 
 dye without such Male heir then my will is that my house and land 
 bee given unto ye Eldest Sonn of my Sonn Nathaniel and ye Male 
 heirs of his body lawfully begotten for Ever and if it so hapen that 
 hee dye without such Issue then my will is that my Son Josiahs 
 Eldest Son have my house and land and ye Male heirs of his body 
 lawfully begotten for Ever and if hee happen to dye without such 
 Issue my will is that it descend to ye Second Son of ye Sd Josiahs 
 in like maner and in Case of faillure of such Issue to ye third and 
 fourth Sonns and their issues for Ever and I doe appoint and 
 constitute my well beloved wife and my son James Executors of this 
 my last Will and Testament in wittness wheorof I have hear unto 
 sett my hand and seale ye day and yeare Above written. 
 
 Signed, Sealed and declared in ye 
 Presence 
 
 Jno Staniford, 
 Jacob ffoster, 
 John Sparke. 
 
 Jura by all three Dec. 3d, 1694. 
 Will proved Dec. 3d, 1694; Rec. Book 
 Salem 303, Page 265. 
 
 The next document of interest is the will of Nathaniel Wood, 
 executed at Topsfield, a town adjoining Ipswich, his birthplace. 
 
 Will of Nathaniel Wood, Senior. 
 
 I, Nathaniel Wood of Topsfield, in the County of Essex in 
 New England, being at this present of perfect understanding and 
 memory but weak of body and not knowing how soon it may please 
 God to call me out of this world, I have made such disposal of my 
 temporal estate which God in his grace has given me in this world 
 as followeth, and in the first place commending my immortal soul 
 to the hands of God who gave it me whensoever it shall please God 
 to take me out of this world and my body to a decent Interment, 
 my Will is then as followeth: 
 
 Item — as for my son Nathaniel, I have given him his portion 
 allready by giving him a deed of Gift of half my land which I had 
 at Brookrield. 
 
 Item — as for my daughter Mary, I have given her what I in- 
 tended to in bringing up her child and in what I design to give 
 him, which is hereafter mentioned 
 
 Item — as for my other half of the land which I had at Brook- 
 field I have given by a deed of gift to my daughters hereafter named 
 Ruth, Abigail and Hepzibah, which is what I design they shall have 
 for their portion. 
 
 Item — I give and bequeath to my daughter Margaret the one 
 half of that land which was granted to me by the General Court for 
 serving his Majesty in the Narragansett War, and the other half to 
 
NATHANIEL WOOD. 21 
 
 be equally divided between my daughter Surviah and my grandson, 
 Robert Down. 
 
 Item — My will is that my dear and well beloved wife, Lucy, 
 shall have all my indoor movables during her life, and then my in- 
 door movables to be equally divided amongst my daughters above 
 named. Also I constitute and appoint my dear and well beloved 
 wife Lucy, to be sole executor of this my last will and testament 
 and in testimony of the truth of what is above written, I, the said 
 Nathaniel Wood, have hereunto set my hand and seal this 26th day 
 of Jan 'v. 
 
 Anno Domi 1732. 
 
 HIS 
 NATHANIEL X WOOD. 
 MARK 
 Signed, sealed and delivered in the presence of 
 witnesses. 
 
 Daniel Clark, 
 
 Nathaniel Capen, 
 
 Israel Clark. 
 
 Essex ss. Ipswich, July 5, 1732. 
 
 Before the Hon. John Appleton, Esq , Judge of ye probate of 
 Wills in said County of Essex, Daniel Clark, Nathaniel Capen and 
 Israel Clark all personally appeared and made oath that they were 
 present and saw Nathaniel Wood late of Topsfield, deceased, sign, 
 seal and heard him publish and declare ye within instrument to be 
 his last will and testiment and when he did he was of good under- 
 standing and of a disposing mind to the best of their discerning and 
 thev at the same time set to their hands and seals in his presence as 
 witnesses Sworn attest. DANIEL APPLETON, Registet . 
 
 Upon which this will is proven, approved and allowed, it be- 
 ing presented by ye Executor therein named. 
 
 Nathaniel Wood Dies. 
 
 As will be seen by the probating of the will, Nathaniel Wood 
 was gathered to his fathers in the summer of 1732, and at this time 
 his wife and most of bis children appear to have been living either 
 at Ipswich or Topsfield. His son, Nathaniel Jr. of Ipswich, and 
 Mary Walcott of Salem were published Nov. 9, 1728. Presuma- 
 bly they were married and his w 7 ife deceased without issue. Again 
 Nathaniel Wood Jr. of Ipswich and the " Widdo Elizabeth Good- 
 hue of Chester in New Hampshire" were published Nov. 27, 
 1 73 1 and later were married. At the Topsfield church Sept. 7, 
 J 735> Nathaniel Wood Jr. " owned ye covenant " and on the same 
 date his daughter Lucy was baptized. A son, Obadiah, was born 
 Jan. 2, 1735, and these are all the children of Nathaniel Jr. whose 
 names have been found recorded. 
 
 Jonas Bemis Probably did not /Marry a Daughter of 
 Nathaniel Wood. 
 
 It therefore seems extremely improbable that Jonas Bemis, 
 whom Draper's History says " married Dolly, daughter of Nathan- 
 iel Wood," could have found his wife in either of these tamilies. 
 The marriage record states that "Jonas Bemis of Spencer and 
 
22 SKETCHES OF SPENCER HISTORY 
 
 Dorothy Wood of Brookfield were married at Leicester Jan. 5, 
 1758." He was then twenty years of age and there was but 
 one Dorothy Wood known to the Brookfield records of that time 
 and she was the daughter of Josiah and Dorothy Wood, and was 
 born in Brookfield, Feb. 9, 1733. She was thus lour years 
 the senior of Jonas Bemis, but in view of all the facts ap- 
 pears to have been the person whom he married. Objection 
 might be made that she was called Dolly in the later years of her 
 life. But Dolly is only a modification or substitute for Dorothy 
 and there are numerous instances in the records ot those times 
 which show that such substitutions were not uncommon. 
 
 The last conveyance we have of Nathaniel Wood Jr. is dated 
 in 1734 and disposes of his entire interest in the Leicester pro- 
 perty, as follows : 
 
 Part copy of a Deed from Nathaniel Wood, Jr. of Epswich, 
 county of Essex, to Robert Emmons of brookfield, in ye county of 
 Worcester, dated Apr. 8, 1734. For 4olbs good and lawful money 
 25 acres of land in the township of Leicester, viz: all my right of one 
 hundred acres which lot of land was formerly laid out to Nathaniel 
 Wood, Sr. , the whole being bounded westerly upon the town line 
 parting between Brookfield and Leicester and southerly upon seven 
 mile river and easterly upon Samuel Bemis land and northerly 
 bounded formerly on Corion land. 
 The reference to a deed establishing the iact that Nathaniel 
 Wood served in the Narragansett war is found as follows in a con- 
 veyance from 
 
 Zerviah Wood to Margret Wood 
 
 Know all men by these presents, that I, Zerviah Wood, Spin- 
 ster, of Ipswich, in ye County of Essex, in his Majesties Province 
 of Massachusetts Bay in New England, do for and in Consideration 
 of three pounds ten shillings to me in hand paid by my sister, Mar- 
 gret Wood, Spinster, of Topsfield, in the County and Province afore- 
 said, I have bargained and sold and do by these presents bargain, 
 sell, make over, ratify and confirm to her my sister, her heirs, exec- 
 utors, administrators and assigns, a certain parcel of land being 
 one quarter part of a share of lands which my father, Nathaniel 
 Wood, late of Topsfield, deceased, had or was to have had for his 
 service done at ye Narragansett fort fight in the former Indian War, 
 called Phillip's War, which land or lands I acquitted my claim 
 thereto to mv said sister, her heirs, etc. Mch. 17, 1734. 
 
 HER 
 ZERVIAH X WOOD. 
 MARK 
 Josiah Wood, mentioned above, was granted 165 acres of land 
 by the town of Brookfield. His children of record are as follows: 
 Obadiah, born April 22, 1726, 
 Anna, born April 5, 1729, 
 Dorothy, born February 9, 1733, 
 Thomas, born March 2, 1736. 
 
 It appears probable that Thomas Wood, brother of Dorothy, 
 was the one who served in the French war in the same company 
 with Jonas Bemis. 
 
WOOD AND BEMIS MAP. 
 
 23 
 
 MAP SHOWING LOCATION OF LOTS 29 AND 36, 
 Drawn by Paul Dudley, Esq., at the Proprietors' meeting in Boston, June 6, 1717. 
 
 Explanation of Map. 
 
 Tract marked 36 with the Seven Mile river as the southern 
 boundary and double lines on the three other sides, represents the 
 100 acres which Paul Dudley, Esq. probably sold to Nathaniel 
 
24 
 
 SKETCHES OF SPENCER HISTORY. 
 
 Wood soon after the proprietors' meeting in Boston, June 6, 17 17. 
 Tract marked Nathaniel Wood represents his Brookfield grant 
 of forty acres in 17 14, and which he selected adjoining the Leices- 
 ter line with the Seven Mile river as its southern boundary.. 
 
 1. It was here that Nathaniel Wood in 17 17 built his cabin, 
 which according to the late Abner Howland, for a long time owner 
 of the farm, stood about eight rods north of the present residence 
 of Cyril Coron. He was the first settler in the western half oi the 
 township of Leicester which is now called Spencer. 
 
 2. Nathaniel Wood in Brookfield. By the terms of his 
 grant, confirmed to him December 1, 1720 for the second time, he 
 must settle on the land within one year, and live on it three years 
 
 III III I 
 
 111 in 
 111 111 
 
 111 
 
 111 - 
 
 III 
 
 III 
 
 111 
 
 III 
 
 III 
 
 III 
 
 5-HOUSE PROBABLY BUILT BY NATHAN BEMIS, SR. 
 
 in order to get a clear title. It seems probable that he located his 
 dwelling but a short distance west of the house now owned by 
 Lewis D. Howland, and which stands on the original Wood tract. 
 This house was erected in 1S10 and at that time an old house 
 stood not more than a rod distant from it to the west. It seems 
 probable that this house may have been one that superseded the 
 Wood cabin. 
 
 3. This is where Samuel Bemis, the second settler and founder 
 of Spencer, settled in 1721, and within the boundary lines of lots 
 29 and 36 the location is shown of his 400 acres of land. 
 
 4. Lieut. Edmond Bemis, son of Samuel, settled here in 
 1749. Between 3 and 4, house 9 formerly stood, ten rods west of 
 the Samuel Bemis house. This house was built by Amasa Bemis 
 
WOOD AND BEMIS MAP. 
 
 25 
 
 for his son, Benjamin, but was moved to its present location in 
 1841, another story added, and then occupied by Danforth Bemis, 
 son of Amasa, until his death, December 1, 1852. 
 
 5. This is the site of the original house built by Nathaniel 
 Bemis en the 100 acres purchased of his father. Samuel, in 1753. 
 Nathan Bemis, his son, inherited the homestead and after him his 
 son, John Bemis 2d, who was the first inventor of rotary peg cut- 
 ting machinery. 
 
 6. The Nathan Bemis Jr. place, now owned by Thomas 
 Semino. Mr. Bemis owned and operated the saw mill west of his 
 
 6— NATHAN BEMIS, JR ., HOUSE. 
 
 house. He and his wife Lucy died here from typhoid fever in the 
 fall of 1856. 
 
 7. The Richard Beers house, built about 1761. The farm 
 was afterwards owned by Nathaniel Bemis, Jr., and the house torn 
 down about 1852. 
 
 8. George Bemis house, built 1852. The timber for this 
 dwelling was sawed at the Nathan Bemis, Jr. mill. 
 
 9. Danforth Bemis house. 
 
 10. House owned by the Town of Spencer and occupied by 
 the manager of the filter beds. This was formerly a school house 
 in the South Spencer district. 
 
 1 1 . This house was formerly an ell running north from the 
 large tavern house built by Amasa Bemis in 1807, and connecting 
 
26 SKETCHES OF SPENCER HISTORY. 
 
 with the first framed house of Samuel Bemis. It was used largely 
 for wood and general storage purposes. It was said by the late 
 Lorenzo Bemis, that formerly in the first story there were two 
 doors opposite each other, one on either side of the house, and 
 when a large log was needed for the fire place, a horse was hitched 
 to one of the right dimensions and it was then drawn into this 
 ell, the horse passing through, and the log, left inside where 
 wanted. This house was moved to its present location about 
 1841, and was sold to Hannah Green, a daughter of Jonas 
 Bemis, Sr. 
 
 12. Residence of Cheney Bemis, Sr., a son of Nathaniel 
 Bemis Sr. 
 
 11— FIRST HOUSE EAST OF SEVEN MILE RIVER BRIDGE 
 
 And first occupied in its present Location by Hannah Green, Grand-daughter 
 
 of Samuel Bemis, Sv. 
 
 13. The John Ormes place, settled in 1732 and house now 
 destroyed. This is where Elizabeth Ormes, wife of John, died 
 May 19, 17S5, aged 100 years, 5 months and 9 days. 
 
 14. Nathan Bemis, Jr., saw mill, and John Bemis 2d, peg 
 factory. 
 
 This mill was one of the old style with an up and down saw, and 
 was on so small a stream that the heavier work of the year had to 
 be done in the spring, at which time about sixty dollars for saw- 
 ing was annually received. There were two reservoirs made 
 further up the stream to hold water in reserve, and let down as 
 needed. 
 
 15. "Pine Island," thus described in a deed from Samuel 
 Bemis to Samuel Flagg in 1762, conveying 100 acres off 
 
WOOD AND BEMIS MAP. 
 
 27 
 
 from the east end of his farm, but reserving this lot and 
 a right of way to it through " gates and bars." It is not really 
 an island, but is a tract of about eleven acres of upland sur- 
 rounded largely by a meadow and with brooks flowing on all sides. 
 It gained considerable notoriety, some fifty years or less ago, as the 
 residence of one William Humphrey, a colored man, who with his 
 family occupied a cabin here and made baskets, which he sold 
 from house to house. 
 
 16. The original location of the house where Elijah Howe, 
 Sr., settled about 1776. 
 
 17. The location of a large red oak now standing on the 
 South Spencer road. This oak is three feet eight inches in 
 diameter and is one of the very largest of its kind in Spencer. 
 
 18. Large boulder on the roadside about four rods south of 
 the oak tree. It was here, in the fall of 1807, that three girls 
 
 12-THE CHENEY BEMIS HOUSE, SOUTH SPENCER. 
 
 about fifteen years of age, companions of Ruth Bemis, w ho lived 
 with her father, Nathaniel, Jr., at the Richard Beers place some 
 fifteen rods farther south, hid themselves one dark evening for 
 the purpose of frightening their companion whom they knew 
 would soon pass on her way home. They likewise knew that Ruth 
 was an unusually timid girl. Their plan succeeded only too well 
 and in great terror the girl ran home to fall in a swoon in the 
 vestibule of her father's house. After her recovery from this she 
 commenced to bleed from the lungs and rapidly declining in 
 health, died May 5, 1808, aged 15 years, 8 months. Thus, what 
 was conceived in a spirit of fun and as a harmless diversion, proved 
 
28 
 
 SKETCHES OF SPENCER HISTORY. 
 
 in its sequel to be one of the saddest bereavements that ever came 
 to the Bemis family. 
 
 19. The old district No. 9, Red school house, now at West- 
 ville, transformed into a dwelling and occupied by Orin D. Barr. 
 
 20. This is very near the place where about a century ago an 
 attempt was made at highway robbery. The would-be robber, 
 however, did not succeed. His intended victim, Dr. Benjamin 
 Drury, one of the most distinguished men in Spencer at the time, 
 being a man of nerve, and on horseback, was enabled to make his 
 escape without the loss of his purse. 
 
 Between house No. 1 1 and the Seven Mile river, on the bluff 
 about six rodstrom the stream, is the remains of the cellar of Sam- 
 
 CHENEY BEMIS, 
 
 Farmer of South Spencer, son of Nathan Bemis, Sr.,'and great grand- 
 son of Samuel Bemis, Sr. Born in Spencer, Julv6, 1798; died in 
 Spencer, April 3, 1876, of old age; grandfather of Frank A. 
 Drury, cashier Spencer National bank. 
 
 uel Flagg who in 1762 purchased of Samuel Bemis 100 acres of the 
 east end of his farm and built a house at this place. Thirty- 
 two years la-ter, after Mr. Flagg had moved and settled on lot 
 67, Elijah Howe, Jr., and Fannie Bemis, daughter of Joshua, 
 Sr., married, and here commenced housekeeping. They 
 
WOOD AND BEMIS MAP. 29 
 
 started on a very moderate scale, she having only one tin 
 pail for a great many cooking purposes, including its use as 
 a teapot, while his complete list of mechanical appliances with 
 which to get a living, consisted of one axe, but being good 
 workers they soon managed to add to their stock such uten- 
 sils for domestic use, and tools for mechanical use, as were 
 needed until they were soon on a par in those respects with the 
 more favored families in the town. 
 
 A hundred rods or more up the river northeasterly from No. 
 3 was located the Amasa Bemis family tomb. 
 
 On the plain west of the Catholic cemeteries is where 
 the larger part of the Hessian prisoners, captured at Sara- 
 toga, encamped when they passed through Spencer, in Octo- 
 ber, 1777. The late Alonzo Temple learned from those living 
 at the time, that the pine trees for quite a distance around the 
 encampment were denuded of the lower dead branches in order 
 to furnish fuel for their camp fires. The following account is 
 taken from the Spencer Star, a paper published May 1, 1874: 
 " In October, 1777, part of Burgoyne's captured army, over 
 two thousand, passed through the place and spent the night 
 in Spencer, occupying nearly every house and barn. The Hes- 
 sian general entered the house of the minister (Rev. Joseph Pope), 
 with an apology for the intrusion. His servants followed and were 
 about to prepare his evening meal and couch for the night. The 
 minister invited him to accept his hospitality and sit at his table. 
 With a wave of his hand the general dismissed his servants. The 
 minister's wife (Mrs. Anna Pope), then a bride of three weeks, 
 who lived in the same house until over one hundred and four 
 years of age, even after passing her one hundredth year, would 
 tell the conversation of the general. One remark was ' that in no 
 place were rank and subordination more strictly observed than in 
 Hesse Cassel, and their ladies were ladies indeed.' On retiring 
 for the night he entrusted to her care his badge of Knighthood 
 and medals of Honor." 
 
 However gracious the German women of the general's ac- 
 quaintance may have been, American history records that the Hes- 
 sian soldiers were cruel and overbearing. 
 
 In the Nathan Bemis Jr. mill pond, south of the peg factory, 
 Valentine, son of Dwight Hill, was drowned, June 5, 1831, aged 
 21. With a companion he had prepared to go in bathing, and 
 stepping into the pond where the embankment was steep, soon 
 was in the water out of his depth. Not being able to swim, his 
 companion tried to rescue him, but nearly lost his own life in con- 
 sequence as the drowning man clung to his would-be rescuer with 
 all the tenacity of one who sees his last chance for life vanishing. 
 Not being able to find the body, the mill pond was drawn off to 
 obtain it. 
 
INCEPTION OF BEMIS MONUMENT. 
 
 The inception ot the Bemis monument dates back to 1895. 
 On Sept. 30 of that year the author wrote the following article, 
 which was printed in The Spencer Leader : 
 
 A Monument to Samuel Bemis. 
 
 "Nathaniel Wood is the historical first white settler in Spen- 
 cer. For aught we know he may have been 'some village Hamp- 
 den.' No one living knoweth. He appeared on the stage for a 
 brief season and then vanished from the records of man. 
 
 " Not so the second settlers, Samuel Bemis and wife. They 
 were typical New England pioneers. With means, ability and 
 industry they came to subdue the wilderness and build for future 
 generations. They came and settled as Draper fitly quotes : 
 
 ' Where nothing dwelt but beast of prey 
 Or men as fierce and wild as they.' 
 
 "They lived to complete their task and did the work well. 
 Because of this they deserve to be held in everlasting remembrance. 
 He and his descendants have helped not only to make Spencer but 
 to make New England what it has been and is. Let us then erect 
 to them a suitable memorial stone. 
 
 " Some huge uncut bowlder from the quarry will be in keep- 
 ing with the theme. On this let there be placed a bronze tablet 
 recounting their virtues. If descendants like Capt. Edmond Bemis 
 have added glory to the family name, let their deeds also be 
 inscribed thereon. Erect the stone under the ancient elm across 
 the road from the original log cabin and later on first framed house 
 in town. Let the Bemis family lead off in this movement, invit- 
 ing citizens to follow. Let them arrange for a big family gather- 
 ing next June. Let us have a public holiday, a good dinner and 
 speeches." 
 
 Board of Trade Appoints Committee. 
 
 This article excited favorable comment, but nothing more was 
 done looking toward the consummation of the idea until March 30, 
 1901, when at a meeting of the Board of Trade, Mr. William J. 
 Heffernan moved that a committee consisting of John G. Avery, 
 
SAMUEL BEMIS. 
 
 31 
 
 Dr. E. W. Norwood, Dr. Alonzo A. Bemis, Henry M. Tower, 
 Amasa T. Bemis, E. Harris Howland and Henry Bemis, be 
 appointed to raise money and erect a suitable memorial stone and 
 tablet to the memory of Samuel Bemis and to make all arrange- 
 ments necessary to carry that purpose into effect. The motion 
 prevailed and later the committee organized, by choice of John G. 
 Avery as chairman and treasurer, and Henry M. Tower, secre- 
 tary. The work of raising the money then commenced, and 
 was solicited only from those bearing the Bemis name, or from 
 descendants of Samuel Bemis. The committee were gratified at 
 the readiness with which those approached subscribed to the fund, 
 and in a few months' time money enough had been promised to 
 guarantee the success of the undertaking and the monument and 
 tablet were then ordered. 
 
 JOHN G. AVERY. 
 Chairman of the Board of Trade Committee. 
 
 In the meantime the committee had by vote invited Nellie 
 Thayer Bemis to write a poem to be read at the dedicatory exer- 
 cises and also Henry M. Tower to write the historical address, 
 which invitations were accepted and the papers submitted by them 
 now follow : 
 
32 
 
 SKETCHES OF SPENCER HISTORY. 
 
 Our Ancestors. 
 
 Written and Illustrated by Nellie Thayer Bemis. 
 
 Where to-day ye stand, once the primeval forest stood; 
 
 Its mighty arms outspread, aloft in giant hardihood. 
 
 Beneath its leafy canopies, along its shadowy aisles, 
 
 Silent and swift the dusky red man's wiles 
 
 Trapped the fierce and hungry beasts of prey, 
 
 Or gliding softly in birch canoe he fished the winding river's way. 
 
 "A RUDE LOG CABIN ROSE. - ' 
 
 All was silence : except as Nature's voices now and then awoke 
 
 The lonely echoes of the wooded hills; or broke 
 
 The brooding silence of the place and hour 
 
 The great sun, as it rose at morn in majesty and power, 
 
 The only timepiece No bells as now pealed out the da\ s, the months, the years, 
 
 The hours of man's hopes, his joys, his fears. 
 
SAMUEL BEMIS. 
 
 33 
 
 The muttering thunders rolled, the vivid lightnings flashed, 
 
 The mighty trees did rock and sway, their branches clashed; 
 
 Only the Great Spirit, the Indian braves, and beasts of prey 
 
 The wood birds, and the listening flowers held sway. 
 
 Such was the fertile land now so changed; of ours 
 
 Long, long before our ancestors had felled the forest towers. 
 
 •'THE STEALTHY INDIAN GAZED, WITH WONDERING EVES AFLAME 
 
 But, one ne'er to be forgotten day the pale face came. 
 
 The stealthy Indian gazed, with wondering eyes aflame 
 
 As the resounding axe in mighty blows arose and fell, 
 
 Dealing destruction to his silent friends that he had loved so well. 
 
 Proudly had they towered, and proudly did they fall ; 
 
 Dismembered, split, and hewn by one, a stranger to them all. 
 
 Soon in the little clearing a rude log cabin rose; 
 
 Around its ample hearthstone the red men (friendly foes) 
 
 Sat in silence grim and stern, or ate the Indian pone 
 
 With the pale face at his humble board, so fearless, and alone. 
 
 In time, the good wife and the little ones came through the wilderness 
 
 To fill the home with love and joy, the future years to bless. 
 
34 SKETCHES OF SPENCER HISTORY. 
 
 Think ve those times were peaceful ? That then were days of ease ? 
 
 Ah no ! the wild heast and the Indian lurked darkly mid the trees. 
 
 The red man's heart was filled with hate for ihe usurpers of his land, 
 
 And only the food and shelter given stayed the arrow in his hand. 
 
 As our earlv settler cleared the ground, and tilled the fertile soil, 
 
 The trusty firelock at his side the enemy to foil. 
 
 His heart was filled with anxious care for the loved ones in the home, 
 
 For the good wife, and the children left so helpless and alone. 
 
 Honor to her so brave and true who traversed the forest wilds, 
 
 With the young babe nestled in her arms for half a hundred miles; 
 
 From fear of stealthy red men, and wandering beasts of prey 
 
 She had sought her father's dwelling, nearh fifty miles away. 
 
 And through the trackless forest, with the babe scarce two weeks old r 
 
 She came alone, unaided, save by the great trees told. 
 
 Such deeds of love, and daring, did our early forbears show, 
 
 The grand old Pilgrim spirit did make their souls aglow, 
 
 To open the wondrous western land the Pilgrim Fathers trod. 
 
 And spread their motto far and wide, "Freedom to worship God." 
 
 Ye do well to give them honor, in monument and name, 
 
 But ye may honor them far better by lives free from spot or blame. 
 
 From the lives they gave for us, take the grandest and the best; 
 
 Rear a bethel in your hearts, 'tis better than all the rest. 
 
 May their courage, and the spirit of our Father's God be given 
 
 To the children of the present time, and unto children's children. 
 
HISTORICAL ADDRESS 
 
 On Samuel Bemis, with Short Sketches of His Ancestry and Poster- 
 ity, Delivered in the Town Hall, Spencer, Mass., Oct. 29, 1901. 
 
 Descendants of Samuel Bemis, Citizens of Spencer and Friends : 
 
 We have met to-day for a purpose unlike that of any pre- 
 vious gathering, to honor Samuel Bemis, the man who founded 
 the town of Spencer and who was active in its development. Other 
 days may come in which the names of distinguished benefactors of 
 the town shall be publicly honored, but among them all this day 
 will ever have an individuality all its own. There is but one 
 second settler known to our history and this person is the one 
 we honor to-day. No other man can again accomplish the work 
 he did so well, or occupy his place in the annals of our town. 
 
 Daniel Webster on Ancestry. 
 
 On a somewhat similar occasion, Daniel Webster said, " It 
 is a noble faculty of our nature which enables us to connect our 
 thoughts, our sympathies, and our happiness, with what is dis- 
 tant, in place or time; and, looking before and after, to hold com- 
 munion at once with our ancestors and our posterity. Neither 
 the point of time, nor the spot of earth, in which we physically 
 live, bounds our rational and intellectual enjoyments. We live in 
 the past by a knowledge of its history, and in the future by hope 
 and anticipation. By ascending to an association with our ances- 
 tors; by contemplating their example and studying their charac- 
 ter; by partaking their sentiments and imbibing their spirit; by 
 accompanying them in their toils, by sympathizing in their suffer- 
 ings, and rejoicing in their successes and their triumphs, we seem 
 to belong to their age, and to mingle our own existence with 
 theirs. We become their contemporaries, live the lives which they 
 lived, endure what they endured, and partake in the rewards 
 which they enjoyed. There may be, and there often is, indeed, 
 a regard for ancestry, which nourishes only a weak pride. But 
 there is also a moral and philosophical respect for our ancestors, 
 which elevates the character and improves the heart." 
 
 It is with this latter view in mind that a monument to Samuel 
 Bemis has been erected, and this sketch of his life undertaken. 
 
 Memorial stones for worthy purposes have a value as ob- 
 ject lessons which perhaps has never been more forcibly expressed 
 
36 
 
 SKETCHES OF SPENCER HISTORY. 
 
 than in a speech by Edward Everett on the "Worth of the Bunker 
 Hil! Monument." 
 
 Edward Everett on the Value of Memorial Stones. 
 
 He said : " But I am met with the great objection, what 
 good will the monument do? And I ask what good does anything 
 do? What is good? Does anything do any good? Does a rail- 
 road do good ? Yes. It facilitates commerce, opens markets and 
 
 JOSHUA bemis. 
 
 Bom in Spencer. July 31, 1822, and now living; a great grandson of 
 
 Samuel Bemis, Senior; farmer, road builder, contractor and 
 
 saw mill owner; was one of the selectmen comprising the 
 
 famous " War Board" during the Rebellion. (From a 
 
 photograph by l,ouis N. Hevy.) 
 
 increases wealth. But what is this good for? Why, individuals 
 prosper and get rich. And what good does that do? Is mere 
 wealth as an ultimate end, good? Certainly not. But as men 
 grow rich they live better. Is there any good in this, stopping 
 here? Is mere animal life, feeding, working and sleeping like an 
 ox entitled to be called good ? Certainly not. But these im- 
 provements increase the population ? And what good does that 
 do? Where is the good in counting twelve millions instead of 
 
SAMUEL BEMIS. 
 
 37 
 
 six of mere feeding, working, sleeping animals? There is then 
 no good in the mere animal life except that it is the physical basis 
 of that higher moral existence which resides in the soul, the heart, 
 the mind, the conscience. In good principles, good feelings and 
 the good actions that flow from them. Now I say that generous 
 and patriotic sentiments are good, good humanly speaking, of the 
 highest order. It is good to have them, good to encourage them, 
 good to honor them, good to commemorate them and whatever 
 tends to animate and strengthen such feelings dees right down 
 
 MOSES bemis 
 Born in Spencer, June 30, 1S22, now living at Worcester, son of Nathan- 
 iel Bemis, Jr.. and great grandson of Samuel Bemis, Sr. He was 
 for a great many years Supt. of Bridge Construction 
 for the Providence and Worcester R R. Co. 
 
 practical good, and gives a value to everything which through the 
 channel of the senses, the taste or the imagination, warms and 
 elevates the heart." 
 
 Samuel Bemis a Type of the New England Pioneer. 
 
 We are not looking to find in the life of Samuel Bemis the 
 character of a great statesman who by his genius moulded empires, 
 or a great warrior who by his valor subdued kingdoms, but a man 
 who in his own field of action, in his own way and in his own 
 time wrought out successfully the work of an intelligent New 
 
38 
 
 SKETCHES OF SPENCER HISTORY. 
 
 England pioneer. But he was not alone in this work, for a mul- 
 titude of co-laborers throughout New England were daily pursu- 
 ing the same avocation, quietly, thoroughly, persistently, perhaps 
 unconsciously, laying the foundation, broad and secure, for that 
 system of government and education that has become the admira- 
 tion of the world, and has given to New England ideas and char- 
 acter a prestige unparalleled in history, and never greater than it 
 
 GEORGE BEMIS. 
 
 Farmer, of South Spencer, son of Nathaniel Bemis, Jr.. and great 
 
 grandson of Samuel Bemis, Si\, born in Spencer, 
 
 Feb. 9, 181S. Now Eiving. 
 
 is to-day. In Samuel Bemis we find the type of men that made 
 possible the civilization we enjoy, and considering the number, the 
 general character and patriotism of his descendants, it will be dif- 
 ficult to match the record of this family by a most diligent search 
 among our archives. 
 
 The Bemis Family an Ancient One. 
 
 The vSpencer branch of the Bemis family traces its ancestry 
 to John Bemis, who was born in Dedham, Essex County, Eng- 
 
SAMUEL BEMIS. 39 
 
 land, as early as 1550. His will was proved June 28, 1604, and 
 reads as follows : 
 
 To my dutiful wife Anne, fifty pounds. To Isaac, my son, 
 one hundred pounds. To Luke and James, my sons, one hundred 
 and forty pounds each. To my daughter Susan fifty and six 
 pounds. To my youngest sons, Joseph and Abraham, to either of 
 them fifty pounds when they or either of them shall accomplish the 
 full age of one and twenty years To my daughter Grymwood and 
 to her four children now living, to every one of them twenty shill- 
 ings apiece. To Richard Smeeth of Bretneham, Suffolk, twenty 
 shillings. To the poor of the same parish forty shillings. To my 
 brother Thomas Bemis, five pounds, and to every one of his children 
 twenty shillings apiece To the poor of Dedham forty shillings. 
 All the rest of my goods unbequeathed shall be distributed equally 
 between my wife and two daughters Susan and Mary. — A'. E. 
 Hist, and Genea. Register. 
 
 The children of John and Anne Bemis, all born in England, 
 were: — Isaac, Luke, Mary, James, Susan, Joseph and Abraham. 
 
 Joseph, son of John, married, lived and died in England. 
 He had a son, Joseph, who was born in England in 1619, and 
 who came to this country and settled at Watertown in 1640. — 
 NewhalT s Record of my Ancestry. 
 
 Joseph Bemis, Grandfather of Samuel. 
 
 Joseph Bemis, the grandfather of Samuel, in 1640, when he 
 was twenty-one years of age, emigrated from England and settled 
 at Watertown. He was both a blacksmith and a farmer. Water- 
 town at that time was a place of importance, and many men of 
 wealth and distinction resided there. It was the fifth town in the 
 state to be settled and was preceded only by Plymouth, Salem, 
 Charlestown and Dorchester. Joseph Bemis appears to have been 
 a man of good ability. He was chosen selectman lor the years 
 1672 and 1675, and at other times filled the offices of constable, 
 collector, school committee and "haward." He served on various 
 town committees, two records of which are herewith reproduced, 
 and these show in a marked degree the peculiarities of spelling and 
 expression common to that time: At a town meeting in 1671, 
 
 The towne being desirous to ishshu thear diffarance abought 
 stinting thear feeding land and the walkes of thear heardes have 
 choosen 7 men from amongst them fellues to agre abought that 
 mattur and if thay canot agre to the satisfacktion of the towne then 
 thay heave chosen thre other ought of towne altogether unconsarned 
 in that businis whoe shall heave full power to detarmin the seame 
 and all refarance to prevent a sute now depending in Charlestown 
 Corte. The parsons chosen from amongst them fellues eare Captin 
 mason, Leftenant beares, decon hastings, Ensigne shearman, cor- 
 parale bond, Joseph bemas, and John Randall; these not agreeing to 
 
4 o 
 
 SKETCHES OF SPENCER HISTORY. 
 
 the satisfaction of the towne Captin thomas, prentis Cornet, edward 
 okes, deacon John Jackson eare chosen to heare and detarmin the 
 seatne before the 25 day of March next. 
 
 At a meeting of the selectmen at Simon Stone's house, Nov. 
 10. 1674, 
 
 Thomas fleg, John whitney and Joseph bemus gave in an account 
 of what thav had found consarning children's edducation and 
 John fisk being found wholy negligent of edducating his children 
 as to Reding or catticising the seleckt men agreed that Joseph 
 bemus should warn him in to ansur for his neglect at the next meet- 
 ing of the seleckt men 
 
 In 1649 Joseph Bemis was fined three pounds by the select- 
 men for cutting twelve trees upon the common but of this fine 
 
 PERSIS GUILFORD, 
 
 Born in Spencer, Aug. 16, 1822, daughter of Dr. Jonas Guilford, Jr , and 
 his wife, Persis Bemis, daughter of Joshua Bemis, Jr. She married 
 Asa T. Jones, April 27, 1845, and was the mother of Asa 
 T. Jones, now of Colorado Springs, Colorado. 
 
 the town subsequently remitted fifty shillings. In 1655 he was 
 fined for having " 1 Hog disorderly," otherwise he appears to 
 have been at all times a law observing and abiding citizen. 
 
 The records show that he enjoyed the confidence and esteem 
 of his fellow-citizens and was active in promoting the material 
 
SAMUEL BEMIS. 4 I 
 
 interests of the town. He was the father of nine children, the last 
 of whom, John, born in 1657, became the father of Samuel, the 
 hero of our sketch. Joseph Bemis died in 1684 and his estate 
 inventoried more than a thousand dollars, which was quite a large 
 sum of money for those days. 
 
 John Bemis, Father of Samuel. 
 
 John, the ninth child of Joseph, was a farmer. He married 
 Mary Harrington in 1680 and lived at Watertown. So far as his 
 relation to town affairs and general usefulness are known, he 
 appears to have maintained the same relative standing in the com- 
 munity achieved by his father and belonged to what is usually 
 called the well-to-do middle class. He was at different times cor- 
 poral, selectman, tithingman, school committee, "Sarvayar of 
 Rhods," besides rendering service on special town committees. 
 At a town meeting held in 1705 it was voted "that the town doe 
 nominate, appoint and Impower John Bemus, Sr., John Hastings, 
 Sr. , and Daniel Harrington, Sr., to locke ought sum convenient 
 place to keep the gramer schoole for the second quarter nun 
 where neere where it was kept for the middle of the town last." 
 In 1707 it was ordered at a town meeting "that Netl Bright and 
 murings Sawin take Present caer of one Sarah Honey for her 
 entertainment and also to Desire Doct. Palsgrave Wellington to 
 locke after her wounds, and John Bemis was ordered to forthwith 
 make inquiry how long she had been in town and report at next 
 meeting." 
 
 John Bemis was the father of fourteen children and lived to 
 the age of seventy-three years. Samuel, the sixth child, was born 
 in 1690. At the age of twenty-six he married Sarah, daughter of 
 John Barnard of Sudbury, by whom he had two children, Samuel 
 Jr. and Edmund while living at Watertown. 
 
 Tide of Emigration Sets Inland. 
 
 At this time (1721), there was a strong movement going for- 
 ward to settle towns in the interior. A hundred years had passed 
 since the Pilgrims landed. The coast towns were prosperous, 
 but as farming was the principal avocation, it was foreseen by the 
 leading men of the time that congested settlements were not for 
 the best interests of the people and hence they took precautionary 
 measures to prevent such a state of affairs, as we learn from 
 Bond's History of Watertown. He says, "The population became 
 so crowded that the people very early began to disperse either to 
 form new plantations or to go to other towns already settled," and 
 adds "Watertown has been a prolific hive, sending out swarms 
 almost innumerable." Because the population was already over- 
 crowded the freemen at an earlier date agreed "in consideration 
 
4 2 
 
 SKETCHES OF SPENCER HISTORY. 
 
 there be too many inhabitants in the town and the town thereby 
 in danger to be ruinated, that no forrainer coming into town or 
 any family arising among ourselves shall have any benefit of com- 
 monage or land undivided but what they shall purchase." These 
 conditions although reasonable in themselves must have been 
 obnoxious to the spirited young, and native born Americans, and 
 no doubt many of them were ready when the opportune time came 
 to launch out and settle in the freedom of the unbroken forests 
 where men of wealth from Boston and other places had purchased of 
 
 persis BEMIS, 
 
 Daughter of Joshua Bemis, Junior, and great granddaughter of Samuel 
 
 Bemis, Senior. Born in Spencer, Sept. 22, 1795, married Dr. Jonas 
 
 Guilford, Junior, June 20, 1816. Mother of Mrs. John G. 
 
 Avery and Miss P. Maria Guilford. 
 
 the Indians large tracts of land at a nominal price, and were 
 offering great inducements to those who would become actual 
 settlers. The land comprising what is now Leicester and Spencer 
 had been purchased for about two cents per acre. King Philip 
 had been killed, his body quartered and his head placed on a gib- 
 bet at Plymouth forty-five years before, and he appeared to have 
 no successor. It was thought there was safety for white men 
 to venture again into the interior, take up the work of the 
 husbandman and build themselves homes wherein they could dwell 
 
SAMUEL BEMIS. 
 
 43 
 
 in safety and contentment. The towns of Lancaster, Worcester, 
 Oxford, Brook field, Rutland and other places that had been laid 
 waste during the Indian Wars or else had been partially or 
 wholly abandoned were being rapidly re-peopled by settlers from 
 the coast towns. The wars of King William and Queen Anne 
 had ended and emigrants from the British Isles were coining to 
 the land of freedom. 
 
 Samuel Bemis Decides to Emigrate to Leicester. 
 
 It was under such circumstances that Samuel Bemis was 
 moved to try his fortunes as a pioneer and on the 20th of July, 
 1 72 1, we find him getting a deed to a tract of land in the then 
 primeval forest located in what is now the town of Spencer, and 
 
 FRAGMENT OF SOAPSTOXE KETTLE FOUND BY HARVEY PROl'TY. 
 
 where he purposed establishing his home. It may be that his 
 action was influenced to some degree by the small pox epidemic 
 then raging in Boston, over eight hundred persons dying there of 
 that dread disease this same year. 
 
 Four years before, Nathaniel Wood of Ipswich, the first set- 
 tler, had purchased one hundred acres but a short distance to the 
 west and adjoining the Brookfield line; otherwise, so far as known, 
 there were no white inhabitants nearer than Leicester or Brook- 
 field, both seven miles distant, although some think there were 
 a few settlers living at what is now East Brookfield, which 
 
44 
 
 SKETCHES OF SPENCER HISTORY 
 
 presumption a careful search of the records might establish. Indi- 
 ans there were at Quaboag in Brookfield, their winter head- 
 quarters about three miles by the Seven Mile river trail. In sum- 
 mer their wigwams were to be found scattered along the streams 
 or other places that afforded good locations for hunting, fishing 
 or planting. On the farm now owned by Dr. Alonzo A. Bemis 
 was a sheltered spot which seems to have been an annual camping 
 ground, from the large number of stone implements formerly 
 found there. 
 
 Indian Relics. 
 
 Another place was a short distance northeasterly of District 
 No. 4 school house, on a knoll in what is now mowing land. 
 This location may have been chosen partly from its close proxim- 
 ity to the fine spring of water, whose crystal stream flows out into 
 the roadside just south of the school house. Another location was 
 on land now owned by Henry T. Faure, and northeast of his 
 house. It was here that the late Harvey Prouty found the broken 
 parts of a soapstone kettle which were joined together by Dr. C. 
 P. Barton, and are now in the public museum. This kettle may 
 have been made at Sutton where the Indians used to obtain 
 steatite for such purposes. 
 
 — Mr. Prouty also found a large 
 
 number of stone implements near the 
 same place. There also may have 
 been an Indian encampment on a 
 knoll of land some twenty rods or more 
 easterly of the Lewis Hill house. It 
 was here that the late Amos Snow 
 found an excellent stone pestle an d 
 axe which were contributed to the 
 museum by his son Edgar H. Snow. 
 
 Wigwam Sites. 
 
 Two authentic sites of wigwams 
 are now to be seen on the farm of 
 Alonzo W. Green in the southeast part 
 of the town. Another locality which 
 appears to have been long inhabited, 
 judging from the large number of stone 
 implements formerly found there, was 
 about a quarter of a mile southeasterly 
 of the house of Ebenezer Howe. Ac- 
 cording to the testimony of Joel Howe, 
 Sr., the Indians had a dugout or barn, 
 as they were anciently called, for stor- 
 indian pestle and axe. } n g winter provisions at some point 
 between the house of the late Hiram Howe and the house of John M . 
 
SAMUEL BEMIS. 
 
 45 
 
 Newton, but its location has not been preserved. It is thought 
 this dugout was used for storing chestnuts which used to grow 
 abundantly in that locality and which boiled or baked made a very 
 nutritious article of food. One ancient chestnut tree that the 
 Indians doubtless gathered nuts under is still standing nearby, and 
 with the exception of one or two elms, has the largest girth of 
 any tree in Spencer and a diameter of about seven feet. There were 
 doubtless a great many other places in town known to the early set- 
 tlers where the Indians had encampments, no record of which 
 
 JOEL HOWE, 
 
 A Spencer farmer, born Jan 31, 1819, and now living, a great grandson 
 of Samuel Bemis. Senior. He is a son of Joel Howe, a sol- 
 dier of the Revolution. His mother was Esther Bemis, 
 daughter of Joshua Bemis, Senior. (From a photograph 
 taken in 1900 by Parssiello Emerson.) 
 
 remains, and since there is hardly a farm in town on which at some 
 period in its history Indian implements have not been found, the 
 conclusion is irresistible that the Red men occupied this section to 
 a greater extent than has generally been supposed and although 
 reduced in numbers by the Indian Wars, were pursuing their gen- 
 eral course of life on the advent of Samuel Bemis into their an- 
 cient territory. 
 
46 SKETCHES OF SPENCER HISTORY. 
 
 Samuel Bemis Purchases Land on Which to Settle. 
 
 We left Samuel Bemis in Boston getting a deed to three hun- 
 dred acres of land in Leicester from a committee specially author- 
 ized by the Great and General Assembly to sell the same and which 
 they were willing to do in consideration of " ye just sum of eleven 
 pounds ten shillings well and truly paid," or a price nine hundred 
 per cent in advance of the sum paid the Indians thirty-four years 
 before. The farm was bounded " southerly on land of ye town of 
 Oxford, and westerly on Benjamin Thompson's land." Besides, 
 the farm he was deeded "all ye wood, timber, well water, and 
 water courses on ye same." The property became his in the mid- 
 summer of 172 1. James Draper says he commenced felling the 
 ancient forest in 1720. This may be true but if the date was set 
 forward a year it would appear more consistent with the records 
 as we to-day find them. It would seem probable that in the spring 
 of 172 1 he took a trip to the westward to spy out the land. He 
 reached the Seven Mile river. Here he found one of the first 
 requisites to the pioneer, plenty of clear running water. The next 
 essential was meadow land, and but a short distance up the stream 
 he found the great meadows cne-fourth of a mile wide and a mile 
 long. Surely here was a plentiful supply for his horses, sheep 
 and cattle. He discovered but a short distance to the west a level 
 spot of ground suitable for his buildings, and high above any pos- 
 sible damage by the spring freshets. Timber also he saw in abund- 
 ance ready for immediate use. He found a settler but a short dis- 
 tance towards Brookneld. He noticed that the place was on the 
 main line of travel from Boston to Springfield. He is pleased with 
 the general advantages of the situation, and finding out who the 
 owners of this property were, returned to Watertown, talked it 
 over with his wife and friends and proceeded to purchase it. 
 
 On the Trail for Leicester. 
 
 Then with his horses and dog, his rifle and axe, and such 
 other articles as he needs, he returns to build a log cabin, make a 
 small clearing, all in readiness for the coming seed time and 
 returned late in the fall to his home. The winter being past, with 
 his wife, his two boys, his horses, cattle, dogs and such arti- 
 cles for domestic and farm use as were indispensible, he starts 
 for his home in the wilderness and is all ready to take up the 
 spring work. Now this may not have been what happened, but 
 it is the most natural and consistent course he could have taken, 
 and judging from all the facts we have at hand, this plan in its 
 general features is most probable. 
 
SAMUEL BEMIS. 47 
 
 Copy of Original Deed to Samuel Bemis. 
 
 To all Christian people unto whom these presents shall come, 
 Greeting: William Dudley of Roxbury, in ye County of Suffolk 
 and Province of ye Massachusetts Bay in New England, Esquire; 
 Thomas Tileton of Dorchester and County aforesaid, Gentlemen; 
 Thomas How of Molbrough and County of Middlesex and province 
 aforesaid, Esquire; a committee fully authorized and improved by 
 the Great and General Assembly of ye province aforesaid in their 
 session held the 1 ith of Nov., 17 19, to sell and dispose of a certain 
 tractor parcell of land lying and being in ye said Province between 
 the towns of Oxford in ye County of Suffolk, Leicester in ve County 
 of Middlesex, Brook field in ye County of Hampshire, which said 
 tract or parcell of land is since by ye Great and General Court 
 added unto and determined to be part of said County of Suffolk; 
 viz : In ye session held at Cambridge in June, 1721, as by both votes 
 and orders. Reference thereto had may and doth more fullv appear. 
 Know ye that ye said William Dudley, Thomas Tileton and Thomas 
 How, for and in Consideration of ye full and just sum of Eleven 
 pounds, ten shillings, well and truly paid by Samuel Bemis of Wa- 
 tertown, in ye County of Middlesex aforesaid, Yeoman, ve Receipt 
 whereof Dudley, Tileton, How, do hereby acknowledge, and ve 
 said Samuel Bemis, his heirs, Executors and Administrators thereof 
 and of even- part and parcel thereof have acquitted, exonerated and 
 discharged, have given, granted, sold, aliened and by virtue of ve 
 power and authority aforesaid do give, grant, sell, alien, make over 
 and confirm unto ye said Samuel Hemis, his heirs and assigns for- 
 ever, one Certain Lott or tract of Land laid out in ye said 10,000 
 acres, being ye 36th Lott in number and ributted and bounded north- 
 erly on Land of John Flagg, Easterly on Samuel Dinner's Land, 
 Southerly on land of ye town of Oxford, and Westerly on Benj. 
 Thompson Land or however ye same is butted and bounded, con- 
 taining three hundred acres more or less To Have and to Hold ve 
 said Lott of Land unto him ye said Samuel Bemis with all ve Rights, 
 members priviledges and appurtenances to ye same in any manner 
 belonging, and all ye wood, timber, well water and water courses in 
 and on ye same, free and Clear from all manner of Incumbrances 
 and Inconveniences whatever and the said William Dudley, Thomas 
 Tileton and Thomas How as a Committee and Impowered as afore- 
 said, and on behalf of the Province aforesaid, do avouch 
 themselves to be the true and lawful owners of ve above granted 
 premises and have in themselves sufficient power and author- 
 it}- to dispose and sell ye same and by virtue and force of ve afore- 
 mentioned acts of ye Great and General Court ye premises and 
 every part thereof will to ye said Samuel Bemis, his heirs and 
 assigns, uphold, maintain, warrant and defend from all Challenge, 
 Claim, Molestation or Trouble whatever. In Testimonv whereof 
 they, ye said Dudley, Tileton and How have sett to their hands 
 and seals this 20th Day of July, 1721, and in ye seventh year of 
 King George's Reign. 
 
 WILLIAM DUDLEY and a seal, 
 THOMAS TILETON and a seal, 
 THOMAS HOW and a seal. 
 Signed, Sealed and Delivered in presence of 
 Isaac Newhale 
 
 Nathaniel Holbrook, Suffolk, ss. 
 Ye within mentioned William Dudley, Thomas Tileton and 
 Thomas How now appearing before me, ye subscriber, and did 
 
48 SKETCHES OF SPENCER HISTORY 
 
 acknowledge this instrument as their act and deed. Roxbury, ic 
 March, 1732. 
 
 ELIJAH DANFORTH, 
 
 Justice of Peace. 
 Ye aforegoing is a true Copy of ye original Deed recorded Dec, 
 1732. Examined by 
 
 JOHN CHANDLER, JR., 
 
 Register. 
 
 The price paid for the land was less than twenty cents per 
 acre. 
 
 Samuel Bemis in His Own Home. 
 
 Samuel Bemis at the age of 33 is now located on his own land 
 and in his own cabin, with his wife aged twenty-seven, Samuel 
 aged three and Edmond aged one year. His daily life is made up 
 of one ceaseless round ot thinking, planning and working out the 
 problems that confront him. His intercourse with the world is 
 small. The Wood family doubtless come to his cabin after a day's 
 work is finished in order to relieve the monotony of pioneer life, 
 to hold communion with kindred minds and to continue practice 
 in the art of conversation. Occasionally travelers stop to get a 
 midday meal or else supper, lodging and breakfast. From them 
 he gathers information from the coast or from the more remote 
 settlements in the interior. When the traveler proves to be 
 an interesting talker it is a treat for the household to sit and 
 listen as he narrates his experiences or tells the news he has 
 gathered on his journey and ofttimes it is past midnight, perhaps, 
 before thought of retiring becomes definitely fixed. The Indians 
 also call as they follow their trail up and down the Seven Mile 
 river that flows past his door, and claim the white man a brother 
 whose duty it is to give them food and shelter. 
 
 The Indians /Make Themselves at Home in His Cabin. 
 
 The duty is not acknowledged by Samuel Bemis, at least not 
 without mental reservation, but they are fed just the same and 
 when night comes roll themselves up in blankets, should the 
 weather be cold, and stretching at full length on the kitchen floor 
 with their feet toward the fire, soon fall asleep. This arrange- 
 ment was not agreeable to the host, but being a man of prudence 
 and tact as well, he outwardly submits to conditions he is power- 
 less to avert, and continues to entertain the red men in his home, 
 to which they have not been invited. With such conditions as 
 these prevailing, an unusual event in the family life of Samuel 
 Bemis occurred the year following his settlement at Leicester. We 
 will let Draper's History tell the story: " In 1722, when his wife 
 was about to give birth to her third son, William, fearing the 
 Indians, she made a journey to Sudbury for safety during that 
 
SAMUEL BEMIS. 
 
 49 
 
 critical period, and when her little son was onl) T two weeks old, 
 she rode home on horseback, a distance of nearly fifty miles, in one 
 day and carried the infant in her arms, although for a greater part 
 of the distance the road, such as it was, passed through an entire 
 wilderness." It is no wonder then, that a woman having so great 
 powers of endurance as she evidently possessed should have given 
 birth to a race of stalwart men and women such as we find to have 
 'been the case. There is one expression in the above narrative 
 
 FOSTER BEMIS, 
 Great grandson of Samuel Bemis, Sr., and the last Bemis to till the old 
 farm which had descended from Samuel Sr., Joshua Sr., and 
 Amasa to Foster, In 1S55 he sold the farm and went 
 West. Born in Spencer, Jan'y 16, 1S0S; died at 
 Beloit, Wis., Dec. 6. 1881, "respected In- 
 all who knew him." 
 
 that will not likely be sufficiently clear to the general reader, 
 that is "fearing the Indians." 
 
 Fears the Indians. 
 
 and 
 
 Why should she fear the Indians ? Let us find out if we can 
 the real cause. Years before this time a majority of the males 
 of the different tribes ot Indians in New England had either 
 been slain or else had been so completely subdued that they 
 
5© 
 
 SKETCHES OF SPENCER HISTORY. 
 
 feared to again make war on the white men, knowing full 
 well from the past that swift retribution would follow, with 
 their lives as a forfeit. But there were a few Indians, sup- 
 posed to have been mostly old men, who remembering with 
 humiliation the victories of the white men, and, defying their 
 power, still thirsted for revenge, These, owning allegiance to no 
 tribe, in small bands roved at will about the country protected by 
 the forests which everywhere abounded, and which under cover 
 
 I,EWIS BEMIS, 
 
 Great grandson of Samuel Pemis, Sr. He was a farmer, merchant and 
 
 powder manufacturer. Built in 1841 the house where Abraham 
 
 Capen now lives. Served the town as representative, 
 
 town clerk and treasurer. Born in Spencer, Nov. 
 
 5, 1797; died in Spencer, Nov. 8, 1856. 
 
 of their branches permitted them to approach their intended vic- 
 tims unawares. It was doubtless in this way that Widow Mary 
 Mcintosh was fired upon and killed at Brookfield while milking 
 her cows, August 2, 1706, and also one Judah Trumble, killed 
 there about the same date. "Oct. 13, 1708, in the same town, John 
 Wolcott, a lad of about thirteen years, was riding early in the morn- 
 ing in search of the cows when Indians fired at him, killing his 
 horse and taking him prisoner. Six men from Jennings' garri- 
 
SAMUEL BEMIS. 
 
 51 
 
 son, hearing the firing and thinking it proceeded from Banister's 
 garrison, hastened to the latter place, but were waylaid by the 
 Indians, when Abijah Bartlett was killed and three others 
 wounded." 
 
 Indians Kill White Men at Brookfield 
 
 " In 1709, Robert Granger and John Clary were passing 
 along a road, in Brookfield, and being fired upon by the In- 
 dians, Granger was killed on the spot. Clary attempted to escape 
 but was soon shot down." July 22, 17 10, six men were making 
 
 WILLIAM BEMIS, SR. HOUSE. 
 
 The original house built by William Bemis, Senior, son of Samuel Bemis, Senior, on the 
 
 east end of lot 15, in 1746. The outside has been recovered, kept in good repair 
 
 and looks like a modern house. Now owned by Jeremiah Kane. 
 
 hay in the meadows at Brookfield, when the Indians sprang sud- 
 denly upon them and all were slain. Such facts as these, 
 happening so short a distance away from the Bemis homestead and 
 relatively in so recent a period of time, would naturally arouse the 
 fears of a wise and prudent woman and cause her to plan in every 
 way to make life as secure from danger as possible. But there 
 were other factors in the case. Strange Indians had been seen 
 prowling about the frontier settlements, and although no man 
 knew their purpose, it was readily divined that their mission was 
 not one of peace, and while no overt act against the whites oc- 
 curred until eight months after Mrs. Bemis returned from Sud- 
 
52 
 
 SKETCHES OF SPENCER HISTORY. 
 
 bury, yet what then happened showed that the settlers had accur- 
 ately prejudged the intent of their enemy, as will be seen by the 
 following : 
 
 Gray Lock the Famous Indian Chieftain. 
 
 In an account by Francis E. Blake, in the History of Rutland, 
 he says : "On the 13th of August, 1723, Gray Lock, an old 
 chief of the Waranokes, whose hiding place during the early sum- 
 mer had been unknown, with four other Indians approached the 
 town of Nortbfield, and there waylaying two of its prominent 
 men, killed them on the spot, and long before the inhabitants could 
 
 -, % 
 
 THE JONAS BEMIS, SR., PI,ACE, 
 
 in the south part of Spencer, and where he settled about 175s after his return from 
 the war with France. This is not the original house, but superseded that structure, and 
 is known to have been erected prior to 1798. Ijeut. Bemis is supposed to have been the 
 heaviest man that ever lived in Spencer, weighing, it is said, over 400 pounds. This is also 
 where Jonas Bemis. Jr. lived, familiarly known in his later years as "Old Squire Jonas" 
 from his having a commission as Justice of the Peace. He died in 1S46, aged S5. This 
 was also the residence of Alpha, son of Jonas, Jr. In 1S73, in Spencer, there was what 
 was called "a smallpox epidemic," and this house was taken by the authorities and made 
 into a hospital for patients having that disease. Dr. C A. Beniis was placed in charge as 
 superintendent with a salary at the rate of $1000 per year, he agreeing to supply medi- 
 cines and pay small incidental expenses. Before the spring of 1S74, the patients had all 
 been discharged and the dwelling ever since has been distinguished as the "Pock House.' ' 
 
 organize a force for pursuit, they were far beyond reach on their 
 way to the exposed settlement of Rutland. Hovering about the 
 town, easily concealed by the woods with which they were doubt- 
 less familiar, they awaited an opportunity to wreak their ven- 
 geance upon some of the innocent people there. The succeeding 
 day, the 14th of August, Deacon Joseph Stevens, was at work 
 
SAMUEL BEMIS. 
 
 53 
 
 alone in a meadow a half mile northeast of the meeting house. 
 Four of his sons, leaving their home upon the hill, went down 
 into the meadow to join their father, when they were suddenly 
 surrounded by the five Indians who quickly with their blows kill- 
 ing two, Samuel and Joseph, seized the others, Phineas and Isaac, 
 and held them captives. The father heard their cries and saw the 
 fearful deed but knowing he was utterly powerless to cope with 
 the savages, escaped to the neighboring bushes and subsequently 
 
 DAVID BEMI?, 
 
 son of William Bemis Jr., and great grandson of Samuel Bemis Sr., 
 
 born in Spencer. Aug. 3, 1812; died in Spencer, Jan. 24, 1899; 
 
 thirty-six years an assessor for the town of Spencer, a 
 
 longer service in one office than has been attained 
 
 by any other citizen in the town's history. 
 
 to his home. Three of the Indians guarded the two boys while 
 two passing on laid in wait for vSimeon Davis and his son who 
 were at work in a meadow near by, unconscious of the impending 
 danger. Mr. Davis, however, prevented the accomplishment of 
 the plan by fortunately returning home by another path and the 
 Indians, thwarted in their designs, moved onward to join their 
 companions and while in sight of them, came upon Rev. Mr. 
 Willard, the minister of the town, who with his gun had been 
 hunting game." 
 
54 
 
 SKETCHES OF SPENCER HISTORY. 
 
 Rev. Mr. Willard's Fight for Life. 
 
 "Both of the Indians fired upon him but did no harm while he 
 returned the fire, severely wounding one of them. The other 
 sprang upon him and the two closed together, fought for the mas- 
 tery, and when the valor and strength of the minister seemed 
 about to overcome the savage, the three other Indians, running to 
 the spot, quickly overpowered him and took his life. The only 
 witness to tell of this deed in after years, Phineas Stevens, testified 
 
 SUN DIAL. 
 
 This sun dial bears the marks of age, but how old it is no one knows. 
 
 It was donated to the public museum by George Bemis of South 
 
 Spencer, now living, over eighty years of age, who says it came 
 
 from his grandfather Nathaniel's estate, and he thinks it 
 
 originally belonged to Samuel Bemis, Senior. 
 
 to the brave resistance and the manliness of Mr. Willard in his 
 struggle for life." 
 
 Brave Woman at Oxford. 
 
 "In Oxford on the 6th of August, 1724, four Indians came 
 upon a small house built under a hill. They made a breach in the 
 roof and as one of them was attempting to enter he received a 
 shot in the abdomen from a courageous woman, the only person in 
 the house, who had two muskets and two pistols, and was prepar- 
 ing for all four but they thought fit to retreat, carrying off the 
 dead or wounded man." — Rut/and History. 
 
SAMUEL BEMIS. 
 
 55 
 
 Scouts Posted at Leicester. 
 
 It was, indeed, a time of peril. In 1722 the town of Leices- 
 ter applied to the Governor of the Massachusetts Colony to have 
 scouts posted there through fear of the Indians and the petition 
 was granted, and in 1724, twenty-nine soldiers were assigned to 
 duty there scouting on the outskirts of the settled portion of the 
 town and guarding the farmer as he tilled his fields, or toiled in 
 
 
 
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 ^lk 
 
 
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 HW**3!*** 
 
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 SbL ''WJkSH 
 
 
 
 
 
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 THE BEMIS ELM, 
 
 Now standing across the highway, south of Bemis Memorial Park. Before the Bemis 
 
 family abandoned the home farm it was customary to raise for market about a 
 
 hundred turkeys a year, and this tree was their roosting place. 
 
 his meadows. The uncertainty of life, continually exposed to 
 Indian assaults, still agitating the people of Leicester, in 1726 
 they caused a garrison to be built around the house of their min- 
 ister, Rev. David Parsons, near the present Congregational church 
 
56 SKETCHES OF SPENCER HISTORY. 
 
 at a cost of 1 1 Hbs. ios. 3d., but Leicester was fortunate in never 
 having to use the garrison for its intended purpose, and in never 
 having, so far as knoun, a white man slain within her borders by 
 the Indians. 
 
 Scouts at Brookfield 
 
 In 1725 scouts were posted at Brookfield, and the following is 
 a partial report of service performed : 
 
 March 18-19, guarded the people fencing their meadows. 
 
 April 1, guarded the people at the corn mill. 
 
 April 26, guarded the people to plow. 
 
 May 4-13, guarded the people to plant. 
 
 May 10, scouted, discovered Indian tracks by Ware river. 
 
 May 29, scouted the swamps in pursuit of the Indians. 
 
 July 10, guarded 23 men at work in the meadow making hay. 
 
 It was not, however, for other reasons always agreeable 
 for the settlers to live in the wilderness apart from their fel- 
 
 A PAIR OF ANDIRONS. 
 
 These old Andirons were dug up by Mr. Charles A. Boyden in 1S80 from the cellar of the 
 
 first frame house erected in Spencer by Samuel Bemis in 1726. Their design is 
 
 one of the earliest, and as they were made by hand it appears probable 
 
 they were used in the old house. They are now in the possession 
 
 of Dr. A. A. Bemis. 
 
 low-men, isolated from the home of their childhood, the asso- 
 ciations of their youth, the presence of their kindred and sur- 
 rounded by all the dangers of frontier life, and we get now 
 and then glimpses as to how some of these early pioneers 
 felt along these lines when they gave utterance to their feel- 
 
SAMUEL BEMIS 57 
 
 ings. It is fair to assume that the following experience of 
 Ephraim Curtis, the first settler in Worcester, and great-great- 
 grandfather of Judge Albert W. Curtis of this town, was but the 
 record of a feeling common among the early pioneers. The his- 
 tory says he "left Sudbury with a pack on his back, a light, long 
 Spanish gun on his shoulder, and an axe in his hand, and set his 
 face toward Worcester. 
 
 Early Settler Sheds Tears. 
 
 "This was in the fall of 1673. He settled near Lincoln street 
 at a place called by the Indians Quinsigamug. Here he was all 
 alone in the wilderness for a year or more, and in subsequent 
 times used to tell how, after working all day, he would sit down 
 and look toward Sudbury and shed tears in spite of himself." 
 
 Another writer of those times, evidently one who at a previous 
 date had enjoyed the social life of some hamlet, now relates a wil- 
 derness experience in the language of one who is heartbroken and 
 homesick. The person says: 
 
 A Howling Wilderness. 
 
 " A howling wilderness it was, exposed da)^ and night, 
 whether in hut or field, to the wily and cruel Indian, the lurking 
 and ravenous bear or wolf. A howling wilderness it was, where 
 no man dwelt — the hideous yells of wolves, the shrieks of owls, 
 the gobbling of turkeys, and barking of foxes, was all the musiek 
 we enjoyed — no friends to visit, no soul in the surrounding towns; 
 all a dreary waste and exposed to a thousand difficulties; no roads, 
 no mills, no schools or sanctuary." 
 
 Isolation, however, and disquieting noises in the night w T ere 
 not all the trials of the settler. The wolf was a constant men- 
 ace. It is recorded that in 1723, at Ipswich, the birthplace 
 of Nathaniel Wood, "wolves were so abundant and so near 
 the meeting house that parents would not suffer their chil- 
 dren to go and come from worship without some grown per- 
 son. It w r as a common thing to hear them commence their 
 howl soon after sunset, when it was very dangerous to go near the 
 woods." It was also said that " all the young settlements were 
 harassed by the incursions of troops of wolves." 
 
 The Troublesome Wolf. 
 
 At Worcester in 1733, it is recorded that " so great was the 
 injury done by these marauders that the price of heads was raised 
 to eight pounds. The precipitous cliff still called Rattlesnake 
 Rocks was the favorite resort of wolves, bears, wild cats and ser- 
 
58 SKETCHES OF SPENCER HISTORY. 
 
 pents, rendering the steep dangerous to man." In 1734 the 
 record says that " notwithstanding the law of the province giv- 
 ing encouragement for the destruction of wolves, they still con- 
 tinue very troublesome and mischievous, especially among young 
 cattle and sheep whereby people are discouraged from keeping 
 sheep so necessary for clothing." It is presumable that Samuel 
 Bemis from his remote location was particularly well situated to 
 invite the depredations of these wild animals. It may be well here 
 to note other conditions prevailing at that time. 
 
 The Highways Intolerable. 
 
 Draper's history says that as late as 1788, "the highways were 
 intolerable, the Great Post road by far the best in the country, 
 and which has since received so many straightenings and level- 
 ings, was then so rough and hilly that it was only competent for a 
 
 POWDER HORN. 
 
 Powder Horn carried by Capt. Edmond Bemis throughout his service in the Colonial 
 
 Wars. It was inherited by his son, Joseph, and by Joseph's sons, Sylvatms and 
 
 John, by whom it was presented to the Spencer Museum, through Win. 
 
 M. Wakefield, who cared for them in their old age. 
 
 team of four horses to transport the weight of one ton to Boston 
 and return with the same weight in one week. The chief instru- 
 ments in repairing the roads were the cart and the iron bar. The 
 plough was then never used for that purpose, and what rocks 
 could not be removed with iron bars alone, stood their ground in 
 whatever part of the road they happened to be located, bidding 
 defiance to the horses' hoofs or the wheels of the carriages, for the 
 use of gunpowder in removing rocks was then unpracticed and 
 hardly known." 
 
 Brookfield Petitions for Good Roads. 
 
 At an earlier date the citizens of Brookfield had sent to 
 " His Excellency Richard Earl of Belmont," for a sum of money 
 wherewith to repair that part of the Bay Path road between 
 Brookfield and Worcester, and which went by way of Charlton and 
 
SAMUEL BEMIS. 59 
 
 Oxford. While this road did not go through any part of Leices- 
 ter this document represents the general state of the highways at 
 that time. This is the petition : 
 
 Wee the subscribers being verry senceable of the inconvenien- 
 cys that may happen in as much as the stated Road to Conitticot 
 especially Betwixt Wooster & Brookfield is verry much incumbered 
 with Trees fallen & many Rocky Swamps & other impassable Ob- 
 structions to Travellers, Drovers, and others, & hazzarding life or 
 limb of both men and Horses & other Creatures to great Losses & 
 Damages, Humbly propose that there bee a Suteable allowance 
 Granted to repairs & amend said Road, at least to the sum of — 
 pounds, Out of the Publique Treasurie of this Province, which we 
 Humbly leave to consideration, & Subscribe 
 
 JOHN PYNCHON, 
 SAML PARTRIGG, 
 JOHN CLARKE, 
 ISAAC PHELPS, 
 SAM'L MARSH. 
 Brookfield, May 29, 1700. 
 
 "The General Court voted the sum of 5 lbs. for mending the 
 road aforesaid, where it is needed." This was about $1.50 
 per mile, but then those were truly days of "small things." 
 
 A New England Town in 1719. 
 
 Let us now get the picture of a New England village as it ap- 
 peared at the time of the advent of Samuel Bemis into Leicester and 
 we shall then, bearing in mind what has preceded, have a fairly 
 complete idea of the appearance of the country, his environment 
 and the conditions under which he was obliged to labor. The fol- 
 lowing description of Worcester in 1719 is taken from Lincoln's 
 History : "There were 58 dwellings here at that time and about 
 200 persons. Tradition says they were humble edifices, princi- 
 pally of logs, one story high, and with ample stone chimneys. 
 Some were furnished with windows of diamond glass where the 
 resources of the proprietor afforded means for procuring such a 
 luxury. The light was admitted in many through the dim trans- 
 parency of oiled paper." 
 
 Houses Have Plank Doors. 
 
 From other sources it is learned that the doors to the houses 
 were made of planks in the most substantial w r ay, nailed together 
 with wrought iron nails and securely clinched. The windows 
 were strongly made and opened outwardly, while inside, as a fur- 
 ther protection, were heavy wooden shutters. 
 
 After 1722 we learn but little more of Samuel Bemis until 
 the summer of 1726, the year he built the first framed house in 
 w ? hat is now Spencer. This building was two stories in height 
 
60 SKETCHES OF SPENCER HISTORY. 
 
 and covered 800 square feet of ground. This is learned from a 
 a description given by the assessors in 1798, when they report 
 as above and add that the house contains eleven windows 
 and sixty-seven square feet of glass. This would give an average 
 of six square feet to a window, or about one half the usual size of 
 windows at the present time. This house was taken down about 
 1845 or within the memory of many now living. It was no small 
 undertaking at that time and place to build a house of that size. 
 Housewrights, as carpenters where called in those days, were not 
 plentiful, John Stebbins of Leicester hill, being the principal one 
 then in the town. It may have been that the father-in-law of 
 Samuel Bemis, John Barnard of Sudbury, a housewright, super- 
 intended its construction. All the timber must needs be cut, 
 lined, scored and hewed. 
 
 Framing a New House for Samuel Bemis. 
 
 The present method of framing was unknown. Each 
 stick was in turn made to fit into its place in another stick by a 
 process known as the scribe rule, that is the whole frame had to 
 be put together on the nround, one section at a time, each tenon 
 and mortise made the complement of each other and then taken 
 apart and laid away until the time of raising. And then, when 
 the frame was all ready, a bee was ordered and all the men in the 
 country around were invited to attend and help raise the build- 
 ing. At that time there were to be had in country places no ropes 
 and tackle — nothing but the muscle of hardy yeomen was 
 available. Every man came who could. To go to a rais- 
 ing was to have a holiday of the most pleasant character and 
 so we may suppose the neighbors of Samuel Bemis in Brookfield 
 and Leicester turned out in force on the morning of some fair day 
 in 1726, and before the sun went down had made him the happy 
 possessor of the skeleton of a house of his choice, strongly and 
 securely erected and ready for its outside covering. When com- 
 pleted, into this house he moved and here spent the days of his 
 vigorous manhood and at last when enfeebled by age bid adieu 
 to the scenes of earth. 
 
 Why Seven Mile River Was so Named. 
 
 The Seven Mile river in Leicester and the Five Mile river in 
 Brookfield were so designated by the early settlers on Foster Hill, 
 in Brookfield, to denote the distance from their settlement to the 
 fording places where these streams crossed the Boston trail. In 
 1725 the town of Leicester was complained of at the Quarterly 
 Session of the Worcester Court, and under a law then in force 
 
SAMUEL BEMIS. 6 1 
 
 fined for failing to provide a bridge at the junction of the Seven 
 Mile river with the "Country Road" near the house of Samuel 
 Bemis. This protest, though an expense to Leicester, did not 
 bear immediate results, and in 1728 the town was again fined, 
 with total costs amounting to about seventy-five dollars, and this 
 time was aroused to action. There was a town meeting legally 
 convened, March 5, 1728, "to see what steps and methods the 
 town will take to answer the presentment at the Quarter .Sessions 
 for not erecting a bridge over the Seven Mile river. Voted that 
 Lieut. Thomas Newhal and Mr. Josiah Converse do answer the 
 presentment at the Quarter Sessions in behalf of the town for not 
 building the bridge over Seven Mile river." 
 
 First Bridge Over Seven /Mile River. 
 
 The money was raised for the bridge and it was completed 
 the year following, but the structure appears to have been 
 a crude attempt at bridge building, and was probably built 
 low down near to the stream and only wide enough tor the pas- 
 sage of a single team. Owing, probably, to the superficial char- 
 acter of the structure we find the town, Nov. 2, 1741, consider- 
 ing the cpjestion whether it would be better to repair the old 
 bridge or build a new one as we learn from the following record: 
 
 Att a meeting of the freeholders and other inhabitants of ye 
 town of Leicester, Leagaly convened upon Monday, the second dav 
 of November, 1741, that whare as the sum granted by this town for 
 the repairing the highways in this town prove in sufficiant and more 
 particularly in the western part of said town there being so much 
 wanting to be done either in repairing the bridge over Seven Milde 
 River or to build a new Bridg over said river this is therefore to see 
 if ye town will grant a sutable sum of money to repare or build said 
 Bridge or what may be nessarey for any other part of said town as 
 allso to see what the town will alow to each man for a days work at 
 said bridge as allso for cart and oxen and put ye care there of into 
 ye hands of a sutable committee or other ways to see what ye town 
 will do in the affare a Bove mentioned. Voted that ve sum of eight 
 shillings be a lowed to each man for a days work at ve above said 
 Bridg at the Discression of the Committe and the sum of five shill- 
 ings a da}- for a pair of oxen and the sum of three shillings a dav 
 for a cart in the business a Bove said 
 
 Samuel Bemis Directs Sixty-five Men at Bridge 
 
 Building. 
 
 The town voted the money needed and this time a substan- 
 tial structure was erected, occupying about two weeks' time, with 
 Samuel Bemis apparently superintendent of the work. No man 
 before or since probably had such an array of help at the build- 
 ing of a wooden bridge in town as Mr. Bemis directed on this 
 ■occasion, no less than sixty-five different men being employed 
 
62 
 
 SKETCHES OF SPENCER HISTORY. 
 
 during its construction, as will be seen by the following document 
 recorded in 1742: 
 
 Mr. William Green, 
 
 Treasurer of the town of Leicester, 
 Sir — Whare as the inhabitants of this town at a meeting Reg- 
 ularly convened, voted to raise the sum of sixty pounds to build a 
 Bridg over Seven Mile River in this town and the same have bin 
 assessed on the Inhabitants and Delivered to the last year's Consta- 
 bles, viz: John Crowl and patrick Watson, and the several persons 
 which are here under written working in Building the Bridg the 
 sum affixed against his name all which sums so affixed you are de- 
 sired to pav to the several persons here under named and the same 
 shall be alowed to you. 
 
 
 
 
 JOHN LYND, 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 JOHN WHITTEMOR, 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 JOSHUA NICKOLS, 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 LUK LINCOLN, 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 BENJAMIN TUCKER, 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 Selectmen 
 
 of 
 
 Leicester. 
 
 
 L. 
 
 S. 
 
 d. 
 
 L. 
 
 s. d.. 
 
 Benj. Woodart, 
 
 
 16 
 
 Josaniah How, 
 
 
 8 
 
 David Earl, 
 
 
 S 
 
 Henery White, 
 
 
 8 
 
 Jacob Briaut, 
 
 
 s 
 
 John Onus, 
 
 1 
 
 4 
 
 Edward East, 
 
 
 8 
 
 Thomas Graton, 
 
 
 16 
 
 Robert Griffin, 
 
 1 
 
 9 
 
 John Stebbins, 
 
 
 8 
 
 Daniel Denny, 
 
 2 
 
 10 
 
 6 Samuel Bemis, Jr , 
 
 1 
 
 4 
 
 James Southgate, 
 
 1 
 
 6 
 
 Thos. Richardson, 
 
 1 
 
 12 
 
 John Scott, 
 
 1 
 
 12 
 
 Ichabod Merrit, 
 
 1 
 
 4 
 
 John Whittemor, 
 
 1 
 
 4 
 
 Fklward Bond, 
 
 
 8 
 
 Daniel Snow, 
 
 
 16 
 
 Robert Woodart, 
 
 
 8 
 
 James Smith, 
 
 
 S 
 
 Oliver Witt, 
 
 
 8 
 
 franses how, 
 
 
 8 
 
 William Green Jr. 
 
 
 8 
 
 John Graton, 
 
 
 13 
 
 Joseph Tompson, 
 
 1 
 
 4 
 
 William Wickor, 
 
 
 8 
 
 John Reed, 
 
 1 
 
 4 
 
 Jonathan Sargent, 
 
 1 
 
 4 
 
 hugh Cunningham 
 
 , 
 
 S 
 
 Rich'd Southgate, J 
 
 r. 
 
 8 
 
 patrick Watson, 
 
 1 
 
 17 
 
 William Sinkley, 
 
 
 8 
 
 Rich'd Southgate, 
 
 1 
 
 6 
 
 Benjamin Johnson, 
 
 2 
 
 8 
 
 John Lynd, 
 
 1 
 
 17 
 
 Nathaniel Green, 
 
 
 16 
 
 Thomas Lowden, 
 
 
 16 
 
 Joseph Shaw, 
 
 
 8 
 
 Joshua Nickols, 
 
 1 
 
 6 
 
 Benj Bond, 
 
 
 8 
 
 John Lynd. Jr , 
 
 
 S 
 
 Thomas Smith, 
 
 
 8 
 
 John Sanderson, 
 
 
 16 
 
 Joseph Trumbel, 
 
 
 8 
 
 phinice Newton, 
 
 
 8 
 
 William Earl, 
 
 
 8 
 
 Jonas Livermor, 
 
 
 8 
 
 Samuel Tucker, 
 
 
 16 
 
 William Thompsor 
 
 L, 
 
 8 
 
 John Potter, 
 
 
 8 
 
 Samuel Bemis, 
 
 5 
 
 12 
 
 Archabel Lamond, 
 
 
 8 
 
 David Adams, 
 
 
 15 6 
 
 Samuel Brown, 
 
 I 
 
 14 
 
 Joshua Whitney, 
 
 
 S 
 
 Thomas Steel, 
 
 I 
 
 4 
 
 William Green, 
 
 2 
 
 18 
 
 peter Silvester, 
 
 1 
 
 12 
 
 Jonathan Lamb, 
 
 1 
 
 14 
 
 Israel Parsons, 
 
 2 
 
 12 
 
 Jacob Shaw, 
 
 
 8 
 
 Jonathan Newhall, 
 
 I 
 
 6 
 
 Samuel Barns, 
 
 
 13 
 
 Daniel Lynd, 
 
 
 16 
 
 John Converse, 
 
 1 
 
 6 
 
SAMUEL BEMIS. 
 
 63 
 
 At a town meeting held March 15, 1742, Art. 5, was as fol- 
 lows : 
 
 To see if the town a low ye Coumpts of the Committe that 
 was impowered to Build a Bridg over Seven Mile River in this town 
 as allso to see if they will make sum a lowance to Mr. Samuel Bemis 
 for timber cut in his land to Build said Bridg with and grant money 
 to pay ye same. Voted to allow ye account of the Comity in holl 
 that was chosen to buld ye Bridg over seven mile river. Voted that 
 ye sum of i6fb us 6d be granted and assessed to defray ye charge 
 of building ye bridge over seven Mild river. 
 
 The sides to the bridge, however, were open and so remained 
 for fifty -seven years, when at a town meeting held May 14, 1798, 
 it was "voted to repair the Bridge near Amasa Bemis' house, and 
 to have rails both sides of the Bridge and causeway." 
 
 SEVEN MILE RIVER BRIDGE. 
 
 The famous Seven Mile River Bridge, near the original homestead*"of SamueirBemis. 
 
 The center of the old fordway was about ten feet from the north_or opposite 
 
 side of the bridge as shown in the engraving. 
 
64 
 
 SKETCHES OF SPENCER HISTORY. 
 
 Church Relations in Leicester and Spencer. 
 
 While Samuel Bemis appears never to have been a commu- 
 nicant of the church, his relations thereto and to the parish 
 with which he was connected, seem to have been of a most 
 cordial character. In 1733, we rind him paying for the sup- 
 port ot the Leicester church 2ibs. is. 8d., or the most of 
 any man in a list of thirty-eight tax payers, except John 
 
 CHIGOE BEMIa, 
 
 daughter of Joshua Bemis Jr., and great granddaughter of Samuel 
 Bemis Sr. Born in Spencer, April i, 1N20, now living. Married 
 Lorenzo O Livermore in May, 1840, better known by the 
 name of I^ory. Their children were; Walton t,ivermore 
 and Mrs. "Frances L,ivermore Stone, now living in 
 Spencer, and Rev. Albert L,ivermore of Mon- 
 tour Falls, New York. 
 
 Lynd, who paid 2ms. 1 is. yd. In 1734, out of a list of seventy- 
 five persons taxed, he paid lib. 19s. id., which amount was ex- 
 ceeded by only four persons. In 1735, he paid for mending glass 
 in the meeting house 6s. 6d. For entertaining council 16s. 6d. 
 For Rev. David Parsons settlement 18. iod. For paying Rev. 
 Mr. Goddard's arrears, and Dea. James Southgate for entertain- 
 ing Mr. Goddard and "sum other ministers in ye year," 11b. 6s. 4d. 
 
SAMUEL BEMIS 65 
 
 Only two others out of a list of ninety-four who were assessed, 
 paid as large a tax. In 1736 he paid toward Rev. Mr. Goddard's 
 salary 2it>s. ns. iod., which amount was exceeded by only two 
 persons: Jacob Lawton, who paid 3ms. 8s. iod. and John 
 Lynd, who paid 3lbs. 5s. 3d. 
 
 Rev. David Parsons Sues the Town 
 
 In 1737, the Rev. David Parsons sued the town for 
 arrearage in salary, won his suit, and to help liquidate this debt 
 Samuel Bemis paid 2lbs. 16s. 5d., and these sums fairly rep- 
 resent his annual payments in support of the gospel. "As early 
 
 T4 
 
 .' t- : -^1 
 
 SPENCER SCENERY. 
 Overlooking beautiful Brooks Pond with its many islands, from summer residence of Dr. A. A. Bemis. 
 
 as April 2, 1739, Samuel Bemis and John Stebbins, in behalf of 
 other settlers, met the proprietors at Boston to see about support 
 of a minister of the gospel," and later "Samuel Bemis and John- 
 athau Lamb were chosen assessors to levy a tax to support the 
 preacher. — Draper, p. 8y . 
 
 In 1744, when the western half of Leicester had been erected 
 into a precinct which was July 18th of that year, a parish meeting 
 was held Sept. 10th, at which it was voted that Mr. Samuel Bemis, 
 John Newhall and Mr. James Wilson be the assessors. Also voted 
 that Samuel Bemis, John Cunningham, Johnathau Lamb, John 
 
 5 
 
66 SKETCHES OF SPENCER HISTORY, 
 
 Stebbins and James Wilson be a committee for calling general 
 meetings. On the same date and on the town's book of records 
 the following statement is made : 
 
 An Unusual Document 
 
 We, whose names are hereunto subscribed do for ourselves 
 and ours, hereby declare ourselves fully satisfied on the account 
 of anv charge or charges that we have been at of any public nature 
 or degree whatsoever for this society from the beginning of the 
 world to this day as witness our hands. 
 
 Ctefx&*'£L UO 
 
 JOHN ORMES, 
 JOHNATHAN LAMB, 
 JOHN STEBBINS, 
 
 WILLIAM X SINKLER, 
 
 MARK 
 
 JAMES WILSON, 
 JOHN CUNNINGHAM, 
 JOSHUA BARROW, 
 SAMUEL BEMIS, JR., 
 DAVID ALEN, 
 JOHN NEWHAL, 
 MOSES SMITH, 
 JOSIA.H ROBINSON. 
 
 Sept. 30, 1744, the committee called the freemen "to meet at 
 the meeting house in said parish in respect of their choosing Mr. 
 Joshua Eaton to be their gospel minister and also in respect to his 
 settlement and salary and also to receive Mr. Eaton's answer to 
 settle amongst us," which he had been invited to do at a previous 
 meeting. It appears that Mr. Eaton gave a favorable response 
 to their invitation for at the same meeting it was voted that James 
 Wilson, Samuel Bemis, Johnathan Lamb and John Stebbins be a 
 committee to provide for the ordination, which took place Novem- 
 ber 7th. At a parish meeting, Dec. 24, 1744 "to see about 
 building seats in the meeting house" it was voted that Samuel 
 Bemis, Johnathan Lamb, James Wilson, Johnathan Ormes, John 
 Stebbins, Moses Smith and Joshua Barton be a committee to build 
 the body of the seats and to mark out and set a price on the pwe 
 spots." "Voted that Mr. Samuel Bemis shall have the pwe spot 
 on the right hand side of the coming of the south door, prize 
 5lbs., the highest cost of all." "Voted, tenthly that Mr. Samuel 
 Bemis, Jr., have the pwe spot at the left hand side of the coming 
 
SAMUEL BEMIS. 
 
 67 
 
 in of the east door in case that he provides the whole of the wad- 
 ing Stuf for the Bodey of the Seets." 
 
 At a meeting held March 29, 1745 "voted eighthly that Dea- 
 con Willson, Mr. Samuel Bemis and Left. Lamb be a comety for 
 to divide the ministerial and school lot." 
 
 On November 25, 1745, the parish "voted that Johnathan 
 Lamb, Samuel Bemis and James Wilson be a comety to rickon 
 and setal accounts with Mr. Eaton." 
 
 At a meeting held on "Mundy, March 14, 1749," itwasvoted 
 1 'to raise fifty pounds Old Tenor to pay Mr. Samuel Bemis' account 
 he hath against ye Parish." 
 
 DRIVE THROUGH SPENCER PUBLIC PARK. 
 
 The only town offices to which he was elected, thus far found 
 recorded, are those of constable and "Sarvayour of ye Hiways," 
 but his posterity have been honored with town office beyond that 
 of any other Spencer family. 
 
 His interest in schools cannot be determined except from the 
 fact that he appears to have paid his school tax whenever there 
 was an assessment and never asked for any abatement. He also 
 took the schoolmaster into his family circle in the days when 
 boarding around was in vogue, and at another time to have 
 boarded him continuously throughout one-half a probable term of 
 eight weeks, as by the town record of March 3, 1746, when it was 
 
68 SKETCHES OF SPENCER HISTORY. 
 
 "voted to a low to Samuel Bemis the sum of four pounds eight 
 shillings old tenor for Bording our schoolmaster, Adam Boolard 
 one month & keeping his horse one month." 
 
 It will thus be seen from the preceding records that Samuel 
 Bemis in his prime was active in promoting the religions inter- 
 ests of the town and served on many important parish commit- 
 tees, but neither the anathemas of Rev. David Parsons nor the 
 tears and tender entreaties of Rev. Joshua Eaton prevailed upon 
 him to become a communicant of the church he in so many ways 
 fostered. He was now nearing sixty years of age ; his sons had 
 grown to manhood, married and settled around him and from now 
 on he appears to have gradually relinquished cares of a public 
 nature. On March 4, 1764, at the age of seventy-two he ceases 
 to be the manager of his farm, one hundred acres of which, with 
 "a mansion house and barn thereon where I now live," he deeds 
 to his son Joshua. 
 
 Samuel Bemis in His Old Age. 
 
 He has lived to see the town of his choice gradually develop 
 into a thriving settlement, and his voice and deeds have been po- 
 tent in shaping its destiny. He has lived to see two of his sons 
 march away to the French and Indian Wars, and come home 
 laden with honors, uncontaminated with the vices of the camp. 
 He has seen his grandchildren multiply until it seems probable 
 that he may have been unable readily to have called them all by 
 name, and now as he is nearing the close of life he sees, on the 
 20th of April, 1775, his son Jonas and six of his grandsons march 
 as minutemen for the defence of the colonies. The Brookfield 
 Rangers, in which company his son Jonas was a lieutenant, must 
 needs pass his door, and whether the time was midday or mid- 
 night, no doubt he was in readiness to see the men march by to 
 the music of the fife and drum, and waving his hand bid them 
 God speed as they pressed on and out of sight on their way to 
 Cambridge. But from now on, being old and feeble, his days fly 
 swiftly by and in 1776, at the age of eighty-four, he is laid away 
 by the side of the wife of his youth in the old churchyard on the 
 hill, having completed his life work and won the respect and 
 esteem of his fellow-citizens. 
 
 Sarah Barnard's Ancestry. 
 
 His wife, Sarah Barnard, came from English ancestry. She 
 was born at Watertown, January 25, 1694, and died at Spencer, 
 September 30, 1755, preceding him twenty years. Her father, 
 grandfather and great grandfather Barnard were named John. 
 John Barnard Senior, born in 1602, came to America from Ips- 
 wich, England, in the ship Elizabeth, William Andrews master, 
 in 1634 with his wife Phebe and their son John, aged three, and 
 
SAMUEL BEMIS. 69 
 
 settled at Ipswich in this State. Her father was a housewright 
 and lived at Watertown, and his surname, Barnard, has to some 
 extent been used in Spencer as a given name in the Bemis and 
 other families. 
 
 The names of the children of Samuel Bemis and wife were as 
 follows : 
 
 Where born. 
 Watertown 
 
 Sudbury 
 
 Spencer 
 
 Name. 
 Samuel 
 Edmund 
 William 
 Nathaniel 
 Sarah 
 Joshua 
 Elizabeth 
 Jonas 
 
 Date. 
 May, — , 1716 
 Nov 1, 1720 
 Nov. 1, 1722 
 
 , 1725 
 
 Dec. 12, 1727 
 July 14, 1729 
 
 -. 1732 
 Mar. 25, 1737 
 
 Where died 
 Spencer 
 
 Date, 
 Aug. 15, 1793 
 Dec. — , 1810 
 Mar. 23, 1 801 
 Jan. — , 1784 
 
 Age. 
 
 77 
 90 
 78 
 61 
 
 " 
 
 Mar. 24, 17S9 
 
 59 
 
 " 
 
 May 7, 1790 
 
 53 
 
 Bemis Family as Workers. 
 
 The sons all settled in Spencer and their average ages at death 
 was the psalmist's allotted length, three score years and ten. 
 They were all farmers, men of action and property, who from 
 morning till evening, we conclude, or from sun to sun, which was 
 in those times the working day, felled the forests, dug out the 
 stumps, cleared the fields of rocks, built rail and stone fences, 
 reclaimed the swamps, dug ditches, built roads and such other 
 pioneer work as was needed to be done in addition to tilling the 
 soil and caring for their stock. Surely there was no lack of work in 
 those days, and while there was not much money in circulation, the 
 people all managed to be comfortably fed, clothed and housed. It 
 was while these men were living that roads actually begun to be 
 made, since for the first thirty years after the settlement of the 
 town there were no roads except the "Country Road," nothing 
 but cart paths from house to house. 
 
 Bemis Family at Road Building. 
 
 The first road laid out by competent authority was in 1750, 
 but from the beginning of road making in Spencer as our records 
 will show, up to the year 1901 under the administration of Lewis 
 D. Bemis, road commissioner, the Bemis family have had a great 
 proclivity for road making, and it is safe to say that of the one 
 hundred miles of roads in town, adding thereto twenty-five miles 
 of roads abandoned, there is hardly a rod on which at one time or 
 another some Bemis has not worked. In one year there were four 
 highway surveyors of the Bemis name. 
 
 The son of Samuel, who became the most distinguished, was 
 Captain Edmund, and after him Corporal Jonas, both from ser- 
 vice in the Colonial Wars. The following obituary notice orig- 
 inally appeared in the Massachusetts Spy of December 26, 18 10, 
 but is now reproduced from Draper's History of 1841. 
 
7o 
 
 SKETCHES OF SPENCER HISTORY 
 
 Bo 
 
 =■ 
 
 
 
 
 
 '/. 
 
 O 
 
 fi 
 
 >> 
 
 
 ,0 
 
 
 
 Ofl 
 
 
 • 
 
 o 
 
 P. 
 
 
 
 
 
 11 
 
 b/> 
 
 — 
 
 
 
 ID U 
 
 1-1 
 i-T 
 
 3 U 
 
 
 
 w 
 
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 « 
 
 s 
 
 
 w 
 
 "So 
 
 5a 
 
 <H u 
 
SAMUEL BEMIS. 7 I 
 
 Captain Edmund Bemis. 
 
 "Died in Spencer, Captain Edmund Bemis, aged 90 years. 
 There are some things worthy of record in the life of this aged 
 and war worn veteran. His father was the first settler in Spen- 
 cer, having removed from Sudbury, to this town, about the time 
 of the birth of this son, that is, about 1720. This son Edmund 
 has been very remarkable for his habits of honesty, industry and 
 temperance, which have produced a long life of health and happi- 
 ness. He early entered into the service of his country, and was a 
 Lieutenant at the reduction of Louisburgh in the year 1745. At 
 this siege he was a zealous and active officer. After the French 
 had surrendered to the victorious arms of New England, it was 
 found they had spiked their cannon, intending thereby to render 
 them entirely useless to the captors. It had been heretofore 
 deemed an impracticable thing, after a gun was thus spiked, to 
 drill it out, or by any other method whatever, to render it again 
 fit for service. The commander of the American forces, offered a 
 premium to any one who would undertake the task, if he should 
 prove successful. 
 
 Finds a Way to Utilize Spiked Cannon. 
 
 "Lieutenant Bemis undertook it, and by a process heretofore 
 never thought of, effected the desired object. Instead of drilling, as 
 was supposed to be the only practicable method, he collected a 
 large quantity of wood around the cannon, and setting it on fire, 
 heated them to such a degree that with a cold punch, the spike 
 was easily driven into the barrel. Thus was he the author of a 
 useful discovery to his country, which has ever since been followed 
 with complete success. After the reduction of Louisburgh, he 
 was a Captain in the war with France which succeeded, at the 
 close of which he returned home, to seek that repose among his 
 friends, which he has since enjoyed without interruption. 
 
 Digs the First Grave in the Old Cemetery. 
 
 "It will perhaps be, worthy of notice, as one singular circum- 
 stance, that he dug the grave for the first person in Spencer, up- 
 wards of seventy years ago. As he was the first person who 
 prepared a mansion for the dead in this town, so likewise he is 
 the last inhabitant who has removed to those gloomy mansions, be- 
 tween which times, there are supposed to have been not less than 
 twelve hundred persons consigned to the same place, which he 
 first marked out, and of which he has since taken possession." 
 
 The grave alluded to was for Elizabeth Adams, infant child 
 of David Adams, a neighbor who settled in Spencer in 1734. 
 The child was buried in 1742 in what is now known as the old 
 
72 
 
 SKETCHES OF SPENCER HISTORY. 
 
 cemetery where a headstone may be seen erected by some one of a 
 later generation. Nathaniel Cunningham gave the above land to 
 the town in 1740 "for the accommodation of a meeting house 
 and for other parochial and municipal purposes." Before this 
 time interments were made at Leicester. 
 
 MOOSE LAKE AND PUBLIC PARK GROVE. 
 
 The land comprising Spencer Public Park is in the rear of the late David Bemis' house and was 
 
 purchased from him and donated to the town by Hon. Luther Hill. The purchase 
 
 price was $2, 100— of which amount David Bemis discounted $100 in 
 
 view of the purpose for which it was to be used. 
 
 Louisburgh Fortress Strongest in America. 
 
 In order to give a better idea of what was accomplished at 
 Louisburgh, which is on Cape Breton Island, Nova Scotia, the 
 following descriptive matter is added: About 17 13 the French 
 began erecting fortifications here, designed to be the strongest in 
 America. The work continued lor thirty years and five million 
 dollars was expended on the fortress and armament. The station 
 thus became very important to the naval and fishing interests 
 of France in America and threatened serious loss in time to the 
 English and colonial fisheries. Massachusetts in such a case 
 would have been the chief sufferer among the colonies, and ever 
 alive to her interests, in 1745 while England and France were at 
 war, sent an expedition to attempt the capture of this strong cita- 
 
SAMUEL BEMIS. 
 
 73 
 
 del. This aggressive movement had been devised by Governor 
 Shirley and sanctioned by the legislature of the colony of Massa- 
 chusetts Bay. William Pepperell was chosen commander and 
 sailed for Nova Scotia with a hundred vessels under his command, 
 loaded with troops and munitions of war. A landing was effected 
 April 30, and the town and fortress besieged until July 17, when 
 
 French Commander Surrenders 
 
 the French commander surrendered, but only after he had caused 
 to be spiked the splendid cannon with which the fort was equipped, 
 and which Lieutenant Edmund Bemis undertook to put in com- 
 mission again and succeeded. His experience as a blacksmith led 
 him to adopt a practical method. No record has yet been found 
 showing the sum of money offered for the discovery or whether 
 the amount was ever actually paid over to Lieutenant Bemis. It 
 is not improbable, however, that a diligent search among our 
 state archives will yet reveal these points. 
 
 Some years after Lieutenant Bemis returned from Louisburgh 
 he was commissioned as a Captain and authorized to recruit a 
 company to march in defence of Crown Point. This he did and 
 the name bestowed on these recruits was Captain Edmund Bemis' 
 Spencer Co., although but few men were from Spencer as will be 
 seen by an inspection of the following muster roll. 
 
 A muster roll of the Company, in his Majesty's service un- 
 der the command of Captain Edmund Bemis, follows : 
 
 Edmund Bemis, Captain, 
 Ephraim Howard, Lieutenant, 
 Joseph Hamilton, Ensign, 
 Samuel Owen, Sergeant, 
 Isaac Chadwick, Sergeant, 
 Nat. Sargeant, Sergeant, 
 Elias Bowker, Clerk, 
 John Chamberlain, Corporal, 
 Eliphalet Hambelin, Corporal, 
 Jonas Bemis, Corporal, 
 Israel Richardson, Corporal 
 Thomas Weeks, Drummer, 
 Deliverance Carpenter, Private, 
 Ebenezer Nutting, 
 Robert Morgan, 
 Joseph Rutland, 
 Benjamin Wood, 
 John Adams, 
 
 Pay per 
 L. 
 
 Month 
 s. 
 
 d. 
 
 Town. 
 
 5 
 3 
 
 8 
 12 
 
 
 Spencer 
 Western 
 
 2 
 
 8 
 
 
 Brookfield 
 
 
 18 
 
 
 New Salem 
 
 
 18 
 
 
 Western 
 
 
 18 
 
 
 Leicester 
 
 
 18 
 
 1 
 
 Leicester 
 
 
 13 
 13 
 
 6 
 6 
 
 Stockbridge 
 Brookfield 
 
 
 13 
 13 
 13 
 
 6 
 6 
 
 6 
 
 Spencer 
 Spencer 
 Brookfield 
 
 
 12 
 
 
 Brimfield 
 
 
 12 
 
 
 Brimfield 
 
 
 12 
 
 12 
 
 
 Spencer 
 Brookfield 
 
 
 12 
 
 
 ( i 
 
 
 12 
 
 
 ( i 
 
74 
 
 SKETCHES OF SPENCER HISTORY. 
 
 Joice Flagg, 
 Jacob Wood, 
 Hbenezer Davis, 
 Nathan Hamilton, 
 Joseph Wood, 
 Abraham Adams, 
 Edward Ayers, 
 John Trask, 
 Malaah Gardner, 
 John Spencer, 
 John Bowker, 
 Christopher Muggin, 
 Thomas Wood, 
 Roger Brissell, 
 
 Joseph Worcester, 
 
 James Graiton, 
 James Bacon, 
 Ruben Clark, 
 John Brightwell, 
 Timothy Bowen, 
 Robert Brayford, 
 John Brown, 
 Oliver Barrett, 
 Stephen Corben, 
 William Fisk, 
 John Gibbs, 
 Soloman Gibbs, 
 Samuel Lewis, 
 John Slaker, 
 John Vickery, 
 William White, 
 William Trickery, 
 
 Private, 
 
 Pay per 
 
 Month. 
 
 Town. 
 
 L. 
 
 s. d. 
 
 
 
 12 
 12 
 
 Brookfield. 
 
 
 12 
 12 
 
 1 1 
 
 
 12 
 
 i i 
 
 
 12 
 
 1 ' 
 
 
 12 
 
 Ware River 
 
 
 12 
 
 New Salem 
 
 
 12 
 
 Worcester 
 
 
 12 
 
 Spencer 
 
 
 12 
 
 Spencer 
 
 
 12 
 
 Gore- Died 
 
 
 12 
 
 Western 
 
 
 12 
 
 Western 
 [Deserted] 
 
 
 12 
 
 Spencer 
 
 
 [Died i 
 
 n Worcester] 
 
 
 12 
 
 Spencer 
 
 
 12 
 
 Leicester 
 
 
 12 
 
 Brimfield 
 
 
 12 
 
 Brimfield 
 
 
 12 
 
 Western 
 
 
 12 
 
 Hadley 
 
 
 12 
 
 Swanzey 
 
 
 12 
 
 Sunderland 
 
 
 12 
 
 Sunderland 
 
 
 12 
 
 Greenwich 
 
 
 12 
 
 Greenwich 
 
 
 12 
 
 Greenwich 
 
 
 12 
 
 Middlebury 
 
 
 12 
 
 Middlebury 
 
 
 12 
 
 New Salem 
 
 I 
 
 12 
 
 Greenwich 
 
 i 
 
 12 
 
 Old York 
 
 Besides Capt. Edmund, Samuel Bemis was represented in 
 the French and Indian Wars by his youngest son Jonas, whom it 
 appears served the colonies in the same company as his brother 
 Edmund, and had risen to the rank of a sergeant before the close 
 of his service. He then came home, married and settled down to 
 the life of a farmer, but when the news of the Concord fight 
 reached him he promptly took his equipments and as Lieutenant 
 marched with the Brookfield Rangers to the front. 
 
SAMUEL BEMIS. 
 
 75 
 
 Effect of the Concord Fight in Spencer. 
 
 James Draper in his account of this call to arms says, speak- 
 ing of the British, "After having a conflict with our troops at 
 Concord they were repulsed and retreated back to Boston with 
 considerable loss. An alarm was immediately spread through the 
 country like an electric shock. The next day great was the com- 
 motion among the people. Like the fiery cross of the ancient 
 Scottish clans, a messenger on horseback, with the speed of the 
 
 HIRAM HOWE, 
 
 Great grandson of Samuel Bemis Sr., brother of the inventors, William and Tyler 
 Howe and uncle of Elias Howe, Jr. He was a man well known in Spencer for 
 seventy years and until laid by with rheumatism was a tireless worker on his 
 farm and about his saw, grist and cider mills. He was known among his towns- 
 people as an absolutely honest man who worked incessantly and never found 
 the longest days of June quite long enough in which to accomplish work equal 
 to his ambition. Born January 1S08 ; died September, 1901, aged 9354 years. 
 
 wind, passed through the towns from the East shouting from the 
 top of his voice, 'The war has begun, the regulars are marching 
 to Concord.' All business and recreations were immediately sus- 
 pended. The tarmer left his plough in the furrow, the mechanic 
 the tools upon the bench and there was an instantaneous gather- 
 ing of the people, with stern wills, to do whatever should be nec- 
 essary to be done to meet the emergency. The Company (Capt. 
 
7 6 
 
 SKETCHES OF SPENCER HISTORY. 
 
 Ebenezer Mason's) of minute men buckled on their knapsacks, 
 shouldered their muskets and were immediately on the march. 
 And although the time appointed for a town meeting to make 
 provision for the exigency had not yet arrived, the good wives of 
 the soldiers with the assistance of the selectmen of the town fur- 
 nishing them with a hasty and imperfect supply of clothing and 
 provisions, they marched quickly to Cambridge. Finding the 
 enemy disposed to remain in his stronghold, the town of Boston, 
 
 SUMMER RESIDENCE OF DR. A. A. BEMIS, OVERLOOKING BROOKS POND. 
 
 forty of them enlisted for eight months to be stationed in the vi- 
 cinity of Boston and the remainder returned home." Among the 
 latter was Lieut. Jonas Bemis, after a service of eight days. 
 
 Record of Spencer for Patriotism Unexcelled. 
 
 But this battle at Concord where was fired " a shot heard 
 round the world " was only the beginning of a long seven years' 
 conflict with England for civil liberty and which called upon all 
 lovers of freedom for the highest manifestations of patriotism. 
 And nobly did Spencer respond — no requisition was made upon 
 her for men, money, food or clothing, but the order was quickly 
 
SAMUEL BEMIS. 77 
 
 filled, not grudgingly but willingly, and while the people occupied 
 a humble walk in life compared with the body of men who signed 
 the Declaration of Independence, they had a purpose equally as 
 strong and were united with them, in upholding that compact 
 wmich they solemnly agreed should be inviolable under the pledge 
 of their lives, their fortunes and their sacred honor, and Spencer 
 stood by the sentiment of that agreement without flinching until 
 victory came. 
 
 Samuel Bemis Sends a Full Delegation to the War. 
 
 Samuel Bemis was not without representatives in that con- 
 flict. There was a full delegation. He had, in the early days of 
 the war, passed on to his reward and his six sons were past 
 military service, but his stalwart grandsons were of the right age 
 for the life of a soldier, and were ready to go to the front and 
 fight when they got there, and they went. All of them that bore 
 the Bemis name, everyone of them that was old enough to bear arms, 
 fourteen of them all told, marched to the front determined to help 
 drive the English army out of the land of their birth, and having 
 that spirit of patriotism burning within them that demanded either 
 victory or death. They reaped victory, but not until they had 
 passed through the hardships of many campaigns, nor until three 
 of their number had suffered the untold misery of a winter at Valley 
 Forge. The names of these worthy representatives of the Bemis 
 family and of the town of Spencer are as follows: 
 
 Muster Roll of grandsons of Samuel Bemis who served in the 
 Continental Army: 
 
 Age in 1776 
 
 Benjamin 32 \ 
 
 Samuel 27 • Sons of Samuel Bemis Jr. 
 
 Reuben 24 1 
 
 John 271 
 
 •L, . P V Sons of Edmund Bemis 
 
 Phmeas 22 [ 
 
 Eleazer 20 J 
 
 ■L . , ^ >■ Sons of William Bemis 
 
 David 21 j 
 
 ■kt .■. ■ , 2 - Sons of Nathaniel Bemis 
 Nathaniel 16 j 
 
 Obadiah 19 ) e r T -r, 
 
 T T Z \ Sons of Jonas Bemis 
 
 Jonas Jr. 16 j J 
 
 Amasa 19 \ Son of Joshua Bemis 
 
78 
 
 SKETCHES OF SPENCER HISTORY. 
 
 ■ '.. n 
 
SAMUEL BEMIS. 79 
 
 Samuel Bemis' Grandsons at Valley Forge. 
 
 Those who were at Valley Forge were Lieutenant Eleazer 
 Bemis, Sergeant Jonas Bemis Jr. and Obadiah Bemis. 
 
 Where shall we go to find a more patriotic family ? Surely 
 this is a record that will be difficult to match and one worthy our 
 highest admiration. In order to bring to our minds clearly the 
 trials and suffering of the Continental Army at Valley Forge, the 
 following extracts are taken from Lossings' Life of Washington: 
 
 " Valley Forge ! What thoughts and emotions are awakened 
 at the mention of that name. Sympathy and admiration, pity 
 and love, tears and smiles chase each other in rapid succession, as 
 one in imagination goes over the history ol that wintry encamp- 
 ment. Never before was there such an exhibition of the triumph 
 of patriotism over neglect and want; of principle over physical 
 sufferings; of virtue over the pangs of starvation. Those tattered, 
 
 The Old Bemis Hostelry. 
 
 The cut on opposite page shows the "Old Bemis Hostelry " as it appeared up to about 
 1845. The main buildings at the left were built by Amasa Bemis in i.so;, and annexed 
 to an ell connecting with the old house erected by Samuel Bemis about 1726. Thedate 
 " 1S07 " on the new part, was painted in large letters above the front door and on the 
 frieze just under the eaves. The picture was produced from the memories of the late 
 Edwin Bemis, Lorenzo Bemis and Ruel Jones of Spencer and Horace Bemis of New York, 
 who dictated the plan of the buildings to Mrs. Nellie Thayer Bemis in 1S86, they being 
 desirous of pos-essing a picture of the old place as it looked when they were boys. The 
 landscape was sketched directly from nature at the time. 
 
 half-clad, and bare-foot soldiers, wan with want, taking up their 
 slow march for the wintry forest, leaving their bloody testimonials 
 on every foot of the frozen ground they traversed, furnish one of 
 the sublimest scenes in history. A cloud, black as sackcloth, 
 seems to hang over their fortunes, but through it shoots rays of 
 dazzling brightness. A murmur, like the first cadences of a 
 death-song, heralds their march, but there is an undertone of 
 strange meaning and sublime power, for no outward darkness can 
 quench the light of a great soul, no moans of suffering drown the 
 language of a lofty purpose. 
 
 Washington Chooses the Site of the Encampment. 
 
 ' ' The encampment at Valley Forge was chosen after much 
 deliberation, and frequent consultations among the officers. 
 Various propositions were made, but to each and all there were 
 many and grave objections. Of course, the first and natural wish 
 was to keep the army in the field; but with such naked troops this 
 would be impossible, and every feeling of humanity in Washing- 
 
So SKETCHES OF SPENCER HISTORY. 
 
 ton revolted from making the attempt. But how and where to 
 quarter them seemed equally difficult. It was proposed to retire 
 to the towns in the interior of the state; but to this there was the 
 two-fold objection — that of inflicting the same destitution and 
 suffering on the inhabitants, and of leaving a large extent of 
 country unprotected, with forage and stores in possession of the 
 enemy. To distribute the troops in different sections would 
 render them liable to be cut off in detail. Washington, therefore, 
 determined to take to the woods, near his enemy, and there hut, 
 so that he could both protect the country and his stores, and also 
 be in striking distance in case of need. 
 
 " The army commenced its march on the nth of December, 
 but did not reach the place selected for the encampment till the 
 19th. In his order of the day, dated December 17th, Washing- 
 ton informed the troops of his decision, and the reasons which 
 urged him to it. He also praised their good conduct during the 
 tedious campaign now closed, declared that it furnished evidence 
 that their cause would finally triumph, even if the colonies were 
 left alone in the struggle, but added that there was every reason 
 to believe that France would soon ally herself openly against Eng- 
 land. He promised to share in the hardships, and partake of 
 every inconvenience. The next day had been appointed by 
 Congress as a day of Thanksgiving and praise. The army, there- 
 fore, remained quiet in their quarters, and divine service was held 
 in the several corps and brigades, by the chaplains, and hymns of 
 praise and the voice of prayer arose there on the confines of the 
 bleak forest, from men who, to all human appearance, had little 
 to be thankful for except nakedness, famine and frost. The next 
 day the work of hutting commenced. Each regiment was divided 
 
 The Army Builds Log Cabins. 
 
 into parties of twelve, each party to make its own hut, which was 
 to be of logs, fourteen by sixteen feet on the ground, and six feet 
 and a half high. The sides were to be made tight with clay, and 
 the roof with split slabs, or such material as could be obtained. 
 To stimulate the parties to greater exertion, Washington offered 
 a reward of one dollar to each man of that party which finished 
 its hut in the shortest time and most workmenlike manner. 
 Fearing that there would not be slabs or boards sufficient for roof- 
 ing, he offered a reward, also, of a hundred dollars to any one 
 who should substitute some other covering, that might be more 
 cheaply and quickly made. In a short time their arms were all 
 stacked, and with their axes and other tools in their hands, this army 
 of eleven thousand men, with the exception of about three thou- 
 sand who were unfit for duty, was scattered through the woods. 
 The scene they presented was strange and picturesque. There was 
 
SAMUEL BEMIS. 
 
 81 
 
 not a murmur or complaint, and with laugh and song, and loud 
 hallo, they went about their allotted toil. The forest soon rung 
 with the strokes of the axe, and the rapid and incessant crash of 
 falling trees resounded along the shores of the Schuylkill. Little 
 clearings were rapidly made, the foundations of huts laid, and a 
 vast settlement began to spring up along the valleys and slopes of 
 the hills. But here and there were scattered groups of fifty and 
 hundreds, sitting around huge fires, some of them with scarcely a 
 rag to cover their nakedness, crouching closely to the crackling 
 
 WIUJAM HOWE, 
 
 Son of Elijah Howe Jr.. uncle of T?lias Howe Jr., and great grand- 
 son of Samuel Bemis Sr., born in Spencer May 12. 1S03. In- 
 ventor of the celebrated Howe Truss Bridge. 
 
 logs to escape the piercing December blast; others sick and emaci- 
 ated, gazing listlessly on the flames, their sunken and sallow 
 visages clearly foretelling what would be their fate before the 
 winter now setting in was over. In another direction were seen 
 
 Men Harnessed Together Draw Logs. 
 
 men harnessed together like beasts of burden, and drawing logs 
 to the place of destination. Washington's tent was pitched on 
 the brow of a hill overlooking this strange spectacle. One after 
 
82 SKETCHES OF SPENCER HISTORY. 
 
 another the rude structures went up, till a log city, containing be- 
 tween one and two thousand dwellings, stood in the clearings that 
 had been made. Over the ground floor straw was scattered, and 
 into these the ' Sons of Libert}',' as Colonel Barre had christened 
 them, in the English Parliament, crept to starve and die. The 
 officers' huts were ranged in lines in the rear of those of the 
 soldiers, one being allowed to each of all of those who bore com- 
 missions, the whole being surrounded with intrenchments. But 
 scarcely had the troops got into these comfortless houses, when 
 there began to be a want of food in the camp. Congress, with that 
 infallible certainty of doing the wrong thing, had recently, against 
 Washington's advice, made a change in the quartermaster's and 
 commissary's department, by which in this critical juncture, the 
 army was left without provisions. In the meantime, news came 
 that a large party of the enemy was advancing in the country to 
 forage. Washington immediately ordered the troops to be in 
 readiness to march, when, to his surprise, he found that they were 
 wholly unable to stir, for want of food, and that a dangerous mu- 
 tiny had broken out. The soldiers were willing to suffer or die, 
 
 Army Without Food. 
 
 if necessary, but they would not submit to the neglect and in- 
 difference of Congress, which they knew could easily relieve their 
 wants. The statements made by the different officers were of the 
 most alarming kind. General Huntingdon wrote a note to Wash- 
 ington saying that his brigade was out of provisions, but he held 
 it in readiness to march, as 'fighting was far preferable to starving.' 
 General Varnum wrote, also, saying that his division had been 
 two days without meat, and three days without bread, and that 
 the men must be supplied, or they could not be commanded; still 
 they were ready to march, as any change was better than slow 
 starvation. On inquiry there was found only one purchasing 
 commissary in camp, and he made the frightful report of not a 
 'single hoof of any kind to slaughter, and not more than twenty- 
 five barrels of flour' to the whole army. Only small detachments, 
 therefore, could be sent out. These hovered about the enemy, 
 now bursting on a small party from some forest, and again sur- 
 rounding the dwelling where they were reposing. The weather 
 came on intensely cold, and the soldiers could hardly handle their 
 muskets with their stiffened fingers. They rarely entered a house, 
 and dared not kindle a fire at night, lest it should reveal their 
 position to the enemy. 
 
 Great Suffering in the Camp. 
 
 " Thus for a week, they kept marching and skirmishing, till 
 the enemy withdrew to Philadelphia, when they returned to camp,, 
 having collected but little forage. Here suffering and want were 
 
SAMUEL BEMIS. 
 
 83 
 
 fast bringing things to a crisis. The soldiers were at first satisfied 
 with the excuse given for the delay of provisions, viz: that the 
 rains had made the roads almost impassable. But day after day 
 passing without relief, they began to complain, and soon their 
 murmurs swelled to loud clamors and threats. First the different 
 regiments began to assemble, and the excitement increasing, 
 whole brigades and divisions gathered together without order, and 
 against the commands of their officers. The latter did not attempt 
 to enforce obedience, but spoke kindly to them, saying that Wash- 
 
 MONUMENT TO EUAS HOWE JR. AND GROUNDS IN PUBLIC PARK AT 
 BRIDGEPORT, CONN. 
 
 ington was aware of their suffering condition, that it grieved him 
 to the heart, and he was straining every nerve to obtain relief. 
 Washington himself exhorted them to be obedient, saying that 
 provisions would soon be in camp, and insubordination could 
 result only in evil. The soldiers, in return, were calm and re- 
 spectful. They told him they knew that their conduct was muti- 
 nous, but their condition justified it. They were actually starv- 
 ing, and relief must be had. They then respectfully communicated 
 to him their fixed determination, which was to march in an orderly 
 manner into the country, seize provisions wherever they could lay 
 hands on them, giving in return certificates as to the amount and 
 
SKETCHES OF SPENCER HISTORY. 
 
 value of the articles taken, and then return to camp, and to their 
 duty. Never before was there a mutiny so devoid of crime, and 
 which, in fact, partook of the moral sublime. Their language 
 was: ' We are starving here, and shall soon be of no service to 
 you or our country. We love you and the cause in which we are 
 embarked. We will stand by you at all hazards, and defend with 
 our last drop of blood our common country, but food we must and 
 
 Washington Overcome by the Suffering of the 
 
 Soldiers. 
 
 will have.' Washington was overcome by the condition and 
 conduct of these men. So self-sustained in their sufferings — so 
 constant to him in their destitution — so firm for their country, 
 though abandoned by Congress, their language and attitude 
 moved him deeply. There was something inexpressibly touching 
 in the noble regret they manifested for appearing to be disobe- 
 dient, and the high, manly grounds on which they defended their 
 conduct. Washington, in reply, told them that he was well aware 
 of the sufferings of his faithful soldiers. He had long admired 
 their patience and resignation, and devotion to their county, un- 
 der the most trying circumstances, and if the provisions did not 
 arrive by a specified hour, he would place himself at their head, 
 and march into the country till they were found. To this they 
 consented, but the promised supplies arriving before the time 
 fixed had expired, quietness and subordination were restored, and 
 a movement, the results of which could not be forseen, prevented. 
 "This supply, however, was soon exhausted, and then the 
 same scenes of suffering were repeated. Nearly all the inhabi- 
 tants in the vicinity of Valley Forge were Tories, and hence with- 
 held the food they could have furnished. Finding that neither 
 offers of pay nor threats could wring it from them, Washington, 
 acting under a resolution of Congress, issued a proclamation in 
 which he ordered all the farmers within seventy miles of Valley 
 Forge, to thresh out half their grain by the first of February, and 
 the other half by the first of March, under penalty of having the 
 whole seized as straw. The Tories refused to comply, and many 
 of them defended their barns and stacks with firearms. Some, 
 unable to do this, set fire to their grain, to prevent its falling into 
 the hands of the Americans. The soldiers turned themselves into 
 
 Soldiers Make Pack-horses of Themselves. 
 
 pack-horses, yoked themselves to wagons and shrunk from no la- 
 bor required to bring in provisions. But all the efforts and inge- 
 nuity of Washington could not prevent the gaunt figure of famine 
 from stalking through his camp. Horses died for want of forage, 
 
SAMUEL BEMIS. 
 
 85 
 
 and the men became so reduced that scarcely enough could be 
 found fit ' to discharge the military camp duties from day to 
 day ; ' and even these few were compelled to borrow clothes to 
 cover their nakedness while performing them. 
 
 " A week passed without a pound of flesh being brought into 
 camp, and at last the bread gave out, and for several days the 
 
 ALPHONZO HOWE, 
 
 Son of Elijah Howe, Jr., uncle of Elias, Howe Jr., and great grand- 
 son of Samuel Bemis Sr., born in Spencer July 3, 1805. Died 
 at Brookfield. Father of John M. Howe and Mrs. 
 Frank A. Smith. 
 
 starving soldiers had not a morsel to eat. Heavy snowstorms, 
 followed by excessive frosts, swelled the sufferings that before 
 had seemed unbearable. So few blankets had been supplied that 
 
86 SKETCHES OF SPENCER HISTORY. 
 
 the benumbed soldiers were compelled to sleep sitting around their 
 fires, to prevent freezing. Many were so naked that they could 
 not show themselves outside of their huts, but hid shivering away 
 in the scanty straw. Others would flit from hut to hut, with 
 only a blanket to cover their otherwise naked forms. These huts, 
 half closed up with snow, and the men wading around in their 
 rags to beat paths, presented a singular spectacle of a bright wintry 
 morning. In the midst of this accumulation of woes, the small- 
 Small Pox Breaks Out. 
 
 pox broke out, and Washington was compelled to resort to inocu- 
 lation to prevent the severe ravages of the disease. The sick, in 
 consequence, were everywhere, and without blankets or provisions 
 and hospital stores, and stretched on the earth wet and frosty, by 
 turns, presented a scene of woe and wretchedness that beggars 
 description. Starvation and despair will in the end demoralize 
 the noblest army that ever defended a holy cause, and they at 
 length began to tell on this band of patriots. A foreign officer, 
 in walking through the encampment one day with Washington, 
 heard through the crevices of the huts as he passed, men half 
 naked muttering, " No pay, no clothes, no rum." Then he said 
 he despaired of American liberty. Had Howe been made aware 
 of this deplorable state of the army, he could have with a single 
 blow crushed it to atoms. Amid this woe and suffering, Wash- 
 ington moved with a calm mien but a breaking heart. The pite- 
 ous looks and haggard appearance of his poor soldiers — the con- 
 sciousness that his army was powerless to resent any attack of the 
 enemy, nay, on the point of dissolution, never probably to be 
 reunited, all combined to press him so heavily with care, that even 
 he must have sunk under it had he not put his trust in a higher 
 power than man. One day a Quaker, by the name of Potts, was 
 strolling up a creek, when he heard, in a secluded spot, the voice 
 
 Washington Offers Prayer. 
 
 of some one apparently engaged in prayer. Stealing quietly for- 
 ward, he saw Washington's horse tied to a sapling, and a little 
 further on, in a thicket, the chief himself, on his knees, and with 
 tears streaming down his cheeks, beseeching Heaven for his coun- 
 try and his army. Before God alone, that strong heart gave way, 
 and poured forth the full tide of its griefs and anxieties. Though 
 the heavens grew dark around him, and disaster after disaster 
 wrecked his brightest hopes, and despair settled down on officers 
 and men, he showed the same unalterable presence — moved, the 
 same tower of strength. But to his God he could safely go with 
 his troubles, and on that arm securely lean. How sublime does 
 
SAMUEL BEMIS 
 
 87 
 
 he appear, and how good and holy the cause he was engaged in 
 seems, as he thus carries it to the throne of a just God, feeling 
 that it has His sanction and can claim His protection. 
 
 "The poor man who had witnessed this spectacle hurried 
 home, and on opening the door of his house burst into tears. His 
 
 ancient;chestnut tree. 
 
 This cut illustrates an ancient Chestnut tree, about seven feet 
 in diameter, now standing on the farm of 
 John M. Newton. 
 
 wife, amazed, inquired what was the matter with him. He told 
 her what he had seen, and added, " If there is any one on this 
 earth whom the Lord will listen to, it is George Washington, and 
 
88 SKETCHES OF SPENCER HISTORY. 
 
 I feel a presentiment that under such a commander, there can be 
 no doubt of our eventually establishing our independence, and 
 that God in His providence has willed it so.' 
 
 "No wonder peace sat enthroned on that brow when despair 
 clouded all others. 
 
 " In February his wife joined him, and as the two walked 
 through the wretched camp, even the half-starved and mutinous 
 soldier raised his head to bless them, and from many a pallid lip 
 fell the ' Long live Washington,' as his tall form darkened the 
 door of the hovel. 
 
 Washington Asserted That History Furnished no 
 
 Parallel. 
 
 " Washington boldly asserted that history could not furnish 
 another instance of any army ' suffering such uncommon hard- 
 ships, and bearing them with the same patience and fortitude. 
 To see men,' said he, 'without clothes^to cover their nakedness, 
 without blankets to lie on, without shoes, for the want of which 
 their marches might be traced by the blood from their feet — and 
 almost as often without provisions as with them, marching through 
 frost and snow, and at Christmas taking up their winter-quarters 
 within a day's march of the enemy, without a house or hut to 
 cover them till they could be built, and submitting without a mur- 
 mur, is a proof of patience and obedience which, in my opinion, 
 can scarcely be paralleled.' " 
 
 The Patriotic Spencer Men Deserving of Honor. 
 
 These men at Valley Forge, these men from Spencer, these 
 men from the Bemis household, we honor today and they are as 
 deserving of honor as they were the equals in valor of the immor- 
 tal six hundred in the charge at Balaklava, or that heroic band of 
 Grecians whoso valiantly contested the pass at Thermopylae, and it 
 is surely not too much to hope, that ere long a monument to their 
 memory shall be erected at Bemis Memorial Park, by their descend- 
 ants in appreciation of their patriotism. 
 
 The record says of these three soldiers of the Bemis name, 
 that they enlisted." for the Town of Spencer " and " for the war. " 
 They went to fight until the end came, be the war a long or a 
 short one. They went, not only for the town of Spencer but to 
 maintain the honor .of the Bemis name won by their fathers, 
 Edmund and Jonas in the Colonial wars. They went in behalf of 
 their homes and their kindred. They went in behalf of them- 
 selves, and to contend for principles as dear to them as life itself. 
 And they were not dismayed by obstacles. They were there to 
 overcome them. Their forefathers who had subdued the Indian, 
 the wild beast and the wilderness, had gained by practice the 
 habit of overcoming, and these qualities had been transmitted to 
 
SAMUEL BEMIS. 
 
 8 9 
 
 their children, and had become so firmly established in their 
 natures that to have acted contrary to them, would have been to 
 have denied action to their strongest traits of character. And 
 these qualities prevailed not with them alone, but throughout the 
 native husbandry of New England. And so they, with others, 
 contended daily, monthly, yearly, with obstacles and adverse cir- 
 cumstances until the Continental Army was victorious. They 
 
 ORIGINAL, HOUSE BUILT BY CAPT. EDMUND BEMIS. 
 
 When he settled on Lot So, and where he lived and died. This house which is now stand- 
 ing, was known for a long time as the Austin Lamb place. 
 
 honored themselves and their ancestry by their devotion to the 
 cause of Liberty, and you, descendants of these men, will honor 
 yourselves in proportion as you honor them for their acts of love 
 and self-sacrifice. 
 
 The Bemis Family as Town Officers. 
 
 It should be a cause for just pride to the Bemis family to 
 know that they have averaged to furnish for some important town 
 office, more than one representatve per year since 1753. The 
 following is a complete list of those who have held such town offi- 
 ces from the time of the incorporation of the town of Spencer in 
 1753 to 1901, 148 years. 
 
 _ , Total years 
 
 Selectmen. of service. 
 
 Bemis, Samuel Jr., 1756-7-8-60. 4 
 
 Bemis, Edmund, 1759- x 
 
90 
 
 SKETCHES OF SPENCER HISTORY. 
 
 •Selectmen. 
 
 
 Total years 
 
 
 
 of 
 
 services. 
 
 Bemis, William Sr., 
 
 1754-5-6-7-8-9. 1772-3-4-7-8 
 
 
 1 1 
 
 Bemis, Benjamin, 
 
 1784-5-6 
 
 
 3 
 
 Bemis, Jonas, 
 
 1798-9, 1800-1-2-3-4-5-6-7-8 
 
 
 1 1 
 
 Bemis, David Sr., 
 
 i8or-2-3 
 
 
 3 
 
 Bemis, Joshua Sr. , 
 
 1809-14-16-17 
 
 
 4 
 
 Bemis, William Jr., 
 
 1814-20-1-3-3-4-5-30-1 
 
 
 9 
 
 Bemis, Joshua Jr., 
 
 1860-1-2-70 
 
 
 4 
 
 Bemis Henry, 
 
 1870-1-2-3 
 
 
 4 
 
 Bemis, David Jr., 
 
 1865-6 
 
 
 2 
 
 Committee of 
 
 Correspondence: 
 
 
 
 Bemis, Benjamin, 
 
 1780 
 
 
 1 
 
 Representatives: 
 
 
 
 Bemis, William, 
 
 1820 
 
 
 1 
 
 Bemis, Lewis, 
 
 1834-5 
 
 
 2 
 
 Treasurer: 
 
 
 
 
 Bemis, Lewis, 
 
 1826-7-8-9 
 
 
 4 
 
 Town Clerks: 
 
 
 
 
 Bemis, Samuel Jr. , 
 
 1757-8-9-60 
 
 
 4 
 
 Bemis, Benjamin, 
 
 1781-2-6 
 
 
 3 
 
 Bemis, Lewis, 
 
 1831-2-3-4-5-6-7-8-9-40-1 
 
 
 1 1 
 
 Assessors: 
 
 
 
 
 Bemis, Edmund, 
 
 1 758-9-60- 1 
 
 
 4 
 
 Bemis, William, 
 
 1763-4 
 
 
 2 
 
 Bemis, Benjamin, 
 
 1785 
 
 
 1 
 
 Bemis, Jonas, 
 
 1793. l8 i5 
 
 
 2 
 
 Bemis, William Jr., 
 
 1801-3-4-5-6-13-21-27-31-2 
 
 
 10 
 
 Bemis, Silas, 
 
 1 809-13-14 
 
 
 3 
 
 Bemis, David, 
 
 1841-2-3-4-5-6-7-8-9-50-1-2-5 
 
 6-7-8 
 
 
 
 9-60-1-2-3-4-5-6-7-S-9-70-1 -2 
 
 -3-4-5 
 
 
 
 6-7-S-9 
 
 
 36 
 
 Bemis Cheney, 
 
 1890 
 
 
 1 
 
 Bemis, Henry W., 
 
 1892-4-5-6-7 
 
 
 5 ' 
 
 Bemis, William M., 
 
 1882 
 
 
 1 
 
 Overseer of Poor: 
 
 
 
 Bemis, Henry W., 
 
 1870-1-2-3-4-5-6-7-8-9 
 
 
 10 
 
 Road Commissioner: 
 
 
 
 Bemis, Lewis D., 
 
 1894-5-6, 1901 
 
 
 4 
 
 162 
 
 Total years, ....... 
 
 The Bemis Religious Sentiment. 
 
 It is not clear how the earlier generations of the Bemis family 
 regarded the question of religion, but it is certain they were not 
 to any great degree church members. With the single statement 
 by Draper that Jonas Bemis Sr. was a Baptist, no record has been 
 
SAMUEL BEMIS. 
 
 91 
 
 found indicating that any male descendant of Samuel Bemis was 
 a member of a church prior to 1800. At the same time they ap- 
 pear to have been a church-going people. It is remembered by 
 some of our oldest citizens that Rev. Levi Packard, pastor of the 
 Congregational church, one Sabbath, about the year 1845, from the 
 pulpit called attention to the fact that there were a large number of 
 citizens in the town bearing the Bemis name, " not a single one of 
 whom," said he, " is or ever has been a communicant of our 
 
 ®C 
 
 -vj/-' 
 
 _ 
 
 HOWE'S FIRST SEWING MACHINE. 
 
 This is a picture of the first sewing machine made by 
 
 Elias Howe Jr., with a capacity of about 300 
 
 stitches per minute or eight "times faster 
 
 than the most skilful sewers by 
 
 hand. 
 
 church." Before this time, however, some had joined the Bap- 
 tist and Methodist churches as communicants and quite a number 
 different parishes and societies, the names of which are herewith 
 presented. ' 
 
 Prior to 1800 the Bemis family were represented in the Con- 
 gregational church by four women only : 
 
 Name. Date of Joining. Name. Date of Joining. 
 
 Bemis, Dinah, Aug. 23, 1752 Bemis, Rebekah, July 5, 1755 
 Bemis, Mary, May — , 1759 Bemis, Sibbilah, Apr. 17, 1785 
 Members from 1800 to date: 
 Name. Date of Joining. Name. Date of Joining. 
 
 Bemis, Mary 1800 Bemis, Wm. M. 1867 
 
 emis, Polly 18 13 Bemis, Phcebe Anna 
 
9 2 
 
 SKETCHES OF SPENCER HISTORY. 
 
 Name 
 
 
 Date of Joining. 
 
 Name. Date of Joining. 
 
 Bemis, 
 
 Mary 
 
 1827 
 
 Bemis, 
 
 Dolly Ann 
 
 1867 
 
 Bemis, 
 
 Catherine 
 
 ' ' 
 
 Bemis, 
 
 Emily P. 
 
 " 
 
 Bemis, 
 
 Maria 
 
 1334 
 
 Bemis, 
 
 Caroline A. 
 
 1884 
 
 Bemis, 
 
 Lydia 
 
 1836 
 
 Bemis, 
 
 Hattie W. 
 
 1885 
 
 Bemis, 
 
 Abigail 
 
 1838 
 
 Bemis, 
 
 Alonzo A. 
 
 1889 
 
 Bemis, 
 
 Mary L. 
 
 1839 
 
 Bemis, 
 
 Nellie T. 
 
 " 
 
 Bemis, 
 
 Eunice 
 
 1843 
 
 Bemis, 
 
 Anna Julia 
 
 1894 
 
 Bemis, 
 
 Nancy 
 
 1846 
 
 Bemis, 
 
 Bertha E. 
 
 1896 
 
 Bemis, 
 
 Mary L. 
 
 1846 
 
 Bemis, 
 
 Clifton A. 
 
 1898 
 
 Bemis, 
 
 Janette 
 
 1858 
 
 Bemis, 
 
 Eva M. 
 
 " 
 
 Bemis, 
 
 Chas. W. 
 
 1866 
 
 Bemis, 
 
 Edson C. 
 
 < i 
 
 Members of the First Baptist Church having a place of wor- 
 ship at North Spencer: 
 
 Name. Date of Joining. 
 
 Bemis, Catherine, 1819 
 
 Bemis, Amos, 1820 
 
 Bemis, Huldah, 1822 
 
 Bemis, Sarah, 1836 
 
 Bemis, Selah, 1844 
 
 Bemis, Mrs. Hiram P., 1861 
 Bemis, Edson, 1861. 
 
 Name 
 
 Date of Joining, 
 
 Bemis, 
 
 Polly, 1819 
 
 Bemis, 
 
 Abigail, 1820 
 
 Bemis, 
 
 Lucretia, 1820 
 
 Bemis, 
 
 Mary, 1830 
 
 Bemis, 
 
 Ruth, 1 84 1 
 
 Bemis, 
 
 Hiram P., 1859 
 
 Members of Baptist church in Spencer village : 
 
 Name. 
 Bemis, George H., 
 Bemis, Pamelia W., 
 
 Bemis, Mabel. 
 
 Name. 
 Bemis, Hattie Rowena, 
 Bemis, Waldo L., 
 
 Members of the Methodist Episcopal church 
 
 Name. 
 Bemis, Amos, 
 Bemis, Charles E., 
 Bemis, Effie L., 
 Bemis, Elbridge S., 
 Bemis, Emily W., 
 
 Name. 
 Bemis, Huldah, 
 Bemis, Julia A., 
 Bemis, Mary A., 
 Bemis, Nellie F., 
 Bemis, Tennyson O. 
 
 Many of the Bemis family besides the above attended this 
 church but were not members. Foster Bemis came here with his 
 family, before his removal West in 1855, and when the church 
 was built in 1847 contributed the chestnut sills and joists 
 which were cut on Bemis Hill, which he then owned, and were 
 
SAMUEL BEMIS. 
 
 93 
 
 sawed at the Sumner saw-mill where Theodore J. Bemis now has 
 a grist-mill. 
 
 Members of Spencer Universalist church : 
 
 Name. Name. 
 
 Bemis, Clara, Bemis, Elizabeth, 
 
 Bemis, Edna, Bemis, Emeline, 
 
 Bemis, Fannie, 
 In 1798 a Baptist church was built on the hill in Brookfield, 
 west of the Lewis D. Howland place and east of where Henry A. 
 
 ELBRIDGE HOWE, 
 Son of Elijah Howe Jr., uncle of Elias Howe Jr., and great grand- 
 son of Samuel Bemis Sr. Born in Spencer March 6, 1810. 
 Removed to Chester, Mass. 
 
94 
 
 SKETCHES O F SPENCER HISTORY. 
 
 Woodis now lives. This was quite largely attended by the Bemis 
 families of Spencer, and Nathaniel Bemis Jr. occupied the highest 
 priced pew in the church. 
 
 In addition to the above it has been ascertained that William 
 Bemis joined the First Baptist society of Spencer, April 28, 1825; 
 David Bemis 2d joined the same society April 18, 1829. Frank- 
 lin and Sylvanus Bemis joined the Universalist society of Charlton 
 March, 1827. Joshua Bemis Jr. joined the Second Universalist 
 society of Brookfield and Charlton February 17, 1820 ; and Alpha 
 Bemis joined the First Universalist society of Sturbridge and 
 Spencer in 1820. 
 
 The Bemis Family as Advocates of Temperance. 
 
 At the time of the Washingtonian temperance movement in 
 Spencer, from 1841 to 1852, there were over five hundred persons 
 who became members of that society, of which number the Bemis 
 family furnished nearly ten per cent., as follows : 
 
 Name. 
 Bemis, Alpha, 
 Bemis 
 Bemis 
 Bemis 
 Bemis 
 Bemis 
 Bemis 
 Bemis 
 Bemis 
 Bemis 
 Bemis 
 Bemis 
 Bemis 
 Bemis 
 Bemis 
 Bemis 
 Bemis 
 Bemis 
 Bemis 
 Bemis 
 Bemis 
 
 Amos, 
 Arsenath, 
 Caroline, 
 Caroline M.. 
 Chandler, 
 Clarissa L. , 
 Cynthia, 
 Cynthia A., 
 Danforth, 
 Dexter, 
 Dolly Ann, 
 Edwin, 
 Edwin A., 
 Edwin P., 
 Eliza, 
 Ellen, 
 Emehne, 
 Eunice W., 
 George A., 
 Hulda, 
 
 Name. 
 Bemis, Harriet E., 
 Bemis, John Emmons, 
 Bemis, Laura, 
 Bemis, Lewis, 
 Bemis, Lewis W., 
 Bemis, Lorenzo, 
 Bemis, Louisa, 
 Bemis, Lucinda, 
 Bemis, Lucy, 
 Bemis, Marv. 
 Bemis, Mary L-, 
 Bemis, Nancy, 
 Bemis, Rebekah, 
 Bemis, Ruth B., 
 Bemis, Selah, 
 Bemis, Susan, 
 Bemis, Thomas R., 
 Bemis, William, 
 Bemis, William 2d, 
 Bemis, William Jr., 
 Bemis, William O., 
 
 The Distinguished Howe Family. 
 
 Time will not permit rehearsing today all the worthy deeds 
 that might be mentioned which have been performed by 
 those of the Bemis name nor all the historical items of interest 
 concerning this family, could they be collated, but this paper 
 would be incomplete if time was not taken to mention the achieve- 
 ments of one family who were lineal descendants of Samuel Bemis 
 
SAMUEL BEMIS. 
 
 95 
 
 Sr., and who by their inventions have made themselves, as well 
 as Spencer famous, and this is the Howe family. What the 
 Bemis family have been able to do in the way of gaining a 
 good reputation for themselves in a country town, the 
 Howe family have accomplished on a scale that embraces the 
 
 TYLER HOWE, 
 
 Inventor of the spring bed and great grandson of Samuel Eemis Sr.; born in Spencer 
 Aug. ii, 1S00; died in Cambridge, June 9, 1880. 
 
 world; and wherever civilization has gone, there the Howe name is 
 known and honored. It is therefore peculiarly appropriate that 
 we ascertain what they did of so great value to the world as to 
 receive its homage. The names of these men, a trio of inventors, 
 are Tyler and William Howe, sons of Elijah Howe Jr., and their 
 
9 6 
 
 SKETCHES OF SPENCER HISTORY. 
 
 nephew, Elias Howe Jr., son of their brother Elias, all born at 
 the old homestead now standing opposite Howe's mills in the 
 south part of Spencer. So far as the ties of blood are concerned, 
 
 Tyler and William Howe were half Howe and hal f Bemis, while 
 Elias Howe Jr. was three-fourths Bemis and one -fourth Howe, 
 according to the laws of consanguinity. This is not said with a 
 view of trying to pluck any laurels from the Howe name, but only 
 to show that whatever honors the Howe family are justly entitled 
 
SAMUEL BEMIS. 97 
 
 to, the Bemis family, on the ground of relationship, can, if they 
 will, appropriate their full share Tyler Howe was the inventor 
 of the spring bed. He went to California in search of gold in 
 1849 and returned the year following. The hardness of his bunk 
 on board the vessel in which he sailed was daily a source of an- 
 noyance, for which, in the realms unseen, he sought a remedy. 
 At last a picture of what he desired presented itself to his 
 mind and the difficulty was solved. He patented his invention in 
 1855 and commenced the manufacture of the patented articles, 
 which, finding a ready sale, enabled him to amass a comfortable 
 fortune. While today the varieties of spring beds are legion, he 
 was the man who conceived the initial idea and carried it forward 
 to demonstration. 
 
 William Howe was the inventor of the truss bridge. When 
 the New York Central R. R., now passing through Spencer, was 
 
 The Old Howe Homestead, 
 
 At Howe's Mills, Spencer, Mass., cut of which is shown on opposite page, is where were 
 born William, Tyler, Elias, Elbridge, Alphonzoand Hiram, sons of Elijah Howe, Sr , and 
 Elias Howe, Jr., inventor of the sewing machine. This engraving is from an oil painting 
 in the Spencer Museum, made by W. O. Bemis of the Paxton branch of the Bemis family. 
 In 1S74, the author, being at that time a trustee of the museum and active in soliciting arti- 
 cles for the same, saw the late W. O Bemis and secured his kindly interest in painting and 
 donating the picture reproduced above. This is the best illustration of the Howe home- 
 stead extant, and is a remarkably faithful painting of the old historic house and surround- 
 ings as they were twenty-seven years ago. This picture is one of the most valuable, an 
 well as valued, keepsakes in the museum. 
 
 built under the name of the Western R. R., it was a"t first only 
 projected from Worcester to Springfield, with Albany as the final 
 termination, but no engineer of that time knew how the Connecti- 
 cut river at Springfield was to be bridged. This problem Wm. 
 Howe undertook to solve, and succeeded in solving it to the 
 appreciation of all the noted engineers of that date. It is 
 said by some that he borrowed the idea from a truss supporting a 
 roof in an old church at Brookfield. Whether this be true or not 
 cannot now be determined, but it is certain that his bridge was 
 a new and novel way to span rivers and marked a new era in 
 bridge construction. 
 
 Improvements have been made in bridge building since his 
 time and iron has largely superseded wood, but the principle of 
 trussed work, discovered by William Howe, bids fair never to be 
 superseded. To illustrate the market value of his invention, it is 
 recorded that a few years after the Connecticut river bridge had 
 been built, he sold the right to build such bridges in several of the 
 Western states for sixty thousand dollars. The original drawings 
 for his truss work were all made in Spencer, on the plaster walls 
 
98 SKETCHES OF SPENCER HISTORY. 
 
 of the hallways in the old Tavern, which stood on the present site 
 of the Baptist church and Denny Hall school building, and there 
 they remained until the building was torn down some thirty years 
 ago. 
 
 Elias Howe Jr. was the inventor of the sewing machine. 
 This is so familiar a sentence that time need not be taken to des- 
 cribe his invention in detail. The machine he devised was a suc- 
 cess from the beginning. He was the man who discovered that 
 the needle must have an eye near its point in order to make a 
 stitch that would not rip, and all makers of machines since his day 
 
 EUAS HOWE JR., 
 
 Inventor of the sewing machine; born in Spen- 
 cer, July g, 1819; great grandson of 
 Samuel Bemis Sr. 
 
 have been obliged to adopt his method simply because there was 
 no other way to do. James Parton, the distinguished writer, said: 
 "Elias Howe can justly claim that it was his invention which ena- 
 bled the United States to put and keep a million men in the field 
 during the War of the Rebellion. Those countless garments, tents, 
 haversacks, cartridge boxes, shoes, blankets, sails; how could 
 they have been produced without the sewing machine? One day 
 during the war at three o'clock in the afternoon an order from the 
 War Department reached New York by telegraph for fifty thous- 
 and sand bags such as are used in field works. By two o'clock 
 the next afternoon the bags had been made, packed, shipped and 
 started southward." In i860, a statistician of repute made a care- 
 
SAMUEL BEMIS. 99 
 
 ful computation, and his figures showed an annual saving to the 
 United States alone of nineteen million dollars by the use of the 
 sewing machine. It is also estimated that on an average every 
 adult in the country fifty years of age is indebted at least two 
 hundred dollars to Elias Howe's invention. If, then, there is 
 reason to think well of a man who contributes two hundred dol- 
 lars towards his neighbor's expenses, a man certainly should be 
 well thought of and respected who devises means whereby his 
 neighbor, if he will, may yearly add to his bank account sums of 
 money he could not otherwise have done. 
 
 Col. Draper in his book "The Bemis Family in America" 
 tells an interesting story how Elias Howe Jr. discovered where 
 to place the needle's eye. He says: "He almost beggared himselt 
 before he discovered where the eve of the needle should be located. 
 
 PICTURE OF CLOTH SEWED ON FIRST SEWING MACHINE. 
 
 One of the first articles sewed together on the Elias Howe, 
 Jr., sewing machine by the inventor were two strips 
 of broadcloth. This was cut into pieces and distri- 
 buted among his uncles. Alphonzo Howe had 
 the piece from which the above cut was tak- 
 en and it is now in possession of his 
 daughter, Mrs. Frank A. Smith of 
 Worcester. 
 
 It is probable there are but a very few persons who know how it 
 came about. His original idea was to follow the model of the 
 ordinary needle and have the eye at the heel. It never occurred 
 to him that it should be placed near the point and he might have 
 failed altogether if he had not dreamed he was building a sewing 
 machine for a savage king in a strange country. Just as in his 
 actual waking experience he was perplexed about the needle's eye. 
 He thought the King gave him twenty-four hours in which to 
 complete the machine and make it sew. If not finished in that 
 time, death was to be the punishment. Howe worked and worked 
 and puzzled; finally gave it up. Then he thought he was taken 
 out to be executed. He noticed that the warriors carried spears 
 that were pierced near the head. Instantly came the solution of 
 the difficulty, and while the inventor was begging for time he 
 awoke. It was four o'clock in the morning. He jumped out of 
 bed, ran to his workshop and by nine a needle with an eye at the 
 point had been rudely modeled. After that it was easy. That is 
 
IOO 
 
 SKETCHES OF SPENCER HISTORY. 
 
 the true story of an important incident in the invention of the 
 sewing machine." 
 
 Last year in the city of New York, on the beautiful University 
 Heights overlooking the Harlem and Hudson rivers, and in full 
 view of the famous Palisades, was dedicated the " Hall of Fame for 
 great Americans," an elegant fireproof structure designed to last 
 for ages. In this building one hundred and fifty places had been 
 provided as a national abiding place for memorials commemorating 
 the deeds and virtues of citizens of the United States who had 
 
 MRS. IA'DIA HOWE LUKE, 
 
 Daughter of Tyler Howe, a resident of West Newton and a gener- 
 ous contributor to the Samuel Bemis monument fund. 
 
 rendered their country, or the world, distinguished service. By 
 agreement those places could not all be filled before the year 2000. 
 Before the dedication, a committee of one hundred able men of inde- 
 pendent judgment, including such men as Pres. Eliot of Harvard 
 College, Pres. White of Cornell University, the Judges of the U. 
 S. Supreme Court, eminent historians, Chief Justices of the Su- 
 preme Courts in every state, and others equally distinguished for 
 judicial qualities of mind — voted singly in their own respective 
 places of abode on a list of names thought worthy of admittance 
 
SAMUEL BEMIS. 
 
 IOI 
 
 to this Hall, and which had been placed in nomination by the 
 American public. It had been agreed that fifty names might be 
 selected in the year 1900 and from thence on five names at the 
 
 EUAS HOWE SR., 
 
 Son of Elijah Howe, Jr., and great grandson of- Samuel Bemis Sr., 
 Born in Spencer, Dec. 27, 1792. Married Polly Bemis of Ches- 
 ter. They were published Sept. 29, 1S16, and married 
 "Oct. 22, 1S16; he died Dec. 28, 1867. 
 
 end of every five years, until the year 2000 when all the panels 
 would be filled. A majority vote only could elect, and it was 
 found after the votes had all been sent to the University of New 
 York and counted, that only 29 persons had been chosen. Under 
 
102 
 
 SKETCHES OF SPENCER HISTORY. 
 
 the rules a revote could not be taken, and so the election of further 
 candidates was deferred until the year 1905, when it will be in 
 order to choose twenty-six additional names. The names of those 
 
 f . — : 
 
 
 
 
 It - i 
 
 
 f 'h "~" 
 
 P 
 
 
 
 ' fi ^, Jk 
 
 
 <ni 
 
 B 
 
 
 ' 
 
 1 
 
 
 ALPHA BEMIS, 
 
 Son of Jonas Jr. and great grandson of Samuel Sr. Born in Spencer, 
 
 March, 1790. Died January 4, i860. 
 
 who failed of an election last year 
 
 by ten vote 
 
 with annexed. 
 
 
 Jarnes B. Eads 
 
 received 41 
 
 John Lothrop Motley 
 
 41 
 
 Benjamin Rush 
 
 42 
 
 Joseph Henry 
 
 " 44 
 
 Horace Greely 
 
 " 45 
 
 Rufus Choate 
 
 47 
 
 Elias Howe Jr. 
 
 47 
 
 Mark Hopkins 
 
 " 48 
 
 John Quincy Adams 
 
 " 48 
 
 Andrew Jackson 
 
 " 48 
 
 James Madison 
 
 49 
 
 John C. Calhoun 
 
 49 
 
 Wm. Cullen Bryant 
 
 49 
 
 or less are here- 
 
 votes. 
 
 a total of thirteen and in view of all the facts it appears probable 
 that at the next election these names will be chosen as members 
 
SAMUEL BEMIS. 
 
 IO3 
 
 oi what will become in time the immortal band of one hundred 
 and fifty, whose fame is to be perpetuated in bronze and marble 
 in the Queen City of America. What a just tribute of honor to 
 the life work of Elias Howe Jr. would his election be, and how 
 highly prized by the Howe and Bemis families! What an honor 
 conferred on the town of Spencer! When we analyze and com- 
 pare the real value to the world of some of the so-called great 
 men, men who have made history, like Napoleon the Great, men 
 who like him have expended their strength to gratify an unworthy 
 
 ELIAS BEMIS, 
 
 Son of Joshua Sr. and grandson of Samuel Sr. Born in Spencer, 
 
 Dec. 23, 1773; removed to Lyndon, Vt , where he died Jan'y 
 
 24, 1849. He was a farmer and a good business man 
 
 and accumulated a handsome estate. 
 
 ambition, sowing seeds of discord and miser} 7 and scattering de- 
 struction broadcast wherever they went; how striking in com- 
 strast, appears to the world the beneficent results flowing from 
 the efforts of intelligent New England citizens like Tyler, William 
 and Elias Howe Jr. The value of a peaceful and honorable avo- 
 cation compared with the fame won by the warlike Napoleon was 
 never more fully illustrated then in the following extract from a 
 speech by Col. R. J. Ingersoll. He said: 
 
 ' ' A little while ago I stood by the grave of the old Napoleon 
 — a magnificent tomb of gilt and gold, fit almost for a dead deity 
 
104 
 
 SKETCHES OF SPENCER HISTORY. 
 
 — and gazed upon the sarcophagus of black Egyptian marble 
 where rest at last the ashes of that restless man. I leaned 
 over the balustrade and thought about the career of the greatest 
 soldier of the modern world. I saw him walking upon the banks 
 of the Seine, contemplating suicide — I saw him at Toulon — I saw 
 him putting down the mob in the streets of Paris— I saw him at 
 the head of the army of Italy — I saw him crossing the bridge of 
 Lodi with the tricolor in his hand — I saw him at Egypt in the 
 shadows of the pyramids— I saw him conquer the Alps and mingle 
 
 THOMAS A. PROUTY, 
 Donor of land for the site first selected for the Bemis Monument. 
 Born in Spencer, Aug. n, 1S22. Has been a schoolteacher, far- 
 mer and merchant, and served the town as assessor, over- 
 seer of the poor and member of the school committee, 
 and the state twenty-eight years as justice of the 
 peace, and three years as trial justice. I Photo- 
 graphed by Edward L. Jaynes. ^901 .) 
 
 the eagles of France with the eagles of the crags— I saw him at 
 Marengo — at Ulm and Austerlitz — I saw him in Russia where the 
 infantry of the snow and the cavalry of the wild blast scattered 
 his legions like Winter's withered leaves — I saw him at I,eip- 
 sic in defeat and. disaster, driven by a million bayonets back upon 
 Paris, clutched like a wild beast — banished to Elba, I saw him es- 
 cape and retake an empire by the force of his genius — I saw him 
 upon the frightful field of Waterloo, where chance and fate com- 
 
SAMUEL BEMIS. 
 
 I05 
 
 bined to wreck the fortunes of their former king. And I saw 
 him at St. Helena with his hands crossed behind him, gazing out 
 upon the sad and solemn sea. I thought of the orphans and 
 widows he had made — of the tears that had been shed for his 
 glory, and of the only woman who ever loved him, pushed from 
 his heart by the cold hand of ambition. And I said, I would 
 rather have been a French peasant and worn wooden shoes — I 
 would rather have lived in a hut with a vine growing over the door, 
 and the grapes growing purple in the kisses of the Autumn sun — 
 
 policy bemis, 
 
 Daughter of Sylvester Bemis and great granddaughter of Samuel 
 Bemis Sr. Born in Chester, Mass., Aug. 9, 1791. Married 
 Elias Howe Sr., mother of Elias Howe Jr., inventor 
 of the sewing machine. Died at Cambridge- 
 port, Sept. 12, 1S71. 
 
 I would rather have been that poor peasant with my loving wife 
 by my side knitting as the day died out of the sky, with my 
 children upon my knees and their arms about me — I would rather 
 have been that man, and gone down to the tongueless silence of 
 the dreamless dust, than to have been that imperial impersonation 
 of force and murder known as Napoleon the Great." 
 
 To have provided the world, both sick and well with comforta- 
 ble beds on which to sleep; to have provided means which makes 
 
io6 
 
 SKETCHES OF SPENCER HISTORY. 
 
 possible transit by rail rapid and continuous, crossing rivers and 
 spanning chasms with safe bridges; to have furnished the means 
 whereby every article of clothing mankind needs may be quickly, 
 •cheaply and durably made, are, anyone of them, more valuable 
 achievements than all the victorious wars of Napoleon. It is true 
 that by these wars the feudal system of the old world was destroyed 
 and this undoubtedly was for the best interests of mankind. It 
 is true that he planned and partially carried out internal improve- 
 ments in France which were of very great value, but it is also 
 quite likely as true, that all he did was done to gratify his own 
 
 ambition lor power, and 
 hence his acts are robbed 
 of every enobling virtue, 
 even though good was the 
 outcome. It appears proba- 
 ble that if the country he 
 is said to have loved, his 
 own France, had stood in 
 the way of his ambition, 
 he would have sacrificed 
 her as readily as he did his 
 own Josephine. Better, ten 
 thousand times better, to 
 have brought needed inven- 
 tions into the world to 
 lighten its labors and add 
 to its comforts than to 
 have won the most noted 
 victories of warfare with- 
 out some worthy motive. 
 
 And now we must close. 
 We have learned much con- 
 cerning the life and virtues 
 silhouette of anna bemis, or t h e founder of our town 
 
 Daughter of Joshua Sr. andgrand daughter of , f v- Hpcrendailts that 
 
 Samuel Sr. Born in Spencer, January 2, 17S4. anu OI Ills uebLeuudUls nidi. 
 
 Married Abraham Capen Sr May 25 1817, and j s wor thy of OUr highest eS- 
 died Mav 21, 1S24: grandmother of Herbert H. . J ° . , 
 
 and EHda m. capen. teem, and much that might 
 
 with profit be taught in our public schools, and it is probable as 
 the years come and go, and the centuries fade away, this story of 
 Samuel Bemis will lose none of its interest to his descendants and 
 to the citizens of the town of Spencer. 
 
BEMIS REVOLUTIONARY WAR 
 RECORD. 
 
 The following is the Revolutionary War record of the grand- 
 sons of Samuel Bemis, taken from the State archives : 
 
 BENJAMIN BEMIS, Spencer, private, Captain John Wol- 
 cott's company of Rangers, which marched on the alarm of April 
 19, 1775 Irom Brookfield and Spencer, service twelve days ; also 
 sergeant, Captain Joel Green's Company, Colonel Ebenezer Learn- 
 ard's regiment. Muster-roll dated August 1, 1775 ; enlisted May 
 3i 1 775, service three months, six days; also company return 
 probably October, 1775 ; also First-Lieutenant Captain David 
 Proutee's Eighth, North Spencer company, Colonel Samuel 
 Denny's First Worcester County regiment ; list of officers 
 Massachusetts Militia, dated Leicester, March 28, 1776. Com- 
 missioned April 5, 1776 ; also Private Captain Ralph Earll's Com- 
 pany, Colonel Danforth Keyes' regiment, enlisted August 20, 
 1777, discharged January 3, 1778, service four months, nineteen 
 days. Roll dated Providence. 
 
 SAMUEL BEMIS JR., Spencer, private, Captain Ebenezer 
 Mason's company, Colonel Jonathan Warner's regiment which 
 marched on the alarm of April 19, 1775 ; service thirty-seven 
 days ; also corporal, Captain Joel Green's company, Colonel Eben- 
 ezer Learnard's regiment. Muster-roll dated August 1, 1775. 
 Enlisted May 26, 1775, service two months, eleven days ; also 
 served in Captain Jonathan Carriel's company, Colonel Josiah 
 Whitney's regiment. Receipt for advance pay dated Point Shir- 
 ley, June 13, 1776 ; also sergeant, pay-rolls for service from date 
 of enlistment May 17, 1776, to November 1, 1776, five months 
 fifteen days. Roll for August to October, 1776, dated at Hull ; 
 also pay-roll for one month, four days' service in November and 
 December, 1776 ; also served in Captain David Prouty's company, 
 Colonel Job dishing' s Worcester County regiment. Enlisted 
 July 27, 1777 ; discharged August 28, 1777, service one month 
 eight days ; marched to reintorce northern army by order of 
 General Warner. 
 
 REUBEN BEMIS, private, Captain John Wolcott's company 
 of Rangers, which marched on the alarm of April 19, 1775 ; service 
 twelve days. 
 
 JOHN BEMIS, Spencer, corporal, Captain Joel Green's 
 company, Colonel Ebenezer Learnard's regiment. Muster roll 
 
io8 
 
 SKETCHES OF SPENCER HISTORY. 
 
 dated August i, 1775; enlisted May 3, 1775; service three 
 months, five days ; also company returned probably October, 
 1775; also return of men enlisted into Continental Army dated 
 January 1781, Colonel Shepard's fourth regiment. Enlisted 
 March 4, 1777 , private, Captain Ebenezer Mason's company, 
 Colonel Thomas Marshall's regiment; enlisted August 16, 1777 ; 
 discharged November 30, 1777. Service three months, twenty- 
 three days, in northern department. Residence Spencer, enlisted 
 during war. 
 
 JOSEPH BEMIS, Charlton, Captain Jonathan Carriel's 
 company, Colonel Josiah Whitney's regiment ; receipt for advance 
 
 CATHERINE BEMIS, 
 
 Daughter of Joshua Sr. and granddaughter of Samuel Sr., born in 
 Spencer, June 24, 1778. Married James Howland January 24, 1779 
 and removed to Brookfield. To illustrate the vigor of the Bemis 
 family. Pardon Howland. son of Catherine Bemis. told the author 
 that he never knew what it was to feel tired until he was past fif- 
 ty years of age. We are indebted to Pardon Howland for this 
 . excellent picture of his mother, and the best picture extant of a 
 grandchild of Samuel Bemis Sr. Before his'pareuts had become in- 
 firm, Mr. Howland had pictures of them taken and finished in the 
 highest state of the art known at that time. 
 
 pay dated Point Shirley, June 13, 1776 ; pay-rolls for service 
 from date of enlistment May 17, 1776, to November 1, 1776, 
 five months, fifteen days. Muster-roll for August to October, 
 
BEMIS FAMILY IN THE REVOLUTION. 109 
 
 1776, dated Hull ; also pay-roll for one month, four days service 
 in November and December, 1776. 
 
 PHINEAS BEMIS, private, Captain Abner Cranson's com- 
 pany, Colonel Asa Whitcomb's regiment ; receipt for wages for 
 August, 1775, dated Prospect Hill ; also order for bounty-coat or 
 its equivalent in money, dated Prospect Hill, November 13, 1775. 
 
 ELEAZEB Bemis, Charlton, private, Captain Jacob Davis' 
 company, Colonel Ebenezer Learnard's regiment which marched 
 on the alarm of April 19, 1775, to Roxbury, service fifteen days ; 
 reported enlisted into the army ; also Captain William Campbell's 
 company, Colonel Learnard's regiment ; return dated Roxbury, 
 October, 7, 1775 ; also order for bounty-coat or its equivalent in 
 money dated Roxbury, December 21, 1775. Muster-roll dated 
 August 1, 1775 ; enlisted April 26, 1775 ; service three months, 
 one week, five days ; also ensign, Colonel William Shepard's regi- 
 ment ; Continental Army pay accounts for service from January 1, 
 1777 to August 18, 1779 ; reported resigned ; also order for 
 clothing dited Camp Valley Forge, May 1, 1778 ; also Captain 
 Reuben Slayton's company, Colonel Shepard's third regiment. 
 Muster rolls for July to November, 1778, dated Camp at Provi- 
 dence ; reported on furlough in October, 1778 ; also Colonel's 
 company, Colonel Shepard's regiment. Muster-roll for March 
 and April, 1779, dated Providence. Enlisted January 1, 1777, 
 reported on command at the Western Shore ; also lieutenant in 
 Colonel Shepard's regiment ; list oi settlement of rank of Conti- 
 nental officers, dated West Point. November 9, 1779, made by a 
 board held for that purpose and confirmed by Congress Septem- 
 ber 6, 1779. Reported resigned August iS, 1779, 
 
 JESSE BEMIS, son of William Bemis, private in Captain 
 Ebenezer Mason's company, Colonel Jonathan Warner's regiment, 
 which marched on the alarm of April 19, 1775, service fourteen 
 days ; also sergeant, Captain Abel Holden's (third) company. 
 Colonel Thomas Nixon's (fifth) regiment. Continental Army pay 
 accounts for service from April 1, 1777, to December 31, 1779, 
 credited to the town of Spencer ; reported as serving seven months, 
 five days as corporal, twenty-five months, twenty-five days as 
 sergeant, also muster-roll for May, 1779, dated Highlands, ap- 
 pointed November 12, 1777. Enlistment three years; also pri- 
 vate, Captain Joel Green's company, Colonel Ebenezer Learnard's 
 regiment. Muster-roll dated August 1, 1775 ; enlisted May 8, 
 1775 ; service three months, one day ; also company return (prob- 
 ably October, 1775) ; also return of men enlisted into Continental 
 Army from Captain David Prouty's company, Colonel Denny's 
 regiment, dated February 13, 1778 ; residence Spencer, enlisted 
 for town of Spencer. Joined Captain Holden's company, Colonel 
 
SKETCHES OF SPENCER HISTORY. 
 
 Nixon's regiment. 
 
 Enlistment three years 
 bv 
 
 Reported mustered 
 Thomas Newhall. 
 Muster Mav 6, 1777. 
 
 BARNARD BEMIS, 
 Spencer, private, Cap- 
 tain Ralph Earll's com- 
 pany, Colonel Danforth 
 Keyes regiment ; enlisted 
 August 20, 1777 ; dis- 
 charged January 3, 1778; 
 service four months fif- 
 teen days. Roll dated 
 at Providence. 
 
 DAVID BE MIS, priv- 
 ate, Capt.Josiah White's 
 company, Colonel Sam- 
 uel Denny's Worcester 
 County regiment. En- 
 listed August 2r, 1777: 
 discharged August 23, 
 1777, service five days ; 
 marched to Hadley in 
 Lieut. -Colonel Benjamin 
 Flagg's division on an 
 alarm at the northward. 
 Roll dated Spencer. 
 
 OBADIAH BEMIS, 
 Spencer. Return of men 
 enlisted into Continental 
 Army from Captain Jo- 
 siah White's company, 
 Colonel Denny's regi- 
 ment, dated Charlton, 
 February 18, 1778 ; resi- 
 dence Spencer, enlisted 
 for town of Spencer, 
 joined Captain Slater's 
 company, Colonel Shep- 
 ard's regiment. Enlist- 
 ment three years ; also 
 private 'Colonel's com- 
 
 Son of Amasa Femis Sr., and great grandson of pany, Colonel William 
 
 Samuel Bemis Sr. Born at the old homestead Oct- qi j> i.\^- j / i 
 
 ober 10, 1S10. Kept for a time the old hotel which OlieparCl S tnira t^aiSO 
 
 then stood opposite the Congregational church grj ven fourth regiment) , 
 
 After this he kept store in a building which stood ^ ° 
 
 on the site of the present Boston Rranch grocery. Continental Army pay 
 
 In x853 he emigrated to the State of Wisconsin. account for service from 
 
 January 1, 1780 to December 31, 1780; also return made 
 
 DEXTER BEMIS, 
 
BEMIS FAMILY IN THE REVOLUTION. I IT 
 
 up to December 31, 1780 dated West Point; also private, 
 Captain Field's company, Colonel William Shepard's third regi- 
 ment. Continental pay account for service from March 4, 1777 to 
 December 31, 1779; also Captain Reuben Slayton's company. 
 Residence Spencer, enlisted for the town of Spencer ; also muster 
 rolls July to November, 1778, dated Camp at Providence ; reported 
 sick at Valley Forge in July and August, 1778 ; also Colonel's 
 company, Colonel Shepard's regiment. Muster-roll tor March 
 and April, 1779, dated Providence; enlisted March 24, 1777. 
 Enlistment during war ; reported sick in hospital. 
 
 NATHANIEL BEMIS, sergeant, Captain John Weston's 
 company, Colonel Eleazer Brooks' regiment of Guards ; enlisted 
 January 12, 1778 ; roll made up to February 3, 1778, service 
 twenty-two days at Cambridge and Charlestowu guarding troops 
 of convention. 
 
 JONAS BEMIS JR., Spencer, private, Captain Field's com- 
 pany, Colonel William Shepard's third regiment. Enlisted for 
 the town of Spencer — Valley Forge Continental Army pay ac- 
 counts for service from March 4, 177710 December 31, 1779; 
 also Captain Reuben Slayton's company, Colonel Shepard's regi- 
 ment. Muster return dated Valley Forge, January 30, 1778. 
 Residence, Spencer ; enlisted for the town of Spencer ; also mus- 
 ter-rolls for July, August, October and November, 1778, dated at 
 Camp Providence ; reported under confinement in November, 
 1778 ; also Colonel's company, Colonel Shepard's regiment. 
 Muster-roll for March and April, 1779, dated Providence, enlisted 
 March 14, 1777, during war; also corporal Continental Army 
 pay accounts for service from January 1, 1780 to December 3r, 
 1780 ; also return taken to December 3r, 1780, dated West Point ; 
 also Captain James Cooper's company, Colonel Shepard's regi- 
 ment. His name is in the return of men enlisted into Continen- 
 tal Army from Captain Josiah White's company, Colonel Denny's 
 regiment, dated Charlton, February 18, 1778. Residence, Spen- 
 cer, enlisted for town of Spencer. Joined Captain Slayton's com- 
 pany, Colonel Shepard's regiment. Enlistment three years. 
 
 AMASA BEMIS, private, Captain John Wolcott's company 
 of Rangers which marched on the alarm of April 19, 1775, from 
 Brookfield and Spencer. Service twelve days ; also probably a 
 member of Captain John Cowle's company, Colonel Benjamin 
 Ruggles Woodbridge's regiment ; order for bounty-coat, or its 
 equivalent in money, dated Cambridge, December 23, 1775. 
 
 This is a remarkable record, unexcelled in Spencer history, 
 and it is thought rarely eqalled in the history of New England. 
 
112 
 
 SKETCHES OF SPENCER HISTORY. 
 
 BRONZE STATUE OF ELIAS HOWE JR., 
 At Sea Side Park, Bridgeport, Connecticut. 
 
BEMIS CIVIL WAR RECORD. 
 
 The data of the following soldiers of the Bemis name who went 
 from Spencer, is taken from the roster of the Grand Army: 
 
 HENRY BEMIS, born in Spencer December 13, 1836. He 
 entered the service July 19, 1862 at Worcester, Massachusetts, as 
 a private in company E, thirty-fourth Massachusetts volunteers, 
 and was discharged June 13, 1865 at Fortress Monroe, the war 
 having closed. December 27, 1864, he was promoted to corporal, 
 which rank he held when discharged. His first battle was at 
 New Market, May 15, 1864. Subsequently he engaged in the 
 battles at Berry ville, September 3, 1864 ; Winchester, September 
 19, 1864 ; Fisher's Hill, September 22, 1864 ; Strasburg, October 
 13, 1864 ; Cedar Creek, October 19, 1864 and Fort Gregg, April 
 2, 1865. At New Market, May 15, 1864, he was wounded in the 
 thigh and at Fort Gregg, April 2, 1865, he was wounded in the 
 ankle. During his service he was confined in the hospitals at 
 Frederick, Maryland, Baltimore and Fortress Monroe. His most 
 intimate comrades in the service were Henry Sibley, George P. 
 Clark, Henry and Dvvight Chickering and Henry Converse. 
 
 CHARLES A. BEMIS, born at Paxton, December 12, 1838. 
 Entered the service at Worcester, September 2, 1862, as a private 
 in company A, fifty-first regiment Massachusetts volunteers, and 
 was discharged at Boston, July 27, 1863, through the expiration 
 of his term of enlistment. The first battle in which he engaged 
 was the battle of Whitehall. Subsequently he participated in the 
 battles of Kingston and Goldsboro. 
 
 CHARLES E. BEMIS, born August 5, 1839, at Spencer. 
 Enlisted in the service at Spencer, August 20, 1862, as a private 
 in company F, forty-second regiment Massachusetts volunteers, 
 and was discharged at Readville, Massachusetts, August 20, 1863 
 by reason of expiration of his term of service. He was confined 
 through illness for three weeks in the hospital while stationed at 
 Lake Ponchartrain, Louisana. His most intimate comrades in 
 the service were Charles H. Allen, Henry A. Knovvltou, Charles 
 Sargeant, Charles Lvon, Henry Lyon and Sergeant Hiram Cowan. 
 
 FREDERICK AUGUSTUS BEMIS, was born in Spencer, 
 December 20, 1834, and enlisted August 23, 1861 as first sergeant 
 in company C, twenty-first regiment, Massachusetts volunteers. 
 February 28, 1862, he was promotecl to second- lieutenant, and 
 July 28, 1862 to first-lieutenant. Four days later he was killed at 
 
ii 4 
 
 SKETCHES OF SPENCER HISTORY 
 
 the battle of Chantilly, Virginia. His first fight was at Roanoke 
 Island, North Carolina, February 8, 1862. Subsequently he took 
 part in the battles of Newbern, March 14, 1862, Camden Court 
 House, April 19, 1862, second Bull Run, August 28, 29, 30, 1862 
 and Chantilly, September 1, 1862. The body of Lieutenant 
 Bemis lies in an unknown grave notwithstanding much fruitless 
 search for it. His service covers a period of one year and eight 
 days, every day of which he was on duty and did his full duty. 
 At the time of his death he was expecting, and doubtless would 
 have received it, if he had lived, a higher commission in one of the 
 
 UEt'T. FREDERICK A. BEMIS. 
 Of Spencer. Killed at the Battle of Chantilly, Va., August i, 1862. 
 
 new companies then recruiting in his native State. He was brave, 
 capable, patriotic and ambitious. No braver man ever carried a 
 musket or wore a sword. This sketch has been outlined at the 
 request of the compiler of these narratives, Erastus Jones, by the 
 deceased friend and companion, Capt. William T. Harlow. 
 
 ALVIN BEMIS was born in Spencer, Massachusetts, Octo- 
 ber 16, 1839, and entered the service September 23, 1861, at 
 Readville, Massachusetts, as a private in Company I, twenty- 
 seventh regiment Massachusetts volunteers, and was discharged 
 
BEMIS FAMILY IN THE CIVIL WAR. 
 
 "5 
 
 £UA5 HQW£, 
 
 Inventor Of The Sewiho Machine 
 And Ah Illustrious Son Of The • 
 
 TOWNSSPE'HCm ■ 
 
 at Newbern, North Carolina, April 23, 1863, for disability. His 
 first battle was at Roanoke Island. Subsequently he participated 
 
 in the battles of Fort Mason 
 and Newbern, after which 
 battle he was put upon 
 General Burnside's Dis- 
 patch and Headquarters 
 boat and remained there 
 until about the time Burn- 
 side went to the Army of 
 the Potomac. For about 
 a month he was confined 
 in the hospital at Ports- 
 mouth, North Carolina. 
 His intimate comrades in 
 the service were John 
 Marsh of Spencer, Horace 
 Pike, Win. Lamb, Freder- 
 ick Young, and Win. King 
 of Charlton, A. S. Howe 
 of Salem, and Slayton N. 
 Dean of North Brookfield. 
 The most important events 
 in his service he considers 
 were the capture of New- 
 bern, North Carolina, and 
 laying outside Hatteras In- 
 let three days and nights 
 with signals of distress fly- 
 ing, before any help ven- 
 tured near. He was on 
 the Alice Price dispatch 
 boat when it took the 
 prisoners from Fort Mason 
 who were paroled at their 
 homes. He was at Eliza- 
 beth City when Com- 
 mander Tatnel set fire to 
 his fleet and swam ashore, 
 and was constantly on the 
 move about Pamlico and 
 Albermarle Sounds and 
 their inlets. After re- 
 turning to his regiment he went to Swansboro and assisted in 
 destroying the salt works there, and he was kept actively at work 
 until he was sent, late in the fall, to the hospital. 
 
 ELIAS BEMIS, born in Spencer February 22, 1837. En- 
 
 TABLET 
 
 Erected in 1901 on the New York Central R. 
 R. near Howe's Crossing. Spencer, by Chas. 
 N. Promt v, Thomas H. Clark and other pub- 
 lic-spirited citizens. 
 
u6 
 
 SKETCHES OF SPENCER HISTORY. 
 
 listed July 20, 1864, as a private in company F, sixtieth Massa- 
 chusetts volunteers. Discharged November 30, 1864. 
 
 OSCAR R. BEMIS, born in Spencer, January 23, 1834. 
 Enlisted as a private June 14, 1861, in company K, tenth Massa- 
 chusetts volunteers. Discharged, and reenlisted in company E, 
 
 FANNY BEMIS, 
 
 Daughter of Joshua Sr.. and granddaughter of Samuel Sr. Married Elijah Howe Jr., 
 March 18, 1790. Mother of Ellas, Tyler, William, Alphonzo and Elbridge Howe 
 and grandmother of Elias Howe, Jr. Born in Spencer July 24, 1771. Died 
 November 25, 1S52. 
 
 The following verse is on her headstone in the old cemetery : 
 "While o'er a dear and aged friend 
 
 We drop the tear and heave the sigh. 
 Faith whispers we shall yet ascend 
 To meet where love shall never die." 
 
 thirty-fourth Massachusetts volunteers July 31, 1862. Died in 
 hospital at Baltimore, August 26, 1862. 
 
 EDMOND J. BEMIS, born in Spencer August 19, 1842. 
 Enlisted as a private August 20, 1863, in company F, forty-second 
 regiment Massachusetts volunteers. Died of heart disease at Al- 
 bany, New York, June 21, 1868. 
 
 The descendants of Samuel Bemis who participated in the 
 War of the Rebellion from other places were numerous, but 
 the author has made no attempt to trace their history. 
 
DETACHED FRAGMENTS OF BEMIS 
 HISTORY. 
 
 Members of the Bemis family, who were in Capt. Ebenezer 
 Mason's company and marched to Cambridge on the alarm of 
 April 19, 1775: 
 
 Bemis, Jesse, son of William, 
 Bemis, John, son of Edmund, 
 Bemis, Samuel, son of Samuel Jr. 
 
 Members of the Bemis family who were in Capt. John Wol- 
 
 cott's company of Brookfield and Spencer rangers: 
 
 Bemis, Jonas Sr., Lieut. 
 
 Bemis, Amasa, son of Joshua Sr., 
 
 Bemis, Reuben, ) fc , , T 
 
 -co > sons or Samuel Jr. 
 
 Bemis, Beniamin, j J 
 
 Revolutionary Pensioners in Spencer: 
 Bemis, Jesse, 
 Bemis, Jonas, 
 Bemis, Amasa. 
 
 In 1854 there were thirty-four voters of the Bemis name in 
 Spencer, thought to be the largest number recorded in any one 
 year. 
 
 Samuel Bemis Jr. Settles On Tucker Hill. 
 
 Samuel Bemis Jr. settled on the east end of lot 56, which he 
 purchased of Benjamin Tucker's heirs. His house was on the 
 southern slope of the hill about due north from the farm house 
 owned for many years by Tucker & Woodbury. There used 
 to be a road pass his house which commenced on the Charlton 
 road about twenty-five rods south of the barn of Harvey Sibley and 
 
n8 
 
 SKETCHES OF SPENCER HISTORY. 
 
 ran westerly to the house recently known as the Bardwell place, 
 now owned by Leonard W. Bisco. Some portions of this road, 
 with the wall on both sides, is still in use on the Sibley farm. 
 
 $ci>Er 
 
 t^Wr 
 
 
 •; qA&£$)Q$$% 3 S '%£ <MA< $ 
 
 • IS -k C ^? ^ ? H i fcm ri P ^f r f 
 : l J o s c P h • S c w i f 5- .w 3 $ . 6 u f t, .3i,- S F C t * c c r 
 T\Iov.ih20. I? $2-" " 
 
 303lniCl- 8cm;f>.wa^ JbOrn J' 
 
 Six ; S^ . Semite- w"a$ ■ kc^. June -tK23 -I?? P 
 Jgicazergcrnifs- wa$-Jborri : 
 
 1 $3.8r . Scmif? ■ w3u?- W« ■ Au£ ■ th - 7 - *?>> * 5 
 MnJfmif,?' wy.-S- • .born • £^CthIo-.lo 
 Fr3.nWiYvBemif.5- .wa^bom .Fc.br-t,h/ I80J|; 
 
 iA .F&miiy Recoct SPe^cer ■ m-the -Couth/.. 
 
 Irhe CorvwOiVWdlh ' 
 TO £UPPli3 v»t • WrtUC ■ nOthfftl • i£ ■ dCTi/d. >'• h 
 
 CCC'O.o- 
 
 SAMPLER 
 
 Worked by Sally Beinis. daughter of Joseph, granddaughter 3. Ji^aS 
 
 of C apt. Edmund, and great granddaughter of Samuel Sr. ^..uaW 
 
 Samplers were very common a century ago and were -.:. S 
 
 worked usually by gills from ten to twelve . _, Z^"^- 
 years of age. 
 
FRAGMENTS BEMIS HISTORY. 1 19 
 
 Petition To The General Court June 20, 1757, of 
 William Bemis and John Cunningham. 
 
 To the Hon. Spencer Phipps Esq., Lieut. Gov. and Commander in 
 
 ChieJ of the Honorable Committee and House of Representatives 
 
 setting in Boston, March 30, 1757. 
 
 The petition of John Cunningham Exr. : of the testament of Hugh 
 
 Cunningham, late of Spencer in ye county of Worcester humbly 
 
 shows that the same Hugh in his life time sold to William Bemis 
 
 two acres and one hundred and thirty-eight perch of meadow lying 
 
 in said Spencer for five pounds, fifteen shillings lawful money and 
 
 received the same sum, but died before he could grant a deed and 
 
 the facts are true Your petitioner prays the said John as Exr. may 
 
 be empowered by your Honors to execute a proper conveyance of 
 
 said meadow to said William so tbat justice may be done and as in 
 
 duty bound we shall ever prav. 
 
 Signed 1 J° HX CUNNINGHAM, 
 oignea f WIIvI j AM BEMIS. 
 
 In the House of Representatives Apr. 9, 1757, read and ordered 
 that the prayer of this petition be granted and that the same John 
 Cunningham be and hereby is improved in his said capacity to 
 make and execute a good sufficient deed to the said William Bemis 
 of the land within mentioned and that the same be and hereby is 
 declared to be as good and valid in ye law to all intents and pur- 
 poses whatsoever as if said Hugh Cunningham had made the same 
 in his lifetime. 
 
 This land was a portion of the great meadows and adjoined 
 land of Samuel Bemis Sr. 
 
 Town Records. 
 
 "Taken up and strayed b) r Benjamin Bemis one Brown 
 Heffer supposed to be two years old with white hind legs up to 
 her body, her tail white halfway, white on her rump, and a 
 star on her forehead, some white on her forefeet with small J on 
 horns." Spencer, Nov. 7, 1757. 
 
 At a town meeting held Nov. 25, 1 77 1 , Capt. William Bemis, 
 John Biseo, John White Jr. and John Muzzy were appointed to 
 apprize the pews in the new meeting house. This was done and 
 the Bemis family purchased as follows: 
 
 Pew No. Price 
 
 Capt. William Bemis, 1 i2lbs 15s 
 
 Joshua Bemis, 42 7 " 5s 
 
 Nathaniel Bemis, 29 9 " 
 
 Benjamin Bemis, 44 7 " 
 
 Voted at a town meeting held June 28, 1773, "that Dea. 
 Oliver Watson, James Ormes, Capt. William Bemis, Asa Baldwin 
 and Moses Livermore be a committee to transact the whole affair 
 relative to the ordination of Rev. Joseph Pope." 
 
 At a town meeting held March 17, 1777, " upon the question 
 being put whether the town would come into the method that is 
 
120 
 
 SKETCHEK OF SPENCER HISTORY. 
 
 SPECIMENS OF COVER QUILTS 
 
 Made by granddaughters of Samuel Bemis Sr. The one in a square 
 plaid design was made by Catherine (Bemis) Howland, and is now- 
 owned by Melinda Howland of Brookfield, the other by Sarah 
 (Bemis) New-hall and owned by the w f e of Paul Sibley. Sarah 
 Bemis was the daughter of Jonas Bemisi Sr. She married Reuben 
 Newhall and was the mother of Otis Newhall. These quilts were 
 all made from wool grown in Spencer, combed, dved and spun bv 
 those women, and woven by them on hand looms. They are of 
 most excellent workmanship. The father of George A. Craig, 
 Esq., was a maker of spinning wheels, and it is presumed that in 
 his day he made nearly all the wheels sold in this section. When 
 the daughter of a well-to-do farmer was about to be married a "set 
 of Craig's wheels," as they were called, was usually a part of the 
 dowry. 
 
FRAGMENTS BEMIS HISTORY. 121 
 
 proposed for procuring men to engage in the Continental array 
 for the term of three years or during the war it passed in the 
 affirmative. 
 
 Voted that the sum of 20 pounds be given as a bounty to 
 each person that should engage on behalf of the town. The 
 committee by the town to have charge of the matter are Dea. 
 John Muzzy, John Bisco, Capt. Wm. Bemis, Aaron Hunt an 
 John White Jr. 
 
 March 1st, 1779. Town committee. Inspectors of the 
 market: Maj. Asa Baldwin, Capt. Ebenezer Mason and Lieut. 
 Benjamin Bemis. 
 
 March 1780, Jonas Bemis paid to the town a fine of 40 lbs. 
 for refusing to serve as constable. The above sum probably 
 represents the depreciated currency of the times. In Dec. 1779 
 one dollar in silver could be exchanged for $32.50 in Continental 
 bills and this depreciation continued rapidly until the Continental 
 currency was worthless. It is thought about five dollars in 
 silver would represent the amount of the fine. 
 
 At a town meeting held March 18, 1780 the following com- 
 mittee was chosen " to hire men if needed to go into the army:" 
 Capt. David Prouty, Lieut. Benjamin Bemis, Lieut. John White, 
 Lieut. Johnathan Rich, Capt. Joshua Draper. 
 
 178 1 Lieut. Benjamin Bemis elected tithingman. 
 
 March 1782, town voted to allow Capt. Benjamin Bemis 3 lbs. 
 for hiring men for the army. 
 
 March 1792, town paid Amasa Bemis 1 lb. 16s for "boarding 
 school dame and house room." Paid William Bemis 8 shillings 
 for flax seed to get oil with for the meeting house. 
 
 Amasa Bemis Sr. died Nov. 21, 1842, aged eighty-five, and 
 his body was placed in the tomb at the old homestead as per his 
 will, but Dexter and Amasa, his sons, concluding to remove to 
 Wisconsin, removed the body to the old cemetery between 1853 
 and 1855. There was never any other occupant of the tomb except 
 a child named Rawlings, who was placed there temporarily one 
 winter. 
 
 Edmund Bemis entered one term service in the Colonial 
 army, February 18, 1756, and served until Dec. 25, 1756, forty- 
 four weeks, four days — thirty-eight days travel allowed. 
 
 Col. Benjamin Bemis commanded a regiment in the war of 
 18 12, and was ordered to the Canadian frontier but did not have 
 an engagement with the British. 
 
122 SKETCHES OF SPENCER HISTORY. 
 
 Edmund Bemis Renders a Bill for Services, Etc. 
 
 Massachusetts Province to Edmund Bemis, Dr. 
 To my subsistence 15 days, making up ye rate at 1-6, 7m. 2s. 6d. 
 To my expenses, 6 days from Spencer to Boston and 
 
 back again to Spencer, lib. 4s. 
 
 To John Chamberlain, found his arm, 12s. 
 
 Jonas Bemis, 12s. 
 
 Deliverance Carpenter " 12s. 
 
 Reuben Clark 12s. 
 
 Thomas Wood 12s. 
 
 Lt. Kphraim Howard 12s. 
 
 Nathan Hambleton 12s. 
 
 Eliphalet Hambleton 12s. 
 
 Ebenezer Davis 12s. 
 
 Solomon Flagg 12s. 
 
 Boston, Feb'y 25, 1757. 
 Errors excepted. 
 
 8ft>s. 6s. 6d. 
 
 *Q&VLvffi 
 
 Extracts from Will of Amasa Bemis Sr. 
 
 By this will he says: "I further give and bequeath to my said 
 wife, Nancy Bemis, good and sufficient meats, drinks, clothing, 
 lodging, nursing and doctoring; also good and sufficient firewood 
 furnished and brought into her house at all times suitable for her 
 fire places as she ma}* choose, and in fine to have and be pro- 
 vided with everything she may need and her situation require both 
 in sickness and health for her comfort and convenience so that she 
 may be able to support her rank and standing in society as she has 
 hitherto done while living with me and all this to be done and pro- 
 vided for her bv the said Dexter Bemis, my son, during her natural 
 life." 
 
 He wills also that "my body is to be placed in the family 
 tomb on my original home farm in Spencer, and I hereby express- 
 ly reserve said tomb for a common family tomb with a strip of land 
 two rods in width all around said tomb, and the privilege of passing 
 and repassing thereto at all times. Said tomb to be the common 
 property and for the common use as a burial place for myself and 
 family and for said Foster and Dexter Bemis and their families if 
 they should choose." 
 
 Moved By Oxen. 
 
 The old district No. 9 Red schoolhouse was moved by oxen 
 to its present location at Westville, also the Hannah Green and 
 
FRAGMENTS BEMIS HISTORY. I 23 
 
 Danforth Betnis houses from the Samuel Bemis homestead lot. It 
 is not known how many oxen were employed but some idea may 
 be obtained by the fact that when the house now occupied by 
 Daniel W. Adams on Pleasant street was moved about 1842 from 
 near the Sugden block there were sixty yoke of oxen used, made 
 up in two "strings" as they were then called, of thirty yoke 
 each. About every farmer in town came without expense to help 
 at this ■" moving bee." 
 
 Amasa Bemis inherited the estate of his father, Joshua, and 
 grandfather, Samuel. 
 
 In 1798 the home farm contained 153/4 acres. 
 
 Detached land 95 3 /i 
 
 Total 
 The farm was valued by the assessors at 
 Other land 
 
 House with 80 perch of land 
 Long barn 33 x 80 
 Square barn 30 x 30 
 
 Total $4492 2,5 
 
 There were at this time two sets of assessors, one called the 
 principal assessors, the other called the assistant assessors, each 
 set making independent estimates. They varied considerably 
 on separate items in the above case, but on the total estimates of 
 value, only $16.26 
 
 249^ acres 
 
 $2302 
 
 50 
 
 H95 
 
 75 
 
 320 
 
 00 
 
 284 
 
 00 
 
 90 
 
 00 
 
 Questions and answers in history asked in 1833 at District 
 No. 2 school: 
 
 "Who is President of the United States? Ans. Andrew 
 Jackson. 
 
 "Who is Governor of Massachusetts? Ans. Devi Lincoln. 
 
 "Who commanded a Spencer company at Crown Point? Ans. 
 Edmund Bemis. 
 
 "Who dug the first grave in Spencer? Ans. Edmund Bemis." 
 
 Nathaniel Sr., Joshua Sr. and William Bemis Sr. each served 
 thirteen days as sentinels on the Western frontier in 1748. 
 
 Abijah Bemis, founder of what is known as the Paxton 
 branch of the Bemis family, was a nephew of Samuel Bemis Sr. of 
 Spencer. Both had a common ancestor in Joseph Bemis of Wa- 
 tertown. 
 
I2 4 
 
 SKETCHES OF SPENCER HISTORY. 
 
 Estate of Samuel Bemis Jr. 
 
 The following inventory doubtless shows the usual kinds 
 of personal property owned by well-to-do farmers about the year 
 1S00. 
 
 Inventory of the estate of Samuel Bemis Jr. late of Spencer 
 deceased. 
 
 
 Ihs. s. 
 
 d. 
 
 : 
 
 fibs 
 
 . s. 
 
 d. 
 
 i farm containing 160 
 
 
 
 
 1 grindstone and crank 
 
 15 
 
 
 acres of land with 
 
 
 
 
 1 old plough 
 
 
 6 
 
 
 buildings thereon, 5 
 
 10 
 
 
 
 1 shovel 
 
 
 3 
 
 
 5 cows 
 
 16 
 
 10 
 
 
 2 scythes and tackling 
 
 
 12 
 
 6 
 
 1 two-year old colt 
 
 8 
 
 
 
 Horse tackling 
 
 
 4 
 
 6 
 
 6 swine 
 
 4 
 
 
 
 1 chain 
 
 
 10 
 
 
 1 set of plough 
 
 1 
 
 
 
 1 do 
 
 
 4 
 
 
 1 ox sled 
 
 
 3 
 
 
 1 adds 
 
 
 5 
 
 
 2 dung forks 
 
 
 6 
 
 
 1 hansaw 
 
 
 3 
 
 
 2 ox yokes and forms 
 
 
 7 
 
 
 Y? bushil 
 
 
 1 
 
 6 
 
 3 rakes 
 
 
 3 
 
 
 2 sadles 
 
 2 
 
 16 
 
 
 Bull rings and wayes 
 
 
 4 
 
 
 Wearing apparil 
 
 4 
 
 9 
 
 6 
 
 1 hoe 
 
 
 1 
 
 6 
 
 Woolen yarn 
 
 1 
 
 6 
 
 
 1 ax 
 
 
 4 
 
 6 
 
 Flax 
 
 
 9 
 
 
 2 augers 
 
 
 2 
 
 
 6 chairs 
 
 
 6 
 
 
 1 sickle 
 
 
 1 
 
 4 
 
 One shugar box 
 
 
 
 6 
 
 1 sieve 
 
 
 
 6 
 
 1 cheap tub 
 
 
 6 
 
 
 1 basket 
 
 
 1 
 
 
 1 pail 
 
 
 1 
 
 8 
 
 2 yards fulled cloth 
 
 
 8 
 
 
 1 wooden dish 
 
 
 
 8 
 
 Sheeps wool 
 
 2 
 
 1 
 
 
 1 meat tub 
 
 
 2 
 
 
 1 lantern 
 
 
 3 
 
 
 1 pickle tub 
 
 
 3 
 
 
 2 wooden bottles 
 
 
 2 
 
 8 
 
 1 cheese hoop 
 
 
 1 
 
 
 Combed wool 
 
 
 1 1 
 
 
 Old casks 
 
 
 9 
 
 10 
 
 1 churn 
 
 
 1 
 
 6 
 
 1 wool wheile 
 
 
 5 
 
 6 
 
 2 small tubs 
 
 
 1 
 
 
 1 brass kittle 
 
 
 18 
 
 
 1 salt morter 
 
 
 1 
 
 6 
 
 Irou ware 
 
 
 16 
 
 
 Salt meat 
 
 1 
 
 
 
 1 crane 
 
 
 2 
 
 8 
 
 12 old cider barrels 
 
 
 17 
 
 
 1 tosling iron 
 
 
 1 
 
 
 1 cheese press 
 
 
 3 
 
 
 1 puter 
 
 
 2 
 
 6 
 
 2 old cheese chests 
 
 2 
 
 
 
 Knives and forks 
 
 
 4 
 
 
 1 flax comb 
 
 
 8 
 
 
 1 table 
 
 
 6 
 
 
 3 milk pans 
 
 
 1 
 
 6 
 
 Other linniu 
 
 
 7 
 
 8 
 
 1 brass skilet 
 
 
 1 
 
 
 1 feather bed and beddi 
 
 ng40 
 
 
 1 yoke oxen 
 
 14 
 
 
 
 2 wooden bottles 
 
 
 
 8 
 
 4 yearlings 
 
 6 
 
 
 
 1 iron box 
 
 
 1 
 
 
 1 mair and colt 
 
 9 
 
 12 
 
 
 2 bushels of corn 
 
 
 6 
 
 
 3 calves 
 
 2 
 
 5 
 
 
 Corn in the barn 
 
 4 
 
 
 
 1 cart and wheels 
 
 2 
 
 8 
 
 
 Barley 
 
 
 40 
 
 
FRAGMENTS BEMIS HISTORY 
 
 125 
 
 fts. s. d. 
 Cheese on hand 19 
 
 Hay in barn 32 
 
 1 hive and skins at 
 
 tannery 19 
 
 1 looking glass 1 
 
 Crockery ware 126 
 
 1 cass of draws 2 4 
 
 Table linnin 16 
 
 1 feather bed and bedding 80 
 
 1 " 20 
 
 2 pitching forks 3 
 
 Spencer, Sept. 14, 1793. 
 
 lbs. s d. f. 
 
 1 broad chisel 
 
 Corn in the field ( 
 
 5 sheep 
 
 Apples in the orchard 
 
 Boards 
 
 Cash on hand 
 
 1 note signed by Col. 
 Benj. Bemis, princi- 
 ple and interest 2 
 
 6 
 6 
 
 33 
 16 
 
 7 
 42 
 
 3 4 3 
 
 666lbs 12s 4s 3f 
 
 ABIJAH LAMB, 
 DAVID ADAMS, 
 AMOS ADAMS, 
 
 
 
 
 
 Appraisers. 
 
 
 To this account 
 
 was 
 
 afte 
 
 r\v 
 
 ards added the following 
 
 items: 
 
 
 
 ft. 
 
 s. 
 
 d. 
 
 
 ft. s. 
 
 d 
 
 Sole leather 
 
 
 9 
 
 
 55 lbs. cheese 
 
 1 10 
 
 
 A calf skin 
 
 
 10 
 
 
 1 2 lbs. sole leather 
 
 14 
 
 
 1 kid skin 
 
 
 6 
 
 
 A sheep skin 
 
 4 
 
 
 47 lbs. butter 
 
 
 39 
 
 
 
 
 
 The skins mentioned as being at the tannery were presuma- 
 bly at the one operated at that time by Elliot and Joseph Mason 
 and which stood near the site of the present residence of the Cut- 
 ler Prouty house opposite Sugden block. 
 
 The old No. 9 school house not being well located to accom- 
 modate the majority of the pupils who lived in the village it was 
 sold, removed to Westville and made into the dwelling now owned 
 by Orin D. Barr. A new No. 9 schoolhouse was built on lower 
 Main street, which in later years was sold and made into a dwell- 
 ing by the late Thomas Manion. 
 
 John and Sylvanus Bemis built about 1820 a small mill on a 
 stream which flows through the meadow between the Joseph 
 Bemis house and the Sprague place. Here they turned bobbins 
 for woolen manufacturers. Sylvanus gained quite a local reputa- 
 tion also as a maker of violins. 
 
126 SKETCHES OF SPENCER HISTORY. 
 
 Capt. Edmund Provides for His Old Age. 
 
 This Indenture made this twenty-fourth Day of May, A. D. 
 1796, between Enoch Knapp of Spencer, in the County of Worces- 
 ter and Commonwealth of Massachusetts, yeomen, on the one part, 
 and Edmund Bemis of Spencer in the County and Commonwealth 
 aforesaid, Gentlemen, on the other part, witnesseth that the said 
 Enoch Knapp in Consideration for a Deed of Sale given him by the 
 said Edmuncl Bemis of his whole farm not deeded away to his son 
 Joseph, bearing Date with these presents, Doth Lease and to farm 
 let unto the said Edmund Bemis, his heirs, Executors and Adminis- 
 trators, the whole of the farm which the said Edmund Bemis deeded 
 to him May 25, 1796, together with Buildings thereon during the 
 said Edmund's natural life. 
 
 To have and to hold from the Day of the Date unto the per- 
 iod above mentioned. 
 
 The Conditions of the above Lease is such that if the said 
 Enoch Knapp doth support the above said Edmund Bemis com- 
 fortably both in food and clothing, doctoring and nursing in case 
 of sickness, and doth provide all necessary articles for Comfort of 
 the said Edmund Bemis from this Date to the End of his Natural 
 Life, then this Instrument to be void and of none effect otherwise 
 to remain in full force and virtue, in witness hereof I have hereunto 
 set my hand and seal this twenty-fourth Day of May, A. D. 1796, 
 and in the Twenty-first vear of the Independence of America. 
 
 ENOCH KNAPP. 
 Signed, Sealed and Delivered in presence of 
 Joseph Bemis, 
 Thos. Sprague. 
 
 Lyman Bemis owned and operated a wire mill at the Upper 
 Wire Village from 1826 to 1831. He appears to have sold out to 
 Austin Bemis to whom the property was taxed in 1832-33 when 
 the latter died and Wm. Bemis was appointed administrator. 
 
DISTRICT NO. 9 SCHOOLHOUSE. 
 
 The old red schoolhouse of district No. 9 stood in the cor- 
 ner of the pasture, across the road, west of where Theodore J. 
 Bemis now lives. This was the place where many who have been 
 leading citizens in Spencer were instructed in their youthful days. 
 Men were usually employed as teachers for the Winter and women 
 for the Summer terms. One teacher, Frank D. Lincoln of Brim- 
 field, afterwards a captain in the War of the Rebellion, is particu- 
 larly remembered as one of the best teachers of that time. 
 
 The following poem was written and published many years 
 ago in the Oakdale Gleaner, a random Spencer publication, by 
 one who was a leading girl in the old school days, and perfectly 
 familiar with the scenes she so vividly portrays. The name of 
 the farmer who owned the clover and rye fields was Dea. William 
 Sumner. 
 
 The Old Red Schoolhouse. 
 
 That old red school house, well do I remember, 
 For there my youthful hours I whiled away 
 
 Within its walls, with hooks and slate so busy. 
 
 Without the door, with schoolmates dear at play. 
 
 Each spot within, to memory still how dear, 
 
 The desk so large at which the teacher sat 
 With rule and rod that made us quake with fear, 
 
 With nail above for bonnet or for hat. 
 
 For largest scholars thirty desks were seen 
 
 And ten low benches for the smaller fry, 
 And windows eight, not always whole nor clean, 
 
 But up so high, they kept out curious eye. 
 
 The stove, at which in winter I would linger, 
 
 The black board, where my spirits oft did fail, 
 
 The shelf beside the door, for books and dinner, 
 The place for dipper and the water pail. 
 
 And those long noonings I can ne'er forget. 
 
 Or the stone houses, where I always plaved, 
 Nor Vet the pastures where for flowers and berries 
 
 With my lov'd schoolmates I so oft have strayed. 
 
 The spring so prized, with clearest water gushing. 
 The hill down which I've had full many a slide, 
 
 The brook through field and meadow ever rushing, 
 The pond on which the skater used to slide. 
 
128 
 
 SKETCHES OF SPENCER HISTORY. 
 
 The saw mill, and the cottage standing near it, 
 The worthy owner, oft I've heard him cry, 
 
 As we through fields of grass and grain were scudding, 
 To " leave my clover," or "get out that rye." 
 
 The old red schoolhouse, now it stands deserted, 
 About its doors no children heard at play, 
 
 The brook, the spring and play house, all neglected, 
 The building now, fast passing to decay. 
 
 OLD DISTRICT NO. 9 RED SCHOOL HOUSE AS IT LOOKED IN 1841. 
 
 Yet still I love it, and I fain would linger 
 
 O'er each familiar scene to memory dear, 
 
 For those lov'd schoolmates, some, I'll wish all blessings, 
 O'er graves of others shed the mourner's tear. 
 
 Interesting Letter. 
 
 The following very interesting letter was written to Miss 
 Lucy Merrick of Sturbridge, by her sister who had come to Spen- 
 cer to teach at this school the spring term of 184 1. She evidently 
 was homesick but would not confess it even to herself : 
 
 vSpencer, May 31st, 1841. 
 Dear Sister : — 
 
 It is but little more than one week since I left home and still 
 it seems as though it was an age, but do not think I am homesick, 
 for 1 am not really so, but have come very near it once or twice 
 I have a school of fifty-three scholars which is quite as many as I 
 
AN INTERESTING LETTER. 
 
 129 
 
 want, but I have not got them all yet, and when they are all in shall 
 have fifty-five or sixty It was well for me that I did not know 
 much about the school or I should have never seen Spencer in the 
 capacitv of teacher. It is called the worst school in town and last 
 winter their school was very poor. They came very near turning 
 away their teacher and it left their school in a very bad state. As 
 for my boarding place it is not just such an one. as I should like, 
 but I will not complain. I board with a widow lady who is a very 
 pleasant woman but has quite a family of children which I think is 
 not quite so pleasant. As for our Sabbaths I know not what to say. 
 Could you be here it would save me the trouble of describing as I 
 cannot find words to express what I wish to say. There are three 
 
 MARIA I . MERRICK, 
 
 Daughter cf Capt. Thomas Verrick, a prominent citizen of Stur- 
 
 bridge and who taught the spring term at the old district No. 
 
 9, Red schoolhouse in 1841. Married Henry L, Mellen, Nov. 
 
 28, 1846, and settled at Brook field; mother of Sarah J., 
 
 present wife of E. Harris how land. This picture 
 
 was taken about the time Miss Merrick taught 
 
 school in Spencer. 
 
 boys between the ages of six and ten and they are fighting continu- 
 ally. They need a father's care and correction. I can bear it very 
 well any day but Sunday and then when I am not obliged to be in 
 school t do not wish for the noise of children. My accommoda- 
 tions are not what I could wish. My sleeping room is the parlor 
 and sitting room, and then I cannot have the room to myself but am 
 obliged to have one of the girls sleep with me. You probably recol- 
 lect the day I left home I expected to have been examined in 
 the afternoon, but Rev'd Mr. Levi Packard (although always 
 
I30 SKETCHES OF SPENCER HISTORY. 
 
 preaching punctuality to others) forgot to be punctual himself and 
 I was therefore obliged to defer it until Monday afternoon. I called 
 at Dr. Aaron Green's and waited two hours for him, but he had for- 
 gotten that he had an engagement and therefore did not call. I got 
 along very well, did not miss one question, but when I began to 
 parse did not get the sense of the piece and got somewhat puzzled 
 and instead of helping me at all, sat and laughed at me, which I 
 called rather provoking, but it is all over with and the most I dread 
 now is the first visit to in v school I expected them this afternoon but 
 they have not been. I have two of Mrs Cheney Sumner's children, 
 (she that was Mary Coy of Brimfield), that attend school and they 
 are as pretty as any scholars in school. I have called on Mrs Sum- 
 ner and she seems like an old acquaintance although I do not recol- 
 lect ever seeing her before She wishes to be remembered to you 
 all. My boarding place is so far from the schoolhouse that I can- 
 not go there at noon and I find a very pleasant place to call at wid- 
 ow William Sumner's the nearest house to the schoolhouse She 
 appears very glad to have me call and invites me to come every day. 
 I happened to meet a friend to-day very unexpectedly as I was com- 
 ing to school not thinking of seeing any one that I knew. I saw a 
 carriage and whom should be in it but Col Estabrook He ap- 
 peared to be very glad to see me and thought I must have got lost 
 to be so far from home. My health is very good excepting a very 
 hard cough, and what to do for it I do not know, as I keep getting 
 a little more cold and it keeps me coughing almost all the time. I 
 shall begin to think it necessary to know how to dance if I stay in 
 Spencer long as they are continually having "scrapes" as they call 
 them There have been two since I came here and the widow's 
 daughter attended them, so you see I have an opportunity to lend 
 things to wear if I do not go myself But it is now almost six 
 o'clock and I have not been home to tea and my stomach begins to 
 tell me it is tea time, but I dread starting for after I have sat a few 
 moments I can tell how tired I am when I get up I can find but 
 little time to sit in school and when I get through am obliged to 
 walk more than half a mile to my boarding place, all up hill. My 
 schoolhouse is large and a very good one except it is very dirty. I 
 think I shall wash it some day when school does not keep. I saw 
 Miss Robinson at church yesterday She is at work for Mr. Gerry 
 Russ. One of the widow's daughters has gone to-da} r to commence 
 learning the trade at his clothier's shop. I presume vou have for- 
 gotten to send me some papers but I have not. Do write as soon as 
 vou get this and send as many papers as you can Tell Alfred a 
 Philadelphia paper would be acceptable I get but very little to 
 read here and what I do get is not worth much My best love to all 
 who inquire and if any one asks how I like tell them first rate, be- 
 cause I should dislike to have it said I was homesick, you know. 
 Tell mother I should like to step in and take tea with her to-night, 
 but think I shall defer it till I get through with my school, as I 
 should enjoy it better if I had not got to come back again Tell 
 Dexter to write to me as I wish to know how he is prospering in his 
 worldly affairs Excuse this bad looking letter as I have written in 
 great haste. I will write a better one next time. 
 From vour affectionate sister, 
 
 MARIA L. MERRICK. 
 
 The postage on this letter from Spencer to Stnrbridge was 
 six cents. The postal rates at that time were not only much 
 higher than now but prepayment was optional. The author re- 
 
LITERARY CURIOSITY. 131 
 
 members a story told by his father, who was a musician and fre- 
 quently employed to play the clarinet at dances in the surround- 
 ing towns by a teacher of dancing named "Tomsou" — that was 
 the way he spelled his name. Mr. Tomson was quite a penurious 
 man and when he sent a mail order for an engagement never pre- 
 paid the postage. At one time he sent an order, as usual, and not 
 getting an immediate reply, thought the letter had miscarried and 
 wrote again. In his last communication he said: "If you got my 
 first letter all right you can save the postage on this one by not 
 taking it out of the office. ' ' 
 
 At a town meeting held March 24, 1767, it was "voted to 
 Nathaniel Bemis, late constable, six shillings on account of a 
 counterfeit dollar which he took accidentally in collecting the 
 Province tax." 
 
 Literary Curiosity. 
 
 The following is inserted simply as a curiosity. Some years 
 ago a New York pnper offered six equal prizes to those who 
 should write the best contributions on the weather, containing 
 two hundred words without the letter a. The author was one of 
 some four hundred competitors and won a prize. 
 
 " The Tempest." 
 
 "^It is dusk upon the bluffs of the little hillside town which 
 overlooks the rocky, precipitous shores of the mighty deep below. 
 The storm king is enthroned. The spirit of violence is running 
 riot. Every soul is hushed with feelings of the deepest solicitude 
 for the elements portend sudden destruction. The fierce tempes- 
 tuous wind ;sweeps swiftly through the deserted streets or speeds 
 wildly over the surging billows, shrieking weird solemn requiems 
 over the perishing. Everywhere dense, ominous clouds moving 
 with tremendous energy, writhing in endless contortions, betoken 
 the coming cyclone. The condensed moisture of worlds seems to 
 be suspended over the defenceless town. Like the deluge of old 
 it is poured forth in furious floods. It rushes down the steep de- 
 clivities in impetuous torrents uprooting huge trees or undermin- 
 ing immense boulders in its resistless course. Shooting through 
 the skies on their mission of destruction, the vivid lightnings, in 
 quick succession, pierce the gloom with flickering light. The 
 booming, bursting thunder, with its grumbling, grinding, noise, 
 seems to be ushering in the knell of doom, while the universe 
 like some tiny reed before the wind seems to be on the very brink 
 of dissolution." 
 
132 
 
 SKETCHES OF SPENCER HISTORY. 
 
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HISTORY OF THE SPENCER BOOT 
 AND SHOE PEG INDUSTRY. 
 
 Between the years 1825 and 1840, there were four peg facto- 
 ries in Spencer run by water power and another one contem- 
 plated by Napoleon B. Prouty for erection near the Horace 
 Baldwin place. Mr. Prouty had the dam partially built but for 
 some unknown reason abandoned the enterprise. Peg making at 
 its inception was a very primitive industry, the birch log first 
 being sawed into blocks the right length for the pegs, then 
 marked with a pencil into squares of the right dimensions and 
 then with a long, straight knife and a mallet, split to size. All 
 that was now needed to complete the peg was to point one end 
 and this was usually done with a jackknife. In those days about 
 every boot maker, or cobbler as we would now call them, made 
 his own pegs and when, in 18 12, Josiah Green commenced making 
 pegged boots on the wholesale plan he made what pegs he used, 
 chiefly evenings after his regular day's work was done. By 1825 
 there had been developed in this section quite a demand for pegs 
 to supply Mr. Green, Isaac Prouty and the Batchellers of North 
 Brookfield, who had, for the times, become quite extensive 
 manufacturers of boots. A more rapid way of producing the 
 pegs was sought and found, by the use of a hand plane with 
 a V cutter attached, which making one groove at a time 
 on the block of wood and one groove following another there 
 was soon made a succession of them covering the entire sur- 
 face; then the block was grooved again at right angles and 
 when completed presented rows of peg points which by the 
 use of a knife and chisel were quickly split into a merchant- 
 able product. This was the method in use when Alpha Be- 
 mis about 1825 built the first peg factory in Spencer on what 
 was then known as Pigeon Brook and later as Cranberry 
 Meadow Brook, a stream flowing from Cranberry Meadow Pond by 
 Howe's Mills and into the Seven Mile river near the present filter 
 beds. The Alpha Bemis mill pond was on the stream southwest 
 of the railroad and two hundred and twenty rods from Cranberry 
 Meadow Pond. There had been a dam built and a grist mill 
 erected here as early as 1813. and a wire mill in operation as early 
 as 1816, since on Jan. 10, 18 17, "Elijah Howe, carpenter, of 
 
134 
 
 SKETCHES OF SPENCER HISTORY. 
 
 Spencer, for 12 dollars paid me by Alpha Bemis of said Spencer," 
 sold all his "right in and unto a certain building called a wire fac- 
 tory, with all the apparatus and privileges of every kind which 
 belongs to said factory. Said factory is situated in the south 
 westerly part of said Spencer on Pigeon Brook, so called, and on 
 land belonging to Jonas Bemis." 
 
 In the running of this peg factory at that date there were 
 probably employed as a regular force from two to three men, as 
 
 JOHN BEMIS. 
 
 Farmer, born in Spencer, March 6, 1792; died in Spencer, June 28, 
 
 1S81. Son of Nathan Bemis Sr. and great grandson of Samuel 
 
 Bemis Sr. Original inventor of rotary peg cutting machinery. 
 
 many young women, and a boy. Ruel Jones and Winthrop Liv- 
 ermore are known to have worked there and also two or more 
 young women by the name of Converse and a boy named 
 Napoleon B. Prouty. 
 
 This boy became a life-long peg maker, and it may be 
 well here to speak of his earlier history. The father, William 
 Prouty, in 1798 married Lydia Hatch and kept a small store 
 on upper Main street. Thinking to improve his opportunity 
 for acquiring wealth, he removed to New York City and engaged 
 in the same business. It was here that Napoleon B. was born, 
 
HISTORY OF BOOT AND SHOE PEG INDUSTRY. 
 
 135 
 
 Feb. 24, 1810. About 18 14 Mrs. Prouty separated from her hus- 
 band and returned to Spencer with five children, and then Napo- 
 leon went to live with his grandfather, Isaac. At the age of fif- 
 teen we find him learning the art of peg making at the mill of 
 Alpha Bemis, and presumably living in his family. This factory 
 had not been in operation but two or three years when John Bemis, 
 father of Theodore J. Bemis, conceived the idea of a rotary peg 
 cutter, and after some experimenting, succeeded in developing a 
 practical machine and thus became the pioneer inventor of power 
 peg cutting machinery. He at once utilized the basement of the 
 
 PUNY SNOW, 
 Spencer Peg Manufacturer. Father of John W. Snow of Leicester. 
 
 Nathan Bemis saw mill as a workshop and commenced the manu- 
 facture of pegs by the improved process. He hired Napoleon B. 
 Prouty, then about twenty years of age, as a foreman, and also two 
 sisters by the name of Witt, Laura and Clara, from Huntington, 
 the latter becoming later the wife of Mr. Prouty. Business with 
 Mr. Bemis was good and at one time he employed eight persons, 
 but for some unknown reason continued the business only 
 two or three years when we find he had abandoned the same and 
 was busily engaged in placing his machines in other factories and 
 
J 36 
 
 SKETCHES OF SPENCER HISTORY. 
 
 teaching men how to operate them. Presumably he had done 
 this for Alpha Bemis, and now we find him fitting up a peg fac- 
 tory for Pliny Snow, on the Shaw Pond brook near the house of 
 the late William Robinson. Previous to this Mr. Snow had been 
 drawing wire at his little mill and had in his employ one of the 
 most expert wire drawers in the country, with a prospect ahead 
 of an extending and profitable business. Ichabod Washburn, 
 then a small wire manufacturer in Worcester, had heard of thisex- 
 
 DANIEL BALL, 
 
 Peg and L,ast Manufacturer at North Spencer. His father and 
 grandfather Ball were both named Daniel. His father was con- 
 stable and collector in 1S01-2 in the town of Spencer, north 
 of the Great Post road, for which he received for his ser- 
 vices .01 % per cent in 1801 and .02 per cent in 1S02. 
 After he sold his peg factory to Zenas Draper he 
 built a small shop for making lasts by hand, 
 which is now standing, the last "build- 
 ing on the right hand side on the road 
 going from North Spencer to 
 Browning pond. 
 
 pert mechanic and was determined to secure his services, which 
 he did, and this so discouraged Mr. Snow that he determined to 
 quit the business, arguing with himself that there w 7 ere already 
 men enough in it to supply any probable demand. He therefore 
 took out all of his wire drawing appliances, stored the same in his 
 
HISTORY OF BOOT AND SHOE PEG INDUSTRY. 1 37 
 
 barn and got ready to make pegs. He hired Napoleon B. Prouty, 
 who purchased a house near by and prepared to commence busi- 
 ness. Ruel Jones was also engaged and two sisters by the name 
 of White, one of whom, Laurinda, later became the wife of Mr. 
 Jones. 
 
 At about the same time, Daniel Ball, built a peg factory 
 on a small stream at North Spencer. This was the smallest of the 
 four factories. By 1838 it is thought the manufacture of pegs in 
 Spencer ceased, from the most natural of causes and one, which 
 
 THE DANIEL BAI,L PEG FACTORY, 
 
 Which was built on a small stream at North Spencer, northwest from the village 
 toward Browning pond. After peg making became impracticable through lack 
 of a supply of suitable timber, he sold the building to Zenas Draper who moved it 
 to a lot just north of the present residence of Amasa T. Bemis. The window 
 on the side having large panes of glass was not in the building originally. 
 
 seems almost incredible, should not have been foreseen by the pro- 
 moters of this industry, namely, a lack of timber. The supply, 
 never very large, was soon exhausted, and the manufacturers of 
 pegs had to seek new fields in which to pursue their avocation. 
 Alpha Bemis did not purpose going out of the peg business, but 
 on Aug. 22, 1837 purchased a saw and grist mill at Royalston, in 
 which he had been making pegs for several years, and in a sec- 
 tion where there was a bountiful supply of birch timber. He en- 
 tered into partnership with Silas Jones, a citizen of Royalston, and 
 the peg business was there carried on under the firm name of 
 
138 SKETCHES OF SPENCER HISTORY. 
 
 Bemis & Jones. Ruel Jones also went to Royalston as a foreman 
 in this factory, Mr. Bemis all the while living in Spencer. 
 How long this partnership continued cannot now be determined. 
 
 The first pegs made in Spencer were at the Alpha Bemis peg 
 factory, and the last ones, according to Joel Howe, were made 
 at the same place from timber hauled overland from Royalston. 
 The making of pegs at the Pliny Snow factory was abandoned 
 before 1838, at which time it was in use by Otis Newhall as a 
 place for turning posts for bedsteads, and later was demolished 
 and an up-and-down saw mill erected. Daniel Ball about 
 1837 sold his mill to Zenas Draper, a carpenter and grand- 
 father of Deputy Sheriff Henry P. Draper, who purchased a 
 lot just north of the present residence of Amasa T. Bemis. He 
 loaded the mill onto a low truck, having small wheels, 
 and secured the co-operation of his friends for its removal. 
 Agreeable to promise they came quite early one morning with 
 twelve yoke of oxen and the mill was soon on its way to 
 its present location. It took two days to complete the task, 
 having at the close of the first day reached the valley below 
 the Pliny Allen place. Zenas Draper fitted up the building as a car- 
 penter shop where he did odd work and made wooden boot cases 
 for Draper & Hall in Spencer village and later for his brother- 
 in-law, William A. Draper, at Worcester. After a time making 
 boxes by hand in such a small way became unprofitable and put- 
 ting on an addition to his shop he converted the whole into a 
 dwelling. 
 
 After John Bemis had taught his improved methods to all 
 the peg makers in this section, he took his family, moved 
 to Athol and there instructed Abraham and Ira Oakes, peg 
 makers, who had established a factory in 1825 and continued 
 to operate it for thirty years. His stay with them was about 
 three years when his services were sought by parties at Muddy 
 Brook, Connecticut, a small hamlet in Windham County, about 
 six miles south of Dudley and presumably in a region of large 
 birches. He engaged with them and with his family moved 
 to this new field of labor, when after a stay of about three years, 
 he returned to the home of his boyhood and settled down to the 
 life of a farmer. Had he patented his invention he might have 
 secured quite a fortune for those days. 
 
 Napoleon B. Prouty made pegs for a time at Woodstock, 
 Connecticut, before his engagement with Pliny Snow, and soon 
 after the latter ceased to operate his factory, moved to Chester 
 near Huntington, his wife's home. Here he went into partner- 
 ship with a man named Day and continued some years, when in 
 connection with a son he established a separate business under the 
 name of N. B. Prouty & Son. Here he was successful and con- 
 
HISTORY OF BOOT AND SHOE PEG INDUSTRY. 
 
 139 
 
 tinued in the business until the infirmities of age obliged him to 
 relinquish its cares. He always held, however, a portion ot Spen- 
 cer trade and Thomas A. Prouty says when he kept store he used 
 to purchase pegs of him, a hundred bushels at a time. 
 
 His daughter, Sarah J. Prouty of New Hartford, Ct., writes 
 August 28, 1 90 1, concerning her father, Napoleon : "He had an 
 undercurrent of dry humor and in his younger days was fond of 
 a joke and liked a good story immensely. Once during a severe 
 
 NAPOLEON BONAPARTE PROUTY, 
 
 Born in New York, Feb. 10, 1S10. Died at Chester, Mass., April 13, 
 
 1896. The veteran peg manufacturer learned the trade in 
 
 .Spencer when a youth and followed the business 
 
 until old age. 
 
 storm he told a young lady he never knew it to rain but once and 
 not clear off, with such an air of a story to tell, that she involunta- 
 rily asked: 'When was that?' He used frequently to relate the 
 quaint stories of his grandfather Isaac and other Spencer worthies 
 with a gusto that was more amusing than the stories themselves, 
 but years of ill health made him at last sober and retiring. He 
 always retained a strong affection for his boyhood home and many 
 Spencer names are as familiar as household words, they were so 
 often on his lips. He was neat in person, gentle and courteous in 
 
140 
 
 SKETCHES OF SPENCER HISTORY. 
 
 manner, peaceful in disposition, honest and upright in heart, 
 painstaking in business and prompt and honorable in his dealings 
 with mankind." 
 
 RUEL JONES, 
 
 Son of Josiah Jones, born Jan. 20, 1813; married to I^aurinda White, Oct. it, 1S3S; died 
 April 4, 1888. This half tone is from a picture taken at marriage. He was a school 
 teacher, peg maker, wooden box manufacturer and farmer. After the powder mills on 
 Moose Pond brook exploded, he built a small building near the old wheel pit and made 
 wooden boxes for boots, probably for Chas. E Denny. The building was destroyed by 
 fire within about two vears after its erection. This little mill pond has, since then, always 
 been called Ruel's pond In his earlier years he taught school to some extent, and is said 
 by Henry H. Kingsburv to have been a "most excellent teacher. It is the consensus of 
 opinion "of our older citizens that Mr. Jones had better natural gifts as a debater than any 
 other man Spencer has produced in the last one hundred years. Before he became bent 
 with age he could always be depended on to take a leading part in town meetings; dis- 
 cussing intelligently almost all debatable questions He was a most persistent advocate 
 of generous appropriations for the public schools. He was a man unusually well read, in 
 debate quick and skillful at repartee, and his illustrations were generally to the point. In 
 the days of the Washingtonian temperance movement he is said to have made some very 
 creditable temperance addresses. To illustrate his versatility of thought it is related of 
 him that at one time in town meeting the question of building a new schoolhouse on 
 Pleasant street was up for consideration. Mr. Jones was well along in years, lived on a 
 farm on an unfrequented road and was not posted on modern methods of heating school 
 houses by steam generated in the cellar. The estimates of expense for this schoolhouse 
 had been read and included an item for a cellar. Mr. Jones immediately arose and 
 asked if he understood that a cellar was asked for. He was answered in the affirmative: 
 "Mr. Moderator," said he, "I don't understand what this means. I should as soon think 
 of building an attic to a tomb as putting a cellar under a schoolhouse." At another time 
 after the Town of Spencer had acquired the control of the Spencer branch R. R., and the 
 question came up for regrading the roadbed, he spoke in favor of the question as a measure 
 of safety to the traveling public, and said: "The roadbed is now so crooked, you couldn't 
 not run a wheelbarrow over it without running it off the track." His presence, voice and 
 gestures are needed, however, to make the thoughts as alive as they appeared to be to the 
 hearers. 
 
HISTORY OF FIRST CHURCH BELL 
 IN SPENCER. 
 
 The bell was ordered in 1801, just a hundred years ago, and 
 Dexter Bullard Esq. remembers that the date 1801 was east on 
 the bell. It was not hung probably until the summer of 1802 as 
 a tower had to be built on the Congregational church for its re- 
 ception. The records which follow, largely explain themselves: 
 
 "Preamble." 
 
 " Proposals of Subscriptions for a Bell. — Whereas, much has 
 been said by divers persons at one time and another about having 
 a Tower Cupola and bell to the meeting house in Spencer, but 
 
 PIECE OF THE OLD CONGREGATIONAL CHURCH BELL 
 
 Which was melted in the 6 re of January i, 1S62, and donated to 
 the spencer Museum by Nathan Hersey. 
 
 nothing has hitherto been done by any person to bring forward 
 the matter, and as a tower cupola and bell will be both useful and 
 ornamental to the town, therefore for the promoting and bringing 
 forward the same, We, the subscribers whose names are hereunto 
 
142 
 
 SKETCHES OF SPENCER HISTORY. 
 
 annexed are willing to advance as much money as we hereunto 
 annex to our names respectively, for the sole purpose of purchas- 
 ing a bell upon the following conditions; that is, if the Town will 
 come into any measures such as they may think most conducive 
 to their peace and interest, whereby a Tower Cupola shall be built 
 and finished, that the payment of the money by us respectively 
 subscribed shall be secured to the town treasurer for the time be- 
 ing by our Respective Notes or Obligations, which shall become 
 due and payable immediately after the Tower Cupola shall be 
 raised before the first day of September in the year of our Lord 
 one thousand eight hundred and three or otherwise to be void and 
 of no effect. In witness whereof we hereunto subscribe our names 
 and sums annexed in dollars and cents : 
 
 Spencer, March, 1801. 
 Silas Allen 
 Ivory Allen 
 Levi Baldwin 
 Daniel Ball 
 David Barnes Jr. 
 Ezekiel Baxter 
 Richard Beers Jr. 
 David Bemis 
 Amasa Bemis 
 William Bemis 
 Nathan Bemis 
 Jesse Bemis 
 John Bisco Sr. 
 John Bisco Jr. 
 Jacob Bisco 
 Elijah Bridges 
 John Butler 
 Timothy Capen 
 James Capen Jr. 
 Gersham Comings 
 Jedediah Cutter 
 John Draper 
 Benj. Drury 
 Eben Drury Jr. 
 Jonas Guilford 
 John and Samuel Gleason 
 Moses Hall 
 Elisha Harrington 
 James Hathaway 
 Shadrach Hathaway 
 Kerley How 
 Elijah How Jr. 
 
 $5 
 
 00 
 
 Moses Livermore 
 
 3 °o 
 
 1 
 
 00 
 
 Enoch Ludden 
 
 1 17 
 
 1 
 
 00 
 
 Ebenezer Mason 
 
 1 50 
 
 1 
 
 10 
 
 Eliot Mason 
 
 12 00 
 
 7 
 
 25 
 
 Betty Mason 
 
 1 50 
 
 10 
 
 00 
 
 William May 
 
 4 00 
 
 5 
 
 00 
 
 Caleb Morse 
 
 6 50 
 
 5 
 
 00 
 
 Amos Munrow 
 
 5 00 
 
 7 
 
 00 
 
 Johnathan Monrow 
 
 15 00 
 
 10 
 
 50 
 
 John Muzzy 
 
 7 50 
 
 8 
 
 00 
 
 Jonas Muzzy 
 
 9 99 
 
 3 
 
 00 
 
 Edmund Muzzy 
 
 6 00 
 
 i 1 
 
 00 
 
 Reuben Newhall 
 
 2 00 
 
 5 
 
 00 
 
 David Prouty 
 
 10 00 
 
 4 
 
 00 
 
 Nathan Prouty 
 
 10 00 
 
 1 
 
 00 
 
 Isaac Prouty Jr. 
 
 7 00 
 
 1 1 
 
 00 
 
 Eli Prouty 
 
 4 50 
 
 3 
 
 00 
 
 Seth Snow 
 
 3 00 
 
 1 
 
 00 
 
 Thomas Sprague 
 
 5 00 
 
 3 
 
 00 
 
 John Stebbins 
 
 20 00 
 
 3 
 
 00 
 
 John Sumner 
 
 7 00 
 
 5 
 
 25 
 
 William Sumner 
 
 3 °o 
 
 10 
 
 00 
 
 Reuben Underwood 
 
 5 00 
 
 1 
 
 00 
 
 John Upham 
 
 5 00 
 
 5 
 
 00 
 
 Oliver Watson Jr. 
 
 10 00 
 
 5 
 
 50 
 
 Samuel Watson 
 
 6 00 
 
 5 
 
 00 
 
 William Watson 
 
 9 00 
 
 16 
 
 01 
 
 Jacob Watson 
 
 7 00 
 
 5 
 
 00 
 
 James Watson 
 
 5 00 
 
 2 
 
 00 
 
 William White 
 
 15 00 
 
 6 
 
 00 
 
 Thomas White 
 
 10 00 
 
 5 
 
 00 
 
 Samuel White 
 
 1 00 
 
Isaac Jenks 
 
 12 oo 
 
 Ruth Jenks 
 
 5 oo 
 
 John Knapp 
 
 6 oo 
 
 Isaac Lamb 
 
 IO oo 
 
 Josiah Q. Lamb 
 
 3 °° 
 
 HISTORY OF FIRST CHURCH BELL IN SPENCER. I43 
 
 Nathan and David White 4 00 
 Reuben Whittemore 8 55 
 
 Jeremiah Whittemore 6 00 
 
 $443 82 
 
 The foregoing is a true copy of the articles of subscription 
 and the names in alphabetical order with the sums annexed. 
 
 JOHN BISCO, 
 
 Collector of the Subscription. 
 
 To pay for the Tower the town voted Aug. 24, 1801, "to 
 grant the sum of three hundred dollars for the purpose of building 
 the tower and cupola to the meeting house in said town to be 
 taxed on the polls and estates of those that are taxed to the min- 
 ister of said town." 
 
 The balance of the money needed was secured by sale ot floor 
 space in the meeting house on which to build pews. There were 
 four spaces set apart for this purpose and sold at auction Aug. 24, 
 1 80 1. Joseph Garfield bought space No. 1, for which he paid 
 $120.00. Silas Bemis paid the same amount for space No. 2, 
 being the "first pew ground on the left hand of the broad alley 
 and gave security agreeable to conditions of sale." Eli Prouty 
 bid off space No. 3, Thomas Loring No. 4, price not given. 
 
 At a town meeting held March 7, 1803, it was " voted that 
 the subscription for the bell with the subscribers' names be recorded 
 on the town book." "Voted April io, 1803, to have the Bell 
 rung twice a day, viz: at twelve o'clock and nine in the evening 
 and on the Sabbaths as usual, and toled at funerals, etc., and to 
 be left with the selectmen to employ some person for that purpose. 
 The selectmen have agreed with Mr. Josiah Q. Lamb to perform 
 said service for one year tor $19.91." 
 
 JOHN BISCO, Moderator. 
 BENJ. DRURY, 
 JONAS MUZZY, 
 JAMES W 7 ATSON, 
 
 Selectmen of Spencer. 
 
 John Bisco, Town Treasurer in 1802, credits himself with the 
 following payments, made on account of the bell and cupola by 
 paying selectmen's orders as follows: 
 
 Order 35. Paid Daniel Ball twenty-five dollars for money ad- 
 vanced for raising Tower. 
 
 Order 47. Paid Nathan Wilson ten dollars for money advanced 
 for raising the Tower and Cupola. 
 
 Order 55. Paid Daniel Ball three dollars for his services in un- 
 derpinning the Tower. 
 
144 SKETCHES OF SPENCER HISTORY. 
 
 Order 56. Paid Isaac Jenks $38.61 for entertainment, Raising 
 
 the Tower. 
 Order 77. Johnathan Winslow $6.00 for his service and Ropes 
 
 to Raise the Bell. 
 Order 78. Elisha Harrington $4.00 for money advanced in Rais- 
 ing the Tower. 
 Order 83. William Knight Jr. $15.00 for Iron work done to 
 
 the Bell. 
 Order 88. Win. Knight Jr. $2.50 for making spikes for Raising 
 
 the Tower. 
 Order 94. Josiah Q. Lamb $7.30 for hanging the Bell. 
 Order 95. Elijah How Jr. $4.00 for his providing timber for the 
 
 Bell Frame. 
 Order 96. William Knight Jr. $5.00 for work done for the 
 
 Tower. 
 Order 106. Jonas Mnz/.y $5.00 in part for his service of under- 
 pinning the Tower. 
 Order 117. Josiah Q. Lamb $5.49 tor service done for the 
 
 Tower 
 Order 119. Jonas Muzzv $300 for his purchasing a rope for 
 
 the Bell. 
 Order 120. Jonas Muzzy $1 12.57 for sheet lead. 
 Order 121. Joshua Lamb $5.00 for extra service about the Tower 
 
 and Cupola. 
 Order 130. Paid Baxter & Lamb $600.00 for Building the Tower 
 
 and Cupola to the meeting house. 
 
 And in 1803: 
 Order 41. Win, Knight Jr. $8.00 for Iron for the Bell and 
 
 Tower. 
 
 About noon Jau. 1, 1862, the church caught fire from a su- 
 perheated stove and was totally destroyed. The bell was melted 
 and a piece of the same picked up the next day by Nathan Hersey 
 who donated it to the museum in 1S74. 
 
PEAR STORY OF EBENEZER 
 MASON JR. 
 
 Ebenezer Mason Jr's story of the stolen pears, related to the 
 author by his grandmother, Betsey (Beers) Adams, who received it 
 from her aunt Sally, wife of Mr. Mason: 
 
 Somewhat over a hundred years ago Ebenezer Mason Jr. 
 kept a tavern in what is now known as the Mason house in 
 
 BETSEY BEERS. 
 
 Daughter of Richard Beers Jr , and granddaughter of Beulah 
 
 Bemis, daughter of Samuel Bemis Jr. Born in Spencer, Jan. 7, 
 
 1799; died in Spencer, Sept. S, 1874. She married Levi 
 
 Adams of Brookfield. Mother of the late Rosamond D. 
 
 Tower and of Daniel W. Adams of Pleasant street. 
 
 the Isaac Prouty & Co.'s shop yard and just fifty-nine miles 
 from Boston, according to the sandstone marker in front of the 
 
146 
 
 SKETCHES OF SPENCER HISTORY. 
 
 house underneath the big elms. These stones were erected 
 by order of the General Court in 1 77 1 , a mile apart between 
 Boston and Springfield. This was a busy place in those days, 
 
 when nearly all the travel through 
 the state, east and west, passed along 
 the Great Post Road. Mr. Mason 
 not only kept tavern but also had a 
 tannery across the road and near 
 the Moose pond brook. The ground 
 east of his house was used as a gar- 
 den and in this he had, some twenty 
 feet away, two pear trees of quite 
 large growth. In those days 
 pear trees were not plentiful and 
 none of the fruit was for sale. Every 
 man, if he had pears, must grow 
 them or else go without; that is, 
 as a rule. One fall these trees were 
 loaded with fruit nearly ripe, and 
 presented a tempting picture to 
 the eye. One dark night in Sep- 
 tember Mr. Mason, who slept up- 
 stairs on the east side of the house, heard an unusual rustling of 
 leaves, and on listening at the open window ascertained that some 
 one was in the pear tree. Hastily dressing and getting his lan- 
 tern under his great coat he was soon underneath the tree and had 
 a thief treed. He spoke kindly to him and asked if he was pick- 
 ing the best of the pears, and advised him to do so, if such was 
 not the case. All was quiet but in a short time the thief, doubt- 
 less thinking it the best way to do, slowly descended and was soon 
 standing beside Mr. Mason with nearly a half bushel of pears in his 
 basket. To Mr Mason's surprise he saw one of the leading men 
 of the town, a man of wealth and one whose character was above 
 suspicion. Now, said this man. I am ready to settle. Let me off 
 as reasonably as you can, but for no amount of money would I 
 have it known that you caught me in the act of stealing. Well, 
 said Mr. Mason, I can't take your money and you are welcome to 
 the pears, and you must take them home with you, but this much 
 I will do, as long as I live I will tell the story but never reveal 
 your name, and he kept his word. Within a few days the town 
 was busy guessing who the thief could be, but no more was ever 
 known; and this is doubtless one of the finest examples of heaping 
 coals of fire on a neighbor's head, that ever occurred in the town 
 of Spencer. 
 
 When the Great Post Road through Spencer was resurveyed 
 and iu many places straightened and rebuilt by the county in 
 
PEAR STORY OF EBENEZER MASON JR. 
 
 147 
 
 1856, a large quantity of land and rock was taken from the north 
 side of the road near the late Calvin Kent house and dumped in 
 the valley below, from Mechanic to Wall streets. This raised the 
 road in some places some six feet and in the filling-in process the 
 milestone became buried out of sight. Some years afterward Jere- 
 miah Grout, a public-spirited citizen living near by, determined to 
 resurrect the stone and did so, employing to do the work one John 
 
 THE MASON HOUSE, 
 
 Spencer village, built by Capt. Ebenezer Mason, who marched from 
 
 Spencer with a company of minutemen on the alarm of 
 
 April 19, 1775. Formany years it was known as 
 
 the Mason tavern. 
 
 Hart, a Frenchman, long in his service as a gardener and general 
 all-around out-doors workman. Soon after the stone was once 
 more in position as a marker of distance, a middle-aged Spencer 
 woman came walking down Main street on the south side and 
 noticing the milestone opposite stopped to inquire of one of 
 our most prominent business men then passing if he knew who 
 was "buried over there: " "Strange," said she, "that I never 
 should have seen that headstone before." He dryly told her 
 there was an inscription on the stone which would give her the 
 information desired; so over she went and read it to the enlarge- 
 ment of her understanding and the mortification of her pride. 
 
HORATIO HA1J., 
 
 Born in Spencer, Aug. 12, 1S06 and died Oct. 20, 1901. He was a communicant of the Con- 
 gregational church longer than any other member living and was a lifelong, con- 
 sistent example of temperate living. He followed nearly all his active life the avocation 
 of a boot maker and from about 1833 to 1838 was engaged with William A. Draper in 
 manufacturing boots under the firm name of Draper & Hall, with a pl^ce of business over 
 what was then a store owned by Walton L,ivermore on what is now the corner of Main 
 and North streets. The firm became insolvent during the great financial crisis of 1837, 
 and failed for nine thousand dollars. Unlike many they did not try to effect a compromise 
 with their creditors but said to them if they could have time they would try to liquidate 
 their indebtedness and this they were enabled to do by the close of the following year. 
 This hal f tone is from a photograph taken by Chas. F. Pond in 1900. 
 
SPENCER DISTILLERIES. 
 
 The manufacture of gin, and probably one or more other 
 kinds of distilled liquors, was commenced in Spencer in 1S13 on 
 quite a large scale for the times. The incentive for inaugurating 
 this line of business probably lay in what appear to be the facts, 
 which are as follows, positive information in regard to all points 
 being unattainable: Prior to the War of 18 12 with England, the 
 principal liquors used in New England were West India rum, 
 and New England rum, so-called, distilled from molasses brought 
 from the West Indies. At the opening of the war in the fall of 
 1812, nearly if not quite all our available shipping fitted out as 
 cruisers to prey on the enemy's commerce, thus shutting off the 
 usual method of transportation between the West Indies and New 
 England. It also appears probable that our ships, after the dec- 
 laration of war became known, could not have obtained a cargo in 
 the West Indies had they so desired, nor would the English have 
 dared to have sent a vessel into our waters. 
 
 Bad Effect of the Drink Habit. 
 
 Thus it seems to be certain that there was a shortage of rum 
 in New England as early as the spring of 18 13, and no remedy at 
 hand except to make liquors from some other substance, for 
 liquor certaiuly was in sharp demand, presumably to supply men 
 who in those days, even as now, would freely sacrifice the most 
 desirable of earthly possessions in order to satisfy their appetite for 
 strong drink, and doubtless there were as many more younger 
 men thoughtlessly ready to follow their example. Besides there 
 were many men of exemplary character and strong wills who were 
 moderate drinkers, for at this time, the evils flowing from the use 
 of intoxicants had not in any appreciable degree excited public at- 
 tention, nor the dangers of the moderate use of liquors hardly dis- 
 cerned, and so the best sentiment of those days allowed the mod- 
 erate use of liquor, from the clergy down, as a phase of correct liv- 
 ing beyond criticism. It is certain that there was an unusual de- 
 mand for alcoholic liquors at this time, a short supply, high prices 
 and a read}' sale for such kinds as could be produced. 
 
 Two Large Distilleries. 
 
 It was at such a time and under such circumstances as these 
 that two distilleries were erected in Spencer. These were in size 
 
150 SKETCHES OF SPENCER HISTORY. 
 
 about thirty by forty-five, one story besides a basement and both 
 very high studded. Phineas Jones was the proprietor of one that 
 stood near the Thomas G. Trott place and Alpha Bemis owner of 
 the other, which was built at the foot of what afterwards became 
 known as Still Hill in the valley east of the railroad and the 
 town's highway, and south of Pigeon or Cranberry Meadow 
 Brook, as it flows along just after passing underneath the railroad 
 above Howe's Mills. Large barns were also built near by in 
 which to keep cattle that were fed the by-products. Grist mills 
 either had been built for general use or else were built but a short 
 distance away for use during some process of the preparation of 
 the grain. At the Phineas Jones distillery, the late well known 
 citizens, Alonzo Temple and Nathan Craig, were employed, each 
 on an alternate service of twelve hours as the still must needs run 
 night and day. It appears that these distilleries became a sort of 
 an evening rendezvous for the drinking men of the surrounding 
 section, and that some from over indulging in the use of the liquor 
 there on sale became hilarious and at times noisy. On this ac- 
 count it was arranged that Nathan Craig, who was very deaf and 
 insensible to ordinary noises, should sleep from bedtime until mid- 
 night when he would arise and take up the work relinquished by 
 Alonzo Temple. Gin was one of the principal liquors distilled 
 and this was made from rye with the essential oil of the juniper 
 berry to give it color and flavor. 
 
 Farmer Sacrifices Education for Drink. 
 
 These berries grew quite plentifully in the pastures of the town 
 and a certain fairly well-to-do farmer kept his boys from school in 
 order to pick these berries which he exchanged for gin for 
 his own consumption. Nathan Craig, who was a highly honora- 
 ble citizen, noting this, said, " If ever I get so debauched in my 
 mind as to consent that my children be deprived of an education 
 in order that I may have liquor to drink, I hope the Lord will 
 take them away from me." As it has ever been, the presence of 
 distilleries of ardent spirits or their free sale in any community 
 lowers its moral tone, so it proved to be in this case and a great 
 many of the best families in Spencer were glad when these stills 
 were abandoned and possibly the owners were too; as it is known 
 that later Alpha Bemis became a staunch advocate of total absti- 
 nence. It is thought by some that what in this article has been 
 called the Alpha Bemis distillery was really owned and operated 
 by a company of individuals, but the late Hiram Howe a few days 
 before his recent death said Alpha Bemis was the sole owner, and 
 in the absence of other equally good and positive testimony, his 
 declaration will probably be accepted as the truth. After the 
 
INDIAN BURIAL GROUND. 151 
 
 treaty of peace in 18 r 5 distilling in Spencer became unprofitable 
 and was soon abandoned. 
 
 Following the suspension of distilling, the use for which the 
 buildings had been erected, ceased, and they stood without 
 a purpose for many years except as a place for general storage, and 
 were finally torn down and utilized in the construction of other 
 buildings. The Alpha Bemis distillery building was leased by a 
 man named Mason and operated as a boarding house for railroad 
 workmen, about 1835-6-7 or during the years that the then 
 Western Railroad was being built through the town. About 
 twelve rods from the dam in the Alpha Bemis mill lot and nearby 
 the location of the distillery, is a boulder, shaped somewhat like 
 the Egyptian pyramids. Over this stone was built a bakery, or 
 bakery and house combined, when the construction of the above 
 railroad was first begun in this town. Built up against the south 
 side of this boulder, and with the chimney resting partly on it, 
 was a brick oven about six feet long, four feet wide and five feet 
 high. This stood for some years after the building had been 
 removed, and portions of the brick comprising the foundation may 
 still be seen imbedded in the ground. 
 
 Indian Burial Ground. 
 
 Still hill refers wholly to the road running easterly from Still 
 valley up an incline of nearly a hundred perpendicular feet. This 
 used to be the favorite coasting place for the boys and girls of that 
 neighborhood. The top of the hill is nearly on a level with the 
 railroad, and it is here on the plain, two or three hundred feet 
 towards South, Spencer that the only Indian burial ground in 
 Spencer is known to exist. When the railroad was being built 
 there were three engineers in charge of the section through Spen- 
 cer and they boarded with Abraham Capen Sr., a prosperous 
 farmer living nearby and father of Abraham Capen, our present 
 townsman. The railroad passed through this level and sandy 
 piece of land, on which trees seem unwilling to grow, making a 
 cut of from four to five feet. It was here that skeletons 
 were found, and with them many stone implements such as the 
 Indians bury with their dead. The three skeletons first exhumed 
 were in an excellent state of preservation and were taken on boards 
 to the grounds of Mr. Capen near his house, and there left for 
 some time to be seen by the public, who were much interested. 
 After this they were buried in one grave in a nearby field, with 
 suitable headstones which have since been razed to the ground 
 by some thoughtless ploughman, and the exact location lost. 
 After this other skeletons were excavated, but were dumped 
 with the gravel in the deep fill farther north. There is now quite 
 
152 
 
 SKETCHES OF SPENCER HISTORY. 
 
 a plot of level land on the east of, and adjoining the cut men- 
 tioned above, which to all appearances was a part of the Indian 
 cemetery. 
 
 The following pupils attended the old district No. 9 school 
 in 1892 and were all in one class. This list was furnished by Mrs. 
 C. J. Sage of Cherry street; she is a daughter of the late Capt. 
 Willard Rice and was born in Spencer, Jan. 29, 18 18: 
 
 George Frederick Grout, 
 
 Frances Marion Temple, 
 
 Millins Frederick Prouty, 
 
 Horace William Rice, 
 
 Wallace Whittemore, 
 
 Lorenzo Bemis, 
 
 Moses Bemis, 
 
 John Draper, 
 
 Clementine Drake, 
 
 William Drake. 
 
 In 1798 the assessors of Spencer made a return of all the 
 houses in town with the ground-floor space occupied by each and 
 the number of windows and square feet of glass in the same. 
 Those belonging to the Bemis family are herewith annexed. 
 
 Name. 
 
 Bemis, 
 Bemis, 
 Bemis, 
 Bemis, 
 Bemis, 
 Bemis, 
 Bemis, 
 Bemis, 
 Bemis, 
 Bemis, 
 
 Joseph 
 Nathan 
 Nathaniel 
 Joshua 
 Silas . 
 Jonas . 
 Jesse . 
 Amasa 
 Wm. Jr 
 David . 
 
 Stories to 
 
 Ground 
 
 Number 
 
 vSquare ft 
 
 House 
 
 Area. 
 
 Windows 
 
 of Glass. 
 
 I 
 
 900 
 
 I I 
 
 45 
 
 I 
 
 I I20 
 
 12 
 
 90 
 
 I 
 
 780 
 
 7 
 
 40 
 
 I 
 
 IO98 
 
 9 
 
 65 
 
 I 
 
 I 140 
 
 4 
 
 3 2 
 
 2 
 
 1 140 , 
 
 25 
 
 223 
 
 I 
 
 456 
 
 
 
 2 
 
 800 
 
 1 1 
 
 67 
 
 2 
 
 844 
 
 18 
 
 1 10 
 
 I 
 
 8lO 
 
 10 
 
 47 
 
 Assessors 
 Valuation 
 
 $160 
 400 
 I50 
 400 
 200 
 600 
 50 
 320 
 322 
 200 
 
BEAR STORY OF JOSEPH GAR- 
 FIELD SR. 
 
 This narrative was related to the author when a child, by his 
 grandmother, Polly (May) Tower. 
 
 The last bear killed in Spencer was shot by Joseph Garfield 
 Sr., about the year 1793. He owned the farm occupied later by 
 
 POLXY MAY, 
 
 daughter of William May, born in Spencer, December 20, 1789, died 
 
 in Oakham September 8, 1865. She was a granddaughter of 
 
 David May, who was one of the active insurgents in shay's 
 
 rebellion. She married L,uke Tower of Rutland. 
 
 March 9. 1817 and was the mother of the late 
 
 Ambrose M. Tower of Spencer. 
 
 his son, Joseph Garfield Jr., where Austin Putnam now lives. 
 Mr. Garfield discovered the bear early one morning on a wall north 
 of his dwelling house. The wall ran east and west and divided 
 
154 
 
 SKETCHES OF SPENCER HISTORY. 
 
 his mowing from his woodland. Quickly going to the house he 
 got his rifle and despatched Bruin at the first shot. This was an 
 event of more than local interest, as it had been a long time since 
 a bear had been seen in Spencer. He divided the carcass and it 
 was distributed among his neighbors, a portion finding its way to 
 
 JOSEPH GARFIELD JR., 
 
 who inherited the farm of his father on which the bear was killed. 
 
 Born January 4, 1S06. Said to have resembled his father in 
 
 a marked degree. 
 
 Mr. May's table. The news spread with great rapidity from 
 house to house. Everyone told everyone else, and in a few hours 
 a stream of people on foot, horseback and in wagons were on their 
 way to the Garfield farm. Parents came, bringing their children, 
 for here was an object lesson not to be lost. A real live bear had 
 been shot and nobody knew how many more there were lurking 
 about in the bushes ready to jump out and eat little boys and 
 girls who had incautiously strayed too far away from home, and 
 all this in those days was thought to be the proper thing to 
 impress on the children's minds, and so deeply were these points 
 stamped on the mind of little Polly May, that even after she had 
 got to be an aged woman the sudden recollection of those impres- 
 sions caused an involuntary shudder. Of course all the visitors 
 had to go and see the place where the deed was done and congrat- 
 
REVOLUTIONARY STORIES. 
 
 155 
 
 ulate Mr. Garfield on his bravery and success. The skin in a 
 few days was taken to Mason's tannery in the village and when 
 finished was made into a leather apron for the use of Mr. Gar- 
 
 
 ■■ 
 
 
 'T^B^V "»«' 
 
 
 
 
 ' •'.' '.-'1 , 
 
 ,, . 
 
 This is guaranteed to be a picture of a section of the 
 
 identical wall on which the last bear killed in 
 
 Spencer was shot, and which is now 
 
 standing on the farm of Austin 
 
 Putnam. The bear however, 
 
 is not guaranteed. 
 
 field. He was a cooper in addition to being a farmer and had a 
 small shop 16x18 where he made and repaired cider and meat 
 barrels for the farmers in that section of the town. 
 
 Revolutionary Stories 
 
 related to Geo. W. Bemis by Lieut. Nathan Craig, a revolution- 
 ary soldier, grandfather of Geo. A. Craig Esq., and never before 
 printed. From Bunker Hill there was a narrow neck of land 
 stretching to Charlestown. The British had a gunboat at a con- 
 venient distance to command this tract. Lieutenant Craig 
 when crossing this neck with two companions met the Americans 
 retreating and they also started to go back, but being thirsty he 
 stopped with his companions at a well having an old-fashioned 
 sweep. One of the men drew a bucket of water and resting it on 
 the curb commenced drinking, when a cannon ball struck 
 
156 
 
 SKETCHES OF SPENCER HISTORY. 
 
 and completely demolished the curb. The trio then de- 
 parted on the double quick. At the battle of Bennington the 
 British soldiers that were captured were tied together in pairs with 
 a rope around their arms and this was fastened to a rope that ran 
 
 THE WILLIAM MAY PLACE 
 
 Built on the west end of lot 15, probably about 1742. The farm descended to his 
 son David May, who was with the insurgents in Shay's Rebellion and at 
 Petersham, was one who fired on the government troops wounding Dr. 
 David Young. Dr. Young sued him and recovered large damages, 
 which took the whole value of his farm to satisfy. He removed 
 to Brattleboro, Vt., where he died. This was also the birth- 
 place of Polly May. 
 
 through the line between the men. There was also a prominent 
 Tory caught. The American soldiers fastened around his neck 
 the rope that ran between the soldiers and the prisoners were then 
 led through the principal streets. 
 
SPENCER COMPANY OF MOUNTED 
 
 MEN. 
 
 "A Muster Roll of a detachment of men from Capt. John New- 
 hall's company from Spencer District, of Col. John Chandler Jr.'s 
 Regiment that marched on the late alarm for the relief of Fort 
 William Henry under the command of John Newhall as their cap- 
 tain, from Spencer district to Sheffield, being 94 miles." ' They 
 were gone 15^ days and each private received 2 lbs., 1 shilling 
 and 4 d. for his services. This was a company of mounted men 
 and the colony allowed 8d. per day for feed for the horses for the 
 
 THE ORIGINAL CAPT. JOHN NEWHALL HOUSE. 
 
 The ell part of this house is the original Capt. John Newhall house built in 1 741 and said to be the 
 
 oldest in town. In later years it has been known as the Wm. N. Adams place and is the last 
 
 house in Spencer on the Charlton depot road. 
 
158 
 
 SKETCHES OF SPENCER HISTORY. 
 
 two days they were detained at Sheffield, the balance of the time 
 being taken up on the road. The muster roll was as follows : 
 
 Capt. John Newhall. 
 Ensign William Bemis, 
 Sergt. Samuel Garfield, 
 Sergt. John White, 
 Corporal James Wilson, 
 Corporal Jonathan Stoddard, 
 Lieut. Joshua Lamb, 
 Sergt. Caleb Bridges, 
 Sergt. Joshua Whitney, 
 Corporal Josiah Livermore, 
 Corporal Richard Southgate, 
 Private Oldham Gates, 
 Jonas Bemis, 
 David Prouty, 
 Edmund Bridges, 
 Thomas Bridges, 
 Benj. Woodward, 
 Nathaniel Parmenter, 
 Timothy Capen, 
 Solomon Clarke, 
 
 Private William Morgan, 
 James Prouty, 
 Richard Beers Jr., 
 John Wooster Jr., 
 Daniel Bacon, 
 Ephraim Brown, 
 Nathan Whitney, 
 Ebenezer Washburn, 
 John Cunningham, 
 Oliver Seager, 
 John Giltord, 
 Ebenezer Drury, 
 Isaac Bridges, 
 Nathan Barton, 
 Thomas Wood, 
 Israel Holton, 
 James Draper, 
 Samuel Garfield Jr., 
 James Ormes. 
 
 1 1 
 
 Total cost for the company's service 78 pounds, 19 shillings, 
 '• pence. This was in 1759. 
 
HON. G. W. BEMIS. 
 
 The subject of this brief biography might truthfully quote, as 
 equally applicable to himself, the opening sentence of the Memoirs 
 of General Grant : " My family is American and has been for 
 generations, in all its branches, direct and collateral," and to the 
 believer in the potency of hereditary influences in the formation of 
 character, he affords an example of the cumulative results of such 
 an ancestry. Thoroughly imbued with the spirit of our institu- 
 
 GEORGE WASHINGTON BEMIS, 
 of Independence, Iowa. (Photo by G. A. Craig.) 
 
 tions, cherishing an unwavering faith in the ultimate universal 
 establishment of the fullest human liberty, and recognizing no 
 social distinction based upon any foundation other than personal 
 merit, he presents a striking type of the ideal American. 
 
 The son of Eleazer Bemis. he is a descendant, in the paternal 
 line, of Joseph Bemis, an English yeoman who emigrated to this 
 
l6o SKETCHES OF SPENCER HISTORY. 
 
 country, settling in Watertown, near Boston, in 1640, and 
 through his mother, Susan Hartwell, of William Hartwell, who 
 located in Concord, Mass., in 1636. Patriotism, industry and 
 integrity seem to have been the salient qualities which marked his 
 progenitors, and instances ot exceptional longevity point to 
 exemplar)^ habits and well-conducted lives. 
 
 George Washington Bemis was born October 13, 1826, at 
 Spencer, Mass., where he remained until 1S37, when his father 
 removed to Alabama, Genesee county, New York. This change 
 of residence was an event of no small moment, and involved a 
 journey of man)' days, fraught with more adventures and possible 
 dangers than are now incident to an ocean passage or trans-conti- 
 nental tour. The section of New York into which he was thus 
 brought was then a part of the ever-advancing frontier, and he 
 gave a sturdy lad's assistance in the arduous labor of subduing 
 the rugged face of nature to the needs of civilization. This task 
 performed, his summers were spent in working on the farm which 
 he had helped to wrest from the surrounding wilderness, and his 
 winters were devoted to making the best use of such advantages 
 as were offered by the primitive country school. The list would 
 be a long one which included the names of all the men of prom- 
 inence who owe much of their success to the efforts of the Yankee 
 pedagogue of that period, whom Halleck describes as 
 ****** "teaching 
 
 The ABC from Webster's spelling book, 
 Gallant and godly, making love and preaching, 
 
 And gaining by what they call ' hook and crook,' 
 And what the moralists call over-reaching, 
 A decent living." 
 A course at the Gary Collegiate Seminary at Oakfield supple- 
 mented this instruction, and that he profited by every educational 
 opportunity is shown by his early election to the office of superin- 
 tendent of the township schools. His interest in political matters 
 dates from the presidential campaign ot 1840, and in 1848 he dis- 
 gusted his father — an ardent Whig — by casting one of the eleven 
 anti-slavery ballots " which leavened the lump " of four hundred 
 polled in that district for the opposing candidate. He remained 
 an enthusiastic and uncompromising Abolitionist throughout the 
 struggle which terminated in emancipation. He has always, too, 
 been a zealous advocate of woman suffrage. He taught school for 
 two years in Wisconsin and in April, 1854, came west to visit an 
 acquaintance. So enamoured did he become of the broad and fer- 
 tile prairies of Iowa during his stay that he determined to adopt 
 Independence as a place of residence, and went into the land busi- 
 ness. Shortly afterward he became engaged to Miss Narcissa T. 
 Roszell and, in the February of 1855, he went to New York, 
 whither the young lady had preceded him, and brought her back 
 his wife. This proved an exceptionally happy marriage— a union 
 
HON. GEORGE W. BEMIS. 
 
 161 
 
 of congeni.;l tastes and hearty co-operation of progressive aims. 
 It was blessed by three children : May, who did not long survive 
 early womanhood, and William S. and Arthur R., young men 
 who have now established homes of their own. 
 
 Mr. Bemis was elected a member of the Eighth General As- 
 sembly in 1859, an d served in the lower house during the regular 
 
 GEORGE WASHINGTON BEMIS, 
 
 Of Independi visiting the schoolhouse of hi- youth at 
 
 District No. 2, Spencer, Mass., in [89S. Photographed by 
 
 George A. Craig, Esq. His father Eleazer, was a 
 
 grandson of Capt. Edimmd Bemis, and lived 
 
 on the Daniel Chickering" place, prior 
 
 to his removal West in 1S37. 
 
 every heart there is some cherished spot. 
 Some scenes which lime and distance never blot ; 
 We love the mansions where our kindred dwelt, 
 We love the altars where our fathers knelt. 
 We love the classic hall, the tranquil shade, 
 Where in the studious hours of youth we strayed : 
 And when we mingle in the busy strife 
 Of steruer cares, that mark maturer life, 
 Their forms are loved, revered, remembered still, 
 That curbed our passions, and controlled our will, 
 And opened to the mind's inquiring eye. 
 Fountains of thought that time can neve' 
 
 session of i860. It may be of some interest to mention, as an 
 illustration of the changes wrought in a few decades, that four 
 days and three nights were consumed in going from Independ- 
 
l62 
 
 SKETCHES OF SPENCER HISTORY 
 
HON. GEORGE W. BEMIS. 163 
 
 ence to Des Moines, and that the capital had neither a railroad nor 
 a telegraph line at that time. The session lasted nearly three 
 months, and the legislators had to deal with business of great im- 
 portance, including a revision of the Code, and an attempt to 
 mitigate the "hard times" then existing by remodeling the rev- 
 enue laws. Mr. Bemis introduced an important bill in relation to 
 the duties of county surveyor and was largely instrumental in sub- 
 stituting the present supervisor system for the then existing coun- 
 ty judge rule. The extra or "war session" which followed in 
 June, 1 86 1, was one that demanded action in affairs of much mo- 
 ment, and in all the deliberations he took a prominent part, his 
 sagacious influence being very apparent. As one of a special com- 
 mittee of five, he was sent to investigate the construction of the 
 insane asylum at Mt. Pleasant, out of which some ugly scandal 
 had arisen, and he performed other and important duties. 
 
 Upon the expiration of his term, he was made a postal clerk 
 on the Illinois Central Railroad between Dubuque and Sioux City, 
 a position which he held for seven years. In the fall of 1869 he 
 
 The Joseph Bemis House, 
 
 Cut of which is shown on opposite page, was situated on lot 80, where Captain Edmund, 
 father of Joseph, settled. Joseph Bemis was born in Spencer November 20, 1752, and died 
 January 17, 1823. His wife Jemima (Craig) Bemis, was born in Leicester, September 19, 
 1759, died in Spencer July 21, 1S4S. She was a sister of Nathan Craig of Bunker Hill fame. 
 This house was built probably about 1S20, and it was here that George W. Bemis, son of 
 Eleazer Bemis, was born. Sylvanus Bemis son of Joseph, was an expert carpenter, and 
 made by hand all the window frames, sash and doors for this house. 
 
 was appointed by Governor Merrill, one of the Commissioners of 
 the Hospital for the Insane at Independence, to fill the vacancy 
 caused by the death of Albert Clarke, and he acted as Secretary 
 and Treasurer of the Board until his resignation in December, 
 1 87 1. He was reappointed by Governor Carpenter in April, 1872, 
 and served in the same capacity until July, 1892, during which 
 time he received and disbursed more than a million dollars. He 
 was elected from Buchanan county to the State Senate in 1871, 
 and was justly regarded as one of the most efficient members of 
 that body, giving to its records little in the way of oratory, but 
 much service in a conscientious application of practical business 
 judgment to the questions which presented themselves for consid- 
 eration. He served as chairman of the committee on the State 
 University and was one of the committee on appropriations. He 
 also secured for the hospital at Independence, without a dissent- 
 ing voice in the Senate, an appropriation of $200,000, the largest 
 ever granted. He was chosen Treasurer of State in 1876 and re- 
 
164 SKETCHES OF SPENCER HISTORY. 
 
 elected in 1878, conducting the affairs of that extremely respon- 
 sible office in such a manner as to win expressions of general ap- 
 proval. 
 
 He was a member of the first board of supervisors of Bu- 
 chanan county and, apropos of his candidacy for that office, he 
 once told an amusing and characteristic anecdote. On the day of 
 the election he returned from an eastern trip to learn, with sur- 
 prise, of his nomination. The struggle was an intensely hot one, 
 party feeling ran high and the result of the battle was in great 
 doubt. He started for the polls with the modest intention, as in 
 previous instances, of voting for his opponent, but it occurred to 
 him on the way that he was no more justified in "scratching" 
 than any other voter, and he deposited a straight ticket in the box. 
 "1 received a majority of exactly one," he concluded, "and so 
 became the choice of the people." 
 
 Mr. Bemis is of rather more than medium stature and some- 
 what full habit. His physiognomy and the general contour of his 
 head recall portraits of Charles Darwin, and in many respects he is 
 not unlike that eminent iconoclast. A long public career has left 
 him with an unblemished reputation. He has held great pecuni- 
 ary trusts with an integrity that has never known the shadow of 
 suspicion, and in ever}' situation he has been thechampion of tem- 
 perance and sound morality. It is fitting that, with good health, 
 a keen relish for all intellectual and wholesome recreation, sur- 
 rounded in his pleasant home by the friends and neighbors of a 
 half a century, he should be able to sav with Adam, in "As You 
 Like It"— 
 
 "Therefore 1113 a lust}- winter, 
 
 Fri >stv, but kindly. " 
 
 This sketch was written by Stephen Tabor. 
 
GENEALOGY OF JOSEPH BEMIS 
 
 OF SPENCER, MASS., AND OF HIS DESCENDANTS. 
 
 I 
 
 Daniel, 
 
 2 
 
 Mary, 
 
 3 
 
 William, 
 
 4 
 
 Patty, 
 
 5 
 
 Susan, 
 
 6 
 
 Eleazer, 
 
 7 
 
 Sylvanus, 
 
 8 
 
 Sally, 
 
 9 
 
 John, 
 
 o 
 
 Franklin, 
 
 i6, 
 
 1782, 
 
 d. 
 
 Sept. 
 
 16, 
 
 
 22, 
 
 1734, 
 
 el. 
 
 Aprii 
 
 10, 
 
 1S77. 
 
 27> 
 
 1786, 
 
 d. 
 
 July 
 
 12, 
 
 '*73- 
 
 27. 
 
 i7< s 9. 
 
 
 
 
 
 2 3, 
 
 1791. 
 
 (1. 
 
 Tune 
 
 5, 
 
 1856. 
 
 '7. 
 
 1793. 
 
 d. 
 
 Aug. 
 
 *5. 
 
 1873. 
 
 IN, 
 
 I79 6 . 
 
 d. 
 
 May 
 
 29. 
 
 1884. 
 
 7> 
 
 
 d. 
 
 Nov. 
 
 
 1850. 
 
 13. 
 
 1801, 
 
 (1. 
 
 Aug. 
 
 28, 
 
 1883. 
 
 1 , 
 
 
 d. 
 
 July 
 
 14. 
 
 1863. 
 
 JOSEPH BEMIS was the son of Capt. Edmund Bernis and 
 grandson of Samuel Bemis Sr., both of Spencer. 
 
 JOSEPH BEMIS 7, Edmund 6, Samuel 5, John 4, Joseph 3, 
 Joseph 2, John r; b. at Spencer, Nov. 20, 1752; d. Jan 17, 1823; 
 m. Jemima (Craig) b. at Leicester, Sept. 19, 1759; d. July 21, 1841. 
 
 Children. 
 
 b. June 
 
 b. Feb. 
 
 b. Aug. 
 
 b. Jan. 
 
 b. June 
 
 b. Nov. 
 
 b. June 
 
 b. Aug. 
 
 b. Dec. 
 
 b. Feb. 
 
 DANIEL BEMIS 8, Joseph 7, Edmund 6, Samuel 5. John 4, 
 Joseph 3, Joseph 2; John 1 : b. June 16, 1782, in Spencer, Mass. ; d. 
 Sept. 16, 1863, in Plymouth, Wis.; m. Charlotte Wheelock, Nov. 
 181 1 : b. Nov. 1, 1790, in Charlton, Mass.; d. May 31, 1857, in 
 Plymouth, Wis. Removed lrom Spencer, Mass. , between Sept., 
 1S13, and Oct., 1816; removed to Byron, Genessee Co., X. Y., 
 between 1827 and 1833; removed to Alabama, Genessee Co., 
 X. Y., between 1827 and 1837 ; removed to Plymouth, Wis., in 
 1844. 
 
 Children. 
 
 1 William, b. Apr. 24, 1812, d. June 2, 1S92. 
 
 2 Edmund, b. Sept. 25, 1813, d. June 7, 1884. 
 
 3 Albert, b. Oct. 27, 1816, d. Feb. 14, 1890. 
 
 4 Jervis Orlando, b. Aug. 11, 1818, d. Oct. 3, 1901. 
 
 5 George Washington, b. July 30, 182 1. 
 
 6 Kiron Wheelock, b. June 11, 1824. 
 
 7 Charlotte Wheelock, b. Feb. 11, 1827. 
 
 8 Jerome Bonaparte, b. Feb. 17, 1833. 
 
1 66 
 
 SKETCHES OF SPENCER HISTORY 
 
 WILLIAM BEMIS 9, Daniel 8, Joseph 7, Edmund 6, Samuel 
 5, John 4, Joseph 3, Joseph 2, John 1; b. Apr. 24, 18 12, in Spen- 
 cer, Mass.; d. June 2, 1892, in Plymouth, Wis.; m. Polly Jones. 
 
 Children. 
 
 1 Helen. 
 
 2 Cora. 
 
 3 Duressa. 
 
 4 Amber. 
 
 EDMUND BEMIS 9, Daniel 8, Joseph 7, Edmund 6, Samuel 
 5, John 4, Joseph 3, Joseph 2, John 1 ; b. Sept. 25, 18 13, in Spen- 
 cer, Mass.; d. June 7, 1884, in Monmouth, Col.; m. Louisa Hall, 
 in Elba, N.Y., Feb. 12, 1837 ; b. in N. Y., Feb. 18, 1817. 
 
 Children. 
 
 Maria Louisa, 
 
 b. May 10, 1841, in Alabama, N. Y. 
 d. at Silverton, Col., Aug. 16, 1875. 
 Delephene Charlotte, b. Feb. 17, 1844, i° Alabama, N. Y. 
 d. Oct. 17, 1862, at Evansville, Wis. 
 b. Oct. 18, 1845, d. Mar. 5, 1847. 
 b. in Alabama, Genessee Co.,N. Y. 
 b. July 29, 1850, in Wisconsin, 
 b. Dec. 3L 1854, d. Oct. 3, 1862, 
 in Milwaukee, Wis. 
 
 Frank, 
 
 Horace Greeley, 
 Charles Edmund 
 Luella 
 
 MARIA LOUISA, m. Samuel L. Wallihan, at Evansville, 
 Wis., Nov. 17, 1857. 
 
 Children. 
 
 b. July 4, i860, d. Feb. 7, 1864. 
 b. May 5, 1865. 
 b. Sept. 13, 1S67. 
 b. Aug. 20, 1870. 
 b. May 5, 1873. 
 
 Maud, 
 
 Edmund Percey, 
 Ernest Collier, 
 Lucy Maria, 
 Helen Bemis, 
 
 1 
 
 2 
 
 3 
 
 4 
 
 5 
 
 HORACE GREELEY, m. Addie Carnahan, at Carson City, 
 Col., Oct. 6, 1876. 
 
 Children. 
 
 1 Kate May b. Apr. 8, 187S, at Monument, Col. 
 
 2 Clyde Horace, b. Sept. 14, 1886, at Longmont, Col. 
 
 CHARLES EDMUND, m. Addie Souther, Sept. 14, 1889, 
 at Los Angeles, California. 
 
 Children. 
 
 b. June 26, 1890, d. July 26, 1890 
 at Corina, Cal. 
 
 2 Waldo Ldmunci, b. July 26, 1891, at Corina, Cal. 
 
 3 Harold Winston, b. Dec. 10, 1893, 
 
 4 Muriel Winnona, b. Feb. 15, 1895, 
 
 Charles Worthy 
 
 Waldo Edmund, 
 Harold Winston, 
 Muriel Winnona, 
 
GENEALOGY OF JOSEPH BEMIS AND DESCENDANTS. 167 
 
 ALBERT BEMIS 9, Daniel 8, Joseph 7, Edmund 6, Samuel 
 5, John 4, Joseph 3, Joseph 2, John 1 ; b. Oct. 16, 1816, at Ham- 
 ilton, Madison Co., N. Y. ; d. Feb. 14, 1890, at Evansville, Wis.; 
 m. March 23, 1842, to Martha Ann Fowle, b. Dec. 25, 1820, 
 in Monroe Co., N. Y. 
 
 Children. 
 
 1 Jacob F., b. June 27, 1844, in Rock Co. Wis. 
 
 2 Louise J., b. Jan. 20, 1847. 
 
 3 ^ ar ' J b. Feb. 28, 1850. *' f ch - 28 ' l85 °- 
 
 4 Edwin, j ° d. Apr. 4, 1850. 
 
 5 Arthur L., b. Feb. 28,1851. 
 
 JACOB F., m. Maria Cogwell, May 8, 1873; she d. Jan. 21, 
 1880. 
 
 Children. 
 
 1 Annie B., b. Feb. 27, 1874, m. Elmer E. Scoville. 
 
 2 Marie, b. Nov. 11, 1878. 
 
 JACOB F., m. 2d time, Caroline Roberts, Nov. 28, 1889. 
 
 ANNIE B., m. Elmer E. Scoville. 
 Children. 
 
 1 Earl B, b. July 1, 1891. 
 
 2 Maurice Lee, b. July 4, 1899. 
 
 3 Elmer Ellsworth, b. Feb. 19, 1900. 
 
 LOUISE J., m. Feb. 21, 1867, Louis J. Haines; Haines d. 
 Mch. 31, 1888. 
 
 I 
 
 Albert L., 
 
 b. 
 
 Mch. 
 
 3i. 
 
 1871. 
 
 2 
 
 Lottie M., 
 
 b. 
 
 Feb. 
 
 28, 
 
 1875- 
 
 3 
 
 Martha L., 
 
 b. 
 
 Dec. 
 
 '4- 
 
 1883. 
 
 4 
 
 William L., 
 
 b. 
 
 Apr. 
 
 3- 
 
 1886. 
 
 ARTHUR L., m. Flora R. Withington, Nov. 28, 1874. She 
 was b. June 5, 1851. 
 
 Children. 
 
 1 Albert W., b. Apr. 7,1878. 
 
 2 Lillian, b. Nov. 22, 1879. 
 
 JERVIS ORLANDO BEMIS 9, Daniel 8, Joseph 7, Ed- 
 mond 6, Samuel 5, John 4, Joseph 3, Joseph 2, John 1; b. Aug. 
 11, 1818, at Hamilton, Madison Co., N. Y. ; m. Dec. 19, 1841, to 
 Eunice Marie Bump, b. May 1, 1823 in Byron, Genessee Co., 
 N. Y. 
 
l68 sketches of spencer history. 
 
 Children, 
 
 i Daniel Duane, b. July 3, 1843. 
 
 2 Elizabeth Ann, b. Sept. 4, 1845. d. Wis. 
 
 3 George Atward, b. June 7, 1847. d. Wis. 
 
 4 Frank Angelo, b. June 1, 1849. 
 
 5 Kiron Jervis, b. Dee. 24, 1853. 
 
 6 Fred Herbert, b. Jan. 8, 1856. 
 
 7 John Bently, b. Aug. 24, 1858. 
 
 8 Charlotte Amanda, b. July 22, 1S61. 
 
 DANIEL DUANE BEMIS. son of Jervis, b. July 3, 1843; 
 m. Annett W. Henderson, Jan. 8, 1868. She was b. Jan. 23, 
 1844 at Beloit, Wis. 
 
 Children. 
 
 1 Harry Henderson, b. Dec. 12, 1868. 
 
 2 Julia Lee, b. Sept. 9, 1870. 
 
 3 Kate Marie, b. June 6, 1872. 
 
 4 Aurela Lee, b. Nov. 13, 1873. 
 
 5 Nettie Eunice, b. Dec. 21, 1875. 
 
 6 Elizabeth Bell.' . b. Dec. 8, 1877. 
 
 7 Clarence Herbert, b. June 9, 1881. 
 
 HARRY H. BEMIS, b. Dec. 12, 186S; m. June 10, 1897 to 
 Lida A. Perry; b. Aug. 18. 1 - 
 
 Children. 
 
 1 Julia Lee, b, Sept. 9, 1870; m. Now 27, 
 
 1892 to Thomas E. Williams, b. 
 Aug. — . 1869. 
 
 2 Kate Marie, I). June 6, 1872; m. June 20, 1893 
 
 to John C. Spangler of Ohio; b. 
 July 16, 1870. 
 Daniel Duane Bemis served through the Civil War in a Wis- 
 consin regiment. 
 
 ELIZABETH ANN, daughter of Jervis O. Bemis, b. Sept. 
 4, 1845; m. James M. Pool (b. May 17, 1845) March 8, 1S67. 
 
 Children. 
 1 Marvin Bemis Pool, b. Aug. 21, 1S81 ; m. Grace Young, 
 
 Sept. 13, 1S93. 
 
 Children. 
 1 Dorothy Grace Pool, b. Aug. 19, 1895. 
 
 GEORGE ATWARD BEMIS, son of Jervis O. Bemis, b. 
 June 7, 1847; m. May 10, 1873 to Caroline Mary Barkly; b. Jan. 
 28, 1853; d. Oct. 1, 1883. 
 
genealogy of joseph bemis and descendants. 1 69 
 
 Children. 
 
 1 Eunice Delphene. b. Jan. 3, 1S74; m. Oct. 4, 1893, 
 
 Kurt E. McElhiney. 
 
 2 Jervis Kiron, b. Nov. 3, 1876. 
 
 3 Bently Ambrose, b. Sept. 28, 1878. 
 
 4 George Ray, b. May 25, 1SS2. 
 
 EUNICE DELPHENE McELHINEY. 
 
 Children. 
 
 1 William Bemis, b. Dec. 3, 1895. 
 
 2 Hazel Marie, b. June 21, 1897. 
 
 FRANK ANGELO BEMIS, son of Jervis O. Bemis, b. June 
 I, 1S49; m. Lucy Cory; b. April 6, 1852. 
 
 Children. 
 
 1 Ivah Betsey, b. June 23, [872. 
 
 2 Fanny Dale, b. Nov. 18, 1873. 
 
 3 Harvy Bently, b. April, 14, ; 
 
 4 Kiron C<.ry, b. Jan. 13, 1879. 
 
 5 Eunice Lucy, b. April 10, 1881. d. Dec. 8, 1881. 
 
 6 Lotty Cory, b. June 14, 1883. 
 
 IVAH BETSEY BEMIS, m. Aug. 13, 1893 to Albert J. 
 Christler; b. July 9, 1873. 
 
 Children. 
 
 1 Lucy Elizabeth, b. June 23, 1S94. 
 
 2 Bently John, b. Aug. 3, 1S96. 
 
 KIRON JERVIS BEMIS, son of Jervis O. Bemis; b. Dec. 
 24, 1852 ; m. June 2, 1887, to Wilhelmina Onderdonk Gesner, 
 b. in Ohio, May 30, 1 
 
 Children. 
 
 1 Jean Marguerite, b. Aug. 16, 1888. 
 
 2 Frances Gesner, b. Aug. 13, 1889. 
 
 3 Jeanette Eunice, b. May 23, 1891. 
 
 4 Charlotte Elinor, b. July 22, 1894. 
 
 5 Berenice Willa, b. Mch. 18, 1897. 
 
 FRED HERBERT BEMIS, sou of Jervis O. Bemis ; b. Jan. 
 8, 1856; m. Mch. 28, 1883, Cora Bell Dean, b. Nov. 10, 1859. d. 
 
 Children. 
 1 Herbert Dean, b. Dec. 17, 1SS4. 
 
 3 Jervis Orlando, b. July 7, 1886, d. May 11, 1888. 
 
 3 Fred Parker, b. Aug. 9, 1891. 
 
170 SKETCHES OF SPENCER HISTORY. 
 
 JOHN BENTLY BEMIS, son of Jervis O. Bemis; b. Aug. 
 
 24, 1858, m. May 15, 1884, to Nannie Cooper Hamilton, b. July 
 
 25, 1862. 
 
 Children. 
 
 1 Fay Hamilton Bemis, b. Sept. 14, 1885. 
 
 2 Harold Bemis, b. Sept. 25, 18^7, d. Feb. 22, 1889. 
 
 3 Bently John, b. Sept. 14, 1890. 
 
 4 Marjorie Cambridge, b. Mar. 7, 1893. 
 
 CHARLOTTE AMANDA, daughter of Jervis O. Bemis; b. 
 July 22, 1 861; m. Nov. 27, 1884, to Philip Parker, b. Jan. 30, 
 1859. 
 
 
 
 Children. 
 
 
 I 
 
 2 
 
 3 
 4 
 
 Philip Walter, 
 Fred Bemis, 
 Eunice Deborah, 
 Richard M., 
 
 b. Dec. 22, 
 b. Jan. 14, 
 b. Mar. 1 1, 
 b. Jan. 4, 
 
 1885. 
 1890. 
 1892. 
 1894, d. July 25, 1894. 
 
 GEORGE WASHINGTON BEMIS 9, Daniel 8, Joseph 7, 
 Edmund 6, Samuel 5, John 4, Joseph 3, Joseph 2, John 1; b. 
 July 30, 1821, in Madison Co., N. Y. ; m. Sophia J. Bump, b. 
 Aug. 17, 1825. 
 
 Children. 
 
 1 Florence, lone, b. Mch. 27, 1849; m. Medor Jerome 
 
 DeLent, b. Mch. 16, 1851, d. Apr. 
 26, 1899; m. Dec. 22, 1873. 
 
 Children. 
 
 1 Flora May, b. Mch. 6, 1875. 
 
 2 Louis William, b. Apr. 2, 1886, d. Mch. 20, 1889. 
 
 2 Flora R. Bemis, b. Oct. 1858, m. Wm. S. Bemis, March 
 27, 1881. 
 
 Children. 
 
 1 George Arthur, b. Apr. 27, 1S84. 
 
 2 William Seward, b. Jan. 29, 1891. 
 
 3 Louis Medor, b. Dec. 23, 1893. 
 
 KIRON WHEELOCK BEMIS 9, Daniel 8, Joseph 7, Ed- 
 mund 6, Samuel 5, John 4, Joseph 3, Joseph 2, John 1; b. June 
 11, 1824, in Madison Co., N. Y.; m, Rachael Wheeler. 
 
 Children. 
 
 1 Orrin Wheeler Bemis. 
 
 2 Edgar Marsh Bemis. 
 
GENEALOGY OF JOSEPH BEMIS AND DESCENDANTS. 171 
 
 CHARLOTTE WHEELOCK BEMIS 9, Daniel 8, Joseph 
 7, Edmund 6, Samuel 5, John 4, Joseph 3, Joseph 2, John 1; b. 
 Feb. n, 1827, in Madison Co., N. Y.; m. Abraham Asa Boyce, 
 Oct. 7, 1846; he was b. June 12, 1821; d. Feb. 14, 1894. 
 
 JEROME BONAPARTE BEMIS 9, Daniel 8, Joseph 7, 
 Edmund 6, Samuel 5, John 4, Joseph 3, Joseph 2, John 1 ; b. Feb. 
 17, 1833, in Byron, Genessee Co., N. Y. ; m. Mary E. Clifford, 
 Aug. 31. 1862; b. May 8, 1840, in Maine. 
 
 Children. 
 
 1 May C, b. July 27, 1863; m. Lewis Fellows, 
 
 Sept, 7, 1886. 
 
 2 Ollie M., b. Apr. 1, 1865; m. Fred S. Fel- 
 
 lows, Oct. 7, 1884. 
 
 3 Asa B., b. Feb. 22, 1869; m. Blanch Vevoin, 
 
 July 31, 1895. 
 
 Children. 
 1 Marion L., b. June 14, 1896. 
 
 4 Kittie C. b. Jan. 3, 1871; m. Robin A. 
 
 Manville, Sept. 10, 1892. 
 
 5 Grace M. b. Oct. 1, 1878; m. Charles Off, 
 
 Oct. 9. 1897. 
 
 Children. 
 1 Lillian M., b. Apr. 15, 1899. 
 
 KIRON W. BEMIS moved from Alabama, Genesee Co., N. 
 Y., in 1844 to Plymouth Rock Co., Wisconsin. He was chair- 
 man of the board of supervisors of Plymouth for many years; also 
 member of the County board of supervisors of Rock County; also 
 member of the legislature of Wisconsin in 1858; afterwards re- 
 corder of deeds of Rock County. He held a position in the provost 
 marshal's office by appointment of the government. 
 
 SUSAN BEMIS 8, Joseph 7, Edmund 6, Samuel 5, John 4, 
 Joseph 3, Joseph 2, John 1; b. June 23, 1791, at Spencer, Mass.; 
 d. June 5, 1856; m. Joel Wilson; b. July 31, 17S7 ; d. Aug. 15, 
 1859- 
 
 Children. 
 
 1 Chester, b.. Oct. 4, 181 1. d. Jan. 22, 1890. 
 
 2 Wilbur, b. July 2, 1813. d. Dec. 10, 1871. 
 
 3 Winthrop, b. Aug. 25, 1816. d. Jan. 28, 1887. 
 
 4 Susan, b d. Apr. -, 1856. 
 
 5 Joeljun., b. May 21, 1820, d. Nov. 9, 1849. 
 
 6 Jane, b. Apr. 7, 1826, d. Feb. 25, 1887. 
 
 7 Mary Ann, b: May 27, 1828. d. June -, 1872. 
 
172 SKETCHES OF SPENCER HISTORY. 
 
 CHESTER WILSON 9, Susan S, Joseph 7, Edmund 6, 
 Samuel 5, John 4, Joseph 3, Joseph 2, John 1; b. Oct. 4, 1811; d. 
 at Jamaica, Vt., Jan. 22, i< 
 
 I 
 
 Marion D., 
 
 2 
 
 Ansella D., 
 
 3 
 
 Luella M., 
 
 4 
 
 Edgar M., 
 
 5 
 
 Adella M., 
 
 WILBUR WILSON 9, Susan 8, Joseph 7, Edmund 6, Sam- 
 uel 5, John 4, Joseph 3, Joseph 2, John 1; b. July 2, 1813; m. 
 Sarah Demond of Rutland, Mass. 
 
 Children. 
 
 1 Sarah. 
 
 2 Chauneey P. 
 
 3 Walter J. 
 
 WINTHROP WILSON 9, Susan S, Joseph 7, Edmund 6, 
 Samuel 5, John 4, Joseph 3, Joseph 2, John 1; b. Aug. 25, 18 16; 
 m. Cornelia Lamb Wheelock of Charlton, Mass., Sept. 13, 1841; 
 b. May 3, 18 18. 
 
 Children. 
 b. June 14, 1846. d. Sept. 25, 1849. 
 b. Dec. 24, 1849. 
 b. Aug. 15, 1852. 
 b. May 6, 1^55. 
 b. Sept. 13, 1S5S. 
 LUELLA M., m. Harlan P. Morse, Dec. 21, 1881; b. July 
 2, 1855. 
 
 Children. 
 Arthur Wilson, b. Nov. 2, 1883. 
 
 Everett Harlan, b. Oct. 12, 1885. 
 
 SUSAN WILSON 9, Susan 8, Joseph 7, Edmund 6, Samuel 
 5, John 4, Joseph 3, Joseph 2, John 1; Susan Wilson m. Thomas 
 Foley, of North field, Vt. 
 
 Children. 
 
 1 Thomas. 
 
 2 James. 
 
 JOEL WILSON JR. 9, Susan 8, Joseph 7, Edmund 6, 
 Samuel 5, John 4, Joseph 3, Joseph 2, John 1 ; Joel Jr. b. May 21 , 
 1820; m. 
 
 Children. 
 
 1 George; m. Emma Tolman of Worcester, Mass. 
 
 Children. 
 1 George Jr. 
 
 JANE WILSON 9, Susan 8, Joseph 7; Edmund 6, Samuel 
 5, John 4, Joseph 3, Joseph 2, John 1; Jane b. April 7, 1826; m. 
 Dea. James I. Goulding, of Springfield, Mass., June 5, 1873. 
 
(.ENEALOGY OF JOSEPH BEMIS AND DESCENDANTS. 1 73 
 
 MARY ANN WILSON 9, Susan S, Joseph 7, Edmund 6, 
 Samuel 5, John 4, Joseph 3, Joseph 2, John 1; Mary A. b. May 
 27, 1828; m. Sewell Wheeler 
 
 Childkex. 
 
 1 Frank. 
 
 2 Mary. 
 
 3 Susan. 
 
 4 Ella. 
 
 5 Anna. 
 
 ELEAZER BEMIS 8, Joseph 7, Edmund 6, Samuel 5, John 
 4, Joseph 3, Joseph 2, John 1; b. Nov. 17. 1793, Spencer, Mass.; 
 d. Aug. 11, 1S73; m. Susan Hartwell, Sept. 2, 1822; b. June 7, 
 1802; d. Aug 16, 1834; m. 2nd time, Julia Huntington, Oct. 12, 
 1837; b. 1818; d. Men.. 20, 1892. 
 
 Children. 
 (by first wife 
 
 1 Jane, b. July 29, 1S24; d. Jan. 12, 1833. 
 
 2 George W., b. Oct. 13, 1826, Spencer, M 
 
 3 Susan Hartwell, b. Apr 11, 1832; d. June 20, 1899. 
 
 GEORGE W. BEMIS 9, Eleazer 8, Joseph 7, Edmund 6, 
 Samuel 5, John 4; Joseph 3; Joseph 2, John 1; b Oct. 13, 1S26, 
 Spencer, Mass.; m. Apr. 1 1, 1835, Narcissa T. Roszelle, Alabama, 
 Genessee Co., N. Y. ; d. Aug. 9, 1899. 
 
 Children. 
 
 1 May B., b. June 27, 1857; m. Oct. 16, 1S79, 
 
 in DesMoines, Iowa to William D. 
 Lee; d. June S, 1883. 
 
 2 William Seward, b. Sept. 27, 1859, in Independence, 
 
 Iowa; m. Apr., 17, 1 881, to Flora 
 R. Bemis, in Janesville, Wis. 
 
 Children. 
 
 1 George A., b. Apr. 27, 18S4. 
 
 2 William S. Jr., b Jan. 29, 189 1. 
 4 Louis Medor, b. Dec. 23, 1893. 
 
 3 Arthur Roszelle, b. Dec. 6, :S62; m. May 31, 1894, 
 
 to Birdie May Ahern; b. Oct. 15, 
 1875- 
 Children. 
 
 1 Xarcissa May, b. May 27, 1895; d. Oct. 2, 1895. 
 
 2 Arthur Roszelle Jr., b. Sept. 28, 1897. 
 
174 SKETCHES OF SPENCER HISTORY. 
 
 ELEAZER BEMIS moved from Spencer, Mass., to Alabama, 
 Genessee Co., N. Y., in Oct., 1837, where he purchased a farm 
 on which he lived until the time of his death, Aug. 15, 1873. 
 
 SUSAN HARTWELL BEMIS 9, Eleazer 8, Joseph 7, Ed- 
 mund 6, Samuel 5, John 4, Joseph 3, Joseph 2, John 1; b. April 
 
 11, 1832; m. April 8, 1862 to Elijah Town; b. July 24, 1827. 
 
 Children. 
 1 Charlotte Z., b. July 31, 1865; m. July 31, 1900 
 
 to Charles W. Ferris; b. April 2, 
 
 1865. 
 
 Children. 
 
 1 Paul Eugene, b. May 9, 1901. 
 
 2 Mary Hartwell, b. Aug. 20, 1869; d. July 17, 1885. 
 
 3 Susie H., b. June 24, 1872. 
 
 WILLIAM BEMIS 8, Joseph 7, Edmund 6, Samuel 5, John 
 4, Joseph 3, Joseph 2, John 1; b. Aug. 27, 1786; d. July 12, 1873; 
 m. Aug. 27, 1820, Samantha Hollenbeck; b. in 1804; d. Nov. 16, 
 1852. 
 
 Children. 
 
 1 Joseph Craig, b. Oct. 22, 1821; d. Jan. 27, 1894. 
 
 2 Mary Lucy, b. Feb. 6, 1826; d. Aug. 17, 1896. 
 
 3 Daniel Webster b. Oct. 19, 1828. 
 
 4 Sarah L., b. June 11, 1831. 
 
 JOSEPH CRAIG BEMIS 9, William 8, Joseph 7, Edmund 
 6, Samuel 5, John 4, Joseph 3, Joseph 2, John 1; b. Oct. 22, 1821; 
 d. June 27, 1894; nl - Lucia Annie Wood of Woodstock, Vt., Dec. 
 
 12, 1848. She was b. Dec. 30, 1823; d. Jan. 29, 1882. 
 
 Children. 
 1 William E., b. Oct. 22, 1849; m. July 25, 1883, 
 
 Mary Watts; b. July 4, 1857. 
 
 Children. 
 
 1 Florence E., b. June 4, 1884. 
 
 2 Alice C, b. July 14, 1853, m - Dec - H< J 886 
 
 to George A. Sturtevant; b. March 
 5, i860. 
 
 Children. 
 
 1 Ray Atherton, b. Feb. 9, 1889. 
 
 2 A. Edith, b. Sept. 27, 1862; m. Sept. 20, 
 
 1888 to Harry A. Sturtevant; b. 
 July 4, 1864. 
 
GENEALOGY OF JOSEPH BEMIS AND DESCENDANTS. 175 
 
 CHILDREN • 
 
 i Lucia E. b. March 10, 1890. 
 
 2 Wallis H., b. April 22, 189 1. 
 
 3 George C, b. October 3, 1892. 
 
 4 Dorothy Bemis, b. Dec'br 30, 1896. 
 
 JOSEPH CRAIG BEMIS served through the Civil War in 
 a Massachusetts regiment. 
 
 MARY LUCY BEMIS 9, William 8, Joseph 7, Edmund 6, 
 Samuel 5, John 4, Joseph 3, Joseph 2, John 1; b. Feb. 6, 1826; 
 d. Aug. 17, 1896; in. July 6, 1852, Leander Bartlett; b. in 1822; 
 d. Nov. 2, 1856. 
 
 Children. 
 1 William Leander, b. March 28, 1853; m. Jan. 2, 1879 
 
 to Mary Frances Cushing; b. July 
 26, 1856. 
 Children'. 
 1 William Cushing, b. March 28, 18S6; d. Aprils, 1886. 
 
 DANIEL WEBSTER BEMIS 9, William 8, Joseph 7, 
 Edmund 6, Samuel 5 John 4, Joseph 3, Joseph 2, John 1; b. 
 Oct. 19, 1828; m. Aug. 5, 1853 in Fitchburg, Mass. to Mary 
 Hughs; b. Oct. 12, 1833. 
 
 Children. 
 
 1 Maud, b. Jan. 6, 1855 in Illinois; d. Aug. 
 
 16, 1855. 
 
 2 Walter Herbert, b. Aug. 3. 1857, Fitchburg, Mass.; 
 
 d. Feb. 1 8, 1 86 1. 
 
 3 Mary Elsa, b. Sept 18, i860, Fitchburg, Mass. 
 
 4 Richard Percival, b. Sept. 11, 1862; m. June 20, 1894, 
 
 Anna Stuart Welsh. 
 
 5 Ralph Emery, b. April 26, 1872. 
 
 SARAH L. BEMIS 9, William 8. Joseph 7, Edmund 6, 
 Samuel 5, John 4, Joseph 3, Joseph 2, John 1; b. June 11, 1831. 
 
 DANIEL W. BEMIS was a civil engineer, and was em- 
 ployed in the location and construction of railroads in different 
 states, also in Mexico. About 1875 he surveyed for John Oilman 
 and others a railroad projected to go through the Wire Villages in 
 Spencer. He served in a Massachusetts regiment in the Civil 
 War. 
 
176 
 
 SKETCHES OF SPENCER HISTORY. 
 
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BEM1S MEMORIAL PARK. 
 
 The agitation of a memorial to Samuel Bemis brought about 
 more extended results than the Board of Trade committee antici- 
 pated. 
 
 The original plan was to have the monument n ear the road- 
 side where passing travelers could readily stop and read the in- 
 scription. Mr. Thomas A. Prouty, who then owned the Bemis 
 homestead grounds, kindly donated land for this purpose and a 
 foundation was put in. Some of the family, however, were not 
 wholly satisfied with the location. Mr. Walter C. Bemis, taking 
 an active interest in the matter, and being very desirous that the 
 monument should be placed near the site where Samuel Bemis 
 built his first house, purchased the original house lot of ten acres 
 with the intent of making it available for that purpose. 
 
 Through the generosity of Mrs. Phoebe Anna Bemis, the 
 committee were given the privilege of appropriating the whole or 
 so much as they thought desirable for the purpose — the gift to be 
 in memory of her husband, Chandler Bemis and his brothers, 
 Joshua Emerson Bemis, Edwin Amasa Bemis, Eorenzo Bemis and 
 sister, Persis Newell Bemis, late wife of Dexter Bullard, and 
 children of Amasa Bemis Jr. 
 
 At a meeting of members of the committee and members of the 
 Bemis family, about three acres of this tract of land was selected 
 and it was suggested that the place be called Bemis Memorial Park. 
 
 Through the generosity of a great grandson, George W. 
 Bemis of Independence, Iowa, a monument to Capt. Edmund Be- 
 mis will be erected in the park this fall, and it is thought later one 
 to the memory of Lieut. Jonas Bemis Sr., and one in honor of the 
 fourteen grandsons of Samuel Bemis who served in the War of 
 the Revolution, will be erected through the generosity of mem- 
 bers of the Bemis family. 
 
 The Park is to be placed in the hands of nine trustees to 
 beautify and embellish as they think best. The trustees are to re- 
 ceive and expend such funds as may be placed in their hands for 
 such a purpose. 
 
 When the trustees so decide and it is agreeable to the town 
 of Spencer they are to deed the same to the inhabitants thereof to 
 be kept and known forever as "Bemis Memorial Park." 
 
 The following are the names of the trustees: 
 
 Walter C. Bemis, Henry M. Tower, John G. Avery, Dr. 
 
178 
 
 SKETCHES OF SPENCER HISTORY. 
 
 SAMUEL. BEMIS MONUMENT. {Photo by Currin.) 
 
BEMIS MEMORIAL PARK. 1 79 
 
 Alonzo A. Bemis, George A. Craig, Dr. Ephraim W. Norwood, 
 Henry Bemis, E. Harris Howland, Joel S. Bullard. 
 
 The Trustees would also like funds with which to erect a 
 suitable log cabin for a care-taker of the grounds, and to put in an 
 old-fashioned well sweep, and believe in time monej' will be forth- 
 coming for such purposes. When all the work outlined is com- 
 pleted the Park will be a most delightful place for public resort, 
 a place of just pride to the Bemis family and the town of 
 Spencer, and its educational value to the youth of each succeeding 
 generation beyond computation. 
 
 Below is a complete list of donors to the monument fund: 
 
 Allen, Mrs. George A. 
 
 Avery, Mrs. John G. 
 
 Adams, Allen 
 
 Bemis, Lewis T. , Spencer 
 
 Bemis, Henry, Spencer 
 
 Bemis, Lewis D., Spencer 
 
 Bemis, Theodore J., Spencer 
 
 Bemis, Henry W., Spencer 
 
 Bemis, Frank B., Boston, Mass 
 
 Bemis, Cheney, Spencer 
 
 Bemis, George E., New York City 
 
 Bemis, H. E., Boston 
 
 Bemis, Eugene, Boston 
 
 Bemis, Joshua, Spencer 
 
 Bemis, Mrs. David, Spencer 
 
 Bemis, Amasa T., Spencer 
 
 Bemis, Charles E-, Spencer 
 
 Bemis, Tilly, Brookfield 
 
 Bemis, George, Spencer 
 
 Bemis, Mrs. Phoebe Anna, Spencer 
 
 Bemis, David, Leicester 
 
 Bemis, Alvin H., Dell Rapids, So. Dakota 
 
 Bemis, H. C, Spencer 
 
 Bemis, John E., Goodwin, So. Dakota 
 
 Bemis, Charles, South Bend, Indiana 
 
 Bemis, Albion F., Foxboro, Mass. 
 
 Bemis, Prof. Edward W., New York 
 
 Bemis, A. Edwin, Worcester 
 
 Bemis, Mrs. George 2d, Spencer 
 
 Bemis, Emily P.. Spencer 
 
 Bemis, Eleanor E., Boston 
 
 Bemis, Henry E., Lebanon, Kansas 
 
 Bemis, Moses, Worcester 
 
 Bemis, George H. 
 
 Bemis, Waldo L. 
 
 Bemis, Oscar W. 
 
180 SKETCHES OF SPENCER HISTORY. 
 
 Bemis, Harvey W. 
 
 Bemis, Jonas, Charlton Depot, Mass. 
 
 Bemis, Jonas Jr., Charlton Depot, Mass. 
 
 Bemis, Harriet, Charlton Depot, Mass. 
 
 Bemis, Hattie, Charlton Depot, Mass. 
 
 Bemis, Mrs. Florence Adams, Charlton Depot, Mass. 
 
 Bemis, Sarah J., Worcester 
 
 Bemis, Adna D., Welchville, Maine 
 
 Bemis, Frank W. 
 
 Bemis, Albert D. 
 
 Bemis, Herbert B. 
 
 Bemis, Milton Amasa, age one month 
 
 Bemis, Alonzo Amasa D. D. S. 
 
 Bemis, Mrs. Nellie I. 
 
 Burkill, Mrs. A. Mattie 
 
 Bullard, Joel S., Spencer 
 
 Comins, Mrs. Pamelia K., Spencer 
 
 Converse, Mrs. George C, Brookfield 
 
 Capen, H. H., Spencer 
 
 Capen, Miss Elida M., Spencer 
 
 Conger, Mrs. F. E., North Brookfield 
 
 Curtis, Miss Anna S., Spencer 
 
 Clark, Mrs. C. Bemis, Spencer 
 
 Desoe, Mrs. Edward G., West Springfield 
 
 Drury, Frank A., Spencer 
 
 Drury, Mrs. Franklin, Spencer 
 
 Draper, Mrs. H. P., Spencer 
 
 Denison, Elias Bemis, Portland, Maine 
 
 Denison, William B., Newton, Mass 
 
 Estey, Mrs. Florence 
 
 Fanning, Mrs. Ida 
 
 Guilford, Miss P. Maria, Spencer 
 
 Green, Mrs. E. M., Spencer 
 
 Harrington, Mrs. C. G., Worcester 
 
 Harlow, Miss Margaret, Worcester 
 
 Howland, Henry P., Spencer 
 
 Howland, Lewis, Brookfield 
 
 Howland, E. Harris, Spencer 
 
 Howe, Charles S., Brookfield 
 
 Heffernan, William J., Spencer 
 
 Jones, Asa T., Colorado Springs, Colorado 
 
 Jones, Jarvis H. 
 
 Jones, Warren J. 
 
 Jones, Frank E. 
 
 Jones, Marion J. 
 
 Luke, Mrs. Lydia Howe, West Newton, Mass. 
 
 Lamb, Mrs. A. George, Worcester 
 
BREATHES THERE THE MAN. 181 
 
 Merrick, Mrs. Estes L,., Spencer 
 
 Norwood, Mrs. E. W., Spencer 
 
 Prouty, Mrs. George P., Spencer 
 
 Smith, Mrs. Fred P., Spencer 
 
 Starr, Mrs. Flora E. 
 
 Smith, Mary L. Howe, Brookfield 
 
 Sawyer, Mrs. Emma 
 
 Angella N. Spooner, Jersey City, N. J. 
 
 Tower, Henry M., Spencer 
 
 Breathes There the Man. 
 
 SIR WALTER SCOTT. 
 
 Breathes there the man with soul so dead 
 Who never to himself hath said, 
 This is my' own, my native land ! 
 Whose heart hath ne'er within him burned, 
 As home his footsteps he hath turned 
 From wandering on a foreign strand ! 
 If such there breathe, go, mark him well; 
 For him no minstrel raptures swell; 
 High though his title, proud his name, 
 Boundless his wealth as wish can claim, 
 Despite those titles, powers, and pelf, 
 The wretch, concentrated all on self, 
 Living, shall forfeit fair renown, 
 And, doubly dying, shall go down 
 To the vile dust from whence he sprung, 
 Unwept, unhonored, and unsung. 
 
 IN CONCLUSION. 
 
 The author is not an apologist by nature and seeks not on the 
 contents of this book the "kindly indulgence of a critical world." 
 He has made an earnest, and as he believes, a worthy endeavor to 
 gather historical treasures and present them in permanent form 
 for general use, and all this of necessity had to be accomplished in 
 less than four months, in addition to attending to his business as 
 usual. Could more time have been taken no doubt the text might 
 have been improved and the matter better classified and arranged. 
 The work has been projected and finished with Lincoln's motto in 
 mind, "Do your best. If not that, then the best you can." 
 
 The writer has not consciously "drawn upon his imagination 
 for~f acts", 'and no unqualified statement has been made unless it 
 appeared to be the truth. 
 
 The author has taken much pleasure in compiling this work 
 and trusts the same, as a whole, may meet the approval of his 
 fellow-citizens. 
 
ILLUSTRATIONS. 
 
 PAGE. 
 
 Henry M. Tower, 3 
 
 Paul Dudley Esq., 8 
 
 Ye Narragansett Fort Fight, 12 
 
 Obadiah Wood's Seal, 20 
 
 Bemis and Wood Map, 23 
 
 House of Nathan Bemis Sr. , 24 
 
 House of Nathan Bemis Jr., 25 
 
 House of Hannah Green, 26 
 
 House of Cheney Bemis Sr. , 27 
 
 Cheney Bemis Sr., 28 
 
 John G. Avery, 3 1 
 
 Rude Log Cabin, 3 2 
 
 The Stealthy Indian, 33 
 
 Joshua Bemis, 36 
 
 Moses Bemis, 37 
 
 George Bemis, 3 8 
 
 Persis (Guilford) Jones, 4° 
 
 Persis (Bemis) Guilford, 42 
 
 Soapstone Kettle, 43 
 
 Indian Pestle and Axe, 44 
 
 Joel Howe, 45 
 
 Foster Bemis, 49 
 
 Lewis Bemis, 5° 
 
 William Bemis Sr., House of 5 1 
 
 Jonas Bemis Sr., House of 5 2 
 
 David Bemis, 53 
 
 Old Sun Dial, 54 
 
 The Bemis Elm, 55 
 
 Pair of Andirons, 56 
 
 Edmund Bemis' Powder Horn, 5 8 
 
 Seven Mile River Bridge, 63 
 
 Chloe (Bemis) Livermore, 64 
 
 Spencer Scenery, , 65 
 
 Drive in Spencer Public Park, 67 
 Bemis Hill, - ?o 
 
 Moose Lake and Public Park, 7 2 
 Hiram Howe, r 75 
 
 Summer Residence Dr. A. A. Bemis, 7^ 
 
 The Old Bemis Mansion House, 78 
 
 William Howe, 81 
 
 Elias Howe Jr. Monument and Grounds, 83 
 
ILLUSTRATIONS. I S3 
 
 Alphonzo Howe, 85 
 
 Ancient Chestnut Tree, 87 
 
 Capt. Edmund Bemis House, 89 
 
 First Sewing Machine, 91 
 
 Elbridge Howe, 93 
 
 Tyler Howe, 95 
 
 The Old Howe Homestead, 96 
 
 Elias Howe Jr., 9 8 
 
 Cloth Sewed on First Sewing Machine, 99 
 
 Mrs. Lydia Howe Luke, 100 
 
 Elias Howe Sr. , 101 
 
 Alpha Bemis, 102 
 
 Elias Bemis, 103 
 
 Thomas A. Prouty, 104 
 
 Polly (Bemis) Howe, 105 
 
 Anna (Bemis) Capen, 106 
 
 Catherine (Bemis) Howland, 108 
 
 Dexter Bemis, 1 10 
 
 Elias Howe Bronze Statue, 1 12 
 
 Lieut. Frederick A. Bemis, 114 
 
 Elias Howe Jr. Birthplace Tablet, 1 15 
 
 Fanny (Bemis) Howe, 116 
 
 Sally Bemis Sampler, 1 18 
 
 Bemis Cover Quilts, 120 
 
 Old No. 9 Red Schoolhouse, 128 
 
 Maria L. Merrick, 129 
 
 Bemis Family Group, 132 
 
 John Bemis, 134 
 
 Pliny Snow, 135 
 
 Daniel Ball, 136 
 
 Daniel Ball's Peg Factory, 137 
 
 Napoleon B. Prouty, 139 
 
 Ruel Jones, 140 
 
 Fragment Church Bell, 141 
 
 Betsey (Beers) Adams, 145 
 
 Old Mile Stone, 146 
 
 The Mason Inn, 147 
 
 Horatio Hall, 148 
 
 Polly (May) Tower, 153 
 
 Joseph Garfield Jr., 154 
 
 The Last Bear Shot in Spencer, 155 
 
 William May House, 156 
 
 Capt. John Newhall House, 157 
 
 George Washington Bemis, 159 
 
 District No. 2 Schoolhouse, 161 
 
 Joseph Bemis House, 162 
 
 Sons of Amasa Bemis Jr., 176 
 
 Samuel Bemis Monument, 178 
 
CONTENTS. 
 
 History of Nathaniel Wood, PAGE ' 
 
 Explanation of Bemis and Wood Map, 2 l 
 
 Inception of the Bemis Monument, ' 'o 
 
 Our Ancestors; a poem, 
 
 Bemis Historical Address, ^ 
 
 Bemis Revolutionary War Record, ,^ 
 
 Bemis Civil War Record, ' 
 
 Fragments of Bemis History, ] j^ 
 
 District No. 9 Old Red Schoolhouse, 1 2 l 
 
 Literary Curiosity, ' 
 
 History of the Peg Industry, J^J 
 
 History of the First Church Bell, ** 
 
 Ebenezer Mason's Pear Story, 7 
 
 Spencer Distilleries, 45 
 
 Joseph Garfield's Bear Story, ^ 
 
 Stories of the Revolution, ' ^~ 
 
 Spencer Company of Mounted Men, 5 y 
 
 Biographical Sketch of Geo. W. Bemis, lt l 
 
 Genealogy of Joseph Bemis and Descendants, x et 
 
 Bemis Memorial Park, ]? 
 
 Conclusion, Z 
 
 ' 181